Flexible Wave Receiving Plate Deflection for Energy Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wave power generation systems face challenges in managing varying wave energies, leading to potential damage from excessive wave forces and reduced efficiency due to fixed plate designs, with existing solutions either risking damage during high waves or inefficiency during calm conditions.

Innovation Solution

A wave receiving plate with a flexible design, comprising a combination of rigid and flexible plates, that deflects to reduce the projected area during high wave energies, utilizing materials like rubber and viscoelastic plates for durability and corrosion resistance, and a composite structure with reinforcing members to adjust properties for optimal performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the area of the wave receiving plate is increased to maximize energy capture, then power generation efficiency is improved, but the risk of damage from excessive wave energy increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower generation efficiencyVSAvoiddamage risk from excessive wave energy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The wave receiving plate is designed with a flexible portion that can dynamically change its area based on wave energy conditions. The flexible plate can deflect under high wave energy to reduce the effective area, preventing damage while maintaining large area for power generation during normal conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The physical state of the wave receiving plate changes from rigid to flexible under high wave energy conditions. The flexible portion undergoes deformation to alter the plate's effective area, transitioning between a large area state for power generation and a reduced area state for protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If a mechanical device is used to change the area of the wave receiving plate, then excessive wave energy can be suppressed, but the device becomes vulnerable to salt damage and increased cost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from excessive wave energyVSAvoidsalt damage to mechanical devices

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible portion of the wave receiving plate automatically deflects and adjusts its own area in response to wave energy without requiring external mechanical control systems. This self-adjusting mechanism eliminates vulnerable mechanical components while maintaining protection functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces active mechanical adjustment devices with a passive flexible structure that utilizes material deformation to achieve area reduction. The flexible plate's inherent elasticity substitutes for complex mechanical control systems, eliminating salt-damaged components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If the estimated wave height is set to a high value to prevent damage, then reliability is improved, but power generation efficiency decreases and device size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection against wave damageVSAvoidpower generation efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The wave receiving plate transitions from a static design to a dynamic one where the flexible portion can change its effective area based on real-time wave energy conditions. This allows the plate to operate at large area for high efficiency during normal conditions and automatically reduce area when excessive energy is detected.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible portion is pre-configured with appropriate material properties and structural characteristics that enable automatic deformation under excessive wave energy. This preliminary design ensures protection is activated automatically without requiring post-event intervention or conservative design limitations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

The flexible plate design effectively suppresses excessive wave energy, preventing damage while maintaining efficiency by automatically adjusting the plate's area without mechanical devices, enhancing durability and reducing costs, thus ensuring high energy conversion efficiency and survivability during extreme conditions.

Implementation Method 1

when excessive wave energy acts on the wave receiving plate, the flexible plate deflects. Deflection of the flexible plate reduces the area (projected area) of the wave receiving plate with respect to the wave front

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

since the wave receiving plate is disposed in the ocean, there is a possibility that in the method of changing the area of the wave receiving plate with a mechanical device, the performance of the wave receiving plate may deteriorate due to salt damage

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCorrosion resistance:

Data Source

PatentUS11434863B2Wave receiving plate and wave power generation system

Publication Date: 2022.09.06 THE YOKOHAMA RUBBER CO LTD

AI summary

A wave receiving plate is pivotably supported by a support device in the wave force generation system and includes a flexible plate in at least a part of the wave receiving plate.