JP6739037B2 - Swirling power generator - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a swirling power generation device that generates electric power using a swirling flow.

Swirling is a horizontal rotating flow of liquid stored in a liquid storage means such as a tank, and a phenomenon has been confirmed especially in a spherical tank of an LNG ship.
The present inventors have confirmed the following characteristics regarding the swirling flow (motion) in the research so far.
1. It is a tuning phenomenon that occurs by branching from sloshing tuning.
2. The swing of the floating body or the like becomes an input, and the liquid stored in the liquid storage means is changed into a horizontal rotational movement.
3. Swirling flow tends to occur and continue even during irregular waves.
4. The swirling flow can occur even if the liquid storage means has a shape other than a cylinder or a sphere.
By the way, in Patent Document 1, a ship is provided with a pair of gas-liquid tanks which are arranged apart from each other, and a liquid communication pipe connecting the respective lower parts of both tanks or the upper parts of both tanks are connected. A ship motion energy recovery device is disclosed in which a gas communication pipe is provided with an energy recovery Savonius impeller that is operated by a fluid that flows as the ship oscillates.
Further, Patent Document 2 discloses an automatic omnidirectional natural flowing water vane independent type water turbine in which a water turbine with vertical curved plate blades is individually mounted in a floating barge in running water in a freely rotating state.
Further, in Patent Document 3, a pair of hollow tanks containing a fluid therein is provided, a turbine for generating power is provided in a duct at the upper part of each tank, and power is generated by utilizing gas movement caused by rocking of the tanks. A wave energy conversion device for performing is disclosed.
Further, in Patent Document 4, a rotating body is rotatably attached to an installation table fixed to the sea bottom, and a rotating body is rotated by utilizing a tidal current or a water stream to rotate a generator. Is disclosed.

JP-A-59-14599 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-159008 International Publication No. 98/32967 JP, 2014-1689, A

Up to now, no power generation device utilizing the above characteristics of the swirling flow (motion) has been proposed. None of Patent Documents 1 to 4 uses the swirling flow to generate power.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to generate electric power by using a swirling flow to obtain electric power.

In the swirling power generation device according to claim 1, a floating body floating on the water surface, a liquid storing means for storing a predetermined amount of liquid leaving an upper space mounted on the floating body, and a floating body swinging due to waves of the floating body. and a power generator for generating electric power is taken out of fluid forces Suwaringu movement is a horizontal rotational movement of the liquid that occurs entailment the liquid storage means, a liquid of a predetermined amount of liquid stored in the liquid storage means causing Suwaringu movement It is characterized by
According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to generate electric power by utilizing the swirling flow generated in the liquid in the liquid storage means.

The present invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the horizontal cross section of at least the range of the liquid containing means in which the liquid undergoes the swirling motion is substantially circular.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the swirling motion is the horizontal rotating motion, the swirling motion can be easily generated and continued by making the horizontal cross-sectional shape around the swirling motion of the liquid storage means circular. ..

The present invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that at least the inner surface of the liquid containing means in the area where the liquid undergoes the swirling motion is part of a spherical shape.
According to the present invention as set forth in claim 3, since the swirling motion is a horizontal rotary motion, the swirling motion is further generated and continued by forming the inner surface of the liquid storing means around the swirling motion of the liquid into a part of a sphere. It can be done easily. In addition, since the inner surface forms a part of a sphere, the generated swirling flow can reach further upward.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a liquid level changing means for adjusting a predetermined amount of liquid and changing the liquid level.
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the liquid level can be changed according to the rocking cycle of the floating body equipped with the liquid storage means, the swirling motion can be further easily generated and continued depending on the situation.

The present invention according to claim 5 is characterized in that the liquid level changing means changes the liquid level of the liquid in accordance with the period of rocking of the floating body.
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the liquid level can be changed so that the tuning cycle of the liquid storage means matches the average or peak wave cycle of the water body in which the floating body equipped with the liquid storage means is installed, The swirling motion can be made more stable and easy to continue.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the power generation means has a rotary blade that rotates about a rotation axis when a fluid force of swirling motion acts.
According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the swirling flow as the horizontal rotating flow can be used to rotate the rotary blades in the liquid storage means to efficiently generate power.

The present invention according to claim 7 is characterized in that, when the floating body is stationary, the rotary blade faces the inside of the liquid and the space.
According to the present invention described in claim 7, it is easier to rotate as compared with the case where the rotary blades are arranged in the liquid, and the power generation efficiency is improved by utilizing the swirling flow reaching above the liquid surface at rest. Can be made.

