JP2016125412A - Vibration water column type wave power generation device and method for acquiring control law for air chamber volume derivation used in the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vibration water column type wave power generation device generating power with high efficiency, and a method for acquiring a control law for air chamber volume derivation used in the device.SOLUTION: A vibration water column type wave power generation device 100 vibrates a water column in an air chamber by vertical motion of incident waves to generate air flow, and performs power generation with a dynamo by utilizing the air flow. The vibration water column type wave power generation device includes: an auxiliary air chamber 20, a piston 22 and an actuator 24 for adjusting a vibration natural period of the water column; a wave period sensor 28 and a wave height sensor 30 for detecting a wave state; and a control unit 26 for controlling the actuator 24 according to the wave state detected by wave state detection means.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a vibrating water column type wave power generation device and a method for obtaining a control law for deriving an air chamber volume used therein.

  In recent years, a wave power generation apparatus that generates power using wave energy in the ocean or the like has attracted attention. As a wave power generator, an air chamber in which a part of the submerged part is opened is installed, and the water surface in the air chamber is moved up and down by waves incident from here, and the flow of air accompanying the change in the air volume of the air chamber A vibrating water column type wave power generation device that generates electric power by rotating an air turbine installed in an air port is mentioned. For an air turbine, a Wells turbine that rotates in the same direction in a reciprocating air flow may be used.

  In such a wave power generation device, an emergency throttle valve is provided in the air flow path to and from the air turbine, and the throttle valve is operated when the speed or wave height of the air turbine exceeds a set value. The structure which controls the flow volume of the air which flows in into an air turbine is disclosed (patent document 1). Further, in an energy conversion device that includes a cylinder and a piston having a buoyancy fitted in the cylinder and generates an air flow by the vertical movement of the piston, an air supply pipe including a check valve and an electromagnetic valve is provided on the upper portion of the cylinder. A configuration is disclosed in which the solenoid valve is closed by the output of a first sensor that detects that the piston has approached the upper limit position of the air chamber of the cylinder (Patent Document 2).

  In addition, an intake valve that allows air to flow into the air chamber as the air volume in the air chamber increases, an exhaust valve that allows air to flow out of the air chamber as the air volume decreases, and stores air A wave power generation device is disclosed that includes a pressure regulating valve that supplies air to a generator when the pressure exceeds a predetermined pressure (Patent Document 3).

JP 54-55251 A JP 2011-21559 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-3943

  By the way, in an oscillating water column type wave power generation device, the power generation efficiency of the generator changes depending on the period of vertical movement (wave period) of the incident wavefront and the wave height (wave height). Therefore, it is desired to maximize the power generation efficiency according to the wave period and wave height.

  Conventionally, there has been no recognition that the volume of the air chamber (air spring) has a significant effect on the overall behavior of the vibrating water column type wave power generation device, and the efficiency of power generation has been improved by adjusting only the restoring force with water. However, it is difficult to change the shape below the surface of the water to adjust the stability of the water after manufacturing the vibrating water column type wave power generator, and the stability of the water is controlled according to the state of the wave during operation. It is difficult.

  The present invention relates to an oscillating water column-type wave power generation device that adjusts the volume (air spring) of an air chamber to change the natural oscillation period of the water column in accordance with the wave conditions to increase the efficiency of power generation, and the air chamber used therefor A method for obtaining a control law for volume derivation is provided.

  The vibrating water column type wave power generator according to claim 1 of the present invention causes the water column in the air chamber to vibrate by the vertical movement of the incident wave to generate an air flow, and the generator uses the air flow to generate power. An oscillating water column type wave power generation device that performs oscillation natural period adjustment means for adjusting the oscillation natural period of the water column, wave state detection means for detecting the wave state, and detected by the wave state detection means An oscillating water column-type wave power generation device comprising oscillation natural period control means for controlling the oscillation natural period adjustment means in accordance with the state of the wave.

