Oscillating Lever Wave Energy Device with Pressure Multiplier
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wave energy devices face challenges such as difficult installation and maintenance due to weather conditions, high costs from using corrosion-resistant materials, environmental impact from large structures, limited yield, and inability to adapt to varying wave conditions.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising an oscillating lever system that captures wave energy through a scoop or float, converting it into kinetic energy to drive a motor unit with a pressure multiplier system, allowing for efficient energy conversion and adaptation to different wave conditions without the need for heavy, corrosion-resistant components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If floating tubular structures or reinforced concrete structures are used for wave energy conversion, then the device can capture wave energy, but the installation and maintenance become difficult due to weather conditions and the structures require corrosion-resistant materials increasing costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the turbine from the marine environment by using a pressure multiplier system that converts wave energy into pneumatic pressure to drive the turbine on land or in protected areas, eliminating the need for corrosion-resistant materials and simplifying installation/maintenance operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a pressure multiplier as an intermediary mechanism between wave energy capture and turbine rotation, converting mechanical wave energy into pneumatic pressure that can drive the turbine without direct marine exposure, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of manufacture
2Reliability
If reinforced concrete structures are used for coastal devices, then the device can withstand marine environments, but the environmental impact increases and the device bulk becomes considerable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the need for large reinforced concrete structures by using a pressure multiplier system that achieves the required pressure ratio through mechanical advantage rather than massive concrete construction, thereby reducing environmental impact while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the approach from using massive concrete structures to achieve pressure resistance to using a pressure multiplier mechanism that achieves the same pressure ratio through controlled mechanical compression, reducing material usage and environmental impact
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional wave energy devices are designed, then they can operate in open sea conditions, but they are of limited yield and cannot adapt to different wave conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic pressure multiplier system that can adjust its operation based on varying wave conditions, allowing the device to adapt to different sea states while maintaining high energy yield through optimized pressure conversion at each operating point
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 device achieves a high yield in energy production, reduces maintenance and installation complexity, and adapts to various wave conditions, using non-corrosive materials and minimizing environmental impact while providing renewable energy in coastal and offshore settings.
Implementation Method 1
an oscillating device (2) with an extremity suitably profiled to receive the thrust of an external agent, such as a wave
Implementation Method 2
a pressure multiplier system
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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AI summary
A device for generating electric energy (1) from a renewable source, in particular from wave energy, comprising an oscillating device (2) that can transform the thrust of a natural agent on the first extremity of oscillating device (2) into kinetic energy; a motor unit, operatively connected to a second extremity of the oscillating device in such a way as to receive the kinetic energy transmitted by the oscillating device (2); and an electrical rotating machine operatively connected to the motor unit and suitable for producing electricity when it is set to rotating by the said motor unit.