Inertial Wave Pump With Pressurized Chambers for Slow-Wave Energy Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies face challenges in efficiently extracting energy from ocean waves due to their slow movement and long periods, while also dealing with issues like biofouling and corrosion.
Innovation Solution
A wave energy converter design featuring upper and lower air pockets with pressurized gas and liquid reservoirs, connected by an inertial tube, captures and stores energy through wave-induced oscillations, using a turbine to convert the liquid's kinetic and gravitational potential energy into electrical power, with specialized fluids to prevent biofouling and corrosion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional wave energy extraction methods are used, then energy can be captured from waves, but the slow wave movement and long periods make efficient energy extraction difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs dynamic inertial tubes that oscillate in response to wave motion, converting the slow, long-period wave movements into faster, higher-frequency liquid oscillations. The inertial mass of the liquid in the tubes creates dynamic response that amplifies the energy extraction capability despite the slow wave speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters by using pressurized gas pockets to drive liquid through turbines at higher pressures and velocities than the ambient wave motion would naturally produce. This parameter transformation enables efficient energy extraction from slow-moving waves.
2Productivity
If seawater is used in the system, then energy extraction can proceed, but biofouling and corrosion occur on internal surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts the harmful seawater from direct contact with internal components by using it only as the oscillating mass in the inertial tubes. The working fluid that contacts the turbine and internal surfaces is a specialized non-corrosive fluid, separating the energy extraction function from the components exposed to seawater.
Solution Approach 2:
The inertial tube liquid acts as an intermediary between the seawater environment and the internal system components. It transmits the wave energy without requiring direct contact between seawater and sensitive parts, allowing the use of specialized fluids internally that resist biofouling and corrosion.
3Reliability
If specialized fluids are used to prevent biofouling and corrosion, then durability improves, but the fluids must be contained within the system increasing complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into distinct fluid zones: the inertial tubes contain seawater or simple fluid for oscillation, while the turbine and internal mechanisms use specialized fluids in sealed compartments. This segmentation allows each zone to be optimized independently for its specific function.
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 design efficiently captures and converts wave energy with reduced risk of biofouling and corrosion, allowing for the use of specialized fluids that remain within the system, enhancing energy extraction efficiency and durability.
Implementation Method 1
The liquid in the inertial tube tends to be 'suspended,' or elevated, by the elevated pressure of the lower air pocket (relative to the pressure of the upper air pocket)
Implementation Method 2
Wave-induced vertical oscillations of the embodiment cause the liquid mass thus suspended in the inertial tube to oscillate. As this mass, i.e., the liquid within the inertial tube, oscillates, it captures and stores energy (as kinetic and gravitational potential energy)
Implementation Method 3
the captured energy lifts fluid from a lower reservoir to an upper reservoir where its elevated head pressure (relative to at least one reference reservoir within the embodiment) causes that fluid to flow through, and energize, a turbine
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments include a buoyant wave energy converter. In an embodiment, the wave energy converter comprises an upper chamber having a first fluid reservoir and a first gas pocket, and a lower chamber having a second fluid reservoir and a second gas pocket. In an embodiment, an injection tube is between and fluidly coupled to the upper chamber and the lower chamber, where the injection tube is to impel a fluid from the second fluid reservoir into the first fluid reservoir when the upper chamber, the lower chamber and the injection tube oscillate about a waterline with the upper chamber adjacent to the waterline and the lower chamber submerged below the waterline and vertically beneath the upper chamber. An effluent tube is fluidly coupled to the upper chamber and the lower chamber, where the effluent tube is to return the fluid from the first fluid reservoir to the injection tube.