Buoy and method of controlling the same

Abstract

The application discloses a buoy and a control method thereof. The buoy comprises a floating body, a morphing wing and an adjusting mechanism. The morphing wing is connected with the floating body and is provided with a containing cavity. The adjusting mechanism is arranged in the containing cavity and comprises a driving assembly and an adjusting assembly. The fixed end of the driving assembly is connected with the morphing wing, the driving end of the driving assembly is hinged with the adjusting assembly, and the adjusting assembly is hinged with the morphing wing. The driving assembly can drive the adjusting assembly to adjust the shape of the morphing wing, so as to adjust the natural frequency of the buoy. The application can adjust the natural frequency of the buoy, so that the dynamic adjustment of the natural frequency of the buoy is realized, the buoy can resonate with waves in a wider frequency range, the optimal capture efficiency can be maintained in a wider wave frequency range, and the energy capture efficiency of the buoy in different sea conditions is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of buoy technology, and in particular to a buoy and its control method. Background Technology

[0002] Wave energy, as a abundant and renewable clean energy source, is an important direction for addressing global fossil fuel shortages, climate change, developing green energy, and optimizing the energy structure. Its development and utilization technologies have received widespread attention. Currently, there are many types of wave energy conversion devices, mainly including oscillating water column type, oscillating body type, and overtaking type. Oscillating water column type wave energy conversion technology has advantages such as simple structure, low cost, and high reliability, occupying an important position in the field of wave energy conversion and receiving extensive research. Oscillating body type devices can be further divided into oscillating float type, pendulum type, raft type, and duck type. Among them, the point absorption float type has a relatively simple structure and is easy to arrange in an array. It typically relies on the heave, sway, or transverse motion of the float to drive internal energy conversion mechanisms such as linear generators, hydraulic systems, or water turbines to generate electricity.

[0003] Most existing point-absorbing floats are theoretically most efficient when their natural oscillation frequency resonates with the dominant wave frequency. However, their external shape or internal capture structure is fixed, and ocean waves are irregular, containing multiple frequencies. This means that most of the time, the float's motion is not synchronized with the waves; they can only achieve optimal capture efficiency near specific wave frequencies. When sea conditions change, and wave periods and heights deviate from design values, the device's capture efficiency drops sharply, resulting in energy capture efficiency far below the theoretical maximum. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application aims to at least solve one of the aforementioned technical problems existing in the prior art. Therefore, the purpose of this application is to provide a buoy capable of adjusting its natural frequency, thereby achieving dynamic adjustment of the buoy's natural frequency, and thus enabling it to resonate with waves across a wider frequency range, maintaining near-optimal capture efficiency over a wider wave frequency range, and improving the buoy's energy capture efficiency under different sea conditions.

[0005] This application also proposes a control method based on the above-mentioned buoy.

[0006] The buoy according to a first aspect embodiment of this application includes:

[0007] floating body;

[0008] Deformable wing, the deformable wing being connected to the float, the deformable wing being provided with a receiving cavity;

[0009] An adjustment mechanism is disposed within the accommodating cavity. The adjustment mechanism includes a drive component and an adjustment component. The fixed end of the drive component is connected to the deformable wing, and the drive end of the drive component is hinged to the adjustment component. The adjustment component is hinged to the deformable wing. The drive component can drive the adjustment component to adjust the shape of the deformable wing in order to adjust the natural frequency of the buoy.

[0010] The buoy according to the embodiments of this application has at least the following beneficial effects: the fixed end of the drive component is connected to the deformable wing, the drive end of the drive component is hinged to the adjustment component, the adjustment component is hinged to the deformable wing, and the drive component can drive the adjustment component to adjust the shape of the deformable wing to adjust the natural frequency of the buoy, thereby realizing the dynamic adjustment of the natural frequency of the buoy, and thus being able to resonate with waves in a wider frequency range, maintain near-optimal capture efficiency in a wider wave frequency range, and improve the energy capture efficiency of the buoy under different sea conditions.

