JP4175839B2 - Thermoelectric conversion module for flow pipe - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a technique for promoting a so-called automatic meter reading system by displaying and communicating measurement information of meters such as gas and water facilities by electronic means in the field of gas or liquid flow measurement. In particular, the present invention relates to a thermoelectric conversion module for a channel tube for securing a small electric power required for driving an electronic circuit or the like as a heat source such as a gas or a fluid such as water or sewage, and a power supply device and a flow rate measurement system using the module. is there.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, with regard to gas meters, water meters, etc., an electronic transmission means has been added to the meter-reading device, and measurement information can be transmitted to a predetermined management center to automatically know the amount of gas, tap water, etc. used. (For example, JP-A-10-96655). In this case, conventionally, the driving power source is a battery or an external power source. However, in the case of the battery type, it is necessary to replace the battery due to the life of the battery. The battery life depends on the underground temperature, the gas used, and the amount of water. In addition, if the battery is depleted, the usage amount is not transmitted.
[0003]
In addition, when using a 100V commercial power source, it is necessary that the commercial power source be arranged up to the vicinity of the water supply and gas meter. For water supply, gas meter, etc., it is difficult to use these commercial power sources due to geographical problems. There are many.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, the power source for an electronic meter reading system or the like conventionally depends on the battery or the applicable power source. However, there are problems such as battery consumption and the inability to use commercial power, and self-power generation that does not require such a power source. Water and gas meters are required.
[0005]
According to the inventor's study, for gas and water meters, etc., metal pipes are used as flow pipes, so the temperature of the gas or liquid is transmitted to the flow pipes, and the ambient temperature and temperature difference around it. Has produced. Therefore, by generating an electromotive force using a temperature gradient by the thermoelectric conversion element based on this temperature difference, if the generated power is supplied to a gas and a water meter, an existing power source such as a battery or a commercial power source is used. It is considered possible to eliminate the need for
[0006]
The present invention has been made based on such a point of view. A thermometer conversion module for a flow meter capable of supplying electric power to a water meter, a gas meter or the like by self-power generation, a power generation apparatus using the module, and a flow measurement system are provided. The purpose is to provide.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, in the invention according to claim 1, thermoelectric conversion elements composed of a plurality of rod-shaped P-type thermoelectric conversion elements and N-type thermoelectric conversion elements are arranged in a grid pattern and embedded in an insulating resin. It is configured as a thermoelectric conversion unit, and two or more thermoelectric conversion units are disposed so as to face the outer peripheral surface portion of the flow channel tube through which gas or liquid flows , or are disposed so as to surround the flow channel tube. while that enables heat transfer is closely via the thermally conductive insulator with processing in an arc surface shape so as to conform to the outer wall surface of the flow pipe one end side of the device as a low-temperature portion or the high-temperature portion, wherein each thermoelectric By arranging the other end side of the conversion element as a high-temperature part or a low-temperature part so that the ambient temperature around the flow path pipe can be sensed, the thermoelectric conversion elements are electrically connected to form a circuit, and Flow in the pipe Based on the temperature difference between the temperature of the gas or liquid and the ambient temperature around the flow path tube, the thermoelectromotive force generated in each thermoelectric conversion element is integrated to extract power into the circuit. A thermoelectric conversion module for a road pipe is provided.
[0009]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, the conductor for electrically connecting the pre-electroelectric conversion element includes a metal thin film formed on the thermoelectric conversion element by plating, vapor deposition, or the like. A thermoelectric conversion module for a road pipe is provided.
[0010]
In the invention according to claim 3, the thin film electrically connecting the thermoelectric conversion element, gold, copper, according to claim 2, wherein the nickel or aluminum or their metal containing at least one, A thermoelectric conversion module for a channel pipe is provided.
[0013]
In the invention which concerns on Claim 4 , the capacitor | condenser or storage battery which performs leveling of a thermoelectromotive force or accumulation | storage of electricity, or both to the circuit of the thermoelectric conversion module for flow-path pipes in any one of Claim 1 to 3 is carried out. Provided is a power supply device including the power supply device.
