U.S. patent application number 13/159715 was filed with the patent office on 2011-12-15 for outdoor power generating apparatus.
This patent application is currently assigned to AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA. Invention is credited to Hiroshi Kamiya, Yoshinobu Nakano, Tomoaki Niwa.
Application Number | 20110303482 13/159715 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44582100 |
Filed Date | 2011-12-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110303482 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Niwa; Tomoaki ; et
al. |
December 15, 2011 |
OUTDOOR POWER GENERATING APPARATUS
Abstract
An outdoor power generating apparatus includes a housing
including a generator chamber and a side wall portion, a power
generation source configured with an engine-type generator or a
fuel cell, a ventilation fan, and an exhaust passage provided
within the housing and through which a gas within the generator
chamber is exhausted to an outside of the housing as an exhaust
gas, wherein the exhaust passage includes a sound absorbing duct
formed by a sound absorbing material used for a curved passage, a
weir member, a weir passage, a diversion passage changing the flow
direction of the exhaust gas so as to be orthogonal to a direction
along which the exhaust gas flows towards the weir passage from the
curved passage, and an exhaust port provided at an end portion of
the diversion passage and opening at the side wall portion so as to
be exposed to an ambient air.
Inventors: |
Niwa; Tomoaki; (Nagoya-shi,
JP) ; Kamiya; Hiroshi; (Kariya-shi, JP) ;
Nakano; Yoshinobu; (Toyota-shi, JP) |
Assignee: |
AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI
KAISHA
Kariya-shi
JP
|
Family ID: |
44582100 |
Appl. No.: |
13/159715 |
Filed: |
June 14, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
181/228 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F02B 77/11 20130101;
F02B 63/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
181/228 |
International
Class: |
F01N 13/08 20100101
F01N013/08 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 15, 2010 |
JP |
2010-136092 |
Claims
1. An outdoor power generating apparatus comprising: a housing
including a generator chamber and a side wall portion; a power
generation source configured with an engine-type generator or a
fuel cell provided within the generator chamber of the housing; a
ventilation fan provided within the housing; and an exhaust passage
provided within the housing and through which a gas remaining
within the generator chamber is exhausted to an outside of the
housing as an exhaust gas, wherein the exhaust passage includes a
sound absorbing duct formed by a sound absorbing material used for
forming a curved passage, which is connected to the generator
chamber so as to be in communication with the generator chamber and
extends so as to curve, a weir member provided at a downstream side
of the sound absorbing duct in a flow direction of the exhaust gas,
a weir passage defined by the weir member, a diversion passage
provided at a downstream side of the weir member in the flow
direction of the exhaust gas and changing the flow direction of the
exhaust gas so as to be orthogonal to a direction along which the
exhaust gas flows towards the weir passage from an outlet opening
of the curved passage, and an exhaust port provided at an end
portion of the diversion passage and opening at the side wall
portion of the housing so as to be exposed to an ambient air.
2. The outdoor power generating apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein the sound absorbing material has a hydrophilicity or a
water repellency on a surface of the sound absorbing material
exposed to the curved passage.
3. The outdoor power generating apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein the diversion passage is defined by using an inner wall
surface of the housing so as to guide the exhaust gas to downwardly
flow in a direction of gravity.
4. The outdoor power generating apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein the diversion passage is provided with a sound absorbing
body, which is made of the sound absorbing material and which has a
hydrophilicity or a water repellency on a surface of the sound
absorbing body exposed to the diversion passage.
5. The outdoor power generating apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein an area of the exhaust passage located relatively closer to
the generator chamber is formed to have a hyrdophilicity and an
area of the exhaust passage located relatively closer to the
exhaust port is formed to have a hydrophobicity.
6. The outdoor power generating apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein the diversion passage is defined by the side wall portion
of the housing and a diversion member facing the side wall portion,
and wherein, in a case where a length of the diversion member in
the direction of gravity is set as LA and a length of the diversion
member extending in a direction orthogonal to the side wall portion
is set as DA, a value obtained by dividing LA by DA is set to fall
within a range from five and one hundred.
7. An outdoor power generating apparatus comprising: a housing
including a generator chamber and a side wall portion; a power
generation source configured with an engine-type generator or a
fuel cell provided within the generator chamber of the housing; a
ventilation fan provided within the housing; and an exhaust passage
provided within the housing and through which a gas remaining
within the generator chamber is exhausted to an outside of the
housing as an exhaust gas, wherein the exhaust passage includes a
sound absorbing duct formed by a sound absorbing material used for
forming a curved passage, which is connected to the generator
chamber so as to be in a communication with the generator chamber
and extends so as to curve, a weir member provided at a downstream
side of the sound absorbing duct in a flow direction of the exhaust
gas and including an inclined portion, a weir passage defined by
the weir member and a weir frame, a diversion passage connected to
the weir passage so as to be in a communication with the weir
passage, and an exhaust port provided at an end portion of the
diversion passage and opening at the side wall portion of the
housing so as to be exposed to an ambient air, the exhaust gas
flowing at a downstream side relative to the weir passage in the
flow direction is guided to flow in a different direction from a
flow direction along which the exhaust gas flows except for the
downstream side of the weir passage by means of the inclined
portion, and the exhaust gas passing through the weir passage is
guided by the diversion passage so that the flow direction of the
exhaust gas is changed to a direction orthogonal to the flow
direction along which the exhaust gas flows from an outlet opening
of the curved passage towards the weir passage.
8. The outdoor power generating apparatus according to claim 7,
wherein the sound absorbing material has a hydrophilicity or a
water repellency on a surface of the sound absorbing material
exposed to the curved passage.
9. The outdoor power generating apparatus according to claim 7,
wherein the diversion passage is defined by using an inner wall
surface of the housing so as to guide the exhaust gas to downwardly
flow in a direction of gravity.
10. The outdoor power generating apparatus according to claim 7,
wherein the diversion passage is provided with a sound absorbing
body, which is made of the sound absorbing material and which has a
hydrophilicity or a water repellency on a surface of the sound
absorbing body exposed to the diversion passage.
11. The outdoor power generating apparatus according to claim 7,
wherein an area of the exhaust passage located relatively closer to
the generator chamber is formed to have a hyrdophilicity and an
area of the exhaust passage located relatively closer to the
exhaust port is formed to have a hydrophobicity.
12. The outdoor power generating apparatus according to claim 7,
wherein the diversion passage is defined by the side wall portion
of the housing and a diversion member facing the side wall portion,
and wherein, in a case where a length of the diversion member in
the direction of gravity is set as LA and a length of the diversion
member extending in a direction orthogonal to the side wall portion
is set as DA, a value obtained by dividing LA by DA is set to fall
within a range from five and one hundred.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is based on and claims priority under 35
U.S.C. .sctn.119 to Japanese Patent Application 2010-136092, filed
on Jun. 15, 2010, the entire content of which is incorporated
herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] This disclosure generally relates to an outdoor power
generating apparatus having a configuration of preventing snow
including powder snow and the like, rainwater and the like from
entering into a housing of the outdoor power generating
apparatus.
