RU2382935C1 - Solar power plant with thermo-electric generator for navigation equipment devices - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: heating systems.

SUBSTANCE: invention refers to independent electric power supply devices of navigation shore-based and sea-based equipment devices as power source for charging the energy storage units (storage batteries) with thermoelectric conversion of solar power. Plant with thermoelectric generator is intended for visual devices of navigation equipment, includes light-optical device, independent electric power source (accumulator) and storage energy device with mechanism of its being connected to this source; at that, it is equipped with thermoelectric converter (thermoelectric generator) as charging device, which converts heat solar energy to electric one, and which is placed inside solar-heat collector, the functions of which are performed with optical device on the basis of Fresnel lens, which is rigidly fixed in caustic neck (focus) of solar-heat collector.

EFFECT: invention shall provide design simplification, increase in reliability, life time and operation process at sites with navigation equipment devices.

1 dwg

Description

Description of the invention

The invention relates to the field of electrical engineering, and in particular, to stand-alone power plants for the visual aids of navigation equipment (floating warning signs and coastal luminous signs) using the energy of the Sun.

Known means of navigation equipment (SSS) of various modifications and purposes that use the energy of the sun to power optical equipment and other consumers. All solar power plants of known SSS use the effect of photoelectron emission (photoelectric converters - solar panels), for example, a hydrometeorological buoy DB 4700 manufactured by the Norwegian company AANDERAA Data Instruments (information: INFOMAR Company www.infomarcompany.com). For power supply of light-optical and hydrometeorological equipment, this buoy is equipped with nine solar panels of 5.5 W each.

A significant drawback in the operation of this buoy is the external arrangement of solar panels on its body. For buoys used in freezing seas, this is unacceptable due to damage to solar modules by ice floes during periods of freezing and freezing.

In coastal navigation aids, the disadvantage of using solar panels is their orientation pattern. A classic in the northern hemisphere is the rigid orientation of the solar panels with their faces to the south at an angle of inclination equal to the latitude of the place. Due to this arrangement, solar radiation is maximally used only in the afternoon, and in the morning and evening hours the level of radiation received is significantly reduced due to the sharp angles of incidence of sunlight on the surface of the module. This fact, as well as the impossibility of using solar concentrators with this modular design of photovoltaic converters, makes the process of converting solar energy inefficient. In addition, the external location of the solar panels does not protect them from shading with snow and icing, as well as manifestations of vandalism.

Power plants are also known that use thermoelectric converters of thermal energy to electric energy, such as radioisotope thermoelectric generators - RTGs, for powering light-optic devices СНО.

The use of RTGs was recognized as negative due to adverse effects on human health and the environment. In accordance with Federal Law No. 187-FZ of December 23, 2003, RTGs located in the coastal zone of the seas of the Russian Federation are dismantled and disposed of.

These circumstances determine the development and creation of new, environmentally friendly, autonomous energy sources for a significant number of visual aids to coast and sea based.

The objective of the present invention is to provide an autonomous energy installation for aids to navigation, the operation of which is based on the conversion of thermal energy of the sun into electrical energy, and is designed to recharge the energy store that supplies the light source, as well as providing environmental cleanliness, reliability, durability, simplification of the operation of aids to navigation and capable of to protect the components of a solar power plant with a thermoelectric generator from external damage and manifestations of vandalism .

The task is achieved by the fact that in a solar power installation with a thermoelectric generator designed for the visual aids of navigation equipment, it contains a light-optical device, an autonomous power source (battery) and a rechargeable energy device with a mechanism for connecting it to this source. It is equipped as a recharging device with a thermoelectric converter (thermoelectric generator) that converts the thermal energy of the Sun into electrical energy and placed inside the helioconceptor, the functions of which are performed by an optical device based on a Fresnel lens, eliminating the need to use a tracking system for the visible movement of the Sun and allowing to refract and focus directed solar radiation irrespective of the position of the Sun in horizon and height and rigidly fixed in the neck sticks (focus) of the helioconcentrator.

The composition of any solar energy system with a thermoelectric generator (TEG) includes: the TEG itself with thermocouples, a concentration system of solar radiation (solar concentrator) and a system for tracking the visible movement of the sun.

