Wave Energy Converter With Constant Rotation and Dry Generator Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for converting wave energy into electrical energy are inefficient, expensive, and environmentally harmful due to reliance on fossil fuels and complex infrastructure, with previous attempts facing issues like energy loss, jamming, and high maintenance costs.
Innovation Solution
A system featuring a floating body connected to a transmission shaft and induction generator placed above the water surface, utilizing one-way clutches to convert linear wave motion into rotary motion with minimal machine parts and loss, allowing for efficient electrical energy production without submersion under water.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the generator is placed below the water surface, then the system can utilize wave motion directly, but the maintenance cost and device complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional arrangement by placing the generator above the water surface rather than below it. The floating body moves with waves and transfers motion upward to the generator through a transmission shaft, allowing the generator to remain in dry, easily accessible conditions while still capturing wave energy effectively.
2Ease of operation
If a complex transmission system with many gears is used, then the platform motion can be controlled, but energy loss increases and power output decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex gear transmission system from the design. Instead of using multiple gears to control platform motion, the invention uses a simple floating body that naturally follows wave motion, directly converting vertical displacement into rotational motion of the generator through a straightforward transmission shaft mechanism.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the platform is made heavy with substantial inertia, then stability improves, but the system becomes prone to jamming and bumping
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the platform lightweight and highly responsive to wave motion rather than heavy and inertial. The floating body is designed to move freely with waves, and the system incorporates flexible elements and clearance gaps that allow dynamic adaptation to varying wave conditions, preventing jamming and bumping while maintaining operational stability.
4Productivity
If induction generators are placed below water surface, then wave energy conversion is direct, but production and exploitation costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves the generator from the underwater dimension to the aerial dimension, placing it above the water surface on supporting structures. This dimensional change allows the generator to operate in a more favorable environment while maintaining effective coupling with the floating body through a vertical transmission shaft, thereby reducing production and exploitation costs.
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 solution enables efficient conversion of wave motion into electrical energy with reduced complexity and cost, minimizing environmental impact and operational expenses while maximizing energy output.
Implementation Method 1
System for conversion of wave energy into electrical energy... floating working body for conversion of linear motion of aquatic waves either into circular or linear motion of the generator
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to the utilization of wave energy and its conversion into operating motion of an electrical energy generating system. The system for generation of electrical energy through the conversion of aquatic wave motion includes floating bodies and a constant rotation mechanism, which converts the two-way linear motion of an inflexible transmission shaft or a flexible transmission shafts into one-way rotation of an output shaft of the constant rotation mechanism. This mechanism allows utilization of wave energy in two directions caused by the rise and fall of waves. The output shaft of the constant rotation mechanism is coupled to a force multiplier that is further coupled to a generator which generates electrical energy. Constant rotation mechanism can be driven by inflexible transmission shaft pivotally coupled to the floating bodies at one end, and the other end to an input gear of the constant rotation mechanism. Depending on the height of the wave and the wavelength, various constructions of floating bodies are used. Certain floating bodies are designed for the waves of a smaller amplitude and smaller wavelength, while other floating bodies are designed for bigger amplitude and bigger wavelength.