BACKGROUND DISCUSSION
[0003] Disclosed in JPH11-200951A is a co-generation device having
two ambient air inlet passages, one of which is used for natural
conversion ventilation for an engine compartment and the other one
is used for forced cooling of the engine compartment in order to
cool down a driving portion of a forced cooling electric fan, for
the purpose of prolonging a motor life. Disclosed in JP2006-09678A
is a co-generation apparatus having an engine compartment
ventilation passage, which is in communication with a radiator
cooling chamber having a large fan, in order to ease an actuation
condition of an engine compartment ventilation fan for the purpose
of reducing power consumption. Disclosed in JP2007-172946A is a
fuel cell enclosure and a sound suppression panel having an inner
wall and an outer wall, which are used for an inner apparatus, so
as to form a double wall structure in order to increase a sound
suppression performance. Furthermore, according to the fuel cell
enclosure and the sound suppression panel disclosed in
JP2007-172946A, ambient air, which is used for ventilation, is
guided to flow through a clearance formed between the inner wall
and the outer wall.
[0004] Generally, an outdoor power generating apparatus is
installed outdoor. Therefore, in a case where a weather condition
is not moderate, snow (including powder snow), rainwater and the
like may enter into a housing of the outdoor power generating
apparatus from an exhaust outlet. However, the outdoor power
generating apparatus disclosed in JPH11-200951A, JP2006-09678A and
JP2007-172946A does not have a sufficient configuration for
preventing the snow such as the powder snow, the rainwater and the
like from entering into the housing. In a case where the outdoor
power generating apparatus is not configured to have the sufficient
configuration for preventing the snow such as the powder snow, the
rainwater and the like from entering into the housing, moisture may
accelerate deterioration of a member, a component and the like
provided within the housing.
[0005] A need thus exists to provide an outdoor power generating
apparatus which is not susceptible to the drawback mentioned
above.
SUMMARY
[0006] According to an aspect of this disclosure, an outdoor power
generating apparatus includes a housing including a generator
chamber and a side wall portion, a power generation source
configured with an engine-type generator or a fuel cell provided
within the generator chamber of the housing, a ventilation fan
provided within the housing, and an exhaust passage provided within
the housing and through which a gas remaining within the generator
chamber is exhausted to an outside of the housing as an exhaust
gas, wherein the exhaust passage includes a sound absorbing duct
formed by a sound absorbing material used for forming a curved
passage, which is connected to the generator chamber so as to be in
communication with the generator chamber and extends so as to
curve, a weir member provided at a downstream side of the sound
absorbing duct in a flow direction of the exhaust gas, a weir
passage defined by the weir member, a diversion passage provided at
a downstream side of the weir member in the flow direction of the
exhaust gas and changing the flow direction of the exhaust gas so
as to be orthogonal to a direction along which the exhaust gas
flows towards the weir passage from an outlet opening of the curved
passage, and an exhaust port provided at an end portion of the
diversion passage and opening at the side wall portion of the
housing so as to be exposed to an ambient air.
[0007] According to another aspect of this disclosure, an outdoor
power generating apparatus includes the housing including the
generator chamber and the side wall portion, the power generation
source configured with the engine-type generator or the fuel cell
provided within the generator chamber of the housing, the
ventilation fan provided within the housing, and the exhaust
passage provided within the housing and through which the gas
remaining within the generator chamber is exhausted to the outside
of the housing as the exhaust gas, wherein the exhaust passage
includes the sound absorbing duct formed by the sound absorbing
material used for forming the curved passage, which is connected to
the generator chamber so as to be in communication with the
generator chamber and extends so as to curve, the weir member
provided at the downstream side of the sound absorbing duct in the
flow direction of the exhaust gas and including the inclined wall
surface, the weir passage defined by the weir member and the weir
frame, the diversion passage connected to the weir passage so as to
be in communication with the weir passage, and the exhaust port
provided at the end portion of the diversion passage and opening at
the side wall portion of the housing so as to be exposed to the
ambient air, the exhaust gas flowing at the downstream side
relative to the weir passage in the flow direction is guided to
flow in a different direction from the flow direction along which
the exhaust gas flows except for the downstream side of the weir
passage by means of the inclined wall surface, and the exhaust gas
passing through the weir passage is guided by the diversion passage
so that the flow direction of the exhaust gas is changed to the
direction orthogonal to the flow direction along which the exhaust
gas flows from the outlet opening of the curved passage towards the
weir passage.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The foregoing and additional features and characteristics of
this disclosure will become more apparent from the following
detailed description considered with the reference to the
accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a
configuration of an inside of a housing of an outdoor power
generating apparatus according to a first embodiment;
[0010] FIG. 2A is an exploded perspective view illustrating a
configuration of an exhaust passage of the outdoor power generating
apparatus according to the first embodiment;
[0011] FIG. 2B is a partially enlarged cross-sectional diagram of a
diversion passage of the outdoor power generating apparatus
illustrated in FIG. 2A;
[0012] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a
configuration of a sound absorbing duct of the outdoor power
generating apparatus according to the first embodiment;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional diagram illustrating the
configuration of the exhaust passage of the outdoor power
generating apparatus according to the first embodiment;
[0014] FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional diagram illustrating the
configuration of the exhaust passage of the outdoor power
generating apparatus according to the first embodiment;
[0015] FIG. 5B is an enlarged cross-sectional diagram of a
shuttering portion according to a modified example of the power
generating apparatus of the first embodiment; and
[0016] FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating an
exhaust passage of an outdoor power generating apparatus according
to another embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[Overview]
[0017] According to an outdoor power generating apparatus according
to this disclosure, a sound absorbing material, which is used to
configure a sound absorbing duct, has hydrophilicity or water
repellency on a surface of the sound absorbing duct exposed to a
curved passage. An area of an exhaust passage located relatively
close to a generator chamber is formed to have the hydrophilicity.
On the other hand an area of the exhaust passage located relatively
close to an exhaust port is formed to have hydrophobicity.
Alternatively, the area of the exhaust passage located relatively
close to the generator chamber is formed to have the hydrophobicity
and the area of the exhaust passage located relatively close to the
exhaust port is formed to have the hydrophilicity.
[0018] The curved passage is formed so as to two-dimensionally or
three-dimensionally curve. More specifically, the curved passage is
curved so as to from an S-shape, an M-shape, a W-shape, an L-shape
or the like. Furthermore, the sound absorbing material used for the
sound absorbing duct does not necessarily have the hydrophilicity
or the water repellency. A diversion passage is defined by an inner
wall surface of a side wall of a housing so as to lead an exhaust
gas to flow downwardly in a direction of gravity. More
specifically, the diversion passage is formed so as to upwardly
extend in a direction opposite to the direction of gravity along
the inner wall surface of the side wall of the housing from the
exhaust port of the housing. Furthermore, the diversion passage
includes a sound absorbing body formed by a sound absorbing
material. The sound absorbing body has the hydrophilicity or the
water repellency on a surface thereof exposed to the diversion
passage.