[0011] According to some embodiments of this application, the adjustment assembly includes a support block, a main beam, and a driven link. The support block is connected to the deformable wing, the main beam is hinged to one end of the support block, the drive assembly, and the driven link, and the other end of the driven link is hinged to the deformable wing.

[0012] According to some embodiments of this application, the main beam includes a first beam body, a second beam body, and a third beam body. One end of the first beam body is connected to one end of the second beam body via a first connecting block. The other end of the first beam body is connected to one end of the third beam body via a second connecting block. The other end of the second beam body is connected to the other end of the third beam body via a third connecting block. The driving component is hinged to the first connecting block, and the support block is hinged to the second connecting block.

[0013] According to some embodiments of this application, the main beam further includes a fourth beam body, one end of which is connected to the second connecting block, and the other end of which is connected to the first beam body.

[0014] According to some embodiments of this application, the driven link is configured as a plurality of them, and the deformable wing is provided with a mounting seat corresponding to each driven link, and each driven link is hinged to the corresponding mounting seat.

[0015] According to some embodiments of this application, the driven link is configured as three links, which are divided into a first link, a second link, and a third link. One end of the first link is hinged to the first beam, and the other end of the first link is hinged to the corresponding mounting base. One end of the second link is hinged to the third connecting block, and the other end of the second link is hinged to the corresponding mounting base. One end of the third link is hinged to the third connecting block, and the other end of the third link is hinged to the corresponding mounting base.

[0016] According to some embodiments of this application, the deformable wing is provided with a frame that corresponds one-to-one with the mounting base, and each frame is connected to the corresponding mounting base.

[0017] According to some embodiments of this application, the deformable wing includes a plurality of wing surface units, and adjacent wing surface units are connected by a hinge shaft.

[0018] According to some embodiments of this application, the deformable wing is configured as an integrally formed structure, and the deformable wing is streamlined.

[0019] According to some embodiments of this application, the buoy further includes two swaying water tanks, which are symmetrically arranged on opposite sides of the buoy.

[0020] According to some embodiments of this application, the float is provided with a fluid channel and an air outlet, the fluid channel is connected to the air outlet, and an air turbine is provided at the air outlet for driving a generator to generate electricity.

[0021] The control method according to the second aspect of this application, based on the buoy of the first aspect of this application, includes the following steps:

[0022] Set the upper limit T of the wave period for safe operation of the buoy. max Lower limit T min ;

[0023] Measure the period T of the incident wave currently experienced by the buoy. i ;

[0024] Determine the period T of the incident wave currently experienced by the buoy. i If the buoy is within the wave cycle range during safe operation, and if not, the buoy stops operating; if so, the buoy's current natural frequency is calculated.

[0025] Determine whether the sum of the pressures in the buoy's current swaying water tank has reached the optimal level. If so, maintain the current sum of the pressures in the swaying water tank. If not, the drive component drives the adjustment component to adjust the shape of the deformable wing to adjust the natural frequency of the buoy until the sum of the pressures in the buoy's swaying water tank reaches the optimal level.

[0026] The control method according to the embodiments of this application has at least the following beneficial effects: By setting upper and lower limits for the wave period of safe buoy operation and measuring the current incident wave period experienced by the buoy, it is first determined whether the incident wave period is within the safe operating range. If it exceeds the range, operation is stopped in time, thereby ensuring the safety of the buoy under extreme sea conditions. When the incident wave period is within the safe operating range, the current natural frequency of the buoy is calculated, and it is determined whether the sum of pressures in the swaying tanks has reached the optimal level. If it has not reached the optimal level, the shape of the deformable fins is adjusted by the driving component driving the adjusting component to adjust the natural frequency of the buoy until the sum of pressures in the swaying tanks reaches the optimal level. The control method of this application realizes dynamic adjustment of the buoy's natural frequency, enabling the buoy's natural frequency to match the changing wave conditions in real time, ensuring that the buoy always operates in a state close to resonance, thereby continuously maintaining the optimal energy capture efficiency in a broadband wave environment.

