Floating breakwater integrated with a frictional nanogenerator

Abstract

The application provides a floating breakwater integrated with a friction nanogenerator, a semi-cylindrical box-type breakwater, and a plurality of power generation units composed of an arc-shaped cavity, a PTFE friction rod and a metal electrode group in the box-type breakwater, wherein each power generation unit can supply power to an external load through an external power transmission line connected with the metal electrode group. The application has simple and stable structure, low construction cost, can collect low-frequency wave energy, can be arranged in offshore sea area, can provide effective protection for the marine platform arranged in the sea area, and can supply power for the marine platform, and can meet the power required for production and life.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a floating breakwater with an integrated triboelectric nanogenerator. Background Technology

[0002] Offshore platforms face long-term challenges from complex marine environments, including strong winds, waves, typhoons, and other extreme weather events. These impacts can lead to platform capsizing accidents, and floating breakwaters can provide protection for offshore platforms.

[0003] Wave energy, as a clean and renewable energy source, is characterized by abundant reserves, high energy density, and wide distribution, possessing enormous development potential. Converting the mechanical energy contained in waves into electrical energy can power floating platforms on the ocean, meeting the electricity needs of industrial production and daily life on these platforms.

[0004] Currently, most wave energy harvesting devices generate electricity by using compressed air to drive a turbine generator. To ensure that the waves are strong enough to drive the turbine generator, the compressed air from the turbine must be strong enough. This means that current wave energy devices are unable to harvest low-frequency wave energy, and their high construction costs hinder the widespread application of wave energy utilization technology.

[0005] When two materials come into contact, charge transfers from one material to the other. The greater the difference in the ability of the two materials to gain or lose electrons, the greater the amount of charge transfer. When the two materials separate, a potential difference is created between them, which in turn drives the movement of charge, thus forming an electric current and outputting electrical energy. By using microfabrication methods to create micro / nanostructures on the surface of materials, the contact area and triboelectric effect can be effectively increased, thus forming a triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG). The power generation principle of a triboelectric nanogenerator is as follows: Figure 1 As shown:

[0006] 1. If the dielectric PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene), PA (polyamide), and electrode (aluminum) initially carry no charge, all charge is generated by friction after contact. When PTFE slides to the PA surface, negative charges will enter the PTFE surface from the PA surface. For the positive charges on the PA surface, since they are always stationary, the potential induced by them at the two electrodes remains constant and cannot provide any driving force for the flow on the external load. At this time, the positive charges accumulate on the upper surface of the aluminum-A electrode, such as... Figure 1 As shown in (I) in the diagram.

[0007] 2. When the PTFE slides to the right, the triboelectric effect will compensate for the negative charge on the PTFE surface and the positive charge on the surface of the right aluminum electrode. The positive charge in the circuit will flow from the left electrode to the right electrode through the load. During the sliding process to the right, a current will be generated on the external load from left to right. Figure 1 (II) in the middle.

[0008] 3. When the PTFE electrode coincides with the aluminum-B electrode, all positive charges will flow to the right electrode. Figure 1 (III) in the middle.

[0009] Subsequently, the PTFE moves in the opposite direction from the aluminum-B electrode to the aluminum-A electrode, in the same direction as the positive charge, thus creating a right-to-left current across the load. Figure 1 (IV) in. Summary of the Invention

[0010] This invention develops a floating breakwater capable of effectively collecting low-frequency wave energy. The breakwater protects the sea area behind it through its energy dissipation function. The rolling motion generated during the energy dissipation process drives an internal nano-triboelectric generator, converting mechanical energy into electrical energy. When low-frequency waves act on the arc-shaped floating breakwater, the arc structure also rolls, further driving the lightweight nano-triboelectric generator to produce electricity. This creates a combined protection and power generation effect, providing protection for offshore platforms and solving power shortage problems.

