JPH10318122A - Generator and lighting device using sunlight - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a generator which can efficiently and economically generate power with the use of solar energy, and a light source which directly use the solar energy so as to provide efficient lighting through direct use of sunlight. SOLUTION: A solar generator 1 is composed of a light condenser 2 for gathering sunlight, an optical fiber 10 for leading the sunlight gathered by the condenser to a heat accumulator 11, a steam generator 11 for generating steam using the heat accumulator as a heat source, a steam turbine 16 for taking up a rotating power from the steam, and a generator 21 coupled to the turbine 16. When an optical path selector 53 which is provided in the optical fiber 10, is changed over, the sunlight led through the optical fiber 10 is selectively led to the heat accumulator 11 or a lighting device 50 using the sunlight as a light source.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a power generation device and a power generation method for generating power using sunlight (solar energy).

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Energy demand in Japan and other countries around the world is due to the increase in demand for cooling, heating and hot water supply due to the activation of economic activities and the improvement of living standards, the sophistication and enlargement of home appliances, the progress of computerization in houses, etc. , And this trend is expected to continue. On the other hand, global environmental issues such as global warming and questions about the safety of nuclear power generation due to carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere due to the burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas, etc. Therefore, it is strongly required to select a clean energy source that has less impact on the environment. Currently, clean energy includes geothermal, wave power,
Research on wind power and the like is underway, but a typical example is clean and infinite solar energy.

On the other hand, in recent years, the time for working and living in buildings and apartment houses has been increasing.
Buildings and condominiums are built to make effective use of limited land, but since these have many rooms inside, it is necessary to provide windows for lighting in all rooms. Can not. For this reason, an illuminating device is required even in the daytime in a room without sunshine. Attempts to cultivate fresh vegetables and the like in factories have been made, and some successful cases have been reported. In this case, an artificial light source is installed in the building, and the light is used to perform photosynthesis on fresh vegetables and the like.

[0004]

As a method of converting solar energy into electric energy, a method in which a solar cell module is installed on a roof or a roof of a house is currently in practical use. However, this method cannot always generate electricity efficiently and is not economical in view of the facility cost. A first problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a power generation device for efficiently and economically generating power using solar energy.

[0005] Even if efficient power generation is performed using solar energy, energy is inevitably lost in an indirect use method in which a lighting device or an artificial light source is operated using the electricity. Since the spectral distribution of light is different from that of the artificial light source, it is difficult to say that the latter provides sufficient light required by vegetables and the like. A second problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide efficient illumination and sunlight itself by making it possible to directly use sunlight energy instead of indirectly converting it into electric energy. It is to provide a light source capable of performing such operations.

[0006]

Means for Solving the Problems In order to solve the above two problems, the present inventors have conducted intensive studies and, as a result, have adopted the following means. That is, the feature of the solar power generation device according to the invention described in claim 1 is that a condensing device that condenses sunlight, and an optical fiber that guides the condensed sunlight to the heat storage body. Another object of the present invention is to provide a steam generator for generating steam using the heat storage body as a heat source, a steam turbine for extracting rotational power from the steam, and a generator which is drivingly connected to the steam turbine.

With this configuration, the sunlight condensed by the condensing device can be guided to the heat storage using the optical fiber without loss, and the heat storage is used as a heat source to generate steam in the steam generator (boiler). The steam can be used to rotate a steam turbine (generator) to generate electricity. As a result, it is possible to efficiently and economically generate power using solar energy (solution of the first problem). Note that the “light collecting device” in the present specification may be any device that can collect sunlight, and there is no limitation on the form or the number. Similarly, the “optical fiber” may be any type of thin fiber that can guide sunlight,
Examples of such a fiber include a quartz fiber and a synthetic resin fiber. In addition, "heat storage"
A substance (apparatus) whose temperature rises due to direct and indirect sunlight and rises in temperature and decreases when heat is extracted.

[0008] The photovoltaic power generator according to the second aspect of the present invention basically has the same configuration as that of the first aspect, and exhibits the same functions and effects within that range. Its major feature is its light collection device.
That is, the light collecting device is a parabolic light collecting device. The reason why the parabolic condensing device is adopted is that, in this type, the condensing rate per unit area is relatively high.

