JP2015204672A - Device for converting soil pressure and water pressure into electrical energy - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve such problems of a conventional system for generating power by using power generation elements that the installation place of the device is limited, generation efficiency per piezoelectric element installation area is not high, because the loading does not act simultaneously on the all piezoelectric elements, power is not generated continuously because the loading is applied momentarily, and the like.SOLUTION: (a) A case where a piezoelectric unit 20 rotates or oscillates in a pressure transmission medium 15. Soil pressure 44 in the ground has directivity under the influence of an ocean plate, and the like. When the piezoelectric unit 20 rotates or oscillates in the pressure transmission medium 15, the pressure acting on the piezoelectric unit 20 varies to cause power generation. (b) A case where the piezoelectric unit 20 moves up and down in the pressure transmission medium 15. On the surface of the earth, in the ground under the water surface 21, or in the water, the soil pressure or the water pressure 22 acts on the pressure transmission medium 15 in the horizontal direction. When moving the piezoelectric unit 20 moves up and down in the pressure transmission medium 15, the pressure acting on the piezoelectric unit 20 varies to cause power generation.

Description

  The present invention relates to an apparatus for converting earth pressure generated in the ground and water pressure generated in water into electric energy through a piezoelectric element.

  Several patents for generating pressure fluctuation and vibration via a piezoelectric element have been published.

  In these patents, a piezoelectric element is fixed at a certain place, and vibration energy generated by load (pressure) fluctuation when a person, a car, or a train moves on the piezoelectric element is used. For this reason, the installation location of the apparatus is limited, and the amount of vibration energy that can be used varies depending on the number of people and the number of vehicles and is not constant. Moreover, since the load does not act simultaneously on the entire piezoelectric element, the power generation efficiency per piezoelectric element installation area is not high. Furthermore, since power generation is not continuous in an instant when it is stepped on and the amount of power generation is small, its use at present is limited to auxiliary power for traffic lights, lighting in buildings and buildings, sensors, and the like.

JP 2006-197704 A JP-A-11-353913

  Conventional methods of generating electricity via a piezoelectric element use a vibration energy generated by a load (pressure) fluctuation when a person, a car, or a train moves on the piezoelectric element at a certain location. For this reason, the installation location of the apparatus is limited, and the vibration energy that can be used varies depending on the number of people and the number of vehicles and is not constant. Moreover, since the load does not act simultaneously on the entire piezoelectric element, the power generation efficiency per piezoelectric element installation area is not high. Furthermore, power generation is not continuous in an instant when it is stepped on. In the present invention, the conventional power generation element is fixed, and the method of generating power by moving the load (pressure) on the reverse is reversed, and power is generated by moving the power generation element in a place where the load (pressure) is constantly acting. The method was adopted. By this method, it becomes possible to efficiently obtain a constant amount of vibration energy over the entire area where the piezoelectric element is installed, and a constant amount of electricity can be obtained constantly.

  Underwater, the pressure increases by 1 atmosphere every time the depth increases by 10 m. In the ground, earth force acts about 2.5 times the water pressure at the same depth as underwater. The water pressure is the same pressure in every direction, but the earth pressure is about half the vertical direction in the horizontal direction. The earth pressure is not only the pressure generated by the depth, but also the pressure generated by the ocean plate pushing the continental plate. The pressure (compression strain) generated by the ocean plate pushing the continental plate is considered to be the cause of plate boundary earthquakes and inland earthquakes occurring in faults.

Water pressure is available in seas and lakes, and earth pressure is available everywhere on land. In addition, there are many sites where soil pressure due to the influence of the ocean plate can be used in Japan. An object of the present invention is to obtain power stably and efficiently using these pressures.

  Since water pressure or earth pressure is used, a certain amount of electricity can be obtained efficiently and constantly. Large-scale power generation is possible by increasing the unit capacity of the device and increasing the number of devices.

When earth pressure due to the influence of the ocean plate is used, the generation of earthquakes can be prevented by reducing the compressive strain that causes earthquakes.

