JP2006132494A - Hydroelectric generator - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a hydroelectric generator capable of stably generating electric power even when stream is heavy and fluctuation of a water level is large and of effectively performing electric power generation. <P>SOLUTION: Two water turbines 11, 12 are provided in upstream and downstream sides of flowing water, respectively, and are connected with one of a power generator in a power generator chamber 21. Main bodies of the respective water turbines 11, 12 have a hollow drum shape of which main shaft is approximately vertical to the water flow. Blades provided around the water turbines 11, 12 have a large number of partitions in the width direction (vertical to the water flow). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a hydroelectric generator that is installed in flowing water such as a river to generate electric power.

  There is an urgent need for practical use of renewable energy power generation that uses natural power to replace fossil fuels such as petroleum and power generation that uses nuclear power, which are problematic for the environment.

  One type of such power generation is hydropower generation. There are two types of hydropower generation: a drop type that uses a large head difference (head) due to a dam or the like, and a flowing water type that uses running water. The head type has the advantage of high energy density, but has the disadvantage that large-scale equipment is required and the installation location is limited. On the other hand, the flowing water type is suitable for small-scale power generation near the consumption area because the installation location can be relatively freely selected although the energy density is low.

  There are two types of running water types: a surface type that immerses a part of the lower part of a water wheel in a water channel or a river, and an immersion type that immerses an impeller in water. Therefore, the surface type is suitable for simple small-scale power generation.

  The problem with running water / surface type hydroelectric generators is when the water level of the water flow changes. If the water wheel (rotary shaft) is fixed at a certain position (height), when the water surface becomes low, the water does not touch the water wheel at all and power generation may not be performed. On the other hand, even when the water surface becomes high, there is a problem that the water turbine does not rotate properly and a problem that a strong fixing facility is required because a large force is applied to the entire water wheel.

Therefore, various devices for moving the water wheel up and down according to the fluctuation of the water surface have been devised (Patent Documents 1, 2, etc.).
JP 2002-364512 A JP 2004-052736 A

In the hydroelectric generator described in Patent Document 1, a buoyancy device is provided in a water turbine, and the rotation shaft of the water turbine is held by a swingable frame or a connecting rod to cope with changes in the water level.
In the hydroelectric generator described in Patent Document 2, the turbine (rotor) is made of foamed resin so that it floats on the surface of the water, and the rotating shaft is placed in a vertically long slit to move the turbine up and down due to fluctuations in the water level. I try to absorb the movement.

However, all of these hydroelectric generators have a problem that, when the fluctuation of the water level is severe, the followability to the fluctuation is not sufficient, and the fluctuation of the power generation amount is severe. There is also room for improvement in terms of power generation efficiency.
The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a hydroelectric generator that can generate stable power even when the water flow is strong and the fluctuation of the water level is large, and that can generate power efficiently.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention is directed to a hydroelectric generator in which only a part of a lower part of a water turbine is immersed in flowing water by a buoyancy device, and the rotational force of the water wheel generated by the flowing water is converted into electric power. It has at least two water turbines, that is, an upstream water turbine and a downstream water turbine, and these are connected to one generator.

  Here, the buoyancy device may be provided separately from the water wheel, but the water wheel itself may be a buoyancy device. For example, as shown in the cited document 2, the water wheel is made of foamed resin, or the water wheel body is made into a drum shape with a hollow inside (in this case, the main shaft is in a direction substantially perpendicular to the water flow), so that the water wheel itself Works as a buoyancy device.

  It is desirable that the width of the water wheel (the length in the direction perpendicular to the water flow) be as large as possible (preferably longer than its diameter). Thereby, more energy of the water flow can be extracted as electric energy.

  In addition, it is desirable that the blades provided around the water wheel be divided into a plurality of sections in the width direction (direction perpendicular to the water flow). This is particularly effective when the width of the water wheel is widened. By doing so, more efficient power generation can be performed without causing the water flow hit the blades to escape sideways.

  Two (or more) turbines may be provided independently without being connected to each other, but it is desirable to connect the rotating shafts of the two turbines with a connecting rod. Of course, each rotating shaft is rotatable with respect to the connecting rod. In any case, the amount of energy extracted from the running water is increased by the number of turbines, and even if the water level fluctuates or the water flow is intense, the probability that at least one of them continues power generation is high. Although the effect of stabilizing the overall power generation amount can be obtained, especially in the latter configuration, the position of the entire unit including the upstream water turbine and the downstream water turbine relative to the water surface is stable. The effect is that the power generation amount of the entire machine is further stabilized.

  In the hydroelectric generator according to the present invention, since two or more turbines are connected to one generator, the energy of running water can be efficiently converted into electric power, and the total power generation amount can be stabilized. . Moreover, since these water turbines are arranged on the upstream side and the downstream side of the water flow, they can also be installed in narrow creeks and water channels. And the power generation efficiency can be further increased by increasing the width of the water wheel.