  Further, it is preferable that the fluctuation natural period adjusting means includes a volume changing means for changing the volume of the air chamber. The wave state detecting means detects the wave period of the wave, and the natural oscillation period control means is an air chamber volume for adjusting the wave period detected by the wave state detection means to the natural oscillation period of the water column. It is preferable to apply the control law for derivation and control the oscillation natural period adjusting means so that the volume of the air chamber is the volume derived by the control law. Further, the wave state detection means detects the height of the wave, and the oscillation natural period control means air for adjusting the height detected by the wave state detection means to the oscillation natural period of the water column. It is preferable to further apply to the control law for deriving the chamber volume, and to control the oscillation natural period adjusting means so that the volume of the air chamber is the volume derived by the control law.

  At this time, the wave state detection means automatically detects the wave period at all times or at regular time intervals, the oscillation natural period control means applies the automatically detected wave period to the control law, and It is preferable to control the oscillation natural period adjusting means so that the volume of the chamber is a volume derived by the control law.

  Specifically, for example, it is preferable that the volume changing means includes an auxiliary air chamber communicating with the air chamber and a piston for changing the volume of the auxiliary air chamber. In addition, for example, it is preferable that the volume changing unit includes an auxiliary air chamber communicating with the air chamber and an opening / closing valve that opens and closes a communication path to the auxiliary air chamber. A plurality of sets of the auxiliary air chamber and the opening / closing valve may be provided. In addition, for example, it is preferable that the volume changing unit includes a movable partition that partitions a part of the air chamber and a partition moving unit that moves the partition. A plurality of sets of the partition walls and the partition wall moving means may be provided.

  Further, it is preferable that the oscillation natural period control means controls a generator load of the generator.

  According to claim 10 of the present invention, there is provided a method for obtaining a control law for deriving a volume of an air chamber. The vertical flow of an incident wave causes a water column in the air chamber to vibrate to generate an air flow, and the air flow is used to generate power. In the oscillating water column type wave power generation device that generates electricity with a machine, a method for obtaining a control law for calculating the volume of the air chamber when adjusting the natural period of oscillation of the water column according to the state of the wave, Step 1 for setting the wave period of the wave, step 2 for determining an air flow velocity when the wave period and the natural oscillation period of the water column cause resonance, step 3 for setting the load of the generator, A method comprising: obtaining an equivalent attenuation of a turbine for rotating the generator based on an air flow velocity; and obtaining an air chamber volume causing the resonance based on the equivalent attenuation. A.

  Here, the volume of the air chamber required for the resonance obtained in the step 5 is applied to the entire system of the oscillating water column type wave power generation device, and the behavior of the entire system is estimated and fed back to the step 2 Thus, it is preferable to obtain the air flow velocity when the resonance is obtained from the estimation of the behavior.

  In the step 2, it is preferable to determine an initial value of the air flow velocity by setting a response magnification of the air in the air chamber due to the vertical movement of the wave as a value corresponding to the average equivalent attenuation.

  According to the oscillating water column type wave power generation device according to claim 1 of the present invention, the water column in the air chamber is vibrated by the vertical movement of the incident wave to cause an air flow, and the generator is used by utilizing the air flow. An oscillating water column type wave power generator for generating electric power, wherein a natural oscillation period adjusting means for adjusting a natural oscillation period of the water column, a wave state detecting means for detecting the state of the wave, and a detection by the wave state detecting means By providing oscillation natural period control means for controlling the oscillation natural period adjustment means in accordance with the state of the generated wave, the air in the air chamber is adjusted to obtain the oscillation natural period of the water column in the air chamber. The power generation efficiency by the air flow can be improved.

  Further, the oscillation natural period adjusting means includes volume changing means for changing the volume of the air chamber, so that the volume of the air chamber (air spring) can be adjusted more easily to oscillate the water column in the air chamber. The natural period can be as close as possible to the wave period of the wave. Therefore, the power generation efficiency by the air flow can be easily improved.

