JP2022067474A - Tidal current power generation device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a tidal current power generation device which can easily perform the maintenance of an impeller and a power generator, and is advantageous in the reduction of running cost.SOLUTION: A tidal current power generation device 10A comprises a floating structure 12B that is connected to a micro pile 26 by a rope 30 and floats on the sea level SS, an impeller 14 that is supported by the floating structure 12B and rotated by a tidal current T, and a power generator 16B that is supported by the floating structure 12B and generates power by the rotation of the impeller 14. A conduit 40 penetrating the floating structure 12B in a length direction while passing both sideways of the impeller 14 which is immersed into sea water SW in a downward-released state, and having a pair of conduit wall faces 4002 is arranged at the site of the floating structure 12B which is immersed into the sea water SW. A tapered wall face 1206 for leading the tidal current T to a center of a floating body 1202 and guiding it to the conduit 20 is arranged at a longitudinal end of the floating structure 12A.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a tidal current power generation device.

As a tidal current power generation device, for example, a propeller standing on the seabed, a propeller including a rotating shaft rotatably supported at the upper end of the pillar, and a generator connected to the rotating shaft are provided. (See Patent Document 1).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2014-227988

Since such a conventional tidal current power generation device is installed on the seabed, there is a problem that maintenance cannot be easily performed and running costs are incurred.
The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and a tidal current power generation device which can easily perform maintenance of an impeller and a generator with a simple configuration and is advantageous in reducing running costs can be provided. The purpose is to provide.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention comprises a floating structure that is connected to a pile placed on the sea floor with a rope and floats on the sea surface, an impeller that is supported by the floating structure and rotates by a tidal current, and the above. It is characterized by being provided with a generator supported by a floating structure and generating electricity by the rotation of the impeller.
Further, in the present invention, in a state where the floating structure is suspended on the sea surface, both sides of the impeller immersed in the seawater in an open shape downward at the location of the floating structure immersed in the seawater. It is characterized in that a water channel having a pair of water channel wall surfaces penetrating in the length direction of the floating structure is provided.
Further, in the present invention, the floating structure has a slender body portion having a length larger than the width and provided with the water channel, and both ends in the width direction at least at one end in the length direction of the floating body portion. As a tapered wall surface having a pair of protrusions provided in the waterway, the surfaces of the pair of protrusions facing each other intersect the outer surface of the protrusions and approach each other as they approach the waterway and intersect the waterway wall surface. It is characterized in that the outer surface and the lower surface of the protruding portion are continuously provided on the outer surface and the lower surface of the floating body main body, respectively.
Further, in the present invention, the floating body structure is provided with an opening, and the impeller is a water turbine composed of a rotating shaft and a plurality of blades attached to the rotating shaft. It is characterized in that the plurality of blades rotatably supported by the floating structure on the sea surface and located in the lower half of the water turbine are immersed in seawater through the opening.
Further, in the present invention, the floating structure is provided with an opening, the impeller is of an axial flow type arranged in seawater, and the generator is provided integrally with the impeller. The floating structure is characterized by being provided with a frame that supports the impeller and the generator inside the contour of the opening when viewed in a plan view.
Further, in the present invention, the frame is detachably coupled to the frame-shaped frame portion provided on the floating structure around the opening and the frame-shaped frame portion to suspend the generator. It is characterized in that it is configured to include a frame portion.
Further, in the present invention, the floating structure has a width and a length having a dimension larger than the width, and the piles are separated from each other on both sides in the width direction of the floating structure. The upper end of each of the piles is provided at four locations, and is characterized in that it is located at a location higher than the sea surface at the time of high tide.
Further, in the present invention, the floating structure has a width and a length having a dimension larger than the width, and a swivel table that can be swiveled on both sides in the width direction and both sides in the length direction of the floating structure is provided. The ropes are provided and connected to each stake so as to be movable up and down for each stake, and each rope is wound and unwound by a remotely controllable electric winch provided on the swivel table. It is characterized by.
Further, the present invention is characterized in that the pile is made of a micro pile.

