OWC wave energy buoy with adaptive flipper

Abstract

The application discloses an OWC wave energy buoy with self-adaptive overturning heave plate and belongs to the technical field of wave energy power generation. The application comprises the following steps: the upper end of the central moon pool of the annular buoy body is blocked by a cover plate to form an OWC air chamber structure, the cover plate is provided with an opening and is communicated with one end of a turbine pipeline; a power generation module and an impeller connected with the power generation module are arranged in the turbine pipeline; a connecting shaft is fixedly connected with the annular buoy body; a plurality of swing rods are uniformly arranged along the circumference of the connecting shaft, one end of each swing rod is swing-connected with the connecting shaft, and the swing axis of the swing rod is perpendicular to the axis of the connecting shaft; one side of a flexible sheet body is connected with the plurality of swing rods. The application realizes the self-adaptive cooperation between the motion state of the annular buoy body and the structure form of the heave plate. The annular buoy body reduces the adverse resistance, increases the effective motion stroke of the annular buoy body, enhances the water column oscillation in the OWC air chamber structure and the aerodynamic response in the turbine pipeline in the rising and falling stages, and improves the energy acquisition effect, the operation reliability and the marine environmental adaptability.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of wave energy generation technology, and in particular to an OWC wave energy buoy with an adaptive tilting plate. Background Technology

[0002] OWC wave energy buoys utilize the oscillations of the moon pool water column caused by waves to drive the turbine and generate electricity through the reciprocating flow of air within the air chamber. This makes them suitable for supplementing the energy supply for marine observation buoys, navigation markers, marine ranching monitoring equipment, and unmanned offshore devices. Compared to relying solely on batteries or solar power, OWC wave energy power generation is not limited by day-night cycles, and key power generation components such as the turbine can be housed in the upper compartment or air chamber channel of the buoy, facilitating sealing, protection, and maintenance. However, the power generation efficiency of OWC wave energy buoys is affected by factors such as the buoy's motion response, the oscillations of the moon pool water column, the air chamber pressure difference, the turbine airflow velocity, and the flow field around the buoy. For OWC wave energy buoys, the oscillations of the air chamber water column depend not only on the absolute amplitude of the buoy's motion but also on the relative motion between the buoy body and the water in the moon pool. When the buoy's wave-following behavior is too strong, the buoy body may move with the waves as a whole, leading to a weakening of the relative oscillations between the water in the moon pool and the buoy, insufficient changes in the air chamber pressure difference, and insufficient turbine airflow velocity, thus limiting the device's energy harvesting efficiency. Therefore, it is necessary to optimize the structure to adjust the hydrodynamic response of the buoy and its surrounding flow field, enhance the effective relative motion between the buoy body and the moon pool water, improve the coupling relationship between the moon pool water column oscillation and the aerodynamic response of the OWC air chamber, and thus improve the power supply capability of the OWC wave energy buoy.