  The wave state detecting means detects the wave period of the wave, and the natural oscillation period control means is an air for adjusting the wave period detected by the wave state detection means to the natural oscillation period of the water column. Applying to the control law for deriving the chamber volume, and controlling the oscillation natural period adjusting means so that the volume of the air chamber is a volume derived by the control law, the wave period of the wave The oscillation natural period of the water column can be made as close as possible to the wave period of the wave, and the power generation efficiency can be improved according to the wave period of the wave.

  Further, the wave state detection means detects the height of the wave, and the oscillation natural period control means air for adjusting the height detected by the wave state detection means to the oscillation natural period of the water column. Further applying to the control law for deriving the chamber volume, and controlling the oscillation natural period adjusting means so that the volume of the air chamber is the volume derived by the control law, the wave according to the wave height of the wave The oscillation period of the water column can be made as close as possible to the wave period of the wave, and the power generation efficiency can be improved according to the wave height of the wave.

  At this time, the wave state detection means automatically detects the wave period at all times or at regular time intervals, the oscillation natural period control means applies the automatically detected wave period to the control law, and By controlling the oscillation natural period adjusting means so that the volume of the chamber is derived from the control law, the power generation efficiency can be easily improved according to the wave period of the wave that changes with time. it can.

  Further, the volume changing means includes an auxiliary air chamber communicating with the air chamber and a piston for changing the volume of the auxiliary air chamber, thereby moving the piston according to the wave condition, thereby It is possible to easily change the oscillation period. The volume changing means includes an auxiliary air chamber communicating with the air chamber and an open / close valve that opens and closes a communication passage to the auxiliary air chamber, thereby opening and closing the open / close valve according to the wave condition. This makes it possible to easily change the oscillation period of the water column. In addition, the volume changing means includes a movable partition that partitions a part of the air chamber and a partition moving means that moves the partition, thereby moving the partition according to the wave condition. It becomes possible to easily change the oscillation period of the water column.

  Further, the oscillation natural period control means controls the generator load of the generator to adjust the equivalent attenuation of the turbine of the generator, thereby changing the oscillation natural period of the water column in the air chamber to the wave period of the wave. The power generation efficiency by the air flow can be improved.

  According to the method for obtaining the control law for deriving the air chamber volume according to claim 10 of the present invention, the water column in the air chamber is vibrated by the vertical movement of the incident wave to cause the air flow, and the air flow is utilized. In a vibrating water column type wave power generator that generates power with a generator, a method for obtaining a control law for calculating the volume of the air chamber when adjusting the natural oscillation period of the water column according to the state of the wave Step 1 for setting the wave period of the wave, Step 2 for obtaining an air flow velocity when the wave period and the natural oscillation period of the water column cause resonance, and Step 3 for setting the load of the generator. The step 4 for obtaining the equivalent attenuation of the turbine for rotating the generator based on the air flow velocity, and the step 5 for obtaining the volume of the air chamber causing the resonance based on the equivalent attenuation. Serial upset the natural period of the air chamber of the water column can be determined control law for close as possible to the wave period of the waves, it is possible to improve the power generation efficiency due to air flow in accordance with the control law.

  Here, the volume of the air chamber required for the resonance obtained in the step 5 is applied to the entire system of the oscillating water column type wave power generation device, and the behavior of the entire system is estimated and fed back to the step 2 Thus, by obtaining the air flow velocity at the time of causing the resonance obtained from the estimation of the behavior, a control law for further improving the power generation efficiency by the air flow can be obtained.

