HYBRID GENERATION SYSTEMS USING SOLAR AND WIND

ENERGY

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to solar power generation using a light collecting plate, wind power generation for operating a power plant by the pressure generated by a moving wind, or wave power generation for operating a power plant by means of a float using swells of the surface of the sea. Background Art

[2] The limited resources such as petroleum buried under the ground are expected to be exhausted in the near future, and various alternative energies are researched as a substitute of petroleum. Many techniques have been introduced, but they are not still put to practical use or mass production.

[3] Meanwhile, under the recognition that power generation using substantially infinite natural energy such as sun, wind and water is the most ideal alternative energy source, many techniques have been researched and introduced. As examples, a solar power generation technique that obtains electricity by collecting heat irradiated from the sun on a light collecting plate, a wind power generation technique that obtains electricity by means of vanes rotating by the force of the wind, and a wave power generation technique that generates electric power by upward/downward movement caused by swells of the wave are the alternative energy sources. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[4] The conventional solar power generation as mentioned in the above background art section requires a lot of area and costs in installing one installation and system, and a wind power plant facility generates power separately from the solar power generation, so a large area and huge facility costs are consumed for basic facilities for the wind power generation. Furthermore, since there was no means for integrated power generation using solar heat, wind velocity and wave power using the basic facilities, solar power generation is impossible in cloudy days and electricity is not produced by the wind or wave power plant if there is no wind and no wave. Thus, a power plant installed individually is seriously affected by the weather, not being complemented by other plants.

[5] Therefore, in case a solar, wind or wave power plant is installed individually as in the prior art, the power generation efficiency is lowered, which does not give any scheme to produce electricity by alternative energy in multi purposes.

Technical Solution

[6] Accordingly, the present invention is designed to solve the above problems of the prior art, and therefore an object of the invention is to provide an integrated power plant for generating solar heat, wind and/or wave at a place ensuring easy installation such as the seashore, mountain, the roof of a building or the like, which selectively integrates solar power generation, wind power generation and wave power generation depending on an installation spot so as to reduce installation costs that is huge for installing each facility.

[7] Another object of the invention is to provide an integrated power plant in which solar cell plates are stacked in multi layers or installed in multi rows in a power generation structure so as to be capable of tracking a trajectory of the sun for condensing solar heat more efficiently. Brief Description of the Drawings

[8] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an integrated power plant according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[9] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view showing "A" portion of FIG. 1;

[10] FIG. 3 is a side view showing the integrated power plant according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[11] FIG. 4 shows a wind power generation unit according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[12] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an integrated power plant according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[13] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the integrated power plant according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

[14] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an integrated power plant according to still another embodiment of the present invention. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[15] The present invention uses a basic fundamental facility required for solar power generation, wind power generation and wave power generation in two or more ways so as to utilize the nature to the maximum, thereby reducing huge installation costs caused by individual installation, and also light collecting plates are installed to a southern portion of the structure in multi layers and plural rows to be moved right and left according to a solar ray tracking sensor so that the maximum solar heat is irradiated thereto in one day.

[16] In addition, a wide surface of the solar power generation facility receiving the wind is gradually narrowed and bent toward the direction so that a whirlwind is generated by an input wind, and the wind power generated by vanes constructed in this way rotates a

blow installed at the center so that a power plant is operated.

[17] Moreover, an automatic control device such as a velocity sensor is distributively connected to an auxiliary power plant to selectively operate the auxiliary power plant according to strength of the wind, thereby scheming power generation, and the generated electricity is purified in a power control device for storage of electricity or supply of power. Mode for the Invention

[18] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[19] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an integrated power plant according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of "A" portion of FIG. 1, both of which show that a solar power generation unit and a wind power generation unit are installed to one structure.

[20] Referring to FIG. 1 first, the integrated power plant of the present invention is configured so that a solar power generation unit 10 composed of a plurality of light collecting plates 15 provided on a structure 2 in multi columns and multi rows is combined with a wind power generation unit 20 having a blow 24 provided at the top of the structure 2 and rotated by the wind.