According to the present invention, since the generator and the impeller are supported by the floating structure, the maintenance of the generator and the impeller can be performed easily and surely in a short time as compared with the conventional tidal current power generator installed on the seabed. , It is advantageous in significantly reducing the running cost of the tidal current power generator.
In addition, if a channel having channel walls located on both sides of an impeller immersed in the sea is provided, the impeller can be rotated by the seawater flowing in the channel without escaping to the outside of the channel, and therefore the kinetic energy of the tidal current is lost. The impeller can be rotated efficiently while being suppressed to the minimum, which is advantageous in increasing the power generation efficiency.
Further, when a pair of protrusions is provided, when the floating structure is viewed in a plan view, the portion of the floating structure where the tidal current collides has an acute angle, and the outer surface and the lower surface of the protrusion are the outer surfaces of the floating body, respectively. By providing it continuously with the lower surface, the resistance of the floating structure to the tidal current is reduced.
Therefore, the load applied to the piles and ropes is reduced, which is advantageous in ensuring the durability of the piles and ropes and reducing the running cost of the tidal current power generation device.
Further, if a tapered wall surface is provided on the pair of protrusions so as to bring the tidal current to the center in the width direction of the floating body body and guide it to the water channel, it is advantageous in increasing the speed of the tidal current flowing in the water channel and in improving the power generation efficiency. ..
In addition, if a water turbine whose rotation axis is supported on the floating structure is used as the impeller, all the impellers are exposed above the sea surface by rotating the water wheel, so maintenance of the generator and impeller is underwater. It can be easily and reliably performed on a floating structure in a short time without diving, which is advantageous in significantly reducing the running cost of the tidal current generator.
Further, if an axial flow type impeller is used and a frame is provided to support the impeller and the generator inside the contour of the opening when viewed in a plan view, the generator and the impeller can be moved from the opening to a floating structure. It can be lifted up, and maintenance of the generator and impeller can be performed easily and reliably in a short time, which is advantageous in significantly reducing the running cost of the tidal current generator.
In this case, the frame is configured to include a frame-shaped frame portion provided on the floating structure around the opening and a frame portion detachably connected to the frame-shaped frame portion to suspend the generator. It can be lifted above the sea surface from the opening through a jack, etc. together with the frame part, and it can be easily and reliably performed on a floating structure in a short time without diving into the sea, and the running cost of the tidal current power generation device is greatly reduced. It will be advantageous in doing so.
In addition, when two piles are driven into the upstream side and the downstream side of the floating structure, the two ropes on the upstream side are stretched appropriately and the two ropes on the downstream side are slightly loosened to allow the flow of tidal current. With the end of the floating structure located on the upstream end side of the tidal current as a fulcrum in response to the change in the direction of the tidal current, the end of the floating structure on the downstream side of the tidal current swings and the longitudinal direction of the floating structure is the tidal current. The direction is along the flow of the water, which is advantageous in increasing the power generation efficiency by efficiently rotating the water wheel by the tidal current.
In addition, if the upper end of the pile is located above the sea surface at high tide, the relationship between the rope and the pile can be visually recognized, which is advantageous for easily installing the tidal current power generator on the sea surface. In addition, the rope moves up and down with the floating structure in response to low tide without coming off the pile, and the tidal current generator can easily and reliably respond to changes in sea level due to high tide and low tide.
Further, if each electric winch is provided on the swivel table, the winch drum also swivels when the longitudinal direction of the floating structure changes in response to the change in the direction of the tidal current, so that the rope is placed on the winch drum. It is possible to suppress rubbing against the wound rope, which is advantageous in increasing the durability of the rope.
In addition, since the electric winch can be operated remotely, when the sea is already rough, the rope can be wound up by each electric winch by operation from the land to reduce play, making it a swaying floating structure. It is possible to prepare for typhoons without riding, which is advantageous in ensuring the safety of workers.
In addition, if micro piles are used as piles, large heavy machinery is not required, and even if there is bedrock on the seabed, it can be easily and reliably driven in a short period of time, reducing the cost of installing a tidal current power generation device. It will be advantageous in planning.

It is a top view of the installation state of the tidal current power generation apparatus of 1st Embodiment. It is a front view of the installation state of the tidal current power generation apparatus of 1st Embodiment. It is a top view of the tidal current power generation apparatus of 1st Embodiment. It is a front view of the tidal current power generation apparatus of 1st Embodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. It is a top view of the installation state of the tidal current power generation apparatus of 2nd Embodiment. It is a front view of the installation state of the tidal current power generation apparatus of the 2nd Embodiment. It is a top view of the tidal current power generation apparatus of 2nd Embodiment. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG.

