Wave Energy Recovery Device with Movable Bottom
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wave energy harvesting devices are inefficient in areas with high tidal ranges and varying swell characteristics, as they fail to effectively capture and convert the energy of both small and large waves, leading to energy dissipation and reduced performance.
Innovation Solution
A wave energy recovery device with a converging channel and movable bottom structure, adjustable in vertical direction, coupled with a valve and diffuser system, optimized for varying marine dynamics parameters, ensuring constant water depth and efficient energy transformation into electrical energy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If fixed structure devices are used in areas with high tidal ranges and varying swell characteristics, then device simplicity is maintained, but energy capture efficiency deteriorates due to inability to adapt to varying conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The channel bottom is made movable in the vertical direction, allowing it to adjust its position dynamically in response to varying tidal levels and swell characteristics. This dynamic adjustment enables the device to maintain optimal water depth and wave amplification conditions across different environmental conditions, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and structural simplicity.
2Productivity
If fixed water depth is used in the channel, then structural simplicity is maintained, but energy recovery efficiency deteriorates under varying tidal conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The movable channel bottom enables dynamic adjustment of water depth in the channel, allowing the system to maintain optimal depth conditions for wave amplification and energy recovery regardless of tidal variations. This dynamic water depth control directly improves energy recovery efficiency while adding only minimal structural complexity through the movable bottom mechanism.
3Adaptability or versatility
If non-adjustable devices are deployed, then device simplicity is maintained, but energy capture capability deteriorates for both small and large waves
Solution Approach 1:
The movable channel bottom allows the device to adapt its configuration for different wave sizes and swell characteristics. By adjusting the bottom position vertically, the system can optimize wave amplification for both small and large waves, enhancing capture capability across varying wave conditions while maintaining relatively simple adjustment mechanics.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device for recovering wave energy comprising an amplification duct (60) leading into a valve (70), a reservoir (71) placed in direct communication with the duct (60) by the valve (70), and means (74) for converting the potential energy of the water stored in the reservoir (71) into electrical energy. The bottom (63) of the duct (60) is movable, in a vertical direction, with respect to the bottom (F) of the sea, the side walls (65) of the duct (60) converge in the form of a trumpet, the duct(60) is terminated by a nozzle (77) in the form of a narrow slot extending vertically from the bottom (63) to the top (64) of the duct (60) and closed by the valve (70) designed to open under the effect of the dynamic pressure of the water. The invention also relates to an assembly comprising a plurality of wave energy recovery devices and to a wave energy recovery method.