The present invention according to claim 8 is characterized in that the rotary blade faces the liquid of the liquid leaving a space below the liquid storage means.
According to the present invention as set forth in claim 8, since the rotary vanes are not provided in the lower part of the liquid storage means, the swirling motion can be easily generated and continued without hindering the swirling motion.

The present invention according to claim 9 is characterized in that the rotary blade of the power generation means is composed of two blades positioned on the opposite side of 180 degrees with respect to the rotation axis.
According to the present invention described in claim 9, it is possible to effectively utilize the swirling flow to rotate the rotary blades in the liquid storage means to generate electric power without inhibiting the generation of the swirling motion.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, the dimension of the rotary blade in the height direction is changed according to a predetermined amount of liquid.
According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, the power generation efficiency can be improved by changing the design or changing the design of the rotary blade to a height at which it is easy to rotate according to the liquid level.

The present invention according to claim 11 is characterized in that the mounting position of the rotary blade with respect to the rotary shaft is changeable, and the mounting position of the rotary blade is changed according to a predetermined amount of liquid.
According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, the power generation efficiency can be improved by changing the design or changing the design of the rotary blade to a position where it is easy to rotate according to the liquid level.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, the liquid storage means is mounted on a movable means that is provided between the liquid storage means and is movable in the plane direction.
According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, since the liquid storage means is swung by the movement of the movable means in addition to the swinging of the floating body by the waves, the swirling motion is assisted and can be more easily generated. It is also possible to drive the movable means by another driving means so that swirling motion can be further easily generated.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fixing means for fixing the liquid storage means so as not to move.
According to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, after the swirling motion is generated, the liquid storing means is fixed so as not to move, and the swing of the floating body is transmitted to the liquid storing means as it is, so that the swirling movement is capable of generating electricity. You can When the movable means and the liquid storage means are fixedly fixed, it is also included in this concept to fix the movable means by the fixing means so that the liquid storage means does not move indirectly. I shall.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, the swirling motion swirling detecting means is provided, and the swirling detecting means detects the occurrence of the swirling motion and operates the fixing means.
According to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, by fixing the movable means after the occurrence of the swirling motion, it is possible to prevent the continuation of the generated swirling motion from being hindered by the swing by the movable means.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, the power generation means is used as an electric motor, and a rotational force is applied to the rotary blade by the electric motor.
According to the fifteenth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to assist the generation and continuation of the swirling motion by applying the rotational force to the rotary blade.

The present invention according to claim 16 is characterized in that a plurality of sets of liquid storage means and power generation means are provided in the floating body.
According to the sixteenth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to generate a large amount of power.

In the swirling power generation device according to claim 17, a liquid storage means for storing a predetermined amount of liquid while leaving a space on an upper part mounted on the oscillator, the oscillator being swingable like a moving object or a vibrating object. When, and a power generator for generating electric power is taken out of fluid forces Suwaringu movement is a horizontal rotational movement of the liquid that occurs entailment in the liquid storage unit to swing by the oscillator, the liquid liquid containing means to cause Suwaringu movement It is characterized in that it is a stored predetermined amount of liquid.
According to the seventeenth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to generate electric power by utilizing the swirling flow generated in the liquid in the liquid storage means due to the swing of the swing body.

According to the swirling power generation device of the present invention, it is possible to generate power using the swirling flow generated in the liquid in the liquid storage means.

Further, when the horizontal cross section of at least the liquid swirling motion of the liquid storage means is substantially circular, the swirling motion is a horizontal rotational motion, so that the liquid storage means has a horizontal periphery around the liquid performing the swirling motion. By making the cross-sectional shape circular, swirling motion can be easily generated and continued.

Further, when at least the inner surface of the liquid storing means in the area where the liquid undergoes the swirling motion forms a part of a sphere, the swirling motion is a horizontal rotary motion, so that the liquid surrounding the swirling motion of the liquid storing means. By making the inner surface of the sphere part of the sphere, it is possible to further generate and continue the swirling motion. In addition, since the inner surface forms a part of a sphere, the generated swirling flow can reach further upward.

Further, when the liquid level changing means for adjusting the predetermined amount of the liquid to change the liquid level is provided, the liquid level can be changed according to the rocking cycle of the floating body equipped with the liquid storing means, so that the swirling motion can be performed. It can be more likely to occur and continue depending on the situation.

