JP2019112969A - Water stream power generator and floating method for floating body of water stream power generator - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a water stream power generator capable of controlling timing at which a floating body floats in emergency.SOLUTION: A water stream power generator 1 comprises: a floating body 2 connected to a mooring cable 7, and capable of floating in water; a power generation turbine 5 provided in the floating body 2; a dynamo 9 mounted in the floating body 2 and configured to generate power with rotationally driving force of the power generation turbine 5; a posture adjustment device 25 configured to adjust a posture of the floating body 2; a control unit configured to control the floating body to a downward posture in which a front part 2a of the floating body 2 is arranged below a rear part 2b of the floating body 2 with respect to a water stream in normal operation; and a determination unit 46 configured to, when the floating body 2 is floated, determine whether to change the posture of the floating body 2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

  The present disclosure relates to a water current power generation device and a floating method of the water current power generation device.

  There is a power generation apparatus provided with a generator in a pressure vessel (floating body) disposed in the sea. In the power generation device of Patent Document 1, a plurality of turbine blades are provided on a shaft connected to a rotor of a generator. The turbine blade receives and rotates the water flow, and the rotational driving force rotates the rotor of the generator, and the generator generates electricity.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2014-534375

  In the power generation device of Patent Document 1, when the floating body in the water ascends, there is a possibility that it may affect a vessel traveling above. The present disclosure provides a water flow power generation device capable of controlling the timing at which the floating body rises, and a floating method of the water flow power generation device.

  According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a water flow power generation apparatus includes a floating body connected to a mooring cord and capable of floating in water, a power generation turbine provided on the floating body, and power generated by rotational driving force of the power generation turbine mounted on the floating body. Control unit that controls the generator, attitude adjustment device for adjusting the attitude of the floating body, and attitude adjustment device so that the front of the floating body is disposed below the rear of the floating body with respect to the water flow during normal operation And a determination unit that determines whether to change the posture of the floating body when the floating body is lifted.

  In this water flow power generation apparatus, since the floating body is controlled to be in the downward posture during normal operation, a downward force acts on the floating body that has received the water flow. Therefore, even if the rotation of the power generation turbine is stopped and the downward force by the thrust force is reduced, the downward force is acting on the floating body which receives the water flow, so that the floating body is prevented from rising rapidly Be done. Further, after the determination unit determines whether or not to change the posture of the floating body, the posture of the floating body can be changed to adjust the downward force acting on the floating body, so that the timing at which the floating body floats is controlled. be able to.

  In some embodiments, the water current power generation apparatus may include a power storage unit that stores power, and the power stored in the power storage unit may be supplied to the posture adjustment device in an emergency to adjust the posture of the floating body. Thereby, when the rotation of the power generation turbine is stopped and the power generation is stopped in the emergency, and when the power supply by the power system is stopped, the power storage unit supplies power to the posture adjustment device, and the posture of the floating body is determined. By adjusting, it is possible to adjust the force acting on the floating body by receiving the water flow. Therefore, even when the normal power supply is lost, it is possible to control the timing at which the floating body ascends.

  In some embodiments, the water current power generation apparatus includes a converter connected to the generator or the power system, and an inverter connected to the converter and the attitude adjustment device, and the storage unit is connected to the converter and the inverter It is also good. Thus, power can be stored in the storage unit through the converter, and the stored power can be supplied to the attitude adjustment device through the inverter.

  In some embodiments, the posture adjustment device includes a first reservoir disposed at the front of the floating body and capable of storing liquid, a second reservoir disposed at the rear of the floating body and capable of accumulating liquid, and the first reservoir. And a second reservoir, and may include a pipe through which liquid can flow, and a pump connected to the pipe and capable of transporting the liquid. Thereby, the liquid stored in the first storage portion can be increased to set the floating body in the downward posture. Moreover, the liquid stored in the second storage portion can be increased to set the floating body in the upward position.