(First Embodiment)
First, the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the tidal current power generation device 10A of the first embodiment includes a floating structure 12A floating on the sea surface SS, an impeller 14, and a generator 16A. ..
As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the floating structure 12A has a thickness, a width having a dimension larger than the thickness, and a length having a dimension larger than the width.
As the floating structure 12A, various conventionally known structures can be adopted, such as a structure in which a buoyancy-retaining material such as a foamed plastic material having a specific gravity smaller than that of water is watertightly sealed inside an outer layer made of hard plastic.

As shown in FIG. 3, the floating structure 12A has a rectangular shape in a plan view having a length larger than the width, that is, an elongated floating body body portion 1202 and both ends in the length direction of the floating body body portion 1202 at both ends in the width direction. Each is provided with a pair of protrusions 1204.
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, an open water channel 20 is provided on the lower surface of the floating body main body 1202 so as to penetrate in the length direction along the center in the width direction.
The waterway wall surfaces 2002 of the waterways 20 facing each other are formed with an inclination in which the distance between them gradually decreases toward the upper side.
The water channel wall surface 2002 passes through both sides of the impeller 14 immersed in the seawater SW and penetrates in the length direction of the floating structure 12A.
The facing sides of the pair of protrusions 1204 are formed as tapered wall surfaces 1206 that intersect the outer surface of the protrusion 1204 and approach each other as they approach the channel 20 and intersect the channel wall surface 2002.
The outer surface and the lower surface of the protrusion 1204 are continuously provided on the outer surface and the lower surface of the floating body body 1202, respectively, in other words, the outer surface of the protrusion 1204 and the outer surface of the floating body 1202 are a single plane. It is located above, and the lower surface of the protrusion 1204 and the lower surface of the floating body body 1202 are located on a single plane.
By providing the water channel 20 in the floating structure 12A, the central portion in the width direction of the floating structure 12A is a thin-walled portion, and the thin-walled portion is provided with a rectangular opening 22 in a plan view.

The impeller 14 is a water turbine 14A in the present embodiment, and is composed of a rotary shaft 1402 and a plurality of blade bodies 1404 attached at intervals in the circumferential direction of the rotary shaft 1402.
Both ends of the rotating shaft 1402 are rotatably supported by a bearing portion 24 provided on the upper surface of the floating body main body portion 1202, the rotating shaft 1402 is located on the sea surface SS, and a half portion of the blade body 1404 is an opening 22. Is immersed in the water channel 20.

The generator 16A includes a rotating shaft integrally rotatably connected to the rotating shaft 1402 of the water turbine 14A, a rotor attached to the rotating shaft, and a stator arranged on the outer periphery of the rotor. ..
The electric power generated by the generator 16A is charged into a battery (secondary battery) (not shown) via a charging device (not shown) installed in the floating body main body 1202.
The electric power stored in the battery supplies electric power to a power transmission facility on the ground through, for example, a transmission line (not shown).

The floating structure 12A including the impeller 14 and the generator 16A is suspended at a predetermined location on the sea surface SS via the micropile 26, the electric winch 28, and the rope 30.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the micropile 26 is driven into the seabed S so as to be located outside the four corners of the floating structure 12A by the micropile method using a steel pipe having a diameter of 100 mm or more and 300 mm or less. , The upper ends of them are located above the sea surface SS at high tide.
A conventional steel pipe pile or the like may be used as the pile, but in this embodiment, since the micro pile 26 is used, a large heavy machine is not required, and the driving depth can be easily adjusted on site. Even if there is rock on the seabed S, it is advantageous in that the micropile 26 can be easily and surely driven in a short period of time.

The electric winch 28 is mounted on a swivel table 32 arranged at four corners of the floating structure 12A.
The swivel table 32 rotatably supports the electric winch 28 around the vertical axis on the floating structure 12A.
The electric winch 28 includes a motor 28A electrically connected to a battery (secondary battery) (not shown) via a control unit (not shown), and a winch in which a rope 30 is wound and the motor 28A is forward-reversed. It is equipped with a drum 28B.
The control unit (not shown) can be remotely controlled, and the forward / reverse rotation and stop of the motor 28A are controlled by remote control.
The tip of the rope 30 is formed as a hoop portion 3002 movably connected to the corresponding micropile 26 in the vertical direction, and a large diameter portion 26A that prevents the hoop portion 3002 from coming off can be attached to and detached from the upper end of the micropile 26. It is provided.

