Wave Power Float Asymmetry and Trajectory Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional wave power generation devices have low power generation efficiency due to the conversion of wave energy into reflection and transmitted waves, which do not contribute to power generation.

Innovation Solution

A wave power generation device with a float that actively controls its movement based on wave sensor and position sensor data, using a drive mechanism to suppress reflection and transmitted waves by matching the float's back surface profile to its movement trajectory, thereby reducing water resistance and enhancing energy collection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the float is designed with a simple symmetric shape (disc or cylindrical), then the device structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the power generation efficiency is low (about 20%) because most wave energy is converted to reflection and transmitted waves

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidpower generation efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The float is designed with an asymmetric shape where the back surface profile matches the float's movement trajectory. This asymmetric configuration allows the float to smoothly guide water flow during movement, reducing the formation of reflection and transmitted waves, thereby significantly improving power generation efficiency while maintaining structural simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The float's back surface is designed with a dynamic profile that matches its movement trajectory. This dynamic design allows the float to adapt to its motion pattern, optimizing water flow interaction throughout the movement cycle and maximizing energy capture efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If the float moves freely with wave motion, then the device operation is simple, but wave energy is lost to reflection and transmitted waves, reducing energy collection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoidenergy loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The invention converts the harmful effect of water collision and wave generation into a beneficial force. By designing the back surface to match the movement trajectory, the float smoothly guides water flow, converting what would be energy-loss-causing collisions into efficient energy transfer to the power generation system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The float's back surface profile is pre-designed to counteract the formation of reflection and transmitted waves. This preliminary design feature prevents energy loss before it occurs by optimizing the water-flow interaction throughout the float's movement cycle

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Area of moving object

If the float has a large surface area to capture more wave energy, then the energy collection potential increases, but the device generates more reflection and transmitted waves, reducing overall efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurface areaVSAvoidpower generation efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The float design applies different surface characteristics to different regions. The back surface specifically is designed with a profile matching the movement trajectory to optimize local water flow interaction, while other parts of the float maintain sufficient surface area for energy capture. This localized optimization resolves the contradiction between surface area and efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 configuration significantly improves power generation efficiency by preventing the formation of reflection and transmitted waves, allowing for the collection of energy that would otherwise be lost, potentially achieving 100% energy conversion from incident waves.

Implementation Method 1

a float 3X floating on a sea surface 10 by receiving buoyancy

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Implementation Method 2

a wave sensor configured to measure a waveform

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWave measurement:

Implementation Method 3

a position sensor configured to measure a position of the float relative to the column

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPosition detection:

Data Source

PatentUS9068552B2Wave power generation device and method of controlling the same

Publication Date: 2015.06.30 MITSUBISHI HEAVY IND MARITIME SYST CO LTD

AI summary

Provided is a wave power generation device improved in power generation efficiency and a method of controlling the same, the wave power generation device generating electric power by extracting energy from a wave. The wave power generation device includes: a wave sensor configured to measure the waveform; a position sensor configured to measure a position of a float relative to a column; a drive mechanism configured to apply an external force to the float; and a controller configured to control the drive mechanism. The controller is configured to calculate a speed at which the float is to be controlled to move, from values of the wave sensor and the position sensor, and to control the drive mechanism in such away that the float moves at the calculated speed.