Uniaxial Power Converting Drum for Wave Energy
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The irregular and uneven kinetic energy of waves poses a challenge in converting it into uniform rotational motion energy required to operate a generator effectively.
Innovation Solution
A uniaxial power converting apparatus that includes a buoyant unit moored to the seafloor by a wire, a redirecting unit to change the wire's direction, and a power converting module that transmits the wire's tension to a generator, using a drum with the wire wound on it to drive a power shaft connected to the generator.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a complex mechanism is used to convert irregular wave kinetic energy into uniform rotational motion, then the conversion efficiency improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential function of converting irregular wave motion to uniform rotational motion by isolating the drum mechanism as the core component. The drum directly converts the tension from wave motion into rotational motion, eliminating the need for complex intermediate mechanisms while maintaining conversion efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The drum serves multiple functions simultaneously: it converts linear tension from wave motion into rotational motion, stores kinetic energy through its rotational inertia, and directly drives the generator. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, simplifying the overall device structure while maintaining effective power conversion.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate power shafts are used to handle multiple buoyant units, then the adaptability to different wave conditions improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple power shafts into a single common power shaft that can accommodate multiple drums. Each buoyant unit connects to the same power shaft through its own drum, allowing the system to handle multiple wave sources simultaneously while sharing a common drive mechanism, thereby reducing overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adapts to different wave conditions by allowing each drum to independently respond to its corresponding buoyant unit's motion. The single power shaft integrates these dynamic inputs, automatically adjusting to varying wave patterns without requiring mechanical reconfiguration, thus maintaining adaptability while simplifying the structure.
3Ease of manufacture
If a simple drum-generator linkage is used, then the ease of manufacture and expansion improves, but the ability to handle complex wave energy patterns may be limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the wave energy conversion system into independent modular units, each consisting of a buoyant unit, wire, and drum. These modular segments can be easily manufactured separately and then assembled by connecting multiple units to a common power shaft, simplifying both manufacturing and future expansion while maintaining effective energy conversion.
Solution Approach 2:
The drum is pre-configured with winding grooves and structural features that automatically guide the wire and convert tension to rotation. This preliminary design of the drum's geometry enables it to perform the complex function of converting irregular wave motion into uniform rotational motion without requiring additional complex mechanisms, thus maintaining manufacturing simplicity while ensuring effective energy conversion.
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
This apparatus efficiently converts wave kinetic energy into rotational motion energy, enabling the operation of a generator with a simple structure that is easy to manufacture and expand, improving power generation efficiency and adaptability to wave changes.
Implementation Method 1
a buoyant unit moored to the seafloor by a wire to which kinetic energy of waves is input
Implementation Method 2
a drum with the wire wound on it to drive a power shaft connected to the generator
Data Source
AI summary
A uniaxial power converting apparatus includes a floating unit into which the kinetic energy of waves is inputted and which is moored at sea by a wire, a direction change unit for changing a direction of the wire, and a power conversion module for transmitting the tension of the wire to a generator. The power conversion module can transmit a driving force to a power shaft to which the generator is connected from a drum around which the wire is wound.