JPH0449685Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] [Industrial field of application] The present invention relates to a solar tracking device used in solar power generation systems, solar heat collection systems, and other solar utilization systems, especially those that change from moment to moment. This invention relates to a sunlight tracking device that tracks the direction of the sun and improves the efficiency of collecting sunlight.

[Conventional technology]

Solar power generation, which can be used inexhaustibly and free of charge, has been attracting attention as an alternative to oil and other depleted energies.

However, in this type of power generation system, the cost of silicon as a solar cell material is high, and its energy conversion efficiency is low at 10-15%, so the recovery period for the installation cost of the power generation device is several years. This was an extremely long process, and was a major factor hindering commercialization.

For this reason, in order to increase the energy conversion efficiency compared to the past, we are attaching a Fresnel lens or other light-concentrating mechanism to the front of the solar cell array, and we are conducting research and development on hybrid systems that aim to jointly utilize sunlight and solar heat. However, even if such a system were developed, the solar cell array would need to be equipped with a solar ray tracking device that can rotate to track changes in the direction of the sun's rays from sunrise to sunset. Needless to say, it is impossible to improve the essential light collection efficiency in any way.

The configuration of the tracking device includes, for example, installing a large number of solar cell arrays on a rotating pedestal that rotates in a horizontal plane, and rotating a plurality of optical sensors (photodiodes, etc.) that have angular differences in the rotation direction of the rotating pedestal. is installed on a pedestal, and detects a positional shift between the light-receiving surface of the solar cell array and the sunlight based on the difference in the amount of light received between the optical sensors, and while rotating the rotating pedestal to follow changes in the direction of the sunlight. There are devices that track sunlight. (Unexamined Japanese Patent Publication No. 58-193510, etc.) [Problems to be solved by the invention] However, in this prior art, a large number of solar cell arrays as well as support members for the solar cell arrays and other components are mounted on the rotating frame. However, since the rotating frame itself that supports these requires a certain level of strength, the weight burden of the rotating frame becomes extremely large, and the driving energy required to drive the rotating frame becomes considerably large. First, there was a problem in that it was not possible to improve energy conversion efficiency by that much compared to the increase in installation cost.

In addition, in the prior art, since the weight burden of the rotary frame is large, the support base that rotatably supports the rotary frame is also designed to be strong and to minimize the frictional resistance generated during rotation. This has disadvantages in that the mechanism becomes complicated, the overall size of the device increases, and the installation cost increases.

In order to solve the above-mentioned drawbacks, the present applicant has proposed a rotating pedestal on which a solar power utilization device is mounted, a support means for rotatably supporting the rotation mount, and a position between the light receiving surface of the solar power utilization device and the sunlight. The present invention proposes a technical means that includes a control means for controlling the rotation of the rotary pedestal by detecting a shift, and that the rotary pedestal is given buoyancy and is supported in a floating state so as to be positioned above the liquid surface.
(Patent Application No. 60-63340) As a specific rotation control means, as shown in FIG. The screw 4 is actuated by the output of the solar cell arrays 5 and 6 arranged with their light-receiving surfaces facing each other, and the rotary mount 2 is rotated to track sunlight, and then installed on the mount 2. The light collection efficiency of the solar cell array 7 is improved.

However, in the case of such a device, the rotation control means of the rotating mount for tracking sunlight is composed of the solar cell arrays 5, 6, the tarter 3, and the screw 4, and the rotation direction and rotational energy of the mount are This method is based on whether or not the pair of screws 4 are actuated or not depending on the output difference between the two screws 4, and the rotational force thereof, and has the disadvantage that the rotation control means requires a large number of parts and is wasteful in terms of energy.

The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to improve the above-mentioned drawbacks and provide a more efficient and low-cost solar tracking device.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a rotating pedestal on which a solar power utilization device is installed, a support means for rotatably supporting the rotation mount, and a support means for rotatably supporting the solar power utilization device. a control means for controlling the rotation of the rotary mount by detecting a positional deviation between the light receiving surface and the sunlight, the mount having a buoyancy and maintaining the floating state so that the sun is positioned above the liquid surface; In the optical tracking device, the rotation control means changes the rotation direction of a pair of solar cells installed with an angular difference in the rotation direction of the rotating mount, a driving means driven by the output of the solar cells, and the rotation direction of the mount. The rotating direction variable means is controlled by the amount of light received by the pair of solar cells.

