Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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POWER GENERATION DEVICE FLOATING IN THE AIR
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Fields of the invention
The present invention relates to a power generation device, and more
particularly, to a power generation device floating in the air and comprising
solar cells in large area and wind turbines.
2. Descriptions of Related Art
The types of conventional power station mainly are fossil-fuel power
station, nuclear power station and hydroelectric power station. The nuclear
power station can provide energy in low cost and high efficiency, but there
are
some concerns such as the radiation leakage, radioactive waste disposal which
if
they weren't dealt and handled properly, the damage to the environment and to
eco-system would be permanently irrevocable. The fossil-fuel power station
consumes maximum fuels to provide energy and cause global warming and air
pollution which it has been approved as a part of the factor so that it is
harmful
to the eco-system. Similarly, the hydroelectric power station is also harmful
to
the eco-system. The other method to produce energy, such as geothermal, cannot
be used generally limited to particular requirement like terrain condition.
The
solar power and the wind power can provide clean energy if compared with the
other power generation, however, they are limited to some conditions. For
example, installation of the solar power cells / panels and the relative
equipments require large area, and the efficiency is affected by the weather,
terrain, latitude and seasons. Furthermore, the efficiency of producing energy
is
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also limited to insolation so that no energy would be produced in night or in
rainy day and energy supply may not be steadily from season to season. The
other method to produce solar power is using "concentrate solar power system"
to gather lights into a beam by having mirrors or lenses and it might cause
light
pollution. The wind power plant is also limited to terrain and weather and
makes
noise while operating.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention can provide a power generation device that
floats in the air so as to improve the shortcomings mentioned above.
Generally, the low clouds are located up to 2000 meters from surface
disregard the altitude. The weather is more stable above the height. The
middle
and high clouds are formed less cloud and the sunlight can easily transmit
through the clouds. Hence, the sunlight located height over 2,000 meters could
be stronger and more stable no matter of clouds or terrain. Further, the
temperature would be decreases along with the increase of the height so that
the
temperature at higher position is lower than that the temperature on the
ground,
and the lower temperature could be helpful to increases the conversion of
sunlight into energy. Furthermore, dust in air would be getting less and less
as
per height increasing so that the sunlight is not likely to be shielded. In
other
words, if the solar power generation could be positioned in the air higher
than
2,000 meters from surface, the conversion from sunlight in to energy would be
much better than the conversion of the solar cell on the ground and the best
advantage would be no ground equipment needed.
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The solar power generation is also restricted by weather condition, it
means that the power generation is low in rainy days, in the night and season
from season. Luckily, if the wind power generation is placed in the air over
2,000 meters, the wind would be stronger and steadily so as to wind power
would be generated steadily and wind power generation would be not restricted
by weather condition or terrain. Therefore, if both of the solar power
generation
and the wind power generation could be placed together in the air more than
2,000 meters, the power generation efficiency will be stable and high no
matter
of daytime, night time, sunny days or rainy days.
The present invention relates to a power generation device floating in
the air, and comprises at least one lifting device, at least one connection
device
and at least one ground device. The at least one lifting device has a buoyant
unit
lighter than the air. Multiple solar cells are installed on the top portion of
the
buoyant unit, and wind turbines are installed on the lower portion of the
buoyant
unit. The at least one connection device is connected between the at least one
lifting device and the at least one ground device. The main functions of the
at
least one ground device are power alternation, power distribution and power
storage. The at least one ground device is connected with power supply network
in parallel so that power could be delivered to users thru the power network
from the ground device.
Preferably, the buoyant unit of the at least one lifting device can be an
airship. Plural gas-containing envelopes are aligned in similar way as the
partition in boat cabin. The gas-containing envelopes are fulfilled with gases
lighter than air and connected to each other. The at least one lifting device
is
powered and has a control or operation cabin.
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Preferably, the at least one connection device can be a cable which is
made of strong, durable and light material, and comprises multiple braids to
reinforce the strength and conductive wire inserted inside of the cable
centrally
so as to the conductive wire can be protected by the cable.
Preferably, the at least one lifting device are made of the plural
buoyant units aligned side by side in order to be lifted by having enough
surface
to obtain buoyant force. Multiple solar cells are installed on the top portion
of
the lifting device and wind turbines are installed on the lower portion of the
lifting device.
Preferably, a small buoyant device with an operating or pilot cabin is
used a fastener member and its' respectively connection device to connect the
connection device between the lifting device and the ground device so as to
send
workers/ staffs upward or downward between the lifting device and the ground.
