Free-Floating Wave Engine Stationkeeping Using the Magnus Effect
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for capturing energy from ocean waves face challenges in achieving economic viability and environmental sustainability, particularly due to high implementation and maintenance costs, and the impracticality of tethering systems for large-scale deployment.
Innovation Solution
A free-floating wave engine utilizing a rotationally symmetric body with extensions that induce rotation to harness the Magnus effect for self-propulsion and stationkeeping, allowing it to capture and convert wave energy into energy products while maintaining position without tethering, using a combination of captured energy and ambient environmental forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a free-floating wave energy system is deployed without tethering, then scalability and environmental sustainability are improved, but the system loses positional stability and drifts with ocean currents and waves
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts its operational parameters by transitioning between drift mode and stationkeeping mode based on environmental conditions and energy requirements. The Magnus effect propulsion system modulates rotation speed and direction to generate corrective forces that maintain position within a geographic area, enabling the system to scale without tethering while preserving positional stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The wave energy system uses its own generated energy to power the Magnus effect propulsion system, creating a self-sustaining stationkeeping capability. The system converts captured wave energy into rotational motion that generates lift forces for position maintenance, eliminating the need for external power sources or tethering infrastructure.
2Stability of the object's composition
If traditional tethering systems are used to maintain position, then positional stability is improved, but implementation and maintenance costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and eliminates the tethering infrastructure from the wave energy deployment model. By replacing physical tethers with an active Magnus effect propulsion system, the invention removes the need for expensive anchoring systems, seabed installations, and associated maintenance infrastructure, significantly reducing implementation and operational costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the passive mechanical tethering system with an active aerodynamic/hydrodynamic propulsion system based on the Magnus effect. This substitution transitions from a static, infrastructure-heavy approach to a dynamic, self-propelled system that uses rotational lift forces to maintain position, reducing material costs and simplifying deployment.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the system actively maintains position using Magnus effect propulsion, then positional stability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The Magnus effect propulsion system operates in periodic cycles, alternating between active stationkeeping phases and passive drift phases. The system monitors its position within the geographic area and activates propulsion only when position correction is needed, rather than continuously, thereby reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining positional stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts its stationkeeping effort based on real-time environmental conditions, including wave state, current strength, and position deviations. By modulating the rotation speed and duration of Magnus effect propulsion events, the system optimizes energy consumption to match actual position maintenance requirements, avoiding unnecessary energy expenditure.
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
The system effectively captures and converts wave energy into usable products while maintaining position, reducing operational costs and environmental impact by minimizing tethering requirements, thus enhancing scalability and sustainability.
Implementation Method 1
one or more extensions outwardly protruding from the rotationally symmetric body, the one or more extensions configured to induce rotation of the rotationally symmetric body about the central rotational axis to adjust translational motion of the rotationally symmetric body along the surface of water
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems are provided for nautical stationkeeping of free-floating objects. In one example, a method includes adjusting translational motion of a body freely floating in water by rotating the body. The translational motion may be adjusted, for instance, to maintain the body within a geographic area. In certain examples, the adjustment of the translational motion may be realized via a Magnus effect induced by rotating the body. The body may be configured as, for example, a free-floating object such as a wave engine.