[0027] According to some embodiments of this application, determining whether the sum of pressures in the current swaying water tank of the buoy has reached an optimal level includes:

[0028] Measure the current wave angular frequency;

[0029] Determine whether the current natural frequency of the buoy is 90% or higher of the current wave angular frequency. If so, the sum of the pressures in the buoy's current swaying water tank is at its optimal level; otherwise, the sum of the pressures in the buoy's current swaying water tank is not at its optimal level.

[0030] Additional aspects and advantages of this application will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of this application. Attached Figure Description

[0031] The present application will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments, wherein:

[0032] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the buoy in an embodiment of this application;

[0033] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of the buoy in an embodiment of this application;

[0034] Figure 3 This is one of the partial structural schematic diagrams of the buoy in the embodiments of this application;

[0035] Figure 4 This is a second schematic diagram of a portion of the structure of the buoy in an embodiment of this application;

[0036] Figure 5 This is a partial structural schematic diagram of the adjustment mechanism in an embodiment of this application;

[0037] Figure 6 This is one of the partial structural schematic diagrams of the deformable wing in an embodiment of this application;

[0038] Figure 7 This is a second schematic diagram of a portion of the deformable wing structure in an embodiment of this application;

[0039] Figure 8 This is a flowchart illustrating the control method of an embodiment of this application.

[0040] Reference numerals: 100, float; 110, fluid channel;

[0041] 200, Deformable wing; 210, Receiving cavity; 220, Mounting base; 230, Frame; 240, Wing unit; 250, Hinge shaft;

[0042] 300. Adjustment mechanism; 310. Drive assembly; 311. Hydraulic cylinder; 312. Drive link; 320. Adjustment assembly; 321. Support block; 322. Main beam; 3221. First beam; 3222. Second beam; 3223. Third beam; 3224. Fourth beam; 3225. First connecting block; 3226. Second connecting block; 3227. Third connecting block; 323. Driven link; 3231. First link; 3232. Second link; 3233. Third link;

[0043] 400, swaying water tank; 500, air turbine. Detailed Implementation

[0044] The embodiments of this application are described in detail below. Examples of these embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain this application, and should not be construed as limiting this application.

[0045] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the orientation descriptions, such as up, down, front, back, left, right, etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this application 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. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this application.

[0046] In the description of this application, "several" means one or more, "multiple" means two or more, "greater than," "less than," and "exceeding" are understood to exclude the stated number, while "above," "below," and "within" are understood to include the stated number. The use of "first" and "second" in the description is merely for distinguishing technical features and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance, or implicitly indicating the number of indicated technical features, or implicitly indicating the order of the indicated technical features.

[0047] In the description of this application, unless otherwise expressly defined, terms such as "setup," "installation," and "connection" should be interpreted broadly, and those skilled in the art can reasonably determine the specific meaning of the above terms in this application in conjunction with the specific content of the technical solution.

[0048] In the description of this application, the terms "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "illustrative embodiment," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., refer to specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in connection with that embodiment or example, which are included in at least one embodiment or example of this application. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.

[0049] Reference Figures 1 to 3 The first aspect of this application provides a buoy, including a float 100, a deformable wing 200, and an adjustment mechanism 300. The deformable wing 200 is connected to the float 100 and has a receiving cavity 210. The adjustment mechanism 300 is disposed in the receiving cavity 210 and includes a drive component 310 and an adjustment component 320. The fixed end of the drive component 310 is connected to the deformable wing 200, and the drive end of the drive component 310 is hinged to the adjustment component 320. The adjustment component 320 is hinged to the deformable wing 200. The drive component 310 can drive the adjustment component 320 to adjust the shape of the deformable wing 200 to adjust the natural frequency of the buoy.

[0050] Specifically, the fixed end of the drive assembly 310 is connected to the deformable wing 200, the drive end of the drive assembly 310 is hinged to the adjustment assembly 320, and the adjustment assembly 320 is hinged to the deformable wing 200. The drive assembly 310 can drive the adjustment assembly 320 to adjust the shape of the deformable wing 200 to adjust the natural frequency of the buoy, thereby realizing the dynamic adjustment of the natural frequency of the buoy, which in turn can resonate with waves in a wider frequency range, maintain near-optimal capture efficiency in a wider wave frequency range, and improve the energy capture efficiency of the buoy under different sea conditions.