[0019] The diversion passage is defined by the side wall of the
housing and a diversion member facing the side wall of the housing.
In this case, when setting a length of the diversion member in the
direction of gravity as LA and a length of the diversion member in
a direction orthogonal to the side wall of the housing (i.e. a size
of the diversion member in a direction orthogonal to the direction
of gravity) as DA, a value obtained by dividing LA by DA may be set
in a range from five to one hundred (including five and one
hundred). Accordingly, snow including powder snow and the like,
rainwater and the like entering into the diversion passage from the
exhaust port may not be allowed to pass through the diversion
passage.
First Embodiment
[0020] A first embodiment of an outdoor power generating apparatus
(which will be hereinafter referred to simply as a power generating
apparatus) will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5B
of the attached drawings. The power generating apparatus is
installed outdoor and is configured so that an engine 20 actuates a
generator 22 (i.e. an engine-type generator). Furthermore, the
power generating apparatus is adapted to a cogeneration system,
which is configured so as to use exhausted heat of the engine 20.
As illustrated in FIG. 1, the power generating apparatus includes a
housing 1, which is formed in a rectangular box shape and which
includes a generator chamber 10 serving as an engine compartment
(i.e. an engine room), a power generation source 2 provided at the
generator chamber 10 of the housing 1, a ventilation fan 3 (see
FIG. 3) provided within the housing 1, and an exhaust passage 4
through which heat and gas (mainly air) within the generator
chamber 10 provided within the housing 1 is exhausted to an outside
of the housing 1 as an exhaust gas. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the
housing 1 includes a first exterior panel 12 (a side wall portion)
extending in a vertical direction of the housing 1 and a second
exterior panel 14 (the side wall portion) extending in the vertical
direction so as to be in parallel with the first exterior panel 12
while keeping a distance therefrom. An air intake port 120 is
formed at an upper portion of the second exterior panel 14. The
power generation source 2 is provided within the generator chamber
10 of the housing 1. Furthermore, the power generation source 2
includes the engine 20 and the generator 22. The engine 20 is
configured so as to be driven in a manner where a gas fuel or a
liquid fuel is combusted together with air. The generator 22 is
provided within the generator chamber 10 of the housing 1 and is
rotatably actuated by a driving shaft of the engine 20.
Accordingly, in a case where the engine 20 is actuated and the
generator 22 is driven in response to an actuation of the engine
20, an electric energy is generated.
[0021] Illustrated in FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the
exhaust passage 4 through which the exhaust gas of the engine 20 is
discharged into ambient air (i.e. outside air). As illustrated in
FIG. 2, the exhaust passage 4 includes a sound absorbing duct 5, a
weir member 6, a weir passage 62, a diversion passage 7, and an
exhaust port 8. The sound absorbing duct 5 is formed by a porous
sound absorbing material (e.g. porous medium such as urethane
form), which is used to form a curved passage 50. The curved
passage 50 is formed to be in communication with the generator
chamber 10 and so as to extend in a curved shape. The weir member 6
includes a shuttering portion 61, which is provided at a downstream
side of the sound absorbing duct 5 and which is made of a sound
absorbing material. The weir passage 62 is defined by the weir
member 6 and the shuttering portion 61. The diversion passage 7 is
provided at a downstream side of the shuttering portion 61.
Furthermore, the diversion passage 7 is formed so as to change a
direction of a flow of the exhaust gas (i.e. a direction indicated
by arrows A5 and A6) from an outlet opening 50p of the curved
passage 50 towards the weir passage 62 to a direction orthogonal to
the direction of the flow of the exhaust gas (i.e. a direction
indicated by an arrow A7, a downward direction of direction of
gravity). The exhaust port 8 is provided at an end portion (e.g. a
lower end portion) of the diversion passage 7 and opens at the
first exterior panel 12 (the side wall) of the housing 1 so as to
be exposed to the outside of the housing 1 (i.e. so as to be
exposed to the ambient air). Furthermore, the exhaust port 8 is
formed to open at a lower end portion 12d of the first exterior
panel 12. The exhaust port 8 includes plural laterally-elongated
holes 80, which are formed so as to extend in a lateral direction
(i.e. a horizontal direction) while being in parallel with each
other. The exhaust port 8 further includes plural cover portions 81
for covering an upper portion of respective laterally-elongated
holes 80. Additionally, each of the cover portions 81 is formed so
as to downwardly incline in an outward direction in order to
prevent the snow, the rainwater and the like from entering into the
housing 1 from each of the laterally-elongated holes 80. However, a
configuration of the exhaust port 8 is not limited to the
above-described configuration example. For example, the
laterally-elongated holes 80 may be modified as vertical-elongated
holes or round-shaped holes.
[0022] Illustrated in FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the
sound absorbing duct 5. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the sound
absorbing duct 5 includes a duct cover 51, a duct side wall portion
52 and a duct ceiling portion 54. The duct cover 51, which serves
as a case, is made of metal or resin. The duct side wall portion 52
is lined at an inner wall surface of the duct cover 51 and is made
of a porous and sound absorbing material (e.g. foamed urethane
resin). The duct ceiling portion 54 includes an air regulation
guide 53 having an inclined surface and made of a porous and sound
absorbing material (e.g. foamed urethane resin). The duct ceiling
portion 54 is fitted to an upper opening 52u of the duct side wall
portion 52 while allowing the duct ceiling portion 54 to be
attached to and detached from the upper opening 52u. In a case
where the duct ceiling portion 54 is removed, the upper opening 52u
of the duct side wall portion 52 is exposed, which may facilitate
cleaning, maintenance and the like of the duct side wall portion
52. The air regulation guide 53 includes the inclined surface,
which inclines upwardly relative to the horizontal direction
indicated by an arrow A3 in order to smoothly guide the fuel gas to
flow. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the duct cover 51 includes first,
second, third and fourth cover wall portions 51a, 51b, 51c and 51d,
and a bottom wall portion 51e. The duct cover 51 also includes a
fan opening 51i opening downwardly so as to face the ventilation
fan 3 and an outlet opening 51 p opening laterally. The duct side
wall portion 52 is made of the porous sound absorbing material. The
duct side wall portion 52 includes the curved passage 50 bending in
multiple directions, a first protruding wall portion 55, a second
protruding wall portion 56, and a protruding wall portion 57. The
first protruding wall portion 55 protrudes towards the curved
passage 50. The second protruding wall portion 56 protrudes towards
the curved passage 50 while facing the first protruding wall
portion 55. The third protruding wall portion 57 protrudes towards
the curved passage 50 while facing the first and second protruding
wall portions 55 and 56. The curved passage 50 includes an S-shape
passage 50s, an inlet opening 50i, and the outlet opening 50p. The
S-shape passage 50s is formed to be curved in an S-shape in a plan
view. The inlet opening 50i opens downward to the ventilation fan 3
in the vicinity of an inlet of the S-shape passage 50s so as to
face the fan opening 51i (which also serves as an inlet opening of
the duct cover 51) of the duct cover 51. The outlet opening 50p
opens laterally in the vicinity of an outlet of the S-shape passage
50s while facing the outlet opening 51 p of the duct cover 51.
