Elongated Wave Front Parallel Float for Multi-Axis Energy Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wave energy converter (WEC) designs are costly and inefficient, as they require large surface areas to capture wave energy, primarily focusing on vertical motion and neglecting lateral and rotational energy components, leading to high capital costs and limited energy capture.
Innovation Solution
The use of elongated wave front parallel (EWFP) floats with a concave and arcuate rear surface, connected to swing arms that drive a power take-off system, allowing for rotation and translation to capture both heave and surge energy, while eliminating the need for large central cylinders, thereby reducing capital expenditures and enhancing energy capture efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If large surface area WECs are used to capture wave energy, then energy capture capability is improved, but capital cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from capturing only vertical heave motion to capturing multi-axis motion including lateral surge and pitch rotation. The elongated float design oriented parallel to wave fronts enables simultaneous capture of heave, surge, and pitch energy components, effectively utilizing additional degrees of freedom to increase energy capture without proportionally increasing surface area.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the float from conventional shapes to an elongated form with specific arcuate cross-section. The float length is optimized to be between 0.5 to 2.0 times the wave height, and the arcuate cross-section radius is set between 0.25 to 0.75 times the float width, creating optimal hydrodynamic characteristics for multi-axis motion capture.
2Productivity
If conventional horizontal surface area dependent WECs are used, then heave energy capture is achieved, but surge and pitch energy components are neglected
Solution Approach 1:
The elongated float design serves multiple functions simultaneously: it captures heave energy through vertical motion, surge energy through lateral motion, and pitch energy through rotational motion. The swing arm mechanism with multiple degrees of freedom enables the single float structure to convert all three types of wave motion into useful mechanical work, making the device universally effective across different wave conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a dynamic swing arm mechanism that allows the float to move freely in multiple axes rather than constraining it to fixed vertical motion. The swing arms are positioned at specific angles and lengths to optimize the conversion of lateral surge motion and pitch rotation into rotational motion that drives the power take-off system, enabling adaptive response to varying wave directions and heights.
3Productivity
If elongated wave front parallel floats are used, then multi-axis energy capture is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The complex multi-axis motion capture is achieved through segmented functionality: the elongated float body handles hydrodynamic interaction, the swing arms handle motion conversion, and the power take-off system handles energy extraction. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining overall system simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the capture of heave, surge, and pitch energy into a single integrated float-swing arm-PTO system rather than using separate devices for each motion component. The elongated float with arcuate cross-section combines hydrodynamic efficiency for all three motion types, while the swing arm mechanism simultaneously converts all motion types into useful work, reducing overall system complexity.
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 design reduces capital costs by minimizing the surface area and volume of the WEC, while improving wave energy capture efficiency by concurrently capturing both vertical and lateral wave energy components, and providing enhanced survival capabilities during severe sea conditions.
Implementation Method 1
one or more elongated buoyant surface floats or bodies, or groups of adjacent floats or bodies are oriented, or self-orienting, parallel to the prevailing direction of oncoming wave fronts or swells
Implementation Method 2
Wave energy, a huge global resource, is also more consistent and predictable than solar or wind energy
Data Source
AI summary
A wave barrier or wave terminator type ocean wave energy converter (WEC) utilizing one or multiple adjacent floats together forming an elongated wave front parallel (EWFP) float rotatably connected by at least one swing or drive arm to a secondary floating or shore or seabed fixed body or frame, such that the at least one swing arm is rotating about a submerged pivot point or axle on such body or frame and constraining the motion of the float(s) relative to the body or frame when wave forces are applied against the float(s). Relative to the direction of oncoming wave fronts and relative to the still water line (SWL), the at least one EWFP float is substantially forward of, and above, the pivot point such that the float concurrently moves both upward and rearward on wave crests and returns both forward and downward on ensuing wave troughs. The rear surface of the EWFP float is substantially arcuate and concave with a radius approximating its distance from the pivot point such that the float produces minimal energy consuming back waves when it is being moved by oncoming wave forces. The lower rear arcuate surface of the float can extend below the bottom of the float deeper into the water column to capture additional wave energy.