[0014]
In the invention which concerns on Claim 5, it generated electric power by making the thermoelectric conversion module for flow-path pipes in any one of Claim 1 to 3 or the power supply device of Claim 7 into single body or several combination, and this electric power generation was carried out. There is provided a flow rate measurement system characterized by performing a measurement operation, a measurement value display operation, or a communication operation of a flow rate measuring device for measuring a flow rate of a gas or liquid flowing in the flow path pipe by supplying an electric current.
[0015]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[0016]
First embodiment (FIGS. 1, 2, and 5)
FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing an entire configuration of a thermoelectric conversion module for a flow channel tube and a power generator using the same according to the present embodiment. 2A is a side sectional view showing in detail the thermoelectric conversion module of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 2B is a sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. (C) is explanatory drawing which shows the arrangement | sequence of the thermoelectric conversion element of the said module.
[0017]
As shown in these drawings, the thermoelectric conversion module 1 is provided with a pair of thermoelectric conversion units 3 (3a, 3b) on both sides of a metal pipe 2 as a flow pipe constituting a gas pipe, a water pipe or the like. It is configured by
[0018]
As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, each thermoelectric conversion unit 3 has a plurality of thermoelectric conversion elements 4 arranged, for example, in a lattice pattern on the outer peripheral surface portion of the metal tube 2, and one end of each thermoelectric conversion element 4. While making the heat transferable contact with the outer wall surface of the metal tube 2 as a low temperature part or a high temperature part, the other end side of each thermoelectric conversion element 4 is used as a high temperature part or a low temperature part to sense the ambient temperature around the metal tube 2 It is a possible arrangement. Then, as shown in FIG. 2 (C), each thermoelectric element 4 is connected in a zigzag manner by conductors 5 to form a circuit 6 so that a gas flowing in the metal tube 2 or a fluid such as sewage or the like flows. The thermoelectromotive force generated in each thermoelectric conversion element 4 is integrated based on the temperature difference between the temperature and the ambient temperature around the metal tube 2, and electric power is extracted to the circuit 6.
[0019]
More specifically, the thermoelectric conversion element 4 is a plurality of rod-shaped P-type thermoelectric conversion elements 4 a and N-type thermoelectric conversion elements 4 b arranged perpendicular to the outer surface of the metal tube 2, and these are alternately joined by the conductors 5. Thus, the circuit 6 is configured. The thermoelectric conversion elements 4 a and 4 b are embedded in the heat transfer resin 7 b and fixed to the outer peripheral portion of the metal tube 2. The P-type thermoelectric conversion element 4a is, for example, a Bi—Te—Sb alloy, and the N-type thermoelectric conversion element 4b is, for example, a Bi—Te—Se alloy.
[0020]
The conductor 5 for electrically connecting the thermoelectric conversion element 4 is formed of a metal thin film formed on the thermoelectric conversion element 4 by plating, vapor deposition, or the like. These thin films are made of gold, copper, nickel, aluminum, or a metal containing at least one of them.
[0021]
One end side of the thermoelectric conversion element 4 that is a low temperature portion or a high temperature portion is processed into an arc surface shape so as to match the outer peripheral surface of the metal tube 2, and one end side of the thermoelectric conversion element 4 is an insulating resin heat conductive insulator. For example, the metal tube 2 is in close contact with the metal tube 2 through the heat transfer resin 7a having good thermal conductivity. As the heat transfer resin 7a, for example, epoxy, bakelite, acrylic resin is applied.
[0022]
In the present embodiment, since the pair of thermoelectric conversion units 3a and 3b are disposed opposite to the outer peripheral side of the metal tube 2, both the thermoelectric conversion units 3a and 3b are connected by, for example, a connection line 8 as an inter-unit connection conductor. Circuit configuration.
[0023]
Further, as shown in FIG. 1, an output line 9 is led to the outside from the thermoelectric conversion element module 1 having the above configuration, and a current leveling / storage device 10 including a capacitor and a storage battery is connected to the output line 9. Thus, the power supply device 11 is configured.
[0024]
And the power supply device 11 which consists of the above structure is connected to the flow measuring devices 12, such as a gas meter and a water meter, via the output line 9. FIG. The flow rate measuring device 12 includes, for example, an electromagnetic flow rate display unit 13 and an electronic data transmission unit 14, and can transmit detected flow rate data and the like to a predetermined management center 15. Thus, a flow rate measurement system 16 that can automatically manage the flow rate by the management center 15 is configured.
