A novel two-degree-of-freedom wave energy device based on the principle of origami

Abstract

This invention provides a novel two-degree-of-freedom wave energy generation device based on the origami principle, mainly comprising: a float, a sealed air chamber, and a housing fixed inside the float; a mass block bolted to the upper origami air chamber via a connecting plate; a limiting hinge at the end of the connecting plate, allowing the connecting plate to rotate around the hinge; a lower air chamber centrally symmetrical to the upper air chamber and equipped with a gas channel for gas exchange; the lower air chamber has a gas pipe interface connecting to a gas pipe, within which a Wells turbine and a permanent magnet synchronous generator are fixed; the turbine drive shaft is connected to the input shaft of the permanent magnet synchronous generator; the end of the gas pipe connects to the sealed air chamber, which has a certain initial pressure for gas exchange with the origami air chamber. This invention utilizes an origami air chamber structure capable of capturing two-degree-of-freedom wave energy. This origami air chamber structure can be modeled and analyzed as a hinge linkage, offering advantages such as lower cost and lower damping compared to direct-acting hydraulic cylinders.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a novel two-degree-of-freedom wave energy power generation device based on the origami principle, and relates to the field of power generation technology, particularly to the field of new energy power generation utilizing two-degree-of-freedom wave energy. Background Technology

[0002] Due to the non-renewable nature of traditional fossil fuels and the environmental pollution they cause, finding efficient and reliable alternatives to new energy sources has become an urgent issue. Wave energy, as a renewable energy source, has advantages such as wide distribution, abundant reserves, high energy density, predictability, and minimal environmental impact, and thus possesses enormous development potential.

[0003] Most current float-type wave energy generation devices are single-degree-of-freedom wave energy generation systems. While their structure is simple and their cost relatively low, they can only capture energy in the heave direction, resulting in low wave energy capture efficiency. Multi-degree-of-freedom oscillating float-type wave energy generation devices, on the other hand, can capture energy in multiple degrees of freedom, effectively improving energy capture efficiency. However, mechanical or hydraulic multi-degree-of-freedom energy capture and conversion devices suffer from design difficulties, complex structures, poor reliability, and high costs. Therefore, designing novel multi-degree-of-freedom float-type wave energy generation devices is of great significance for wave energy utilization. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To address the issues of complex structure and high cost in traditional two-degree-of-freedom wave energy generation devices, this invention proposes a novel two-degree-of-freedom wave energy generation device based on origami principles. Utilizing the flexibility and foldability of origami mechanisms, and through the design of crease shapes, an origami mechanism capable of capturing energy in multiple directions is obtained. This invention converts the energy of the float in the heave and roll directions into the kinetic energy of gas in the origami air chamber. The gas drives the Wells turbine to rotate, realizing the conversion of wave energy into electrical energy. This invention solves the problem of traditional two-degree-of-freedom wave energy generation devices requiring multiple energy conversion devices, and simplifies the motion analysis of the float and the modeling of the power generation device. Furthermore, by using the origami air chamber and turbine as energy conversion devices, it solves the problems of complex composition, large size, and easy oil leakage inherent in mechanical and hydraulic energy conversion devices, offering advantages such as simple structure and high efficiency.

[0005] The objective of this invention is achieved as follows: It includes a float, a housing and a sealed air chamber disposed within the float, a mass block, and two origami air chambers disposed between the mass block and the housing. The mass block is bolted to a connecting plate 1 below, and the connecting plate 1 is connected to origami air chamber 1 below. The connecting plate 1 and the connecting plate 2 are connected by a limiting hinge. An origami air chamber 2 is disposed below the connecting plate 2 and is bolted to the housing. A gas vent is provided between origami air chamber 1 and origami air chamber 2. An air pipe is located inside the housing. The origami air chamber 2 is connected to the sealed air chamber via the air pipe. A turbine is disposed inside the air pipe, and the turbine's drive shaft is connected to the generator input shaft via a coupling.

[0006] The present invention also includes the following structural features:

[0007] 1. A throttle valve is installed at the interface between the air pipe and the sealed air chamber.