Further, when the liquid level changing means changes the liquid level of the liquid in accordance with the period of rocking of the floating body, the liquid containing means is arranged at the average or peak wave period of the water body in which the floating body equipped with the liquid containing means is installed. Since the liquid level can be changed so that the tuning cycles of the two match, the swirling motion can be more stably and easily continued.

Further, when the power generation means has a rotary blade that rotates around the rotation axis due to the fluid force of the swirling motion, the rotary blade in the liquid storage means is utilized by using the swirling flow as a horizontal rotary flow. Can be turned to generate power efficiently.

In addition, when the floating blade faces the liquid and the space when the floating body is stationary, it is easier to rotate than when the rotating blade is placed in the liquid, and it is above the liquid surface when stationary. Power generation efficiency can be improved by utilizing the arriving swirling flow.

Further, when the rotary blade is to face the liquid of the liquid leaving a space below the liquid storage means, the rotary blade is not provided below the liquid storage means, so that the swirling motion is not hindered. It can be easily generated and continued.

Further, when the rotary blade of the power generation means is composed of two blades positioned on the opposite side of 180 degrees with respect to the rotation axis, the swirling flow is effectively utilized without impeding the occurrence of swirling motion. Power can be generated by rotating the rotary blades in the storage means.

Also, when the size of the rotor in the height direction is changed according to the predetermined amount of liquid, the power generation efficiency can be changed by changing the design or changing the height of the rotor to make it easier to rotate according to the liquid level. Can be improved.

In addition, when the mounting position of the rotary blade with respect to the rotation axis is changeable, and when the mounting position of the rotary blade is changed according to a predetermined amount of liquid, the rotary blade should be easily rotated depending on the liquid level. The power generation efficiency can be improved by changing the design or by changing the design.

Further, when the liquid storage means is mounted on the movable means which is provided between the liquid storage means and is movable in the plane direction, the swirling motion is assisted and the liquid storage means can be more easily generated. It is also possible to drive the movable means by another driving means so that swirling motion can be further easily generated.

Further, when the fixing means for fixing the liquid containing means so as not to move is provided, after the swirling motion occurs, the liquid containing means is fixed so as not to move, and the floating body swing is directly transmitted to the liquid containing means, It can be a swirling motion capable of generating electricity.

Further, when the swirling detection means detects the occurrence of the swirling motion and actuates the fixing means, the swirling detection means of the swirling motion is actuated to fix the movable means after the occurrence of the swirling motion. It is possible to prevent the continuation of the movement from being hindered by the swing by the movable means.

Further, when the power generation means is used as an electric motor and the rotation of the rotary blade is assisted by the electric motor, generation and continuation of the swirling motion can be assisted by applying a rotational force to the rotary blade.

Further, when a plurality of sets of liquid storage means and power generation means are provided in the floating body, it is possible to generate a large amount of power.

Further, the oscillator causing a swinging like a moving object or vibration thereof, and a liquid storage means for storing a predetermined amount of liquid leaving the space to the upper mounted on the oscillator, the liquid had accompanied the oscillation by the oscillator And a power generation means for generating electric power by taking out a fluid force of a swirling motion which is a horizontal rotational motion of the liquid generated in the storage means, and when the liquid causing the swirling motion is a predetermined amount of liquid stored in the liquid storage means. Can generate electric power by utilizing the swirling flow generated in the liquid in the liquid storage means due to the swing of the oscillator.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a basic configuration of a swirling power generation device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The conceptual diagram explaining the movable means of the swirling power generation device. A side sectional view and a horizontal sectional view of a swirling power generator according to another embodiment of the present invention. A side sectional view and a plan view showing examples of various shapes of a swirling power generation device according to still another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a swirling power generation device according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, a swirling power generation device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a basic configuration of a swirling power generation device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram illustrating movable means of the swirling power generation device.
The swirling power generation device 1 according to the present embodiment includes a floating body 10 that floats on a liquid surface such as the ocean or a lake, a liquid storage means 20 mounted on the floating body 10, and a power generation means 30 provided above the liquid storage means 20. .. The floating body 10 is, for example, a buoy, a ship, or a marine structure.
As shown by the arrow A, the floating body 10 swings (floating body swinging) by sway motion or roll motion (surge motion or pitch motion in the case of an axisymmetric floating body) as shown by an arrow A.
The sloshing generated in the liquid 40 in the liquid storage unit 20 due to the swinging of the floating body 10 is changed to a swirling motion (horizontal rotation motion) indicated by an arrow C. The power generation means 30 utilizes this swirling motion to generate power and obtain electric power.