A photovoltaic power generator according to a third aspect of the present invention basically has the same configuration as that of the first or second aspect, and exhibits the same functions and effects within the range. is there. The major feature is that a tracking device for tracking the sun is provided in the condensing device. By providing the tracking device, the light-collecting surface of the light-collecting device can always be directed toward the sun, so that the light receiving time of the day is longer than in the case of a fixed time, and power can be generated more efficiently by that much. .

[0010] The photovoltaic power generator according to the invention described in claim 4 basically has the same configuration as that described in claims 1 to 3, and exhibits the same operation and effect within the range. is there. The major feature is that an optical path switching device and a lighting device are provided. That is, by providing an optical path switching device for switching the direction in which sunlight is guided in the middle of the optical fiber, and by switching this optical path switching device,
It is characterized in that the solar light guided by the optical fiber can be guided to either a heat storage body or a lighting device using the sunlight as a light source.

With this configuration, the sunlight condensed by the light condensing device can be used for power generation or as a lighting device as required (the first and second problems). Solved). That is, by switching the optical path switching device to the heat storage device side when power generation is required, and by switching to the lighting device side when lighting is required, the solar energy can be properly used according to the situation. If the sunlight is strong and the light collection rate can be increased, a distribution device may be attached instead of the switching device to guide the sunlight to both the power storage unit and the lighting device. The “illumination device” in the present specification may be any device that can diffuse sunlight guided by an optical fiber into the air. As such a device, for example, a lighting device for lighting There is a lighting device for supplying sunlight instead of an artificial light source (artificial sun).

[0012] The invention described in claim 5 or later relates to a lighting device using sunlight. That is, the feature of the illumination device using sunlight according to the invention described in claim 5 is that a condensing device for condensing sunlight and an optical fiber for guiding the sunlight condensed by the condensing device. That is, the sunlight guided by the optical fiber is used as a light source. The illumination device using sunlight is obtained by omitting the optical path switching device and members required for power generation from the device described in claim 4.

A feature of the photovoltaic power generator according to the invention described in claim 6 is that the condensing device described in claim 5 is a parabolic condensing device. As described above, the light collection rate per unit area can be increased. The feature of the same is also described in claim 7,
A concentrating device according to claim 5 or 6 is provided with a tracking device for tracking the sun, whereby the condensing surface of the condensing device is formed in the same manner as described in claim 4. Since the light can always be directed toward the sun, the light receiving time of the day is longer than in the case where the light is fixed, and power can be generated more efficiently by that much.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, referring to FIG. 1, an embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter, referred to as "the present embodiment").
Will be described. FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment (Claim 1).
It is the schematic which shows the structure of 4). Reference numeral 1 denotes the entire photovoltaic power generator, and reference numeral 50 denotes an illumination device connected via an optical path switching device 53. In the first embodiment, the optical path switching device 53 and the certification device 50 are not used.

Reference numeral 2 denotes a light collecting device. The condensing device 2 according to the present embodiment includes a parabolic mirror 4 having a parabolic condensing surface 3 and a support 5 that supports the parabolic mirror 4 via a tracking device 6.
Approximately composed. At the focal position of the parabolic condensing surface 3
Are supported by arms 9, 9, and an optical fiber (cable) 10 is connected to the light collector 8 to guide sunlight to another place. The tracking device 6 is to drive the parabolic mirror 4 three-dimensionally at the focal point of the parabolic condensing surface 3 to keep the parabolic condensing surface 3 always facing the sun. , By a computer (control device) 7. The light collecting device 4 according to the present embodiment is installed, for example, on the top of a mountain or on the roof of a building. Parabolic mirror 4
And the number of light-collecting devices may be determined. In addition, the tracking device 6 and the support 5 may be omitted by fixing the parabolic mirror 4 to an existing building.

The sunlight (energy) condensed by the light condensing device 2 is guided by an optical fiber 10 to a heat storage unit (heat storage device) 11 in a steam generation device 11, where the heat is generated to generate steam. Although the steam generation may be performed simultaneously with the light collection, the light is collected during the day to store the solar energy (solar heat) in the heat storage device 11, and the solar heat is taken out at night to generate the steam. Is also good. This is very convenient because power can be generated when needed.