[0003] In existing technologies, there are schemes to improve the performance of OWC wave energy buoys by adjusting the area, depth, or structure of the heave plate. For example, CN117550018B discloses a wave energy generating buoy and its variable-area heave plate and control method. This scheme can adjust the equivalent area of ​​the heave plate by changing the area of ​​the through-hole obstruction, but it requires components such as a top cover, a fixed plate, a rotating opening and closing mechanism, and a rotating drive mechanism, making the overall mechanical structure relatively complex, and it relies on active control to adjust the through-hole obstruction area. In long-term marine environments, the rotating opening and closing mechanism and drive components may be affected by factors such as seawater corrosion, marine organism attachment, sediment ingress, seal failure, or transmission jamming, placing high demands on structural sealing, corrosion resistance, control accuracy, and operational reliability. In addition, the adjustment object of this scheme is mainly the area of ​​the through-hole obstruction at the center of the heave plate, and the adjustment dimension is concentrated on the change of the equivalent projected area, resulting in a relatively limited adjustment range. As another example, CN118494679A discloses a wave energy generating buoy with variable heave plate depth and its method. The main technical approach of this scheme is to adjust the wave energy conversion performance of the buoy by changing the arrangement depth of the rigid heave plate. However, it requires active adjustment through components such as push rods, telescopic devices, or locking mechanisms, resulting in a relatively complex mechanical structure. Furthermore, it demands high standards for sealing, corrosion resistance, anti-adhesion, and operational reliability in long-term marine environments. Simultaneously, as the arrangement depth of the heave plate increases, the connection distance between the heave plate and the buoy body also increases, potentially leading to increased bending moments and structural loads from waves and currents, thus placing higher demands on connection strength and fatigue reliability. In addition, WO2025038693A1 discloses a double-body flexible tethered oscillating water column device. This scheme considers the asymmetric hydrodynamic effects during the vertical movement phases, but it primarily achieves resistance differences in different movement phases through openings and valve opening / closing on the bottom heave plate. Its structural focus lies in the valve-controlled opening heave plate or the asymmetric bottom body. Because valve-controlled structures contain multiple distributed valves, they may be affected by factors such as seawater corrosion, marine organism attachment, sediment blockage, or valve jamming in the long-term marine environment. If some valves fail to open or close or operate asynchronously, the stress on different areas of the heave plate may be uneven, thereby increasing the risk of buoy attitude deflection, increased local load, or even capsizing. Therefore, this type of structure has high requirements for valve reliability, synchronization, and maintenance conditions.

[0004] Therefore, how to provide an OWC wave energy buoy with an adaptive tilting plate that can overcome the above-mentioned problems is a problem that urgently needs to be solved by those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides an OWC wave energy buoy with an adaptive tilting plate, comprising: an annular buoy body, a cover plate, a turbine pipe, a power generation module, an impeller, and a tilting plate assembly. The annular buoy body is hollow and positioned on the water surface. The upper end of the central moon pool of the annular buoy body is sealed with a cover plate, and the lower end of the central moon pool is submerged underwater. The cover plate has an opening and is connected to one end of the turbine pipe. The power generation module is arranged inside the turbine pipe. The impeller is coaxially arranged inside the turbine pipe and fixed to the power input end of the power generation module. The tilting plate assembly is arranged below the annular buoy body and includes a connecting shaft, swing rods, and a flexible sheet. The connecting shaft is fixedly connected to the annular buoy body, and the axis of the connecting shaft is parallel to the center line of the hole in the central moon pool. Multiple swing rods are provided and evenly arranged along the circumference of the connecting shaft. One end of the swing rod is oscillatingly connected to the connecting shaft, and the swing axis of the swing rod relative to the connecting shaft is perpendicular to the axis of the connecting shaft. One side of the flexible sheet is simultaneously connected to multiple swing rods.

[0006] Preferably, it also includes an equipment compartment, which is fixed to the upper end of the annular buoy body, and the turbine pipes are arranged inside the equipment compartment.

[0007] Preferably, the centerline of the turbine duct and the centerline of the central moon pool are both perpendicular to the surface of the cover plate; the centerline of the connecting shaft coincides with the centerline of the central moon pool.

[0008] Preferably, it also includes forward guide vanes and reverse guide vanes. The two ends of the forward guide vanes are fixed to the body of the power generation module and the inner wall of the turbine pipe, and multiple forward guide vanes are provided and evenly arranged along the circumference of the turbine pipe. The two ends of the reverse guide vanes are fixed to the body of the power generation module and the inner wall of the turbine pipe, and multiple reverse guide vanes are provided and evenly arranged along the circumference of the turbine pipe. The forward guide vanes and the reverse guide vanes have opposite guiding directions, and the forward guide vanes, impeller and reverse guide vanes are arranged sequentially along the length of the turbine pipe.

[0009] Preferably, the heave plate assembly further includes a slip ring and a connecting rod, the slip ring being slidably sleeved on the connecting shaft; one end of the swing rod is hinged to the connecting shaft and has a hinge axis line one, which is perpendicular to the axis line of the connecting shaft; multiple connecting rods are provided, one end of each of the multiple connecting rods is hinged to the slip ring, and the other end of each of the multiple connecting rods is hinged to multiple swing rods; the connecting rod and the slip ring have a hinge axis line two, and the connecting rod and the swing rod have a hinge axis line three; hinge axis line one, hinge axis line two, and hinge axis line three are all perpendicular to the axis line of the connecting shaft.

