Inverse Pendulum Wave Energy Converter Tether Tuning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wave energy converters are inefficient in capturing power from the horizontal surge motion of ocean waves, and they often require significant modifications or additional costs to optimize power capture across varying sea states.
Innovation Solution
A wave energy converter system utilizing a surface float connected to a reaction structure via flexible tethers, which treats the system as an inverse pendulum to harness the horizontal surge motion, with adjustable tether lengths to resonate with wave periods and maximize energy absorption, incorporating onboard winches and sensors for real-time adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If existing wave energy converters are used to capture power from horizontal surge motion, then power capture is achieved, but efficiency is low and significant modifications or additional costs are required to optimize power capture across varying sea states
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional wave energy converter design by using an inverted pendulum configuration where the float is connected to a submerged reaction mass via a tether, rather than the traditional approach of directly converting surface wave motion. This inversion allows the system to efficiently capture horizontal surge motion by leveraging the oscillating tension in the tether as the float surges with waves, while the submerged reaction mass remains relatively stationary due to its depth and inertia
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes key parameters of the system by using an inverted pendulum configuration with adjustable tether length and a submerged reaction mass at a specific depth. This parameter change transforms the system's natural oscillation period to match wave periods, enabling resonance and maximizing energy capture efficiency across varying sea states without requiring significant modifications to existing converter designs
2Productivity
If tether length is adjusted to resonate with wave periods, then power capture is maximized across varying sea states, but system adaptability requires real-time adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic system where the tether length can be adjusted in real-time to match varying wave periods. The winch mechanism allows the tether length to be dynamically changed, enabling the inverted pendulum system to maintain resonance with different wave conditions. This dynamic adaptability maximizes power capture across varying sea states by tuning the natural oscillation period of the pendulum to match the prevailing wave period
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates sensors that monitor wave conditions and provide feedback to the control system, which then adjusts the tether length via the winch mechanism. This feedback loop enables real-time optimization of the system's natural period to match changing wave periods, ensuring maximum energy capture efficiency across varying sea states without requiring manual intervention
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 enhances power capture across a wide range of wave periods, potentially reducing costs and optimizing energy extraction without additional expenses, by tuning the natural period of the pendulum motion to match ocean wave frequencies and adapting to real-time sea conditions.
Implementation Method 1
Each flexible tether has a length established to treat the system as an inverse pendulum to utilize a horizontal surge motion of the surface float to present tension at the corresponding drivetrain
Implementation Method 2
tuning the natural period of the pendulum motion to match ocean wave frequencies
Data Source
AI summary
A system converts mechanical wave energy into electrical energy. The system includes a wave energy converter (WEC), which includes a surface float, a reaction structure, a plurality of flexible tethers, and a plurality of drivetrains. Each flexible tether connects the surface float to the reaction structure. Each drivetrain is connected to a corresponding flexible tether. Each flexible tether has a length established to treat the system as an inverse pendulum to utilize a horizontal surge motion of the surface float to present tension at the corresponding drivetrain for production of electrical energy from the horizontal surge motion.