JP2001278183A - Buoy - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a buoy capable of observing and transmitting information while generating electric power stably and independently for a long period of time without being influenced by weather. SOLUTION: In this buoy provided with a solar battery device, a fuel cell device and a storage battery inside a body, electric power is generated by the solar battery device when there is sunshine and generated by the fuel cell device when there is no sunshine or little sunshine, and generated electricity is stored in the storage battery. Using this electric power, the buoy floats on the water of the sea, a lake or the like to transmit signals and emit indicator light. In this case, hydrogen fuel supplied to the fuel cell device is obtained from electrolysis of water, so that the buoy can stably observe and transmit information for a long period of time.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention is generally used as a navigational sign for a ship that emits light to notify its own position, or is used as a floating sign, as well as for sea phenomena such as tidal current and water temperature, pressure, and so on.
The present invention relates to a buoy used as a device for observing weather such as temperature and wind direction and speed and transmitting the information, and floating on water such as the sea or a lake.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A buoy is a device having various purposes.
Equipment that suits its purpose, such as light-emitting devices and observation devices, is installed, and the equipment is unique without the need for human intervention and can be used continuously for a long period of time under severe external conditions such as weather. It is desirable to achieve the purpose by operating with.

[0003] Conventionally, as a power supply method for equipment such as a light emitting device and an observation device mounted on this kind of buoy,
The purpose of a buoy is to store electricity generated by each method in a storage battery, supply electricity to various devices from the storage battery and operate the devices in that device, including solar cells, wave power and wind power generation. (For example, refer to Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-223583).

[0004]

As described above, a buoy is a device having various purposes, and equipment suitable for the purpose is unique without the need for human intervention, and is subject to severe external conditions such as weather. Among them, the objects cannot be achieved unless they operate continuously for a long time. For that purpose, a stable power supply is required.

[0005] However, the conventional power supply method mounted on a buoy has the following problems.

[0006] In the power supply method using a solar cell, rainy weather,
When the sunlight is scarce and the sunshine time is short, such as in cloudy weather or at night, or when the sun is not coming out, the power generation function cannot be sufficiently exhibited. In addition, in order to secure sunlight, solar panels with an area proportional to the required power generation must be installed at locations where sunlight can be easily absorbed, and the buoy becomes unnecessarily large and the buoy design is Therefore, it is greatly restricted.

In the power supply method using wave power and wind power, power is generated by using the movement of the water surface and the buoy swaying due to wind power. Therefore, when the waves are gentle and there is no wind, the power is generated. That is, the function cannot be fully exhibited. Such cases may be rare at sea, but especially in inland lakes and ponds, there are many waves and almost no wind, and buoy functions may not be able to be fully performed. In addition, in order to make the buoy shake, it is necessary to make it a moderately unstable shape with respect to the water surface and to provide a wind receiving surface, and again the buoy becomes unnecessarily large and the buoy design is Overly restrictive.

As described above, in the conventional power supply method mounted on a buoy, even if an attempt is made to continuously supply stable power, the power cannot be supplied due to external force majeure such as weather. In some cases, the buoy itself cannot fulfill its role.

The present invention solves such a conventional problem. By supplying stable electric power without being influenced by external conditions such as weather, the installed equipment can be continuously operated for a long time. It is an object of the invention to provide a buoy which operates and therefore can perform its assigned function stably and for a long period of time.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a buoy which can be formed into a stable shape suitable for the intended purpose without being excessively restricted in a design shape by a mounted power supply method.

[0011]

Means for Solving the Problems The buoy of the present invention is basically a buoy for transmitting a floating signal or emitting a sign on a water such as a sea or a lake. The supply is performed by a fuel cell system in the main body.

Another means is a buoy for transmitting a floating signal, indicating light, and the like on the water such as on the sea or on a lake. The buoy performs the power supply by using a fuel cell system and a solar cell device housed in the main body. It is like that.

Another means is that in a buoy which uses a fuel cell system and a solar cell device incorporated in a main body as a power supply device, the electric power generated by the solar cell device is used for electrolysis of water. Hydrogen obtained by electrolysis of water is used as fuel for the fuel cell system.

According to the present invention, it is possible to supply a stable electric power irrespective of external conditions such as weather by the above-mentioned operation, and to continuously operate the mounted equipment for a long period of time. It can provide a buoy that can stably fulfill its role for a long period of time.