[0010] Preferably, the heave plate assembly further includes retaining rings, two of which are coaxially fixed with the connecting shaft. The two retaining rings are arranged sequentially along the axial length of the connecting shaft and are located between the annular buoy body and the lower end of the connecting shaft. A slip ring is arranged between the two retaining rings and can abut against the retaining rings. The retaining rings can limit the range of motion of the slip ring.

[0011] Preferably, the heave plate assembly further includes connecting rods, and there are multiple connecting rods arranged in the central moon pool; one end of each connecting rod is fixed to the connecting shaft, and the other end of each connecting rod is fixed to the inner wall of the hole in the central moon pool; the length direction of the connecting rod is perpendicular to the length direction of the connecting shaft.

[0012] Preferably, the sway plate assembly further includes connectors, with multiple connectors evenly fixed on each swing rod. The flexible sheet is connected to the swing rod through multiple connectors, and one side of the flexible sheet can be tightly attached to the sidewalls of multiple swing rods at the same time.

[0013] The advantages and positive effects of the OWC wave energy buoy with adaptive tilting plate of the present invention are as follows: 1. This invention features a heave plate assembly located beneath the annular buoy body. A flexible sheet and multiple swing rods together form an umbrella-shaped heave plate structure. As the annular buoy body rises and falls with the waves, this heave plate structure passively flips relative to the connecting shaft. This design eliminates the need for complex rotary opening and closing mechanisms, push rod extension and retraction mechanisms, locking mechanisms, or multiple valve-controlled opening and closing components, reducing active control links and complex moving parts. This simplifies the overall mechanical structure and improves the operational reliability of the device in long-term marine environments.

[0014] 2. In this invention, the umbrella-shaped heave plate structure, composed of a flexible sheet and multiple swing rods, can form different spatial configurations at different stages of the annular buoy's movement. During the descent phase of the annular buoy, the umbrella-shaped heave plate structure is arranged with its opening facing upwards, allowing the water to flow smoothly and dispersedly along the structure, thereby reducing adverse resistance, local flow separation, and instantaneous hydrodynamic impact during the descent. During the ascent phase of the annular buoy, the umbrella-shaped heave plate structure is arranged with its opening facing downwards, similarly conforming to the water flow and reducing adverse resistance. This application can play a role in reducing drag with the current during both the ascent and descent phases of the annular buoy, which is beneficial for increasing the effective travel distance of the annular buoy under wave action.

[0015] 3. This invention exhibits a more pronounced converging and guiding effect during the ascent phase of the annular buoy body. The umbrella-shaped heave plate structure, with its downward-facing opening, guides and converges the water below the annular buoy body, promoting water transport towards the inlet area of ​​the OWC air chamber structure. Compared to existing technologies that adjust hydrodynamic parameters solely by changing the area or depth of the heave plate, this invention not only regulates the hydrodynamic response of the lower part of the annular buoy body but also improves water transport conditions near the OWC air chamber structure.

[0016] 4. This invention can improve the coupling relationship between the external flow field of the annular buoy body, the oscillation of the water column inside the OWC air chamber structure, and the aerodynamic response inside the turbine pipe. The increased effective stroke of the annular buoy body and the enhanced inlet water delivery of the OWC air chamber structure help to increase the oscillation amplitude of the water column inside the OWC air chamber structure, making the air exchange process inside the turbine pipe more pronounced. This results in enhanced airflow inside the turbine pipe, increased pressure difference changes within the OWC air chamber structure, and increased airflow velocity within the turbine pipe, providing more effective airflow driving conditions for impeller rotation, thereby improving the energy harvesting effect of this application.

