Rotary foam energy collector for collecting wave energy and collecting method

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of energy collection, and particularly discloses a rotating foam energy collector for collecting wave energy and a collection method. Comprising a floating assembly, a sleeve, a rotor, a spiral rotating shaft and a friction electrode layer, wherein the sleeve is sleeved with the floating assembly and is in sliding fit with the floating assembly in the vertical direction; the rotor is installed in the sleeve and is in rotating fit with the sleeve; one end of the spiral rotating shaft is connected with the floating assembly and the other end of the spiral rotating shaft is located in the sleeve; the energy storage unit is connected with the friction electrode layer; the rotor is meshed with the spiral rotating shaft; and the spiral rotating shaft is rotationally matched with the sleeve. Reciprocating linear motion of low-frequency waves can be efficiently converted into high-frequency rotating motion, so that the energy collecting efficiency is improved, and self-energy-supply of offshore equipment is achieved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of energy harvesting technology, and more specifically, to a rotating foam energy harvester and harvesting method for harvesting wave energy. Background Technology

[0002] Against the backdrop of continuous global ecological degradation and dwindling fossil fuel reserves, humanity is facing a severe energy crisis. Developing and utilizing renewable energy has become essential for maintaining a sustainable society. However, traditional power generation methods such as coal-fired and hydropower are insufficient to meet the world's growing energy demands. Developing and utilizing new energy sources is a crucial measure to address the energy crisis and environmental challenges. Given Earth's abundant water resources, wave energy possesses significant advantages, including wide distribution, low carbon footprint, clean operation, high predictability, and high energy density, enabling it to provide vital support for global energy transition and sustainable development.

[0003] Wave energy utilizes the kinetic and potential energy inherent in the undulating and reciprocating motion of ocean waves to convert into electrical energy. It is renewable, clean, and pollution-free, while possessing enormous technological potential, relatively high energy density, and the ability to be flexibly deployed in various marine environments through modular design. From large-scale wave power plants to small, stand-alone units powering islands or remote facilities, it can provide an important supplement to enriching the global renewable energy mix and meeting diverse energy demands. Currently, wave energy harvesting primarily relies on electromagnetic generators (EMGs).

[0004] However, significant limitations of EMG-based wave energy harvesting include complex installation, high manufacturing costs, demanding maintenance requirements, and the limitations imposed by the ultra-low frequency characteristics of ocean waves. The inherently low frequency of ocean waves limits energy conversion efficiency, and coupled with poor economic feasibility, these challenges severely restrict the large-scale development and utilization of wave energy. While existing triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) can harvest low-frequency energy, their output frequency remains low, resulting in limited average power and making it difficult to meet practical electricity demands. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a rotating foam energy harvester for collecting wave energy; it can efficiently convert the reciprocating linear motion of low-frequency waves into high-frequency rotational motion, thereby improving energy collection efficiency and realizing self-powering of marine equipment.

[0006] The solution adopted by this invention to solve the technical problem is: A rotating foam energy harvester for collecting wave energy includes a floating assembly, a sleeve fitted inside the floating assembly and slidingly engaged with the floating assembly vertically, a rotor installed inside the sleeve and rotatingly engaged with the sleeve, a helical shaft with one end connected to the floating assembly and the other end located inside the sleeve, a friction electrode layer disposed between the sleeve and the rotor, and an energy storage unit connected to the friction electrode layer; the rotor meshes with the helical shaft; the helical shaft is rotatably engaged with the sleeve.

[0007] In some possible implementations, the triboelectric electrode layer comprises a triboelectric pad inside the sleeve and an FEP film disposed on the outside of the rotor and sliding relative to the triboelectric pad; the triboelectric pad is connected to the energy storage unit.

[0008] In some possible implementations, the sleeve includes a cylindrical body fitted over the outside of the rotor and fitted with a layer of friction electrodes.

[0009] In some possible implementations, the sleeve further includes a top cover mounted on the top of the sleeve body and fitted onto the outside of the helical shaft; a lower limit support for transmission engagement with the helical shaft is provided inside the sleeve body.

