Wave Power Generator Gravity Center Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional wave power generation apparatuses face inefficiencies due to dependence on wave energy, leading to reduced power generation during calm seas and increased risk of damage from high waves, limiting installation sites and stability of electricity production.

Innovation Solution

The wave power generation apparatus features a floating body with a gravity center movement system that adjusts its center of gravity relative to the center of buoyancy, combined with a support member for maintaining a predetermined height, and an accelerator/decelerator to enhance kinetic energy capture through resonance with wave periods, allowing for increased vertical rolling and efficient power conversion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the wave power generation apparatus directly uses wave energy to increase power generation efficiency, then the power generation efficiency is improved, but the apparatus is exposed to risk of damage from high waves and cannot operate stably in calm seas

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower generation efficiencyVSAvoidoperational stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the floating body's motion characteristics adjustable through gravity center control. The system dynamically adapts to different wave conditions by changing the position of the gravity center relative to the center of buoyancy, allowing the apparatus to optimize its rolling motion for power generation while maintaining stability in varying sea states.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes physical parameters by adjusting the gravity center position of the floating body. By moving the gravity center relative to the center of buoyancy, the system modifies the rolling period and amplitude characteristics of the floating body, enabling it to resonate with wave periods for enhanced power generation while avoiding damage from extreme waves.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If the wave power generation apparatus is installed where wave energy is big to increase power generation efficiency, then the power generation efficiency is improved, but the apparatus is exposed to the risk of damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower generation efficiencyVSAvoidrisk of damage from waves
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes mechanical vibration and resonance principles by designing the floating body to resonate with wave periods. By adjusting the gravity center position, the system optimizes the rolling motion frequency to match wave frequencies, maximizing energy capture from high-wave locations while the controlled resonance prevents excessive motion that could cause damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #18Mechanical vibration

3Adaptability or versatility

If the wave power generation apparatus uses conventional floating body designs to capture wave energy, then the apparatus can operate in various sea conditions, but the power generation efficiency is dramatically lowered when the sea is calm

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational rangeVSAvoidpower generation efficiency in calm seas
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting the gravity center position to modify the floating body's rolling characteristics. This enables the system to adapt to different wave conditions including calm seas, where it can optimize its motion amplitude and period to maintain effective power generation that would otherwise be dramatically reduced.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 design improves power generation efficiency by stabilizing electricity production across varying sea conditions, increasing the amount of rotation and thus power output, while reducing the risk of damage from waves, and allowing for installation in shallow waters.

Implementation Method 1

improves power generation efficiency by allowing a floating body to motion pursuant to wave characteristics of the sea and increasing kinetic energy resulted from resonance

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectResonance: Resonance

Implementation Method 2

a floating body with a gravity center movement system that adjusts its center of gravity relative to the center of buoyancy

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Implementation Method 3

a floating body with a gravity center movement system that adjusts its center of gravity relative to the center of buoyancy

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Implementation Method 4

an accelerator/decelerator to enhance kinetic energy capture through resonance with wave periods, allowing for increased vertical rolling and efficient power conversion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectResonance: Resonance

Data Source

PatentEP2597299B1Wave power generation apparatus
Publication Date: 2020.04.22 SAMSUNG HEAVY IND CO LTD
  • EP2597299B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2597299B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2597299B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Provided is a wave power generation apparatus. The wave power generation apparatus includes an upper structure rolled by a wave, a lower structure disposed under a water plane to rotatably support the upper structure, a generation part disposed on one of the upper and lower structures to convert kinetic energy generated during rotation of the upper structure into electrical energy, and a gravity center movement part disposed on the upper structure, the gravity center movement part moving a gravity center of the upper structure to adjust a rolling period of the upper structure to a wave period.