[0025]
Next, the operation will be described.
[0026]
As shown by an arrow F in FIGS. 1 and 2A, when a fluid such as gas or tap water circulates in the metal tube 2, the metal tube 2 is circulated by the fluid that circulates in the metal tube 2 in a warm season, for example. The surface of the water becomes cooler than the ambient temperature such as the atmosphere or the ground (in winter, for example, it may be reversed). Therefore, in this embodiment, one end side of each thermoelectric conversion element 4 in contact with the metal tube 2 is, for example, a low temperature part, and the other end side facing the environment side is a high temperature part, and a thermoelectromotive force is generated. In this case, one end side of all the thermoelectric conversion elements 4 is in close contact with the arcuate surface of the metal tube 2 via the heat transfer resin 7a made of a relatively thin layer. Is lowered to a temperature approaching the temperature of gas, tap water, or the like flowing through the metal pipe 2, and highly sensitive thermoelectric conversion is performed to efficiently generate current.
[0027]
Since the generated current is leveled and stored by the current leveling / power storage device 10, sufficient power can be supplied as a power source for the flow rate measuring device 12.
[0028]
FIG. 5 is a characteristic diagram showing the electromotive force generated by the thermoelectric conversion module 1 of the present embodiment in comparison with a second embodiment or the like to be described later. The vertical axis represents the electromotive force, and the horizontal axis represents the surface of the metal tube 2. And the temperature difference between the module and the environment outside the module. In the case of the present embodiment, as shown by the characteristic line a in FIG. 5, an extremely large thermoelectromotive force can be obtained in the temperature difference range of 10 to 30 ° C. compared to the second embodiment described later. confirmed.
[0029]
Second Embodiment (FIGS. 3, 4, and 5)
The present embodiment relates to a thermoelectric conversion module 1 having a configuration in which thermoelectric conversion units 3 having a flat configuration are arranged on both sides of a metal tube 2 as opposed to each other. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the thermoelectric conversion module 1. 4A is a side sectional view showing the thermoelectric conversion module 1 shown in FIG. 3 in detail, and FIG. 4B is a sectional view taken along line BB in FIG.
[0030]
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, in this embodiment, each thermoelectric conversion element 4 is sandwiched between support plates 17 made of a metal plate or the like, and is joined to the metal tube 2 via a heat transfer resin 7. ing.
[0031]
Even with such a configuration, as in the first embodiment, it is possible to generate a thermoelectromotive force based on the temperature difference between the fluid temperature and the environmental temperature, but as shown by the characteristic line b in FIG. Furthermore, since only a part of each thermoelectric conversion element 4 is close to the metal tube 2, it is recognized that the efficiency is lower than the characteristic a of the first embodiment.
[0032]
In FIG. 5, a thermoelectric conversion as a comparative example in which the thermoelectric conversion elements 4 having a flat configuration are simply arranged on both sides of the metal tube 2 without using the heat transfer resin 7 a shown in the second embodiment. The electromotive force is also shown as a characteristic line c for the module (with the configuration in which the heat transfer resin 7a is removed from FIGS. 3 and 4B). In this case, the electromotive force was small because heat transfer between the thermoelectric conversion module and the metal plate 2 was extremely small.
[0033]
Therefore, in the embodiment of the present invention, particularly in the case of the configuration of the first embodiment, as is apparent from the comparison of the characteristic lines a and c, a indicates an electromotive force 10 times or more than c, and the flow rate measurement. Good power generation characteristics can be shown as a power supply for supplying necessary power when electronic communication or the like is performed to the device 12.
[0034]
3rd Embodiment (FIGS. 6-8)
FIG. 6 shows a configuration example of the third embodiment of the present invention, and is a configuration diagram showing the thermoelectric conversion module 1 and the power supply device 12. As shown in FIG. 6, in the first configuration example of the present embodiment, the thermoelectric conversion units 3 (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) are four bodies arranged in all the vertical and horizontal directions of the metal tube 2, and the metal tube 2 is configured so as to cover the entire periphery. The configuration is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment, and a current leveling / power storage device 10 is provided.
[0035]
On the other hand, FIG. 7 shows a second configuration example, in which the current leveling / power storage device 10 is removed from the configuration of FIG.