[0017] 5. This invention employs an umbrella-shaped heave plate structure composed of a flexible sheet and multiple swing rods as the main hydrodynamic surface. Compared to traditional rigid heave plates, it exhibits a certain degree of compliance and deformation adaptability under complex wave conditions. The heave plate structure can undergo moderate deformation and overturning under hydrodynamic action, which helps to mitigate instantaneous impact loads, reduce local structural stress concentration, and improve the adaptability of this invention to wave and flow changes.

[0018] 6. By designing two retaining rings, this invention restricts the movement range of the slip ring on the connecting shaft. The heave plate structure can complete the shape switching within the predetermined stroke of the slip ring, avoiding excessive slip ring displacement that could lead to interference of the rods or structural impact. This design helps improve the stability and safety of the motion in this application.

[0019] 7. Compared with the valve-controlled orifice heave plate in the prior art, the present invention does not rely on the synchronous opening and closing of multiple distributed valves to achieve the hydrodynamic differences in the up and down movement stages, which can reduce the risk of local failure caused by valve corrosion, adhesion, blockage or jamming. At the same time, since the heave plate structure is rotated as a whole to form the working shape, it can reduce the risk of uneven force, attitude deviation or increased local load caused by the failure of local valves.

[0020] 8. By designing slip rings and connecting rods, the swing rod can swing stably relative to the connecting shaft.

[0021] 9. By designing forward and reverse guide blades, the impeller can rotate in one direction regardless of the direction of the airflow inside the turbine duct. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1 This is an isometric view of the umbrella-shaped sway plate structure in this invention with its opening facing downwards. Figure 2 This is an isometric view of the umbrella-shaped sway plate structure in this invention with its opening facing upwards. Figure 3 For the partial isometric projection of the present invention Figure 1 ; Figure 4 for Figure 3 A magnified view of a section at point A in the middle; Figure 5 For the partial isometric projection of the present invention Figure 2 ; Figure 6 For the partial isometric projection of the present invention Figure 3 .

[0023] Figure Labels 01. Annular buoy body; 010. Central moon pool; 02. Cover plate; 03. Turbine pipe; 04. Power generation module; 05. Impeller; 06. Connecting shaft; 07. Swing rod; 08. Flexible sheet; 09. Slip ring; 10. Connecting rod; 11. Retaining ring; 12. Connecting rod; 13. Connector; 14. Equipment compartment; 140. Porthole; 141. Door; 142. Mast; 15. Forward guide vane; 16. Reverse guide vane; 17. Mounting shaft one; 18. Mounting shaft two; 19. Mounting shaft three. Detailed Implementation

[0024] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that the terms "upper," "lower," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, or the orientation or positional relationship commonly used when the product is in use. They are used only for the convenience of describing the 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. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the invention. In the description of this invention, it should also be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "set," "install," and "connect" 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; and they can refer to the internal communication between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0025] In this application, unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application pertains. In case of any inconsistency, the meaning set forth in this specification or derived from the content described herein shall prevail. Furthermore, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing embodiments of this application only and is not intended to limit the scope of this application.

[0026] See appendix Figure 1-6 This is a schematic diagram of the overall and partial structure of one embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, the present invention discloses an OWC wave energy buoy with an adaptive tilting heave plate, comprising: an annular buoy body 01, a cover plate 02, a turbine pipe 03, a power generation module 04, an impeller 05, and a heave plate assembly.

[0027] The annular buoy body 01 is hollow and floats on the sea surface. In this embodiment, the annular buoy body 01 is circular, but it can also be polygonal. The central moon pool 010 of the annular buoy body 01 is a circular or polygonal hole. In this embodiment, the central moon pool 010 is a circular hole, and a circular cover plate 02 seals the upper end of the central moon pool 010. The lower end of the central moon pool 010 is connected to the seawater. The cover plate 02, the central moon pool 010, and the sea surface together constitute the OWC air chamber structure.

