JPH11125145A - Power generation method and power generation device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a novel and simple power generation method and power generation device which use a capacitor as an electrostatic accumulating device and contribute to energy-saving. SOLUTION: The change Q1 is accumulated in a capacitor by using DC power source of electric potential V1 (A-C), and electrostatic capacitance C of the capacitor in which the charge Q1 is accumulated is reduced from C1 to C2 using external energy source, such as thermal energy of a waste heat source (D). By this action, the thermal energy is converted into electrical energy and accumulated (changed) in the capacitor (E). The charged capacitor is connected to a load and discharged (F). The power can be generated continuously through the repetition of this cycle.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a power generation method and a power generation apparatus utilizing waste heat of an automobile engine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art It is one of the most important issues in all technical fields to establish an energy saving technology and to pursue the limit of its potential in order to protect the environment and avoid depletion of energy resources such as crude oil. There is a need for continuous efforts to do so.

In the field of power generation technology, various technologies have been put to practical use in both hardware and software in order to increase power generation efficiency and reduce consumption of energy resources such as crude oil.

In addition, a technology that uses waste heat instead of all or a part of energy resources such as crude oil required for power generation, for example, waste heat when incinerating a large amount of garbage in an urban area is used. ing.

On the other hand, pumping power generation technology, large-capacity power storage devices, and the like have been developed from the viewpoint of technology for storing surplus power in response to fluctuations in power consumption during the day and night.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and a new and simple power generation method which contributes to energy saving using a capacitor as an electrostatic storage device. An object is to provide a power generator.

[0007]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, according to the present invention, a charge is stored in a capacitor by a DC power supply (voltage source), and the capacitance of the capacitor in which the charge has been stored is externally stored. The energy of the external energy source is converted into electric energy and stored (electric power storage) by reducing the energy by the energy source. As a result, mechanical energy, heat energy, and the like, which are the energy of the external energy source, can be effectively converted into electric energy and stored. Note that the energy of the external energy source refers to mechanical energy other than electric energy, heat energy, and the like.

The power generation operation of the power generation method and the power generation device according to the present invention is based on the energy storage amount (W
Indicated by ) Is defined as W = (１ ／) × Q × V (Q
Represents electric charge, and V represents a potential between terminals of the capacitor. )
Can be explained.

That is, the DC power supply first stores electrical energy in the capacitor in which the initial energy storage amount W ₁ is W ₁ = (１ ／) × Q ₁ × V ₁ .

Next, heat energy or the like is supplied as the energy of the external energy source to forcibly increase the effective electrode area of, for example, a variable capacitor (a so-called variable capacitor) in which electric charges are accumulated. By reducing the capacitance C from C ₁ to C ₂ , the potential V ₁ rises to a potential V ₂ according to the amount of energy given from an external energy source while the charge Q _{1 of the} capacitor remains constant ( V ₂ = Q ₁ / C ₂ ). As a result, the energy storage amount W ₂ after the potential change of the capacitor is W ₂ = (１ ／) ×
Q ₁ × V ₂ , which is larger than the initial energy storage amount W ₁ by the energy storage amount W ₂ −W ₁ = (１ ／) × Q ₁ × (V ₂ −V ₁ ) corresponding to the potential rise. I do.

[0011] In the present invention, the capacitor in which energy is stored by the power generation method is discharged, and more preferably, charge is stored in the capacitor after discharging by a DC power supply again. By repeating the discharge cycle, the energy of the external energy source converted into electric energy can be connected to an appropriate load and used as electric power.

In the present invention, a method for converting the energy of the external energy source into electric energy and storing the electric energy in the capacitor by reducing the capacitance of the capacitor in which the electric charge is stored by the external energy source is provided. Are a method of increasing the distance between the electrodes of the capacitor by the external energy source, a method of reducing the dielectric constant of a dielectric sealed between the electrodes, and a method of reducing the electrode area (effective counter electrode area). By using at least one method in combination, the effects of the present invention can be suitably exerted.

