Resonant Wave Energy Converter with Adjustable Spring Constant
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional sea wave energy harvesting systems are inefficient due to their inability to adapt to changing wave conditions, leading to underutilization of energy potential and high costs.
Innovation Solution
A sea wave energy harvesting system that dynamically adjusts its resonant frequency to match current wave conditions by using a generator and power takeoff drum to optimize energy capture across a range of wave conditions, employing a spring and mass system with adjustable spring constant and torque control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional sea wave energy harvesting systems use fixed resonant frequency design, then the system structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the system cannot adapt to changing wave conditions resulting in low energy harvesting efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of the resonant frequency by making the spring constant adjustable. The system transitions from a static spring-mass system to a dynamic one where the spring constant can be modified in real-time to match changing wave conditions, enabling the system to maintain optimal resonance across varying operational environments
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameter of the spring constant to enable adaptability. By adjusting the spring constant, the resonant frequency of the system can be tuned to match the frequency of incoming waves, allowing the system to optimize energy harvesting efficiency under different wave conditions without requiring complete system redesign
2Productivity
If traditional sea wave energy harvesting systems are designed for specific wave conditions, then the system design is straightforward, but the system becomes highly inefficient when wave conditions vary from the optimized parameters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor wave conditions and use this information to adjust the spring constant accordingly. This closed-loop control system continuously adapts the resonant frequency to match current wave conditions, ensuring high energy harvesting efficiency across a wide range of operational scenarios rather than being optimized for a single condition
3Productivity
If the system uses dynamic adjustment of resonant frequency through adjustable spring constant and torque control, then energy harvesting efficiency improves across varying wave conditions, but the device complexity and control requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the generator serve multiple functions: it acts as both a power generation device and a means of applying torque to adjust the resonant frequency. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate adjustment mechanisms, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while still enabling dynamic adaptation to optimize energy capture across varying wave conditions
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 allows for more efficient energy harvesting by aligning the resonant frequency of the system with wave frequencies, increasing energy capture and reducing costs through improved power absorption across varying wave conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a generator capable of operating as both a generator and as a motor. When the generator operates as a motor, the generator applies a torque to the power takeoff drum
Implementation Method 2
The wave energy harvesting system includes a spring and mass system having a resonant frequency. The resonant frequency is adjusted to match the frequency of the waves
Implementation Method 3
The sea wave energy harvesting system includes a spring and mass system having a spring constant
Implementation Method 4
A portion of the towing line is wound about a power takeoff drum within the wave energy harvesting vessel. As the wave energy harvesting vessel rises and falls with the motion of the sea waves, the power takeoff drum rotates as the towing line winds and unwinds about the power takeoff drum
Data Source
AI summary
A sea wave energy harvesting system includes a sea wave energy harvesting vessel positioned in the sea. The sea wave energy harvesting system dynamically adapts the motion of the sea wave energy harvesting vessel responsive to the sensed sea wave conditions to more closely align a resonant frequency of the sea wave energy harvesting vessel with the current harmonic motion of the sea waves.