[0051] Reference Figures 3 to 5In some embodiments, the adjustment assembly 320 is completely enclosed by the deformable wing 200. The adjustment assembly 320 includes a support block 321, a main beam 322, and a driven link 323. The support block 321 is connected to the deformable wing 200. The main beam 322 is hinged to one end of the support block 321, the drive assembly 310, and one end of the driven link 323. The other end of the driven link 323 is hinged to the deformable wing 200. Specifically, the connection between the support block 321 and the deformable wing 200 provides a mounting support foundation for the entire adjustment assembly 320, ensuring the robustness of the connection between the adjustment assembly 320 and the deformable wing 200 and the structural stability. Furthermore, the main beam 322 is hinged to one end of the support block 321, the drive assembly 310, and the driven link 323, while the other end of the driven link 323 is hinged to the deformable wing 200, forming a multi-degree-of-freedom spatial motion network. This allows the main beam 322 to rotate within a certain range, and the driving force output by the drive assembly 310 can be transmitted to the driven link 323 through the main beam 322, thereby causing the deformable wing 200 to change shape, thus ensuring the accuracy and stability of the buoy's natural frequency adjustment. In addition, the deformable wing 200 is made of flexible material, and the hinged structure between the deformable wing 200 and the adjustment assembly 320 can disperse and absorb sudden wave impact forces through deformation, avoiding stress concentration points in rigid structures, thereby reducing the risk of material fatigue and fracture.

[0052] Reference Figure 4 , Figure 5 In some embodiments, the main beam 322 includes a first beam 3221, a second beam 3222, and a third beam 3223. One end of the first beam 3221 is connected to one end of the second beam 3222 via a first connecting block 3225. The other end of the first beam 3221 is connected to one end of the third beam 3223 via a second connecting block 3226. The other end of the second beam 3222 is connected to the other end of the third beam 3223 via a third connecting block 3227. The drive assembly 310 is hinged to the first connecting block 3225, and the support block 321 is hinged to the second connecting block 3226, forming a frame structure. This structure can improve the structural strength and rigidity of the main beam 322, prevent deformation or damage to the main beam 322, and ensure the structural stability and service life of the main beam 322. Furthermore, the drive assembly 310 is hinged to the first connecting block 3225, and the support block 321 is hinged to the second connecting block 3226, so that the driving force output by the drive assembly 310 can be transmitted to the main beam 322 as a whole through the first connecting block 3225. At the same time, the support block 321 supports the main beam 322 through the second connecting block 3226, ensuring that the main beam 322 remains balanced during the force process, reducing the phenomenon of force concentration, and making the force uniform among the beams. This enables the transmission of driving force and the execution of adjustment actions, ensuring that the adjustment assembly 320 can reliably drive the deformable wing 200 to complete the shape adjustment.

[0053] Reference Figure 4 , Figure 5 In some embodiments, the main beam 322 further includes a fourth beam 3224, one end of which is connected to the second connecting block 3226, and the other end of which is connected to the first beam 3221. The fourth beam 3224 forms an additional support connection between the first beam 3221 and the second connecting block 3226, which can distribute the overall stress on the main beam 322, further improve the structural strength and rigidity of the main beam 322, avoid local deformation or damage to the main beam 322 during the process of adjusting the stress on the deformable wing 200, and further enhance the structural stability and load-bearing capacity of the main beam 322.