FIG. 1 is a photograph of an experiment in which power is generated by swinging a piezoelectric element in the ground. FIG. 2 is a photograph of an experiment in which electricity was generated by moving a piezoelectric element up and down in the ground. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the experiment shown in FIGS. FIG. 4 shows an operation diagram of the piezoelectric unit. FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the piezoelectric package. FIG. 6 shows a sectional view and a side view of the piezoelectric package when the piezoelectric unit rotates and swings. FIG. 7 shows a sectional view and a side view of the piezoelectric package when the piezoelectric unit moves up and down. FIG. 8 shows a sectional view and a side view of another piezoelectric package when the piezoelectric unit moves up and down. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram for extracting electric energy using earth pressure acting on the ground. (Example 1) FIG. 10 is an explanatory view for extracting electric energy by using earth pressure acting on the continental plate on the seabed. (Example 2) FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram for extracting electric energy using water pressure acting in water. (Example 3)

  A method of generating power by moving a power generation element in a place where pressure is constantly applied will be described with reference to a specific example of the drawing. However, these are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to these specific examples as long as the gist thereof is not exceeded.

FIG. 1 is a photograph of an experiment in which power is generated by swinging a power generation element when the earth pressure has directionality. (a) is a photograph of the power generating element fixed to a cylindrical container with an adhesive tape. (b) is a photograph of the cylindrical container buried in the ground inside the cardboard box and pressure applied in one direction with a vise. (c) indicates that the LED is not emitting light in that state. (d) shows that the LED shines when the cylindrical container is swung.

FIG. 2 is a photograph of an experiment in which power is generated by moving the underground power generation element up and down. (a) is a photograph of the cylindrical container wrapped with cardboard so that the soil does not flow into the space formed below when the cylindrical container with the power generating element is moved up and down. (b) is a photograph in which a ball box is filled with soil and pressure is applied in one direction with a vise. (c) indicates that the LED is not emitting light in that state. (d) shows that LFD shines when the cylindrical container is moved up and down.

3A is an explanatory view of the experiment of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3B is an explanatory view of the experiment of FIG. In (a), the power generating element 1 sandwiched between the upper electrode 2 and the lower electrode 3 is fixed on the cylindrical container 7 buried in the soil 9 in the box 10 with an adhesive tape 6. The upper electrode 2 and the lower electrode 3 are connected to the LED 4 by lead wires 5. The soil 9 is applied with great pressure in one direction by the vise 8. When the cylindrical container 7 is swung in this state, the earth pressure acting on the piezoelectric element 1 fluctuates, so that the LED 4 emits light. That is, power generation is performed. (b) also has the same configuration as (a), but the cylindrical container 7 is wrapped with cardboard 11. Furthermore, the pressure fluctuation is obtained by the fact that the cylindrical container 7 moves up and down in the cardboard 11 so that earth pressure acts or does not act, and the LED 4 emits light.

FIG. 4 shows the operation of the piezoelectric unit 20. (a) is a power generation method based on the experimental results of FIG. The earth pressure 44 in the ground has directionality due to the influence of the ocean plate and the like. When the piezoelectric unit 20 rotates or swings inside the pressure transmission medium 15 in the ground, the pressure acting on the piezoelectric unit 20 fluctuates and power generation occurs. Electricity can be constantly taken out by continuing the rotation or swinging. In addition, it helps to prevent the occurrence of earthquakes by reducing the compressive strain accumulated in the soil due to the influence of the ocean plate by power generation. (b) is a power generation system based on the experimental results of FIG. The earth pressure or the water pressure 22 acts on the pressure transmission medium 15 in the horizontal direction in the ground below the surface or the water surface 21 or in the water. When the piezoelectric unit 20 is moved upward in the pressure transmission medium 15, earth pressure or water pressure 22 does not act on the piezoelectric unit 20 that has escaped from the pressure transmission medium 15. When the piezoelectric unit 20 is moved downward from there, the pressure returns to the pressure transmission medium 15, and earth pressure or water pressure 22 acts on the piezoelectric unit 20 again. By moving the piezoelectric unit 20 up and down, the pressure acting on the piezoelectric unit 20 fluctuates and power generation occurs. Electricity can be taken out constantly by continuing the vertical movement.

FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the piezoelectric package. (a) shows a split-type power generation element, and (b) shows an integrated power generation element. In (a), there are four divisions, but this is an example, and the division can be arbitrarily made. The power generating element 1 sandwiched between the upper electrode 2 and the lower electrode 3 is fixed to the cylindrical structure 13. A structure including the piezoelectric element 1, the upper electrode 2, the lower electrode 3, and the cylindrical structure 13 is referred to as a piezoelectric unit 20. The piezoelectric unit 20 is installed in the pressure transmission medium 15. As a material for the pressure transmission medium 15, a heat-resistant rubber having lubricity is used. The lubricating substance 12 is filled between the piezoelectric unit 20 and the pressure transmission medium 15. As the material of the lubricating substance 12, a solid lubricant such as graphite, fluororesin, or polymer, a semi-solid lubricant such as grease, or lubricating oil is used. The piezoelectric unit 20, the lubricant 12 and the pressure transmission medium 15 are collectively referred to as a piezoelectric package 29. The pressure transmission medium 15 serves to protect the piezoelectric unit 20 from the earth and stone 16 and to transmit the pressure from the earth and stone 16 to the piezoelectric unit 20. The lubricating substance 12 serves to reduce the frictional force when the piezoelectric unit 20 moves in the pressure transmission medium 15.

FIG. 6 shows a sectional view and a side view of the piezoelectric package 29 when the piezoelectric unit 20 rotates or swings. The piezoelectric package 29 is disposed at the bottom of the conduit 17. Earth pressure also works upward. Therefore, the upward earth pressure acting on the piezoelectric package 29 is supported by the conduit 17 via the packing 18 and the packing presser 19. The packing 18 also serves to prevent the earth and stone 16 from entering the conduit 17. The piezoelectric package 29 is installed in a place where the earth pressure is directional (a place where the earth pressure in a certain direction is higher than the earth pressure in a direction perpendicular thereto). When the piezoelectric unit 20 rotates or swings in the pressure transmission medium 15, the pressure applied to the power generation element 1 fluctuates and power generation occurs. Electricity can be constantly taken out by continuing the rotation or swinging.

FIG. 7 shows a sectional view and a side view of the piezoelectric package when the piezoelectric unit 20 moves up and down. When the piezoelectric unit 20 rises and completely comes out of the pressure transmission medium 15, it is difficult to return to the pressure transmission medium 15 when descending, and therefore a cylindrical structure lower part 14 is provided under the cylindrical structure 13. Even when the piezoelectric unit 20 is raised, the lower part 14 of the cylindrical structure remains in the pressure transmission medium 15. When the piezoelectric unit 20 is lifted, most of the pressure transmission medium 15 becomes a cavity and is deformed due to earth pressure or water pressure, making it difficult to return the piezoelectric unit 20 to its original position. In order to suppress excessive deformation of the pressure transmission medium 15, a guide 23 is installed. In FIG. 7, four guides are installed on the circumference, but this is an example, and the number can be arbitrarily selected. The guide 23 is fixed by a guide support pipe 24 fixed to the conduit 17 and a guide bottom plate 25 installed under the cylindrical structure lower part 14. At this time, a gap is provided between the guide bottom plate 25 and the bottom of the pressure transmission medium 15 so that a sufficient compressive force acts on the packing 18. The packing 18 prevents soil from entering the conduit 17 when in the ground, but prevents water from entering the conduit 17 when in the water. Since the guide 23 suppresses excessive deformation of the pressure transmission medium 15, the piezoelectric unit 20 can move up and down smoothly along the guide 23. In addition, since the power generation package 29 may come off from the conduit 17 in water, a conduit lower portion (porous tube) 26 is added. Due to the perforated tube, water pressure acts on the power generation package 29.

FIG. 8 shows a sectional view and a side view of a piezoelectric package 29 having another structure when the piezoelectric unit 20 moves up and down. A spring or bellows 27 is installed in the pressure transmission medium 15 to prevent deformation of the pressure transmission medium 15 serving as a cavity. Since the spring or bellows 27 expands and contracts in the pressure transmission medium 15 via the spring or bellows receiver 28, the hollow pressure transmission medium 15 is prevented from being excessively deformed. The other structure is the same as FIG.

The device for driving the piezoelectric unit 20 is not shown in FIGS. For this purpose, a geared motor having a low horsepower and a gear, a link, a cam device and a power source for converting the rotation of the motor to a vertical motion are placed near or inside the ground surface 37, the floating body 38, or the piezoelectric unit 20. Install according to the situation.