[0023] Accordingly, in a case where the ventilation fan 3 is driven
to rotate, the gas in the generator chamber 10 having heat flows
upwardly in the direction indicated by the arrows A1 and then in a
direction indicated by an arrow A2 through the inlet openings 50i
and 51i. Then, the gas entered into the sound absorbing duct 5 is
guided to flow in the direction indicated by the arrow A3, in a
direction indicated by an arrow A4, then in the direction indicated
by the arrow AS through the S-shape passage 50s while flow loss is
controlled to be a minimum level by means of the air regulation
guide 53 having the inclined surface. The gas is finally discharged
from the outlet opening 50p. Accordingly, because the exhaust gas
flows three-dimensionally by turning multiple times within the duct
side wall portion 52, a sufficient flow distance of the gas in the
duct side wall portion 52 is ensured while achieving a downsize of
the duct side wall portion 52 and increasing a sound absorption
performance including a sound reduction.
[0024] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the first, second, and third
protruding wall portions 55, 56, and 57 are provided at different
portions at the curved passage 50 so as to face one another while
forming the curved passage 50. Thus, a flow direction of the
exhaust gas flowing through the exhaust passage 4 is changed
multiple times, so that the sufficient flow distance of the exhaust
gas may be ensured while achieving a downsize of the sound
absorbing duct 5. Accordingly, the sound absorption performance
including the sound reduction may be obtained. As seen from FIG. 2,
each of the first, second, and third protruding wall portions 55,
56, and 57 is formed to have a sufficient thickness and so as to
extend in a height direction (i.e., in the direction of gravity, a
direction indicated by an arrow G). As a result, the first, second,
and third protruding wall portions 55, 56, and 57 have functions to
forcibly change the direction of the exhaust gas flowing through
the curved passage 50 and to reinforce the porous duct side wall
portion 52.
[0025] As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5A, the diversion passage 7 is
defined by an inner wall surface 12i of the first exterior panel 12
constituting the side wall of the housing 1, and a diversion member
70 formed in a thin frame shape. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the
diversion member 70 includes a frame body 71, a vertically
elongated wall portion 72 and an opening portion 73. The frame body
71 is formed in a vertically elongated rectangular shape.
Furthermore, the frame body 71 includes a flange portion 71a that
extends outwardly. The vertically elongated wall portion 72 extends
in the vertical direction (i.e. in the direction of gravity, the
direction indicated by the arrow G) so as to cover an opening
formed by the frame body 71. The opening portion 73 is formed at an
upper portion of the vertically elongated wall portion 72.
Furthermore, the opening portion 73 faces the weir passage 62 so as
to be in communication therewith. In this case, when a length of
the diversion member 70 in the vertical direction (i.e. the
direction of gravity) is defined as LA while a length of the
diversion member 70 in the direction orthogonal to the height
direction of the first exterior panel 12 (the side wall portion)
(i.e. a thickness of the diversion member 70) is defined as DA as
illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5A, the length LA is set to be
sufficiently greater than the thickness DA. The length DA
corresponds to a size of the diversion member 70 in the direction
orthogonal to the direction of gravity. The diversion member 70 is
formed so as to extend in the height direction (i.e. the vertical
direction, the direction of gravity). A value obtained by dividing
the length LA by the thickness DA (i.e. LA/DA) may be set to fall
within a range from 5 and 100, specifically, from 5 and 50, more
specifically, from 6 and 20. The diversion passage 7 formed by the
diversion member 70 may be formed as a vertically elongated thin
passage. Accordingly, the snow such as the powder snow, the
rainwater and the like entering into the diversion passage 7 from
the exhaust port 8 is unlikely to flow upwardly through the
diversion passage 7.
[0026] As illustrated in FIG. 2B, the power generating apparatus is
configured so that the snow including the powder snow, the
rainwater, and the like entering into the diversion passage 7 from
the exhaust port 8 is discharged to the outside of the housing 1
from the laterally elongated hole 80 arranged at the lowest
position out of plural laterally elongated holes 80. The diversion
member 70 is formed into the vertically elongated shape in order to
ensure the flow distance of the diversion member 70. Accordingly,
in a case of an adverse weather condition such as a heavy snowstorm
outside, the snow, the rainwater, and the like entering into the
exhaust port 8 may be prevented from reaching the opening portion
73, the weir passage 62, the curved passage 50 in the housing 1,
and further, the engine 20 and the generator 22 accommodated in the
generator chamber 10 serving as the engine compartment. As
illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5A, when a length from a lower end
portion 8d of the exhaust port 8 to a lower end portion of the weir
passage 62 (i.e. a top portion 61m of the weir portion 61) is
defined as H1, the length H1 is set to be greater than the
thickness DA and smaller than the length LA (LA>H1>DA). As
illustrated in FIG. 4, the opening portion 73 of the diversion
member 70 faces the weir passage 62. Fundamentally, a value
obtained by dividing the length H1 by the thickness DA (H1/DA) may
be set so as to be substantially equal to the value obtained by
dividing the length LA by the thickness DA (LA/DA).
[0027] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the weir member 6 is positioned at
the downstream side of the sound absorbing duct 5 and at the
upstream side of the diversion member 70 in the flow direction
(i.e. the direction indicated by the arrow A5 and the direction
indicated by the arrow A6) of the exhaust gas from the engine 20.
In addition, the weir member 6 includes a weir frame 60 having a
rectangular shape, the shuttering portion 61 upwardly projecting
from a lower portion 60d of the weir frame 60 to the top portion
61m, and the weir passage 62 positioned above the shuttering
portion 61 and opening laterally. The shuttering portion 61 may be
made of the porous and sound absorbing material (e.g. a foam such
as a foamed resin, a foam metal, and the like, or a porous material
such as a fiber material including a fabric and the like). The weir
member 6 is arranged in the vicinity of the outlet opening 50p of
the sound absorbing duct 5 so as to face the outlet opening
50p.
[0028] As illustrated in FIG. 4, a sound absorbing body 9 made of a
sound absorbing material (e.g. a porous foam material such as a
foamed resin, a foam metal and the like) is formed at the diversion
passage 7. A porous material having foam cells intercommunicating
with each other or a porous material having independent foam cells
may be used as the porous foam material used for the sound
absorbing body 9. In other words, as long as a surface of the
porous material has porosity, a sound absorbing property of thereof
may be ensured and further, increased. As illustrated in FIGS. 4
and 5A, the sound absorbing body 9 includes a first sound absorbing
member 9f, a second sound absorbing member 9s and a third sound
absorbing member 9t. The first sound absorbing member 9f is
attached on the inner surface 12i of the first exterior panel 12 at
a portion facing opposite to the outside of the housing 1 so as to
be exposed to the diversion passage 7. The second sound absorbing
member 9s is attached on an inner wall surface 72i of the
vertically elongated wall portion 72 of the diversion member 70.