  According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the floating body floating method of a water flow power generator rotates a power generation turbine during normal operation to float the floating body at a first depth, and the front of the floating body against the water flow from the rear of the floating body. A first floating step of controlling the downward posture disposed downward, a second floating step of floating the floating body at a second depth higher than the first depth when the rotation speed of the power generation turbine decreases, a second floating step When the floating body is floated from two depths, it is determined whether or not the posture of the floating body is changed to the upward posture where the front of the floating body is disposed above the rear of the floating body with respect to the water flow; After the posture of the floating body is determined to be changed, changing the posture of the floating body to the upward posture to raise the floating body;

  In the floating body floating method of the water flow power generation apparatus, since the floating body is controlled to be in the downward posture during normal operation, a downward force can be applied to the floating body that has received the water flow. Therefore, even if the number of revolutions of the power generation turbine decreases and the downward force by the thrust force decreases, the downward force is applied to the floating body that has received the water flow, and the floating body is suppressed from rising rapidly. be able to. Further, after determining whether or not to change the posture of the floating body in the determination step, the floating body can be changed to the upward posture to reduce the downward force acting on the floating body, and the floating body can be lifted. As a result, it is possible to control the timing of floating of the floating body and to float the floating body.

  According to the present disclosure, it is possible to control the timing of floating of the floating body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a schematic block diagram which shows the underwater floating electric power generating apparatus of one Embodiment. It is a perspective view of the underwater floating type electric power generating apparatus shown in FIG. It is a side view which shows the pod for electric power generation of the underwater floating type | formula electric power generating apparatus shown in FIG. It is a top view of the underwater floating type electric power generating apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 5A is a side view showing the power generation pod in the downward position. FIG. 5 (b) is a side view showing the power generation pod in the upward position. It is a block block diagram which shows the control unit mounted in the underwater floating type electric power generating apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of attitude | position control of the pod for electric power generation. It is a block block diagram which shows the power supply part of an attitude | position adjustment apparatus.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same parts or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

  In the following description, the words "upstream" or "downstream" are used as a reference to the flow of water (current flow FW). Also, the word "front" means the upstream side of the flow of water, and the word "rear" means the downstream side of the flow of water. For example, when a downwind turbine is used, a blade 14 is disposed on the rear side of the power generation pod 2.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the underwater floating power generation device (water flow power generation device) 1 is installed, for example, in seawater and floats, and generates electric power using the ocean current FW. Hereinafter, the underwater floating power generation device 1 is referred to as “power generation device 1”. As shown in FIG. 2, for example, the power generation apparatus 1 is provided with a pair of power generation pods 2 disposed apart from each other on the left and right, a central pod 3 disposed between the pair of power generation pods 2, and a pair of power generation pods. And a cross beam 4 which is a connecting portion for connecting the pod 2 and the central pod 3. A power generation turbine 5 is provided at the rear 2 b of the power generation pod 2. Hereinafter, the power generation turbine 5 is referred to as a “turbine” 5. The power generation pod 2 has, for example, a cylindrical shape and rotatably supports the turbine 5. A so-called downwind turbine is employed as the turbine 5. The turbine 5 may be an upwind turbine. On the power generation pod 2, a generator 9 (see FIG. 3) that generates electric power by the rotational driving force of the turbine 5 is mounted.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the power generation device 1 is connected to a sinker 6 installed on the seabed B via a mooring cord 7. The mooring cord 7 may be connected to an anchor fixed to the seabed B instead of the sinker 6. The upper end (one end) of the mooring cord 7 is connected to the power generation pod 2, and the lower end (the other end) of the mooring cord 7 is connected to the sinker 6. For example, one mower (two in total) is connected to each of the pair of power generation pods 2. The upper end of the mooring cord 7 may be connected to the cross beam 4. In addition, for the pod 2 for power generation, the central pod 3 and the cross beam 4, for example, the depth adjustment capable of changing the depth of the pod 2 for power generation, the central pod 3 and the cross beam 4 by adjusting the length. The ropes etc. are not connected.

  In addition, a power transmission cable 8 is connected to the power generation device 1. The transmission cable 8 is disposed along the mooring line 7. The upper end of the power transmission cable 8 is connected to the generator 9 mounted on the power generation pod 2, and the lower end of the power transmission cable 8 is connected to a repeater (or a transformer or the like) provided on the sinker 6. The repeater of the sinker 6 is connected to a submarine transmission cable 10 installed on the seabed and extending to the ground. The submarine transmission cable 10 is connected to a power system (external power supply or the like) on the ground.