[0028] The cover plate 02 has a centrally located opening and is fixed to and connected to one end of a turbine pipe 03 with a circular cross-sectional outline. The centerline of the turbine pipe 03 and the centerline of the hole in the central moon pool 010 are both perpendicular to the surface of the cover plate 02. One end of the turbine pipe 03 is connected to the central moon pool 010, and the other end of the turbine pipe 03 is connected to the external atmosphere. The power generation module 04 and the impeller 05 are both arranged inside the turbine pipe 03. The impeller 05 is coaxially arranged with the turbine pipe 03 and is coaxially fixed with the power input shaft of the power generation module 04. Seawater can enter the OWC gas chamber structure and form a reciprocating water column under the action of waves. The reciprocating water column causes the gas volume of the OWC gas chamber structure to change. The change in the gas volume of the OWC gas chamber structure causes airflow to exist inside the turbine pipe 03. The airflow can drive the impeller 05 to rotate, and the impeller 05 drives the power generation module 04 to rotate, thereby realizing power generation.

[0029] In this application, during operation, the liquid level oscillation within the OWC air chamber structure is the result of the combined effects of external wave excitation and the motion response of the annular buoy body 01. Specifically, the external wave action directly drives water into or out of the OWC air chamber structure, causing changes in the liquid level within the OWC air chamber structure; on the other hand, it excites the annular buoy body 01 to generate a motion response, causing relative motion between the water within the OWC air chamber structure and the annular buoy body 01. Under the combined effects of these two aspects, the water column within the OWC air chamber structure oscillates back and forth.

[0030] A heave plate assembly is arranged below the annular buoy body 01. The heave plate assembly includes a connecting shaft 06, swing rods 07, and a flexible sheet 08. The connecting shaft 06 is fixedly connected to the annular buoy body 01, and the centerline of the connecting shaft 06 coincides with the centerline of the hole in the central moon pool 010. Multiple swing rods 07 are provided and evenly arranged along the circumference of the connecting shaft 06; in this embodiment, six swing rods 07 are provided. One end of each swing rod 07 is oscillatingly connected to the connecting shaft 06, and the swing axis of the swing rod 07 is perpendicular to the centerline of the connecting shaft 06. One side of the flexible sheet 08 is in close contact with the sidewalls of multiple swing rods 07. The flexible sheet 08 can be made of an organic material that is resistant to seawater corrosion, fatigue-resistant, and has a certain degree of elasticity.

[0031] The flexible sheet 08 and multiple swing rods 07 together form an umbrella-shaped swaying plate structure. This swaying plate structure can be flipped relative to the connecting shaft 06. The flipping refers to the change in the orientation of the opening of the umbrella-shaped swaying plate structure, from upward to downward. When the opening of the umbrella-shaped swaying plate structure is upward, the end of the swing rod 07 away from the connecting shaft 06 is located above the lower end of the connecting shaft 06. When the opening of the umbrella-shaped swaying plate structure is downward, the end of the swing rod 07 away from the connecting shaft 06 is located below the lower end of the connecting shaft 06.

[0032] The heave plate structure utilizes the relative hydrodynamic forces generated during the movement of the annular buoy body 01 to achieve passive overturning. During both the rising and falling phases of the annular buoy body 01, it forms a drag-reducing shape that conforms to the water flow, thereby reducing adverse resistance and increasing the effective stroke of the annular buoy body 01. This increased effective stroke enhances the relative motion between the annular buoy body 01 and the water within the OWC air chamber structure, thus increasing the oscillation amplitude of the water column within the OWC air chamber structure. Simultaneously, during the wave-driven rising phase of the annular buoy body 01, the heave plate structure also forms a guiding shape that facilitates water transport to the OWC air chamber structure, promoting water entry into the OWC air chamber structure and further enhancing the relative oscillation of the water column within the OWC air chamber structure. This, in turn, increases the pressure difference change within the OWC air chamber structure and the airflow velocity within the turbine pipe 03, improving the energy harvesting effect of this application.