The third sound absorbing member 9t is formed between the first
sound absorbing member 9f and the second sound absorbing member 9S.
Accordingly, the inner wall surface 72i of the diversion member 70
is covered with the sound absorbing material except for the opening
portion 73. As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5A, the diversion passage
7 is formed to have an elongated shape so as to extend in a height
direction (i.e. the direction of gravity indicated y the arrow G)
between the exhaust port 8 and the weir passage 62. Accordingly,
the diversion passage 7 connects the exhaust port 8 of the housing
1 and the weir passage 62 so as to establish a communication
therebetween. In other words, the diversion passage 7 is formed to
extend towards the weir passage 62 in a direction opposite to the
direction of gravity indicated by the arrow G along the inner wall
surface 12i of the first exterior panel 12 (i.e. the side wall
portion) of the housing 1 and the vertically elongated wall portion
72 of the diversion member 70.
[0029] In a case where the power generating apparatus performs a
power generating operation, the fuel and the air used for a
combustion operation are supplied to a combustion chamber of the
engine 20, thereby driving the engine 20. Then, the generator 22 is
actuated in response to the actuation of the engine 20, thereby
generating an electric power. Air, which has heat emitted from the
engine 20 and which remains within the generator chamber 10, is
used as the exhaust gas and flows through the exhaust passage 4 in
response to an actuation of the ventilation fan. More specifically,
the exhaust gas flows from the inlet opening 50i, the curved
passage 50, the outlet opening 50p, the weir passage 62, the
opening portion 73 and then to through the diversion passage 7
downwardly in the direction of gravity indicated by the arrow G,
thereby being emitted to the outside of the housing 1 (emitted into
the outside air) through the exhaust port 8 of the first exterior
panel 12 of the housing 1. In this case, the exhaust gas flows in
the directions indicated by the arrows A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7
and A8 in the above-mentioned order. An outlet cross-sectional
dimension (i.e. across-sectional dimension of a minimal flow
passage) of the weir passage 62 may be formed to have an
approximately equal dimension as a cross-sectional dimension of a
minimal flow passage of the curved passage 50. The weir passage 62
is connected to the outside of the housing 1 through the diversion
passage 7. Therefore, the sound (the noise) and the like may be
avoided from leaking to the outside of the power generating
apparatus while lowering flow resistance. However, the power
generating apparatus is not limited to the configuration disclosed
in this embodiment. For example, the cross-sectional dimension of
the fluid passage may be changed to any desired size along the
upstream side to the downstream side of the flow direction of the
exhaust gas.
[0030] According to the first embodiment, as described above, the
sound absorbing body 9 or the sound absorbing material is provided
at the exhaust passage 4. Furthermore, the sound absorbing duct 5,
which is made of the sound absorbing material, is provided at the
power generating apparatus. Still further, the shuttering portion
61 is made of the sound absorbing member. Therefore, an operation
noise generated from the engine 20, the generator 22, and the
ventilation fan 3 may be reduced. Still further, because the curved
passage 50 is formed to extend in the S-shape when being viewed
from above, a propagation distance of sound is secured so as to
reduce the operation sound, while achieving the downsize of the
power generating apparatus.
[0031] Furthermore, as is understood from FIG. 4, the diversion
passage 7, which is provided at the downstream side of the
shuttering portion 61, is formed to change the flow direction of
the exhaust gas so that the exhaust gas flows downwardly in the
direction of gravity indicated by the arrow G so as to be
orthogonal to the flow direction (i.e. the direction indicated by
the arrows AS and A6) along which the exhaust gas flows from the
outlet opening 50p of the curved passage 50 towards the weir
passage 62. The exhaust port 8 is provided so as to be located at a
lower end portion (i.e. an edge portion) of the diversion passage
7. Therefore, even if the power generating apparatus is used under
the adverse weather condition (i.e. under a condition where the
weather is not moderate), the exhaust gas from the engine 20 flows
through the exhaust passage 4 and accordingly, is emitted from the
exhaust port 8 of the housing 1 as long as the engine 20 is driven.
Accordingly, in this case, the snow (e.g. the powder snow and the
like), the rainwater and the like in the outside air may be avoided
from entering into the exhaust passage 4 from the exhaust port
8.
[0032] On the other hand, in a case where the engine 20 is stopped
so as not to generate the electric power (i.e. so as not to perform
the power generation operation), the exhaust gas from the engine 20
is not emitted to the outside air from the exhaust port 8 of the
housing 1. Accordingly, generally, in the case of the adverse
weather condition such as a heavy snowstorm and a heavy rain, the
snow such as the powder snow, the rain and the like may enter into
the diversion passage 7 of the housing 1 from the exhaust port 8.
Furthermore, generally, even in a case where the engine 20 is
driven to idle, the snow such as the powder snow, the rainwater and
the like may enter into the diversion passage 7 from the exhaust
port 8 in the case of the advert weather condition such as the
heavy snowstorm, the heavy rain and the like depending on
circumstances. However, according to the power generating apparatus
of the first embodiment, the snow such as the powder snow, the
rainwater and the like entered into the diversion passage 7 from
the exhaust port 8 is not likely to enter into the weir passage 62
unless the snow such as the powder snow, the rainwater and the like
upwardly move so as to resist against a gravity (i.e. in a
direction opposite to the direction indicated by the arrow A7).
Accordingly, the snow such as the powder snow, the rainwater and
the like are prevented from entering into the curved passage 50 and
further, into the engine 20 provided within the generator chamber
10. Furthermore, as described above, because the diversion passage
7 is formed to have a narrow passage (a thin passage), the snow
such as the powder snow, the rainwater and the like is not likely
to move upwardly within the diversion passage 7 so as to resist
against the gravity, even if the snow such as the powder snow, the
rainwater and the like enters into the diversion passage 7 from the
exhaust port 8.
[0033] As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5A, the shuttering portion 61
includes an upwardly extending wall surface 61a and an inclined
wall surface 61c (i.e. an inclined portion). The upwardly extending
wall surface 61a is formed at the shuttering portion 61 so as to be
located closer to the diversion passage 7. The inclined wall
surface 61c is formed at the shuttering portion 61 so as to be
located closer to the curved passage 50. More specifically, the
upwardly extending wall surface 61a is formed at the shuttering
portion 61 so as to upwardly extend from the lower portion 60d of
the weir frame 60 along the direction of gravity indicated by the
arrow G. In other words, the upwardly extending wall surface 61a
upwardly protrudes in the vertical direction up to the top portion
61m. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the inclined wall surface 61c is
formed to upwardly incline towards the top portion 61m along the
flow direction (i.e. the direction indicated by the arrows AS and
A6) of the exhaust gas. Accordingly, emission of the exhaust gas,
which flows from the curved passage 50 towards the exhaust port 8,
is ensured. As a result, ventilation of the exhaust gas, which is
emitted from the engine 20, may be ensured. On the other hand,
because the upwardly extending wall surface 61a of the shuttering
portion 61 is formed to as to upwardly protrude in the vertical
direction from the lower portion 60d of the weir frame 60 so as to
resist against the gravity as illustrated in FIG. 5A, the upwardly
extending wall surface 61a ensures a blocking performance against
the snow such as the powder snow, the rainwater and the like
entered into the exhaust passage 4 from the exhaust port 8, and
further, against a fine object such as grit, dust and the like.