The proposed device greatly simplifies this scheme, since it eliminates the tracking system, and the Fresnel lens performs the functions of the solar concentrator. Fresnel lenses used in aids to navigation are designed to refract the light flux of a light source placed at the focus of the diopter system and direct it along the optical axis, i.e. creating directional light output. The Fresnel lens also has the ability to reverse the action - directed solar radiation focuses behind the lens in the caustic. At the narrowest point of the caustic (caustic neck) is the practical focus of the optical system, in which the thermocouple TEG should be placed. When using the Fresnel lens, there is no need to monitor the Sun horizontally, and to take into account the altitude of the Sun changing during the day, the Fresnel profile, taking into account Allar’s proposal, is created so that at any time a certain part of the lens steps focus the sun's rays into the caustic neck, into which thermocouple.

The electricity generated by the TEG, a control system that includes a charge controller, is supplied to the energy storage device (battery or battery), which in turn provides electricity to the LED emitter (LED) in the dark.

The proposed technical solution is new, because from publicly available sources of information there is no description of such a solar energy system of aids to navigation, using thermoelectric generators.

The proposed technical solution has an inventive step, since it does not explicitly follow from published scientific data and known technical solutions that the claimed distinctive technical features of a solar power plant with a thermoelectric generator, when used, can significantly increase the reliability, durability and greatly simplify the operation of visual Aids.

The proposed technical solution is industrially applicable, since standard means of navigation equipment, traditional technologies for the manufacture of Fresnel lenses and thermoelectric generators, as well as standard equipment and devices for the modernization of these tools can be used for its implementation.

Implementation example

The drawing schematically shows a view and a basic block diagram of a solar thermal power installation of visual aids to navigation with the location of 7 proposed technical means inside its body and their structural connection.

This installation includes: an LED emitter 1, interfaced with a control system 4 with an energy storage device (battery) 5, a focusing Fresnel lens 2, a thermoelectric converter with a thermocouple block 3 that transfers electric energy through a control system 4 to an energy storage device (battery) 5 and a light sensor 6, which gives a signal to the control system 4 to turn on the LED emitter 1 at dusk and turn it off at dawn.

The work of a solar power plant with a thermoelectric generator is as follows. With the rising of the sun, the light sensor 6 sends a signal to the control system 4, which turns off the LED emitter 1. From this moment, the process of energy storage in the energy storage (battery) starts 5. Directional solar radiation (the drawing schematically shows the position of the Sun at sunrise / sunset, at noon and morning / evening time) it is refracted and focused by certain steps of the Fresnel lens 2 into the caustic neck (focus), in which the center of the block of thermoelements of the thermoelectric generator 3 is located. bathroom solar energy with thermoelectric generator 3 is supplied to the control system 4, which includes the charge energy storage controller (storage battery). The controller regulates the charge process of the drive and provides its protection against overcharging.

With the sunset, the light sensor 6 sends a signal to the control system 4, which includes a flashlight, which turns on the LED emitter 1 and its operation with the specified characteristics. The power supply of the LED emitter comes from the energy storage device (battery) 5.

The technical and economic efficiency of the claimed device is to significantly increase the environmental friendliness, safety, reliability and simplification of the operation of visual aids, as well as high vandal resistance, due to the internal arrangement of the elements of the device. Thanks to the proposed distinguishing features of the claimed invention, a significant reduction in financial costs for maintenance of aids to navigation is provided.

Claims (1)

A solar power plant with a thermoelectric generator, designed for the visual aids of navigation equipment, containing a light-optical device, an autonomous power source (battery) and a rechargeable energy device with a mechanism for connecting it to this source, characterized in that it is equipped with a thermoelectric converter (thermoelectric as a charging device) generator), which converts the thermal energy of the sun into electrical energy and is placed inside of a lyoconcentrator, whose functions are performed by an optical device based on a Fresnel lens, eliminating the need to use a tracking system for the visible movement of the Sun and allowing refracting and focusing directed solar radiation regardless of the position of the Sun across the horizon and height and the helioconcentrator rigidly fixed in the caustic neck (focus).

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