[Effect]

By configuring the sunlight tracking device as described above, it is possible to drive the drive means with the output voltage of a pair of solar cells arranged oppositely to obtain rotation and energy for the rotatable pedestal, and also use the solar cells as a sensor. Since the rotation direction of the pedestal can be controlled by changing the rotation direction depending on the amount of light received by the pair of solar cells, the output voltage of the solar cells can be used without wasting it and rotational force can be obtained with one pump. It becomes an efficient and low-cost solar tracking device.

〔Example〕

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a side view of a sunlight tracking device that is an embodiment of the present invention. The same reference numerals are given to the same parts as in FIG. 4. Reference numeral 1 denotes a fixed shaft that stands upright on the bottom of the water and rotatably holds the rotary pedestal 2, and is stretched and erected by a wire 3 that is fixed to the bottom of the water.

The rotating mount 2 is loosely fitted to the fixed shaft 1 via a cylindrical fitting part 5 provided on the lower surface of the rotating shaft 4, and contains a swim bladder or other buoyancy forming means inside, so that it can maintain its horizontal position while maintaining the water surface. floating above.

A plurality of solar cell arrays 7 used for power generation and a pair of solar cell arrays 5 and 6 having a sensor function are mounted on the upper surface of the rotating frame 2, and at one end on the circumference of the rotating frame 2. A pump 8 is provided to pump up the water below the water surface on which the rotating pedestal 2 is floating and discharge it in an arbitrary direction, thereby rotating the rotating pedestal 2 around the fixed shaft 1. It is equipped with variable means 9. The drive source for the pump 8 uses the electromotive force generated by the solar cell array 7.

FIGS. 2a, 2b, and 2c are plan views for explaining the tracking operation of the sunlight tracking device of the present invention.

Multiple solar electrode arrays 7 used for power generation...
are arranged parallel to each other at a predetermined distance with an inclination toward the south at a predetermined angle, and the angle of elevation can be adjusted depending on the latitude of the location.

The pair of solar cell arrays 5 and 6 are arranged symmetrically about a latitude line S-N (north-south line) passing through the rotation axis 4, for example along the southeast direction and the southwest direction, with their light-receiving surfaces facing inward toward each other. It is set up.

The solar cell arrays 5 and 6 are mounted on a rotating frame 2.
A pump 8 is provided at an arbitrary position, for example, on the lower side of the outer periphery. In the figure, it is provided almost at the center of the solar cell arrays 5 and 6 for the sake of explanation, but it may be provided anywhere on the rotating pedestal 2, but it is easier to obtain rotational force in terms of energy if it is closer to the outer periphery.

The pump 8 is driven by the combined electromotive force of the solar cell arrays 5 and 6, takes in water from a water intake port 9, and discharges water to a drain port 10.
The drain port 10 has branched drain ports 10a and 10b as shown in FIGS. 2a, b, and c. A valve 11 for switching the drainage direction of the water taken from the pump 8 is provided at the center of the branch on either the drain port 10a side or the drain port 10b side. Switching of the valve 11 is performed by a control device (not shown) so as to control the amount of light received by the solar cell arrays 5 and 6. That is, if the amount of light received by the solar cell array 5 is A, and the amount of light received by the solar cell array 6 is B, then A>
At the time of B, the valve 11 closes the drain port 10b side, and A<
When B, the drain port 10a side is closed, and when A=B, the valve 11 is located at the center of the branch, and the drain ports 10a and 1 are closed.
The switching operation of the valve 11 is performed so that water can be drained to both the 0b and 0b.