Accordingly, the snow such as the powder snow, the rainwater, the
grit, the dust and the like may be appropriately and properly
prevented from flowing towards the curved passage 50 from the
exhaust port 8. Consequently, a durability and a long operating
life of the power generating apparatus installed outside may be
increased. Additionally, the upwardly extending wall surface 61a is
not limited to the above-explained example where the upwardly
extending wall surface 61a extends in the vertical direction. For
example, as illustrated in FIG. 5B, the upwardly extending wall
surface 61a may be formed to incline in the same direction as the
inclined wall surface 61c inclines.
Second Embodiment
[0034] A second embodiment of a power generating apparatus will be
described below. The power generating apparatus according to the
second embodiment has a similar configuration as the power
generating apparatus according to the first embodiment, therefore,
the power generating apparatus according to the second embodiment
achieves advantages and merits similar to the power generating
apparatus according to the first embodiment. Therefore, in the
second embodiment, only the differences between the power
generating apparatus according to the first embodiment and the
power generating apparatus according to the first embodiment will
be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5A. The sound
absorbing material, which is used for the duct side wall portion 52
of the exhaust passage 4, the sound absorbing body 9 and the
shuttering member 61, may be formed to have a water repellent
configuration having water repellency against moisture. In this
case, for example, the sound absorbing member itself, which
configures the duct side wall portion 52, the sound absorbing body
9 and the shuttering portion 61, may be formed to have the water
repellency. Alternatively, a water repellent film may be laminated
(layered) on a surface of the sound absorbing material, which is
used for each of the duct side wall portion 52, the sound absorbing
body 9 and the shuttering portion 61. For example, a water
repellent film, onto which a fluorine-based material is coated, may
be formed on a surface of each of the duct side wall portion 52,
the sound absorbing body 9 and the shuttering portion 61.
Accordingly, the sound absorbing material, which configures each of
the duct side wall portion 52, the sound absorbing body 9 and the
shuttering portion 61, may include the water repellency against
water. The water repellency indicates a property of repelling the
water. More specifically, the water repellency refers to a property
in which a contact angle between an object and a water drop is
great. Generally, a contact angle .theta. of the water drop on a
solid surface is used as a reference (an index). For example,
generally, in a case where the contact angle .theta. is equal to or
greater than 90 degrees, the solid surface is referred to have the
water repellency (i.e. the hydrophobicity). More specifically, in a
case where the contact angle .theta. falls within a range between
110 degrees and 150 degrees, the solid surface is referred to have
high water repellency. Still further, in a case where the contact
angle .theta. is equal to or greater than 150 degrees, the solid
surface is referred to have super water repellency. In this
embodiment, the water repellency includes the high water repellency
and the super water repellency.
[0035] For example, in the case where the snow such as the powder
snow, the rainwater and the like enteres into the exhaust passage 4
from the exhaust port 8 of the first exterior panel 12 facing
outdoor because of the adverse weather condition, the snow such as
the powder snow, the rainwater and the like entered into the
exhaust passage 4 may remain within the exhaust passage 4 as water
drops without being absorbed into the sound absorbing material,
which configures each of the duct side wall portion 52, the sound
absorbing body 9 and the shuttering portion 61. However, as is the
case of the second embodiment where the water repellent material is
used, the water drops on a water repelling surface of the exhaust
passage 4 are easily repelled and moved. Accordingly, in a case
where the power generating apparatus is operated while the moisture
remains on the water repelling surface of the exhaust passage 4 as
the water drops, the moisture (i.e. the water drops and the like)
remaining on the exhaust passage 4 may be forcibly and easily
emitted into the outside air from the exhaust port 8 of the first
exterior panel 12 via the exhaust passage 4 in response to the
emission of the exhaust gas having the heat from the generator
chamber 10 of the housing 1 towards the exhaust port 8 via the
exhaust passage 4. Specifically, because the exhaust passage 4 is
formed to have the water repellency, the water drops may be easily
displaced along the exhaust passage 2 in response to the flow of
the exhaust gas so as to be emitted into the outside air from the
exhaust port 8. Therefore, a damage of a component, an equipment
and the like provided within the housing 1 by corrosion caused by
the moisture may be reduced.
Third Embodiment
[0036] A third embodiment of a power generating apparatus will be
described below. The power generating apparatus according to the
third embodiment has a similar configuration as the power
generating apparatus according to the first embodiment, therefore,
the power generating apparatus according to the third embodiment
achieves advantages and merits similar to the power generating
apparatus according to the first embodiment. Accordingly, only the
differences between the power generating apparatus according to the
first embodiment and the power generating apparatus according to
the second embodiment will be described below with reference to
FIGS. 1 to 5A. At least a surface of the sound absorbing material,
which is used for the duct side wall portion 52 of the sound
absorbing duct 5, is formed to have a hydrophilic configuration, so
that the surface of the duct side wall portion 52 exposed to the
curved passage 50 has the hydrophilicity. The hydrophilicity refers
to property where the contact angle .theta. of the water drop on
the surface of the solid object is small and where the surface is
hydrophilic. Generally, the contact angle .theta. being less than
90 degrees is defined as the hydrophilicity. In the third
embodiment, each of the duct side wall portion 52, the sound
absorbing body 9 and the shuttering portion 61, which are provided
at the exhaust passage 4, is formed to have the hydrophilicity, so
that the water drops are less likely to be generated on the surface
of each of the duct side wall portion 52, the sound absorbing body
9 and the shuttering portion 61 of the exhaust passage 4.
[0037] According to the third embodiment, the sound absorbing
material, which is used for each of the duct side wall portion 52,
the sound absorbing body 9 and the shuttering portion 61 provided
at the exhaust passage 4, is formed with a porous hydrophilic
material. In order to increase water absorbability of each of the
duct side wall portion 52, the sound absorbing body 9 and the
shuttering portion 61 of the exhaust passage 4, the porous
hydrophilic material may be formed to have a water absorbable
sponge-like property. More specifically, the porous hydrophilic
material may be formed so that a ratio of foam cells that
interconnect with neighboring foam cells is high. Furthermore, at
least the surface of the sound absorbing material may be formed to
be porous.