Preferably, an adaptor is connected between the at least one ground
device and the at least one connection device. A cable is used to connected
between the adaptor and the at least one ground device. The at least one
ground
device is installed on the land and the adaptor is installed on the land or on
the
sea so as to the lifting device can fly in the air to avoid any crowded
object.
Preferably, the at least one lifting device has a device reflecting radar
waves, multiple warning lights and lightning strike protection system. The at
least one lifting device is located away from air flight paths to prevent
impact
from aircrafts. The lightning protection system prevents the device being
struck
from lightning.
The advantage of this present invention is able to lift heavily solar
cells/ panels in large area and wind turbines device in the air without
occupying
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too much space on the ground. The power generation efficiency is stable
without
being restricted to the weather conditions.
The present invention will become more obvious from the following
description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which
5 show,
for purposes of illustration only, a preferred embodiment in accordance
with the present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 shows the parts of the power generation device of the present
invention;
Fig. 2 shows that the buoyant unit of the lifting device is composed of
multiple gas-containing envelopes;
Fig. 3 shows that multiple lifting devices are connected to the ground
devices by using multiple connection devices;
Fig. 4 is a perspective view to show the lifting device of the second
embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 5 shows the lifting device and the buoyant unit of the present
invention, and
Fig. 6 shows that the lifting device is located above the sea.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to Fig. 1, the power generation device of the present
invention comprises at least one lifting device 1, at least one connection
device 2
and at least one ground device 3. The at least one lifting device 1 is
consisted of
at lease one buoyant unit 10 which is fulfilled gas lighter than air. Multiple
solar
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cells 11 are installed on the top portion of the buoyant unit 10, and multiple
wind turbines 12 are installed on the lower portion of the buoyant unit 10.
The
buoyant unit 10 can be an airship. For safety reason, plural gas-containing
envelopes 10 are aligned in similar way as the partition in boat cabin, and
the
gas-containing envelopes 100 are fulfilled with gases lighter than air and
connected to each other as shown in Fig. 2. The at least one lifting device 1
is
powered and has a control or operation cabin 13. The at least one connection
device 2 is connected between the at least one lifting device 1 and the at
least
one ground device 3. The at least one connection device 2 can be a cable
consisted of conductive wire inserted inside of the cable centrally. The main
function of the at least one ground device 3 are power alternation, power
distribution and power storage. The at least one ground device 3 connected
with
power supply network 30 in parallel. The at least one ground device 3 can
deliver power which is generated in the at least one lifting device 1 to users
31
thru the power supply network 30.
As shown in Fig. 3, the multiple lifting devices 1 are connected to the
multiple ground devices 3 by using multiple connection devices 2. The solar
cells 11 and the wind turbines 12 on the lifting devices 1 can generate power
and
then deliver the power to the ground devices 3 by the connection devices 2 in
order to alternate, distribute or/and store power. Then, the ground device 3
can
deliver the power to users 31 thru the power supply network 30. The extra
power
can be stored in the ground devices 3.
The present invent can lift heavy solar cells 11 in large area and the
multiple wind turbines 12 in the air and can be designed as per aerodynamic to
create enough buoyant force. As shown in Fig. 4 which is the second
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embodiment, wherein the lifting device l' is composed of multiple buoyant
units
10' aligned side by side to form mass surface in order to obtain buoyant
force.
The multiple solar cells 11 on a top case 101' of the lifting device 1', and
the
multiple wind turbines 12 on the lower case 102' of the lifting device 1'. The
shapes of the top case 101' and the bottom case 102' may be varied according
to
needs.
The lifting device 1 can be designed in one or more long oval shapes
or similar shape as per aerodynamic. The lifting device 1 can be fixed by the
one
connection device 2 in the air, and the lifting device 1 can be floated along
with
wind direction.
The lifting device 1 is powered and cooperated with propeller or
turbine system by using electric power or fuel and is contained a control or
operation cabin 13. The lifting device 1 is also installed balancing system
such
as tail plane or wings and a rotation device such as rudder to maintain
balance
and direction. The control or operation cabinet 13 allows the lifting device 1
to
be operated manually or controlled by wireless remote control, to move to
desired positions. The lifting device 1 can be maintained or guarded
automatically or by sending persons to the control or operation cabinet 13. A
person or people can be carried by a small buoyant device 4. As shown in Fig.
5,
the small buoyant device 4 is connected to ground by a connection device 40
such as a cable. The small buoyant device 4 is connected to the connection
device 2 by a fastening member 41 between the lifting device 1 and the ground
device 3. The small buoyant device 4 has a control or operation cabin 42. By
the
connection device 2 between the lifting device 1 and the ground device 3, and
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the small buoyant device 4 fastening to the connection device 2, the small
buoyant device 4 can be moved up and down to the desired positions.