[0033] More specifically, it also includes an equipment compartment 14, which is centrally fixed to the upper end of the annular buoy body 01. The equipment compartment 14 is equipped with a porthole 140, a hatch 141, and a mast 142. The porthole 140 can be used to observe the situation inside and outside the equipment compartment 14, and can also serve as a lighting or auxiliary ventilation component as needed. The mast 142 is fixed to the top of the equipment compartment 14, and the center line of the mast 142 is perpendicular to the surface of the cover plate 02. The mast 142 can be used to install signal lights, antennas, sensors, markers, communication equipment, or other upper auxiliary equipment to meet the buoy's identification, communication, and monitoring needs. Communication equipment, monitoring equipment, markers, OWC-related auxiliary components, and turbine pipes 03 are all arranged inside the equipment compartment 14.

[0034] More specifically, it also includes forward-directing blades 15 and reverse-directing blades 16. The generator module 04 has two parts. The impeller 05 is located between the first part and the second part of the generator module 04. The two ends of the forward-directing blades 15 are fixed to the inner wall of the first part of the generator module 04 and the turbine pipe 03, respectively. Multiple forward-directing blades 15 are provided and evenly arranged along the circumference of the turbine pipe 03. The two ends of the reverse-directing blades 16 are fixed to the inner wall of the second part of the generator module 04 and the turbine pipe 03, respectively. Multiple reverse-directing blades 16 are provided and evenly arranged along the circumference of the turbine pipe 03. The forward-directing blades 15 and the reverse-directing blades 16 have opposite guiding directions. The forward-directing blades 15, the impeller 05, and the reverse-directing blades 16 are arranged sequentially along the length of the turbine pipe 03. The reciprocating water column within the OWC chamber structure causes a reciprocating airflow within the turbine duct 03. On one hand, the forward guide vane 15 and the reverse guide vane 16 guide and rectify the airflow within the turbine duct 03, causing the airflow to uniformly blow the impeller 05. On the other hand, since the forward guide vane 15 and the reverse guide vane 16 guide in opposite directions, the reciprocating airflow within the turbine duct 03 can drive the impeller 05 to rotate in one direction, thereby stabilizing power generation.

[0035] More specifically, the heave plate assembly also includes a slip ring 09 and connecting rods 10. The slip ring 09 is slidably sleeved on the connecting shaft 06 and can slide along the axial length of the connecting shaft 06. One end of the swing rod 07 is hinged to the connecting shaft 06 and has a hinge axis, which is the swing axis of the swing rod 07 relative to the connecting shaft 06, and is perpendicular to the axis of the connecting shaft 06. Specifically, multiple mounting shafts 17 are evenly fixed circumferentially on the connecting shaft 06. The axis of the mounting shafts 17 is perpendicular to the axis of the connecting shaft 06. One end of the swing rod 07 has a hinge hole, and each of the multiple hinge holes is fitted onto one of the multiple mounting shafts 17. The number of connecting rods 10 is the same as the number of swing rods 07. One end of each of the multiple connecting rods 10 is hinged to the slip ring 09, and the other end of each of the multiple connecting rods 10 is hinged to one of the multiple swing rods 07. The length of the connecting rod 10 is less than the length of the swing rod 07. Specifically, each end of the connecting rod 10 has a hinge hole 2 and a hinge hole 3. Multiple mounting shafts 2 18 are evenly fixed circumferentially on the outer wall of the slip ring 09. The axis of the mounting shaft 2 18 is perpendicular to the axis of the connecting shaft 06. Multiple hinge holes 2 are fitted onto multiple mounting shafts 2 18. Each swing rod 07 has a mounting shaft 3 19 fixed on its side wall. The axis of the mounting shaft 3 19 is perpendicular to the axis of the connecting shaft 06. Multiple hinge holes 3 are fitted onto multiple mounting shafts 3 19. When the swing rod 07 swings relative to the connecting shaft 06, the connecting rod 10 moves and causes the slip ring 09 to slide on the connecting shaft 06. The purpose of designing the slip ring 09 and the connecting rod 10 is to improve the swing stability of the swing rod 07 and the connection stability between the swing rod 07 and the connecting shaft 06.