The action of each method for reducing the capacitance of the capacitor is defined by the definition of the capacitance C of the capacitor, C = (ε × S) / d (where ε is the relative permittivity of the dielectric) , S represent the electrode area, and d represents the distance between the electrodes.) That is, in the above-described definition formula, the means for increasing the distance d between the electrodes by the energy of the external energy source, the relative permittivity ε of the dielectric sealed between the electrodes,
The capacitance C can be reduced by using any of the means for reducing the electrode area S and the means for reducing the electrode area S.

In this case, in the method of increasing the distance d between the electrodes of the capacitor by applying mechanical energy, a capacitor having an extendable support for changing the distance d between the electrodes, or adjusting the distance d between the electrodes is used. The variable capacitor that can be used can be suitably used. In the method of reducing the electrode area S by applying mechanical energy, a normal variable capacitor capable of adjusting the electrode area S can be suitably used. further,
In a method of converting heat energy into mechanical energy once and then applying the energy to a capacitor, the expandable and contractible support is extended by work to the outside in an isothermal expansion process using a displacer-type Stirling engine, and a variable capacitor is formed. Means for increasing the distance d between the electrodes or reducing the electrode area S can be suitably used.

In the method of reducing the capacitance C of the capacitor by the external energy source according to the present invention, a liquid is used as the dielectric sealed between the electrodes of the capacitor, and the heat of the external energy source is reduced. A method in which the liquid is heated by energy to convert all or a part of the liquid into a gas can be suitably used. At this time, the rate at which the liquid changes phase to the gas is determined by the amount of heating.

When it is desired to repeat the cycle of power generation and discharge, the capacitor is discharged to consume electric energy, the gas is cooled to the liquid, and then the charge Q is again supplied to the capacitor by the DC power supply. accumulate.

By utilizing the phase change of the dielectric material, the relative permittivity ε of the dielectric can be remarkably reduced, and the distance d between the electrodes can be increased. Can be demonstrated.

The operation of the above-described means in which a liquid is used as a dielectric and heated to generate a gas is as follows.

As means for reducing the capacitance C ₂ as described above, there are a method of increasing the distance d between the electrodes, a method of decreasing the effective electrode area S, and a method of decreasing the relative permittivity ε of the dielectric. . However, when a method of increasing the distance d between electrodes or a method of reducing the effective electrode area S is used, it is necessary to prepare a capacitor having a large size as an electrostatic storage device. On the other hand, when the method of reducing the dielectric constant ε of the dielectric is used, the size of the capacitor is irrelevant, and a compact electrostatic power storage device can be obtained.

From this viewpoint, when a liquid is used as a dielectric and a vaporization / condensation cycle is employed, the relative dielectric constant ε of the liquid at the time when energy is stored by a DC power supply is 79 (25 ° C.) when water is used. In the case of using ethyl alcohol, the temperature is 24 (25 ° C.). However, for a gas which is heated by the heat energy of the external energy source and the liquid undergoes a phase change, both water and ethyl alcohol are almost equal to 1. Thus, by the relative dielectric constant of the dielectric ε decreases significantly to 1/79 or 1/24, of the product after the potential change to the static capacitance C ₁ of the stage capacitor that accumulates initial energy Capacitance C ₂ is relative permittivity ε
Since it is much smaller, such as 1/79 or 1/24, the substance such as water or ethyl alcohol can be said to be a very suitable dielectric material when applied to the present invention. In this case, it is assumed that the electrostatic power storage device has a structure fixed so that the distance d between the electrodes does not change. However, in practical use, the electrostatic storage device expands and contracts as a support capable of changing the distance d between the electrodes. It is more preferable to use a flexible material in combination with a method of increasing the inter-electrode distance d by volume expansion accompanying a phase change of the liquid.

From the viewpoint of greatly changing the capacitance of the above-mentioned capacitor, it is desirable to use a dielectric material having a high relative dielectric constant in a liquid state. In view of this, it is desirable that the boiling point of the liquid be as low as possible, preferably about 200 ° C. or less.

