Extensible Mooring Structure for Ocean Wave Energy Converters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional mooring systems for Ocean Wave Energy Converters (OWECs) are inadequate due to their inability to handle variable ocean conditions, requiring counteracting forces in multiple directions and needing to reorient and adjust depth, which existing systems fail to efficiently manage, especially for Cycloidal Wave Energy Converters (CycWECs).
Innovation Solution
A rigid mooring system using multiple extendible members with actuation systems that can adjust length to maneuver, position, and orient OWECs, allowing for adjustment in height, yaw, and roll, and can lift the system out of the water for maintenance, without requiring external platforms or heavy equipment, enabling efficient operation and survival in storm conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional mooring lines are used, then the system is simple to manufacture, but the system cannot handle variable ocean conditions and reorient the OWEC
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by using actively controllable extendible members instead of fixed traditional mooring lines. These members can dynamically adjust their length and configuration to accommodate variable ocean conditions, enable reorientation of the OWEC, and provide active positioning control throughout the operational life of the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The extendible members serve multiple functions: they act as mooring lines, positioning systems, reorientation mechanisms, and storm protection structures. This multi-functionality replaces what would traditionally require separate systems, achieving adaptability without proportionally increasing complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If extendible members are used to maneuver and position OWEC, then the system can adjust to various ocean conditions, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mooring system is segmented into multiple independently controllable extendible members rather than using a single rigid structure. This segmentation allows each member to be controlled independently, providing fine-grained adjustment capabilities for height, yaw, and roll while keeping individual member complexity manageable.
3Ease of repair
If the mooring system can lift OWEC out of water for maintenance, then maintenance accessibility improves, but the system requires more complex actuation mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The extendible members are designed to be actively controllable, enabling the OWEC to be serviced and maintained in position without requiring external platforms, heavy lifting equipment, or external assistance. The system essentially services itself by using its own actuation capability to position the OWEC for maintenance.
4Reliability
If the mooring system submerges OWEC to protect from storms, then storm survivability improves, but the system requires active control during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses dynamic control of extendible member lengths to actively manage OWEC positioning. During storms, the members are actively controlled to submerge the OWEC to protective depths. The same dynamic control capability enables efficient wave energy conversion during normal operation by positioning the OWEC optimally, thus achieving both storm protection and operational efficiency through a single active control system.
Data Source
AI summary
A mooring system for an Ocean Wave Energy Converters (OWEC) includes multiple structural members such as legs and braces that are linearly extendible and connected using mobile joints, each joint providing two degrees of freedom for rotations about the joint. Mobile joints also attach bottom ends of the legs to mooring points. A jacking system can change lengths of the extensible structural members to adjust depth of the OWEC for operation or for storm safety, to lift the OWEC out of the water for maintenance, or to align the OWEC to an incoming wave direction.