JP5829876B2 - Power generation system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a power generation system.

  Conventionally, in internal combustion engines such as automobile engines, heat exchangers such as boilers and air conditioning equipment, electric engines such as generators and motors, and various energy utilization devices such as light emitting devices such as lighting, for example, as exhaust heat, light, etc. A lot of thermal energy is released and lost.

In recent years, from the viewpoint of energy saving, it has been required to recover the released thermal energy and reuse it as an energy source. In the exhaust gas heat exchanger, the exhaust gas in the exhaust pipe is homogenized, and a thermoelectric element (thermoelectric) made of Bi ₂ Te ₃ is provided between the exhaust pipe and the cooler. A thermoelectric generator (TEG) in which a plurality of modules) are arranged so as to be spread and electrically connected has been proposed (for example, see Non-Patent Document 1).

  In this thermoelectric generator, a thermoelectric element is arranged between the exhaust pipe warmed by the exhaust gas and the cooler, and a temperature difference is generated between one side and the other side, and the Seebeck effect of the thermoelectric element generates power. doing. The electric power thus obtained is usually stored in an in-vehicle battery or the like via a step-up DC-DC converter or the like, and is used as needed.

MTZ Motortechnische Zeitschrift 0412009 Volume 70 (Publisher viewweg)

  However, in such a power generation method, since a plurality of thermoelectric elements (thermoelectric modules) are electrically connected, a large amount of electric power can be taken out, but these thermoelectric elements are arranged so as to be spread out. There is a problem of requiring a large space.

  Therefore, space saving is required when the power generation system is installed in a limited space, for example, in an automobile.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a power generation system capable of generating power with excellent efficiency and saving space.

  In order to achieve the above object, a power generation system according to the present invention includes a heat source whose temperature rises and falls over time, a plurality of first devices that are electrically polarized by a change in temperature of the heat source, and a method for extracting power from the first device. A plurality of second devices, wherein the first devices and the second devices are alternately stacked.

  In the power generation system of the present invention, it is preferable that the heat source is an internal combustion engine.

  In the power generation system of the present invention, it is preferable that the first device is electrically polarized by a piezo effect.

  In the power generation system of the present invention, it is preferable that the first device is electrically polarized by a pyroelectric effect.

  According to the power generation system of the present invention, since the plurality of first devices and the second device are alternately stacked, the plurality of first devices can be electrically connected via the plurality of second devices. It is possible to generate electric power with excellent efficiency and to save space.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an embodiment of a power generation system of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an enlarged schematic configuration diagram showing an embodiment of the first device and the second device used in the power generation system of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an embodiment in which the power generation system of the present invention is mounted on a vehicle. FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a main part of the power generation system shown in FIG.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an embodiment of a power generation system of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an enlarged schematic configuration diagram showing an embodiment of a first device and a second device used in the power generation system of the present invention. .

  In FIG. 1, a power generation system 1 includes a heat source 2 whose temperature rises and falls over time, a plurality of first devices 3 that are electrically polarized by a temperature change of the heat source 2, and a plurality of first devices for taking out electric power from the first device 3. 2 devices 4.

  The heat source 2 is not particularly limited as long as the temperature rises and falls over time, and examples thereof include various energy utilization devices such as an internal combustion engine and a light emitting device.

  An internal combustion engine is a device that outputs power, for example, for a vehicle. For example, a single cylinder type or a multi-cylinder type is adopted, and a multi-cycle type (for example, a 2-cycle type, a 4-cycle type) is used in each cylinder. System, 6-cycle system, etc.).

  In such an internal combustion engine, pistons are repeatedly moved up and down in each cylinder. For example, in a 4-cycle system, an intake process, a compression process, an explosion process, an exhaust process, and the like are sequentially performed, and fuel is discharged. It is burned and power is output.

  In such an internal combustion engine, in the exhaust process, high-temperature exhaust gas is exhausted through an exhaust gas pipe, heat energy is transmitted using the exhaust gas as a heat medium, and the internal temperature of the exhaust gas pipe rises.