[0054] Reference Figure 4 , Figure 5 In some embodiments, multiple driven links 323 are provided, and the deformable wing 200 is provided with mounting seats 220 corresponding to each driven link 323. Each driven link 323 is hinged to its corresponding mounting seat 220, which allows the force transmitted by the main beam 322 to be distributed at multiple stress points of the deformable wing 200. This avoids deformation or damage to the deformable wing 200 due to localized stress concentration, improves the overall stress uniformity and structural stability of the deformable wing 200, and ensures the consistency of movement and attitude controllability of the deformable wing 200 during shape adjustment. This improves the deformation accuracy and response smoothness of the deformable wing 200, thereby ensuring the reliable and stable adjustment process of the buoy's natural frequency and enhancing the reliability and adaptability of the buoy in complex sea conditions. In addition, the main beam 322 and the driven links 323 form a triangular support structure, which adjusts the deformable wing 200 and maintains its shape through the drive assembly 310. In addition, the main beam 322 is hinged to the drive assembly 310, multiple driven links 323 and support block 321 to form an internal transmission network, which ensures smooth motion transmission and balanced force between components, realizes the transmission of driving force to deformable wing 200, and improves the motion accuracy and response stability of adjustment mechanism 300.

[0055] Reference Figure 4 , Figure 5In some embodiments, three driven links 323 are provided, namely a first link 3231, a second link 3232, and a third link 3233. One end of the first link 3231 is hinged to the first beam 3221, and the other end of the first link 3231 is hinged to the corresponding mounting base 220. One end of the second link 3232 is hinged to the third connecting block 3227, and the other end of the second link 3232 is hinged to the corresponding mounting base 220. One end of the third link 3233 is hinged to the third connecting block 3227, and the other end of the third link 3233 is hinged to the corresponding mounting base 220. This can form a multi-point, distributed force support and driving structure on the deformable wing 200, so that the force generated during the adjustment process is distributed to different areas of the deformable wing 200, avoiding local stress concentration and improving the overall structural strength and stress stability of the deformable wing 200.

[0056] Reference Figure 4 , Figure 6 In some embodiments, the deformable wing 200 is provided with a frame 230 corresponding to the mounting base 220. Each frame 230 is connected to the corresponding mounting base 220, thereby converting the motion of the driven link 323 into a change in the spatial position of the airfoil frame 230. The spatial attitude adjustment of the frame 230 drives the deformable wing 200 to undergo controllable deformation, ensuring that the driving action of the driven link 323 is transmitted to the deformable wing 200, and improving the response speed and control accuracy of the deformable wing 200's shape adjustment.

[0057] Reference Figure 4 , Figure 5 In some embodiments, the deformable wing 200 includes multiple airfoil units 240, with adjacent airfoil units 240 connected by a hinge shaft 250. This allows each airfoil unit 240 to rotate relative to the corresponding hinge shaft 250, forming a segmented, continuously variable airfoil structure. This ensures that the deformable wing 200 has good bending flexibility and shape adaptability during adjustment. Each airfoil unit 240 can move collaboratively under the drive of the driven link 323 and the frame 230, achieving a smooth transition deformation of the overall airfoil and ensuring that the shape adjustment of the deformable wing 200 is controllable.

[0058] In other embodiments, the deformable wing 200 is configured as a one-piece molded structure, which improves structural rigidity and stability, avoids fatigue damage or loosening of multi-segment connected structures during long-term reciprocating deformation, and reduces component assembly gaps and connection points, thereby improving the overall structural integrity of the deformable wing 200 and reducing the impact of assembly errors on deformation accuracy. Specifically, the deformable wing 200 is configured as a one-piece molded carbon fiber curved panel. Carbon fiber material has the characteristics of high strength and light weight, which can reduce the overall load of the buoy while ensuring structural strength and optimizing the rotational inertia adjustment range. Of course, the deformable wing 200 can also be configured as a one-piece molded aluminum alloy plate. In actual design, the material and structure of the deformable wing 200 can be designed according to actual needs.

[0059] In some embodiments, the deformable wing 200 is streamlined, which can guide the water flow smoothly along the wing surface of the deformable wing 200, reduce the generation of vortices in the wake, reduce the alternating impact load of the water flow on the deformable wing 200, reduce the risk of fatigue damage to the structure caused by alternating stress, improve the overall durability and operational stability of the deformable wing 200, and thus extend the service life of the buoy in complex marine environments.