Therefore, in FIG. 2a, when the sun rises from the east at sunrise, the pump 8 is driven by the combined electromotive force of the solar cell arrays 5 and 6 arranged along the southwest direction, and the solar cell array 5 ，
Since the received light amounts A and B of 6 are A>B, the valve 11 closes the drain port 10b. Therefore, as shown in the figure, water is drained from the drain port 10a, and the rotating pedestal 2 rotates in the direction of the arrow due to the water flow, and reaches the position where the amount of light received by the solar cell arrays 5 and 6 is equal, that is, the center of the solar cell arrays 5 and 6. Rotate to the position where the sun is, that is, to c in Figure 2. In FIG. 2c, since the sun is located at the center of the solar cell arrays 5 and 6, the valve 11 moves to the branch center of the drain port 10 as shown, and the water is drained to the drain ports 10a and 10b, so it rotates. The pedestal 2 is apparently stationary. Therefore, the solar cell array 7 on the rotating frame 2
solar energy is efficiently absorbed.

FIG. 2b shows a case where sunset is approaching and the sun is located in the southwest direction, and at this time, the amount of light received by the solar cell arrays 5 and 6 becomes A<B, so the valve 11 closes the drain port 10a. The water taken by the pump 8 is then drained to the drain port 10b, and the water flow causes the rotary pedestal 2 to rotate in the direction of the arrow, resulting in the state shown in FIG. 2c as described above.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the valve 11 is switched in accordance with the change in the position of the sun, and the water flow taken in by the pump 8 is varied and drained, so that the solar cell array 7 on the rotating pedestal 2 changes from sunrise to sunrise. It will always face the direction of the sun until sunset, making efficient use of solar energy possible.

As another embodiment, a motor 13 and screws 14a and 14b selectively driven on both sides of the motor 13 are provided in place of the tracking drive means consisting of the pump 8, drain port 10, and valve 11 in the above embodiment. It is also possible to control the rotation of the rotating pedestal 2 using a tracking drive means. (See FIG. 4) The motor 13 is driven by the combined electromotive force of the solar cell arrays 5 and 6, but the screws 14a and 1
4b is selectively rotated depending on the difference in the amount of light received by the solar cell arrays 5 and 6. That is, the driving force from the motor 13 is applied to the screws 14a, 14 so that when the amount of light received by the solar cell array 5 is large, the screw 14a is rotated, and when the amount of light received by the solar cell array 6 is large, the screw 14b is rotated.
The power is transmitted to b. Note that when the amounts of light received by both arrays are equal, the drive of the motor 13 may be stopped, or the screws 14a and 14b may be rotated simultaneously.

In both of the above embodiments, the tracking drive means is provided at a position approximately in the middle of the solar cell array used as a sensor. It may be provided.

[Effect of idea]

As described above, according to the present invention, since the rotating stand is placed in a floating state on the liquid surface,
The weight burden of the rotary pedestal can be reduced to almost zero, and as a result, the driving energy required to drive the rotary pedestal can be extremely reduced, resulting in a significant improvement in energy efficiency.

Further, since there is no weight burden on the rotating pedestal, the support means for rotatably supporting the rotating pedestal can also have a simple structure, and the installation cost can be significantly reduced.

Further, since one driving source such as a motor or a pump is provided as a means for controlling rotation, and the direction of rotation is determined by selecting or switching screws or valves, efficient tracking can be performed with fewer parts.

It has various effects such as

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 to 2 a, b, and c show a sunlight tracking device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 is a side view;
FIGS. 2a, 2b, and 2c are plan views for explaining the tracking operation. FIG. 3 is a plan view of a sunlight tracking device according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a plan view of the sunlight tracking device according to the prior application. 2... Rotating stand, 5, 6... Solar cell array,
8...Pump, 10, 10a, 10b...Drain port, 11...Valve.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] A rotating pedestal on which a solar utilization device is installed, a support means for rotatably supporting the rotating pedestal, and a rotation control of the rotating pedestal by detecting a positional deviation between a light-receiving surface of the sunlight utilization device and sunlight. In the sunlight tracking device, the rotation control means provides an angular difference in the direction of rotation of the rotation pedestal, in which the rotation pedestal has a buoyancy and is positioned above the liquid surface while maintaining a floating state. It consists of a pair of installed solar cells, a drive means driven by the output of the solar cells, and a means for varying the rotation direction of the mount, and the rotation direction variable means is controlled by the amount of light received by the pair of solar cells. A sunlight tracking device characterized in that it is controlled by