  On the other hand, in the other steps (steps excluding the exhaust step), the amount of exhaust gas in the exhaust gas pipe is reduced, so that the internal temperature of the exhaust gas pipe decreases compared to the exhaust process.

  As described above, the temperature of the internal combustion engine rises in the exhaust process and falls in the intake process, the compression process, and the explosion process, that is, rises and falls over time.

  In particular, since each of the above steps is periodically and sequentially repeated according to the piston cycle, the inside of the exhaust gas pipe of each cylinder in the internal combustion engine is periodically cycled with the repetition cycle of each of the above steps. A temperature change, more specifically, a high temperature state and a low temperature state are periodically repeated.

  When the light emitting device is turned on (emission light), for example, light such as infrared rays and visible light is used as a heat medium, and the temperature rises due to the heat energy. Therefore, the temperature of the light emitting device increases and decreases over time by turning on (emitting) and turning off over time.

  In particular, for example, when the light-emitting device is a light-emitting device (blinking (flashing) type light-emitting device) in which lighting is turned on and off intermittently over time, the light-emitting device is turned on (light-emitting). Due to the thermal energy of the light, a temperature change periodically, more specifically, a high temperature state and a low temperature state are periodically repeated.

  Moreover, as the heat source 2, for example, a plurality of heat sources can be provided, and a temperature change can be caused by switching between the plurality of heat sources.

  More specifically, for example, two heat sources, a low-temperature heat source (such as a coolant) and a high-temperature heat source (eg, a heating material) having a higher temperature than the low-temperature heat source, are prepared as the heat source. A mode in which a low-temperature heat source and a high-temperature heat source are alternately switched is used.

  Thereby, the temperature as a heat source can be raised or lowered with time, and in particular, the temperature can be periodically changed by periodically switching the low-temperature heat source and the high-temperature heat source.

  Although it does not restrict | limit especially as the heat source 2 provided with the several heat source which can be switched, For example, the high temperature air provided with the low temperature air supply system for combustion, the thermal storage heat exchanger, the high temperature gas exhaust system, and the supply / exhaust switching valve Combustion furnace (for example, a high-temperature gas generator described in Republished No. 96-5474), for example, a seawater exchange device (hydrogen storage alloy actuator-type seawater exchange device) using a high-temperature heat source, a low-temperature heat source, and a hydrogen storage alloy Is mentioned.

  As these heat sources 2, the said heat source can be used individually or in combination with 2 or more types.

  The heat source 2 is preferably a heat source whose temperature changes periodically with time.

  The heat source 2 is preferably an internal combustion engine.

  The first device 3 is a device that is electrically polarized in accordance with a temperature change of the heat source 2.

  The electric polarization referred to here is a phenomenon in which a potential difference occurs due to dielectric polarization due to displacement of positive and negative ions due to crystal distortion, such as a piezo effect and / or a phenomenon in which a dielectric constant changes due to a temperature change and a potential difference occurs, such as pyroelectricity. It is defined as a phenomenon in which an electromotive force is generated in a material, such as an effect.

  More specifically, examples of the first device 3 include a device that is electrically polarized by a piezo effect, a device that is electrically polarized by a pyroelectric effect, and the like.

  The piezo effect is an effect (phenomenon) in which when a stress or strain is applied, it is electrically polarized according to the magnitude of the stress or strain.

  The first device 3 that is electrically polarized by the piezo effect is not particularly limited, and a known piezo element (piezoelectric element) can be used.

  When a piezo element is used as the first device 3, the piezo element, for example, receives and transfers heat from the heat source 2 in a state where its periphery is fixed by a fixing member and volume expansion is suppressed, and / or Arranged to be cooled.

  The fixing member is not particularly limited, and for example, a second device 4 (for example, an electrode) described later can be used.

  In such a case, the piezo element is heated or cooled (possibly via a heat medium (exhaust gas, light, etc.) as described above) due to a change in temperature of the heat source 2 with time, thereby expanding. Or shrink.

