Horizontal Wave Energy Harvester with Protected Generator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ocean wave energy capture technologies are inefficient, costly, and vulnerable to severe weather, as they primarily rely on the rise and fall of waves, miss horizontal energy components, and fail to account for tidal shifts, leading to limited commercial viability.
Innovation Solution
A wave energy harvesting system featuring a horizontally rotating structural member that captures energy from both waves and currents, with an energy transformation element housed in a generator platform designed to withstand harsh weather, allowing for efficient energy conversion and adaptation to varying wave conditions, including tidal shifts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If point absorber devices are used to capture wave energy, then the device structure is simple, but the energy capture amount is small
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the wave energy capture function into multiple segments: horizontal boom for capturing wave motion, vertical paddles for converting horizontal motion to vertical motion, and multiple turbines arranged in series for cumulative energy extraction. This segmentation allows each component to be relatively simple while the integrated system achieves high energy capture
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from vertical point absorbers to horizontal boom-based energy capture, utilizing the horizontal dimension of wave motion. The boom extends horizontally to capture wave energy across a larger area, and paddles convert this horizontal motion into vertical turbine rotation, effectively using dimensional transformation to increase energy capture without proportionally increasing device complexity
2Productivity
If precision generating equipment is placed in salt water environment, then the energy conversion is direct, but the equipment is vulnerable to corrosion and severe weather
Solution Approach 1:
The generator is extracted from the harsh salt water environment and placed on a protected platform above the water surface. Only the turbine, which is designed to withstand marine conditions, remains in the water. This separation protects the precision generating equipment from corrosion and severe weather while maintaining direct energy conversion through the mechanical connection between turbine and generator
Solution Approach 2:
The turbine acts as an intermediary component that interfaces between the harsh marine environment and the protected generator. It is designed to withstand salt water corrosion and severe weather conditions, transferring mechanical energy to the generator without exposing the precision equipment to damaging environmental factors
3Device complexity
If devices rely primarily on rise and fall of waves, then the mechanism is simple, but the horizontal energy component is missed
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using vertical motion to directly drive vertical turbines, the system inverts the approach by using horizontal wave motion to drive horizontal paddles, which then convert to vertical motion for turbine rotation. This inverted mechanism captures the horizontal energy component that traditional vertical devices miss, while maintaining relative mechanical simplicity
4Productivity
If a large number of point absorber devices are installed, then substantial energy can be captured, but the installation and operating costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple energy extraction functions are merged into a single integrated device. The horizontal boom with multiple paddles and series-connected turbines captures energy from different portions of the wave cycle simultaneously, achieving substantial energy capture from one device rather than requiring multiple separate point absorbers, thereby reducing installation and operating costs
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 system effectively captures and converts ocean wave and current energy into electricity, operating continuously and efficiently across different wave conditions, reducing installation and maintenance costs while minimizing environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
a wave energy harvesting system featuring a horizontally rotating structural member that captures energy from both waves and currents
Implementation Method 2
captures energy from both waves and currents
Implementation Method 3
an energy transformation element housed in a generator platform designed to withstand harsh weather, allowing for efficient energy conversion
Data Source
AI summary
An ocean energy harvesting system utilizes horizontal structural members that rotate in response to wave motion. The structural members are designed to capture energy in a line array that replicates the shape of the waves as they pass through the ocean. A generator platform is placed in the ocean environment or on the shore, and the structural members rotate under the platform or around a pivot post placed in proximity to the platform. The rotation drives a generator shaft due to direct attachment to the structural member or from a cable attached to a structural member some distance from the platform. The structural members can be of substantial length depending on the prevailing wave conditions at the site and the desired amount of energy capture. The system adjusts to differing water levels due to tidal shifts.