The lifting device 1 has a device reflecting radar waves and multiple
warning lights. The lifting device 1 is located away from air flight paths to
prevent impact from aircrafts. The lifting device 1 also has a lightning
strike
protection system which prevents the device being struck from lightning.
The multiple solar cells 11 (solar panels) on the top portion of the
lifting device 1 are connected to each other in parallel or /and in series to
generate power in adaptable arrangement. The angular inclination of each solar
cell 11 can be pre-set according to the latitude position, height and the
average
sunlight angle. The inclination can also be controlled automatically by using
sensors to automatically sense sunlight to obtain the maximum efficiency. The
lifting device 1 has wind turbines 12 (wind power generator) at the optimal
positions and distances on the lower portion thereof The shape of the bottom
portion varies to the arrangement of the wind turbines 12, the purpose is to
distribute and guide the wind to each of the wind turbines 12 so as to obtain
the
maximum efficiency, and also keep the lifting device 1 in balance and stable.
If
the lifting device 1 is an airship in a long oval body, so that the wind power
turbines 12 can change their directions as per the wind direction when the
lifting
device 1 automatically changes its direction because of the wind.
The connection device 2 can be a cable which is made by strong,
durable and light material such as carbon fibers and comprises multiple braids
to
reinforce the strength and conductive wires inserted insider of the cable
centrally
so as to deliver power generated by solar cells 3 and wind turbines 12 to the
ground device 3. The conductive wire can be protected by the cable.
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The connection device 2 is controlled by the lifting device 1, when the
lifting device 1 is moved to proper position on the top of the ground device 3
and the lifting device 1 releases the connection device 2 to the ground, the
connection device 2 is then connected to the ground device 3 so as to connect
the lifting device 1 with the ground device 3. The cable of the connection
device
2 then can deliver the power generated in lifting device 1 to the ground
device 3.
The connection device 2 can also be used as a media of maintenance and supply
as shown in Fig. 5.
When the lifting device 1 needs to be maintained or has to move away
because of bed weather such as hurricanes/typhoons, the connection device 2 is
accommodated by the lifting device 1. After the situation is clear, the
connection
device 2 is sent to its original position to be connected with the ground
device 3.
This can also be used to replace a new lifting device 1.
The present invention can choose a proper position to set the ground
device 3 so as to be connected with the power supply network 30 in parallel.
The
lifting device 1 and the connection device 2 are manufactured in factory.
After
the lifting device 1, the connection device 2 and the ground device 3 are
finished
and pilot-run, the lifting device 1 can be lifted in the air on the way to the
ground device 3. The lifting device 1 releases the connection device 2 to
ground
in order to be connected to the ground device 3. The lifting device 1 is then
located above the ground device 3 at proper height (the lifting device 1 is
able to
adjust its height and position). The conductive wire of the connection device
2
then sends the power generated in lifting device 1 to the ground device 3. The
ground device 3 is connected with the power supply network 30 in parallel so
as
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' to send the power to the users 31. The extra power can be stored in the
ground
device 3.
The energy generated by the solar cells 11 is Direct Current (DC), and
the wind turbines 12 can generate Direct Currents (DC) or Alternative Currents
(AC), which means the AC must be converted into DC in order to be stored. In
case of power supply, the DC can be converted into AC in the ground device 3
so as to be connected with the power supply network 30 in parallel.
The arrangements of the wind power turbines 12 can be different ways
varied with the shape of the bottom portion of the lifting device 1 to
increase
working efficiency.
The adaptor 5 is connected between the ground device 3 and the
connection device 2. A cable 50 is connected between the adaptor 5 and the
ground device 3 as shown in Fig. 6. Therefore, the ground device 3 is set on
the
land and the adaptor 50 is set on the sea so as to float the lifting device 1
above
the sea to avoid from the crowd objects on the ground. The adaptor 5 can also
be
set to the remote places such as on the mountains or by the sea, and the
lifting
device 1 is positioned in the air of the remote places.
There are many different ways to provide enough buoyant force to lift
the heavy solar cells 11 in large area and the wind turbines 12, but after
considering the cost, the manufacturing technics, the installation method,
mobility and the positions that are located away from strong wind, the
lighter-than-air buoyant carrier is preferably chosen.