The liquid storage means 20 stores a predetermined amount of liquid 40, leaving a space X at the top. As described above, by providing the space X in the upper portion instead of filling the liquid storage means 20 with the liquid 40, sloshing and swirling can be generated.
As the liquid storage means 20, for example, a cylindrical tank can be used. When a cylindrical tank is used for the liquid storage means 20, the swirling motion of the liquid 40 is generated and promoted because the horizontal cross section of the liquid 40 in the liquid storage means 20 in the swirling motion is substantially circular. Easy to be affected.

A liquid level changing means 50 is provided in the liquid storage means 20. The liquid level changing means 50 includes an inlet/outlet port 51 provided at a lower portion of the liquid storage means 20 penetrating the peripheral wall of the liquid storage means 20, a storage tank 53 for storing the liquid 40 to/from the liquid storage means 20, and an inlet/outlet port 51. A pipe 54 that connects the storage tank 53 with the storage tank 53, and an opening/closing valve 52 and a pump 55 provided in the pipe 54. For example, when the liquid 40 stored in the liquid storage means 20 is water (including seawater), the storage tank 53 is eliminated and water (including seawater) is exchanged with the water (including seawater) around the floating body 10. You can also take it in and out.
The liquid level changing means 50 adjusts a predetermined amount of the liquid 40 stored in the liquid storing means 20 and changes the liquid level of the liquid 40 in the liquid storing means 20. By adjusting a predetermined amount of the liquid 40 in the liquid storage means 20 to change the liquid level, the tuning cycle of the liquid storage means 20 can be adjusted. Therefore, by setting the liquid level changing means 50 so as to change the liquid level of the liquid 40 in accordance with the floating body oscillation period of the floating body 10, the floating body 10 equipped with the liquid storage means 20 is installed, or The swirling motion can be more stably and easily continued by adjusting so that the tuning period of the liquid storage means 20 matches the average or peak wave period of the traveling water area. Even in the same water area, even if the average or peak wave cycle changes within a short period of time, time zone, day, month, or season, the liquid level changing means 50 ensures that the tuning cycle of the liquid storage means 20 matches. It is possible to change the liquid level.

Between the bottom surface of the liquid storage means 20 and the upper surface of the floating body 10, a movable means 60 that is movable in the plane direction (parallel to the upper surface of the floating body 10) is provided. That is, the liquid storage means 20 is mounted on the movable means 60. As shown in FIG. 2, the movable means 60 is, for example, a carriage including a plurality of rollers 61. The liquid storage means 20 is fixed to the movable means 60 by a connecting member such as a steel material.
The movable means 60 is provided with a plurality of rollers 61 between an upper plate 62 and a lower plate 63, as shown in the side view of FIG. 2A, for example. When the floating body 10 tilts due to rocking (roll motion or the like), the liquid storage means 20 and the movable means 60 also tilt as shown by the dotted line, so that the upper plate 62 on which the liquid storage means 20 is mounted slides in the direction indicated by arrow B. To do. That is, the liquid storage means 20 reciprocates on the upper surface of the floating body 10.
Alternatively, as shown in the side view of FIG. 2B and the top view of FIG. 2C, the movable means 60 is provided with a roller 61 and a guide plate 64 on the lower surface of one end of an upper plate 62. The rotation fulcrum 65 may be provided on the lower surface of the other end. When the floating body 10 swings (rolls, etc.), the upper plate 62 on which the liquid storage means 20 is mounted slides and rotates horizontally on the floating body 10 as indicated by the dotted line in FIG. 2C (arrow E).
As described above, by mounting the liquid storage means 20 on the movable means 60, the liquid storage means 20 is oscillated by waves and the movement of the movable means 60 causes the swirling motion of the liquid 40. It helps and is more likely to occur. In addition, the installation height of the liquid storage means 20 is set to a height at which optimum shaking can be obtained.