[21] The plurality of light collecting plates 15 are installed to be inclined toward the south where the sun is positioned, and the light collecting plates 15 are movable right and left with tracking the position of the sun in consideration that the sun rises in the east and sets in the west, and also one side of the light collecting plates 15 is con¬ trollable up and down in consideration that the sun is positioned at different slopes according to the seasons.

[22] In order to track the sun, an average position of the sun in one day or one year may be input in advance or the sun ray may be tracked using a photosensor 3 as shown in FIG. 1 for automatic tracking.

[23] The configuration that the plurality of light collecting plates 15 may rotate at once is shown in FIG. 2 in more detail.

[24] Referring to FIGs. 1 and 2, the plurality of light collecting plates 15 are installed to a light collecting frame 11 separated from the structure 2 and spaced therefrom by a predetermined distance. As for their configuration, a horizontal shaft 12 traversing in a horizontal direction is rotatably configured in the light collecting frame 11, and a plurality of vertical shafts 13 formed perpendicular to the horizontal shaft 12 are configured so that their one ends are linked to the horizontal shaft 12 through a worm gear 14 and the other ends are supported by a shaft support 16 formed at the lower end of the light collecting frame 11. The light collecting plates 15 are fixed to the vertical

shaft 13 in plural.

[25] As for the operation using the above configuration, if a right/left operating motor

Ml of the light collecting plate 15 is operated as shown in FIG. 2, the horizontal shaft 12 is rotated so that the vertical shaft 13 connected thereto by means of the worm gear 14 is also rotated in linkage. As a result, the light collecting plate 15 is rotated right and left centering on the vertical shaft 13 according to the operating direction of the motor Ml.

[26] Thus, the light collecting plate 15 is movable right and left according to the position of the sun to receive more solar heat, thereby allowing to collect more energy.

[27] FIG. 3 is a side view showing the integrated power plant according to an embodiment of the present invention, which particularly shows the up/down operating structure of the light collecting plate 15.

[28] Referring to FIG. 3, the light collecting frame 11 is installed to be spaced apart from the structure 2 by a predetermined distance. The lower end of the light collecting frame 11 is supported and fixed to be rotated by a hinge 9a, and the upper end is configured so that a shaft gear 17 coupled to the structure is passed through it and screwed thereto. The shaft gear 17 is connected to a motor M2 via a helical gear 18.

[29] According to the above configuration, the shaft gear 17 is rotated normally or reversely through the helical gear 18 by operation of the motor M2, and an upper portion of the light collecting frame 11 screwed with the outer circumference of the shaft gear 17 is pivoted by a predetermined distance on the center of the hinge 19a installed in a lower portion. As a result, the upper portion of the light collecting frame 11 is moved up and down to be capable of changing an angle of the light collecting frame 11.

[30] Here, a positioning distance between the hinge 19a and the shaft gear 17 is varied according to the change of angle of the light collecting frame 11. Thus, the varying distance may be settled by installing the hinge 19b to the lower portion of the shaft gear 17.

[31] FIG. 4 shows a wind power generation unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[32] Referring to FIGs. 1 and 4, the wind power generation unit 20 has a blow 24 installed at the top of a blow shaft 21 to rotate the blow shaft 21. A wind vane 22 rotated along the wind direction and a twister 23 for generating whirls to give pressure and speed rapidly by the input air are installed out of the blow 24. The lower end of the blow shaft 21 is provided with an accelerating gear 25 and a power generator Gl generated therefrom.

[33] Meanwhile, one side of the accelerating gear 25 is provided with a speed sensor 26 for sensing a rotating speed of the blow 24 or the accelerating gear 25, and an auxiliary

power generator G2 selectively connected to any gear of the accelerating gear 25 via a clutch 27 to generate power, as described below.

[34] If the wind vane 22 is rotated toward the wind, the wind circulates in the twister 23 having large inlet and small outlet and bent in an arc shape, thereby injecting high pressure and high speed air toward the blow 24. The blow 24 having a plurality of rotating vanes like a water wheel rotates on the center of the blow shaft 21 by means of the air injected from the twister. This rotating speed is accelerated by means of the ac¬ celerating gear 25, thereby enabling to generate more power.