[0011] This invention utilizes a sliding independent layer mode triboelectric nanogenerator, using polyamide (PA) and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) with a large difference in electron gain and loss capabilities as the triboelectric layer. PTFE is used as an independent layer, and polyamide (PA) is used as an intermediate insulating layer to completely cover two fixed aluminum electrodes. The surface of PTFE is etched by inductively coupled plasma (ICP) to produce a nanorod-like structure, which effectively increases the contact area and triboelectric effect.

[0012] The technical solution adopted in this invention is: a floating breakwater integrating a triboelectric nanogenerator, comprising a semi-cylindrical box-shaped breakwater with semi-circular ends. The breakwater's interior is provided with multiple concentric semi-circular partitions and at least one partition along the radial direction of the semi-circular end face of the breakwater. The semi-circular partitions are hollow. These partitions and the partitions divide the inner wall of the breakwater into multiple arc-shaped cavities. These arc-shaped cavities are connected to both ends of the breakwater. Each arc-shaped cavity contains a PTFE friction rod. The inner wall of the semi-circular partition is completely covered by a polyamide coating. Multiple sets of spaced-apart metal electrode groups are evenly distributed on the inner wall of the semi-circular partition corresponding to the arc-shaped cavity. Each set of metal electrode groups includes spaced-apart metal electrodes A and B. The semi-circular partition has mounting holes A corresponding to each metal electrode A and mounting holes B corresponding to each metal electrode B. Metal electrode A is fixed at mounting hole A and in close contact with the polyamide coating, and metal electrode B is fixed at mounting hole B and in close contact with the polyamide coating.

[0013] Sealing caps are installed at both ends of the box-shaped breakwater;

[0014] The outer shell of the box-shaped breakwater, the semi-circular partition, the partition and the sealing cover are all made of insulating material;

[0015] Each arc-shaped cavity, the PTFE friction rod inside the arc-shaped cavity, and the metal electrode group corresponding to the arc-shaped cavity form a power generation unit. All the metal electrodes A on each power generation unit are connected together by electrode A transmission lines, and all the metal electrodes B are connected together by electrode B transmission lines. Both electrode A transmission lines and electrode B transmission lines can be connected to external transmission lines to supply power to external loads.

[0016] Optionally, each of the power generation units includes at least one displacement amplifier. The displacement amplifier includes a cylinder and a movable push rod. The cylinder is fixed to the inner wall of the semi-circular partition. The cylinder contains a spring, and the two ends of the spring are respectively fixed to the bottom of the cylinder and one end of the movable push rod. The other end of the movable push rod extends out of the cylinder and can contact the PTFE friction rod.

[0017] Optionally, the two ends of the box-shaped breakwater are connected to anchor blocks by mooring ropes.

[0018] Optionally, ball rollers are provided at both ends of the PTFE friction rod, and the ball rollers can roll into contact with the inner wall of the sealing cover.

[0019] The advantages and positive effects of this invention are as follows: This invention protects the sea area behind the floating breakwater by utilizing its energy dissipation function. The rolling motion generated during the energy dissipation process of the floating breakwater drives the internal nano-triboelectric generator, converting mechanical energy into electrical energy. Low-frequency waves acting on the arc-shaped floating breakwater below can also cause the arc-shaped structure to roll, thereby driving the lightweight nano-triboelectric generator to generate electricity. This creates an integrated protection and power generation effect, thus providing protection for offshore platforms and solving the power shortage problem. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the working principle of a triboelectric nanogenerator in existing technology;

[0021] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of a specific embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 Side view;

[0023] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 Circuit diagram of each power generation unit;

[0024] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the planar structure of the intermediate displacement accelerator;

[0025] Figure 6 This is a flowchart of the process of this invention;

[0026] In the diagram: 1. Box-type breakwater; 1-1. Semi-circular partition; 1-2. Partition; 2. PTFE friction rod; 3. Mooring rope; 4. Anchor block; 5. Arc-shaped cavity; 6. Aluminum electrode A; 6-1. Electrode A transmission line; 7. Aluminum electrode B; 7-1. Electrode B transmission line; 8. Polyamide (PA) coating; 9. Displacement amplifier; 9-1. Movable push rod; 9-2. Cylinder; 9-3. Spring; 10. External load; 10-1. External transmission line. Detailed Implementation

[0027] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to specific embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the invention and are not intended to limit the invention. In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicating orientations or positional relationships, are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of the present invention. In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "joining" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in the present invention through specific circumstances.

