Abstract
This paper presents the construction, mathematical modeling and testing of a scaled universal hydraulic Power Take-Off (PTO) device for Wave Energy Converters (WECs). A specific prototype and test bench were designed and built to carry out the tests. The results obtained from these tests were used to adjust an in-house mathematical model. The PTO was initially designed to be coupled to a scaled wave energy capture device with a low speed and high torque oscillating motion and high power fluctuations. Any Energy Capture Device (ECD) that fulfils these requirements can be coupled to this PTO, provided that its scale is adequately defined depending on the rated power of the full scale prototype. The initial calibration included estimation of the pressure drops in the different components, the pressurization time of the oil inside the hydraulic cylinders and the volumetric efficiency of the complete circuit. Since the overall efficiency measured during the tests ranged from 0.69 to 0.8 and the dynamic performance of the PTO was satisfactory, the results are really promising and it is believed that this solution might prove effective in real devices.
Highlights
The first references to modern energy production from sea waves date back to the 1940s with a wave-powered navigation buoy developed by Yoshio Matsuda, but extensive research activities in the field only provided the first fundamental results in the 70s when, boosted by the oil crisis, the British government established a major wave energy development program [1]
Wave Energy Converters (WECs) use large bodies moved by the action of the waves to drive the Power Take-Off (PTO), which convert this mechanical energy into usable electric energy
The main purpose of the construction and testing of the PTO is the analysis of its dynamic performance to ensure that the output motion of the PTO can be coupled to a conventional generator
Summary
The first references to modern energy production from sea waves date back to the 1940s with a wave-powered navigation buoy developed by Yoshio Matsuda, but extensive research activities in the field only provided the first fundamental results in the 70s when, boosted by the oil crisis, the British government established a major wave energy development program [1]. The number of wave energy concepts currently being developed is very large and the reader is advised to consult the recent review by Falcão [3] to grasp a clear picture of all of them. A novel hydraulic PTO device was designed with the aim of coupling it to a gyroscopic energy absorber, as part of the OCEANTEC WEC [8]. After a detailed design was carried out and the device was numerically modeled, results from the simulations generated very positive expectations, concluding in the construction of this new PTO concept. The current article summarizes the design, simulation, construction, testing and mathematical model verification of the new PTO concept developed, and it is of significant relevance for practical implementation
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