JP2008014154A - Floating hydraulic power generator - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To convert exhaustless stream energy obtained by river currents and the ebb and flow of the sea etc. into electric energy without requiring expensive investment in facilities such as a dam, enable use of both shallow water currents and deep water currents and respond to rising and lowering of the water level as needed. <P>SOLUTION: This floating hydraulic power generator is provided with power generators; floating bodies 3 positioned in a predetermined place in a stream in the floating state and making the power generators float in the stream; annular members 17 vertically wound around the floating bodies 3, supported by the floating bodies 3 so as to be continuously movable around the floating bodies 3, and extended in the fore-and-aft direction of the stream; a plurality of blades 19 supported by the annular members 17 and energized by the stream; and a transmission mechanism for transmitting movement of the annular members 17 around the floating bodies 3 to the power generators. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a floating hydroelectric generator that can use a gentle water flow that is unsuitable for conventional hydroelectric generators.

  Most of the conventional hydroelectric generators generate electricity by using a water drop to guide a water flow into the power generator and driving the generator by turning an impeller by the water flow. For this reason, conventionally, hydropower generation was possible only in a limited area such as a mountainous area. In addition, the conventional hydroelectric generators require large-scale facilities and equipment such as dams, and thus require large capital investment.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to advantageously solve the following problems.
1. Without making expensive capital investment in dams, infinite water flow energy from river flows and sea tides is converted into electrical energy.
2. Both shallow water flow and deep water flow can be used, and correspond to the upper and lower water levels as needed.
3. Avoid obstacles to water transport.
4). Make installation and removal easy.
5. Simplify equipment structure to keep initial investment and operating costs low.

  In order to achieve the above object, a floating hydroelectric generator of the present invention includes a generator, a floating body that is positioned in a floating position in a water stream and floats the generator in the water stream, and is wound around the floating body in a vertical direction. An annular member that is supported by the floating body so as to be continuously movable around the floating body and is arranged to extend in the front-rear direction of the water flow, and is supported by the annular member and attached by the water flow. And a plurality of blades to be energized, and a transmission mechanism for transmitting the movement of the annular member around the floating body to the generator.

  In such a floating hydroelectric generator, the floating body is positioned in a predetermined position in the water stream so that the generator floats in the water stream, and is wound around the floating body in the vertical direction and continuously around the floating body. Among a plurality of blades supported by an annular member that is movably supported by the floating body and is arranged so as to extend in the front-rear direction of the water flow, those located below the surface of the water flow are energized by the water flow, A portion located below the water surface of the annular member is moved in the downstream direction around the floating body, and the transmission mechanism transmits the movement of the annular member to the generator, whereby the generator is driven to generate power.

  Therefore, according to the floating hydroelectric generator of the present invention, the floating body floats the generator in the water flow and supports the plurality of blades, so that the generator is driven by the plurality of blades regardless of the shallow depth of water, and power is generated. Water current energy can be converted into electric energy, and the floating body is positioned in a floating position in the water flow in a floating state, so that it is possible to respond to the upper and lower water levels as needed. And by making the width of the floating body and the blade narrower than the width of the water flow, troubles in water transportation can be avoided.

  According to the present invention, the means for positioning the floating body in a floating state in a water stream is a structure that supports the floating body so that it can be moved up and down directly on a fixed structure such as a support provided on land or in water. However, a rope such as a rope, a chain, or a wire that connects the floating body to the fixed structure may be used. If the rope is used in this way, the floating body can be easily positioned in a floating position in the water stream, and the floating hydroelectric generator can be easily installed and removed.

  Moreover, in this invention, the said generator may be incorporated in the said floating body. In this way, the structure of the floating hydroelectric generator can be further simplified, and initial investment and operation costs can be kept low.

  Furthermore, in this invention, the said floating body may be provided with the stopper which prevents interference with the said blade and a water bottom. In this way, even when the water depth becomes too shallow due to unforeseen circumstances, the interference between the blade and the bottom of the water can be prevented by the stopper, and damage to the floating hydroelectric generator can be avoided.

