TY - JOUR
T1 - Oscillating surge wave energy converter using a novel above-water power takeoff with belt-arc speed amplification
AU - Mi, Jia
AU - Huang, Jianuo
AU - Li, Xiaofan
AU - Ahmed, Alaa
AU - Yang, Lisheng
AU - Chung, Uihoon
AU - Datla, Raju
AU - Hajj, Muhammad
AU - Zuo, Lei
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 Elsevier Ltd
PY - 2024/10/15
Y1 - 2024/10/15
N2 - We investigate the performance of a novel power takeoff (PTO) featuring belt-arc speed amplification for oscillating surge wave energy converters (OSWECs), aiming to address the PTO design challenges of extremely low rotary speed and large torque under the low-frequency and large energy density ocean wave excitations. The belt-arc design significantly increases the rotary speed of the generator, enabling generator downsizing and decreasing the powertrain friction losses. The design also allows for placing the generator above water, eliminating the need for high Ingress Protection ratings for the generator and powertrain, and potentially leading to substantial reductions in capital and maintenance costs. Using the potential flow theory, the dynamics of the integrated system are analyzed, and key parameters are identified. To validate the numerical analysis, a 1:10 scale model is designed, fabricated, and tested in a wave tank. Performance evaluations are conducted under regular and irregular wave conditions, with quantified effects of parameter tuning. The results reveal an optimal wave-to-electric efficiency of 48% under regular wave excitation and 20% under irregular excitation. These findings underscore the effectiveness of the proposed novel PTO design in addressing the challenges of low rotation speed and large torque inherent in OSWECs, demonstrating its ability to efficiently convert wave power into electricity.
AB - We investigate the performance of a novel power takeoff (PTO) featuring belt-arc speed amplification for oscillating surge wave energy converters (OSWECs), aiming to address the PTO design challenges of extremely low rotary speed and large torque under the low-frequency and large energy density ocean wave excitations. The belt-arc design significantly increases the rotary speed of the generator, enabling generator downsizing and decreasing the powertrain friction losses. The design also allows for placing the generator above water, eliminating the need for high Ingress Protection ratings for the generator and powertrain, and potentially leading to substantial reductions in capital and maintenance costs. Using the potential flow theory, the dynamics of the integrated system are analyzed, and key parameters are identified. To validate the numerical analysis, a 1:10 scale model is designed, fabricated, and tested in a wave tank. Performance evaluations are conducted under regular and irregular wave conditions, with quantified effects of parameter tuning. The results reveal an optimal wave-to-electric efficiency of 48% under regular wave excitation and 20% under irregular excitation. These findings underscore the effectiveness of the proposed novel PTO design in addressing the challenges of low rotation speed and large torque inherent in OSWECs, demonstrating its ability to efficiently convert wave power into electricity.
KW - Belt-driven
KW - Marine energy
KW - OSWEC
KW - Power takeoff
KW - Speed amplification
KW - Wave tank tests
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U2 - 10.1016/j.oceaneng.2024.118503
DO - 10.1016/j.oceaneng.2024.118503
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85197241341
SN - 0029-8018
VL - 310
JO - Ocean Engineering
JF - Ocean Engineering
M1 - 118503
ER -