JPH0116993B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION This invention has a plurality of independent air chambers whose internal air pressure fluctuates due to the wave force generated on the water surface, and the reciprocating motion of the air flow in each air chamber due to the vertical movement of the waves. The present invention relates to an air circulation type wave power generation device using an air turbine, which is equipped with a valve mechanism that rectifies the flow of water in a fixed direction.

As is well known, when using wave energy for power generation, important issues include measures such as smoothing output power due to wave irregularities, safety protection against abnormal waves, and loss reduction using valve mechanisms.

1 and 2 show conventional wave power generation devices, respectively, with FIG. 1 showing an example of a fixed caisson type, and FIG. 2 showing an example of a buoy type. That is, in FIG. 1, numeral 11 is an embankment installed in the sea, and this embankment 11 is provided with an air chamber 12 communicating with the sea. This air chamber 12
A generator 15 driven by an air turbine 14 and a valve 13 communicating with the outside air are installed in the . In such a configuration, if the wave surface W falls as shown by the dotted line, the outside air is guided into the air chamber 12 through the valve 13 as shown by the arrow shown by the dotted line, and if the wave surface W rises as shown by the solid line. , the air in the air chamber 12 flows through the air turbine 14 as indicated by the solid line arrow.
is driven and discharged to the outside. Such a wavefront W
The air turbine 14 is driven by the air flow generated by the change in the air current, and the generator 15 generates electricity.

Further, in FIG. 2, reference numeral 21 is a floating body moored on the sea surface, and this floating body 21 is provided with air chambers 22 and 23 whose bottom portions communicate with the sea. The air chambers 22 and 23 are communicated with each other via an air turbine 24 and a generator 25.
23 are provided with valves 26 and 27, respectively. Therefore, air flows shown by dotted lines and solid lines are generated in accordance with changes in the wave surface W, and the air turbine 24 is driven by the air flows, so that the generator 25 generates electricity.

However, in conventional wave power generation devices such as those described above, the airflow caused by pressure fluctuations occurring in the air chamber is directly supplied to the air turbine, so the output power from the generator is reduced in response to irregularities in the waves. The problem is that it fluctuates greatly. Therefore, a problem arises in that a large-capacity, ie, large-sized generator must be used in anticipation of the instantaneous maximum generated power. Furthermore, in the event of abnormal waves, there is a risk that seawater may enter the air turbine or generator. Furthermore, since it is a unit type, miscellaneous expenses such as equipment costs are high, and there is also the disadvantage that it is economically disadvantageous.

This invention was made in consideration of the above circumstances, and it utilizes the phase difference of waves to stabilize output power, centralizes air energy, and suppresses increases in the number and capacity of turbines and generators. The object of the present invention is to provide an extremely good air circulation type wave power generation device that can generate power efficiently.

Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In Figure 3, 31,
32 and 33 are air chambers whose bottoms are connected to the sea. These air chambers 31, 32, 33
are positive pressure check valves 34, the details of which will be described later, respectively.
35 and 36, and a negative pressure check valve 38, the details of which will be described later.
It communicates with the negative pressure side air passage 41 via 39 and 40. An air turbine 42 is provided at the connecting portion between the positive pressure side air passage 37 and the negative pressure side air passage 41.
A power generation device 44 consisting of a generator 43 and a power generator 43 is installed.

According to such a configuration, for example, if the sea level W1 near the air chamber 31 rises above the steady state (the position indicated by the dotted line) and the sea level W3 near the air chamber 33 falls below the steady state, the inside of the air chamber 31 The air pressure in the air chamber 33 increases and the positive pressure check valve 34 is opened, while the air pressure in the air chamber 33 decreases and the negative pressure check valve 40 is opened. Therefore, the air is rectified and flows in one direction from the positive pressure side air path 37 toward the negative pressure side air path 41, as indicated by the arrow in the figure, and is supplied to the air turbine 42.
Then, the air turbine 42 is driven, and the generator 4
Power generation is performed by 3.