  The floating hydroelectric generator of the present invention may further include a connecting means for connecting a plurality of the floating hydroelectric generators to at least one of the water flow in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction. In this way, a plurality of the floating hydroelectric generators can be appropriately connected in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction of the water flow according to the width of the water flow, etc. by the connecting means, so that the energy of the water flow is used more efficiently. be able to.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the overall appearance of an embodiment of the floating hydroelectric generator according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a plurality of floating hydroelectric generators according to the above embodiment connected in the front-rear direction of the water flow. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state where the forefront floating hydroelectric generator is positioned in a floating state in a water stream in a floating state, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the floating hydroelectric generator of the above embodiment in a state where a bucket with a bucket is removed; FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the floating hydroelectric generator of the above embodiment in a state where the belt with bucket, the generator, and a part of the transmission mechanism are removed.

  The floating hydroelectric generator of this embodiment includes a thick plate-like frame 1 having an oval through hole 1a at the center in the longitudinal direction and small holes 1b for connection at both ends in the longitudinal direction, and through the frame 1 Extending in the longitudinal direction between two inner floating bodies 2 each having an elliptical convex portion 2a fitted in the hole 1a and symmetrical with respect to the frame 1, and a front gear 7 and a rear gear 8 described later. Thus, two outer floating bodies 3 having a symmetric shape with respect to the frame 1 are provided, each having a convex portion 3 a that is in close contact with the outer surface of the two inner floating bodies 2.

  Here, the two inner floating bodies 2 are respectively positioned at the bearing holes 2b at both ends in the longitudinal direction, two fixing bolt insertion holes 2c positioned inside the bearing holes 2b, and at the center portion facing the frame 1. And a generator recess 2d. Each of the two outer floating bodies 3 has a fixing bolt insertion hole 2c of the inner floating body 2 and two fixing bolt insertion holes 3b aligned in the axial direction. And these two inner floating bodies 2 and two outer floating bodies 3 are in a state in which the ellipsoidal convex portion 2a is fitted into the through hole 1a with the frame 1 sandwiched between the two inner floating bodies 2. Each of the two long fixing bolts 4 penetrating the fixing bolt insertion hole 2c and the fixing bolt insertion hole 3b, and two nuts 5 fastened to the tip end portions of the fixing bolts 4, respectively, are shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, the frame 1 and the frame 1 are assembled together.

  Each of the inner floating body 2 and the outer floating body 3 may be formed hollow, for example, with fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) and the like, and the inside thereof may be water-tight so as not to sink, or a foam material such as polystyrene foam is contained therein. You may make it not fill and sink.

  The floating hydroelectric generator of this embodiment also includes two front gears 7 and two rear gears 8, two normal generators 9, and a chain-type transmission mechanism 10 as shown in FIG. Here, each of the front gear 7 and the rear gear 8 has support shafts 7a and 8a integrally with the gears, and the chain-type transmission mechanism 10 has both the support shafts 7a of the two front gears 7 and both ends thereof. A drive shaft 11 that is spline-coupled, a drive sprocket 12 that is provided integrally with the drive shaft 11, a driven shaft 13 that is spline-coupled to the input shaft 9a of the two generators 9, and the driven shaft 13, a driven sprocket 14 having a smaller diameter than the driving sprocket 12, and an annular chain 15 wound around the driving sprocket 12 and the driven sprocket 14, And accelerating the rotation of the pieces of the front tooth wheel 7 transmitted to the input shaft 9a of the generator 9.

  The support shafts 7a of the two front gears 7 are front sides of the two inner floating bodies 2 (left side in FIG. 4), as shown in FIG. 6 which is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. The bearing hole 2b provided at the end of the bearing and the drive shaft 11 rotatably supported by the bearing hole 2b are rotatably supported. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, the support shafts 8a of the two rear gears 8 are connected to each other by a connection shaft 16 in which both ends of the support shaft 8a are splined and two inner floating bodies 2 are connected. Is supported rotatably by the bearing hole 2b provided at the end on the rear side (right side in FIG. 4) and the connecting shaft 16 rotatably supported by the bearing hole 2b.

  The driven shaft 13 is supported by the input shafts 9a of the two generators 9 as shown in FIG. 7, which is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. The two inner floating bodies 2 are respectively watertightly accommodated in the recesses 2 d and supported by the inner floating bodies 2.

