Design, fabrication, and testing of wave energy converters (WECs) using different power take-off with mechanical motion rectifier

Conference · Fri Sep 01 04:00:00 UTC 2017

OSTI ID:1659264

Li, Xiaofan ^[1]; Liang, Changwei; Boontanom, Jedhathai; Martin, Dillon; Ngo, Khai; Parker, Robert G.; Zuo, Lei

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1. Virginia Tech

Power takeoff (PTO) system, the mechanism converts the wave motion into electricity, is still considered to be immature in the wave energy converter(WEC) technology. To overcome this situation, in this paper, a unique PTO concepts and prototype using electromagnetic generator with different mechanical structure using ball screw, is designed to improve the efficiency of extracting ocean wave energy. In addition to that, a novel mechanism called Mechanical Motion Rectifier(MMR) is introduced, this mechanism is capable of converting bi-directional rotation into uni-directional rotation to further improve the efficiency. Furthermore, dynamic model for the WEC prototype has been built to simulate its performance, the effect of the MMR mechanism is also considered in these models to analytically prove that the MMR can increase the efficiency of the system. Finally, the dry test for the prototype has been conducted, the test results are compared with the simulation results to verify the dynamic model and prove the advantage of the MMR mechanism.

• Research Organization: Virginia Tech
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Renewable Power Office. Water Power Technologies Office
• DOE Contract Number: EE0007174
• OSTI ID: 1659264
• Report Number(s): DOE-Virginia Tech-07174
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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