[0060] Reference Figure 3 , Figure 4 In some embodiments, the drive assembly 310 is configured as a hydraulic cylinder 311 and a drive link 312. One end of the drive link 312 is connected to the drive end of the hydraulic cylinder 311, and the other end of the drive link 312 is hinged to the main beam 322. The hydraulic cylinder 311 drives the drive link 312 to move linearly, thereby causing the main beam 322 to rotate. This rotation, in turn, drives the deformable wing 200 to move via the driven link 323, thereby adjusting the shape of the deformable wing 200. Of course, in actual design, the structure of the drive assembly 310 can be designed according to actual needs.

[0061] Reference Figure 7 In some embodiments, when facing extreme sea conditions such as typhoons, the deformable wing 200 can be adjusted to a drooping state to reduce the effect of wave load and hydrostatic pressure on the deformable wing 200. By "unloading" the buoy, the load effect of waves on the buoy is reduced, thereby improving the buoy's survivability.

[0062] Reference Figure 1In some embodiments, the buoy further includes two swaying water tanks 400, symmetrically arranged on opposite sides of the float 100. Specifically, the swaying water tanks 400 are sealed by a sealing element, and the draft of the float 100 can be adjusted by depressurizing or depressurizing the swaying water tanks 400, allowing the buoy to adapt to different operating sea areas. Secondly, the symmetrical arrangement of the swaying water tanks 400 ensures that the float 100 is subjected to balanced forces during adjustment, maintaining the stability of the buoy's operating attitude. The swaying motion generated by the liquid within the sealed swaying water tanks 400 can be converted into electrical energy, realizing wave energy capture and power generation. At the same time, the swaying of the liquid within the swaying water tanks 400 can also increase the motion response of the float 100 under wave action, broaden the buoy's energy capture pathways, and further improve the overall power generation capacity and energy utilization efficiency of the buoy.

[0063] Reference Figure 2 In some embodiments, the float 100 has a hollow structure, which reduces overall weight while ensuring structural buoyancy, providing a spatial basis for internal gas flow and energy conversion. Simultaneously, the float 100 adopts a bilaterally symmetrical structure to maintain the stability of the entire device. Furthermore, deformable wing 200 is installed on one side of the float 100 along the X-axis, and is located on the lower side of the float 100, capable of withstanding wave forces and assisting in adjusting the buoy's shape and natural frequency. Additionally, the float 100 is provided with a fluid channel 110 and an air outlet, the air outlet being located on the upper side of the float 100 and connected to the fluid channel 110. An air turbine 500 is installed at the air outlet, which drives a generator to generate electricity. The air turbine 500 can continuously operate under the action of gas flow, thereby driving the generator to convert mechanical energy into electrical energy, forming a wave energy capture and power generation path, improving the wave energy utilization efficiency and the overall power generation stability of the device.

[0064] The working principle of the buoy in this application is as follows: the movement of waves causes the water level in the fluid channel 110 of the float 100 to change, resulting in an air pressure difference between the fluid channel 110 of the float 100 and the outside world, which in turn drives the airflow to flow rapidly. The air flows bidirectionally through the air turbine 500 and drives the air turbine 500 to rotate, converting wave energy into mechanical energy and then further into electrical energy, thus completing the generator's power generation process.

[0065] It should be noted that the rotating shaft of the air turbine 500 is directly or coupled to the input shaft of the generator through a transmission mechanism. After the mechanical energy generated by the rotation of the air turbine 500 is transmitted to the generator, the rotor inside the generator moves relative to the stator to cut magnetic field lines, and converts mechanical energy into electrical energy output based on the principle of electromagnetic induction.

[0066] The added mass of the buoy is related to the projected area of ​​the deformable wing 200 on the horizontal plane. The greater the change in the projected area of ​​the deformable wing 200 on the horizontal plane, the greater the change in the added mass. Under the same wave period, a larger projected area of ​​the deformable wing 200 on the horizontal plane results in a larger added mass of the buoy and a smaller heave natural frequency. Conversely, a smaller projected area of ​​the deformable wing 200 on the horizontal plane results in a smaller added mass of the buoy and a larger heave natural frequency. In the constantly changing ocean waves, timely adjustment of the heave natural frequency can effectively improve the energy conversion efficiency of the buoy. Therefore, this application uses the drive component 310 to drive the adjustment component 320 to adjust the shape of the deformable wing 200, thereby changing the projected area of ​​the deformable wing 200 on the horizontal plane, thus changing the added mass of the buoy in the heave direction, and ultimately changing the heave natural frequency of the buoy.