  Further, a communication cable 11 is connected to the power generation device 1. The communication cable 11 is connected to an electronic device such as the control unit 12 mounted on the power generation pod 2, for example. The communication cable 11 is disposed together with, for example, the transmission cable 8 or the submarine transmission cable 10. The communication cable 11 is connected to, for example, a control unit of an operation center disposed on the ground.

  Further, in the power generation device 1, the power transmitted from the power system on the ground can be supplied to the generator 9, and the generator 9 can be used as an electric motor. In the power generation device 1, the generator 9 can be driven as an electric motor to rotate the power generation turbine 5.

  In addition, the form in which each cable is provided is not restricted to the said form. For example, a power transmission cable for transmitting power generated by the generator 9 and a power transmission cable for transmitting power for driving an electric motor may be separately provided. The relay may be set to the seabed outside the generator 9.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the turbine 5 includes a hub 13 and a plurality of (for example, two) blades 14 provided on the hub 13. The hub 13 is disposed at the rear end of the power generation pod 2. In the power generation device 1 adopting the downwind type turbine, the blade 14 is disposed on the downstream side of the power generation pod 2 based on the direction of the ocean current FW.

  The hub 13 is connected to the rotation shaft 15 and is rotatable about its axis. Hub 13 and blade 14 rotate as one. The rotation of the blade 14 is transmitted to the generator 9 via the rotating shaft 15. The rotation shaft 15 is provided, for example, along the central axis of the power generation pod 2. Moreover, when the generator 9 is driven as an electric motor, the hub 13 and the blade 14 rotate as the rotating shaft 15 rotates.

  In the power generation device 1, the pitch angle of the blades 14 is variable. The power generation device 1 includes a blade pitch angle adjustment device 16 capable of adjusting the pitch angle of the blades 14. The blade pitch angle adjustment device 16 includes, for example, a hydraulic drive device 17 and a blade shaft 18. More specifically, the proximal end of each blade 14 is provided with a blade shaft 18. The drive device 17 is connected to the blade shaft 18. Drive device 17 is mounted, for example, in hub 13. The drive device 17 includes, for example, a gear mechanism. A known mechanism can be used as the drive device 17. The drive device 17 is controlled by a control unit 12 described later, and can rotate the blade shaft 18 to adjust the pitch angle of the blades 14 to an arbitrary angle. The driving method of the blade shaft 18 may not be hydraulic pressure, and may be an electric driving method using an electric motor or the like.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the power generation device 1 includes a gravity adjustment device 20. The gravity adjustment device 20 is mounted, for example, on the central pod 3. The gravity adjusting apparatus 20 pours, for example, seawater from the outside of the central pod 3 to change the weight of the entire power generation device 1. The gravity adjustment apparatus 20 is provided in a gravity adjustment tank 21 provided in the central pod 3, a water supply and drainage pipe 22 connecting the gravity adjustment tank 21 and the outside of the central pod 3, and a water supply and drainage pipe 22. And a pump 23. The gravity adjustment tank 21 is a water storage tank having a predetermined capacity. The pump 23 pours and drains water (for example, seawater) into the gravity adjustment tank 21. The pump 23 is driven by the electric power generated by the generator 9, for example. The pump 23 may be driven by the power supplied using, for example, the power transmission cable 8.