Therefore, according to the configuration of the above embodiment, air flow is always supplied to the air turbine 42 in a constant direction, and the air in the positive pressure side air passage 37 and the negative pressure side air passage 41 provides a buffering effect. , generator 4
It is possible to average the output power from 3. In addition, each air chamber 31 due to the phase difference of waves,
Since the interaction between pressure increase and pressure reduction within the air turbines 32 and 33 is utilized, the air turbine 42 can be efficiently driven even in response to small waves. In this case, it is more effective to install each air chamber 31, 32, 33 in accordance with the wavelength, wave direction, etc.

Furthermore, by consolidating air energy, the capacity and number of the air turbine 42, generator 43, etc. can be reduced. Furthermore, since the power generation device 44 is installed separately from each of the air chambers 31, 32, and 33, it is possible to prevent seawater from entering the power generation device 44 during abnormal waves.

Here, if the volume of the positive pressure side air passage 37 and the negative pressure side air passage 41 is insufficient with respect to the volume of each air chamber 31, 32, 33, and the fluctuation of the output power is large, as shown in FIG. In addition, an air tank 45 may be provided in the positive pressure side air path 37. In this way, the excess air sent out from each air chamber 31, 32, 33 is accumulated in the air tank 45, and in the case of surging or small air flow rate, the air tank 45
Air can be supplied to the air turbine 42 from 5.

Here, the positive pressure check valves 34, 35,
36 and negative pressure check valves 38, 39, 40, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the check valve 4
6-48 and 49-51 are used. For example, when explaining the water stop valve 46, the upper part of the container 53 containing water 52 is
A pipe 55 communicates with the positive pressure side air passage 37 via a pipe 54 and also communicates with the air chamber 31.
is immersed in the water 52. And container 5
Since the ratio of the opening area of the lower part of the pipe 55 in the chamber 31 and the internal area of the container 53 excluding the pipe area is different, when the air pressure in the air chamber 31 increases, air flows out to the positive pressure side air path 37, and the air pressure decreases. When this occurs, air in the positive pressure side air passage 37 is prevented from flowing into the air chamber 31.

By using such non-return valves 46 to 51, energy loss due to valve failure can be reduced compared to when using a mechanical valve mechanism, and
This can extend the life of the valve.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the air tank 45 provided in the positive pressure side air path 37 may be one whose internal volume can be increased or decreased using water. In this way, unbalanced air energy can be effectively temporarily stored, efficiency and output can be improved, and the air flow rate supplied to the air turbine 42 can be further stabilized, resulting in output power. can be smoothed.

Here, FIGS. 7 and 8 show an example of implementation when used in a multidirectional fixed type wave power generation device of the present invention. That is, this is the base 5
6, a plurality of air chambers 57 for converting wave energy into air energy are arranged in a substantially arc shape, and walls 58, 5 are arranged concentrically with the air chambers 57 on the outside.
9 and 60 are formed, a positive pressure side air passage 61, a negative pressure side air passage 62, an air tank 63 and an air turbine chamber 64.
are formed respectively. And each air chamber 5
7 and the positive pressure side air passage 61 and the negative pressure side air passage 62, a positive pressure water stop valve 65 and a negative pressure water check valve 66 are provided. Therefore, when the air pressure in the air chamber 57 increases, air flows into the positive pressure side air passage 61 via the positive pressure water check valve 65.
When the air pressure in the air chamber 57 decreases, air flows into the air chamber 57 from the negative pressure air path 62 via the negative pressure check valve 66 . Furthermore, an air turbine 67 and a generator 68 are installed within the air turbine chamber 64.

Then, as shown by the arrow in Fig. 7, the air is
It flows into the negative pressure side air path 62 via the positive pressure side air path 61, the air tank 63, and the air turbine chamber 64. Therefore, the air turbine 64 is driven to generate electricity in the same manner as described above.