[0067] Reference Figure 8 The second aspect of this application provides a control method for a buoy based on the first aspect of this application, including the following steps:

[0068] S100, Set the upper limit T of the wave period for safe operation of the buoy. max Lower limit T min .

[0069] S200, Measuring the period T of the incident wave currently acting on the buoy. i .

[0070] In step S200, the period T of the incident wave currently experienced by the buoy is measured using three WaveGuide5 wave-measuring radars. i , where i represents the current time.

[0071] S300, Determine the period T of the incident wave currently affecting the buoy. i If the wave cycle is within the range of the buoy's safe operating period, the buoy should be stopped if not. If it is, the buoy's current natural frequency should be calculated.

[0072] In step S300, if the current incident wave period T experienced by the buoy is... i If the wave cycle exceeds the safe operating range of the buoy, the buoy will stop operating in time, thus ensuring the safety of the buoy under extreme sea conditions.

[0073] In step S300, the natural frequencies of the buoy's current six degrees of freedom (sway, roll, heave, pitch, pitch, and bow) are calculated using the following formulas: Where k is the equivalent stiffness coefficient, m is the actual mass of the buoy, and m a The natural frequencies of the buoy's six degrees of freedom are calculated by substituting the different additional masses on the buoy's six degrees of freedom.

[0074] It should be noted that, for the deformable wing 200 in different shapes, the additional mass m for each degree of freedom of the device under each shape can be calculated using hydrodynamic analysis software (program / code). a Alternatively, a database can be formed through a series of calculations and statistics.

[0075] S400: Determine whether the sum of pressures in the current swaying water tank 400 of the buoy has reached the optimal level. If so, maintain the sum of pressures in the current swaying water tank 400. If not, drive component 310 drives adjustment component to adjust the shape of deformable wing 200 to adjust the natural frequency of the buoy until the sum of pressures in the swaying water tank 400 of the buoy reaches the optimal level.

[0076] In step S400, the current wave angular frequency is measured to determine whether the current natural frequency of the buoy is 90% or higher of the current wave angular frequency. If so, the sum of pressures in the buoy's current swaying water tank has reached the optimal level; otherwise, the sum of pressures in the buoy's current swaying water tank has not reached the optimal level.

[0077] In step S400, the wave angular frequency is measured by a sensor, and the time interval T for the sensor to detect the wave angular frequency is set. Steps S300 to S400 are repeated with the time interval T as the period.

[0078] In step S400, the natural frequencies of the buoy's six degrees of freedom are calculated through step S300. When the natural frequency of at least one degree of freedom is 90% or more of the current wave angular frequency, the sum of the pressures in the buoy's current swaying tank reaches its optimal value. At this time, the buoy's natural frequency is close to the wave angular frequency, producing a resonance effect. The buoy's movement is more intense, and the swaying of the liquid in the swaying tank 400 increases the buoy's motion response under the action of waves, thereby causing a drastic change in the air pressure in the buoy's fluid channel, which in turn drives the air turbine to operate and convert mechanical energy into electrical energy.

[0079] It should be noted that if the natural frequencies of two or more degrees of freedom of the buoy are both 90% or higher of the current wave angular frequency, then the coupled mode of the natural frequencies of these two or more degrees of freedom resonates with the wave. For example, when the heave and pitch degrees of freedom of the buoy are both 90% or higher of the current wave angular frequency, then the mode of the heave natural frequency and the coupled natural frequency of the pitch resonates with the wave.

[0080] In step S400, the buoy controller issues a command to drive the drive assembly 310 to move. The drive assembly 310 drives the main beam 322 to rotate around its hinge point with the support block 321. The main beam 322 drives the driven link 323 to move, thereby adjusting the shape of the deformable wing 200 and thus changing the horizontal projected area of ​​the deformable wing 200. Furthermore, during the adjustment of the shape of the deformable wing 200, the buoy controller synchronously measures the natural frequencies of the buoy's six degrees of freedom until the sum of the pressures in the buoy's current swaying tank reaches its optimal value.