  The cross beam 4 has a plate shape including a hollow portion, and has a rectangular shape in plan view. As shown in FIGS. 5 (a) and 5 (b), the cross beam 4 has a top surface 4a and a bottom surface 4b along the axial direction of the power generation pod 2, and between the top surface 4a and the bottom surface 4b. A hollow portion is formed. For example, when the power generation pod 2 is inclined, the cross beam 4 is inclined integrally with the power generation pod 2. At this time, in a state in which the cross beam 4 is inclined, the top surface 4 a or the bottom surface 4 b of the cross beam 4 receives the ocean current FW, and a downward force F1 or an upward force F2 is generated on the cross beam 4. Also, the shape of the cross beam 4 may be another shape. For example, members forming a plurality of cylinders can be combined to form a cross beam.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 4, the power generation device 1 includes a posture adjustment device 25 that adjusts the posture of the floating body. The floating body includes a pair of power generation pods 2, a central pod 3 and a cross beam 4. The attitude adjustment device 25 changes the attitude (pitch angle) of the floating body by changing the center of gravity of the floating body. The pitch angles .theta.1 and .theta.2 of the floating body are, as shown in FIG. The axis L2 is an imaginary straight line along the direction in which the rotation axis 15 of the power generation pod 2 extends. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, an imaginary straight line extending in the longitudinal direction of the central pod 3 is taken along the axis L3, an imaginary straight line extending in the direction in which the pair of power generation pods 2 are separated is taken along the axis L4, the up and down direction The pitch angles .theta.1 and .theta.2 are rotation angles around the axis L4, assuming that the imaginary straight line extending to the axis L5 is the axis L5. The axes L3 to L5 are orthogonal to one another.

  The posture adjustment device 25 shown in FIG. 4 includes a first storage tank (first storage portion) 26 disposed in the front portion 2 a of the pair of power generation pods 2 and a second storage disposed in the rear portion 3 b of the central pod 3. It includes a tank (second storage unit), pipes 28 and 29 connected to the first storage tank 26 and the second storage tank 27, and pumps 30 and 31 connected to the pipes 28 and 29, respectively. The posture adjustment device 25 moves oil as liquid to adjust the posture of the floating body.

  One first storage tank 26 is provided, for example, for one power generation pod 2. The attitude adjustment device 25 includes, for example, a total of two first storage tanks 26. The first storage tank 26 is a storage tank having a predetermined capacity and capable of storing oil. The first storage tank 26 is disposed, for example, at the front end of the power generation pod 2. The liquid is not limited to oil, and may be seawater or another liquid.

  For example, one second storage tank 27 is provided for the central pod 3. The second storage tank 27 is a storage tank having a predetermined capacity and capable of storing oil. The second storage tank 27 is disposed at the rear end of the central pod 3.

  The pipe (first pipe) 28 is, for example, a pipe used when transferring oil from the first storage tank 26 to the second storage tank 27. The pipe 28 is connected to the second storage tank 27 from the first storage tank 26 through the inside of the power generation pod 2, the inside of the cross beam 4, and the inside of the central pod 3. The pump (first pump) 30 provided in the pipe 28 is provided, for example, in the vicinity of the first storage tank 26 inside the power generation pod 2. The electric motor of the pump 30 is controlled by the control unit 12. The electric motor is driven by, for example, the electric power generated by the generator 9 or the electric power supplied from the electric power system.

  The pipe (second pipe) 29 is, for example, a pipe used when transferring oil from the second storage tank 27 to the first storage tank 26. The pipe 29 is connected to the first storage tank 26 from the second storage tank 27 through the inside of the central pod 3, the inside of the cross beam 4, and the inside of the power generation pod 2. The pump (second pump) 31 provided in the pipe 29 is provided near the second storage tank 27, for example, inside the central pod 3. The electric motor of the pump 31 is controlled by the control unit 12. The electric motor is driven by, for example, the electric power generated by the generator 9 or the electric power supplied from the electric power system.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 6, the floating control system 40 mounted on the power generation device 1 will be described. The levitation control system 40 controls, for example, the timing of levitation of the power generation pod 2 when levitating the power generation pod 2 of the power generation device 1 floating in water. The levitation control system 40 includes a control unit 12 and an attitude adjustment device 25. The control unit 12 is disposed, for example, inside the power generation pod 2. The control unit 12 may be disposed inside the central pod 3. The control unit 12 is a computer including hardware such as a central processing unit (CPU), read only memory (ROM), and random access memory (RAM), and software such as a program stored in the ROM. . The control unit 12 can also execute control other than levitation control in the power generation device 1.

