Floating Wave Energy Plant with Segmented Oscillators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wave energy conversion devices are often dependent on water depth, tides, and weather conditions, limiting their efficiency and offshore capabilities, and struggle to effectively harness waves of different directions, amplitudes, and frequencies.
Innovation Solution
A wave or impulse power plant featuring multiple floating bodies arranged areally, guided to move independently along directional guides, with a support structure that is larger than the wavelength of waves, allowing for efficient energy conversion without mechanical connections between bodies, and secured against drifting to maintain stability in varying conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If guide rods are firmly connected to the seabed to convert full wave amplitude, then energy conversion efficiency is improved, but the device becomes vulnerable in heavy seas and limited to shallow to medium water depths
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into multiple floating bodies (at least two) that are independently connected to the support structure via individual guides. This segmentation allows each floating body to respond independently to wave movements, distributing the mechanical stress and improving reliability in heavy seas while maintaining energy conversion efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure is designed to be movable rather than fixed to the seabed, allowing the entire device to dynamically adjust to varying wave conditions and water depths. This dynamic capability enables the device to operate reliably in both calm and heavy seas across a range of water depths.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the support structure is made large relative to wavelength, then adaptability to waves of different directions and frequencies is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides a stable reference frame for the guides, supports the energy conversion mechanism, and acts as a floating platform that adapts to various wave conditions. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity while maintaining high adaptability to different wave directions and frequencies.
3Productivity
If floating bodies are mechanically connected to convert energy, then energy conversion efficiency is improved, but the system becomes more complex and less adaptable to different wave conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure acts as an intermediary element between the independently moving floating bodies and the energy conversion mechanism. Each floating body moves independently on its guide and transfers energy through the support structure, which mediates the energy conversion without requiring direct mechanical connections between floating bodies. This approach maintains both high energy conversion efficiency and adaptability to different wave conditions.
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 enables efficient energy conversion from waves of various directions and frequencies, independent of tides and weather, with a robust and scalable system suitable for offshore use, achieving high energy conversion efficiency and reduced environmental exposure of moving parts.
Implementation Method 1
a support structure (6) which is arranged floating on a water surface
Implementation Method 2
guided on guides (4) which are aligned in the direction of the amplitude of the waves in which the floating bodies (2) can move independently of one another in an oscillating manner in the longitudinal direction of the guides (4)
Implementation Method 3
The floating bodies or drag bodies guided via the guides are at the same time prestressed in relation to the support structure by means of elastic elements, so that the individual floating bodies are moved back towards their starting position after a deflection.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The wave- or impulse power station (1) has multiple plane adjacently arranged floating bodies (2) which are driven by waves (10) move along the guides (4) and are oscillating independent to each other. The guides are connected with each other such that form a common stiff support structure (6) overstretching the floating bodies so that the kinetic energy of the respective floating body is transferred to energy conversion devices by transmission elements. Each floating body of multiple floating bodies is individually pre-tensioned against the support structure by elastic elements (8).