Implementation assessment of a Wave Energy Converter, based on fully enclosed multi-axis inertial reaction mechanisms

Ioannis A. Antoniadis, Vasilis Georgoutsos, Andreas Paradeisiotis, Stratis A. Kanarachos, Konstantinos Gryllias

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    Abstract

    This paper examines the implementation of a standalone 1 MW Wave Energy Converter (WEC), based on a novel concept of a class of WECs, consisting in fully enclosed appropriate internal body configurations, which provide inertial reaction against the motion of an external vessel. Acting under the excitation of the waves, the external vessel is subjected to a simultaneous surge and pitch motion in all directions, ensuring maximum wave energy capture. The internal body is suspended from the external vessel body in such an appropriate geometrical configuration, that a symmetric four bar mechanism is essentially formed. The first advantage of this suspension geometry is that a linear trajectory results for the center of the mass of the suspended body with respect to the external vessel, enabling the introduction of a quite simple form of a Power Take-Off (PTO) design. The simplicity and symmetry of the suspension geometry and of the PTO, ensure a quite simple and robust technological implementation. Mass and inertia distribution of the internal body are optimized, ensuring maximal conversion and storage of wave energy. As a result, the internal body assembly is essentially, dynamically equivalent to a vertical physical pendulum. However, the resulting equivalent pendulum length and inertia can far exceed those that can be achieved by a simple horizontal or vertical pendulum, suspended or inverted, leading to a significant reduction of the suspended mass.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)445-463
    Number of pages19
    JournalDiscontinuity, Nonlinearity, and Complexity
    Volume6
    Issue number4
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Dec 2017

    Keywords

    • Floating platform offshore energy
    • Inertial reaction four-bar mechanism
    • Pendulum
    • Wave energy conversion

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Statistical and Nonlinear Physics
    • Computational Mechanics
    • Discrete Mathematics and Combinatorics
    • Control and Optimization

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Implementation assessment of a Wave Energy Converter, based on fully enclosed multi-axis inertial reaction mechanisms'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this