  Various sensors are electrically connected to the control unit 12. The various sensors include, for example, a depth sensor 41, a posture detection sensor 42, and a power failure detection sensor 43. The depth sensor 41 detects the depth of the power generation pod 2. As the depth sensor 41, for example, a pressure sensor that detects water pressure can be used. Information on the depth of the power generation pod 2 detected by the depth sensor 41 is output to the control unit 12. The attitude detection sensor 42 detects the attitude of the power generation pod 2. For example, a gyro sensor that detects the pitch angle of the power generation pod 2 can be used as the posture detection sensor 42. Information on the attitude (pitch angle) of the power generation pod 2 detected by the attitude detection sensor 42 is output to the control unit 12. The power failure detection sensor 43 detects a power failure state of the power generation device 1. As the power failure detection sensor 43, for example, a voltage sensor can be used. The voltage sensor is connected to the power supply unit of the power generation device 1. The power supply unit of the power generation device 1 is connected to the generator 9 and a power system. Information on the voltage detected by the power failure detection sensor 43 is output to the control unit 12.

  Other sensors may be connected to the control unit 12 as various sensors. Other sensors include, for example, a sensor that detects the flow velocity of seawater around the power generation pod 2, a rotation speed sensor that measures the rotation speed of the turbine 5, a sensor that detects the tension of the mooring cord 7, the upper side of the power generation device 1 Sensors (object detection sensors) that detect the presence or absence of an object (for example, a ship) of As the object detection sensor, for example, a sound wave generated from an object may be detected to detect the presence of the object, or another signal (detection wave) may be detected to detect the position of the object.

  In addition, the posture adjustment device 25 is electrically connected to the control unit 12 and can be operated in response to a command signal output from the control unit 12. For example, the electric motors of the pumps 30, 31 are controlled by the control unit 12 to transfer oil.

  The control unit 12 includes a control unit 45, a determination unit 46, and a storage unit 47. The control unit 45 controls the posture adjustment device 25 to control the posture of the power generation pod 2. The control unit 45 controls, for example, the power generation pod 2 in the downward posture (first posture) shown in FIG. 5A during normal operation. The control unit 45 controls, for example, the power generation pod 2 in the upward position (second position) shown in FIG. 5B to make the power generation pod 2 float. In the downward position of FIG. 5A, the front portion 2a of the power generation pod 2 is disposed below the rear portion 2b of the power generation pod 2. In the upward posture of FIG. 5 (b), the front portion 2 a of the power generation pod 2 is disposed above the rear portion of the power generation pod 2. The pitch angle θ1 of the power generation pod 2 in the downward posture is set in consideration of the downward force F1 acting on the power generation pod 2. The pitch angle θ2 of the power generation pod 2 in the upward posture is set in consideration of the upward force F2 acting on the power generation pod 2.

  The determination unit 46 determines whether to change the attitude of the power generation pod 2 when floating the power generation pod 2. The determination unit 46 determines, for example, whether or not it is an emergency, and determines whether or not the floating condition which is one of the determination criteria is satisfied, and the emergency is satisfied and the floating condition is satisfied. If it is determined that the attitude of the power generation pod 2 is to be changed. Information on the ascent condition is stored in the storage unit 47. Further, the determination unit 46 may determine whether or not to change the attitude of the power generation pod 2 when floating the power generation pod 2 in cases other than an emergency. “Emergency” includes the cases where the normal power supply of the power generation device 1 is lost, the rotation of the turbine 5 is stopped (decreased), the cables etc. are damaged, and other problems occur. "Other than emergency" includes cases where normal operation is possible.

  An emergency stop button 48 is electrically connected to the control unit 12. The emergency stop button 48 is provided at the operation center on the ground side. The emergency stop button 48 is electrically connected to the control unit 12 via the communication cable 11. A worker at the operation center can transmit a command signal to the control unit 12 by pressing the emergency stop button 48.

  When the emergency stop button 48 is pressed, the determination unit 46 can determine that it is an emergency. Further, based on the signal output from the power failure detection sensor 43, the determination unit 46 can determine whether or not it is an emergency. For example, when the voltage is low, it can be determined that a power failure has occurred, and it can be determined that an emergency has occurred. Further, based on the signal output from the depth sensor 41, the determination unit 46 can determine whether or not it is an emergency. For example, based on changes in depth, it may be determined that it is an emergency. Further, the determination unit 46 may determine whether or not it is in an emergency based on the number of rotations of the turbine 5. In addition, the determination unit 46 may detect tension acting on the mooring cord 7 to determine whether or not it is an emergency. In the case of normal operation, since the thrust force F3 acts, the tension acting on the mooring cord 7 is higher than when the turbine 5 is stopped. When the turbine 5 is stopped, the tension acting on the mooring cord 7 is lower than that during normal operation.