[0010] In some possible implementations, the triboelectric pads are arranged in two sets and are staggered. Each triboelectric pad includes multiple sets of pad bodies and connecting pieces for connecting the pad bodies. A groove is formed between two adjacent sets of pad bodies for mounting the pad body of another set of triboelectric pads, and a gap is formed between the pad body and the inner side of the groove. The FEP film is arranged in multiple sets and is uniformly arranged around the rotor circumferentially.

[0011] In some possible implementations, the floating assembly includes a floating plate fitted onto the outside of the sleeve and a top plate positioned directly above the sleeve and connected to the helical shaft; the top plate and the floating plate are connected as one unit.

[0012] In some possible implementations, a connecting rod is provided between the top plate and the floating plate.

[0013] In some possible implementations, the floating plate is annular and coaxial with the sleeve; the spiral shaft is coaxial with the sleeve.

[0014] In some possible implementations, the rotor is made of ABS material, the floating component is made of EPD foam material, the rotor is 3D printed, and weight-reducing holes are provided on the rotor.

[0015] A collection method for a rotating foam energy collector for collecting wave energy, as described above, wherein when waves occur, the floating plate moves upward, driving the rotor to rotate in the forward direction, and the triboelectric pad and the FEP film achieve periodic contact separation through rotation, generating charge transfer; As the waves weaken, the floating plate moves downwards, causing the rotor to rotate in the opposite direction. The triboelectric pad and the FEP film achieve periodic contact separation through rotation, resulting in charge transfer.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: This invention uses a floating component to drive a spiral shaft to rise or fall, causing the rotor to rotate clockwise and counterclockwise, thereby amplifying the frequency. Simultaneously, the friction electrode and the FEP film achieve periodic contact and separation through rotation, enabling the output of electrical energy during the low-speed start-up phase. As the wave driving force increases, the device's rotation speed rises, and the output power increases accordingly, achieving efficient collection of low-frequency wave energy. When the waves weaken, the structure can still maintain power generation, and the low inertia design improves restart performance, achieving continuous and stable power generation. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the spiral shaft, rotor, and sleeve in this invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the cylinder body and the friction electrode of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the triboelectric pad in this invention; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the rotor and FEP film in this invention; in: 1. Floating components; 11. Floating board; 12. Top plate; 13. Connecting rod; 2. Sleeve; 21. Cylinder body; 22. Top cover; 23. Lower limit support; 3. Rotor; 4. Spiral shaft; 5. FEP film; 6. Triboelectric pad; 61. Groove; 611. Gap. Detailed Implementation

[0018] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. The terms "first," "second," and similar terms used in this application do not indicate any order, quantity, or importance, but are merely used to distinguish different components. Similarly, "a" or "one," etc., do not indicate a quantity limitation, but rather indicate the existence of at least one. In the implementation of this application, "and / or" describes the association relationship of related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A existing alone, A and B existing simultaneously, or B existing alone. In the description of the embodiments of this application, unless otherwise stated, "multiple" means two or more. For example, multiple positioning posts refer to two or more positioning posts. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0019] The present invention will now be described in detail.

[0020] like Figures 1-5 As shown: A rotating foam energy harvester for collecting wave energy includes a floating assembly 1, a sleeve 2 fitted inside the floating assembly 1 and slidingly engaged with the floating assembly 1 vertically, a rotor 3 installed inside the sleeve 2 and rotatably engaged with the sleeve 2, a helical shaft 4 with one end connected to the floating assembly 1 and the other end located inside the sleeve 2, a friction electrode layer disposed between the sleeve 2 and the rotor 3, and an energy storage unit connected to the friction electrode layer; the rotor 3 meshes with the helical shaft 4; the helical shaft 4 is rotatably engaged with the sleeve 2; In use, the sleeve 2 is fixed to the seabed to support and fix the entire device, and the floating component 1 will be located on the horizontal surface. When waves rise, the waves will exert an upward force on the floating component 1, and at the same time drive the spiral shaft 4 to move upward. Since the spiral shaft 4 meshes with the rotor 3, the rotation inside the sleeve 2 will rotate around the axis of the spiral shaft 4. Since a friction electrode layer is set between the sleeve 2 and the rotor 3, power generation is achieved through the friction electrode layer.

