Oscillating Water Column Airflow Design for Floating Wave Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wave energy conversion technologies, such as oscillating buoy and oscillating water column technologies, face issues of complex structure, high manufacturing costs, low material utilization, difficulty in disassembly and maintenance, and vulnerability to marine organism attachment, while overtopping technologies are large and costly with complex mooring systems.
Innovation Solution
A floating oscillating water column-type wave energy power generation apparatus with a cylindrical first runner chamber, flow-guiding cone, impeller, power generator, and protective cap, featuring integrated design and multi-runner chambers for adaptable power output, along with a semi-spherical protective cap for component protection and air circulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If oscillating buoy technology uses two or more floating bodies to convert wave energy, then power generation capability is improved, but material utilization rate decreases and collision between floating bodies occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The device divides the floating body into functional segments: a main floating body for buoyancy and wave motion capture, and a separate oscillating water column chamber for energy conversion. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently without requiring multiple complete floating bodies, thereby improving material utilization while maintaining power generation capability.
2Power
If oscillating buoy technology uses multiple floating bodies for power generation, then energy conversion is improved, but the structure becomes complex and disassembly becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the floating body structure with the oscillating water column chamber into a single integrated unit. The water column chamber is positioned within or attached to the floating body, combining buoyancy and energy conversion functions in one structure. This reduces the number of separate components compared to traditional multi-body oscillating buoy systems, simplifying the overall structure while maintaining effective energy conversion.
3Power
If overtopping technology uses a solid structure with large scale for wave energy conversion, then power generation capacity is improved, but the mooring system becomes complex and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible or semi-flexible floating body structure with an oscillating water column chamber, replacing the rigid solid structure of overtopping technology. This flexible design allows the device to adapt to wave motions more naturally, reducing the need for complex mooring systems while maintaining adequate power generation capacity. The flexible structure can oscillate and deform with waves, converting energy through the water column oscillation mechanism rather than requiring large-scale rigid structures.
4Reliability
If oscillating water column technology positions turbine and power generator on water surface, then marine organism attachment is avoided, but structure becomes complex and maintenance becomes inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the turbine and power generator in a transitional zone between above and below the water surface, utilizing the air-water interface. The oscillating water column chamber extends vertically, allowing the turbine to be driven by air pressure changes from water column oscillation while remaining partially protected from direct marine organism attachment. This dimensional positioning optimizes both protection from biofouling and accessibility for maintenance operations.
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 apparatus achieves high reliability, low manufacturing cost, reduced marine organism impact, and efficient power generation with adaptable output, while protecting components from erosion and optimizing internal space usage.
Implementation Method 1
a reciprocating oscillating water column pushes, like a piston, the air in an air chamber to reciprocate
Implementation Method 2
the reciprocating airflow drives the air turbine to rotate to drive a power generator to generate electricity
Implementation Method 3
the flow-guiding cone can guide air flowing, and increase the flowing speed of air in the apparatus
Implementation Method 4
the flow-guiding cone is conical and arranged with a tip facing down
Implementation Method 5
the components such as the power generator and the controller in the apparatus can be effectively protected from the erosion of rainwater and sea air
Implementation Method 6
a gap is provided between an edge of the protective cap and an edge of the first runner chamber for air circulation
Data Source
AI summary
A floating oscillating water column-type wave energy power generation apparatus includes a first runner chamber and a protective cap, wherein a nozzle is mounted inside the first runner chamber, a flow-guiding cone is coaxially mounted below the nozzle, the flow-guiding cone is conical and arranged with a tip facing down; an impeller is coaxially mounted above the nozzle; a power generator is coaxially mounted above the impeller; the protective cap is mounted at the top of the first runner chamber; and a gap is provided between an edge of the protective cap and an edge of the first runner chamber for air circulation. According to the floating oscillating water column-type wave energy power generation apparatus, as the nozzle with the flow-guiding cone structure is used, the flow-guiding cone can guide air flowing, and increase the air flowing speed in the apparatus.