  In addition, when the emergency stop button 48 is pressed, the determination unit 46 may determine that it is an emergency and the floating condition is satisfied. The worker on the ground side can press the emergency stop button 48 when it is determined that there is an emergency and that there is no ship or the like above the power generation pod 2. The determination unit 46 can determine whether the floating condition is satisfied based on the signals output from the various sensors. For example, when it can be confirmed that a ship does not exist above the power generation pod 2, it can be determined that the floating condition is satisfied. For example, the presence or absence of a ship can be confirmed by detecting an acoustic wave in water. Also, other detectors may be used to confirm the presence of the ship. Further, when the floating condition is satisfied, the control unit 12 adjusts the pitch angles θ1 and θ2 of the power generation pod 2 to control to maintain the depth of the power generation pod 2 and floats the power generation pod 2 You can also

  Next, with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 7, attitude control (a floating body floating method of the water current power generation device, an emergency countermeasure method) in the power generation device 1 will be described. First, the generator 1 is sunk to the target depth. In response to the ocean current FW, the turbine 5 is rotated and the generator 9 generates power (step S1). The generated power is transmitted by the transmission cable 8 and the submarine transmission cable 10, and is used on the ground side. In addition, a part of the generated electric power is supplied to accessories of the power generation device 1 (control unit 12, various sensors, gravity adjustment device 20, posture adjustment device 25, power storage unit) and used.

  Further, in a normal operation in which the generator 9 is generating power and a predetermined amount of generated power is generated, the control unit 45 of the control unit 12 transmits a command signal to the posture adjustment device 25 to drive the pump 31. Then, the power generation pod 2 is controlled to face downward (step S2, first floating step). The oil is transferred from the second storage tank 27 to the first storage tank 26, and the front portion 2a of the power generation pod 2 is directed downward. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5A, the downward force F1 acts on the power generation pod 2 in response to the ocean current FW. Therefore, for example, in an emergency, even if the rotation of the turbine 5 is stopped and the downward force F4 due to the thrust force F3 decreases, the power generation pod 2 does not suddenly rise. Specifically, the power generation pod 2 rises above the first depth during normal operation, but as the flow velocity (the velocity of the ocean current around the power generation pod 2) increases as the distance from the seabed B increases, The downward force F1 is increased. When the upward force (buoyancy) F5 acting on the power generation pod 2 and the downward force F1 are balanced, the power generation pod 2 floats at a second depth above the first depth and the floating is suppressed. (2nd floating process). Thus, when the rotation of the turbine 5 is stopped (when the number of revolutions of the turbine is lower than that in the normal operation), the power generation pod 2 is floated at the second depth, so that the emergency floating of the power generation pod 2 occurs. Is prevented.

  Next, the determination unit 46 of the control unit 12 determines whether or not it is an emergency (step S3, determination step). Based on the signals output from the various sensors or the signal output from the emergency stop button 48, the determination unit 46 determines whether or not it is in an emergency. If it is determined that it is an emergency (step S3; YES), the process proceeds to step S4, and if it is not determined that it is an emergency (step S3; NO), the process returns to step S1. To continue.

  In step S4, the determination unit 46 determines whether to change the attitude of the power generation pod 2. When the determination unit 46 determines that the floating condition is satisfied, the determination unit 46 determines that the posture of the power generation pod 2 is to be changed. If it is determined that the attitude is to be changed (Step S4; YES), the process proceeds to Step S5, and if it is determined that the attitude is not changed (Step S4; NO), the process waits until it is determined that the attitude is to be changed. Go to S5.

  For example, when the determination unit 46 determines that the posture is to be changed in an emergency, the power generation pod 2 has a downward force F1 and an upward force at a second depth above the first depth during normal operation. The force F5 is floating in a balanced state.