[0038] Even in the case where the snow such as the powder snow, the
rainwater and the like entered into the exhaust passage 4 from the
exhaust port 8 of the first exterior panel 12 because of the
adverse weather condition, the snow such as the powder snow, the
rainwater and the like may be absorbed into the sound absorbing
material, which is formed as the water absorbable porous material
used for each of the duct side wall portion 52, the sound absorbing
body 9 and the shuttering portion 61 of the exhaust passage 4, as
the moisture. As a result, an excessive amount of water may be
prevented from entering into the generator chamber 10. Accordingly,
in the case where the power generating apparatus is operated, the
exhaust gas, which is exhausted from the generator chamber 10 of
the housing 1 and which has the heat, passes through the exhaust
passage 4 and then, the exhaust gas is emitted to the outside air
from the exhaust port 8 of the first exterior panel 12 while the
snow such as the powder snow, the rainwater and the like are
absorbed into the sound absorbing material, which is used for the
duct side wall portion 52, the sound absorbing body 9 and the
shuttering portion 61 of the exhaust passage 4, as the moisture. In
this case, the moisture absorbed into the sound absorbing material,
which is used for the duct side wall portion 52, the sound
absorbing body 9 and the shuttering portion 61 of the exhaust
passage 4, may be appropriately and properly dried by the heat of
the exhaust gas flowing through the exhaust passage 4. Accordingly,
the moisture dried by the exhaust gas may be emitted into the
ambient air together with the exhaust gas from the exhaust port 8.
Therefore, the excessive amount of the water is prevented from
entering into the engine 20, which is provided within the generator
chamber 10. Still further, the damage of the component, the
equipment and the like mounted within the housing 1 caused by the
corrosion thereof may be avoided. Additionally, because drying the
absorbed moisture accompanies latent heat of vaporization (i.e.
absorption of heat), cooling performance of the power generating
apparatus in the vicinity of the exhaust passage 4, the generator
chamber 10 and the like may be increased. As a result, excessive
heating of the exhaust passage 4, the generator chamber 10 and the
like may be avoided.
Fourth Embodiment
[0039] A fourth embodiment of a power generating apparatus will be
described below. The power generating apparatus according to the
fourth embodiment has a similar configuration as the power
generating apparatus according to the first embodiment, therefore,
the power generating apparatus according to the fourth embodiment
achieves advantages and merits similar to the power generating
apparatus according to the first embodiment. Therefore, only the
differences between the power generating apparatus according to the
first embodiment and the power generating apparatus according to
the fourth embodiment will be described below with reference to
FIGS. 1 to 5A. In the fourth embodiment, an area of the exhaust
passage 4 located relatively closer to the generator chamber 10
(i.e. a downstream area of the exhaust passage 4) is formed to have
the hydrophilicity. On the other hand, an area of the exhaust
passage 4 located relatively closer to the exhaust port 8 (i.e. an
upstream area of the exhaust passage 4) is formed to have the
hydrophobicity. In a case where a length of the exhaust passage 4
corresponding to an entire flow passage of the exhaust passage 4 is
relatively indicated as 100, the area of the exhaust passage 4
located relatively closer to the generator chamber 10 corresponds
to an area (a length) of zero (0) to fifty (50) from the generator
chamber 10, or an area (a length) of zero (0) to forty (40).
However, the area (the length) of the portion of the exhaust
passage 4 located closer to the generator chamber 10 is not limited
to the above-mentioned range.
[0040] The power generating apparatus according to the fourth
embodiment may be modified so that the sound absorbing material
itself, which is used for the sound absorbing body 9 and the
shuttering portion 61 (i.e. the area of the exhaust passage 4
located relatively closer to the exhaust port 8), may be formed to
have the water repellency. Alternatively, the water repellent film
may be laminated on the surface of the sound absorbing material,
which is used to configure each of the sound absorbing body 9 and
the shuttering portion 61. On the other hand, the sound absorbing
material used for the duct side wall portion 52 (i.e. the area of
the exhaust passage 4 located relatively closer to the generator
chamber 10) may be formed by the porous material so as to have the
water absorbability, in other words, so as to have the
hydrophilicity. The duct side wall portion 52 is located at a
position closer to the generator chamber 10 relative to the
diversion passage 7 and the weir passage 62. Therefore, in this
case, the moisture flowing into the generator chamber 10 may be
absorbed by the duct side wall portion 52 in order to avoid the
moisture such as the water drops and the like from dropping into
the generator chamber 10. Still further, a temperature of the
exhaust gas flowing towards the exhaust port 8 from the generator
chamber 10 is generally and relatively higher at an area of the
duct side wall portion 52 located closer to the generator chamber
10. Therefore, the area of the duct side wall portion 52 located
closer to the generator chamber 10 has a high drying performance.
Moreover, drying the moisture accompanies the latent heat of
vaporization (i.e. the absorption of heat), the cooling performance
of the power generating apparatus in the vicinity of the generator
chamber 10 and the like may be increased. As a result, the
excessive heating of the generator chamber 10 and the like may be
avoided.
Fifth Embodiment
[0041] A fifth embodiment of a power generating apparatus will be
described below with reference to FIG. 6. The power generating
apparatus according to the fifth embodiment has a similar
configuration to the power generating apparatus according to the
first embodiment, therefore, the power generating apparatus
according to the fifth embodiment achieves advantages and merits
similar to the power generating apparatus according to the first
embodiment. Therefore, only the differences between the power
generating apparatus according to the first embodiment and the
power generating apparatus according to the fifth embodiment will
be described below. A fuel cell 28 is provided within the generator
chamber 10 of the housing 1 as a power generation source. The fuel
cell 28 may be configured as a polymer electrolyte fuel cell
(PEFC), a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) or a phosphoric acid fuel
cell (PAFC). Furthermore, the fuel cell may be configured as a low
temperature-type fuel cell, a middle temperature-type fuel cell, or
a high temperature-type fuel cell. In a case where an anode fluid
(e.g. a hydrogen gas, a hydrogen bearing gas and the like) is
supplied to an anode of the fuel cell 28 from an anode fluid supply
passage 28f, and where a cathode fluid (e.g. an oxygen gas, an
oxygen bearing gas and the like) is supplied to a cathode of the
fuel cell 28 from a cathode fluid supply passage 28c, the fuel cell
28 generates an electric power. The ventilation fan 3 is actuated
in response to an electric power generating performance of the fuel
cell 28. Therefore, the heat and the air within the generator
chamber 10 of the housing 1 is emitted from the generator chamber
10 to the curved passage 50 of the sound absorbing duct 5 as the
exhaust gas. Furthermore, the exhaust gas flows though the weir
passage 62 and the diversion passage 7 so that the exhaust gas is
emitted to the outside air from the exhaust port 8. According to
the fifth embodiment, the sound absorbing material, which is used
to form each of the duct side wall portion 52, the sound absorbing
body 9 and the shuttering portion 61 of the exhaust passage 4, may
be formed to have the hydrophilicity, the water absorbability, or
the water repellency. Furthermore, the sound absorbing material,
which is used to configure the sound absorbing body 9 and the
shuttering portion 61, may be formed so that at least the surface
thereof has the water repellency. Alternatively, the water
repellent film may be laminated on the surface of the sound
absorbing material, which is used to form each of the sound
absorbing body 9 and the shuttering portion 61. On the other hand,
at least the surface of the sound absorbing material of the duct
side wall portion 52 at the portion thereof located closer to the
generator chamber 10 may be formed to have the water absorbing
porous property, in other words, so as to have the
hydrophilicity.