In this case, the air chamber 57, the air turbine 67, the air passages 61, 62, the valves 65, 66, etc. must be well matched, but in the case of coastal wave utilization, the valves 65, 66 must be adjusted to the submerged depth. is about 1 to 10 cm, and the aperture ratio is preferably about 3 to 10.

Note that this invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and can be widely applied to fixed and floating air turbine systems, and may also be used in combination with coastal facilities such as breakwaters, etc., without departing from the gist of the invention. It can be implemented with various modifications.

Therefore, as detailed above, according to the present invention, it is possible to stabilize the output power by utilizing the phase difference of waves, and to centralize air energy to suppress the increase in the number and capacity of turbines and generators. , it is possible to provide an extremely good air circulation type wave power generation device that can generate electricity with high efficiency.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1 and 2 are respectively configuration diagrams showing a conventional wave power generation device, FIG. 3 is a side view showing an embodiment of the air circulation type wave power generation device according to the present invention, and FIG.
The figure is a side view showing a modification of the same embodiment, FIGS. 5 and 6 are side views showing details of the valve and air tank used in the same embodiment, and FIGS. 7 and 8 are respectively views of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of implementation when used in a multidirectional fixed wave power generation device. 31-33...Air chamber, 34-36...Positive pressure check valve, 37...Positive pressure side air path, 38-40...
Negative pressure check valve, 41... Negative pressure side air path, 42...
Air turbine, 43... Generator, 44... Power generator, 45... Air tank, 46-51... Non-return valve,
52... Water, 53... Container, 54, 55... Pipe, 56... Base, 57... Air chamber, 58-60
...Wall, 61...Positive pressure side air path, 62...Negative pressure side air path, 63...Air tank, 64...Air turbine chamber, 65...Positive pressure check valve, 66...Negative pressure check Water valve, 67...air turbine, 68...generator.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A plurality of independent air chambers whose bottoms communicate with the water and whose internal air pressure fluctuates due to wave force generated on the water surface; A plurality of first and second air passages that guide air flows generated in response to increases and decreases in internal air pressure, and a sealed first air passage installed corresponding to each of the plurality of first air passages. a container, water sealed in the first container and in which an end of the first air passage is immersed, and a first air passage communicated with the first container, than the opening area of the portion of the first air path that is immersed in the water,
widening the surface area of the water excluding the opening area,
When the air pressure inside the air chamber is increased, it is in an open state to generate an air flow from the first air path to the first air flow path, and when the air pressure inside the air chamber is reduced, it is in a closed state. The first
a plurality of positive pressure check valves for blocking air flow from the air flow paths to the first air path; a sealed second container with which the air passage is communicated; water sealed in the second container; and a second air passage whose end is immersed in the water; The surface area of the water excluding the opening area is made larger than the opening area of the part of the second air flow path that is immersed in the water, and the air chamber becomes open when the air pressure inside the air chamber is reduced. ,
An air flow is generated from the second air flow path to the second air path, and when the air pressure inside the air chamber is increased, the air flow is closed, and the second air flow is caused to flow from the second air path to the second air path. A plurality of negative pressure check water valves that block air flow to the flow paths are in communication with each first air flow path of the plurality of positive pressure check water valves, and air flows out from each of the first air flow paths. A positive pressure side air passage that synthesizes and guides the air flow that is caused by the negative pressure, and each second air passage of the plurality of negative pressure check valves communicates with each other, and the air flow that flows into each of the second air passages. a negative pressure side air passage that guides the negative pressure side air passage; and a sealed chamber that is isolated from outside air and connects the positive pressure side air passage and the negative pressure side air passage and guides the air flow of the positive pressure side air passage to the negative pressure side air passage. a turbine installed in the room and driven by an air flow guided from the positive pressure side air path to the negative pressure side air path; and a generator installed in the room and driven by the turbine. The air flow generated in accordance with the increase/decrease in air pressure generated inside the plurality of air chambers returns to the plurality of air chambers via the positive pressure side air path, the chamber, and the negative pressure side air path. An air circulation type wave power generation device characterized in that the air circulation type wave power generation device is configured so that the air is circulated.