  In step S5, the control unit 45 transmits a command signal to the posture adjustment device 25, drives the pump, and controls the power generation pod 2 to be in the upward posture. The oil is transferred from the first storage tank 26 to the second storage tank 27, and the front portion 2a of the power generation pod 2 is directed upward. As a result, the upward force F2 acting on the power generation pod 2 in response to the ocean current FW is increased, and the power generation pod 2 is floated (surfacing step). Further, in the floating process, the turbine 5 can be prevented from rotating, so that the downward force F4 due to the thrust force F3 can be prevented from increasing. Also, in the ascent step, the blade pitch angle adjusting device 16 can be controlled to change the angle of the blade 14 to reduce the force that the blade 14 receives from the ocean current FW. Further, in the floating step, the gravity adjustment device 20 can be controlled to discharge the seawater in the gravity adjustment tank 21.

  According to the power generation device 1 of the present disclosure, since the power generation pod 2 is controlled to be in the downward posture during normal operation, the downward force F1 acts on the power generation pod 2 that has received the ocean current FW. . Therefore, when the rotation of the turbine 5 stops in an emergency, the downward force F1 acts on the power generation pod 2 that has received the ocean current FW even if the downward force F4 due to the thrust force F3 decreases. Therefore, the sudden rise of the power generation pod 2 is suppressed. Further, after the determination unit 46 determines whether or not to change the attitude of the power generation pod 2, the attitude of the power generation pod 2 may be changed to adjust the downward force F1 acting on the power generation pod 2. Since it is possible, it is possible to control the timing at which the power generation pod 2 floats up. As a result, in the emergency, sudden rise of the power generation pod 2 is suppressed. The influence on a ship or the like traveling above the power generation pod 2 is suppressed.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 8, the power supply unit 50 of the posture adjusting device including the power storage unit 51 will be described. Power supply unit 50 of posture adjustment device 25 includes power storage unit 51, converter 52, and inverter 53. The storage unit 51, the converter 52, and the inverter 53 are provided for each of the pumps 30 and 31, and are disposed in the power generation pod 2 or the central pod 3.

  The converter 52 is connected to a power line 55 connected to the power system 54 and the generator 9. Converter 52 converts AC power into DC power. The inverter 53 is connected to the power line 56 connected to the converter 52. The inverter 53 is electrically connected to the pumps 30 and 31. The inverter 53 converts direct current power to alternating current power. The converted alternating current is supplied to the electric motors of the pumps 30, 31.

  Power storage unit 51 is connected to power line 56 connecting converter 52 and inverter 53. The direct current converted by the converter 52 is supplied to the storage unit (capacitor, storage battery) 51 and can be stored. For example, at the time of a power failure, the electric power stored in the storage unit 51 is converted into an alternating current by the inverter 53 and supplied to the pumps 30 and 31. A storage unit 51 charged from the beginning may be installed.

  According to the power generation device 1 including the storage unit 51, when the rotation of the turbine 5 is stopped and power generation is stopped in an emergency, and the power supply by the power system 54 is stopped, the posture adjustment device 25 from the storage unit 51. Power can be supplied to the pumps 30, 31 to adjust the attitude of the power generation pod 2. Thereby, the force applied to the power generation pod 2 can be adjusted by receiving the ocean current FW. As a result, the rapid rise of the power generation pod 2 can be suppressed. Note that the power generation apparatus 1 is provided with an uninterruptible power supply (UPS), and power can be supplied from the uninterruptible power supply to the control unit 12, various sensors, and the like.

  The present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made as described below without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

  In the above embodiment, the first storage tank 26, the second storage tank 27, the pipes 28, 29, and the pumps 30, 31 of the posture adjustment device 25 are disposed inside the power generation pod 2 or inside the central pod 3. However, the first storage tank 26, the second storage tank 27, the pipes 28, 29, and the pumps 30, 31 may be disposed outside the power generation pod 2 or outside the central pod 3. The posture adjustment device 25 may change the pitch angles θ1 and θ2 of the power generation pod 2.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the power generation device 1 is configured to include the central pod 3, but may not be configured to include the central pod 3. Further, in the above embodiment, the power generation device 1 is configured to include the pair of power generation pods 2, but the number of the power generation pods 2 may be one, or three or more. In addition, the power generation device 1 may be configured to include pods (floating bodies) other than the power generation pod 2 and the central pod 3.