[0008] 2. When the float undergoes heaving and rolling reciprocating motions under wave excitation, the inertial force of the mass block causes the origami air chamber to compress or expand. When the mass block is subjected to a downward inertial force or a clockwise inertial torque, the origami air chamber is compressed, and the gas in the origami air chamber enters the air chamber through the turbine via the air pipe; conversely, the origami air chamber expands, and the gas in the air chamber enters the origami air chamber through the Wells turbine via the air pipe. The bidirectional airflow drives the turbine blades to rotate in one direction, thereby generating electrical energy through the generator, completing the conversion of wave energy into electrical energy.

[0009] Compared with existing technologies, the advantages of this invention are: This invention can capture the energy of both heave and roll of a float; the energy conversion device based on the origami mechanism is simple in composition, the origami air chamber is inexpensive to manufacture, and the device is relatively easy to install and maintain. The self-designed Wells turbine requires a low starting wind speed, and can drive the blades to rotate even at low wind speeds. This invention uses a pneumatic system to complete the energy conversion, eliminating the problem of hydraulic oil leakage and pollution, which is beneficial to environmental protection. Attached Figure Description

[0010] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention;

[0011] Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the origami air cavity of the present invention;

[0012] Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the turbine blade of the present invention;

[0013] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached drawings: 1—mass block, 2, 11—connecting plates one and two, 13—limiting hinge, 3, 4—folding air chamber one and two, 5—connecting bolt, 6—box body, 7—Wells turbine, 8—air pipe, 9—sealed air chamber, 10—generator, 12—float, 13—limiting hinge. Detailed Implementation

[0014] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0015] This invention mainly includes: a float, a sealed air chamber, and a housing fixed inside the float; a mass block, bolted to the upper origami air chamber via a connecting plate; a limiting hinge at the end of the connecting plate, allowing the connecting plate to rotate around the hinge; a lower air chamber that is centrally symmetrical to the upper air chamber and has a gas channel for gas exchange; the lower air chamber has a gas pipe interface for connecting to a gas pipe, inside which a Wells turbine and a permanent magnet synchronous generator are fixed; the turbine drive shaft is connected to the input shaft of the permanent magnet synchronous generator; the end of the gas pipe is connected to the sealed air chamber, which has a certain initial pressure for gas exchange with the origami air chamber.

[0016] Based on the principle of origami, this invention designs an origami air cavity structure with specific creases that can capture wave energy with two degrees of freedom. This origami air cavity structure can be modeled and analyzed as a hinge link. Compared with a direct-acting hydraulic cylinder, it has the advantages of low cost and low damping.

[0017] This invention uses a Wells turbine as the power output mechanism, which can convert the reciprocating flow of gas into unidirectional rotation of the impeller, thereby realizing the function of motion rectification and improving energy capture efficiency.

[0018] The specific working process of this invention is as follows: Because the float possesses restoring forces in both heave and roll directions, it exhibits periodic heave and roll motions when floating on the sea surface. During upward movement or counter-clockwise rotation, the internal mass block, under its own weight and inertia, compresses the lower origami-like air chamber. This causes the gas in the air chamber to flow at a certain velocity through the air pipe to the Wells turbine, and finally enters the sealed air chamber. The gas with a certain flow velocity drives the turbine blades to rotate, ultimately driving the permanent magnet generator to rotate, thus converting wave energy into electrical energy.

[0019] Conversely, as the float moves downwards or rotates clockwise, gas flows through the air pipe from the sealed air chamber through the Wells turbine, and finally into the origami air chamber, completing the gas exchange. Thanks to the Wells turbine, the impeller rotates in one direction under the action of the reciprocating airflow, achieving rectification of the motion. The origami air chamber is installed between two connecting plates. To prevent damage to the origami air chamber in extreme sea conditions, the two connecting plates are connected by a limiting hinge, limiting the maximum deformation of the origami air chamber.

[0020] This invention utilizes a Wells turbine, which consists of several symmetrically arranged blades evenly distributed along the hub with a zero installation angle, forming a planar rotor. It features simple structure, reliable operation, and the ability to perform work in one direction within a reciprocating airflow without any rectification device.