Further, the swirling power generation device 1 includes a fixing means (not shown) for fixing the movable means 60 so as not to move, and a swirling detection means (not shown) for detecting the swirling motion of the liquid 40. The fixing means is, for example, a stopper that regulates rolling of wheels. The swirling detection means detects the swirling motion of the liquid 40 by detecting the presence or absence of power generation of the power generation means 30, for example. Note that the swirling detection means may be provided with a sensor for detecting the swirling flow, but in the case of detecting the swirling motion of the liquid 40 depending on the presence or absence of power generation by the power generation means 30, it is not necessary to separately provide a sensor.
After the occurrence of the swirling, the movable means 60 on which the liquid storage means 20 is moved may interfere with the continuation of the swirling. Therefore, when the swirling detecting means detects the occurrence of the swirling motion, the fixing means is provided. Is operated to fix the movable means 60 so as not to move. By fixing the movable means 60 after the swirling motion is generated, it is possible to prevent the continuation of the generated swirling motion from being hindered by the swing by the movable means 60.
Note that the fixing means fixes the movable means 60 by activating it even before the swirling motion occurs, when the swing of the movable means 60 due to the movement of the floating body 10 is sufficiently large or the like. be able to.
In addition, the movable means 60 may be configured such that a water tank is constructed on the floating body 10 and the upper plate 62 on which the liquid storage means 20 is mounted is provided with buoyancy so as to be floated in the water tank, instead of the above structure. It is possible, and it is also possible to directly float the liquid storage means 20 in the water tank. Further, the movable means 60 can be formed by forming the upper surface of the floating body 10 and the lower surface of the liquid storage means 20 with a material having a small frictional resistance. In these cases, the fixing means may directly fix the liquid storage means 20.
Further, in generating the swirling motion, in addition to rocking of the floating body due to waves and rocking due to the movement of the movable means 60, external force is positively applied to the movable means 60 and the liquid storage means 20 to cause the rocking. You may let me. As a means for applying external force, various methods such as motor, hydraulic pressure, pneumatic pressure, etc. can be used. Further, it is possible to use the means for applying these external forces as the fixing means.

The power generation means 30 has a rotating shaft 31 and rotating blades 32. The rotary blades 32 are provided at three positions at 120° intervals along the inner surface of the peripheral wall of the liquid storage means 20. Since the flow velocity of the swirling flow becomes faster as it approaches the peripheral wall of the liquid storage means 20, providing the rotary blades 32 along the inner surface of the peripheral wall of the liquid storage means 20 improves power generation efficiency. Further, the rotary blade 32 is formed vertically long and provided near the peripheral wall so that the portion near the rotary shaft 31 is largely vacant, so that the generation and continuation of the swirling flow are not hindered. The height of the liquid storage means 20 and the size of the rotary blade 32 in the height direction are substantially the same. The rotary vanes 32 rotate around the rotary shaft 31 by the fluid force of the swirling motion of the liquid 40 acting. The rotary blade 32 is connected to the rotary shaft 31 via a support column 33 to form a water turbine (turbine) centered on the rotary shaft 31.
The swirling motion of the liquid 40 causes the turbine to rotate in the same direction as the swirling flow (arrow D). By rotating the water turbine, it is possible to generate electricity and obtain electric power. In this way, the power generation unit 30 takes out the fluid force of the swirling motion of the liquid 40 generated in the liquid storage unit 20 along with the swinging of the floating body due to the waves of the floating body 10, and performs power generation.
Alternatively, the power generation means 30 may be used as an electric motor, and a rotational force may be applied to the rotor blades 32 by the stored electric power. In this case, the swirling motion can be assisted to be generated and continued by rotating the liquid with the rotary blades 32. Further, the swirling flow direction can be generated and continued in either the left or right direction depending on how the initial motion of rotating the liquid 40 on the rotary blade 32 is given, the movement of the movable means 60, and the motion condition of the floating body 10. The power generation means 30 is mechanically and electrically configured so that power can be generated even if the rotation direction changes.

When the floating body 10 is stationary, the rotary blade 32 faces the space X left in the liquid 40 and above the liquid 40. That is, the rotary blades 32 are arranged so that a part thereof is immersed in the liquid 40 when the floating body 10 is stationary. By arranging the rotor blades 32 in this way, compared to a case where the entire rotor blades 32 are arranged in the liquid, the rotor blades 32 are more likely to rotate when receiving a swirling flow that reaches above the liquid surface at rest during the swirling motion. Therefore, the power generation efficiency can be improved.
The design of the dimension of the rotary blade 32 in the height direction may be changed or changed according to the predetermined amount of the liquid 40 in the liquid storage means 20. When the floating body 10 is installed in a place where the floating body oscillation period does not change much, or when it is desired to reduce the cost of the rotor blades 32 even if the power generation efficiency is slightly reduced, the dimension in the height direction can be changed by design. .. Further, when it is desired to increase the power generation efficiency in accordance with the floating body swing cycle of the floating body 10, the size of the rotary blade 32 in the height direction can be variably configured and changed. For example, it is possible to make the dimensions variable by forming the rotary blade 32 with two plates and sliding it in the height direction.
The swirling motion can be effectively utilized by further changing the rotating blade 32 to a height at which it can be easily rotated according to the liquid level of the liquid 40, thereby further improving the power generation efficiency.
The power generation means 30 uses a water flow associated with the horizontal rotating motion of the swirling motion that does not use the rotary blades 32, uses a drop of the swirling flow that reaches above the liquid surface when the swirling motion is stationary, etc. Alternatively, other power generation means may be adopted.