Further, as another means, it is basically a vertically long, substantially cylindrical shape having a plurality of upper and lower watertight layers.

In addition, it has a vertically long, substantially cylindrical shape, and its interior is vertically partitioned into three layers, an upper layer, a lower layer, and a bottom layer. Observation and information communication equipment are arranged in the upper layer, and power is supplied to the lower layer. A buoy is provided in which a supply device is provided, a hydrogen generator for generating hydrogen by electrolysis of water is provided in the bottom layer portion, and the built-in material is made heavier as it goes to the lower layer.

According to the present invention, as described above, it is possible to provide a buoy having a stable shape which does not move excessively as floating on the water.

As another means, there is provided an electric power supply device in which a fuel cell system itself is housed in a buoy or the like floating on water, such as on the sea or on a lake, wherein hydrogen obtained by electrolysis of water is used as fuel. Fuel cell system.

A power supply device used in a buoy or the like floating on water, such as on the sea or on a lake, for use in generating water by electrolyzing water using electric power generated by a solar cell device. This is a fuel cell system that generates electricity using the fuel as a fuel.

According to the present invention, as described above, the fuel cell system itself can continuously supply stable electric power to the mounted equipment for a long period of time, so that each equipment can stably perform its assigned function. And can be fulfilled for a long time.

[0021]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention relates to a buoy for transmitting a floating signal, indicating light, and the like on the water such as on the sea or on a lake, in which power is supplied by a fuel cell system in the main body. Regardless of weather conditions, the fuel cell system can generate power and supply power to the equipment.

Also, a buoy for transmitting a floating signal or emitting a sign on the water such as on the sea or on a lake, using a fuel cell system in which power is supplied in a main body and a power supply device other than the fuel cell system in combination. The power supply device other than the fuel cell system is a solar cell device.

According to the present invention, regardless of weather conditions, power can be generated by the fuel cell system to supply power to the equipment, and even if the fuel cell system breaks down, for example, it is maintained until it is maintained. Other power supply,
For example, power can be supplied by a solar cell device.

Also, a buoy using hydrogen obtained by electrolysis of water as a fuel of a fuel cell system, or a solar cell device, a fuel cell system and a storage battery provided inside a main body and a solar cell device when there is sunshine, When there is no or poor sunshine, the buoy floats on water, such as on the sea or on a lake, which generates power using a fuel cell system, stores the generated power in a storage battery, and uses this power to transmit signals, emit signs, etc. A buoy characterized in that hydrogen fuel supplied to the fuel cell system is obtained by electrolysis of water, or a buoy combining a fuel cell system and a solar cell device incorporated in a main body as a power supply device, The power generated by the battery device is used for electrolysis of water, and the hydrogen obtained by the electrolysis of water is used as fuel for a fuel cell system. It is obtained by the.

In this way, hydrogen, which is the fuel of the fuel cell system, is secured for a long time from the water abundant around the buoy.

Also, a buoy having a vertically elongated substantially cylindrical shape and having a plurality of watertight layers vertically, or a vertically elongated substantially cylindrical shape having a plurality of vertically sealed watertight layers, and the weight of the built-in components of the watertight layer is reduced. , A buoy that is heavier in the lower layer, or a vertically long, substantially cylindrical shape, dividing the interior vertically into three layers: an upper layer, a lower layer, and a bottom layer. And a power supply device in the lower part,
A hydrogen generator that generates hydrogen by electrolysis of water is arranged in the bottom layer, and the buoy is made heavier in the lower layer.

In this way, the center of gravity always exists at the bottom with the buoy floating in the water.