[0021] In some possible implementations, in order to effectively generate electricity through the triboelectric electrode layer, the triboelectric electrode layer consists of a triboelectric pad 6 inside the sleeve 2 and an FEP film 5 disposed on the outside of the rotor 3 and sliding relative to the triboelectric pad 6; the triboelectric pad 6 is connected to the energy storage unit.

[0022] When the rotor 3 rotates, it will drive the FEP film 5 set on the outside of the rotor 3 to rotate. Since the triboelectric pad 6 is set inside the sleeve 2, the FEP film 5 and the triboelectric pad 6 will generate relative rotational motion and sliding friction. The periodic contact and separation of the two during rotation will generate electricity.

[0023] In some possible embodiments, the sleeve 2 includes a cylindrical body 21 fitted on the outside of the rotor 3 and having a friction electrode layer installed thereon; a top cover 22 installed on the top of the cylindrical body 21 and fitted on the outside of the helical shaft 4; and a lower limit support 23 provided inside the cylindrical body 21 for transmission engagement with the helical shaft 4.

[0024] By setting the top cover 22 and the lower limit support 23, the rotor 3 will not move along the axial direction of the spiral shaft 4 inside the cylinder body 21. When the spiral shaft 4 rises or falls, the rotor 3 can only rotate around the axial direction of the spiral shaft 4.

[0025] In some possible implementations, in order to effectively achieve periodic contact and separation between the FEP film 5 and the triboelectric pad 6, the triboelectric pad 6 is arranged in two sets and staggered, the triboelectric pad 6 includes multiple sets of pad bodies and connecting pieces for connecting the pad bodies; a groove 61 is formed between two adjacent sets of pad bodies for mounting the pad body in another set of triboelectric pads 6, and a gap 611 is formed between the pad body and the inner side of the groove 61; the FEP film 5 is arranged in multiple sets and uniformly around the rotor 3 in the circumferential direction.

[0026] Two sets of triboelectric pads 6 are first arranged alternately, and then installed on the inner side of the cylinder body 21.

[0027] In some possible implementations, in order to effectively drive the spiral shaft 4 to rise or fall by means of the floating assembly 1, the floating assembly 1 includes a floating plate 11 fitted on the outside of the sleeve 2 and a top plate 12 disposed directly above the sleeve 2 and connected to the spiral shaft 4; the top plate 12 and the floating plate 11 are connected to form an integral unit; a connecting rod 13 is provided between the top plate 12 and the floating plate 11.

[0028] The floating plate 11 is fitted onto the outside of the inner cylinder body 21 of the sleeve 2. The top plate 12 is disc-shaped and located directly above the sleeve 2. The top plate 12 and the floating plate 11 are connected by a connecting rod to form a whole. The top plate 12 is coaxially arranged with the sleeve 2 and connected to the spiral shaft 4. The floating plate 11 is located on the water surface. When waves rise, the bottom of the floating plate 11 is subjected to an upward force, which drives the entire floating assembly 1 and the spiral shaft 4 to move upward. Since the spiral shaft 4 moves upward, it is controlled to rotate through the engagement of the rotor 3 with the spiral shaft 4. This allows the rotor 3 to output electrical energy in the low-speed start-up stage. As the wave driving force increases, the rotation speed of the rotor 3 increases, and the output power increases accordingly, achieving efficient collection of low-frequency wave energy. When the waves weaken, the force on the bottom of the float plate decreases, causing the floating component 1 and the spiral shaft 4 to move downwards, which in turn drives the rotor 3 to rotate in the opposite direction, thus achieving energy harvesting.

[0029] In some possible implementations, the floating plate 11 is annular and coaxially arranged with the sleeve 2; the spiral shaft 4 is coaxially arranged with the sleeve 2.

[0030] In some possible implementations, in order to effectively achieve the low inertia design of the device, effectively improve the starting performance of the device, and achieve continuous power generation, the rotor 3 is made of ABS material, the floating component 1 is made of EPD foam material, the rotor 3 is made of 3D printing, and weight reduction holes are provided on the rotor 3.

[0031] A collection method for a rotating foam energy collector for collecting wave energy, as described above, wherein when a wave occurs, the floating plate 11 moves upward, driving the rotor 3 to rotate in the forward direction, and the triboelectric pad 6 and the FEP film 5 achieve periodic contact separation through rotation, resulting in charge transfer; As the waves weaken, the floating plate 11 moves downward, causing the rotor 3 to rotate in the opposite direction. The triboelectric pad 6 and the FEP film 5 achieve periodic contact separation through rotation, resulting in charge transfer.