[0036] More specifically, the heave plate assembly also includes two retaining rings 11, both of which are coaxially fixed to the connecting shaft 06. The two retaining rings 11 are arranged sequentially along the axial length of the connecting shaft 06. The two retaining rings 11 are arranged between the lower end of the annular buoy body 01 and the connecting shaft 06. A slip ring 09 is arranged between the two retaining rings 11. The slip ring 09 can abut against the retaining rings 11. The two retaining rings 11 can limit the slip ring 09, thereby limiting the swing amplitude of the swing rod 07 and restricting the degree of overturning of the heave plate structure.

[0037] More specifically, the heave plate assembly also includes multiple connecting rods 12, all arranged within the central moon pool 010. One end of each connecting rod 12 is fixed to the connecting shaft 06, and the other end is fixed to the inner wall of the bore in the central moon pool 010. The length direction of the connecting rod 12 is perpendicular to the axial length direction of the connecting shaft 06, allowing the connecting shaft 06 to be reliably fixed to the annular buoy body 01 via the connecting rods 12. The connecting rods 12 enhance the installation stability and resistance to eccentric loads of the connecting shaft 06, enabling the connecting shaft 06 to maintain a stable position under wave and hydrodynamic loads.

[0038] More specifically, the heave plate assembly also includes connectors 13. Two connectors 13 are evenly fixed on each swing rod 07. The flexible sheet 08 is connected to multiple connectors 13 at the same time, ensuring that one side of the flexible sheet 08 can be tightly attached to the side wall of multiple swing rods 07 at the same time.

[0039] When the wave-driven annular buoy body 01 descends, the slip ring 09 moves upward relative to the connecting shaft 06 and abuts against a retaining ring 11, with the umbrella-shaped heave plate structure opening upwards. In this state, the heave plate structure conforms to the relative water flow direction during the descent of the annular buoy body 01, allowing the water to flow smoothly and dispersedly along the heave plate structure, thereby reducing adverse resistance, local flow separation, and instantaneous hydrodynamic impact during the descent of the annular buoy body 01. This drag-reduction effect with the current helps to increase the effective travel distance of the annular buoy body 01 under wave action and enhances the relative motion between the annular buoy body 01 and the water within the OWC air chamber structure.

[0040] When the wave-driven annular buoy body 01 rises, the slip ring 09 moves downward relative to the connecting shaft 06 and abuts against another retaining ring 11, with the umbrella-shaped heave plate structure facing downwards. In this state, the heave plate structure can also form a drag-reducing shape that conforms to the water flow, reducing the adverse resistance during the ascent of the annular buoy body 01. At the same time, the heave plate structure can produce a more significant converging and guiding effect on the water below the annular buoy body 01, promoting the transport of water to the inlet area of ​​the OWC air chamber structure, and further enhancing the relative oscillation of the water column within the OWC air chamber structure.

[0041] Whether the main body of the annular buoy 01 is rising or falling, it helps to reduce adverse resistance and increase the effective travel distance of the main body of the annular buoy 01.

[0042] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention and not to limit them. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications or equivalent substitutions can still be made to the technical solutions of the present invention, and these modifications or equivalent substitutions cannot cause the modified technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the present invention.

Claims

1. An OWC wave energy buoy with an adaptive tilting heave plate, characterized in that, include: The annular buoy body (01), cover plate (02), turbine pipe (03), power generation module (04), impeller (05), and heave plate assembly are arranged. The annular buoy body (01) is hollow inside and arranged on the water surface. The upper end of the central moon pool (010) of the annular buoy body (01) is sealed with cover plate (02), and the lower end of the central moon pool (010) is submerged underwater. The cover plate (02) has an opening and is connected to one end of the turbine pipe (03). The power generation module (04) is arranged inside the turbine pipe (03). The impeller (05) is coaxially arranged inside the turbine pipe (03) and fixed to the power input end of the power generation module (04). The heave plate assembly is arranged inside the turbine pipe (03). The heave plate assembly, located below the annular buoy body (01), includes a connecting shaft (06), a swing rod (07), and a flexible sheet (08). The connecting shaft (06) is fixedly connected to the annular buoy body (01), and the axis of the connecting shaft (06) is parallel to the center line of the hole in the central moon pool (010). Multiple swing rods (07) are provided and are evenly arranged around the connecting shaft (06). One end of the swing rod (07) is oscillatingly connected to the connecting shaft (06), and the swing axis of the swing rod (07) relative to the connecting shaft (06) is perpendicular to the axis of the connecting shaft (06). One side of the flexible sheet (08) is simultaneously connected to multiple swing rods (07).