Also, there is provided a power supply device used in a buoy or the like floating on water, such as on the sea or on a lake, which is a fuel cell system using hydrogen obtained from electrolysis of water as a fuel, or on a sea or on a lake. A power supply device used inside a buoy or the like floating on water, etc., which generates hydrogen by electrolyzing water using the power generated by a solar cell device and generates hydrogen as fuel, and generates fuel using this fuel cell system The hydrogen fuel of the fuel cell is obtained from the abundant water around the buoy.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0030]

(Embodiment 1) As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2,
The buoy main body 1 has a substantially cylindrical shape in which the upper and lower parts are hermetically sealed, and a light emitting device 2 such as a light bulb or LED having a waterproof structure, a receiving antenna 3 and a transmitting antenna 4
There is one each. (However, one antenna may be used for both transmission and reception or when a buoy is unnecessary.) The antennas 3 and 4 are hardly rusted and deteriorated by stainless steel wire or the like so as not to bend or bend by rough waves or strong winds. The buoy main body 1 is fixed to the buoy main body 1 by a fixing member 5 made of a material which is difficult to be processed. Handles 6 are provided at two places on the outer upper side of the buoy main body 1 and are used for carrying at the time of manufacture and maintenance. At the bottom of the buoy main body 1, the buoy main body 1 is also used at the time of manufacture and maintenance. 7 for setting the machine in a stable state
Is provided. A connecting ring 8 is provided at the center of the lowermost part, and is connected to a metal or concrete anchor 10 submerged on the seabed 9 by a mooring line 11 such as a metal chain or a resin rope.

On the other hand, the interior of the buoy main body 1 is divided into two layers, an upper layer portion 12 and a lower layer portion 13, and each layer is kept watertight. In the upper part 12, equipment 14 for achieving the purpose of the buoy, such as atmospheric pressure, sunshine, temperature,
Observation equipment for observing weather information such as wind direction and wind speed, rainfall, tides, water temperature, water pressure (by a water pressure sensor attached to the seabed anchor), and wave height etc. to communicate the observed information to the base Contains information and communication equipment.

The lower device 13 includes the equipment 1 of the upper device 12.
The power supply device 15 that supplies energy to the power supply device 4 is housed therein, and is electrically connected to the device device 14 in the upper layer portion 12 by a lead wire or the like.

In the above description, care must be taken so that the lower layer portion 13 is heavier than the upper layer portion 12. If the weight cannot be adjusted by the equipment, etc., a weight will be added.

The power supply device 15 mainly includes a fuel cell system 16 and a storage battery 17. After the storage battery 17 is once charged with the electricity generated by the fuel cell system 16, a stable capacity of power is sent to each device 14. It has become. When the fuel cell system 16 itself is capable of sending stable electric power, the storage battery 17 is unnecessary.

Here, the fuel cell system 16 will be described. Fuel cells are currently classified into solid polymer type, phosphoric acid type,
There are four types: molten carbonate type and solid electrolyte type. Incidentally, the operating temperatures are in the order of room temperature to about 100 ° C, about 200 ° C, about 600 to 700 ° C, and about 800 to 1000 ° C. In this embodiment, the fuel cell system is of a polymer type.

As shown in FIG. 3, propane gas supplied from a fuel tank 18 flows through a fuel supply pipe 19, branches into two systems, and is supplied to a fuel cell system 16. The propane gas supplied to the burner 20 is used there for combustion, and the propane gas supplied to the reformer 21 is reformed into hydrogen gas by a catalytic reaction or the like, and the reformed hydrogen gas is supplied to a hydrogen gas supply pipe. 22 will be supplied to the flow stack 23. On the other hand, air serving as an oxidizing agent sucks outside air from an intake port (not shown) at the upper part of the buoy, is supplied by the blower 24, and flows through the air supply pipe 25. The supply air passes through the total heat exchanger 26. The total heat exchanger 26 exchanges temperature and humidity with the high-temperature and high-humidity exhaust air flowing out of the stack 23 to become high-temperature and high-humidity air. It will flow into the stack 23. Stack 23
The hydrogen gas and the humidified air flowing into the cell generate a chemical reaction via a membrane-electrode assembly (not shown) called MEA to generate electricity and water. The electricity is converted from direct current to alternating current by the control device 27 and is supplied to the blower 24 and the circulation pump 28.
It is used as a power source, charging the storage battery 17, and supplying the device device 14. The water generated along with the power generation flows out of the air discharge pipe 29 together with the discharged air.
Since the stack 23 generates heat with power generation, cooling water is circulated to keep the temperature of the stack 23 constant. A cooling water pipe 30 is connected to the stack 23, and the cooling water pipe 30 is also connected to the heat exchanger 31. The cooling water is formed by the circulation pump 28 into a closed cycle of the stack 23 → the cooling water pipe 30 → the heat exchanger 31 → the cooling water pipe 30 → the stack 23. The cooling water which has recovered the heat generated by the stack 23 and has become high temperature receives the wind from the blower fan 32 in the process of flowing through the heat exchanger 31 and exchanges heat to radiate heat.