[0032] Compared with other technologies, this invention, through the meshing design of the spiral shaft 4 and the rotor 3, can convert the 0.5 Hz low-frequency reciprocating linear motion driven by 10 cm waves into a high-frequency rotational motion of about 2 Hz, achieving a fourfold frequency amplification. This invention employs a circumferentially spaced layout of multiple FEP films 5 around the rotor 3, which improves voltage output and space utilization, and has high adaptability and self-starting capability. It can generate electricity even when the waves are weak (low starting speed and low inertia design); when the waves are stronger, the speed increases and the power generation increases significantly; it can still restart quickly after the waves decay.

[0033] This energy harvester structurally converts the mechanical energy generated by the up-and-down motion of waves into electrical energy, providing power for the deployment of large-scale offshore equipment and applicable to a wide range of environments.

[0034] This invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above. The invention extends to any new feature or combination disclosed in this specification, as well as any new method or process step or combination disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A rotating foam energy harvester for collecting wave energy, characterized in that, The device includes a floating assembly, a sleeve fitted inside the floating assembly and slidingly engaged with the floating assembly vertically, a rotor installed inside the sleeve and rotating with the sleeve, a helical shaft with one end connected to the floating assembly and the other end located inside the sleeve, a friction electrode layer disposed between the sleeve and the rotor, and an energy storage unit connected to the friction electrode layer; the rotor meshes with the helical shaft; the helical shaft is rotatingly engaged with the sleeve.

2. A rotating foam energy harvester for harvesting wave energy according to claim 1, characterized in that, The triboelectric electrode layer consists of a triboelectric plate inside the sleeve and an FEP film disposed on the outside of the rotor and sliding relative to the triboelectric plate; the triboelectric plate is connected to the energy storage unit.

3. A rotating foam energy harvester for collecting wave energy according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sleeve includes a cylindrical body fitted onto the outside of the rotor and having a friction electrode layer installed thereon.

4. A rotating foam energy harvester for harvesting wave energy according to claim 3, characterized in that, The sleeve also includes a top cover installed on the top of the sleeve body and fitted onto the outside of the spiral shaft; a lower limit support for the transmission and engagement of the spiral shaft is provided inside the sleeve body.

5. A rotating foam energy harvester for harvesting wave energy according to claim 2, characterized in that, The triboelectric pads are arranged in two sets and are staggered. Each triboelectric pad includes multiple sets of pad bodies and connecting pieces for connecting the pad bodies. A groove is formed between two adjacent sets of pad bodies for mounting the pad body in another set of triboelectric pads, and a gap is formed between the pad body and the inner side of the groove. The FEP film is arranged in multiple sets and is uniformly arranged around the rotor.

6. A rotating foam energy harvester for harvesting wave energy according to claim 1, characterized in that, The floating assembly includes a floating plate fitted on the outside of the sleeve and a top plate positioned directly above the sleeve and connected to the spiral shaft; the top plate and the floating plate are connected to form an integral unit.

7. A rotating foam energy harvester for harvesting wave energy according to claim 6, characterized in that, A connecting rod is provided between the top plate and the floating plate.

8. A rotating foam energy harvester for harvesting wave energy according to claim 7, characterized in that, The floating plate is annular and coaxial with the sleeve; the spiral shaft is coaxial with the sleeve.

9. A rotating foam energy harvester for harvesting wave energy according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that, The rotor is made of ABS material, the floating component is made of EPD foam material, the rotor is 3D printed, and weight reduction holes are provided on the rotor.

10. A method for collecting wave energy using a rotating foam energy harvester according to any one of claims 1-9, characterized in that, When waves appear, the floating plate moves upward, causing the rotor to rotate in the forward direction. The triboelectric pad and the FEP film achieve periodic contact separation through rotation, resulting in charge transfer. As the waves weaken, the floating plate moves downwards, causing the rotor to rotate in the opposite direction. The triboelectric pad and the FEP film achieve periodic contact separation through rotation, resulting in charge transfer.

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