Rectangular Floating Platform Wave Energy Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current point absorber wave energy converters have a small size, high relative weight, and suboptimal design, leading to low power output and high costs, making them less competitive with wind power technologies.
Innovation Solution
A floating platform with a length at least two times the length of its sides, made of composite sandwich construction, aligned to follow wave fronts, equipped with aligning means such as wings or jet thrusters to maximize lifting area and power extraction, and anchored to the sea bottom for stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the floating platform uses a small diameter and heavy weight design, then it can be anchored to the sea floor, but the power output is reduced due to low flotation and inability to follow wave form
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameters of the floating platform by increasing the diameter from conventional small sizes to at least 40 meters, and reducing the draft from conventional deep immersion to 1-4 meters. This parameter transformation allows the platform to float higher in waves, follow wave contours, and capture more energy while maintaining stability through the large diameter and appropriate weight distribution.
2Power
If the floating platform has a large draft to follow wave form, then it can capture more wave energy, but it increases added mass and reduces responsiveness to wave lifting forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by reducing the draft from conventional large values to 1-4 meters, which significantly decreases the added mass and improves responsiveness to wave lifting forces. Simultaneously, the large diameter (at least 40 meters) compensates for the reduced draft by providing sufficient lateral stability and wave contour following capability, achieving an optimal balance between energy capture and responsiveness.
3Ease of manufacture
If the floating platform uses conventional circular design, then it is simple to manufacture, but the lifting area is reduced due to wave flattening below the top layer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces asymmetry in the platform design by transitioning from a conventional circular cross-section to a rectangular plan view with specific dimensional ratios (length at least two times the length of the side). This asymmetric rectangular configuration increases the lifting area by allowing the platform to exploit the full wave height and contour more effectively, while the standardized rectangular geometry remains relatively simple to manufacture using conventional techniques.
4Reliability
If the floating platform is heavy to ensure stability, then it can be anchored securely, but the cost per MW increases significantly compared to wind power
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the weight-to-diameter ratio and draft parameters to reduce the overall weight while maintaining stability. The large diameter (at least 40 meters) provides geometric stability without requiring excessive weight, and the reduced draft (1-4 meters) decreases the displaced water weight. This parameter optimization reduces the cost per MW by lowering material costs and installation costs while maintaining adequate stability for anchoring.
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 enhances power output by utilizing a larger lifting area, reducing inertia, and increasing radiation force, allowing for efficient energy harvesting even in lower waves and deep sea conditions, while reducing costs and improving survivability in extreme weather.
Implementation Method 1
a floating platform (1) configured for extracting the energy in waves according to the point absorber principle
Implementation Method 2
The front of the floating platform (1) is aligned with the wave front by means of aligning means (34)
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B~2
Figure 3
AI summary
A floating platform for a wave energy converter (WEC), comprising a hollow body, in which energy converting machinery may be positioned. The floating platform has an underside facing the water in use, an upper side facing the opposite direction and a first long-side forming a front and a second long-side forming a back, and two short-sides, at least one aligning means is provided, configured to align the front of the floating platform with the wave front, i.e. perpendicular to the direction of the wave, the front of the floating platform is at least 30 m long, the length of the front is at least two times the length of the side, the height of the floating platform is at least 1 m, wherein the floating platform is made up by means of a composite sandwich construction and the platform is configured to work in waves of deep sea shape at a sea depth of more than 1.3 times the highest probable monster wave in the relevant area.