[35] At this time, if there is a fast wind due to the typhoon or the like, the rotating speed of the blow 24 is very high, which may need exchange of the power plant due to excessive power generation or deteriorate durability. Thus, the speed sensor 26 senses a rotating speed of the blow 24 or the accelerating gear 25, and the clutch 27 may be attached to operate the auxiliary generator G2 when an abnormal speed occurs.

[36] If the clutch 27 is connected to operate the auxiliary power generator G2, the power generator Gl and the auxiliary power generators G2 are operated to be capable of generating a more amount of electricity and also decelerate the rapid rotating speed of the accelerating gear 25 and give resistance thereto, thereby preventing breakdown or shortened life due to the rapid rotating speed.

[37] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an integrated power plant according to another embodiment of the present invention, in which a wave power generation unit is added to the integrated power plant composed of the solar power generation unit and the wind power generation unit.

[38] Referring to FIG. 5, a buoyancy tank 32 is provided to a lower end of a float frame

31 so that a wave power generation unit 30 may rise in the sea, and a ratchet shaft 33 is provided to connect facing sides of the float frame 31. A ratchet gear 34 axially installed to the ratchet shaft 33 is connected to a float 36 floating on the water via a lever 35.

[39] FIG. 5 schematically show the configuration of the wave power generation unit 30 for helping better understanding, but a plurality of ratchet shafts 33 may be installed and several ratchet gears 34 may be installed to one ratchet shaft 33.

[40] In the wave power generation unit 30 configured as above, if the float 36 moves up and down by swells of the wave, since the ratchet shaft 33 may rotate only in one direction due to the ratchet gear 34, the ratchet shaft 33 may pivot continuously and somewhat regularly if a large number of floats are installed, resulting in operating a power generator G3 linked to the ratchet shaft 33.

[41] Detailed structure of the wave power generation unit 30 is also disclosed in Korean

Patent Laid-open Publication No. 2003-0036503, filed by the applicant of this ap¬ plication on April 4, 2003, so it may as well be referred.

[42] Meanwhile, the float frame 34 installed on the surface of water is connected to a certain position of the structure 8 installed on the ground via a connector 37 so as not to be moved to a different position due to a tide. At this time, a joint (or, a universal joint) 38 may be installed to the connector so as to prevent the structure 2 from being broken down or receiving impacts due to the wave of the float frame 34.

[43] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the integrated power plant according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which power generation procedures of the solar power generation unit 10, the wind power generation unit 20 and the wave power generation unit 30 are illustrated.

[44] Referring to FIG. 6, thermal energy condensed from the light collecting plate passes through an electricity purifying device 40 by means of general solar power generation components. A rotating force of the blow rotated by the wind operates the power generator Gl to pass through the electricity purifying device 40, where the auxiliary power generator G2 is automatically operated to prevent overload due to the increase of a rotating speed and produce a large amount of electricity at the same time. The wave power generation unit 30 also makes the generator G3 be operated by means of one-directional successive pivoting by a ratchet gear to pass through the electricity purifying device 40. After that, integrated power generation is realized through a storage battery 41.

[45] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an integrated power plant according to still another embodiment of the present invention, in which a plant composed of the solar power generation unit and the wind power generation unit as in the embodiment of FIG. 1 is extended upward further to be formed in multi layers.

[46] That is to say, the integrated power plant of the present invention is not limited to those depicted in the drawings, but the integrated power plant may be formed in multi layers or arranged further side by side according to the area where the integrated power plant is to be installed.

[47] It would be understood that such modifications may be applied to the wave power generation unit. Industrial Applicability

[48] The present invention may manufacture an integrated power plant using a basic facility for each kind of power generation in two or more ways, which has required high installation costs and area for each facility, so as to obtain substitute energy of solar heat, wind and wave at a place that ensures easy installation such as seashore or mountain, thereby reducing costs. Furthermore, since a blow may be strongly rotated owing to the twister giving a whirlwind, the integrated power plant is suitably used in Korea where the wind is comparatively moderate. In addition, since wave power

generation is possible in the seashore, substitute energy in the nature may be efficiently used.