JPS6220680A - Power generator - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To generate the power in saving resources by installing a plurality of driving members which is made of shape memory alloy and can be extended and contracted, onto a transfer body, and shifting said transfer body through the driving members by heating and cooling these driving members in a part of a transfer passage. CONSTITUTION:A transfer body 6 in right circular cylinder form is fixed onto a rotary shaft 5 axially supported between the both side walls of a tank 2 in which cooling liquid 1 is stored, and the basic edge parts of driving members A(A1-Ai) are fixed onto the outer peripheral surface of the transfer body 6, keeping equal intervals in the peripheral direction. Shape memory alloy is used for each driving member A, and formed into coil form so as to extend in heating and contract in cooling, and a coil spring 8 is installed coaxially inside, and a roller 10 is rotatably installed at the free edge part. A cover 11 having a guide member 16 made of light transmittance material at a part is installed so as to surround these driving members A, and the driving member A positioned on the guide member 16 is heated by the solar light and extended, and therefore, a turning moment in the direction of arrow is generated.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a power generating device that uses a shape memory alloy to convert thermal energy into mechanical energy, which can be extracted as power.

BACKGROUND TECHNOLOGY It cannot be said that solar heat, industrial waste heat, domestic waste heat, etc. have been effectively utilized in the past, and it is also difficult to say that the combustion heat of various combustible substances has been effectively utilized. .

Problems to be Solved by the Invention It is desired to effectively utilize solar heat, factory exhaust heat, household exhaust heat, combustion heat of various combustible substances, and the like.

An object of the present invention is to provide a power generation device that generates power by effectively utilizing heat and converting the thermal energy into mechanical energy.

Means for Solving the Problems The present invention consists of a moving body movable in a predetermined moving direction and a shape memory alloy that is expandable and contractible in a direction crossing the moving direction of the moving body, the proximal end of which is connected to the moving body. Fixed to 1M
member, and a guide member having a guide surface extending in a direction intersecting the movement direction and the expansion/contraction direction and guiding the free end portion of the drive member, heating or cooling the drive member near the guide surface, thereby This is a power generation device characterized in that a free end of a drive member is pressed against a guide surface.

In a preferred embodiment, Kakeru! The power generating device is characterized in that a rotating body rotatable about an axis at least perpendicular to the moving direction is attached to the free end of the IJ member.

Further, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the power generating device is characterized in that the guide member is configured such that the guide surface is formed by a rotating body rotatable around an axis at least perpendicular to the moving direction.

Operation: The drive member is heated or cooled near the guide surface, and this presses the free end of the drive member against the guide surface, which extends in a direction that intersects the movement direction and the expansion/contraction direction. A component force is generated in the direction of movement of the member, and the moving body moves. This generates power.

Embodiment FIG. 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the section line (■--■) in FIG. A rotary shaft 5 is rotatably attached to the side walls 3, 4 of M2 in which a cooling liquid, for example water 1, is stored, about a horizontal axis. A right cylindrical moving body 6 is fixed to the rotating shaft 5. As shown in FIG. Drive members A 1 , A 2 , A 3 , A 4 are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the moving body 6 at equal intervals in the circumferential direction.
, A 5 , A 6 , A ? ...AiI... (hereinafter generally indicated by reference numeral A) has its proximal end portion fixed. The drive member A is connected to the movable body 6 as clearly shown in FIG.
A plurality (three in this embodiment) are arranged in line in the axial direction.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the driving member A and its vicinity.

The drive member A is formed in a coil shape, and a coil-shaped spring 8 is provided coaxially inside the drive member A. A base end of the spring 8 is fixed to the movable body 6. 1 between driving member A and spring 8!
The end portion is fixed to the bracket 9. Bracket 9 has
A row 210, which is a rotating body, is pivotally supported. The rotational axis of the row 210 is perpendicular to the rotational movement direction 7 of the movable body 6, or in other words, parallel to the rotation line of the movable body 6.

The drive member A is made of a shape memory alloy, and expands when heated and contracts when cooled. spring 8
spring biases the drive member in the direction of contraction. This shape memory alloy has a regular arrangement of atoms and a volume change of 0.5
Alloys that undergo a martensitic transformation of less than 10% have a shape memory effect that, when heated above the martensitic transformation temperature after removing an external force, return to the shape that was heat-treated under the conditions, i.e., the shape described above. have Furthermore, it has superelastic properties due to stress-induced martensite that is generated by applying stress even above the martensitic transformation temperature. As a specific shape memory alloy, Cu-Al
Ni alloy, Ti-Ni-1Ni-AI, Cu -
Zn, Au-Cd, AuCuZn
, Ag-Cd, etc., and β-phase alloys. Martensai lv! ! ! ! The force generated in the memory alloy when it is heated above temperature and reversely transforms into the memorized shape is much greater than the stress required for plastic deformation.

The moving body 6, the driving member A, etc. are covered with a cover 11 made of a light-shielding material, such as metal. This cover 11 has side walls 12.13 and a peripheral wall 14. An opening 15 opening outward is formed above the water 1 in the peripheral wall 14 .

