Ocean Wave Energy System With Adjustable Submerged Structures
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current ocean wave energy systems face challenges in achieving high efficiency and commercial viability due to corrosive ocean water, varying wave conditions, and the need for robust structures to withstand storms, while also generating relatively modest power compared to other energy sources.
Innovation Solution
The system employs hollow columns oriented at non-vertical angles with adjustable submerged structures and fluid valves to match the natural resonant frequency of the columns with incoming ocean waves, enhancing energy conversion efficiency and using a turbine arrangement with gyroscopic stabilization and dynamic wave impedance matching to optimize power generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If robust structures are used to withstand storm conditions, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The hollow columns are designed to be dynamically adjustable in orientation angle, allowing the system to adapt to varying wave conditions including storms. This dynamic adjustment capability provides robustness without requiring permanently oversized structures, thereby reducing overall system complexity and cost while maintaining reliability across different operational conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters (column orientation angle, resonant frequency tuning) to optimize performance for different wave conditions. By adjusting these parameters, the same structure can handle both calm and storm conditions effectively, eliminating the need for overly robust permanent structures and reducing device complexity.
2Productivity
If hollow columns are inclined at non-vertical angles, then energy conversion efficiency is improved through resonant frequency matching, but structural stability becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The hollow columns incorporate adjustable orientation mechanisms that allow dynamic modification of the inclination angle. This enables the system to optimize resonant frequency matching for maximum energy conversion while maintaining structural stability through active adjustment rather than fixed rigid positioning, resolving the contradiction between efficiency and stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes resonant vibration of the hollow columns at their natural frequencies, tuned through inclination angle adjustment. By operating at resonance, the structure efficiently converts wave energy while the dynamic adjustment capability ensures that resonant frequencies can be optimized without compromising structural integrity, balancing productivity and stability.
3Productivity
If submerged structures are added for wave impedance matching, then energy capture is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hollow columns serve multiple functions: they act as both the primary energy conversion elements and the impedance-matching structures. By integrating these functions into a single component rather than adding separate submerged structures, the system achieves improved energy capture while minimizing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The inclined hollow columns act as an intermediary between the ocean waves and the air turbine system. Their specific orientation and resonant properties provide impedance matching that facilitates efficient energy transfer, achieving improved energy capture without requiring additional complex submerged matching structures.
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 approach significantly improves the efficiency of ocean wave energy conversion, making it more competitive with other energy sources by stabilizing the platform and maximizing energy capture from a wide range of wave frequencies, while also being robust enough to withstand adverse weather conditions.
Implementation Method 1
the hollow columns are arranged in operation to exhibit a natural frequency of wave motion therein which is substantially matched to a frequency of ocean waves received at the lower ends of the hollow columns
Implementation Method 2
whose upper ends are in air communication with a turbine arrangement such that wave motion occurring at the lower ends is operable to cause air movement within the columns for propelling the turbine arrangement to generate power output
Implementation Method 3
turbine arrangement with gyroscopic stabilization
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4A~4B
AI summary
An ocean wave energy system (200, 1000, 3000) for generating power from ocean waves (40) includes a platform (520) supporting an array of hollow columns (220) whose respective lower ends are in fluidic communication with ocean waves (40) and whose respective upper ends are in air communication with a turbine arrangement (230) such that wave motion occurring at the lower ends is operable to cause air movement within the columns (220) for propelling the turbine arrangement (230) to generate power output. The system (200, 1000, 3000) further includes one or more position-adjustable and/or angle-adjustable submerged structures (300) near the lower ends of the columns (220) for forming ocean waves propagating in operation towards the lower ends of the columns (220) to couple the waves (40) in a controllable manner into the hollow columns (220).