  In the step 2, an appropriate initial value is obtained by determining an initial value of the air flow velocity by determining a response magnification of the air in the air chamber due to the vertical movement of the wave as a value corresponding to the average equivalent attenuation. Based on the above, it is possible to obtain a control law for bringing the natural period of oscillation of the water column in the air chamber as close as possible to the wave period of the wave, and it is possible to improve the power generation efficiency by the air flow according to the control law.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the oscillating water column type | mold wave power generator in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining the electric power generation by the vibration water column type wave power generation device in an embodiment of the invention. It is a figure which shows the dynamic model of an oscillating water column type wave power generator. It is a flowchart of the method of calculating | requiring the control law for air chamber volume derivation | derivation in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the volume of an air part, the equivalent attenuation | damping of an air turbine, and the oscillation natural period of water column vibration. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the equivalent attenuation | damping of an air turbine, and the amount of recovered energy. It is a flowchart of the control method of the vibration water column type | mold wave power generator in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the vibration water column type wave power generator in the modification 1. It is a figure which shows the specific structure of the vibration water column type | mold wave power generator in the modification 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the structure of the vibration water column type | mold wave power generator in the modification 2. FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an oscillating water column type wave power generation device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an air chamber 10, an air communication chamber 12, an air turbine 14, a generator 16, and valves 18 (18a, 18b, 18c, 18 d), the auxiliary air chamber 20, the piston 22, the actuator 24, the control unit 26, the wave period sensor 28, the wave height sensor 30, and the load adjustment unit 32.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the air chamber 10 is opened in water such as the ocean, and the water (water column) is vibrated by incident waves, and the relative volume of the internal air is increased by the vertical movement of the water column. Create a flow of air by change. The air communication chamber 12 communicates with the air chamber 10 via a valve 18 (18a, 18b) and communicates with the outside air via a valve 18 (18c, 18d). When the water column in the air chamber 10 rises and the volume of the internal air decreases, the air in the air chamber 10 flows into the air communication chamber 12 through the valve 18b as shown in FIG. 2 (a). Then, it is discharged from the air communication chamber 12 to the outside through the valve 18c. On the other hand, when the water column in the air chamber 10 decreases and the volume of the internal air increases, as shown in FIG. 2B, air is sucked into the air communication chamber 12 from the outside via the valve 18d. Then, the air flows from the air communication chamber 12 to the air chamber 10 through the valve 18a.

  An air turbine 14 and a generator 16 are disposed in the air communication chamber 12, and the air turbine 14 is rotated by the air flowing into the air communication chamber 12 through the valve 18, and the generator 16 is driven by the air turbine 14. Driven. At this time, as shown in FIG. 2, the air flow is always generated in the same direction with respect to the air turbine 14 by the valve 18, and power generation is stably performed.

  The oscillating water column type wave power generation device 100 can be represented by a dynamic model shown in FIG. Conventionally, there is no recognition that the air spring of the air chamber 10 has a significant effect on the overall behavior of the vibrating water column type wave power generation device 100, and the energy recovered by adjusting only the restoring force by water has been maximized. . However, as shown in the above problem, it is difficult to change the shape below the surface of the vibrating water column type wave power generation device 100 during operation, and the state adjusted at the time of designing the vibrating water column type wave power generation device 100 It was fixed to. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the energy that can be recovered by adjusting the natural period of oscillation of the water column in the air chamber 10 by adjusting the strength of the air spring in the dynamic model by changing the air volume of the air chamber 10 during the power generation operation. Is maximized according to wave conditions.

  Therefore, the oscillating water column type wave power generation device 100 according to the present embodiment includes a wave state detection unit that detects a wave state, a rocking natural period adjustment unit that adjusts a rocking natural period of the water column in the air chamber 10, and a wave state detection. The oscillation natural period control means controls the oscillation natural period adjustment means in accordance with the state of the wave detected by the means.

  In the present embodiment, the wave state detection means includes a wave period sensor 28 and a wave height sensor 30. The wave period sensor 28 is a sensor that measures the period of waves at a place where the vibrating water column type wave power generation device 100 is installed. The wave period measured by the wave period sensor 28 is input to the control unit 26. The wave height sensor 30 is a sensor that measures the wave height at the place where the vibrating water column type wave power generation device 100 is installed. The wave height measured by the wave height sensor 30 is input to the control unit 26. The wave period sensor 28 and the wave height sensor 30 can be realized, for example, by measuring a distance to the water surface and a temporal change in the distance to the water surface by a proximity sensor having sensitivity to water.