  At this time, since the volume expansion of the piezo element is suppressed by the fixing member, the piezo element is pressed by the fixing member and is electrically polarized by the piezo effect (piezoelectric effect) or phase transformation near the Curie point. . Thereby, as will be described in detail later, power is extracted from the piezo element via the second device 4.

  In addition, such a piezo element is normally maintained in a heated state or a cooled state, and when its temperature becomes constant (that is, a constant volume), the electric polarization is neutralized, and then cooled or heated, Again, it is electrically polarized.

  Therefore, as described above, when the temperature of the heat source 2 periodically changes and the high temperature state and the low temperature state are periodically repeated, the piezo element is periodically heated and cooled. Electrical polarization and its neutralization are repeated periodically.

  As a result, electric power is extracted as a waveform (for example, alternating current, pulsating flow, etc.) that fluctuates periodically by the second device 4 described later.

  The pyroelectric effect is, for example, an effect (phenomenon) in which the insulator is electrically polarized in accordance with a change in temperature when the insulator (dielectric) is heated and cooled, and includes the first effect and the second effect. It is out.

  The first effect is an effect in which, when the insulator is heated and cooled, it spontaneously polarizes due to the temperature change and generates a charge on the surface of the insulator.

  In addition, the second effect is an effect that pressure deformation occurs in the crystal structure due to temperature changes during heating and cooling of the insulator, and piezoelectric polarization occurs due to stress or strain applied to the crystal structure (piezo effect, piezoelectric effect). ).

  The device that is electrically polarized by such a pyroelectric effect is not particularly limited, and a known pyroelectric element can be used.

  When a pyroelectric element is used as the first device 3, the pyroelectric element is disposed so as to transfer heat of the heat source 2 and to be heated and / or cooled.

  In such a case, the pyroelectric element is heated or cooled (possibly via a heat medium (exhaust gas, light, etc.) described above) due to a change in temperature of the heat source 2 with time, and the pyroelectric effect (first The electric polarization is caused by the first effect and the second effect. Thereby, although mentioned later in detail, electric power is taken out from the pyroelectric element via the second device 4.

  Also, such pyroelectric elements are usually maintained in a heated state or a cooled state, and when the temperature becomes constant, the electric polarization is neutralized, and then cooled or heated again to be electrically polarized again. .

  Therefore, when the temperature of the heat source 2 is periodically changed as described above and the high temperature state and the low temperature state are periodically repeated, the pyroelectric element is periodically heated and cooled. The electrical polarization of the element and its neutralization are repeated periodically.

  As a result, electric power is extracted as a waveform (for example, alternating current, pulsating flow, etc.) that fluctuates periodically by the second device 4 described later.

  These first devices 3 can be used alone or in combination of two or more.

Specifically, as described above, the first device 3 is a known pyroelectric element (for example, BaTiO ₃ , CaTiO ₃ , (CaBi) TiO ₃ , BaNd ₂ Ti ₅ O ₁₄ , BaSm ₂ Ti _4. O ₁₂ , lead zirconate titanate (PZT: Pb (Zr, Ti) O ₃ ), etc., known piezo elements (eg, quartz (SiO ₂ ), zinc oxide (ZnO), Rochelle salt (potassium sodium tartrate) _{(KNaC 4 H 4 O 6)} , lead zirconate titanate (PZT: Pb (Zr, Ti ) O 3), lithium niobate (LiNbO _3), lithium tantalate (LiTaO _3), lithium tetraborate _(Li 2 B ₄ O ₇ ), Langasite (La ₃ Ga ₅ SiO ₁₄ ), Aluminum Nitride (AlN), Tourmaline, Poly Vinylidene fluoride (PVDF) or the like can be used.

  The Curie point of the first device 3 is, for example, −77 ° C. or higher, preferably −10 ° C. or higher, for example, 1300 ° C. or lower, preferably 900 ° C. or lower.

  The relative dielectric constant of the first device 3 (insulator (dielectric)) is, for example, 1 or more, preferably 100 or more, more preferably 2000 or more.