When the floating structure 12A is provided near the land L, a pier 34 is bridged between the land L and the floating structure 12A as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and a tidal current power generation device is provided. The maintenance of 10A is designed to be easy.

Next, the installation of the tidal current power generation device 10A of the present embodiment will be described.
When installing the tidal current power generation device 10A, as shown in FIG. 1, it is located outside the four corners of the floating structure 12A so that the longitudinal direction of the floating structure 12A extends along the flow of the tidal current T. Then, each micropile 26 is driven into the seabed S.
That is, two micropile 26s are driven into the upstream side of the floating structure 12A, and two micropile 26s are driven into the downstream side of the floating structure 12A.
Then, the hoop portion 3002 at the tip of the rope 30 wound around the winch drum 28B of the electric winch 28 at the four corners is connected to the upper part of each micropile 26.

Next, the operation and effect of the tidal current power generation device 10A of the present embodiment will be described.
The generator 16A is arranged on the floating structure 12A, the rotating shaft 1402 of the water turbine 14A is arranged on the sea surface SS, and by rotating the water turbine 14A, all the blades 1404 are exposed above the sea surface SS.
Therefore, compared to the conventional tidal current power generation device 10A provided on the seabed S, maintenance of the generator 16A and the impeller 14 can be easily and reliably performed on the floating structure 12A in a short time without diving into the seawater SW, and the tidal current. This is advantageous in significantly reducing the running cost of the power generation device 10A.

Further, in a state where the floating structure 12A is suspended in the seawater SW, a water channel 20 which is open downward and penetrates in the length direction of the floating structure 12A is provided at a position of the floating structure 12A immersed in the seawater SW. The waterway wall surface 2002 is located on both sides of the water wheel 14A immersed in the seawater SW.
Therefore, the water turbine 14A can be rotated by the seawater SW flowing in the water channel 20 without escaping to the outside of the water channel 20, and therefore, the water turbine 14A can be efficiently rotated while minimizing the loss of kinetic energy of the tidal current T. , It is advantageous in increasing the power generation efficiency.
Further, since the tapered wall surface 1206 is provided at the end of the floating structure 12A in the longitudinal direction to bring the tidal current T to the center in the width direction of the floating body main body 1202 and guide it to the water channel 20, the velocity of the tidal current T flowing through the water channel 20. It is advantageous in accelerating the speed and is advantageous in increasing the power generation efficiency.
Further, when the floating structure 12A is viewed in a plan view, the portion of the floating structure 12A where the tidal current T collides has an acute angle because a pair of protrusions 1204 is provided, and further, the outer surface of the protrusion 1204 is provided. Since the lower surface and the lower surface are continuously provided on the outer surface and the lower surface of the floating body main body 1202, the resistance to the tidal current T is small.
Therefore, the load applied to the micropile 26, the electric winch 28, the rope 30, and the swivel table 32 is small, and the durability of the micropile 26, the electric winch 28, the rope 30, and the swivel table 32 is ensured, and the running of the tidal current power generation device 10A. It is advantageous in reducing the cost significantly.
Further, the pair of projecting portions 1204 having the tapered wall surface 1206 may be provided only at one end in the length direction of the floating body main body portion 1202 arranged on the upstream side of the tidal current T, but the floating body main body as in the present embodiment. If the portions 1202 are provided at both ends in the length direction, it is advantageous in suppressing the generation of vortices when the seawater SW is discharged from the water channel 20, reduces the resistance to the tidal current T, and reduces the resistance to the tidal current T, the micropile 26, the electric winch 28, and the like. It is more advantageous to secure the durability of the rope 30 and the swivel table 32 and to significantly reduce the running cost of the tidal current power generation device 10A.

Further, one micropile 26 may be driven into the upstream side of the floating structure 12A, but in the present embodiment, since two micropile 26s are driven into the upstream side of the floating structure 12A, the tidal current T It is advantageous in firmly receiving the resistance of the floating structure 12A received inside and enhancing the stability of the floating structure 12A.
In this case, the two electric winches 28 arranged on the upstream side are reversed forward and reverse, the rope 30 is appropriately stretched, and the rope 30 wound around the winch drum 28B of the electric winch 28 arranged on the downstream side is slightly loosened. Then, the end of the floating structure 12A on the downstream side of the tidal current T sways with the end of the floating structure 12A located on the upstream end side of the tidal current T as a fulcrum in response to the change in the direction of the flow of the tidal current T. By moving, the longitudinal direction of the floating structure 12A becomes a direction along the flow of the tidal current T, and the tidal current T efficiently rotates the water wheel 14A, which is advantageous in increasing the power generation efficiency.
Further, when each electric winch 28 is provided on the swivel table 32 as in the embodiment, when the longitudinal direction of the floating structure 12A changes in response to the change in the flow direction of the tidal current T, the winch drum 28B Since the rope 30 also turns, it is possible to prevent the rope 30 from rubbing against the wound rope 30 on the winch drum 28B, which is advantageous in increasing the durability of the rope 30.