  FIG. 9 is an embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, and shows an explanatory diagram for generating power using earth pressure acting in the ground. The underground excavator 31 installed in the derrick 30 on the ground surface 37 feeds the conduit 17 to a place 35 where earth pressure suitable for power generation acts. Thereafter, the piezoelectric package 29 is set at the lower portion of the conduit 17, and power is generated by rotating or swinging the piezoelectric unit 20 or moving up and down, or a combination of these operations. Note that the underground excavation method is an example, and an excavation method different from the drawing can be used. The generated electricity is converted into alternating current, and then boosted by a transformer 32 and sent to a consumption area via a power transmission line 34 supported by a steel tower 33. Part of the power generation is used as a power source.

When the piezoelectric package 29 is installed in the vicinity of the fault 36, the earth pressure acting on the fault 36 due to power generation is relieved, which helps to prevent the occurrence of inland earthquakes.

  The embodiment of FIG. 10 shows an explanatory diagram for generating power using earth pressure acting on the continental plate on the seabed. Unlike FIG. 9, the derrick 30 and the underground excavator 31 are installed on a floating body 38 floating in the sea. The conduit 17 is sent to a place 35 where earth pressure suitable for power generation in the continental plate 40 acts. Thereafter, power generation is performed in the same manner as in FIG. When the floating body 38 is far away from the land, the generated electricity is used for charging the battery or producing hydrogen at the battery manufacturing factory or the hydrogen manufacturing factory 41. Part of the power generation is used as a power source.

When the piezoelectric package 29 is installed in a place where the compressive strain is accumulated in the continental plate 40, the compressive strain is mitigated by power generation, which is useful for preventing the occurrence of a plate boundary earthquake.

The embodiment of FIG. 11 shows an explanatory diagram for generating power using water pressure acting in water. The conduit 17 extends from the floating body 38 on the sea or lake 42 into the water, and the piezoelectric package 29 is installed below the conduit 17. Electric power is generated by moving the piezoelectric unit 20 up and down. After the generated electricity is converted into alternating current, it is boosted by the transformer 32 and sent to the consumption area via the bottom cable 43. Part of the power generation is used as a power source.

It is also possible to make maximum use of renewable energy by installing a wind power generator or the like on the floating body 38.

  Electricity can be generated using earth pressure and water pressure existing everywhere on the earth.

It helps to prevent the occurrence of inland earthquakes and plate boundary earthquakes by mitigating compressive strain accumulated in the vicinity of faults and continental plates by power generation.

1 Power generation element 2 Upper electrode 3 Lower electrode 4 LED
5 Lead wire 6 Adhesive tape 7 Cylindrical container 8 Vise 9 Earth 10 Box 11 Cardboard 12 Lubricating material 13 Cylindrical structure 14 Cylindrical structure lower part 15 Pressure transmission medium 16 Debris 17 Conduit 18 Packing 19 Packing presser 20 Piezoelectric unit 21 Ground surface or Water surface 22 Earth pressure or water pressure 23 Guide 24 Guide support pipe 25 Guide support bottom plate 26 Conduit lower part (porous pipe)
27 Spring or bellow 28 Spring or bellows receiver 29 Piezoelectric package 30 Derrick 31 Underground excavator 32 Transformer 33 Steel tower 34 Transmission line 35 Place where earth pressure suitable for power generation acts 36 Fault 37 Surface 38 Floating body 39 Sea 40 Continental plate 41 Battery manufacturing plant or hydrogen manufacturing plant 42 Sea or lake 43 Bottom cable 44 Earth pressure

Claims (2)

  A piezoelectric package composed of a piezoelectric element, an electrode, a pressure transmission medium, etc. is installed in the ground, and a piezoelectric unit composed of the piezoelectric element, the electrode, etc. is rotated, swung, moved up and down in the pressure transmission medium Is combined to cause fluctuations in earth pressure acting on the piezoelectric unit and convert it into electrical energy. A water pressure acting on the piezoelectric unit by installing a piezoelectric package composed of a piezoelectric element, an electrode, a pressure transmission medium, etc. in water and moving the piezoelectric unit composed of the piezoelectric element, the electrode, etc. up and down in the pressure transmission medium This causes the fluctuation and converts it into electrical energy.