Wave-Powered Water Vehicle Fin System for Horizontal Propulsion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wave power technologies are inefficient in harnessing energy from waves to perform useful work, particularly in underwater applications, as they fail to effectively convert wave motion into horizontal motion of vehicles or devices, and are often tedious, expensive, or dangerous to operate manually.
Innovation Solution
A wave-powered water vehicle comprising a float, a swimmer, and a tether, equipped with a fin system that rotates and deforms elastically to generate horizontal motion, allowing for unmanned operation and utilization of wave energy to perform tasks such as data collection or navigation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If wave power is used to move water vehicles, then productivity and cost-effectiveness improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The water vehicle is divided into functionally independent modules: a float for wave energy capture, a swimmer body for propulsion, a fin system for thrust generation, and a tether for connection. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while simplifying overall system deployment and maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The fin system incorporates dynamic elements including rotatable fins about a transverse axis, elastically deformable fin structures, and adjustable fin angles. These dynamic characteristics allow the fin system to adapt to varying wave conditions and optimize thrust generation automatically without complex control systems.
2Use of energy by moving object
If fins rotate and deform elastically to generate horizontal motion, then use of wave energy improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fin system utilizes oscillatory motion and elastic deformation driven by wave forces. The fins rotate back and forth about a transverse axis and deform elastically in response to passing waves, converting wave energy into propulsive thrust through these mechanical vibrations without requiring external power sources or complex actuators.
Solution Approach 2:
The fin system is designed to automatically respond to wave forces without external control. The elastic deformation and rotation of fins are passively driven by hydrodynamic forces from passing waves, allowing the system to self-regulate and optimize energy capture based on real-time wave conditions.
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
Enables efficient and cost-effective operation of unmanned water vehicles, capable of performing tasks that would be tedious or dangerous for humans, by harnessing wave energy to generate horizontal motion and power various components like sensors and communication equipment.
Implementation Method 1
a fin system which (a) is secured to the body, (b) comprises a fin, and (c) when the vehicle is in wave-bearing water, (i) has a configuration which changes as a result of the wave motion, and (ii) interacts with the water to generate forces which tend to move the swimmer in a horizontal direction
Implementation Method 2
interacts with the water to generate forces which tend to move the swimmer in a horizontal direction
Implementation Method 3
wave-powered water vehicle which comprises: (1) a float, (2) a swimmer, and (3) a tether connecting the float and the swimmer... when the vehicle is in wave-bearing water
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A wave-powered water vehicle includes a surface float, a submerged swimmer, and a tether which connects the float and the swimmer, so that the swimmer moves up and down as a result of wave motion. The swimmer includes one or more fins which interact with the water as the swimmer moves up and down, and generate forces which propel the vehicle forward. The vehicle, which need not be manned, can carry communication and control equipment so that it can follow a course directed by signals sent to it, and so that it can record or transmit data from sensors on the vehicle.