In the present invention, low-temperature waste heat can be used as an external energy source to be used. In this case, preferably, the low-temperature waste heat is used in the above-mentioned isothermal heating step of the displacer type Stirling engine. After being converted into mechanical energy, it can be stored in a capacitor.
Further, a method of using the waste heat of an automobile engine as low-temperature waste heat and charging the generated electric energy to a vehicle battery can be preferably used. Here, as the low-temperature waste heat in the present invention, a heat source of about 80 to 600 ° C., which is relatively difficult to effectively use in terms of waste heat recovery technology, can be effectively used.

[0023]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of a power generation method and a power generation device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

First, a power generation method according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the process chart of FIG. 1 and the table of FIG.

In FIGS. 1 and 4, first, the potential V ₁
The connection circuit between the DC power supply (voltage source) and the capacitor having the initial capacitance C1 is turned on (step S10: FIG. 4).
A, FIG. 4B).

In this ON state, the capacitor is charged by the DC power supply. In other words, the electric energy of the DC power supply is equal to the initial energy storage amount W ₁ ｛W ₁ = (1 /
2) It is stored in the capacitor as × Q ₁ × V ₁ = (１ ／) × C ₁ × V ₁ × V ₁ } (step S12).

Next, the connection circuit between the DC power supply and the capacitor is turned off (step S14: C in FIG. 4). In this case, the capacitor of the capacitance C _1, the initial energy storage amount W ₁ remains as it is.

[0028] Then, the external energy source connected-releasing means, for connecting the capacitor of the external energy source and the capacitance C _1, which will be described in detail later (step S16: D in FIG. 4).

Then, the capacitance of the capacitor is reduced by supplying energy from an external energy source (C ₁ → C
₂ ) Increase the potential between the terminals of the capacitor (V ₁ →
V ₂ ). Accordingly, capacitance energy from an external energy source to the capacitor changes from C ₁ to C ₂ is charged as electrical energy (step S18: D in FIG. 4). At this time, if the amount of energy stored in the capacitor after the potential change is W ₂ , W ₂ = (１ ／) × Q ₁ × V
₂ and the energy increase is W ₂ −W ₁ = (（)
× Q ₁ × (V ₂ −V ₁ ). As a method of reducing the capacitance of the capacitor, the capacitance C is expressed as C = ε.
In consideration of the expression of × S / d, the relative permittivity ε may be reduced, the facing area S between the electrodes may be reduced, and / or the distance d between the electrodes may be increased.

In this state, the connection of the external energy source
The connection between the external energy source and the capacitor is released by the release means (step S20: E in FIG. 4).

Next, a power generation method according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the process chart of FIG. 2 and the table of FIG.

In the power generation method according to the second embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 2, steps S110 to S12 are performed.
0 is the same as step S10 to step S20 of the first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG.

[0033] Then, a capacitor energy is accumulated capacitance after the processing of step S120 is turned C _2, to turn on the connection circuit and the load (step S
122: F in FIG.

Thus, electric energy is supplied from the capacitor to the load (step S124: F in FIG. 4).

Next, a power generation method according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the process chart of FIG. 3 and the table of FIG.

In the power generation method according to the third embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 3, steps S210 to S22 are performed.
Step 4 is the same as step S110 to step S124 of the second embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG.

That is, in the continuous power generation method according to the third embodiment of the present invention, a procedure corresponding to each of steps S110 to S124 of the second embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 2 is performed. Then, after the connection circuit between the capacitor and the load is turned off (step S226: FIG.
G), and returns to the first step (step S210: A in FIG. 4). In this way, basically, charging the capacitor, applying external energy to the charged capacitor,
By repeating a series of steps of discharging the capacitor, continuous power generation is performed.

Next, a first example as an example of a preferred apparatus in relation to the continuous power generation method according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the conceptual view of the apparatus shown in FIG.

The power generating apparatus shown in FIG. 5 has a capacitor 2 as an electrostatic power storage device having a structure capable of changing the capacitance. The capacitor 2 includes a DC power supply means 4 and an external energy source supply means. 6, the load means 8, and the cooling energy source supply means 10 are connected respectively.