This frontage 15 is made of a flat transparent material having translucency.
For example, the wood is cut by a guide member 16 made of lath or the like. Guide surface 1 facing inward of cover 11 of guide member 16
7 can contact the roller 10. This guide surface 17 is inclined so as to expand radially outward along the rotational movement direction 7 of the movable body 6. Surrounding wall 14 The cover 11 is therefore partially immersed in water 1 and its surrounding wall 14
An opening 18 formed in the cover 11 allows water 1 to flow into the cover 11. Therefore, the drive member A located below the liquid level of the water 1 is immersed in the water 1 and cooled.

During operation, the contracting drive member A1 reaches the position indicated by reference numeral A2 and, when heated by the light via the guide member 16, extends against the spring force of the spring 8. As a result, rotational power in the rotational movement direction 7 is generated in the moving body 6 . This means that driving member A3. The same applies to A4. When the drive member A4 passes through the aperture 14, it is no longer irradiated with light and therefore no longer heated, and passes through the position indicated by the reference numeral A5! ! ni sign A6. Submerge in water 1 as shown by A7. As a result, drive member A6. A? , . . . AI, . . . By repeating such operations, the movable body 6 rotates in the rotational movement direction 7.

The cover 12.13 is fixed to the side walls 3, 4 of [2. A generator 18 is arranged outside the tank 2 . This power generation 811
8 is driven by the rotating shaft 5. As the moving body 6 rotates as described above, the generator 18 is driven.

Therefore, thermal energy is converted into mechanical energy by the driving member A, and further converted into electrical energy by the power generation If118, thereby generating electric power.

In other embodiments of the invention, the rollers 10 may be casters. In the above embodiment, the opening 15 is located in the peripheral wall 14.
However, in another embodiment of the present invention, f
The guide member 1G may be formed on the ill walls 12 and 13, and in this case, the guide member 1G may be made of a light-shielding material.

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of another embodiment of the invention. In this example, M! A belt 21, which is an endless moving body, is wound around the roller 19 immersed in the water 1 and the roller 20 rotatably provided above the water 1. Drive members AI, A2 .・・・
The proximal ends of . . . , Ai, . . . are fixed. A roller 10 is attached to the free end of the drive member A. roller 19,
The axis of rotation of 20.10 is horizontal. The guide member 22 is
It has a shape that extends radially outward along the movement direction 7 over approximately 1/4 of the circumference of the roller 20 . The member 23 connected to the lower end of the guide member 22 is 'W! Extends to within 2.

The guide member 22 is made of a transparent or light-transmitting material, or alternatively a light-blocking material. By being irradiated with light from the direction of the arrow 24, the drive members A 2 and A 3
, A 4 are extended, thereby driving the roller 20 in the direction of movement 7 . Drive member A5 extended in this way
is immersed in water 1 and cooled as the belt 21 moves, and shrinks as shown by reference mark A;
It is irradiated with light again from the position indicated by 1 to A 2 , A 3 , and A 4 to be heated and expanded. In this way, rollers 19, 20 and belt 2
1 rotates and power is generated.

FIG. 6 is a developed view in the circumferential direction of a part of an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the embodiment, and FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment. Cover 2 made of light-shielding material
7 has a pair of 4928.29 and a peripheral wall 30.

In the peripheral wall 30 openings 31,32 are formed. End wall 28
, 29, a rotating shaft 33 is coaxially and rotatably supported.

A disc-shaped moving body 34 is attached to the rotating shaft 33 and is perpendicular to the axis thereof. The movable body 34 has drive members A11. made of a shape memory alloy arranged on both surfaces of the movable body 34 at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. A12; A21. A22:A31. A32;・
The proximal end portion of ... (hereinafter generally indicated by reference mark A) is fixed. The structure of such a driving member A is similar to that of the previous embodiment. At the tip of the driving member A, there are rollers lOa,
10b (hereinafter generally referred to as 10) is rotatably mounted. The axis of rotation of this roller 10 is parallel to the radial direction of the moving body 34. Inside the cover 27, a pair of guide members 35 are provided at intervals in the axial direction of the rotating shaft 33.
, 3.6 are arranged. The guide members 35 and 36 are fixed to the cover 27. Guide surface 37 of guide member 35
The roller 10a comes into contact with.

A roller 101+ contacts the guide surface 38 of the guide member 36. The guide surface 3 along the rotational movement direction 39 of the movable body 34
7.38 are guide surfaces 37a and 3 extending in the direction of separation from each other.
8a and a portion 37b that continues to the guide surfaces 37a and 38a.
, 38b, and guide surfaces 37c, 38c that are continuous with the guide surfaces 37b, 38b and are close to each other along the rotational movement direction 39 are formed, and further, guide surfaces 37d, 38d are continuous with the guide surface 37c=38c.

These guide surfaces 37a to 37d are generally designated by the reference numeral 37, and the guide surfaces 38a to 38cl are generally designated by the reference numeral 38, as described above. The guide surfaces 37a, 38a are arranged corresponding to the openings 31, 32, respectively. An insertion hole 41.42 through which the rotating shaft 33 is inserted is formed in the end plate 39.40 of the guide member 35.36.