Further, since the upper end of the micropile 26 is located above the sea level SS at high tide, the rope 30 does not come off from the micropile 26 in response to high tide and low tide, and together with the floating structure 12A. Moving up and down, the tidal current power generator 10A can easily and reliably respond to changes in the height of the sea level SS due to high tide and low tide.
Further, the relationship between the rope 30 and the pile can be visually recognized, which is advantageous in easily performing the installation work of the tidal current power generation device 10A on the sea surface SS.
Further, since the electric winches 28 for winding and feeding the rope 30 are provided at the four corners of the floating structure 12A so as to be rotatable, the rope 30 is wound by each electric winch 28 when a typhoon or the like passes through. If the play is reduced, a large displacement of the floating structure can be suppressed, which is advantageous in improving the durability of the tidal current power generation device 10A.
Further, since the electric winch 28 can be remotely controlled, when the sea is already rough, the rope 30 can be wound up by each electric winch 28 by the operation from the land L to reduce the play and swing. It is possible to prepare for a typhoon or the like without getting on the floating structure 12A, which is advantageous in ensuring the safety of workers.

(Second embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 10.
In the second embodiment, the structure of the impeller 14 is mainly different from that of the first embodiment, and the same parts and members as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals to explain the explanation. I will omit it and focus on the differences.
As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the tidal current power generation device 10B includes a floating structure 12B, an impeller 14, and a generator 16B.
The structure itself constituting the floating structure 12B is the same as that of the first embodiment, and various conventionally known structures can be adopted.
As shown in FIG. 8, the floating structure 12B has a rectangular floating body main body portion 1212 in a plan view, and a pair of protruding portions 1214 are provided at both ends in the length direction and both ends in the width direction of the floating body main body portion 1212. ..
The inner side surfaces of the pair of protrusions 1214 are formed as a flat tapered wall surface 1216 with an inclination that guides the tidal current T to the center in the width direction of the floating body main body 1212.

As shown in FIG. 9, an open water channel 40 is provided on the lower surface of the floating structure 12B so as to penetrate in the length direction along the center in the width direction.
The water channel wall surfaces 4002 facing each other in the water channel 40 extend in the vertical direction and face each other in parallel with each other.
The water channel wall surface 4002 penetrates in the length direction of the floating structure 12B through both sides of the impeller 14 immersed in the seawater SW, and a pair of protrusions at both ends of the floating structure 12B in the length direction. It intersects the tapered wall surface 1216 of the portion 1214.
By providing the water channel 40 in the floating structure 12B, the central portion in the width direction of the floating structure 12B is a thin-walled portion, and the impeller 14 is immersed in the thin-walled portion in the water channel 40, and the water channel is also provided. An opening 42 having a rectangular shape in a plan view is provided for taking out from the inside of the 40.

The impeller 14 is an axial flow type propeller 14B immersed in the seawater SW in the present embodiment, and is a plurality of blade bodies 1414 attached to the rotating shaft 1412 at intervals in the circumferential direction of the rotating shaft 1412. It is composed of.
The generator 16B is integrated with the impeller 14, and is immersed in the seawater SW together with the impeller 14 and arranged.
The generator 16B includes a rotating shaft integrally rotatably connected to the rotating shaft of the propeller 14B, a rotor attached to the rotating shaft, a stator arranged on the outer periphery of the rotor, and a case for accommodating them. It is configured to include.
The impeller 14 and the generator 16B are suspended in the seawater SW by a frame 44 provided in the floating structure portion, and when viewed in a plan view, the contour of the impeller 14 and the generator 16B combined in the suspended state. Is located inside the opening 42.