The capacitor 2 includes a pair of electrodes 12a and 12b including electrode terminals, water 14 which is a dielectric sealed between the electrodes 12a and 12b, and expands and contracts according to the volume or pressure change of the water 14. It is composed of a bellows 16 made of an insulator, which is a support for changing the distance between the electrodes 12a and 12b.

The DC power supply means 4 comprises a DC power supply 18 and a switch 20.

The external energy source supply means 6 is an external energy source for exchanging heat between the waste heat 22 of the automobile engine as an external energy source and the water 14 which is a dielectric of the condenser 2. It has a heat pipe 24 as connection / disconnection means, and a valve 25 provided between the heat pipe 24 and the waste heat 22.

The load means 8 includes a vehicle battery 26 to be loaded, a switch 28, and a resistor 30. In this case, the resistor 30 is connected to the vehicle battery 26.
To limit the charging current for

The cooling energy source supply means 10 includes a cooling water 32 serving as a cooling energy source, and water (heated water or steam) 1 serving as the cooling water 32 and a dielectric of a condenser.
A heat pipe as a cooling source connecting / disconnecting means for exchanging heat with the cooling pipe; and a valve provided between the heat pipe and the cooling water.

Next, the operation of the apparatus shown in FIG. 5 will be described.

First, with the valves 25 and 36 closed, the switch 20 is turned on to connect the DC power supply 18 and the capacitor 2. As a result, the opposing areas of the electrodes 12a and 12b of the capacitor 2, the electrodes 12a and
Electric energy determined by the capacitance determined by the distance between the electrodes 12b and the relative permittivity of the water 14, which is a dielectric, and the potential of the DC power supply 18 are stored in the capacitor 2 (B in FIG. 4).

Next, after the switch 20 is turned off to disconnect the DC power supply 18 from the capacitor 2, the valve 25 is opened, and the waste heat of the automobile engine, which is the energy of the external energy source, is opened via the heat pipe 24. 22 is introduced into water 14 which is a dielectric of the capacitor 2 and heated. As a result, the water 14, which is a dielectric, gradually evaporates and changes into a phase of water vapor according to the amount of heat received (liquid phase → gas phase). Due to the volume expansion due to the phase change of the water 14 which is a dielectric, the bellows 16 of the insulator which is the support of the capacitor 2 is expanded,
As the distance between a and 12b increases and the relative permittivity of water 14 and water vapor, which are dielectric materials, decreases,
Waste heat 22 of the vehicle engine, which is an external energy source, is converted into electric energy and stored in the capacitor 2 (D in FIG. 4). In this case, the capacitance of the capacitor 2 decreases due to an increase in the distance between the electrodes 12a and 12b and a decrease in the relative permittivity of the water 14 as a dielectric, and the potential between the terminals (electrodes 12a and 12b) of the capacitor 2 decreases. Rise.

When the external energy is stored, the valve 25 is closed, and the connection between the condenser 2 and the waste heat 22 of the automobile engine, which is the energy of the external energy source, is released.

Thereafter, the switch 28 is turned on, the capacitor 2 is connected to the vehicle battery 26 as a load, and the electric charge, which is energy stored in the capacitor 2, is discharged. Charge. After discharging all or part of the electric charge stored in the capacitor 2, the switch 28 is turned off. Thus, the connection between the vehicle battery 26 as a load and the capacitor 2 is released.

Next, the valve 36 is opened, and the water vapor as the dielectric is cooled by the cooling water 32 as the cooling energy source through the heat pipe 34 and returned to the water 14 (gas phase → liquid phase). As a result, the bellows 16 contracts and returns.
Thereafter, by closing the valve 36, the connection between the cooling water 32, which is a cooling energy source, and the condenser 2 is released to return to the initial state.

Then, the switch 20 is turned on again, the DC power supply 18 and the capacitor 2 are connected, and the above-described series of procedures are repeated to continuously generate electric power.

In the first embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the radiator and the heat dissipated from the brake pads may be used instead of the waste heat 22 of the automobile engine which is the energy of the external energy source. The electric energy converted from the heat dissipated is suitable as an auxiliary charging power source for a vehicle battery.