  By making the turbine body into a hollow drum shape, the turbine can be placed at a stable position on the water surface without providing a separate buoyancy device. Further, by connecting the two water wheels with the connecting rod, the position of the water wheel relative to the water surface becomes more stable, and more stable electricity is output from the generator.

  By providing partitions at appropriate intervals in the direction perpendicular to the water flow on the blades provided around the water wheel, it is possible to capture the energy of the flowing water more reliably without causing water to escape sideways, especially when the width of the water wheel is wide. It can be used for power generation. This can also improve the power generation efficiency.

A hydroelectric generator according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a side view of the entire hydroelectric generator of the present embodiment, FIG. 2 is a front view of a portion of a turbine and a power generation chamber, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the portion of the turbine.
As shown in FIG. 1, the hydroelectric generator of the present embodiment includes two water turbines 11 and 12 arranged on the upstream side (left side in FIG. 1) and the downstream side of running water. Hereinafter, the upstream side may be referred to as the front and the downstream side may be referred to as the rear. As shown in FIGS. 3 (a) and 3 (b), both water turbines 11 and 12 are drum-shaped, and the inside is hollow. Rotating shafts protrude from the left and right end surfaces of the drum-type water turbines 11 and 12, and power transmission gears (driving gears) 13 and 14 are fixed to the bases of the rotating shafts (end surfaces of the water turbines 11 and 12). . On the left and right end surfaces, the rotating shafts of the front and rear water turbines 11 and 12 are connected by a substantially “G” -shaped connecting rod 15, and the left and right connecting rods 15 are swingably attached to a power generation chamber 21 described later at the center. Yes. In addition, on each of the left and right end surfaces, three gears of the drive gears 13 and 14 on the end surfaces of the front and rear water turbines 11 and 12 and the gears (driven gears) 22 provided at both ends of the power generation chamber 21 are bridged by a toothed belt 23. Has been.

  A large number of blades 16 having a length over the entire width of the water turbines 11 and 12 are attached around the water turbines 11 and 12. The blades 16 have a cross-sectional shape that becomes concave toward the upstream side of running water when they are in the water, and, as shown in FIG. It may be divided into a plurality of sections by a partition 17 provided. Further, water stoppers 18 are provided at both ends over the entire circumference. As shown in FIG. 3 (b), the partition 17 may have a disk shape that goes around the entire circumference of the water turbines 11 and 12.

  A power generation chamber 21 having the same width (length in a direction perpendicular to the water flow) as that of the water turbines 11 and 12 is provided in the upper middle portion between the front and rear water turbines 11 and 12. A dynamo (generator) 24 for converting the rotational force of the motor into electric power is housed. In this embodiment, one dynamo 24 is provided on each of the left and right sides. However, by providing appropriate power transmission means such as a gear and a toothed belt, only one end or only the center is provided. It is also possible to employ a mechanism in which a single dynamo is provided in each.

  A rotating shaft 25 of the dynamo 24 protrudes from both ends of the power generation chamber 21, and the driven gear 22 is fixed to the rotating shaft 25, and a toothed belt 23 is wound around the rotating shaft 25. Further, a center of a connecting rod 15 that connects both water turbines is attached to the rotating shaft 25 so as to be swingable.

  On the upstream side of the running water, a fixed column 31 is erected to hold the unit composed of the two water turbines 11 and 12 and the power generation chamber 21 movably up and down as a whole. The fixed column 31 is provided in the water when the width of the flow path where the hydroelectric generator is installed is wide, but may be installed across both banks when the width of the flow path is narrow. The power generation chamber 21 of the water turbine / generator unit is connected to the upper portion of the fixed column 31 by a link mechanism 32. The link mechanism 32 uses a parallel link (parallelogram link), and can swing with respect to the fixed column 31 while keeping the power generation chamber 21 always horizontal. Change the height following the water level.

  The hydraulic power generator of the present embodiment having the above configuration operates as follows. As shown in FIG. 1, normally, only a part of the lower part of the two water turbines 11 and 12 sinks in the water due to the buoyancy of the drum-type water turbines 11 and 12, and the running water hits the blades 16 submerged in the water, thereby causing the turbine 11 , 12 is given a rotational force. At this time, since each blade 16 is partitioned in the width direction, the flowing water does not escape in the lateral direction (width direction), and the energy is efficiently transmitted to the water turbines 11 and 12. The rotational force of each of the water turbines 11 and 12 is transmitted to the dynamo 24 by the toothed belt 23, and the dynamo 24 converts the rotational force into electricity. The generated electricity is taken out through an electric wire 33 wired along the link mechanism 32.

When the water level rises, as shown in FIG. 4 (a), the water turbine / power generation chamber unit rises in parallel as a whole by the link mechanism 32, and the position relative to the water level is maintained.
Further, when the water surface fluctuates violently, as shown in FIG. 4 (b), the two water turbines 11 and 12 swing with respect to the power generation chamber 21, and maintain the position with respect to the water surface.