  In the present embodiment, the wave period sensor 28 and the wave height sensor 30 are separately provided. However, the wave period sensor 28 and the wave height sensor 30 can be realized by one sensor. The wave period sensor 28 and the wave height sensor 30 are built in the vibrating water column type wave power generation device 100, but may be installed separately from the vibrating water column type wave power generation device 100. In this case, the wave period and wave height measured by the wave period sensor 28 and the wave height sensor 30 are input to the oscillating water column type wave power generation apparatus 100 as external signals.

  In this embodiment, the oscillation natural period adjusting means includes the auxiliary air chamber 20, the piston 22, and the actuator 24. Here, the auxiliary air chamber 20, the piston 22, and the actuator 24 are used as volume changing means. The auxiliary air chamber 20 is a cylindrical casing that communicates with the air chamber 10 and has a space occupied by air therein. The auxiliary air chamber 20 is used in combination with the inside of the air chamber 10 to change the volume of the air portion. The piston 22 is fitted in the auxiliary air chamber 20 and is provided to adjust the volume of the portion not communicating with the portion communicating with the air chamber 10 by moving the space inside the auxiliary air chamber 20. It is done. The actuator 24 is a driving means for moving the piston 22 in the auxiliary air chamber 20. The actuator 24 receives the piston control signal from the control unit 26 and moves the piston 22 to the piston position determined by the piston control signal. The actuator 24 can be realized by, for example, a motor that rotates a ball screw or the like connected to the shaft of the piston 22.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the oscillation natural period adjusting means includes the load adjusting unit 32 of the generator 16. The load adjustment unit 32 receives the load control signal from the control unit 26 and sets the load of the generator 16 determined by the load control signal. By adjusting the load of the generator 16, the equivalent attenuation of the air turbine 14 in FIG. 3 changes.

  The oscillation natural period control means includes a control unit 26. The control unit 26 receives the measurement results of the wave period and the wave height from the wave period sensor 28 and the wave height sensor 30, respectively, applies the wave period and the wave height to the control law, and controls the oscillation natural period adjusting means to control the oscillation characteristic for the water column. Set the cycle.

As described above, the oscillation natural period is set by adjusting the volume of the auxiliary air chamber 20 communicating with the air chamber 10 and the load of the generator 16. That is, the control law is expressed as a function of the volume V of the auxiliary air chamber 20 and the load L of the generator 16 using the wave period T and the wave height H as arguments, as in the equations (1) and (2).
[Equation 1]
Volume of auxiliary air chamber 20 V = V (T, H) (1)
[Equation 2]
Load L of the generator 16 = L (T, H) (2)

  A control law is calculated | required along the flowchart of FIG. First, as step S1, a wave period T and a wave height H are set. Then, as step S2, the air flow rate when the wave period T and the natural period of oscillation of the water column formed in the air chamber 10 cause resonance is obtained. At this time, it is preferable to determine the initial value of the air flow velocity by setting the response magnification of the air in the air chamber 10 due to the vertical movement of the wave as a value corresponding to the average equivalent attenuation due to the load of the generator 16. As step S3, the load L of the generator 16 is set according to the air flow velocity obtained in step S2. In step S4, the equivalent attenuation of the air turbine 14 that rotates the generator 16 is obtained based on the air flow velocity. In step S5, the volume V of the air portion of the air chamber 10 and the auxiliary air chamber 20 that causes resonance with the water column of the air chamber 10 is obtained based on the equivalent attenuation obtained in step S4.

