Wave Power Controller Synchronizing Float Torque to Wave Periods
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wave power generation devices face challenges in maintaining high power generation efficiency due to changing wave periods, which require adjustment mechanisms that increase manufacturing costs and maintenance frequencies, especially in harsh ocean environments.
Innovation Solution
A wave power generation device with a controller that estimates wave periods from displacement and speed data, using either rotation number or an acceleration sensor, to apply torque commands and synchronize the float's movement with varying wave periods without additional adjustment mechanisms or external sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If adjustment mechanisms are added to synchronize float movement with wave periods, then power generation efficiency is improved, but manufacturing cost increases and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic synchronization control where the controller continuously monitors wave period variations and adjusts the float's movement characteristics in real-time to maintain resonance. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to adapt to changing sea conditions without requiring physical adjustment mechanisms, thereby improving power generation efficiency while avoiding increased device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters (such as the spring constant or mass distribution) based on detected wave period variations. By modifying these parameters dynamically, the float's natural period is adjusted to match changing wave conditions, achieving continuous synchronization and optimal power generation without adding complex mechanical adjustment devices
2Productivity
If adjustment mechanisms are added to synchronize float movement with wave periods, then power generation efficiency is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical adjustment mechanisms with an electronic control system that uses sensors and a controller to achieve synchronization. This substitution eliminates the need for complex mechanical devices while maintaining the ability to adapt to wave period variations, thereby improving power generation efficiency without increasing manufacturing cost
3Measurement precision
If external sensors such as wave meters are installed to detect wave periods, then synchronization accuracy is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the float's own movement characteristics (detected by simple onboard sensors) to infer wave period information, rather than requiring external wave meters. This self-service approach achieves sufficient synchronization accuracy while minimizing device complexity and cost
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 enhances power generation efficiency while reducing manufacturing costs and minimizing failures by synchronizing the float's movement with all wave periods without the need for adjustment mechanisms or external sensors, ensuring efficient operation across different sea conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a wave power generation device with a float floating on the sea or in the sea... generates power by converting an external force received by the float from waves to electricity
Implementation Method 2
The transmission mechanism 8 which converts the vertical movement of the float 4 into a rotary movement... constituted by a combination of a ball screw 6 and a ball nut 7
Implementation Method 3
a power generator 5 connected to the transmission mechanism 8... generates power by converting an external force received by the float from waves to electricity
Implementation Method 4
the displacement z and the speed z' of the float are obtained from an acceleration sensor installed in the float
Data Source
AI summary
A wave power generation device for synchronizing a vertical movement of a float with all the wave periods, and a method of controlling the same. The device has a controller which controls a torque of a power generator, and the controller is configured to estimate a displacement and a speed of a float from data of a rotation number or a rotation speed of the power generator, to estimate a wave period from the displacement and the speed, and to determine a displacement coefficient corresponding to the wave period from a data table stored in advance, and to transmit a calculated product of the displacement coefficient and the displacement as a torque command to the power generator so as to control a torque of the power generator.