  In such a power generation system 1, the higher the relative dielectric constant of the first device 3 (insulator (dielectric)), the higher the energy conversion efficiency and the higher voltage can be taken out. If the relative dielectric constant is less than the above lower limit, the energy conversion efficiency is low, and the voltage of the obtained power may be low.

  The first device 3 (insulator (dielectric)) is electrically polarized by the temperature change of the heat source 2, and the electrical polarization may be any of electronic polarization, ionic polarization, and orientation polarization.

  For example, it is expected that a material that exhibits polarization by orientation polarization (for example, a liquid crystal material) can improve power generation efficiency by changing its molecular structure.

  In FIG. 1, the second device 4 is provided to extract power from the first device 3.

  More specifically, the second device 4 is not particularly limited, but, for example, two electrodes (for example, a copper electrode, a silver electrode, etc.) disposed opposite to each other with the first device 3 interposed therebetween, for example, ., And the like, and are electrically connected to the first device 3.

  Moreover, in this electric power generation system 1, as shown in FIG. 2, the 1st device 3 and the 2nd device 4 are laminated | stacked alternately.

  Specifically, in the power generation system 1, the first device 3 is formed in a thin film type (sheet shape), and the second device 4 is formed in a thin layer type (sheet shape, for example, an electrode). .

  Then, the first device 3 and the second device 4 are sequentially stacked on the second device 4, and the uppermost layer is the second device 4. Thereby, the laminated structure 21 in which the first devices 3 and the second devices 4 are alternately laminated is formed so that the second device 4 is the uppermost layer and the lowermost layer.

  The number of the first devices 3 included in the laminated structure 21 is, for example, 10 to 140, preferably 50 to 100, and the number of the second devices 4 is, for example, 11 to 161, preferably 51. ˜101.

  In the laminated structure 21, the thickness per one first device 3 is, for example, 5 to 15 μm, preferably 8 to 12 μm, and the thickness per one second device 4 is, for example, 0.5 to 2 μm, preferably 1 to 1.5 μm, and the thickness of the laminated structure 21 is, for example, 55 to 2000 μm, preferably 550 to 1300 μm.

  In the laminated structure 21 obtained in this way, the plurality of first devices 3 are electrically connected via the plurality of second devices 4.

  In addition, the laminated structure 21 is disposed so as to contact the heat source 2 or to be exposed (exposed) to a heat medium (exhaust gas, light, etc.) that transmits heat of the heat source 2.

  In the power generation system 1 shown in FIG. 1, the second device 4 is electrically connected sequentially to the booster 5, the AC / DC converter (AC-DC converter) 6, and the battery 7.

  In order to generate power with such a power generation system 1, for example, first, the temperature of the heat source 2 is changed over time, preferably periodically, and the laminated structure 21 (first device) is changed by the heat source 2. 3) is heated and / or cooled.

  The first device 3 described above is preferably electrically polarized periodically in accordance with such a temperature change. Thereafter, the electric power is taken out as a waveform (for example, alternating current, pulsating current, etc.) that periodically fluctuates according to the periodic electric polarization of the first device 3 through the second device 4.

  In such a power generation system 1, the temperature of the heat source 2 is, for example, 200 to 1200 ° C., preferably 700 to 900 ° C. in the high temperature state, and the temperature in the low temperature state is lower than the temperature in the high temperature state. More specifically, for example, 100 to 800 ° C., preferably 200 to 500 ° C., and the temperature difference between the high temperature state and the low temperature state is, for example, 10 to 600 ° C., preferably 20 to 500 ° C. is there.

  Moreover, the repetition period of these high temperature states and low temperature states is, for example, 10 to 400 cycles / second, preferably 30 to 100 cycles / second.

  Then, the electric power extracted by the power generation system 1 in this manner is boosted in a state of a waveform (for example, alternating current, pulsating current) that periodically varies in the booster 5 connected to the second device 4. As the booster 5, a booster capable of boosting AC voltage with excellent efficiency by a simple configuration using, for example, a coil and a capacitor is used.

  Next, the electric power boosted by the booster 5 is converted into a DC voltage by the AC / DC converter 6 and then stored in the battery 7.