  Thus, according to the wave period T and the wave height H, the volume V of the auxiliary air chamber 20 and the load L of the generator 16 are adjusted so that the natural oscillation period of the water column formed in the air chamber 10 resonates. It is possible to obtain a control law for

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 5, the water column vibrations according to both the volume V of the air portion formed by the air chamber 10 and the auxiliary air chamber 20 and the equivalent damping of the air turbine 14 determined by the load L of the generator 16. The natural period of changes. That is, the combination of the volume V of the air portion and the equivalent attenuation of the air turbine 14 for the same natural oscillation period is expressed as various combinations on the isoperiodic line. Therefore, at least one of the equivalent attenuation of the air turbine 14 (the load L of the generator 16) obtained in step S4 or the volume V of the air part obtained in step S5 is fed back to step S2 to obtain a control law. You may ask for it. That is, the volume V of the air part necessary for resonance obtained in step S5 is applied to the entire system of the oscillating water column type wave power generation device 100 to estimate the behavior of the entire system, and the behavior is obtained by feeding back to step S2. It is preferable to obtain the air flow velocity when the resonance obtained from the estimation occurs. At this time, as shown in FIG. 6, the amount of energy that can be recovered by the generator 16 changes according to the equivalent attenuation of the air turbine 14, so that the equivalent attenuation of the air turbine 14 that is as high as possible is obtained. Is preferred.

  Control of the oscillating water column type wave power generation device 100 is performed in accordance with the control law set in this way. Specifically, the control is performed according to the flowchart shown in FIG. In step S <b> 10, the wave period T and the wave height H are measured by the wave period sensor 28 and the wave height sensor 30. The measured wave period T and wave height H are input to the control unit 26. In step S11, the wave period T and the wave height H are introduced into the control law, and the volume V of the air section and the load L of the generator 16 are set so that the natural period of oscillation of the water column in the air chamber 10 becomes the input wave period T. To derive. The control law may be obtained in advance for each system of the oscillating water column type wave power generation device 100 based on the method for obtaining the control law. The control law itself may be stored as a function having the wave period T and the wave height H as arguments, or the values obtained by the control law for each combination of the wave period T and the wave height H may be stored as a table. It may be left. In step S12, the air volume V determined in step S11 and the load L of the generator 16 are set, or the air volume V determined in step S11 and the load L of the generator 16 are closest. Command signals (piston control signal and load control signal) are generated. In step S13, the actuator 24 and the load adjustment unit 32 are actually controlled based on the command signal generated in step S12. Specifically, the control unit 26 outputs a piston control signal to the actuator 24, drives the actuator 24, and determines the volume of the air part of the air chamber 10 and the auxiliary air chamber 20 communicating therewith in the air determined in step S11. The volume is changed so as to become the volume V of the part or to be closest thereto. Further, the control unit 26 outputs a load control signal to the load adjusting unit 32, and changes the load of the generator 16 so as to become the load L of the generator 16 obtained in step S11 or closest thereto.

  As described above, in the oscillating water column type wave power generation device 100 according to the present embodiment, by providing the auxiliary air chamber 20 that communicates with the air chamber 10, the air portion of the air chamber 10 is utilized using the auxiliary air chamber 20. By adjusting the volume, the natural oscillation period of the water column can be changed according to the wave condition, and the power generation can be made highly efficient. Furthermore, by providing the load adjusting unit 32 in the generator 16, by adjusting the load of the generator 16, it is possible to change the natural oscillation period of the water column in accordance with the wave condition and to improve the power generation efficiency. That is, the operation can be performed in a state in which the power generation efficiency by the generator 16 is optimized according to the state of the wave during operation after the installation of the oscillating water column type wave power generation device 100.

  In addition, when the oscillating water column type wave power generation device 100 is installed in the ocean, the wave condition changes from several hours to several days, and accordingly, once every few hours to once every few days. What is necessary is just to perform control which adjusts the oscillation natural period of a water column. That is, since the wave period T and the wave height H change with time according to the wave condition, it is preferable to always measure the wave period T and the wave height H at regular time intervals.