  With these mechanisms, the power generation amount of the dynamo 24 is always stable without being affected by changes in the water level or fluctuations in the water surface.

  The above embodiment can be variously modified as described below. First, as shown in FIG. 5, an elevating mechanism 34 is provided on the fixed column 31 so that the link mechanism 32 can be moved up and down to cope with a large fluctuation in the water level of the installation location. In this case, as shown in the figure, it is desirable to provide a reinforcing column 35 for supporting the fixed column 31 on the downstream side. In addition, you may provide the similar support | pillar for the installation of FIG.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 6, the turbine / power generation chamber unit is located between the two fixed columns 31a and 31b and the two arms 32a and 32b of the link mechanism, and both arms 32a and 32b of the link mechanism are By setting so as not to interfere with each other, the turbine / power generation chamber unit can be raised to a height higher than the upper ends of the fixed columns 31a and 31b. This makes it possible to generate power even when the water level fluctuates further.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 7, the rotation center 42 of a connecting rod 41 (which is a triangular connecting plate in FIG. 7) 41 that fixes the two water turbines 11, 12 is connected to the centers of both turbines 11, 12. It may be arranged to be equal to or below the line (dashed line). By doing so, even when the water flow becomes intense and the two water turbines are inclined as shown in FIG. 8, the movement is stable and the two water turbines 11 and 12 are less likely to be exposed. In this case, a hanging connecting rod 43 for connecting the generator chamber 21 and the rotation center 42 is provided, and the driven gear 44 provided at the upper apex of the triangle of the connecting plate 41 and the dynamo in the generator chamber 21 are provided. It is necessary to connect the gear 22 attached to the shaft with a separate toothed belt 45. Further, as shown in FIG. 8, when the two turbines 11 and 12 are inclined, the driven gear 44 at the top of the connecting plate 41 moves to the left and right, so that the distance from the dynamo shaft gear 22 changes. It is also necessary to provide a tension pulley 46 for absorbing it.

  Although not shown, it is desirable to provide a dust screen on the upstream side of the fixed column 31 so that dust flowing from the upstream does not reach the water turbines 11 and 12.

  In the above embodiment, for the convenience of explanation, the power generation is performed only by the water turbines 11 and 12, but as shown in FIG. 9, the solar cell 51 and / or the windmill 52 are provided and the power generation by these is additionally performed. You may do it. These solar cells 51 and windmills 52 may be provided in the power generation chamber 21 or may be provided in the fixed column 31. Of course, you may provide in both.

The side view of the hydroelectric power generator which is one Example of this invention. The front view of the part of the water turbine and power generation chamber of the hydroelectric generator of an Example. The perspective view of the thing of the two aspects of the water turbine of the hydroelectric generator of an Example. An explanatory view (a) showing the movement of the hydroelectric generator of the embodiment when the water level rises, and an explanatory view (b) showing the movement of the hydroelectric generator of the embodiment when the water surface fluctuates drastically. The side view of the hydroelectric generator which made it possible to raise / lower a fixed pillar up and down. The side view of the link mechanism which made the waterwheel / power generation room unit come between two fixed pillars. The side view of the hydroelectric generator of the Example which made the rotation center of the connecting rod of both turbines lower than the line which connects the center of both turbines. The side view in case the both water turbines incline of the hydroelectric generator of the Example of FIG. The side view of the Example of the hydroelectric generator which additionally provided the solar cell and the windmill.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11, 12 ... Water wheel 13, 14 ... Gear 15 ... Connecting rod 16 ... Blade 17 ... Partition 18 ... Water stop 21 ... Power generation chamber 22 ... Driven gear 23 ... Toothed belt 24 ... Dynamo (generator)
25 ... oscillating shafts 31, 31a, 31b ... fixed column 32 ... link mechanism 32a, 32b ... arm 33 of link mechanism ... electric wire 34 ... lifting mechanism 35 ... reinforcing column 41 ... connecting plate 42 ... center of rotation 43 of connecting plate ... Drooping connecting rod 44 ... driven gear 45 ... toothed belt 46 ... tension pulley 51 ... solar cell 52 ... windmill

Claims (5)

In the hydroelectric generator that causes only a part of the lower part of the water wheel to be immersed in the flowing water by the buoyancy device and converts the rotational force of the water wheel by the flowing water into electric power,
A hydroelectric generator comprising at least two turbines, an upstream turbine and a downstream turbine, which are connected to one generator.   At least two turbines, one upstream and one downstream, are connected to one generator, and the main body of each turbine has a hollow drum shape whose main shaft is substantially perpendicular to the water flow. A hydroelectric generator characterized by   The hydroelectric generator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a length (width) in a direction perpendicular to the water flow of the water turbine is larger than a diameter thereof.   The hydroelectric generator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein blades provided around the water wheel are sectioned in a direction perpendicular to the water flow. The hydroelectric generator according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein two water turbines are connected by a connecting rod.

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