Horizontal Wave Energy Sails with Rotating Orientation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, are unreliable and cannot meet the world's energy demands on a continuous basis, while wave energy remains underutilized due to difficulties in effective harnessing.
Innovation Solution
A horizontally moving water-based energy harvesting system that includes a support structure with pulley wheels and cables, where sails are deployed downstream to capture wave energy and rotated to minimize resistance upstream, converting mechanical energy into electricity using generators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If wave energy is harnessed using traditional vertical floating systems, then the system can capture wave motion, but the energy conversion efficiency is insufficient and the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional vertical wave energy conversion approach by using horizontal sails that move parallel to the water surface. Instead of vertical floating structures moving up and down, the system uses horizontal sails carried along by wave motion, converting wave energy through horizontal movement to drive generators mounted onshore or on fixed structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the energy conversion function from the floating structure itself. Rather than having generators mounted on moving floating platforms, the system separates the energy capture function (sails moving with waves) from the energy conversion function (generators on fixed structures), simplifying the moving components and improving reliability.
2Reliability
If renewable energy sources like solar and wind are used, then alternative energy is provided, but the power supply is unreliable and cannot meet continuous energy demands
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous energy generation by harnessing wave motion, which occurs continuously as long as wind blows across the water surface. Unlike solar power that stops at night or wind power that requires specific wind conditions, wave energy provides a more consistent and reliable continuous power supply suitable for grid integration.
3Productivity
If more wave energy systems are deployed, then renewable energy capacity increases, but the difficulty of effectively harnessing wave energy remains
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the wave energy capture function into discrete modular sail units that can be independently deployed and operated. Each sail assembly with its cable and pulley system operates as an independent module, making the system easier to deploy, maintain, and scale compared to large integrated floating platforms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces cables and pulleys as intermediary elements that transfer the force from the moving sails to the generators. This mechanical intermediary system simplifies the connection between the wave-capturing sails and the electricity-generating components, making the overall system easier to operate and maintain.
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 converts wave energy into continuous and reliable electric power, suitable for feeding into the electricity grid, with adjustable mooring lines and sail orientation mechanisms ensuring optimal positioning and efficient energy capture.
Implementation Method 1
a generator mounted on the support structure which converts rotation of the pulley wheels into electricity
Implementation Method 2
sails which are deployed downstream of the support structure and are carried along by action of horizontally moving water
Data Source
AI summary
The system includes a support structure with upstream and downstream pulleys rotatably supported thereby and with cables following circuits around each of the upstream and downstream pulleys. Prime movers, such as in the form of sail members, are attached to the cable. These prime movers have surfaces which are more perpendicular to the flowing water when on a downstream leg of the cable circuit than when on an upstream leg thereof. The prime movers are configured to rotate as they pass about the downstream pulley and upstream pulley to optimize their orientation to minimize drag when following the upstream leg of the circuit and to maximize surface area against which the flowing water acts when following the downstream leg of the cable circuit. Power is outputted from the system through action of the cable upon a power output such as an electric generator coupled to one of the pulleys.