Next, with reference to another conceptual diagram of the power generator shown in FIG. 6, means for reducing the electrode area (effective counter electrode area) is used to reduce the capacitance of the capacitor by an external energy source. A second embodiment will be described.

In the power generator of FIG. 6, the DC power supply means 4 and the load means 8 correspond to those shown in the respective means of the first embodiment.

The capacitor 38 is a variable capacitor (a so-called variable capacitor) using air as a dielectric, and has a plurality of fixed electrodes 42a and movable electrodes 42b, and rods 44 connected to the movable electrodes 42b.

The capacitor 38 is provided with a rod rotating means 46 as effective counter electrode area initial value setting means.

The external energy source supply means 40 comprises a driving force transmitting mechanism 48 as an external energy source connecting / disconnecting means, and an external energy source connected to the capacitor 38 via the driving force transmitting mechanism 48. The external energy source is a displacer type Stirling engine 50 having a mechanism for converting waste heat 22 as primary energy into mechanical energy. The details of the device of the displacer type Stirling engine 50 will be described later.

Next, the operation of the power generator of FIG. 6 will be described.

First, the rod 44 of the capacitor 38 is rotated by the rod rotating means 46, thereby rotating the movable electrode 42b integrally connected to the rod 44, and setting the initial value of the effective counter electrode area. An initial capacitance of 38 is determined (C = C ₁ : A in FIG. 4).

Next, after the connection between the rod rotating means 46 and the capacitor 38 is released, the switch 20 is turned on and the DC power supply 18 and the capacitor 38 are connected. As a result, electric energy having a predetermined charge corresponding to the set initial capacitance and the potential of the DC power supply 18 is stored in the capacitor 38 (B in FIG. 4).

In a state where electric energy is stored,
The switch 20 is turned off to disconnect the DC power supply 18 from the capacitor 38 (C in FIG. 4). Thereafter, the displacer type Stirling engine 50 as an external energy source is energized, and the rod 44 (movable electrode 42) is driven through a driving force transmission mechanism 48 as an external energy source connection / disconnection means.
By rotating b) in the opposite direction to that for setting the effective counter electrode area initial value to reduce the effective counter electrode area,
The mechanical energy of the displacer type Stirling engine 50, which is an external energy source, is converted into electric energy and stored in the capacitor 38. This allows the capacitor 3
The capacitance of _No. 8 decreases (C ₁ → C ₂ ) and the potential increases (V ₁ → V ₂ : D in FIG. 4).

After the connection between the driving force transmitting mechanism 48 as external energy source connection / release means and the capacitor 38 is released, the switch 28 is turned on to connect the capacitor 38 and the vehicle battery 26 as a load. The vehicle battery 26 is charged.

After discharging all or a part of the electric charge stored in the capacitor 38 (F in FIG. 4) and turning off the switch 28 (G in FIG. 4), the rod rotating means 4 is again turned on.
6, the process returns to the step of rotating the movable electrode 42b via the rod 44 to set the effective counter electrode area initial value (FIG. 4).
A). That is, return the capacitance of the capacitor 38 from the C ₂ to C _1. By repeating such a series of procedures, power can be continuously generated.

FIG. 7 shows a displacer type Stirling engine 50 used in the second embodiment of FIG. 6 as means for converting the waste heat 22 of the external energy source into mechanical energy.
Is conceptually shown, and the device configuration and operation principle will be described below.

First, the device configuration will be described. The displacer type Stirling engine 50 includes a displacer cylinder 5 in which a displacer piston 52 is inserted.
4 and a power cylinder 58 in which a power piston 56 is inserted. The displacer cylinder 54 and the power cylinder 58 communicate with the internal space of each chamber.
The displacer piston 52 and the power piston 56 are connected to the crankshaft 60 with a constant phase difference θ °, preferably 90 °. Further, an external heat source composed of a heater 62, a cooler (cooler) 64, and a regenerative heat exchanger 66 is provided integrally with the displacer cylinder 54, and the internal space of the upper and lower chambers of the displacer cylinder 54 via the external heat source. Parts are communicated. The heater 62 uses the waste heat 22 of the automobile engine as a heating source,
The cooler (cooler) 64 is configured by an air cooling mechanism such as a cooling fin.

