Wave Power Rotor Resonance Tuning Spring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional wave-activated power generation devices face challenges in increasing rotational inertial mass effect, which limits power generation efficiency due to direct input of float movement without an elastic body.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a tuning spring and a rotor with a significant rotational inertial mass effect, connected through a drive part with a supporting spring, to resonate with the float's oscillation, thereby enhancing power generation efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the float movement is directly input into the conversion mechanism without an elastic body, then the device complexity is reduced, but the rotational inertial mass effect cannot be increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure complexityVSAvoidrotational inertial mass effect
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a tuning spring as an intermediary elastic body between the float and the conversion mechanism. This tuning spring serves as a mediator that transmits the float's oscillatory motion while enabling the system to achieve significant rotational inertial mass effect through resonance, thereby resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and power generation capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes mechanical vibration resonance by tuning the natural frequency of the tuning spring to match the wave frequency. This resonance amplifies the rotational inertial mass effect of the conversion mechanism, allowing the system to generate significantly more power without substantially increasing structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #18Mechanical vibration

2Productivity

If a tuning spring is introduced to resonate with the float oscillation, then the power generation efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower generation efficiencyVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The tuning spring is designed to resonate at the same frequency as the float oscillation caused by waves. This resonance phenomenon amplifies the motion transmission to the conversion mechanism, significantly improving power generation efficiency while adding only a single elastic component to the system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #18Mechanical vibration

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes the spring constant and length of the tuning spring to achieve resonance at specific wave frequencies. By adjusting these parameters, the system can adapt to different wave conditions and maximize power generation efficiency without requiring complex control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If the rotational inertial mass is increased to enhance power generation, then the power generation efficiency is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower generation efficiencyVSAvoidmanufacturing difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of physically increasing the inertial mass of the conversion mechanism, the patent uses resonance amplification through the tuning spring to achieve the same effect. This approach maintains the simplicity of the conversion mechanism while still achieving high rotational inertial mass effect through dynamic resonance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #18Mechanical vibration

Solution Approach 2:

The patent achieves enhanced power generation by optimizing the parameters of the tuning spring (spring constant, length, mass) rather than increasing the mass of the conversion mechanism itself. This parameter optimization approach allows for easier manufacturing and assembly while achieving the desired rotational inertial mass effect.

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

The solution significantly increases rotational inertial mass, leading to improved power generation efficiency by causing the rotor's inertial mass to resonate with the float's oscillation, maintaining high efficiency even with varying environmental conditions.

Implementation Method 1

a tuning spring (41) having a predetermined spring constant kt

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

causing the rotor's inertial mass to resonate with the float's oscillation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectResonance: Resonance

Implementation Method 3

a rotor (32) having a significant rotational inertial mass effect

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRotational inertia: Moment of Inertia

Data Source

PatentEP3674544B1Wave-activated power generation device and wave-activated power generation method
Publication Date: 2022.11.16 UNIV OF TSUKUBA
  • EP3674544B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3674544B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3674544B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5A

AI summary

A wave-activated power generation device is disclosed. The device includes a float configured to be capable of floating in the sea; a rotor configured to generate a rotational inertial mass effect; a power generator configured to generate power based on rotation of the rotor; a first elastic body; and a drive part configured to connect the rotor with the float via the first elastic body so as to rotate the rotor along with movement of the float.