  According to such a power generation system 1, since the heat source 2 whose temperature rises and falls with time is used, a fluctuating voltage (for example, an AC voltage) can be extracted, and as a result, a constant voltage (DC voltage) is extracted. Compared to the above, it is possible to store the electric power by boosting with excellent efficiency by a simple configuration.

  In addition, if the heat source 2 is a heat source that periodically changes in temperature, electric power can be extracted as a waveform that varies periodically. As a result, the electric power can be boosted with higher efficiency and stored with a simple configuration. can do.

  In particular, in such a power generation system 1, since the plurality of first devices 3 and the second devices 4 are alternately stacked, the plurality of first devices 3 are electrically connected via the plurality of second devices 4. The power can be generated with excellent efficiency, and space saving can be achieved.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an embodiment in which the power generation system of the present invention is mounted on a vehicle, and FIG.

  In FIG. 3, the automobile 10 includes an internal combustion engine 11, a catalyst mounting portion 12, an exhaust pipe 13, a muffler 14, and a discharge pipe 15.

  The internal combustion engine 11 includes an engine 16 and an exhaust manifold 17.

  The engine 16 is a multi-cylinder (4-cylinder type) multi-cycle (4-cycle) engine, and an upstream end portion of a branch pipe 18 (described later) of the exhaust manifold 17 is connected to each cylinder.

  The exhaust manifold 17 is an exhaust manifold provided for converging exhaust gas exhausted from each cylinder of the engine 16, and a plurality of (four) branch pipes 18 (these are connected to each cylinder of the engine 16. 3 are referred to as the branch pipe 18a, the branch pipe 18b, the branch pipe 18c, and the branch pipe 18d in order from the upper side of FIG. 3), and each branch pipe on the downstream side of the branch pipe 18. And an air collecting tube 19 that integrates 18 into one.

  Each branch pipe 18 includes one box-shaped space 20 in the middle of the flow direction. The box-shaped space 20 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped space interposed so as to communicate with the branch pipe 18, and the laminated structure 21 (the plurality of first devices 3 and the plurality of second devices) is disposed inside the box-shaped space 20. 4) (see FIG. 4).

  In such an exhaust manifold 17, the upstream end portion of the branch portion 18 is connected to each cylinder of the engine 16, and the downstream end portion of the branch pipe 18 and the upstream end portion of the air collecting pipe 19 are connected to each other. It is connected. Further, the downstream end of the air collecting pipe 19 is connected to the upstream end of the catalyst mounting portion 12.

The catalyst mounting unit 12 includes, for example, a catalyst carrier and a catalyst coated on the carrier, and hydrocarbons (HC), nitrogen oxides (NO _x ) contained in exhaust gas discharged from the internal combustion engine 11, In order to purify harmful components such as carbon monoxide (CO), it is connected to the downstream end of the internal combustion engine 11 (exhaust manifold 17).

  The exhaust pipe 13 is provided to guide the exhaust gas purified in the catalyst mounting portion 12 to the muffler 14. The upstream end is connected to the catalyst mounting portion 12 and the downstream end is the muffler 14. It is connected to the.

  The muffler 14 is provided to silence noise generated in the engine 16 (in particular, an explosion process), and an upstream end thereof is connected to a downstream end of the exhaust pipe 13. The downstream end of the muffler 14 is connected to the upstream end of the discharge pipe 15.

  The exhaust pipe 15 is provided to discharge exhaust gas that has been exhausted from the engine 16 and sequentially passes through the exhaust manifold 17, the catalyst mounting portion 12, the exhaust pipe 13, and the muffler 14, and has been purified and silenced. The upstream end is connected to the downstream end of the muffler 14, and the downstream end is open to the outside air.

  The automobile 10 is equipped with the power generation system 1 as shown by a dotted line in FIG.

  As described above, the power generation system 1 includes the heat source 2, the first device 3, and the second device 4.

  In this power generation system 1, the engine 16 of the internal combustion engine 11 is used as the heat source 2, and as shown in FIG. 4, the first device 3 and the box-shaped space 20 of the branch pipe 18 are included. A laminated structure 21 including the second device 4 is disposed.