Next, the operation principle will be described. FIG.
When the displacer piston 52 moves downward, the regenerative heat exchanger 66 and the heater 62 in which the working gas in the chamber 68a of the displacer cylinder 54 is stored.
And flows into the chamber 68b of the displacer cylinder 54 at a high temperature. In this case, the pressure of the working gas is increased by increasing the volume ratio of the high-temperature gas in the chamber 68b while the overall internal space volume of the displacer cylinder 54 and the power cylinder 58 is constant (equal volume heating process).

The power piston 56 moves downward in FIG. 7 due to the increased engine pressure and rotates the crankshaft 60 to transmit the rotational power to the outside (isothermal expansion process).

Next, the displacer piston 52
In FIG. 7, by moving upward, the working gas in the chamber 68 b of the displacer cylinder 54 passes through the regenerated heat exchanger 66 and the cooler (cooler) 64 radiated and becomes low temperature, and It flows into the chamber 68a, and the pressure of the working gas decreases (equal volume cooling process).

Next, the power piston 56 is
It moves upward to perform compression work on the working gas (isothermal compression process).

Here, since each chamber 68a, 68b of the displacer cylinder 54 has the same pressure immediately after shifting to each heat cycle process, the displacer piston 52 does not become a driving power source for the outside.

As described above, in the second embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the rotational power obtained by the rotation of the crankshaft 60 is transferred to the rod via the driving force transmitting mechanism 48 as the external energy source connecting / disconnecting means. To the rod 4
4 by rotating the movable electrode 42b of the capacitor 38 in the direction in which the effective counter electrode area is reduced, the mechanical energy generated by the displacer type Stirling engine 50 that converts the waste heat 22 of the external energy source into mechanical energy is reduced. The energy is converted into electric energy and stored in the capacitor 38.

Next, referring to FIG. 8, a third embodiment in which the displacer-type Stirling engine 50 for converting waste heat of primary energy into mechanical energy as an external energy source is used, and the distance between the electrodes of the capacitor is increased. Will be described.

In the power generator shown in FIG. 8, the DC power supply connection means 4 and the load means 8 correspond to the respective means of the second embodiment shown in FIG. The difference between the third embodiment and the second embodiment is that in the third embodiment, the movable electrode 70b of the capacitor 68 moves with the axial movement of the rod 72, and the fixed electrode 70a Having a rod moving means 74 as an inter-electrode distance initial value setting means capable of adjusting the inter-electrode distance between the movable electrode 70b and the external energy source constituting the external energy source supplying means 76 corresponding thereto The driving force transmission mechanism 78 as the connection / disconnection means also has a mechanism for moving the rod 72 in the axial direction.

In the power generator shown in FIG. 8, first, the movable electrode 70b is moved in the axial direction of the rod 72 via the rod 72 of the capacitor 68 by using the rod moving means 74 which is the initial value of the inter-electrode distance. The initial capacitance is determined by setting the initial value of the distance between the electrodes (B in FIG. 4).

Next, after the connection between the rod moving means 74, which is an inter-electrode distance initial value setting means, and the capacitor 68 is released, the switch 20 is turned on, and the DC power supply 18 and the capacitor 68 are connected. Charge of the capacitor 68
(B in FIG. 4).

When the charge is accumulated, the switch 20 is turned off to disconnect the DC power supply 18 from the capacitor 68 (C in FIG. 4). Thereafter, the displacer type Stirling engine 50 as the external energy source is energized to move the movable electrode 70b of the capacitor 68 via the driving force transmission mechanism 78 as the external energy source connecting / disconnecting means in a direction opposite to the initial setting. The mechanical energy of the displacer-type Stirling engine 50, which is an external energy source, is converted into electric energy and accumulated in the capacitor 68 (D in FIG. 4).