The use of the lighter-than-air buoyant carrier can carry significant
load. This method is matured over one hundred years and has been practiced
commonly for a long time, such as the airship in the world war one. The
average
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length of the airship is 220 to 250 meters and is able to carry over 15000
kilograms load. The airship can fly to 20000 feet high. The travel of the
airship
can across the Atlantic sea and the speed reaches 100 km/h. These records can
be easily achieved by using the modern technology. For example, for an area of
6000 square meters with 300 meters long and 200 meters width of the device of
the present invention, the silicone solar panels within 10 square meters can
provide electric power of lkW/h, such that the solar panels of 300m x 200m can
generate 6000 kW/h. For six hours of sunshine per day, the power generated per
year will be 6 x 6000 x 365= 13140000 degrees of electric power which is
0.39% of the amount of one thermal power generation plant. When added with
the power generated by the wind turbines, the total amount of power generated
by the turbines of the present invention as mentioned above will be more than
0.5% of the power generated from a mediate scale of thermal power generation
plant. In other words, 200 lifting devices 1 of the present invention can
replace
one mediate scale of thermal power generation plant.
For establishing a solar power generation plant that produces the
electric power equal to the electric power of a nuclear power generation plant
needs 6750 acres of solar panels, the area is 14 times of the area required
for a
nuclear power generation plant. Only 700km x 700 km area of solar panels is
needed to provide the electric power that is sufficient for the demand of the
whole world. The present invention does not occupy too many spaces, low cost
and the lifting devices 1 can stay in the air for 30 years, no fuel, no carbon
released, no conflict and totally friendly to the environment.
The height of the lifting device 1 of the present invention can be
controlled like the control of a submarine in the sea, so as to conveniently
access
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the lifting device 1 to maintain it, and also is convenient for moving the
lifting
device 1 to a desired position when being installed. During bad weather such
as
typhoons, hurricanes, thunder storms, the present invention can be retrieved
and
then installed again when the weather is better.
For a power requirement of 13140000 degrees of electric power per
year, the amount is equal to the amount of power generated by a small scale of
thermal power generation plant, needs 60000 square meters of solar panels.
Each square meter of the solar panels weight about 12.5 kilograms so that the
total weight of the required solar panels is 60000 x 12.5=750 tones. The
buoyant
force for a cubic meters of Helium is 1.05 kilograms. Assume that the total
weight including the solar panels is 10000 tons, 10000000 cubic kilograms of
Helium is needed. If the lifting device 1 comprises "n" cylindrical buoyant
units
connected in parallel, and each buoyant unit has the length of 350 meters and
the
radius of 30 meters. The volume of each buoyant unit is 30 x 30 x 3.14 x
350=989100 cubic meters. The number "n" will be 10.11. In other words, we
make the "n" to be 11, and the area occupied is 350 x 660 square meters which
provides sufficient buoyant force in this example. If the large area of the
solar
panels is difficult to be made, the large area can be divided into four
lifting
devices 1 and each lifting device 1 is 60 x (175 x 330) square meters.
Alternatively, four 60 x (180 x 350) square meters will be required if the
lifting
devices 1 required, and each lifting device 1 is composed of three parallel
cylindrical buoyant unit has the diameter of 60 meters and the length of 350
meters. The buoyant force is sufficient even if the lifting devices 1 are
added
with the wind turbines, each small scale of wind turbine weights about 10 to
20
kilograms.
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Technically, for the Zeppelin airship operating since 1910, the scale of
the airship has the length of 236.5 meters and the diameter of 30.5 meters.
The
Hindenburg airship is even bigger than the Zeppelin airship, and has the
length
of 245 meters and the diameter of 41 meters. The material and the technics of
today can easily build the lifting devices 1 with lighter weight and stronger
strength, such as the use of carbon fibers to replace alloy. The modern fluid
dynamics, aerodynamics and auto-control allow the modern airship being made
larger and more efficient.
Over 3000 meters, the cloud is less, the duration of sunshine is longer,
the wind is stable and the wind speed is faster so it is suitable for the
solar cells
11 and the wind turbines 12 to generate power over there. Both the solar cells
11
and the wind turbines 12 (in case of increasing power generation) can be
operated at the same time in daytime, only the wind turbines 12 operate during
the night time and the extra power can be stored for further adjustment.
Hence,
the power generation device of the present invention meets the requirements of
commercial operation.
The solar power generation directly converts sunlight into DC without
producing carbon dioxide and the DC can be stored.
A mass power generation in large scale can cause power lost during
power delivery, so, the multiple lifting devices 1 in different positions can
solve
the problem. The conventional method generates power with producing more
pollutants in separated locations. The present invention is able to generate
power
at separated areas without causing air pollution. The power loss can also be
reduced significantly.
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While we have shown and described the embodiment in accordance
with the present invention, it should be clear to those skilled in the art
that
further embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the
present invention.