As shown in FIG. 8, the frame 44 is detachably coupled to the frame-shaped frame portion 4402 provided on the floating structure 12B around the opening 42 and the frame-shaped frame portion 4402 to form a generator 16B. It is configured to include a hanging frame portion 4404 for hanging.
The frame-shaped frame portion 4402 consists of four column pipes 4410 erected from the apex of the rectangular view outside the opening 42 and two column pipes 4410 extending in parallel with the long side of the rectangle. It includes two long-sided pipes 4412 connecting the upper ends and two short-sided pipes 4414 extending parallel to the short sides of the rectangle and connecting the upper ends of the two strut pipes 4410.
The hanging frame portion 4404 is composed of a hanging pipe 4416 that connects the centers of the two short side pipes 4414.
Mounting brackets 4418 are provided at both ends of the hanging pipe 4416, and the hanging pipe 4416 is detachably attached to two short side pipes 4414 via the mounting bracket 4418.

A generator support pipe 4420 is hung downward from two locations spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the suspension pipe 4416, and the lower end of the generator support pipe 4420 is connected to the case of the generator 16B.
Therefore, the impeller 14 and the generator 16B are suspended in the seawater SW via the frame 44 by the floating structure 12B.
The electric power generated by the generator 16B is charged to a battery (secondary battery) (not shown) via a charging device (not shown) installed in the floating body main body 1212.
The electric power stored in the battery supplies electric power to a power transmission facility on the ground through, for example, a transmission line (not shown).

The floating structure 12B including the impeller 14 and the generator 16B is the sea surface SS via the micropile 26, the remotely controllable electric winch 28, the swivel table 32, and the rope 30, as in the first embodiment. When the floating structure 12B is suspended at a predetermined position above and is provided near the land L, a pier 34 is provided between the land L and the floating structure 12B as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. It is bridged so that the maintenance of the tidal current power generation device 10B can be easily performed.

Next, the installation of the tidal current power generation device 10B of the present embodiment will be described.
When installing the tidal current power generation device 10B, as shown in FIG. 6, the floating body extends in the longitudinal direction of the floating structure 12B along the flow of the tidal current T, as in the first embodiment. Two micropile 26s are driven into the upstream side of the structure 12B, two micropile 26s are driven into the downstream side of the floating structure 12B, and the rope 30 wound around the winch drum 28B of the electric winch 28 at the four corners. The hoop portion 3002 at the tip of the head is connected to the upper part of each micropile 26.
Then, as in the first embodiment, the posture of the floating structure 12B is adjusted by slightly loosening the rope 30 wound around the winch drum 28B of the electric winch 28 arranged on the downstream side, and upstream. This is done by reversing the two electric winches 28 arranged on the side in the forward and reverse directions and appropriately stretching the rope 30.

Next, the operation and effect of the tidal current power generation device 10B of the present embodiment will be described.
Since the contour of the impeller 14 and the generator 16B combined in the state of being suspended in the seawater SW is located inside the opening 42, the suspension pipe 4416 is placed on the short side via the mounting bracket 4418. By removing it from the pipe 4414, the generator 16B and the impeller 14 can be lifted above the sea surface SS together with the hanging pipe 4416 from the opening 42 via a jack or the like.
Therefore, compared to the conventional tidal current power generation device 10B provided on the seabed S, maintenance of the generator 16B and the impeller 14 can be easily and reliably performed on the floating structure 12B in a short time without diving into the seawater SW, and the tidal current. This is advantageous in significantly reducing the running cost of the power generation device 10B.

Further, in a state where the floating structure 12B is suspended on the sea surface SS, a water channel 40 which is open downward and penetrates in the length direction of the floating structure 12B is provided at a position of the floating structure 12B immersed in the seawater SW. Since the water channel wall surfaces 4002 are located on both sides of the propeller 14B immersed in the seawater SW, the propeller 14B can be rotated by the water flowing in the water channel 40 without escaping to the outside of the water channel 40. The propeller 14B can be efficiently rotated while minimizing the loss of kinetic energy, which is advantageous in increasing the power generation efficiency.
Further, since the tapered wall surface 1216 is provided at the end portion of the floating body structure 12B in the longitudinal direction to bring the tidal current T closer to the center in the width direction of the floating body main body portion 1212, in order to increase the speed of the tidal current T flowing through the water channel 40. It is advantageous and advantageous in increasing the power generation efficiency.
By providing the pair of projecting portions 1204, the durability of the micropile 26, the electric winch 28, the rope 30, and the swivel table 32 is ensured, and the running cost of the tidal current power generation device 10A is significantly reduced. The effect of improving the stability of the floating structure 12A by driving two micropile 26s on the upstream side of the above, the effect of increasing the durability of the rope 30 by providing each electric winch 28 on the swivel table 32, and the micropile. By locating the upper end of 26 at a location above the sea surface SS at high tide, the tidal current power generation device 10A can easily and reliably respond to changes in the height of the sea surface SS due to high tide and low tide. The effect of increasing the durability of the tidal current power generation device 10A by providing the electric winches 28 at the four corners of the structure 12A, the effect of ensuring the safety of the worker, and the like are the same as those of the first embodiment.

