JPH04350369A - High-altitude wind power generation - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable efficient and economical wind power generation by fitting wind power generators to a flying body such as an airship or a glider, and using a mooring lanyard for mooring the flying body to the ground, as a power- transmission line. CONSTITUTION:An airship body 1 provided with a tail unit 6 and the like serving to stabilize the position is provided with numerous wind power generators 2, formed of generators driven by the rotation of propellers by wind force, along the periphery and whole length of the airship body 1. Such an airship is let float in the air in the state of being moored to the ground by a mooring lanyard 3 serving as a power-transmission line, and each wind power generator 2 is driven by wind force existing stably up in the air to generate electric power. This electric power is recovered to the ground through the mooring lanyard 3. Numerous buoyancy balloons 4 are fitted to the mooring lanyard 3 to reduce the load of the mooring lanyard 3. The mooring lanyard 3 can be taken up by a take-up device 5 provided on the ground.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to improvements in wind power generation.

0002

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION As is well known, wind power generation is generally installed on land or on the sea, and most of the results to date have been on land. In reality, the wind conditions are better at sea,
This is probably due to inadequate optional technology and environment for installation. Furthermore, the absolute value of the wind speed itself was small, and moreover, the value was not constant and varied widely. For this reason, it is not economically viable and remains small and undeveloped.

0003

[Problem to be Solved by the Invention] As mentioned above, wind energy at low altitudes is small and fluctuates a lot, so it is necessary to obtain this energy at high altitudes where westerly winds blow. A cross-country flight reaching the northern part of the country covered a distance of 10,780 km in 48 hours at an average speed of 22
It seems that it flew at a speed of 5 km and reached a maximum speed of 300 km. This wind power is mainly caused by the Earth's rotation and Coriolis acceleration, and is stable energy that does not fluctuate. However, how to utilize such high-altitude wind energy is a big problem.

0004

[Means for Solving the Problems] The present invention is to attach a wind power generator to an airship or crider floating at high altitude, and to share the mooring cables that moor it together as a power transmission line for the generated electric power. Many of them will rise along the coastline towards the Pacific Ocean. In this case, noise pollution caused by power generation propellers, which is considered to be one of the problems associated with wind power generation, is also eliminated because it is located far away over the ocean. In this type of system, since the wind energy is large, the output per unit can be expected to be at least 1,000 kilowatts, or even 10,000 kilowatts for large units, and since the wind power has little fluctuation, it is also economical.

[0005]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, the present invention will be explained with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a structural diagram of a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is the airship body, which may have the same structure as a normal airship. In other words, it may be either a soft type or a hard type. 2 is a wind power generator consisting of a propeller and a generator. In a normal airship, this would be the engine and propeller. A large number of these are provided around the airship body 1 and along its entire length. The present invention is characterized in that the load on the airship is only the mooring cables and no fuel or passengers, and a larger number of wind power generators 2 than engine propellers may be provided. 3 is a tether. This will also serve as a power transmission line, and will use two insulated wires or a concentric cable. A buoyancy balloon 4 is attached concentrically around the tether 3. This does not necessarily have to be a configuration like this,
The buoyancy balloon may be a separate sphere. These balloons are filled with a light gas such as hydrogen or helium to create buoyancy. This auxiliary buoyancy device reduces the load on the tether 3. Reference numeral 5 denotes a tethering rope winding device, which winds up the tethering rope 3 when the present invention is lowered to the ground for inspection and repair, and at the same time is a fixed point for fixing to the ground, and is capable of withstanding the tension of the tethering rope 3. Set it on the ground. This will also serve as the transmission end for wind power generation and will be connected to the above-ground power transmission line. 6 is the tail, which helps stabilize the attitude of the airship.

FIG. 2 is a structural diagram of a second embodiment of the present invention. 7 is the glider main wing, 300km/h at high altitude
Wind speeds that reach up to 100% create lift and cause it to float. 2 is a wind power generator consisting of a propeller and a generator. It is attached to the front end of the glider's wing, similar to an aircraft engine. Reference numeral 3 denotes a tethering cable, which holds the glider at a fixed point in the high-speed airflow and generates lift on the glider main wing 7 due to its relative speed. A buoyancy balloon 4 is attached concentrically around the tether 3. These are the same as in the case of the airship in the previous embodiment. Similarly, 5 is a tether winding device. 8 is the body of the glider, and 6 is the tail. In this case, the tail fin 6 stabilizes the attitude, although there is no major effect since it simply floats in the air like a kite. With this glider type, when descending for inspection or repair,
Some wind power generators can be used as electric motors to lower them to the ground. However, in this case, it is necessary to supply electricity from the ground.

FIG. 3 shows a two-core type tether, and FIG. 4 shows a concentric type tether. 9, 10, 11, 12 are power lines,
Conductivity, tensile strength, and lightness are desired, and the use of new materials is also considered. Reference numeral 13 is an electrical insulator, which preferably has tensile strength, and a material that has both electrical insulation and tensile strength, such as glass fiber, is suitable. Reference numeral 4 denotes a buoyancy balloon, which connects the power transmission line and the buoyancy balloon membrane not only at both ends but also in the middle with cables and membranes so as to support the load of the tether 3. A light gas such as hydrogen or helium is sealed inside.

[0008]

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, the present invention generates wind power at high altitudes where wind power is stable and plentiful, so it is highly economical, does not cause environmental pollution or noise pollution, and is one of the solutions to energy problems on a global scale. This could be a method.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a structural diagram of an airship-type high-altitude wind power generator according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a structural diagram of a glider-type high-altitude wind power generator according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a structural diagram of a two-core tether cable for an airship or glider according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a structural diagram of a concentric tether for an airship or glider according to the present invention;

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Airship body 2 Wind power generator 3 Mooring cable 4 Buoyancy balloon 5 Mooring rope winding device 6 Tail wing 7 Glider main wing 8. Torso 9 Power transmission line 10 Power transmission line 11 Power transmission line 12 Power transmission line 13 Electrical insulators

Claims (1)

[Claims] [Claim 1] High-altitude wind power generation in which a wind power generator is attached to a flying vehicle such as an airship or a glider, and the mooring cables connected to the ground also serve as power transmission lines.