[0021] like Figure 1 As shown, this invention presents a novel two-degree-of-freedom wave energy generation device based on an origami mechanism. The entire device comprises two parts: an external float 12 and an internal power output device. The housing 6, along with the device and sealing gas on top, is fixed to the bottom of the float. The entire origami air chamber and the sealing air chamber 9 are pre-pressurized to support the entire device, keeping the initial position of the mass block 1 horizontal. The mass block is bolted to a connecting plate 1 below, and the connecting plate 2 is connected to an origami air chamber 3 below. The connecting plate 2 and the connecting plate 3 are connected by a limiting hinge 13. The mass block drives the origami air chamber below to move together, and the connecting plates serve as a connection and limiting protection. To capture wave energy of multiple degrees of freedom and absorb more energy, an origami air chamber 4 is connected below the connecting plate 3, and the origami air chamber 4 and the housing are bolted together for secure connection. To facilitate gas exchange, a gas inlet is provided between origami air chamber 3 and origami air chamber 4. An air pipe 8 is located inside the housing. Origami air chamber 4 is connected to the sealed air chamber 9 via the air pipe. A Wells turbine is fixed inside the air pipe. The turbine's drive shaft is connected to the generator input shaft via a coupling, realizing the conversion of kinetic energy from the turbine into electrical energy from the generator. A throttle valve is installed at the interface between the air pipe and the sealed air chamber to control the gas flow rate and ensure smooth turbine rotation. This energy conversion device is fixed inside the float, capturing the float's kinetic energy under wave action.

[0022] The principle of this invention lies in utilizing the kinetic energy stored in ocean waves. When the buoy undergoes heaving and rolling reciprocating motions under wave excitation, the inertia of the mass block and the structural characteristics of the origami-like air chamber cause the air chamber to compress or expand due to the inertial force of the mass block. When the mass block is subjected to a downward inertial force or a clockwise inertial torque, the origami-like air chamber is compressed, and the gas in the air chamber enters the air chamber through the air pipe and the Wells turbine; conversely, the origami-like air chamber expands, and the gas in the air chamber enters the origami-like air chamber through the air pipe and the Wells turbine. In the above process, the bidirectional airflow drives the blades of the Wells turbine to rotate unidirectionally, thereby generating electrical energy and completing the conversion of wave energy into electrical energy.

Claims

1. A novel two-degree-of-freedom wave energy generation device based on the origami principle, characterized in that: The device includes a float, a housing and a sealed air chamber inside the float, a mass block, and two origami air chambers located between the mass block and the housing. The mass block is bolted to a connecting plate 1 below, and the connecting plate 1 is connected to origami air chamber 1 below. The connecting plate 1 and the connecting plate 2 are connected by a limiting hinge. An origami air chamber 2 is located below the connecting plate 2 and is bolted to the housing. An air vent is provided between origami air chamber 1 and origami air chamber 2. An air pipe is located inside the housing. The origami air chamber 2 is connected to the sealed air chamber via an air pipe. A turbine is located inside the air pipe. The drive shaft of the turbine is connected to the input shaft of the generator via a coupling.

2. The novel two-degree-of-freedom wave energy generation device based on the origami principle according to claim 1, characterized in that: A throttle valve is installed at the interface between the air tube and the sealed air chamber.

3. A novel two-degree-of-freedom wave energy generation device based on the origami principle according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the float undergoes heaving and rolling reciprocating motions under wave excitation, the inertial force of the mass block causes the origami air chamber to compress or expand. When the mass block is subjected to a downward inertial force or a clockwise inertial torque, the origami air chamber is compressed, and the gas in the origami air chamber enters the air chamber through the turbine via the air pipe; conversely, the origami air chamber expands, and the gas in the air chamber enters the origami air chamber through the Wells turbine via the air pipe. The bidirectional airflow drives the turbine blades to rotate in one direction, thereby generating electrical energy through the generator, completing the conversion of wave energy into electrical energy.

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