Adjustable Base Panel Wave Energy Recovery
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wave energy recovery systems are limited to specific sea depths, are difficult to install and service, and suffer from uneven loading and high costs due to their fixed base design, which restricts their installation to shallow waters and makes them inefficient in varying tidal conditions.
Innovation Solution
The system incorporates adjustable means to maintain the panel's vertical position with monitoring for water level changes, allowing for installation in deeper waters and easier servicing, with even loading and improved energy capture capabilities through adjustable PTO units and a floating base design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a heavy base is used to support the reciprocating panel, then the panel can be stably hinged and reciprocating motion can be achieved, but the installation is restricted to limited depth areas and the structure becomes heavy and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The base is designed to be adjustable in height rather than fixed, allowing the top of the base to be positioned at different altitudes corresponding to low tide and high tide levels. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the panel to be properly positioned regardless of water depth variations, thereby expanding the range of installation depths while maintaining panel stability through the adjustable support structure.
2Device complexity
If a fixed base design is used, then the structure is simple, but the arrangement is difficult to install and service and cannot adapt to tidal variations
Solution Approach 1:
The base incorporates height adjustment mechanisms that allow it to be positioned at different altitudes to follow tidal variations. This dynamic feature, while adding some complexity to the base structure, significantly improves ease of installation and servicing by enabling the panel to be lifted to the surface when needed and allowing adaptation to different tidal conditions without requiring complete system replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is divided into separable components including the base, panel, and power-take-off units that can be independently adjusted and positioned. This segmentation allows the base to be adjusted for height while the panel and other components remain functionally independent, facilitating easier installation, maintenance, and servicing operations.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the panel height is fixed, then the structure is stable, but the arrangement cannot follow tidal variations and is limited to specific depth areas
Solution Approach 1:
The base height is made adjustable to correspond to different tidal levels (low tide and high tide altitudes), allowing the panel to maintain its proper vertical position relative to the water surface throughout tidal cycles. This dynamic height adjustment capability enables the system to adapt to tidal variations while the panel itself maintains stable reciprocating motion, resolving the contradiction between positional stability and tidal adaptability.
4Strength
If a heavy base structure is used, then the panel can be supported, but the loading on bearings becomes uneven and the structure becomes expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable base height allows for optimization of the panel's position and orientation, enabling more uniform distribution of loads on the bearings. By adjusting the base to the appropriate height for each tidal condition, the panel can be positioned to achieve better load distribution on its support bearings, reducing uneven loading while maintaining adequate support capability with a less massive structure.
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 enables efficient wave energy capture across varying sea conditions, reduces installation and maintenance costs, and allows for wider panel use, increasing installation locations and energy harvesting capacity.
Implementation Method 1
panels or flaps or essentially plate-like wing elements, later called shorter only as panels, hinged with its lower edge to make a reciprocating movement caused by wave energy or tidal energy of seawater
Implementation Method 2
panels or flaps or essentially plate-like wing elements, later called shorter only as panels, hinged with its lower edge to make a reciprocating movement caused by wave energy or tidal energy of seawater
Implementation Method 3
monitoring means to watch the altitude of the surface of the water, which the monitoring means are connected at least to the adjustment means
Data Source
AI summary
This invention relates to an arrangement in a wave energy recovery apparatus and to a method for operating the wave energy recovery apparatus. The apparatus comprises at least a base (1), on which a reciprocating panel (2) is installed, a pivot shaft (7) for the reciprocating panel (2), a control system, and one or more power-take-off (PTO) units (3) to convert kinetic energy of waves or tidal currents to another type of energy. The arrangement comprises adjustment means (5, 5′, 5″) to set the top of the panel (2) in its vertical position to approximately correspond to the altitude of the surface (8) of the water.