Other Embodiments
[0042] The power generating apparatus according to this disclosure
is not limited to the above-described embodiments and examples. The
power generating apparatus may be modified and changed without
departing from the scope of the disclosure. For example, in the
above-described embodiments, the shuttering portion 61 is made of
the porous sound absorbing material. However, a non-porous metal, a
ceramic, a rigid resin or the like may be adapted as a material
used for the shuttering portion 61. Additionally, the shuttering
portion 61 may be formed to extend vertically. In the
above-described embodiment, the diversion passage 7 is provided
with the first, second and third sound absorbing members 9f, 9s and
9t. However, at least one of or all of the first, second and third
sound absorbing members 9f, 9s and 9t may be removed from the
diversion passage 7 depending on circumstances. According to the
above-described embodiment, the curved passage 50 is formed to
three-dimensionally extend in the S-shape. However, the curved
passage 50 may be extended to form an M-shape, an N-shape, a
W-shape, a V-shape, an L-shape, a Z-shape or the like. A porous
material having the sound absorbability but not having the water
absorbability may be adapted.
[0043] According to the embodiments, the outdoor power generating
apparatus includes the housing 1 including the generator chamber 10
and the side wall portion (12, 14), the power generation source 2
configured with the engine-type generator (20, 22) or the fuel cell
28 provided within the generator chamber 10 of the housing, the
ventilation fan 3 provided within the housing, and the exhaust
passage 4 provided within the housing 1 and through which the gas
remaining within the generator chamber 10 is exhausted to the
outside of the housing 1 as the exhaust gas, wherein the exhaust
passage 4 includes the sound absorbing duct 5 formed by the sound
absorbing material used for forming the curved passage 50, which is
connected to the generator chamber 10 so as to be in communication
with the generator chamber 10 and extends so as to curve, the weir
member 6 provided at the downstream side of the sound absorbing
duct 5 in the flow direction of the exhaust gas, the weir passage
62 defined by the weir member 6, the diversion passage 7 provided
at the downstream side of the weir member 6 in the flow direction
of the exhaust gas and changing the flow direction of the exhaust
gas so as to be orthogonal to the direction along which the exhaust
gas flows towards the weir passage 6 from the outlet opening 50p of
the curved passage 50, and the exhaust port 8 provided at the end
portion of the diversion passage 7 and opening at the side wall
portion 12 of the housing 1 so as to be exposed to the ambient
air.
[0044] Accordingly, the outdoor power generating apparatus having a
configuration by which the snow such as the powder snow, the
rainwater and the like is prevented from entering into the housing
1 may be achieved while ensuring the sound absorbing performance
against the sound, the noise and the like generated due to the
operation of the outdoor power generating apparatus.
[0045] According to the embodiments, the sound absorbing material
has the hydrophilicity or the water repellency on the surface of
the sound absorbing material exposed to the curved passage 50.
[0046] According to the embodiments, the diversion passage 7 is
defined by using the inner wall surface 12i of the housing 1 so as
to guide the exhaust gas to downwardly flow in the direction of
gravity.
[0047] According to the embodiments, the diversion passage 7 is
provided with the sound absorbing body 9, which is made of the
sound absorbing material and which has the hydrophilicity or the
water repellency on the surface of the sound absorbing body 9
exposed to the diversion passage 7.
[0048] According to the embodiments, the area of the exhaust
passage 4 located relatively closer to the generator chamber 10 is
formed to have the hyrdophilicity and the area of the exhaust
passage 4 located relatively closer to the exhaust port 8 is formed
to have the hydrophobicity.
[0049] According to the embodiments, the diversion passage 7 is
defined by the side wall portion 12 of the housing 1 and the
diversion member 70 facing the side wall portion 12, and wherein,
in the case where the length of the diversion member 70 in the
direction of gravity is set as LA and the length of the diversion
member 70 extending in the direction orthogonal to the side wall
portion 12 is set as DA, the value obtained by dividing LA by DA is
set to fall within the range from five and one hundred (5 to
100).
[0050] According to the embodiments, an outdoor power generating
apparatus includes the housing 1 including the generator chamber 10
and the side wall portion (12, 14), the power generation source 2
configured with the engine-type generator (20, 22) or the fuel cell
28 provided within the generator chamber 10 of the housing 1, the
ventilation fan 3 provided within the housing 1, and the exhaust
passage 4 provided within the housing 1 and through which the gas
remaining within the generator chamber 10 is exhausted to the
outside of the housing 1 as the exhaust gas, wherein the exhaust
passage 4 includes the sound absorbing duct 5 formed by the sound
absorbing material used for forming the curved passage 50, which is
connected to the generator chamber 10 so as to be in communication
with the generator chamber 10 and extends so as to curve, the weir
member 6 provided at the downstream side of the sound absorbing
duct 5 in the flow direction of the exhaust gas and including the
inclined wall surface 61c, the weir passage 62 defined by the weir
member 6 and the weir frame 60, the diversion passage 7 connected
to the weir passage 62 so as to be in communication with the weir
passage 62, and the exhaust port 8 provided at the end portion of
the diversion passage 7 and opening at the side wall portion 12 of
the housing 1 so as to be exposed to the ambient air, the exhaust
gas flowing at the downstream side relative to the weir passage 62
in the flow direction is guided to flow in a different direction
from the flow direction along which the exhaust gas flows except
for the downstream side of the weir passage 62 by means of the
inclined wall surface 61c, and the exhaust gas passing through the
weir passage 62 is guided by the diversion passage 7 so that the
flow direction of the exhaust gas is changed to the direction
orthogonal to the flow direction along which the exhaust gas flows
from the outlet opening 50p of the curved passage 50 towards the
weir passage 62.
[0051] Accordingly, the outdoor power generating apparatus having a
configuration by which the snow such as the powder snow, the
rainwater and the like is prevented from entering into the housing
1 may be achieved while ensuring the sound absorbing performance
against the sound, the noise and the like generated due to the
operation of the outdoor power generating apparatus.
[0052] The principles, preferred embodiment and mode of operation
of the present invention have been described in the foregoing
specification. However, the invention which is intended to be
protected is not to be construed as limited to the particular
embodiments disclosed. Further, the embodiments described herein
are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive.
Variations and changes may be made by others, and equivalents
employed, without departing from the spirit of the present
invention. Accordingly, it is expressly intended that all such
variations, changes and equivalents which fall within the spirit
and scope of the present invention as defined in the claims, be
embraced thereby.
* * * * *