Floating Wave Power Plant with Non-Parallel Rotor Shafts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wave power plants face challenges in optimizing energy extraction from wave movement, struggling to compete financially with existing renewable-energy plants like wind turbines, and often have inefficient energy utilization due to fixed rotor arrangements.
Innovation Solution
A wave power plant with a floating construction featuring non-parallel water mill shafts that can adjust their angle relative to wave propagation, allowing optimal energy capture and adaptation to varying wave conditions, utilizing a frame construction with anchoring and actuation systems to maintain an optimal angle between rotor shafts, and incorporating ballast tanks for depth regulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If rotors are arranged parallel to each other in fixed positions, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the energy extraction efficiency is low and cannot adapt to varying wave conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The frame construction incorporates adjustable mechanisms that allow the rotor shafts to change their angular positions dynamically. The angle between rotor shafts can be adjusted based on wave conditions, transforming a static structure into a dynamic one that adapts to environmental variations, thereby improving energy extraction efficiency without excessive complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the geometric parameters of the rotor arrangement by adjusting the angle between non-parallel rotor shafts. This parameter adjustment allows optimization of energy capture from waves of different heights and propagation directions, enabling the plant to adapt to varying wave conditions while maintaining a manageable structural complexity
2Adaptability or versatility
If rotors are positioned at fixed angles, then the device structure is stable and simple, but it cannot adapt to different wave heights and propagation directions
Solution Approach 1:
The frame construction is designed with dynamic adjustment capabilities, allowing the angular configuration of rotor shafts to change in response to varying wave conditions. This dynamic behavior enables the system to adapt to different wave heights and propagation directions while maintaining structural integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable frame construction serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, enables adaptation to various wave conditions through angle adjustment, and maintains stability during operation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate systems for each function, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity
3Productivity
If rotors are arranged in parallel, then the manufacturing and installation is easier, but the energy utilization is inefficient due to rotors being positioned behind each other
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs non-parallel rotor shafts arranged at specific angles to each other, creating an asymmetric configuration that prevents rotors from being positioned behind each other. This asymmetric arrangement allows all rotors to effectively intercept wave energy simultaneously, improving energy utilization efficiency while maintaining reasonable ease of manufacture through standardized angular relationships
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 enhances energy extraction efficiency, improves resistance to floating objects, and allows for dynamic adaptation to changing wave conditions, ensuring continuous operation and high energy output.
Implementation Method 1
wave power plant for extracting power from the wave movement of a water surface area
Implementation Method 2
converting the kinetic energy in the waves into useful energy
Implementation Method 3
The wave power plant is particularly suitable for floating on a water surface as the frame construction may thereby conveniently comprise a single anchoring site
Implementation Method 4
the frame construction is configured such that it retains the two non-parallel rotor shafts in such a manner that the distance between the rotor shafts is increased with the distance from the anchoring site
Data Source
AI summary
A wave power plant for extracting energy from the wave movement of a water surface area, which wave power plant comprises a frame construction (1), in which at least two rotors (3, 3a) are journalled, and wherein each rotor (3, 3a) is suspended in the frame construction (1) to the effect that the water mill wheel (3) is able to rotate about a shaft which is, in the normal use position of the wave power plant, essentially horizontal and is retained in the frame construction (1), and wherein means are provided for maintaining each of the rotors (3, 3a) partially immersed into a water surface area. The wave power plant is floating and comprises at least two non-parallel rotor shafts on which at least one rotor (3, 3a) is arranged on each rotor shaft.