Integrated Wind and Wave Energy Converter Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for combining wind and wave energy systems in a single device face challenges such as complexity, high maintenance costs, and instability in stormy conditions, with separate components for wind and wave energy converters leading to difficulties in accessibility and weight distribution.
Innovation Solution
A buoyant energy converting apparatus that combines wind and wave energy converters, featuring a buoyant platform and connection member to position the wind energy converter above water, with a housing that accommodates both converters and includes a rigid open framework to minimize resistance and enhance stability, allowing for shared maintenance and energy combination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If wind and wave energy converters are housed in separate enclosures, then each converter can be independently designed and maintained, but the overall system complexity increases and maintenance accessibility becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines both wind and wave energy converters into a single integrated housing structure. The wind turbine is positioned on a mast within the same enclosure as the wave energy converters, allowing shared structural support, common maintenance access points, and unified protection from marine environments. This merging reduces the number of separate enclosures while maintaining independent converter functionality.
2Power
If wind energy converter is positioned at the top of turbine mast, then wind capture is optimized, but stability in stormy conditions deteriorates due to weight distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a buoyant platform positioned below the water surface to counterbalance the weight of the wind turbine and its mast structure. This submerged buoyant element acts as a counterweight that stabilizes the overall system during storm conditions, preventing excessive toppling while allowing the turbine to operate at optimal heights during calm conditions.
3Power
If wave energy converters are positioned underwater, then wave energy capture is optimized, but maintenance accessibility becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a multi-functional housing structure that serves multiple purposes: it provides protection for both wind and wave converters, serves as a maintenance platform with access points for servicing underwater components, and acts as a stabilizing structure. The housing can be accessed from the surface for maintenance while maintaining the operational positioning of wave converters underwater.
4Adaptability or versatility
If separate energy conversion systems are used for wind and wave, then each system can be optimized independently, but cost and duplication of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal energy conversion platform where both wind and wave converters share common components including the housing structure, control systems, and electrical infrastructure. The integrated design allows for shared maintenance access, common power transmission pathways, and unified monitoring systems, reducing overall system cost while maintaining independent optimization capabilities for each energy conversion mechanism.
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 solution reduces instability and maintenance costs by co-locating energy converters, improving stability and accessibility, while enabling efficient energy harvesting from both wind and wave sources, even in stormy conditions, and allows for easier maintenance and reduced duplication of energy conversion systems.
Implementation Method 1
a buoyant platform arranged to support the wind energy converter in a body of water
Implementation Method 2
a wind energy converter comprising a wind energy capturing turbine coupled to a wind energy converting member
Implementation Method 3
a wave energy converter comprising a wave energy capturing member coupled to a wave energy converting member
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
The apparatus described is a buoyant energy converting apparatus for converting energy obtained from renewable ocean energy sources to useful energy, comprising: a wind energy converter; a buoyant platform arranged to support the wind energy converter in a body of water having a surface and a bed; and a connection member, the connection member being positioned between the wind energy converter and the buoyant platform, the buoyant platform comprises an in-use configuration in which the buoyant platform is submerged in the body of water. In the in-use configuration the connection member protrudes through the surface of the body of water such that the wind energy converter is located substantially above the body of water. The apparatus further comprises a wave energy converter. The apparatus aims to provide a device having increased stability in stormy conditions, a more consistent supply of power and improved cost and ease of maintenance.