Here, when the buoy main body 1 is near the base and collection and maintenance are easy, the fuel tank 18 is replaced or the collected fuel tank 18 is replenished with fuel.

When the buoy main body 1 is far from the base and recovery and maintenance are difficult, a unique hydrogen generator is required in the buoy main body 1 (the hydrogen generator will be described later).

A plurality of fins may be provided on the outer shell of the buoy main body 1 in order to increase the cooling efficiency. On the other hand, the power generation efficiency of the stack 23 depends on the temperature. If the power generation efficiency is high, a temperature sensor (not shown) is provided on the stack 23, and the circulation amount of the cooling water or the air volume of the blower fan 32 is changed according to the temperature detected by the sensor. For example, it is desirable to control the temperature to be constant.

Although the embodiment has been described in detail, the point is that by using the power generation system of the fuel cell system 16, a stable power supply can be obtained irrespective of external conditions such as weather. It will be able to fulfill enough.

Also, since there are not so many design restrictions as compared with solar cells, wave power, and wind power generation, a stable vertically long shape as a buoy can be secured, and the inside of the buoy is vertically divided into a plurality of layers to form a lower layer. By arranging a heavy object, the stability is further improved, and by dividing the buoy into a plurality of layers, it becomes difficult for the buoy to sink even if the buoy is damaged, and loss of the buoy can be prevented.

Although propane is used as the fuel source in the embodiment, natural gas, methanol, or the like may be used, and there is no difference in the operation and effect. Further, pure hydrogen may be used as a raw fuel, in which case a reformer is not required, and there is no difference in operation and effect.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 4 shows the structure of a buoy of this embodiment. The same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description is omitted. As shown in the figure, the interior of the buoy main body 1 is different from the first embodiment in that an upper layer portion 12, a lower layer portion
A bottom layer 33 is provided thereunder, and a hydrogen generator 34 is provided on the bottom layer 33. In this case, the weight of the content of each layer is adjusted so as to be higher in the lower layer.

The hydrogen generator 34 draws in seawater or lake water from the water inlet 35, removes salt or dust, etc., with a polymer film in the case of seawater and a filter such as a filter in the case of lake water, and then supplies water to the electrolytic layer. It is a device that introduces and electrolyzes the water to obtain hydrogen.

Then, the hydrogen generated in this manner is sent to the fuel tank 18 of the fuel cell system 16 in the lower layer 13. Further, the oxygen generated at the same time is supplied to the blower 24 of the fuel cell system 16.

As described above, in the present embodiment, by providing the hydrogen generator inside the buoy main body, even if the buoy is far from the base, the buoy can independently supply hydrogen which is the fuel of the fuel cell system. This eliminates the need for collecting and maintaining the fuel tank for a longer period of time, thereby greatly reducing the number of operations.

The buoy main body is divided into three layers in the vertical direction to make it longer vertically, and by placing a heavy thing on the bottom layer, the stability of the buoy on the sea or lake is improved, Further, by dividing the buoy into three layers, even if the buoy is damaged, it is difficult to sink, and the buoy can be prevented from being lost.

(Embodiment 3) FIG. 5 shows the configuration of a buoy of this embodiment. The same components as those in the first and second embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the detailed description is omitted. As shown in the figure, a solar panel 36 is installed on the upper outer surface of the buoy main body, a solar cell power generator (not shown) is provided together with the fuel cell system 16 in the lower layer 13 inside the buoy main body 1, and the solar panel 36 is electrically connected. Connected to. This buoy body 1
Is a fuel cell system 16 and a solar cell is used supplementarily. That is, power is mainly supplied to the hydrogen generator 24 (electrolysis of water) of the second embodiment.

The power generated by the solar cell is used for electrolysis of water to generate hydrogen as fuel for the fuel cell system 16, and the generated hydrogen is stored in a fuel tank 18 of the fuel cell system 16. Is used to generate electricity from a fuel cell.

In some cases (for example, when the fuel cell fails and does not operate), the power generation may be switched so that the solar cell can be used as the main power generator.