  The laminated structure 21 is formed in a sheet shape, and is aligned and arranged at intervals in the box-shaped space 20 and is fixed by a fixing member (not shown).

  Thereby, both the front surface and the back surface of the laminated structure 21, and the peripheral side surface are exposed to the outside air in the box-type space 20 and can be exposed (exposed) to the exhaust gas.

  Further, the power generation system 1 sequentially and electrically supplies a booster 5, an AC / DC converter 6 and a battery 7 sequentially via a second device 4 (for example, a conducting wire) (not shown) as shown in FIG. It is connected.

  In such an automobile 10, by driving the engine 16, the pistons are repeatedly moved up and down in each cylinder, and the intake process, the compression process, the explosion process, and the exhaust process are sequentially performed. Is done.

  More specifically, for example, in two cylinders, that is, a cylinder connected to the branch pipe 18a and a cylinder connected to the branch pipe 18c, the pistons are interlocked to perform the intake process, the compression process, the explosion process, and the exhaust process. , Implemented in phase. As a result, the fuel is combusted and power is output, and high-temperature exhaust gas passes through the branch pipe 18a and the branch pipe 18c in the exhaust process.

  At this time, the heat of the engine 16 is transmitted through the exhaust gas (heat medium), the internal temperatures of the branch pipe 18a and the branch pipe 18c rise in the exhaust process, and other processes (intake process, compression process, explosion) In step (5), it moves up and down with time according to the piston cycle, and the high temperature state and the low temperature state are periodically repeated.

  On the other hand, in the two cylinders, the cylinder connected to the branch pipe 18b and the cylinder connected to the branch pipe 18d at different timings from the two cylinders, the pistons are interlocked, and the intake process, the compression process, The explosion process and the exhaust process are performed in the same phase. As a result, fuel is combusted and power is output, and at a timing different from that of the branch pipe 18a and the branch pipe 18c, high-temperature exhaust gas passes through the branch pipe 18b and the branch pipe 18d in the exhaust process.

  At this time, the heat of the engine 16 is transmitted through the exhaust gas (heat medium), the internal temperatures of the branch pipe 18b and the branch pipe 18d rise in the exhaust process, and other processes (intake process, compression process, explosion) In step (5), it moves up and down with time according to the piston cycle, and the high temperature state and the low temperature state are periodically repeated.

  This periodic temperature change has the same period but a different phase from the periodic temperature changes of the branch pipe 18a and the branch pipe 18c.

  And in this electric power generation system 1, as above-mentioned, the sheet-like laminated structure 21 is arrange | positioned inside each branch pipe 18 (in the box-shaped space 20).

  Therefore, when the exhaust gas discharged from the engine 16 (heat source 2) is introduced into the branch pipe 18 and filled in the box-shaped space 20, the surface of the laminated structure 21 and the box-shaped space 20 Both surfaces of the back surface (and also the peripheral surface) are brought into contact (exposed) with exhaust gas (heat medium) and heated and / or cooled.

  That is, both the front surface and the back surface of the laminated structure 21 are heated and / or cooled by the temperature change of the engine 16 (heat source 2) and the heat medium that transfers the heat of the engine 16 with time.

  And thereby, the 1st device 3 contained in the laminated structure 21 can be periodically made into a high temperature state or a low temperature state, and the 1st device 3 is made into the element (for example, a piezo element, a pyroelectric element, etc.). ) According to the effect (for example, piezo effect, pyroelectric effect, etc.).

  Therefore, in this power generation system 1, power can be extracted from each first device 3 through the second device 4 as a waveform (for example, alternating current, pulsating current) that periodically varies.

  Further, in this power generation system 1, since the temperature of the branch pipe 18a and the branch pipe 18c and the temperature of the branch pipe 18b and the branch pipe 18d change periodically with the same period and different phases, Can be continuously extracted as a waveform (for example, alternating current, pulsating flow, etc.) that fluctuates automatically.