<Modification 1>
In the oscillating water column type wave power generation device 100 in the above-described embodiment, the auxiliary air chamber 20 that communicates with the air chamber 10, the piston 22, and the actuator 24 are provided, and the air portion formed by the air chamber 10 and the auxiliary air chamber 20. It was set as the structure which adjusts a volume. However, it is not limited to this.

  In the oscillating water column type wave power generation device 102 of this modification, as shown in FIG. 8, auxiliary air chambers 40 (40a to 40d) communicating with the air chamber 10 via valves 42 (42a to 42d) are provided. ing. In this modification, the volume of the air portion is adjusted by changing the number of auxiliary air chambers 40 communicating with the air chamber 10 by opening and closing each valve 42. More specifically, the control unit 26 generates a command signal (valve control signal) so that the volume V of the air part is obtained according to the control law according to the wave condition, or is closest to the value. To do. Then, by adjusting the number of the valves 42 (42a to 42d) to be opened by the generated command signal (valve control signal), the volume of the air portion of the air chamber 10 and the auxiliary air chamber 20 that actually communicates with the air chamber 10 is determined. Is set to an optimum volume V of the air portion or is made closest thereto.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a specific arrangement example of the auxiliary air chamber 40 in the vibrating water column type wave power generation device 102. FIG. 9A is a top view and FIG. 9B is a side view. In this example, four auxiliary air chambers 40 (40a to 40d) are arranged around the cylindrical air chamber 10 at equal intervals of 90 °.

<Modification 2>
In the oscillating water column type wave power generation device 104 of this modification, as shown in FIG. 10, a movable partition plate (partition wall) 44 that partitions the internal space of the air chamber 10 is provided. By moving the partition plate 44 in the air chamber 10, the volume of the air part in the air chamber 10 communicating with the air communication chamber 12 can be changed. The partition plate 44 may be moved by providing an actuator (not shown). More specifically, the control unit 26 generates a command signal (valve control signal) so that the volume V of the air part is obtained according to the control law according to the wave condition, or is closest to the value. To do. Then, by changing the position of the partition plate 44 in accordance with the generated command signal (valve control signal), the volume of the air part in the air chamber 10 becomes the optimum volume V of the air part or is closest thereto. Like that.

  In addition, although the one partition plate 44 was provided in the vibration water column type | mold wave power generation device 104 in this modification, it is not limited to this, You may provide the some partition plate 44. FIG. Further, the direction partitioned by the plurality of partition plates 44 may be changed as appropriate. In this case, for example, the volume of the air part in the air chamber 10 can be set to the optimum volume V of the air part or closest to it by the number of the plurality of partitions 44 opened.

  In the above-described embodiment and modifications 1 and 2, an example has been shown in which the volume (air spring) of the air chamber 10 is changed to bring the natural period of oscillation of the water column in the air chamber 10 closer to the wave period of the wave. The same adjustment can be made by using a damping effect (air damper) due to the air flow, or a combination of these can be used.

  The present invention can be applied to any system that uses a gas flow generated by the movement of a liquid. For example, the present invention can be applied not only to a vibrating water column type wave power generation device but also to other types of power generation devices such as a movable object type wave power generation device. Moreover, it can be used not only for power generation using ocean waves, but also for power generation using waves in lakes where water level changes occur.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Air chamber, 12 Air communication chamber, 14 Air turbine, 16 Generator, 18 (18a-18d) Valve, 20 Auxiliary air chamber, 22 Piston, 24 Actuator, 26 Control part, 28 Wave period sensor, 30 Wave height sensor, 32 Load adjusting unit, 40 (40a to 40d) Auxiliary air chamber, 42 (42a to 42d) valve, 44 partition plate, 100, 102, 104 Vibrating water column type wave power generation device.