  The floating hydroelectric generator of this embodiment is further wound around the inner floating body 2 and the outer floating body 3 on one side of the frame 1 in the vertical direction, respectively, so that the front gear 7 and the surroundings of the floating bodies 2 and 3 can be continuously moved. Made of, for example, synthetic rubber as an annular member that is wound around the rear gear 8 and supported by the floating bodies 2 and 3 and arranged so as to extend in the longitudinal direction of the floating bodies 2 and 3 and thus in the front-rear direction of the water flow. 1 and the annular belt 17 via a hinge 18 between the fall posture shown above the floating body 3 in FIG. 1 and the rising posture shown below the floating body 3 in FIG. It comprises a plurality of buckets 19 as blades that are supported and energized by a water stream.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 1, each bucket 19 has a recessed portion 19 a that opens to the left in FIG. 1 in the above-mentioned rising posture, and when it is positioned below the floating body 3, the bucket 19 rises up due to its own weight and water flow. Then, the water is energized by the water flow by receiving the water of the water flow at the concave portion 19 a, and the energizing force is transmitted to the annular belt 17. And when it is located above the floating body 3, it will be in the above-mentioned tilted posture by its own weight so as not to be subjected to wind pressure or splashing water resistance.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, each of the two annular belts 17 is a rack-like tooth that is located at the center in the width direction of the inner peripheral surface of the annular belt 17 and extends along the longitudinal direction. The rack-shaped teeth 17a mesh with the teeth of the front gear 7 and the rear gear 8, and efficiently transmit the urging force applied from the bucket 19 to the annular belt 17 to the front gear 7.

  Then, the electric power generated by the two generators 9 is taken out of the floating hydroelectric generator of this embodiment by the output cable 20 that penetrates the frame 1. The output cable 20 is provided with a plug 21. The output cable 20 is inserted into a socket (not shown) provided on the frame 1 of the floating hydroelectric generator of the other embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, it can also be connected to the output cable in the floating hydroelectric generator of the other said Example.

  In such a floating hydroelectric generator of this embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG. 2, the front end (left side in FIG. 1) of the frame 1 of the floating hydroelectric generator of this embodiment, A chain 23 as a rope is connected to a support column 22 standing in the stream of the river, and another unit is attached to the rear end (right side in FIG. 1) of the frame 1 of the floating hydroelectric generator. The front end (left side in FIG. 1) of the frame 1 of the floating hydroelectric generator of this embodiment is similarly connected by a chain 23, and these floating hydroelectric generators are in water flow by the buoyancy of the floating bodies 2 and 3. 2, the floating bodies 2 and 3 of these floating hydroelectric generators are positioned in a floating state at a predetermined position downstream of the column 22 in the water flow indicated by the arrow F in FIG. Float the machine 9 in the water stream, and move the floats 2 and 3 up and down A plurality of belts 17 are supported by an annular belt 17 that is supported by the floats 2 and 3 so as to be continuously movable around the floats 2 and 3 so as to extend in the front-rear direction of the water flow. Among the buckets 19, those located below the water surface of the water stream are energized by the water stream, and the portions located below the water surface of the annular belt 17 are moved in the downstream direction around the floating bodies 2, 3. When the transmission mechanism 10 is transmitted to the generator 9, the generator 9 is driven to generate power.

  Therefore, according to the floating hydroelectric generator of this embodiment, since the floating bodies 2 and 3 float the generator 9 in the water flow and support the plurality of buckets 19, the generator is composed of the plurality of buckets 19 regardless of the shallow depth. 9 is driven to generate electric power, and the water current energy can be converted into electric energy, and the floating bodies 2 and 3 are connected to the column 22 by the chain 23 and are positioned in a floating position in the water flow. The water level can be raised and lowered at any time. And by making the widths of the floating bodies 2 and 3 and the bucket 19 narrower than the width of the water flow, troubles in water transportation can be avoided.

  Further, according to the floating hydropower generator of this embodiment, the means for positioning the floating bodies 2 and 3 in a predetermined position in the water stream is the chain 23, so that the floating bodies 2 and 3 can be easily placed in the predetermined position in the water stream. The floating hydroelectric generator can be easily installed and removed.

  Furthermore, according to the floating hydroelectric generator of this embodiment, since the generator 9 is built in the inner floating body 2, the structure of the floating hydroelectric generator can be further simplified, and the initial investment and operation costs can be kept low. be able to.

  Furthermore, according to the floating hydroelectric generator of this embodiment, since the chain 23 is further provided as a connecting means for connecting the floating hydroelectric generator in the front-rear direction of the water flow, a plurality of the floating hydroelectric generators are provided. Since it can be appropriately connected in the front-rear direction of the water flow according to the width of the water flow, the energy of the water flow can be used more efficiently.