2. The OWC wave energy buoy with an adaptive tilting heave plate according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes an equipment compartment (14), which is fixed to the upper end of the annular buoy body (01), and a turbine pipe (03) is arranged inside the equipment compartment (14).

3. The OWC wave energy buoy with an adaptive tilting heave plate according to claim 1, characterized in that, The centerline of the turbine pipe (03) and the centerline of the hole of the central moon pool (010) are both perpendicular to the surface of the cover plate (02); the centerline of the connecting shaft (06) coincides with the centerline of the hole of the central moon pool (010).

4. An OWC wave energy buoy with an adaptive tilting heave plate according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes forward guide vanes (15) and reverse guide vanes (16). The two ends of the forward guide vanes (15) are fixed to the body of the power generation module (04) and the inner wall of the turbine pipe (03). There are multiple forward guide vanes (15) and they are evenly arranged along the circumference of the turbine pipe (03). The two ends of the reverse guide vanes (16) are fixed to the body of the power generation module (04) and the inner wall of the turbine pipe (03). There are multiple reverse guide vanes (16) and they are evenly arranged along the circumference of the turbine pipe (03). The forward guide vanes (15) and the reverse guide vanes (16) have opposite guiding directions. The forward guide vanes (15), the impeller (05) and the reverse guide vanes (16) are arranged in sequence along the length of the turbine pipe (03).

5. An OWC wave energy buoy with an adaptive tilting heave plate according to claim 1, characterized in that, The heave plate assembly also includes a slip ring (09) and a connecting rod (10). The slip ring (09) is slidably sleeved on the connecting shaft (06). One end of the swing rod (07) is hinged to the connecting shaft (06) and has a hinge axis line one, which is perpendicular to the axis line of the connecting shaft (06). There are multiple connecting rods (10), one end of each of the multiple connecting rods (10) is hinged to the slip ring (09), and the other end of each of the multiple connecting rods (10) is hinged to the multiple swing rods (07). The connecting rod (10) and the slip ring (09) have a hinge axis line two, and the connecting rod (10) and the swing rod (07) have a hinge axis line three. The hinge axis line one, the hinge axis line two, and the hinge axis line three are all perpendicular to the axis line of the connecting shaft (06).

6. An OWC wave energy buoy with an adaptive tilting heave plate according to claim 5, characterized in that, The heave plate assembly also includes two retaining rings (11), both of which are coaxially fixed with the connecting shaft (06). The two retaining rings (11) are arranged sequentially along the axial length of the connecting shaft (06). The two retaining rings (11) are arranged between the lower end of the annular buoy body (01) and the connecting shaft (06). A slip ring (09) is arranged between the two retaining rings (11) and can abut against the retaining rings (11).

7. An OWC wave energy buoy with an adaptive tilting heave plate according to claim 1, characterized in that, The heave plate assembly also includes connecting rods (12), which are provided in multiples and are all arranged in the central moon pool (010); one end of each of the multiple connecting rods (12) is fixed to the connecting shaft (06), and the other end of each of the multiple connecting rods (12) is fixed to the inner wall of the hole in the central moon pool (010); the length direction of the connecting rods (12) is perpendicular to the length direction of the connecting shaft (06).

8. An OWC wave energy buoy with an adaptive tilting heave plate according to claim 1, characterized in that, The heave plate assembly also includes connectors (13), and multiple connectors (13) are evenly fixed on each swing rod (07). The flexible sheet (08) is connected to the swing rod (07) through multiple connectors (13), and one side of the flexible sheet (08) can be tightly attached to the side wall of multiple swing rods (07) at the same time.

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