Claims (12)

An oscillating water column type wave power generator that vibrates a water column in an air chamber by up and down movement of an incident wave to cause an air flow, and generates electricity with a generator using the air flow,
Oscillation natural period adjusting means for adjusting the oscillation natural period of the water column;
Wave state detecting means for detecting the wave state;
An oscillating water column-type wave power generation device comprising a vibration natural period control means for controlling the vibration natural period adjustment means in accordance with the state of the wave detected by the wave state detection means. The vibrating water column type wave power generation device according to claim 1,
The oscillating water column type wave power generation device characterized in that the natural oscillation period adjusting means includes volume changing means for changing the volume of the air chamber. A vibrating water column type wave power generation device according to claim 2,
The wave state detecting means detects a wave period of the wave;
The oscillation natural period control means applies the control method for deriving the air chamber volume for adjusting the wave period detected by the wave state detection means to the oscillation natural period of the water column, and the volume of the air chamber is An oscillating water column type wave power generation device characterized by controlling the oscillation natural period adjusting means so as to have a volume derived by a control law. A vibrating water column type wave power generation device according to claim 2 or 3,
The wave state detection means detects the height of the wave,
The fluctuation natural period control means further applies an air chamber volume derivation control law for adjusting the height detected by the wave state detection means to the fluctuation natural period of the water column, and sets the volume of the air chamber. An oscillating water column type wave power generation device characterized by controlling the oscillation natural period adjusting means so as to have a volume derived by the control law. The oscillating water column type wave power generation device according to claim 3 or 4,
The wave state detection means automatically detects the wave period constantly or at regular time intervals,
The oscillation natural period control means applies the automatically detected wave period to the control law, and controls the oscillation natural period adjustment means so that the volume of the air chamber is a volume derived by the control law. An oscillating water column type wave power generation device characterized by: A vibrating water column type wave power generation device according to any one of claims 2 to 5,
The oscillatory natural period control means controls a generator load of the generator. The vibration water column type wave power generation device according to any one of claims 2 to 6,
The oscillating water column type wave power generation device, wherein the volume changing means includes an auxiliary air chamber communicating with the air chamber and a piston for changing a volume of the auxiliary air chamber. The vibration water column type wave power generation device according to any one of claims 2 to 6,
The oscillating water column type wave power generation apparatus, wherein the volume changing means includes an auxiliary air chamber communicating with the air chamber and an opening / closing valve for opening and closing a communication passage to the auxiliary air chamber. The vibration water column type wave power generation device according to any one of claims 2 to 6,
The volume changing unit includes a movable partition wall that partitions a part of the air chamber, and a partition wall moving unit that moves the partition wall. In an oscillating water column type wave power generation device that vibrates a water column in an air chamber by vertical movement of an incident wave to generate an air flow, and generates electricity with a generator using the air flow, according to the state of the wave A method for obtaining a control law for calculating the volume of the air chamber when adjusting the natural oscillation period of the water column,
Setting a wave period of the wave;
Step 2 for obtaining an air flow rate when the wave period and the natural oscillation period of the water column cause resonance;
Step 3 of setting the load of the generator;
Determining an equivalent attenuation of a turbine rotating the generator based on the air flow rate; and
A method for obtaining a control law for deriving an air chamber volume, comprising a step 5 of obtaining a volume of the air chamber causing the resonance based on the equivalent attenuation. A method for obtaining a control law for deriving an air chamber volume according to claim 10,
By applying the volume of the air chamber required for the resonance obtained in the step 5 to the entire system of the oscillating water column type wave power generation device, estimating the behavior of the entire system, and feeding back to the step 2, A method for obtaining a control law for deriving an air chamber volume, wherein the air flow velocity at the time of causing the resonance obtained from the estimation of the behavior is obtained. A method for obtaining a control law for deriving an air chamber volume according to claim 11,
In the step 2, the air chamber volume derivation is characterized in that the response value of the air in the air chamber due to the vertical movement of the wave is determined as a value corresponding to the average equivalent attenuation and the initial value of the air flow velocity is obtained. To find the control law.

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