In the opening 31, the moving member A is heated and expands, and the rollers 10a and 10b move toward the guide surfaces 37a and 38.
m, and as a result, a power in a rotational movement direction 39 acts on the movable body 34.

When the driving member A is removed from the aperture 31 and exposed to continuous light, the driving member A is cooled and reduced in size, and the guide surfaces 37b, 3
Roller 10a is guided in the order of 7e to 37d, and similarly roller tab is guided in the order of guide surfaces 38b, 38c and 38d. The same applies to the other opening 32. In this way, the moving body 34
Ha, Kakeru! l] Due to the extension movement of member A, it rotates in the rotational movement direction 39.

FIG. 9 is a developed view in the circumferential direction of still another embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 10 is a perspective view thereof, and FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment. This embodiment is similar to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6-8 described above, and corresponding parts are provided with the same reference numerals. It should be noted that in this embodiment, only one surface of the movable body 34 has drive members Al, A21. A31
．． ... (indicated by general reference numeral A) are attached, and rollers 10a are supported by these driving members.

The row 210a is offset radially outward of the moving body 34 with respect to the drive member A and is guided by the guide surface 38 of the guide member 36. Along the rotational movement direction 39 of the movable body 34, openings 31, 32 are formed in the cover 27, corresponding to the guide surfaces 38m that are inclined in directions away from each other.

The driving member A is heated and expanded by the light from the openings 31 and 32. Guide surface 38b connected to guide surface 38a
At this point, the driving member A is guided, cooled and contracted, and further guided to the guide surfaces 38c+38d. The reduced moving body is heated again in the openings 3t and 32 and expands. In this way, the moving body 34 moves in the rotational movement direction 3.
It is rotated by 9.

The moving body 34 has @! ? When one member A is extended, the guide surface 38
Due to the reaction force caused by a, the 11th
The thrust force in the upper part of the figure acts. In order to prevent the rotating shaft 33 and the movable body 34 from being displaced upward in FIG. 11, an E-ring 43 is attached to the rotating shaft 33 to prevent the rotating shaft 33 from being pulled out, as shown in FIG. 12. is installed.

The E-ring 43 is in sliding contact with the end wall 29 of the cover 27, thereby preventing the rotating shaft 33 from being displaced upward in FIGS. 11 and 12 in the axial direction by the reaction force of the guide surface 38m caused by the driving member A. Prevented.

In the embodiment described above, the heating region and the cooling region of the driving member A are fixed, and there is no need for a structure for alternately heating and cooling the driving member A, thus simplifying the structure.

In the embodiment described above, the roller 10 is provided at the free end of the drive member A.
Attach 10a and 10b and drive to the guide surface 17°37.38! Although it is possible to smoothly move the free end to the lJ member, in another embodiment of the present invention, rotating bodies such as ball bearings or rollers are attached to the guide surfaces 17, 37, 38, and these rotations are prevented. The body may be rotatable about an axis perpendicular to at least a predetermined movement direction of the movable body.

Effects As described above, according to the present invention, a power generation device that converts thermal energy into mechanical energy is realized with a simple configuration, and it is possible to effectively recover and utilize thermal energy that has not been used conventionally. becomes possible.

In addition to being used as a continuous power generator in remote areas where power sources are not available, the range of applications is innumerable, from industrial to household use.

Furthermore, since it can be converted into mechanical energy regardless of the fuel, whether coal or oil, it is extremely effective at a time when we are facing energy depletion.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken from the cutting plane an-n of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a driving member A.
An enlarged sectional view of the vicinity, Figure 4 is along the cutting plane line IY-1 in Figure 3.
5 is a vertical sectional view of another embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6 is a circumferential developed view of still another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a sectional view of another embodiment of the present invention. Perspective view of the illustrated embodiment, No. 8
The figures are an exploded perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, FIG. 9 is a developed view in the circumferential direction of another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
The figure is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, and FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG.
1. Exploded perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIGS.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 9-11. AI, A2. A11. AI 2. A... Drive member, 6
゜19.20,34--mobile object, 10.10a, 10
b-Roller, 16, 22, 35. 36... guide member,
17t37.38... Guide surface, II Fig. 3 Fig. 2 Fig. 5 Fig. 6 Fig. 7 Fig. 9 Fig. 10 Fig. 12 Fig. 11

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) A movable body movable in a predetermined moving direction; a drive member made of a shape memory alloy that is expandable and contractible in a direction crossing the moving direction of the movable body, and whose base end is fixed to the movable body; a guide member that extends in a direction intersecting the moving direction and the expansion/contraction direction and has a guide surface that guides the free end of the drive member; the drive member is heated or cooled near the guide surface, thereby causing the drive member to be driven; A power generating device characterized in that a free end of a member is pressed against a guide surface. (2) The power generating device according to claim 1, wherein a rotating body rotatable about an axis at least perpendicular to the moving direction is attached to the free end of the drive member. (3) The power generating device according to claim 1, wherein the guide member is configured such that the guide surface is formed by a rotating body rotatable around an axis at least perpendicular to the moving direction. .