Next, a swirling power generator according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 3 is a side sectional view and a horizontal sectional view of the swirling power generator. In addition, the same functional members as those in the above-described embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.
In the present embodiment, the rotary blades 32 of the power generation means 30 are composed of two blades positioned on the opposite side to the rotary shaft 31 by 180 degrees. The horizontal length of the rotary blade 32 composed of two blades is substantially the same as the diameter of the liquid storage means 20, and the dimension in the height direction is sufficiently shorter than the height of the liquid storage means 20. Thus, by providing the rotary blade 32 not only in the portion near the side wall of the liquid storage means 20 but also in the center side, it is possible to effectively utilize the swirling flow to generate power.
In this case, when the floating body 10 is stationary, the rotary blades 32 face the submerged liquid and the upper space X, so that the rotary blades 32 rotate more easily than when the rotary blades 32 are arranged only in the liquid. The power generation efficiency can be improved by utilizing the swirling flow reaching above the liquid surface. Further, the rotary blade 32 faces the inside of the liquid 40, leaving a space Y below the liquid storage means 20. That is, since the size of the rotary vane 32 in the height direction is sufficiently shorter than the height of the liquid containing means 20, there is a region below the liquid containing means 20 in which the rotary vane 32 is not arranged. Since the rotary blade 32 faces the liquid of the liquid leaving the space Y under the liquid storage means 20, the generation and continuation of the swirling motion are not hindered.
When the rotary blades 32 are arranged centrally, the single-blade rotary blade 32 composed of two blades positioned on the opposite side to the rotary shaft 31 by 180 degrees rotates like the present embodiment. As compared with the case where the plurality of blades 32 are provided, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of sloshing in the initial stage of the swirling motion, and the swirling motion is easily generated.

Further, the rotary blade 32 is configured so that the mounting position on the rotary shaft 31 can be changed, and the mounting position of the rotary blade 32 can be designed or changed according to the predetermined amount of the liquid 40.
When the design is changed, the mounting position is optimized so as to take into consideration the predetermined amount range of the liquid 40 to be stored in the liquid storing means 20, the period of the floating body 10 to be considered, the shape of the rotary blade 32, and the like. Change the design. Further, when the mounting position is arbitrarily changed, various configurations such as a configuration in which the rotary blade 32 is slid and fixed to the rotary shaft 31 and a configuration in which the rotary blade 32 is rotated and fixed by a screw mechanism provided on the rotary shaft 31 are used. A configuration can be adopted.
When the liquid level is changed by adjusting the predetermined amount of the liquid 40, the amount of the rotary blade 32 submerged in the liquid 40 changes. Therefore, the mounting position of the rotary blade 32 is changed according to the liquid level to rotate the rotary blade 32. By maintaining an easy position, power generation efficiency can be maintained and improved.

