Omnidirectional Wave Energy Converter With Mooring-Free R-TENG
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wave energy converters (WECs) face high construction, operation, and maintenance costs due to their design and installation in harsh offshore environments, lacking competitiveness compared to solar panels and wind turbines, and require mooring systems that increase costs further.
Innovation Solution
A wave energy converter (WEC) design inspired by an automatic watch's oscillating weight, utilizing a rotor-stator system with rotational triboelectric nanogenerators (R-TENGs) that harvest kinetic energy from omnidirectional ocean waves without a mooring system, converting mechanical motion into electrical energy through friction between a dielectric film and metal electrodes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If WECs are installed at distant offshore locations to harvest wave energy, then energy generation capability is improved, but construction and mooring costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the mooring system from the WEC design. The oscillating mass WEC is designed to float freely on water surfaces without requiring mooring to the seabed, thereby removing the complex and expensive mooring infrastructure while maintaining energy harvesting capability through the oscillating mass mechanism that converts wave-induced motions into electrical energy
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of anchoring the WEC to the seabed and having it resist wave forces, the patent inverts the approach by allowing the WEC to float freely and harness the oscillating motions of the floating structure itself. The oscillating mass moves with the waves and converts this motion into energy, transforming the challenge of floating instability into the solution for energy generation
2Loss of energy
If WECs are designed with complex PTO systems (hydraulic, turbines, electromagnetic generators) to convert wave energy, then energy conversion efficiency is improved, but device complexity and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical PTO systems (hydraulic systems, turbines, electromagnetic generators) with a simpler oscillating mass mechanism. The oscillating mass directly converts wave-induced kinetic energy into mechanical oscillations that drive the energy conversion process, eliminating the need for intermediate hydraulic systems, turbine assemblies, and electromagnetic generator components while maintaining effective energy conversion
Solution Approach 2:
The oscillating mass system is self-driven by wave forces without requiring external power sources or complex control systems. The floating structure naturally oscillates in response to wave motions, and this self-generated motion is directly converted into electrical energy through the integrated oscillating mass mechanism, eliminating the need for separate power take-off systems
3Reliability
If WECs use traditional hull geometries and structures to withstand harsh offshore environments, then reliability is improved, but construction costs and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the oscillating mass to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as the floating structure, the energy conversion mechanism, and the power generation device. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate structural components and systems, reducing construction complexity and costs while maintaining reliability through the simplicity and robustness of the unified oscillating mass structure
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 WEC effectively converts kinetic energy from low to high frequency ocean waves into electrical energy, demonstrating stable performance and scalability, reducing installation costs by eliminating the need for mooring systems and enhancing energy harvesting efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
Friction generated between the rotor and the stator upon relative movement between the stator and the rotor generates electricity
Implementation Method 2
rotational triboelectric nanogenerators (R-TENGs) that harvest kinetic energy from omnidirectional ocean waves without a mooring system, converting mechanical motion into electrical energy through friction between a dielectric film and metal electrodes
Data Source
AI summary
A WEC which includes a housing, a stator which is fixed to the housing, a rotor movable to the stator, and an oscillating mass connected to the rotor. The oscillating mass is adapted to oscillate as a result of tilting and horizontal movements of the housing. The oscillating mass is further adapted to rotate along with the rotor. A friction generated between the rotor and the stator upon relative movement between the stator and the rotor induces electricity. The WEC is demonstrated to be able to absorb water-wave energy from all directions and convert the kinetic energy into electrical energy through the R-TENG system under low to high frequency simulated water wave motion.