  In the above embodiment, the posture adjustment device 25 transports the liquid to change the pitch angles θ1 and θ2 of the power generation pod 2, but the posture adjustment device 25 changes the positions of the other objects. The pitch angles θ1 and θ2 of the power generation pod 2 may be changed. In addition, the power generation device 1 includes, for example, a wing that protrudes from the power generation pod 2 in the horizontal direction (the direction in which the axis L4 extends), and the pitch angle of the power generation pod 2 is changed by changing the pitch angle of the wing. The θ1 and θ2 may be changed.

  In the above embodiment, the first storage tank 26 is provided in the front portion 2 a of the power generation pod 2 and the second storage tank 27 is provided in the rear portion 3 b of the central pod 3. You may arrange | position to the rear 2b of the pod 2 for pods. In addition, the first storage tank 26 may be disposed at the front of the central pod 3.

  In the above embodiment, although the case where the power generation pod 2 is floated in an emergency is described, the present disclosure is applied to the case where the power generation pod 2 is floated in a normal time other than an emergency. be able to. In the configuration including power storage unit 51, pumps 30 and 31 of posture adjustment device 25 from power storage unit 51 when rotation of turbine 5 is stopped and power generation is stopped, or when power supply by power system 54 is stopped. Power may be supplied to the body to adjust the posture of the floating body, or power may be supplied from the storage unit 51 when the supplied power is reduced.

1 Power generator (underwater floating power generator, water flow power generator)
2 Power generation pod (floating body)
2a Power pod front (floating body front)
3 Central pod (floating body)
3b Center pod rear (floating body rear)
4 Cross beam (floating body)
5 Turbine (turbine for power generation)
7 mooring cord 9 generator 12 control unit 25 attitude adjustment device 26 first storage tank (first storage section)
27 Second storage tank (second storage unit)
28, 29 piping 30, 31 pump 45 control unit 46 determination unit 51 storage unit 52 converter 53 inverter 54 power system

Claims (5)

A floating body that can be floated in water, connected to mooring lines,
A power generation turbine provided on the floating body;
A generator mounted on the floating body and generating electricity by the rotational driving force of the power generation turbine;
An attitude adjustment device for adjusting the attitude of the floating body;
A control unit configured to control the posture adjusting device so that the front portion of the floating body is disposed lower than the rear portion of the floating body with respect to the water flow during normal operation;
And a determination unit that determines whether to change the attitude of the floating body when the floating body is lifted. It has a storage unit that stores power.
The water flow power generation device according to claim 1, wherein the power stored in the power storage unit is supplied to the posture adjustment device in an emergency to adjust the posture of the floating body. A converter connected to the generator or power system;
And an inverter connected to the converter and the posture adjustment device.
The water current power generation device according to claim 2, wherein the power storage unit is connected to the converter and the inverter. The posture adjustment device
A first reservoir disposed at the front of the floating body and capable of storing liquid;
A second reservoir disposed at the rear of the floating body and capable of storing the liquid;
Piping connected to the first reservoir and the second reservoir so that the liquid can flow;
The water flow power generator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: a pump connected to the pipe and capable of transferring the liquid. A floating method of a floating power generation system, connected to a mooring line, for floating a floating body floating in water, comprising:
A first floating step of rotating the power generation turbine during normal operation to float the floating body at a first depth, and controlling a front portion of the floating body to a downward position below a rear portion of the floating body with respect to water flow; ,
A second floating step of floating the floating body at a second depth above the first depth when the number of revolutions of the power generation turbine decreases;
When floating the floating body from the second depth, it is determined whether or not the posture of the floating body is to be changed to an upward posture in which the front portion of the floating body is disposed above the rear portion of the floating body Process,
And a floating step of floating the floating body by changing the attitude of the floating body to an upward attitude after determining that the attitude of the floating body is to be changed in the determination step.

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