  While the present invention has been described based on the illustrated examples, the present invention is not limited to the above-described examples and can be appropriately changed within the scope of the claims. For example, the floating body 2 is, for example, the floating body 2 It may be provided with a plate-like stopper attached to the side surface of the bucket 19 slightly apart from the bucket 19 and projecting downward from the side surface to prevent interference between the bucket 19 and the bottom of the water. Even if the water depth becomes too shallow due to the above situation etc., the stopper can prevent the blade and the bottom of the water from interfering with each other, and the breakage of the floating hydroelectric generator can be avoided. It can also be guided to the rear bucket 19.

  Further, for example, a plate-like blade may be used in place of the bucket 19, and the plate-like blade may be fixed to the annular belt 17, and in this way, the blade can be provided at low cost. Furthermore, instead of each annular belt 17, two annular chains may be used by being hung on the sprocket, and both end portions of the blade may be supported by these annular chains. Further, a gear-type transmission mechanism or the like may be used instead of the chain-type transmission mechanism 10, or the input shaft 9a of the generator 9 is aligned with the support shaft 7a of the front gear 7 and they are coupled as a transmission mechanism. It can be connected.

  The floating hydroelectric generator of the present invention may be used alone, or may be used by being connected in a plurality in the left and right direction (width direction) of the water flow by, for example, a rod-like member or the like. Alternatively, a plurality of water streams connected in the front-rear direction may be used in combination. Furthermore, the floating hydroelectric generator of the present invention can be used not only in the river water stream but also in the water stream generated by tides in a canal or the like facing the sea.

  Thus, according to the floating hydroelectric generator of the present invention, since the floating body floats the generator in the water flow and supports the plurality of blades, the generator is driven by the plurality of blades regardless of whether the water depth is deep or shallow. Energy can be converted into electric energy, and since the floating body is positioned in a floating state in a water stream in a floating state, it can correspond to the upper and lower levels of the water level as needed. And by making the width of the floating body and the blade narrower than the width of the water flow, troubles in water transportation can be avoided.

It is a perspective view which shows the whole external appearance of one Example of the floating hydroelectric generator of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the state which connected the floating hydroelectric generator of the said Example in the front-back direction of a water flow, and positioned the foremost floating hydroelectric generator in the floating state in the water flow at the predetermined place. It is a perspective view which shows the floating hydroelectric generator of the said Example in the state except the belt with a bucket. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the floating hydroelectric generator of the said Example in the state except the belt with a bucket, a generator, and a part of transmission mechanism. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the structure of the transmission mechanism of the floating hydroelectric generator of the said Example. It is sectional drawing which follows the AA line of FIG. 1 of the floating hydroelectric generator of the said Example. It is sectional drawing which follows the BB line of FIG. 1 of the floating hydroelectric generator of the said Example. It is sectional drawing which follows the CC line of FIG. 6 of the cyclic | annular belt of the floating hydroelectric power generator of the said Example, and some buckets. It is a perspective view which shows the part similar to FIG. 8 of the cyclic | annular belt and several bucket of the floating hydroelectric generator of the said Example.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Frame 1a Through-hole 1b Small hole 2 Inner floating body 2a Protruding part 2b Bearing hole 2c Fixing bolt insertion hole 2d Recessed part for generator 3 Outer floating body 3a Protruding part 3b Fixing bolt insertion hole 4 Fixing bolt 5 Nut 7 Front gear 7a Support shaft 8 Rear Gear 8a Support shaft 9 Generator 9a Input shaft 10 Chain transmission mechanism 11 Drive shaft 12 Drive sprocket 13 Driven shaft 14 Driven sprocket 15 Annular chain 16 Connecting shaft 17 Annular belt 17a Teeth 18 Hinge 19 Bucket 19a Concave 20 Output cable 21 Plug 22 Post 23 Chain

Claims (4)

A generator,
A floating body positioned in a floating position in a water stream and floating the generator in the water stream;
An annular member wound around the floating body in the vertical direction and supported by the floating body so as to be continuously movable around the floating body, and arranged to extend in the front-rear direction of the water flow;
A plurality of blades supported by the annular member and energized by the water flow;
A transmission mechanism for transmitting the movement of the annular member around the floating body to the generator;
A floating hydroelectric power generator.   The floating hydroelectric generator according to claim 1, wherein the generator is built in the floating body.   The floating hydroelectric generator according to claim 1, wherein the floating body includes a stopper that prevents interference between the blade and the water bottom. The floating hydroelectric generator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising connecting means for connecting a plurality of the floating hydroelectric generators to at least one of the front-rear direction and the left-right direction of the water flow.

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