Recirculating Inertial Hydrodynamic Pump for Wave Energy Conversion
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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 chambers and an inertial tube filled with liquid, which captures and stores energy through wave-induced oscillations, using specialized fluids to minimize biofouling and corrosion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional wave energy converters are used, then energy extraction from ocean waves is attempted, but the devices suffer from biofouling and corrosion on inner surfaces and components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an inert atmosphere (nitrogen or carbon dioxide) filling the interior chambers of the wave energy converter. This inert environment prevents biofouling and corrosion on internal surfaces and components, thereby resolving the technical contradiction between device reliability and harmful factors like biofouling and corrosion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a working fluid (water or alternative fluid) as an intermediary medium that circulates through the device. This working fluid serves as a barrier between the external marine environment and internal components, preventing direct contact with corrosive and biofouling conditions while enabling energy extraction operations.
2Reliability
If the wave energy converter uses specialized fluids to minimize biofouling and corrosion, then device reliability improves, but the complexity of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The working fluid serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a heat transfer medium, a pressure transmission medium, and a protective barrier against biofouling and corrosion. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate systems, thereby improving device reliability without proportionally increasing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
By using an inert atmosphere in the chambers, the patent creates a self-contained protective environment that simplifies the overall system architecture. The inert gas provides passive protection without requiring active monitoring or complex protective mechanisms, thus improving reliability while maintaining system simplicity.
3Productivity
If waves are used to drive the energy conversion process, then energy extraction efficiency is achieved, but the slow movement and long periods of waves reduce power output
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the oscillatory motion and vibration inherent in wave movement to drive the energy conversion process. The vertical oscillations of the floating structure and the corresponding fluid motion are harnessed to rotate the turbine, converting the low-frequency wave motion into useful mechanical work and thereby improving power output despite the slow natural wave period.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs hydraulic principles by using water or alternative fluid as a working medium that transmits and amplifies the wave-induced energy. The fluid circulates through the system, capturing energy from wave motion and delivering it to the turbine, thereby enhancing the power output relative to the slow wave movement.
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 into electrical power, reducing the risk of biofouling and corrosion, and allows for the use of specialized fluids that remain within the system, enhancing energy extraction efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The inertial tube tends to be at least partially filled with liquid that is fluidly continuous with liquid in lower chamber reservoir. The liquid in the inertial tube tends to be 'suspended,' or elevated, by the elevated pressure of the lower 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
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 4
These upper and lower gas pockets are typically both pressurized above atmospheric pressure and function as springs
Implementation Method 5
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
Implementation Method 6
a generator that converts the mechanical energy of the rotating shaft into electrical power
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments disclosed herein include buoyant wave energy converters. 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. 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 below the waterline and vertically beneath the upper chamber. In an embodiment, 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 second fluid reservoir.