Adaptive Wave Energy Converter for Reliable Offshore Sensor Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current power technologies for offshore marine sensors, such as solar panels, batteries, small-scale wind turbines, and diesel generators, face challenges including high maintenance costs, intermittency, vulnerability to harsh environments, and inefficiency in remote locations.
Innovation Solution
The development of a modular, low-maintenance, non-grid tied wave energy converter system that adapts to varying wave conditions, utilizing a mechanical energy capture system and adaptive control models driven by machine learning and AI to optimize energy output.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If solar panels and wind turbines are used for power generation, then renewable energy is provided, but intermittency and high seasonality occur
Solution Approach 1:
The wave energy converter system dynamically adapts its operational parameters based on real-time wave conditions. The control system adjusts the converter's motion characteristics to match varying wave frequencies and amplitudes, ensuring continuous and reliable energy generation regardless of seasonal or daily variations in wave patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes its operational parameters (such as buoyancy, damping coefficients, and mechanical impedance) in response to changing wave conditions. This allows the converter to maintain optimal energy extraction efficiency across different wave regimes, providing consistent power output year-round.
2Use of energy by moving object
If batteries and diesel generators are used, then power storage and generation are provided, but vulnerability to cold temperature and harsh ocean environment occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The wave energy converter is designed to be self-sufficient, generating its own power directly from wave motion without requiring external fuel supply or complex battery systems. The system's passive mechanical design with no moving parts requires minimal maintenance and is inherently resistant to harsh ocean environments and extreme temperatures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces vulnerable mechanical systems (diesel generators, battery charging mechanisms) with a streamlined mechanical energy capture system that directly converts wave motion to electrical energy, eliminating the need for fuel storage, engine maintenance, and complex power management systems.
3Reliability
If maintenance is performed on incumbent power methods, then operational continuity is maintained, but high maintenance costs and commissioning of ships are required
Solution Approach 1:
The wave energy converter is designed for minimal maintenance with no moving parts that require servicing. The system's passive mechanical design ensures operational continuity without requiring periodic commissioning of ships or specialized crews, making it particularly suitable for remote ocean locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses simple, robust components that can be easily replaced if needed, rather than expensive, complex systems requiring specialized maintenance. The modular design allows for cost-effective replacement of individual elements without requiring ship commissioning.
4Device complexity
If fixed parameter wave energy converter is used, then system simplicity is maintained, but suboptimal performance across varying wave conditions occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The control system dynamically adjusts the wave energy converter's operational parameters in real-time based on measured wave conditions. This allows the system to maximize energy extraction efficiency across varying wave frequencies, amplitudes, and periods while maintaining a relatively simple overall system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors that continuously monitor wave conditions and feed this information back to the control system. The control system then adjusts operational parameters to optimize energy capture, achieving high productivity across diverse wave conditions without requiring complex mechanical structures.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution provides reliable, efficient, and adaptive power generation for offshore marine sensors, reducing maintenance costs and increasing energy output across a wide range of wave conditions, while also reducing environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
move the floatation device up and down in response to waves
Implementation Method 2
The mechanical energy capture system is configured to convert the independent pivoting of the plurality of arm assemblies around the pivots to electrical energy
Data Source
AI summary
A wave energy capture system can include a plurality of arm assemblies. Each arm assembly includes a floatation device and an arm that is coupled to the floatation device and to a body via a pivot. The arm assemblies independently pivot around the pivots with respect to the body in response to movement of the floatation devices caused by waves in water. A mechanical energy capture system converts the independent pivoting of the plurality of arm assemblies around the pivots to electrical energy and provides the electrical energy to either an electronic device that is electrically coupled to the mechanical energy capture system to power the electronic device, or to a battery to recharge the battery.