Thereafter, the connection between the displacer type Stirling engine 50, which is an external energy source, and the capacitor 68 is released (E in FIG. 4), and the switch 28 of the load means 8 is turned off.
Is turned on, the capacitor 68 is connected to the vehicle battery 26 as a load, and the vehicle battery 26 is charged (F in FIG. 4).

After discharging all or a part of the electric charge of the capacitor 68 and turning off the switch 28 (G in FIG. 4), the rod moving means 74 is again used as a rod moving means 74 for setting an initial value of the distance between electrodes. The movable electrode 70b through 72
To return to the step of setting the initial value of the inter-electrode distance (A in FIG. 4).

By repeating the above-described series of procedures, power can be continuously generated.

[0080]

As described above, according to the present invention,
By accumulating electric charge in a capacitor using a DC power supply and reducing the capacitance of the capacitor in which the electric charge has been accumulated using an external energy source, the energy of the external energy source is converted into electric energy and stored. Accumulation).

Therefore, an effect is achieved that energy such as heat energy or mechanical energy, which is an external energy source, can be effectively converted into electric energy and stored.

Further, the stored electric energy is discharged,
By storing the power again, it is possible to continuously generate power using an external energy source, which can contribute to so-called energy saving.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a process chart of a power generation method according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a process chart of a power generation method according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a process diagram of a power generation method according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a table showing a circuit (configuration of an apparatus) corresponding to each step in the process charts of FIGS. 1 to 3 and an energy storage amount of a capacitor.

FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram of an apparatus of a first example for implementing a power generation method according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram of an apparatus according to a second embodiment for performing the power generation method according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram of a displacer-type Stirling engine used in the second embodiment shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram of an apparatus according to a third embodiment for performing the power generation method according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

2, 38, 68 ... condenser 4 ... DC power supply means 6, 40, 76 ... external energy source supply means 8 ... load means 10 ... cooling energy source supply means 12a, 12b, 42a, 42b, 70a, 70b ... electrode 14 ... Water 16 Bellows 18 DC power supply 24, 34 Heat pipe 26 Automotive battery 44, 72 Rod 46 Rotating means 48, 78 Driving force transmitting mechanism 50 Displacer type Stirling engine 52 Displacer piston 54 Displacer Cylinder 56 ... Power piston 58 ... Power cylinder 60 ... Crank shaft 62 ... Heater 64 ... Cooler (cooler) 66 ... Regenerative heat exchanger 74 ... Rod moving means

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A step of storing electric charge in a capacitor by a DC power supply, and converting the energy of the external energy source into electric energy by reducing the capacitance of the capacitor in which the electric charge is stored by an external energy source. And c. Accumulating the electric power in the capacitor. 2. The power generation method according to claim 1, wherein the step of converting the energy of the external energy source into electrical energy by reducing the capacitance of the capacitor and storing the energy in the capacitor is performed by the external energy source. A combination of at least one of a step of increasing a distance between electrodes of the capacitor, a step of decreasing a dielectric constant of a dielectric sealed between the electrodes, and a step of decreasing the electrode area. A power generation method characterized by the above-mentioned. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of converting the energy of the external energy source into electrical energy by reducing the capacitance of the capacitor and storing the energy in the capacitor comprises: A step of using a liquid as a dielectric sealed between the two, using thermal energy as energy of the external energy source, and heating the liquid with the thermal energy to partially or entirely convert the liquid into a gas. Power generation method. 4. The power generation method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of discharging said capacitor in which energy has been stored. 5. A capacitor, comprising: a DC power supply for storing charge in the capacitor; and an external energy source for providing energy to the capacitor in which the charge is stored, wherein the external energy source stores the charge. A power generator, wherein the energy of the external energy source is converted into electric energy by reducing the capacitance of the capacitor and stored in the capacitor. 6. The power generator according to claim 5, further comprising means for discharging said capacitor in which energy has been stored. 7. The power generator according to claim 6, wherein the external energy source is waste heat of an automobile engine, and the electric energy generated by discharging the capacitor is charged in the automobile battery. Power generator.