[0081] The control method of this application sets upper and lower limits for the wave period of safe buoy operation and measures the current incident wave period of the buoy. First, it determines whether the incident wave period is within the safe operating range. If it exceeds the range, operation is stopped promptly, thus ensuring the buoy's safety under extreme sea conditions. When the incident wave period is within the safe operating range, the buoy's current natural frequency is calculated, and it is determined whether the sum of pressures in the swaying tank 400 is optimal. If not, the drive component 310 drives the adjustment component 320 to adjust the shape of the deformable wing 200 to adjust the buoy's natural frequency until the sum of pressures in the swaying tank 400 reaches the optimal value. This control method achieves dynamic adjustment of the buoy's natural frequency, enabling it to match changing wave conditions in real time and continuously maintain the optimal energy capture operating state, thereby maintaining optimal energy capture efficiency in a wide-bandgap wave environment.

[0082] The embodiments of this application have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, this application is not limited to the above embodiments. Within the scope of knowledge possessed by those skilled in the art, various changes can be made without departing from the spirit of this application. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features described in the embodiments of this application can be combined with each other.

Claims

1. A buoy, characterized in that, include: floating body; Deformable wing, the deformable wing being connected to the float, the deformable wing being provided with a receiving cavity; An adjustment mechanism is disposed within the accommodating cavity. The adjustment mechanism includes a drive assembly and an adjustment assembly. The fixed end of the drive assembly is connected to the deformable wing, and the drive end of the drive assembly is hinged to the adjustment assembly. The adjustment assembly is hinged to the deformable wing. The drive assembly can drive the adjustment assembly to adjust the shape of the deformable wing, thereby adjusting the natural frequency of the buoy. The adjustment assembly includes a support block, a main beam, and a driven connecting rod. The support block is connected to the deformable wing, and the main beam is hinged to one end of the support block, the drive assembly, and the driven connecting rod, respectively. The other end is hinged to the deformable wing; multiple driven links are provided, and each deformable wing is provided with a mounting seat corresponding to each driven link, with each driven link hinged to the corresponding mounting seat; each deformable wing is provided with a frame corresponding to each mounting seat, with each frame connected to the corresponding mounting seat; the deformable wing includes multiple wing surface units, and adjacent wing surface units are connected by a hinge shaft; the float is provided with a fluid channel and an air outlet, the fluid channel communicating with the air outlet, and an air turbine is provided at the air outlet, the air turbine being used to drive a generator to generate electricity.

2. The buoy according to claim 1, characterized in that, The deformable wing is configured as a one-piece molded structure and has a streamlined shape.

3. The buoy according to claim 1, characterized in that, The buoy also includes two swaying water tanks, which are symmetrically arranged on opposite sides of the buoy.

4. A control method for a buoy based on any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: Set the upper limit T of the wave period for safe operation of the buoy. max Lower limit T min ; Measure the period T of the incident wave currently experienced by the buoy. i ; Determine the period T of the incident wave currently experienced by the buoy. i If the buoy is within the wave cycle range during safe operation, and if not, the buoy stops operating; if so, the buoy's current natural frequency is calculated. Determine whether the sum of the pressures in the buoy's current swaying water tank has reached the optimal level. If so, maintain the current sum of the pressures in the swaying water tank. If not, the drive component drives the adjustment component to adjust the shape of the deformable wing to adjust the natural frequency of the buoy until the sum of the pressures in the buoy's swaying water tank reaches the optimal level.

5. The control method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The determination of whether the sum of pressures in the current swaying water tank of the buoy has reached the optimal level includes: Measure the current wave angular frequency; Determine whether the current natural frequency of the buoy is 90% or higher of the current wave angular frequency. If so, the sum of the pressures in the buoy's current swaying water tank is at its optimal level; otherwise, the sum of the pressures in the buoy's current swaying water tank is not at its optimal level.

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