[0028] like Figure 2 As shown, this invention provides a floating breakwater with an integrated triboelectric nanogenerator, comprising a box-type breakwater 1, PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) friction rods 2, mooring ropes 3, anchor blocks 4, an arc-shaped cavity 5, aluminum electrodes A6 and B7, a polyamide (PA) coating 8, and a displacement accelerator 9.

[0029] The box-shaped breakwater has two mooring lines 3 on each side, with the ends of the mooring lines 3 connected to anchor blocks 4 located on the seabed.

[0030] The box-shaped breakwater 1 is semi-cylindrical in shape, which facilitates floating in water and increases the amplitude of lateral rolling. Both ends of the box-shaped breakwater 1 are semi-circular. The interior of the box-shaped breakwater 1 is equipped with multiple concentric semi-circular partitions 1-1 and two partitions 1-2 along the radial direction of the semi-circular ends of the box-shaped breakwater 1. The semi-circular partitions 1-1 are hollow structures, used to house aluminum electrodes. The semi-circular partitions 1-1 and 1-2 divide the inner wall of the box-shaped breakwater into multiple arc-shaped cavities 5, which are connected to both ends of the box-shaped breakwater 1. Each arc-shaped cavity 5 contains a PTFE friction rod 2. Figure 3As shown, the inner wall of the semi-circular partition 1-1 is completely covered by a polyamide (PA) coating 8. Multiple sets of spaced aluminum electrode groups are evenly distributed on the inner wall of the semi-circular partition 1-1 corresponding to the arc-shaped cavity 5. Each set of aluminum electrode groups includes spaced aluminum electrodes A6 and B7. The semi-circular partition 1-1 has mounting holes A corresponding to aluminum electrodes A6 and B corresponding to aluminum electrodes B7. Aluminum electrodes A6 are fixed at mounting holes A and in close contact with the polyamide (PA) coating 8, and aluminum electrodes B7 are fixed at mounting holes B and in close contact with the polyamide (PA) coating. Each arc-shaped cavity 5, the PTFE friction rod 2 inside the arc-shaped cavity 5, and the aluminum electrode group corresponding to the arc-shaped cavity 5 form a power generation unit.

[0031] The two ends of the box-type breakwater 1 are equipped with sealing caps (not shown in the figure), which seal the inside of the power generation unit;

[0032] The outer shell, semi-circular partition 1-1, partition 1-2 and sealing cover of the box-type breakwater 1 are all made of insulating material;

[0033] like Figure 4 As shown, all aluminum electrodes A6 on each power generation unit are connected in parallel or in series through electrode A transmission line 6-1, and all aluminum electrodes B7 are connected in series or in parallel through electrode B7 transmission line 7-1. Both electrode A transmission line 6-1 and electrode B transmission line 7-1 can be connected to external transmission line 10-1 to supply power to external load 10.

[0034] The box-shaped breakwater 1, acting as a wave energy harvesting device, undergoes significant swaying under the influence of waves. The PTFE friction rod 2, placed within the arc-shaped cavity 5, moves and rotates within the cavity 5 as the breakwater 1 sways. During this movement and rotation, it rubs against the polyamide (PA) coating 8 attached to the inner wall of the arc-shaped cavity 5. Negative charges are transferred from the surface of the PA coating 8 to the surface of the PTFE friction rod 2. At this point, the PTFE friction rod 2 carries a negative charge, the PA coating 8 carries a positive charge, the aluminum electrode A6 carries a positive charge, and the aluminum electrode B7 carries a negative charge. As the PTFE friction rod 2 slides with the waves, relative displacement occurs between it and the two metal electrodes within the metal electrode assembly. Positive charges flow from one metal motor in the metal electrode assembly to the other through the external load 10, forming a current in the external load 10, thereby outputting electrical energy.