10A, 10B Rope generator 12A, 12B Floating structure 1202, 1212 Floating body 1204, 1214 Protruding part 1206, 1216 Tapered wall surface 14 Impeller 14A Water wheel 14B Propeller 1402, 1412 Rotating shaft 1404, 1414 Blade 16A, 16B Generator 20 Waterway 2002 Waterway wall surface 22 Opening 24 Bearing part 26 Micropile 26A Large diameter part 28 Electric winch 28A Motor 28B Winch drum 30 Rope 3002 Hoop part 32 Swing table 40 Waterway 4002 Waterway wall surface 42 Opening 34 Pier 44 Frame 4402 Frame-shaped Frame part 4404 Suspension frame part 4410 Strut pipe 4412 Long side pipe 4414 Short side pipe 4416 Hanging pipe 4418 Mounting bracket 4420 Generator support pipe SS Sea surface SW Seawater S Seabed T Tidal current L Land

Claims (9)

A floating structure that is connected to a pile placed on the seabed with a rope and floats on the sea surface.
An impeller supported by the floating structure and rotated by the tidal current,
A generator that is supported by the floating structure and generates electricity by the rotation of the impeller,
A tidal current power generator characterized by being equipped with. With the floating structure floating on the sea surface, the floating body passes through both sides of the impeller soaked in the seawater in an open shape downward at the location of the floating structure immersed in the seawater. A channel having a pair of channel walls penetrating in the length direction of the structure is provided.
The tidal current power generation device according to claim 1. The floating structure has a length larger than the width and is provided with a water channel, and a pair of a floating body main body and a pair of floating body structures provided at least at one end in the length direction and at both ends in the width direction. Has a protrusion and
The facing surfaces of the pair of protrusions are formed as tapered wall surfaces that intersect the outer surface of the protrusions and approach each other as they approach the channel and intersect the channel wall surface.
The outer surface and the lower surface of the protruding portion are continuously provided on the outer surface and the lower surface of the floating body main body, respectively.
2. The tidal current power generation device according to claim 2. An opening is provided in the floating structure, and the floating structure is provided with an opening.
The impeller is a water wheel composed of a rotating shaft and a plurality of blades attached to the rotating shaft.
The axis of rotation is rotatably supported by the floating structure on the surface of the sea.
The plurality of blades located in the lower half of the water turbine are immersed in seawater through the opening.
The tidal current power generation device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the tidal current power generation device is characterized by the above. An opening is provided in the floating structure, and the floating structure is provided with an opening.
The impeller is an axial flow type placed in seawater.
The generator is provided integrally with the impeller and is provided.
The floating structure is provided with a frame that supports the impeller and the generator inside the contour of the opening when viewed in a plan view.
The tidal current power generation device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the tidal current power generation device is characterized by the above. The frame includes a frame-shaped frame portion provided on the floating structure around the opening, and a frame portion detachably coupled to the frame-shaped frame portion to suspend the generator. It is configured,
The tidal current power generation device according to claim 5. The floating structure has a width and a length having a dimension larger than the width.
The piles are provided at four locations separated on both sides in the width direction and on both sides in the length direction of the floating structure.
The upper end of each of the piles is located higher than the sea level at high tide.
The tidal current power generation device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the tidal current power generation device is characterized. The floating structure has a width and a length having a dimension larger than the width.
A swivel table that can be swiveled is provided on both sides of the floating structure in the width direction and on both sides in the length direction.
The rope is connected to each stake so as to be movable up and down with respect to each stake.
Each rope is wound and unwound by a remotely controllable electric winch provided on the swivel table.
The tidal current power generation device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the tidal current power generation device is characterized. The pile is composed of micropile,
The tidal current power generation device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the tidal current power generation device is characterized.

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