Submersible Wave Power Plant with Controllable Buoyancy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surface-based wave power plants face challenges in withstanding extreme weather conditions and avoiding collisions with surface vessels, necessitating a submersible solution that optimally utilizes flow energy and can adjust depth.
Innovation Solution
A submersible wave power plant with a hollow elongate shaft connected to a generator, featuring unidirectional rotor blades, buoyancy means with inflatable bladders, and anchoring to the seabed, allowing precise control of inclination and depth through pressurization and pressure balancing, along with sensors for optimal power production and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If surface-based wave power plants are used, then energy production is achieved, but structural integrity during extreme weather deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from surface-based to submersible wave power plant operation, moving the turbine system into the water column below the surface. This dimensional change allows the structure to operate in a more protected environment while maintaining energy production capability, as the submersible configuration reduces exposure to extreme weather conditions at the surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs controllable buoyancy means that can dynamically adjust the position and depth of the turbine system within the water column. This dynamic capability allows the structure to adapt to varying weather conditions and optimize both structural integrity and energy production by moving to appropriate depths during extreme events.
2Strength
If submergible wave power plants are used, then structural integrity during extreme weather is improved, but positioning in the bulk of water for optimal energy utilization becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes buoyancy means equipped with gas-filled bladders that can be pressurized or depressurized to control the position and depth of the turbine system within the water column. This pneumatic/hydraulic mechanism enables precise positioning in the bulk of water while maintaining structural integrity, allowing optimal energy capture from wave motion at different depths.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If fixed depth submergible plants are used, then protection from surface vessels is achieved, but adaptability to avoid collisions and optimize energy capture is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements controllable buoyancy means that enable dynamic depth adjustment of the turbine system. This allows the structure to adapt its position vertically within the water column to avoid collisions with surface vessels while simultaneously optimizing energy capture by positioning at depths with favorable wave energy conditions.
4Adaptability or versatility
If controllable buoyancy means are added, then depth control and collision avoidance are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs buoyancy means with gas-filled bladders that can be controlled through gas injection and release mechanisms. The system uses the compressibility of gas to naturally regulate buoyancy and depth, reducing the need for complex mechanical actuation systems while achieving effective depth control and collision avoidance capabilities.
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
Enables efficient energy production from wave motion while ensuring structural integrity during extreme weather and avoiding vessel collisions by dynamically adjusting buoyancy and depth, optimizing energy capture and safety.
Implementation Method 1
The shaft exhibits buoyancy means, and an anchoring to seabed or river bed. Each buoyancy means comprises a housing having a hollow interior... defining a gas-filled interior of the bladder and a water-filled compartment in the housing
Implementation Method 2
the shaft exhibits buoyancy means... an inflatable and compressible bladder is arranged around the shaft... means for mutually independently pressurizing or pressure balancing the bladder inside respective buoyancy means
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2c
Figure 3
AI summary
Floating wave power plant (100) comprises a shaft (102) provided with unidirectional rotary rotor blades (101). The shaft (102) is connected with a generator (233) arranged inside a generator housing (211) for the production of electric current. Two or more buoyancy means (106) are connected to the shaft (102), arranged to control depth level of the wave power plant (100) and angle of inclination of the shaft (102). The buoyancy means (106) is hollow and exhibits a bladder (133) attached to the interior of the housing (111) and encompassing the shaft (102), this defining a gas-filled interior (115) and a water-filled environment (114) inside the housing (111). The gas-filled interior (115) is emptied and filled by gas via conduit (118), valve (117) and conduit (116) and by means of a compressor (235) and a pressure tank (236) in the generator housing (211).