[0035] Each power generation unit includes at least one displacement amplifier 9, such as Figure 5As shown, the position amplifier 9 includes a cylinder 9-2 and a movable push rod 9-1. The cylinder 9-2 is fixed to the inner wall of the semi-circular partition 1-1. The cylinder 9-2 contains a spring 9-3. The two ends of the spring 9-3 are fixed to the bottom of the cylinder 9-2 and one end of the movable push rod 9-1, respectively. The other end of the movable push rod 9-2 extends out of the cylinder 9-2 and can contact the PTFE friction rod 2. When the PTFE friction rod 2 reaches the edge of the arc-shaped cavity, it will contact the displacement accelerator 9. The movable push rod 9-1 compresses the spring 9-3 inside the cylinder 9-2. When the box-shaped breakwater 1 slides to the other end, the spring 9-3 releases its elastic force, increasing the speed of the PTFE friction rod 2, accelerating the displacement per unit time, and thus increasing the power generation.

[0036] To reduce the friction between the two ends of the PTFE friction rod 2 and the sealing cap, ball rollers (not shown in the figure) are provided at both ends of the PTFE friction rod 2, and the ball rollers make rolling contact with the sealing cap.

[0037] The embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, but the content described is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and should not be considered as limiting the scope of the present invention. All equivalent changes and improvements made within the scope of the present invention should still fall within the patent coverage of the present invention.

Claims

1. A floating breakwater integrating a triboelectric nanogenerator, characterized in that: A semi-cylindrical box-shaped breakwater has semi-circular ends. The breakwater's interior is equipped with multiple concentric semi-circular partitions and at least one partition along the radius of the semi-circular end face. The semi-circular partitions are hollow. These partitions and the partition itself divide the inner wall of the breakwater into multiple arc-shaped cavities, which are connected to both ends of the breakwater. Each arc-shaped cavity contains a PTFE friction rod. The inner wall of the semi-circular partitions is coated with a polyamide coating. The semi-circular partition is fully covered, and multiple sets of spaced metal electrode groups are evenly distributed on the inner wall of the semi-circular partition corresponding to the arc-shaped cavity. Each set of metal electrode groups includes a spaced metal electrode A and a metal electrode B. The semi-circular partition has mounting holes A corresponding to the metal electrode A and mounting holes B corresponding to the metal electrode B. The metal electrode A is fixed at the mounting hole A and in close contact with the polyamide coating, and the metal electrode B is fixed at the mounting hole B and in close contact with the polyamide coating. Sealing caps are installed at both ends of the box-shaped breakwater; The outer shell of the box-shaped breakwater, the semi-circular partition, the partition and the sealing cover are all made of insulating material; Each arc-shaped cavity, the PTFE friction rod inside the arc-shaped cavity, and the metal electrode group corresponding to the arc-shaped cavity form a power generation unit. All the metal electrodes A on each power generation unit are connected together through electrode A transmission line, and all the metal electrodes B are connected together through electrode B transmission line. Both electrode A transmission line and electrode B transmission line can be connected to external transmission lines to supply power to external loads. Each of the power generation units includes at least one displacement amplifier, which includes a cylinder and a movable push rod. The cylinder is fixed to the inner wall of the semi-circular partition. The cylinder contains a spring, with its two ends fixed to the bottom of the cylinder and one end of the movable push rod, respectively. The other end of the movable push rod extends out of the cylinder and can contact the PTFE friction rod.

2. The floating breakwater with integrated triboelectric nanogenerator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The two ends of the box-shaped breakwater are connected to anchor blocks by mooring ropes.

3. The floating breakwater with integrated triboelectric nanogenerator according to claim 2, characterized in that: The PTFE friction rod is provided with ball pulleys at both ends, and the ball pulleys can roll into contact with the inner wall of the sealing cover.

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