  Then, after passing through each branch pipe 18, the exhaust gas is supplied to the air collection pipe 19, collected, then supplied to the catalyst mounting section 12, and purified by the catalyst provided in the catalyst mounting section 12. Thereafter, the exhaust gas is supplied to the exhaust pipe 13, silenced in the muffler 14, and then discharged to the outside air through the discharge pipe 15.

  At this time, since the exhaust gas passing through each branch pipe 18 is collected in the air collection pipes 19, the exhaust gas sequentially passes through the air collection pipe 19, the catalyst mounting portion 12, the exhaust pipe 13, the muffler 14, and the exhaust pipe 15. The temperature is smoothed.

  Therefore, the temperature of the air collection pipe 19, the catalyst mounting portion 12, the exhaust pipe 13, the muffler 14 and the exhaust pipe 15 through which such exhaust gas whose temperature has been smoothed normally does not increase or decrease with time, It is constant.

  Therefore, the air collection pipe 19, the catalyst mounting part 12, the exhaust pipe 13, the muffler 14 or the exhaust pipe 15 is used as the heat source 2, and the laminated structure 21 (including the first device 3) is arranged around or inside thereof. In this case, the electric power extracted from the first device 3 has a small voltage and is constant (DC voltage).

  Therefore, in such a method, there is a problem that the obtained electric power cannot be boosted efficiently with a simple configuration and the power storage efficiency is poor.

  On the other hand, as described above, if the above-described laminated structure 21 (including the first device 3) is arranged in the internal space of the branch pipe 18, the first device 3 is caused by the temperature change of the heat source 2 over time. The first device 3 can be periodically changed to a high temperature state or a low temperature state, and an effect (for example, a piezo effect, a pyroelectric effect, etc.) according to the device (for example, a piezo element, a pyroelectric element, etc.) It can be periodically electrically polarized.

  Therefore, in this power generation system 1, power can be extracted from each first device 3 through the second device 4 as a waveform (for example, alternating current, pulsating current) that periodically varies.

  Thereafter, in this method, for example, as indicated by a dotted line in FIG. 3, the electric power obtained as described above is periodically changed in the booster 5 connected to the second device 4 (for example, alternating current, pulse, etc.). And then the boosted power is converted into a DC voltage by the AC / DC converter 6 and then stored in the battery 7. The electric power stored in the battery 7 can be used as appropriate as the power of the automobile 10 and various electrical components mounted on the automobile 10.

  And according to such a power generation system 1, since the heat source 2 whose temperature rises and falls with time is used, a fluctuating voltage (for example, AC voltage) can be taken out, and as a result, as a constant voltage (DC voltage) Compared with the case of taking out and converting by a DC-DC converter, it is possible to store the electric power by boosting with excellent efficiency.

  In particular, in such a power generation system 1, since the plurality of first devices 3 and the second devices 4 are alternately stacked, the plurality of first devices 3 are electrically connected via the plurality of second devices 4. The power can be generated with excellent efficiency, and space saving can be achieved.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Power generation system 2 Heat source 3 1st device 4 2nd device 5 Booster 6 AC / DC converter 7 Battery

Claims (4)

A heat source whose temperature rises and falls over time;
A plurality of first devices that are electrically polarized by a temperature change of the heat source;
A plurality of second devices for extracting power from the first device;
The first device and the second device, the Rukoto are alternately stacked to form a layered structure,
The heat source is
Comprising a multi-cylinder type engine, a plurality of branch pipes connected to the cylinders of the engine, and, an exhaust manifold with a collector pipe for integrating each of said branch pipe on the downstream side of the branch pipe, periodic Is an internal combustion engine that changes temperature,
The power generation system, wherein the laminated structure is disposed in the branch pipe so as to be in contact with the exhaust gas of the internal combustion engine .   The power generation system according to claim 1, wherein the heat source is an internal combustion engine.   The power generation system according to claim 1, wherein the first device is electrically polarized by a piezo effect. The power generation system according to claim 1, wherein the first device is electrically polarized by a pyroelectric effect.

Images