Next, a swirling power generator according to still another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a side sectional view and a plan view showing examples of various shapes of the liquid storage means. In addition, the same functional members as those in the above-described embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.
The liquid storage means 20 may have a cylindrical shape as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 or a spherical shape including an egg shape, a light bulb shape, etc. as shown in FIG. FIG. 4(a) shows the liquid storage means 20 having a spherical shape. In FIG. 4B, the inner horizontal cross-sectional shape is circular, and the inner radius of the circular horizontal cross-section is constant, and the inner radius of the circular horizontal cross-section is gradually decreasing upward. , And a liquid containing means 20 composed of a lower inner peripheral surface in which the radius of a circular horizontal section gradually decreases downward. In FIG. 4C, the inner horizontal cross-sectional shape is circular, and the radius of the circular horizontal cross-section is gradually reduced upward, and the dimension in the height direction is higher than that of the upper inner circumferential surface. The liquid containing means 20 is shown to be composed of a lower inner peripheral surface that is large and has a radius of a circular horizontal section that gradually decreases downward. FIG. 4D shows that the inner horizontal cross-sectional shape is circular, and the radius of the circular horizontal cross section gradually decreases upward, and the radius of the circular horizontal cross section gradually decreases downward. The liquid storage means 20 has a smaller inner peripheral surface and has a parallel part at the center of the upper part and the center of the lower part of the liquid storage means 20 which is offset from the semicircle of the liquid storage means 20 when viewed from the side.
When a spherical tank is used as the liquid storage means 20, the swirling motion of the liquid 40 occurs because the inner surface of the range in which the liquid 40 in the liquid storage means 20 makes the swirling motion forms a part of the spherical shape. Easy to be promoted. In particular, since the inner surface forms a part of a sphere, it is possible to make the generated swirling flow reach the upper side of the liquid storage means 20 and rotate the rotary blade 32 more easily.

In the examples of various shapes of the liquid storage means 20 shown in FIGS. 4A to 4D, as in FIG. 3, when the floating body 10 is stationary, the rotor blades 32 are positioned above the space Y in the liquid and above. It faces both of space X.
Since the rotary blades 32 face the liquid X and the upper space X, the swirling flow that reaches above the stationary liquid surface during the swirling motion is greater than that when the entire rotary blades 32 are arranged in the liquid. It becomes easy to receive and rotate, and power generation efficiency can be improved. Further, since the rotary blade 32 faces the liquid of the liquid 40 while leaving the space Y under the liquid storage means 20, the swirling motion is not disturbed and the swirling flow is easily generated and continued.
The rotary blades 32 are provided at four positions at 90° intervals along the inner surface of the peripheral wall of the liquid storage means 20. Since the swirling flow velocity becomes faster as it approaches the peripheral wall of the liquid storage means 20, providing the rotary blade 32 along the inner surface of the peripheral wall of the liquid storage means 20 improves power generation efficiency. The power generation means 30 of FIG. 4B further includes a rotary blade 32 composed of two blades located on the opposite side of 180 degrees with respect to the rotary shaft 31. The length of the rotary blade 32 composed of two blades is substantially the same as the maximum diameter of the liquid storage means 20. That is, the rotary blades 32 of FIGS. 4A, 4C, and 4D are arranged on the side surface, and the rotary blades 32 of FIG. 4B are arranged on the side surface and the center. In this way, by changing the number of rotor blades 32 and the installation location according to the shape of the liquid storage means 20, it is possible to optimize the swirling flow for maximum power generation.
Further, by forming the rotary blade 32 to be vertically long and provided near the peripheral wall so that the portion close to the rotary shaft 31 is largely vacant, the generation and continuation of the swirling flow are not hindered.
Since the swirling motion can occur even if the liquid storage means 20 has a shape other than a cylindrical shape or a spherical shape, the liquid storage means 20 may have a prismatic shape, for example.

Next, a swirling power generator according to still another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a swirling power generator according to another embodiment of the present invention. In addition, the same functional members as those in the above-described embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.
In this embodiment, the floating body 10 is provided with a plurality of sets of liquid storage means 20 and power generation means 30. The floating body 10 is moored on four sides by mooring lines 70. Inside the outer frame 11 of the floating body 10, a plurality of round bars 12 are provided in parallel. A plate member 13 having the round bar 12 as a rotation axis is rotatably attached to each round bar 12, and a plurality of liquid storage means 20 and a power generation means 30 are mounted on one plate member 13. .. The rotation angle of the plate member 13 is about 80 degrees at the left and right respectively.
Swirling motion occurs in the liquid 40 in the liquid storage means 20 due to the swinging of the floating body 10 and the swinging of the plate member 13. The power generation means 30 utilizes this swirling motion to generate power and obtain electric power.
As described above, by providing the floating body 10 with a plurality of sets of the liquid storage means 20 and the power generation means 30, it becomes possible to provide a large amount of power generation.
Note that the floating body 10 may be provided with a plurality of sets of the liquid storage means 20 and the power generation means 30 in many variations other than the configuration described with reference to FIG. For example, a plurality of sets of liquid storage means 20 and power generation means 30 may be provided on one floating body 10. Further, a plurality of sets of the liquid storage means 20 and the power generation means 30 may be provided in each of the plurality of floating bodies 10. Further, it is also possible to give the liquid storage means 20 and/or the power generation means 30 a buoyancy to serve also as the floating body 10.