[0036]
FIG. 8 shows the change in the generated voltage with respect to time of the two thermoelectric conversion units in the present embodiment, the characteristic line d shows the first configuration example, and the characteristic line e shows the second configuration example. Yes. As shown in FIG. 8, the first configuration example includes the electromagnetic leveling / power storage device 10, and therefore the first configuration example can level the electromotive force, and the second configuration Compared to the example, a more stable electromotive force can be obtained.
[0037]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the thermoelectric conversion module according to the present invention, the thermoelectromotive force can be obtained using the fluid flowing in the flow path pipe such as water or gas. Therefore, by implementing as a power generation device using this thermoelectric conversion module, it is possible to sufficiently obtain the power required in an electronically controlled gas meter or water meter based on spontaneous power generation without the need for an external power source. . Further, by securing an inexpensive and reliable power supply as a flow rate measurement system by automatic transmission of measurement information, a great effect can be achieved technically and economically.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a thermoelectric conversion module and a power generator according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
2A is a side cross-sectional view of the thermoelectric conversion module shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 1A, and FIG.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a thermoelectric conversion element and a power generation device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
4A is a side sectional view of the thermoelectric conversion module shown in FIG. 3, and FIG. 4B is a sectional view taken along line BB of FIG.
FIG. 5 is a characteristic diagram showing comparison of electromotive forces of thermoelectric conversion modules according to the first embodiment and the second embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a characteristic diagram showing comparison of electromotive forces according to third and fourth embodiments.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Thermoelectric conversion element module, 2 ... Metal pipe (flow-path pipe), 3, 3a, 3b ... Thermoelectric conversion unit, 4 ... Thermoelectric conversion element, 5 ... Conductor, 6 ... Circuit, 7a ... Heat transfer resin (heat transfer insulation) Body), 7b ... insulating resin, 8 ... connection line, 9 ... output line, 10 ... current leveling / storage device, 11 ... power supply device, 12 ... flow rate control device, 13 ... electromagnetic flow rate display unit, 14 ... electronic Data transmission means, 15 ... management center, 16 ... flow rate measurement system.

Claims (5)

A thermoelectric conversion unit composed of a plurality of rod-shaped P-type thermoelectric conversion elements and N-type thermoelectric conversion elements is arranged in a grid and embedded in an insulating resin to constitute a thermoelectric conversion unit. Two or more are arranged so as to oppose the outer peripheral surface portion of the flow channel pipe or surround the flow channel pipe, and one end side of each thermoelectric conversion element is used as a low temperature part or a high temperature part. while that enables heat transfer is closely via the thermally conductive insulator with processing in an arc surface shape so as to conform to the outer wall surface, the flow path and the other end side of each of the thermoelectric conversion element as a high-temperature portion or low portion The temperature of the gas or liquid flowing in the flow path pipe and the surroundings of the flow path pipe are configured by arranging the thermoelectric conversion elements to be electrically connected to each other to form a circuit that can sense the ambient temperature around the pipe. Ambient temperature Based on the temperature difference, the respective thermoelectric integrates thermoelectromotive force generated in the conversion element, a thermoelectric conversion module for duct pipe, characterized in that draw power to the circuit.   2. The thermoelectric conversion module for a channel tube according to claim 1, wherein the conductor electrically connecting the pre-electromotive conversion element includes a metal thin film formed by plating, vapor deposition, or the like on the thermoelectric conversion element. 3. The thermoelectric conversion module for a channel tube according to claim 2, wherein the thin film for electrically connecting the thermoelectric conversion elements is made of gold, copper, nickel, aluminum, or a metal containing at least one of them. A power source comprising a circuit of a thermoelectric conversion module for a flow path pipe according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising a capacitor or a storage battery for leveling thermoelectromotive force or storing electricity, or both of them. apparatus. The thermoelectric conversion module for a flow path tube according to any one of claims 1 to 3 or the power supply device according to claim 4 is used as a single unit or as a combination of a plurality of power generation units,
A flow rate measurement system that performs a measurement operation, a measurement value display operation, or a communication operation of a flow rate measuring device for measuring a flow rate of a gas or a liquid flowing in the flow path pipe by supplying the generated current.

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