Wave Energy Gearbox for Multi-Axis Motion Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wave energy conversion systems are inefficient as they only absorb and convert one or two types of ocean movements, leading to structural weaknesses and increased size and cost due to the need to withstand unabsorbed forces, resulting in bulky and expensive devices that fail to effectively harness wave energy.
Innovation Solution
A system that absorbs and focuses all multi-directional ocean forces, including pitch, sway, yaw, surge, roll, and heave, into a single directional rotational motion, using a gearbox designed to handle these forces, which are equal to the resistance offered by the hydraulic pump or electrical generator, allowing for scalable design based on power requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional wave energy systems absorb only one or two types of ocean movements, then the device complexity is reduced, but the energy harvesting efficiency decreases and structural strength must be increased to withstand unabsorbed forces
Solution Approach 1:
The gearbox is designed to handle all six types of ocean movements (pitch, sway, yaw, surge, roll, and heave) simultaneously, making the system universal in its ability to convert multiple motion types into rotational motion. This multi-functionality allows the device to harvest energy from all directions of wave action without requiring separate systems for each movement type.
Solution Approach 2:
The gearbox is divided into multiple independent gear trains, each responsible for converting specific types of ocean movements into rotational motion. These segmented gear trains work in parallel, allowing the system to process different motion types independently while contributing to a common output, thereby managing complexity through modular organization.
2Reliability
If the structural strength is increased to withstand unabsorbed forces, then the reliability improves, but the device size and cost increase resulting in bulky structures
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of designing the structure to resist unabsorbed forces as harmful loads, the invention converts all ocean movement forces into beneficial energy-harvesting inputs. The gearbox captures pitch, sway, yaw, surge, roll, and heave motions, transforming what would be wasteful or damaging forces into useful rotational motion for energy generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic force distribution through multiple gear trains that actively engage with different types of ocean movements. Rather than relying on static structural strength to withstand all forces, the dynamic gear mechanisms continuously adapt to capture forces from various directions, reducing the need for oversized structural components.
3Strength
If the device size is increased to provide structural strength, then the strength increases, but the area exposed to ocean forces increases resulting in higher forces and a vicious circle
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transforms the harmful effect of increased surface area exposure to ocean forces into a benefit by capturing all resulting movements through the multi-axis gearbox. Instead of needing to resist these forces structurally, the system converts them into energy-harvesting inputs, breaking the vicious cycle where larger size leads to higher forces requiring even larger 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 reduces the structural requirements and costs by evenly distributing forces, enabling efficient energy harvesting from wave motion without the need for excessive strengthening, resulting in a more compact and cost-effective energy conversion system.
Implementation Method 1
a first bevel gear BG1 and a second bevel gear BG2 mounted on the input shaft S1... a third bevel gear BG3 and a fourth bevel gear BG4 mounted on shafts S2a and S2c... a fifth bevel gear BG5 and a sixth bevel gear BG6 mounted on shaft S2c and shaft S3
Implementation Method 2
a first one-way bearing OWB1 mounted on the input shaft S1... a second one-way bearing OWB2 mounted on the input shaft S1... oriented in opposite directions to each other
Implementation Method 3
a helical groove M3 machined on the outer surface of Shaft S1... a key M1 protruding out of its inner diameter surface... The key M1 rides in the Helical Groove M3
Data Source
AI summary
An energy harnessing device for harnessing wave energy that results in pitch, sway, yaw, surge, roll, and heave movement, wherein the device effectively converts multiaxial translational and rotational motion to unidirectional rotational motion for power transmission.