The steam generated by the steam generator 11 is sent to a steam separator 14 via a pressure pipe 13, where the steam and hot water are separated. The separated hot water is returned to the steam generator 11 via the circulation pipe 16 by the circulation pump 15. The steam separated by the steam separator 14 is sent to a steam turbine through a steam pipe 15 to rotate the steam turbine. This rotational power is transmitted to the generator 21 via the drive shaft 20, where the power is generated. The generator 21 may be for AC or DC, and a generator suitable for the purpose is used. The surplus electric power may be configured to be directly charged in the case of a DC generator and charged to an electric storage device or the like (not shown) via a rectifier in the case of an AC generator.

Reference numeral 17 shown at the lower part of the steam turbine 16
Is a cooling pipe for cooling steam returned by rotating the steam turbine 16 and returning it to water, and is configured to circulate cooling water therein. This water is returned to the steam generator 11 by the water supply pump 19 via the supply pipe 18.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The following will be described. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that sunlight condensed by the light condensing device 2 is
Both are common in that they are guided through 0, and the sunlight (energy) thus guided is used for power generation in the latter, while the former is used for the lighting device 50 described below. The two are different. As described above, the light collecting device 2 and the optical fiber 10 used in the second embodiment
Are the same as those in the first embodiment,
Here, these descriptions are omitted, and only the description of the lighting device 50 is performed.

That is, as is apparent from FIG. 1, the illuminating device 50 generally comprises a parabolic reflecting mirror 51 and a light source 52 provided at the focal position thereof. The light source 52 is provided at the end of the optical fiber 10 and diffuses the sunlight guided by the optical fiber 10 from the light source 52 so that it can be used as an illumination light as indicated by a dotted arrow. The form of the parabolic reflector 51 is
The illumination device 50 need not be limited to the one in the present embodiment.
Various designs can be applied according to the place, atmosphere, application, etc. The end of the optical fiber 10 may be divided and used at a plurality of locations. Since the illuminating device 50 utilizes sunlight, it can be used not only as a simple daylighting means but also as a light source for growing fresh vegetables or disinfecting with ultraviolet rays.

Finally, a third embodiment (claims 1 to 4)
Will be described. The third embodiment is a combination of the first embodiment and the second embodiment described above. That is, an optical path switching device 53 is provided in the middle of the optical fiber 10 connected to the light condensing device 2 so that the direction in which sunlight is guided is switched so that power generation and illumination can be selected. It is an embodiment.

The switching of the optical path switching device 53 may be performed automatically by remote control, or may be performed manually by replacing a connector.

[0023]

When the power generator according to the present invention is used,
It is possible to efficiently and economically generate electricity using solar energy, and by using a lighting device, it is possible to provide efficient lighting and sunlight by enabling direct use of solar energy. A light source that can be used.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing each embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Solar power generation device 2 Condenser 3 Parabolic condensing surface 4 Parabolic mirror 5 Support 6 Tracking device 7 Control device (computer) 8 Condenser 9 Arm 10 Optical fiber 11 Steam generator 12 Illumination device 13 Pressure Pipe 14 Steam separator 15 Steam pipe 16 Steam turbine 17 Cooling pipe 18 Water supply pipe 19 Water supply pump 20 Drive shaft 21 Generator 50 Lighting device 51 Parabolic reflector 52 Diffuser 53 Optical path switching device

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A light-collecting device for condensing sunlight, an optical fiber for guiding the sunlight condensed by the light-condensing device to a heat storage, and a steam for generating steam using the heat storage as a heat source. A photovoltaic power generator comprising: a generator; a steam turbine for extracting rotational power from the steam; and a generator drivingly connected to the steam turbine. 2. The photovoltaic power generation device according to claim 1, wherein the light collection device is a parabolic light collection device. 3. The photovoltaic power generator according to claim 1, wherein a tracking device for tracking the sun is provided in the condensing device. 4. An optical path switching device for switching the direction in which the sunlight is guided is provided in the middle of the optical fiber, and by switching the optical path switching device, the sunlight guided by the optical fiber is transferred to the heat storage body. 2. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the lighting device is configured to guide the light to any one of lighting devices using sunlight as a light source.
4. The photovoltaic power generator according to any one of claims 1 to 3. 5. A condensing device for condensing sunlight, an optical fiber for guiding the sunlight condensed by the condensing device, and a solar lighting device using the sunlight guided by the optical fiber as a light source. . 6. The photovoltaic power generation device according to claim 5, wherein the light collection device is a parabolic light collection device. 7. The photovoltaic power generator according to claim 5, wherein a tracking device for tracking the sun is provided in the condensing device.