Tunable Wave Energy Converter with Anti-Phase Linkage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wave energy converters are not designed to optimize energy conversion in specific wave fields, often failing to account for different wave motions, leading to suboptimal energy extraction and high installation costs due to fixed positioning.
Innovation Solution
A wave energy converter system comprising two bodies connected via a pivotally linked arm, allowing anti-phase motion and tuneable properties such as separation and resonance to match specific wave conditions, enhancing energy capture by aligning with wave trains and utilizing surge, heave, and pitch resonance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the wave energy converter is fixedly located on the sea bed, then the structure is stable and immovable, but the installation cost is high and the structure cannot be moved easily
Solution Approach 1:
The wave energy converter transitions from a static fixed structure to a dynamic floating structure that can move with waves. The converter uses buoyant bodies connected by linkages that allow surge, heave, and pitch motions, enabling the structure to adapt to wave conditions while maintaining operational stability through controlled relative movements between components.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the wave energy converter is designed for general energy conversion, then the structure is versatile, but the energy conversion efficiency is not optimal for specific wave fields
Solution Approach 1:
The wave energy converter incorporates tuneable properties including the separation distance between buoyant bodies, the natural period of oscillation, and the resonance characteristics of the linkage system. These parameters can be adjusted to match specific wave field conditions (wavelength, wave period, wave height), allowing the converter to optimize energy extraction for different ocean environments while maintaining a versatile base design.
3Device complexity
If the wave energy converter uses arbitrary design, then the design process is simple, but the energy extraction capability is suboptimal
Solution Approach 1:
The converter employs dynamic motion characteristics including surge-driven anti-phase movement, heave resonance, and pitch resonance. The linkage system is designed to create controlled relative motions between buoyant bodies that maximize energy extraction from wave forces. The natural period of the converter can be tuned to resonate with incoming wave periods, significantly enhancing energy capture capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The wave energy converter utilizes resonance phenomena where the natural oscillation frequency of the converter system is matched to the frequency of incoming waves. The buoyant bodies and linkage system are designed to vibrate in anti-phase surge motion and resonate in heave and pitch modes, converting wave energy more effectively through resonant amplification of motion amplitudes.
4Device complexity
If the wave energy converter does not account for different wave motions, then the design is simplified, but the power capture capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The converter is designed to simultaneously exploit multiple wave-induced motions: surge (horizontal translation), heave (vertical translation), and pitch (rotation). The linkage system connects buoyant bodies in a configuration that converts all three motion modes into useful relative movement between bodies, maximizing the power extraction capability by utilizing the full range of wave-induced dynamic responses.
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 system significantly improves energy conversion efficiency by optimizing motion alignment with wave patterns, increasing power extraction and reducing installation costs through adaptable design for specific wave fields.
Implementation Method 1
The basic principle of using this renewable energy source lies in the design of a structure that is in some way able to convert wave energy into another form of energy
Implementation Method 2
one or more properties of the wave energy converter being tuneable, to tune the wave energy converter for use in a particular wave field... such that, in use, the tuning results in substantially anti-phase motion of the first body assembly and the second body relative to one another for that wave field
Data Source
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AI summary
A wave energy converter, configured to float in water, comprising: a first body assembly, comprising a first body (30), configured to float in water and a sub-body (120) rigidly connected to the first body (30) by an assembly arm (122), the sub-body (120) being configured to float in water; and a second body (34), configured to float in water; the first body assembly and the second body being connected to one another via a first arm (36), the first arm being pivotally connected to at least one of the first body assembly and second body; the first body assembly and the second body also being connected to one another via a linkage (90, 100, 110) that, via movement of at least a part of that linkage, allows for movement of the first body assembly and second body relative to one another in an anti-phase manner; properties of the wave energy converter being tuneable, to tune the wave energy converter for use in a particular wave field.