By doing so, more stable long-term power supply can be performed. In other words, buoys can make their own energy while conducting long-term meteorological observations, oceanographic observations, information transmission, etc.
Even if it is far from the base and collection and maintenance are difficult, it can function as a buoy by itself.

In this embodiment, a fuel cell and a solar cell are used together in order to supply power stably for a long period of time. However, the fuel cell and another power generation device (wind power, wave power generation, etc.) are used. May be.

[0053]

As is clear from the above embodiments, according to the present invention, by supplying a stable power regardless of external conditions such as weather, the installed equipment can be continuously operated for a long time. Therefore, it is possible to provide a buoy which can stably perform a given function for a long period of time.

In addition to being able to have a stable shape as floating on the water surface, even if a hole is partially opened due to collision with a ship or a floating object, it does not easily sink to the bottom of the water, and Can be prevented from being lost.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a buoy according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the buoy main body.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a fuel cell system.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a buoy main body according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a buoy main body according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of a conventional buoy.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Buoy main body 12 Upper layer part 13 Lower layer part 14 Equipment (information communication equipment) 16 Fuel cell system 17 Storage battery 33 Bottom layer part 34 Hydrogen generator 36 Solar panel

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H01M 8/06 H01L 31/04 Q (72) Inventor Yasufumi Takahashi 6-2 Imafukunishi, Joto-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka No. 61 Matsushita Seiko Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Michiichi Kobayashi 6-2-61 Imafuku Nishi, Joto-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture 72-61 Matsushita Seiko Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Taihei Yamaguchi Imafuku West, Joto-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture 6-2-161 Matsushita Seiko Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 5F051 BA05 JA17 JA18 5H027 AA06 BA01 BA11 BC01 CC06 DD00 DD01 DD03

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A buoy for transmitting a floating signal, indicating light, or the like on a water such as a sea or a lake, wherein power is supplied by a fuel cell system in a main body. 2. A buoy for transmitting a floating signal on a water surface such as a sea or a lake, and for emitting a sign, etc., wherein a fuel cell system in which power is supplied in a main body and a power supply device other than the fuel cell system are used in combination. A buoy characterized in that the buoy is performed. 3. A buoy for transmitting a floating signal, indicating light, or the like on a water such as a sea or a lake, wherein power is supplied by using a fuel cell system and a solar cell device housed in a main body. A buoy characterized by the following. 4. The buoy according to claim 1, wherein the fuel for the fuel cell system is hydrogen obtained by electrolysis of water. 5. A solar cell device, a fuel cell system, and a storage battery are provided inside the main body, and when there is sunshine, the solar cell device is used. When there is no or poor sunshine, power is generated by the fuel cell system. A buoy floating on water such as a sea, lake or the like that stores electricity in the storage battery and transmits a signal using the power, performs a sign emission, and the like, and obtains hydrogen fuel supplied to the fuel cell system from water electrolysis. A buoy characterized by the following. 6. In a buoy using a solar cell device and a fuel cell system built in a main body as a power supply device, electric power generated by the solar cell device is used for electrolysis of water, A buoy characterized in that the hydrogen obtained in (1) is used as fuel for the fuel cell system. 7. A buoy characterized by having a vertically long, substantially cylindrical shape and having a plurality of watertight layers above and below. 8. A buoy characterized in that the buoy is provided with a plurality of watertight layers in a vertically elongated substantially cylindrical shape in the vertical direction, and the weight of the built-in components of the watertight layers becomes higher as the layers are lower. 9. A vertically elongated substantially cylindrical shape, the inside of which is vertically partitioned into three layers of an upper layer, a lower layer, and a bottom layer, and an observation and information communication device is arranged in the upper layer, and an electric power is supplied to the lower layer. A buoy comprising a supply device, a hydrogen generation device for generating hydrogen by electrolysis of water in the bottom layer, and a built-in material that is heavier in a lower layer. 10. A fuel cell system, which is a power supply device used in a buoy or the like floating on water such as a sea or a lake, using hydrogen obtained from electrolysis of water as a fuel. 11. A power supply device used in a buoy or the like floating on water such as a sea or a lake, wherein the water is electrolyzed by power generated by a solar cell device to generate hydrogen. A fuel cell system that generates electricity using fuel.