In each of the above embodiments, the case where the liquid storage means is mounted on the floating body has been described, but the swirling power generation device of the present invention can also be used on land. That is, the swirling power generator is a moving object such as an automobile, a bicycle, or a train that causes rocking, or a rocking body that is a vibrating object that causes rocking such as an outdoor unit of an engine or an air conditioner. Other than the liquid storage means for storing a predetermined amount of liquid in an oscillating body that oscillates due to natural energy such as wind, leaving a space in the upper portion, and a liquid generated in the liquid storing means due to the vibration of the oscillating body. It may be provided with a power generation unit that takes out the fluid force of the swirling motion to generate power. In this case, the liquid storage means, the rotary blades, and the like may have the same shapes or arrangements as those in the above-described embodiments. The configurations, operations, and effects described in the means for solving the problems and the effects of the invention can be applied correspondingly.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The swirling power generation device of the present invention is suitable for an independent distributed power generation device mounted on a floating body such as a buoy, a ship or a marine structure.
Further, it can be widely used for an oscillating body that oscillates like a moving object or a vibrating object.

10 Floating Body 20 Liquid Storage Means 30 Power Generation Means 31 Rotating Shaft 32 Rotor Blades 40 Liquid 50 Liquid Level Changing Means 60 Movable Means
X space (top)
Y space (bottom)

Claims (17)

A floating body floating on the water surface, and a liquid storage means for storing a predetermined amount of liquid leaving the space to the upper mounted on the floating body, said generated within entailment said liquid containing means to the floating body rocking by the waves of the floating body A liquid generating means for generating electric power by taking out a fluid force of a swirling motion which is a horizontal rotating motion of the liquid, wherein the liquid causing the swirling motion is a predetermined amount of the liquid stored in the liquid storing means. Swirling power generator. The swirling power generation device according to claim 1, wherein a horizontal cross section of at least a range of the liquid containing means in which the liquid undergoes the swirling motion is substantially circular. The swirling power generation device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least an inner surface of the liquid storage means in a range in which the liquid undergoes the swirling motion forms a part of a spherical shape. The swirling power generation device according to claim 1, further comprising a liquid level changing unit that adjusts the predetermined amount of the liquid to change a liquid level. The swirling power generation device according to claim 4, wherein the liquid level changing unit changes the liquid level of the liquid according to a cycle of the floating body swing. 6. The swirling device according to claim 1, wherein the power generation unit has a rotary blade that rotates about a rotation axis when the fluid force of the swirling motion acts. Power generator. 7. The swirling power generator according to claim 6, wherein the rotary blade faces the liquid and the space when the floating body is stationary. The swirling power generator according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the rotary blade faces the liquid of the liquid leaving a space below the liquid storage means. 9. The swirling power generation according to claim 6, wherein the rotary blade of the power generation means is composed of two blades located on the opposite side of 180 degrees with respect to the rotary shaft. apparatus. The swirl power generation device according to claim 6, wherein the size of the rotary blade in the height direction is changed according to the predetermined amount of the liquid. The mounting position of the rotary blade with respect to the rotary shaft is configured to be changeable, and the mounting position of the rotary blade is changed according to the predetermined amount of the liquid. The swirling power generator according to item 1. The swirling power generation according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the liquid storage means is mounted on a movable means provided between the liquid storage means and movable in a plane direction. apparatus. The swirling power generator according to claim 12, further comprising a fixing unit that fixes the liquid storage unit so as not to move. The swirling power generation device according to claim 13, further comprising a swirling detection means for the swirling motion, wherein the swirling detection means detects the occurrence of the swirling motion and operates the fixing means. Among the claims 12 to 14, which refer to claims 6 to 11, characterized in that the power generation means is used as an electric motor, and the electric motor applies a rotational force to the rotor blades. The swirling power generator according to item 1. The swirling power generator according to claim 1, wherein the floating body is provided with a plurality of sets of the liquid storage means and the power generation means. A swinging body produces swinging like a moving object or vibration thereof, and a liquid storage means for storing a predetermined amount of liquid leaving the space to the upper mounted on the rocking body, have accompanied the swing by the swinging member said A liquid generating means for generating electric power by taking out a fluid force of a swirling motion which is a horizontal rotating motion of the liquid generated in the liquid storing means, and the liquid causing the swirling motion is stored in the liquid storing means in a predetermined amount. A swirling power generation device comprising the liquid.