Development of an ocean wave energy harvester with a built-in frequency conversion function

Abstract

The research develops a novel harvester associated with a built-in frequency conversion device to harness energy from ocean waves based on the piezoelectric effect. The developed harvester consists of 2 generators driven by rotational motions converted from vertical motions by a rack and pinion actuator. The generator has a rotator with a magnetic bar attached to its blade tips and a stator. By this innovative design, the harvester is capable of converting ocean waves with low frequencies to mechanical vibrations with higher excitation frequencies of the piezoelectric transducer for increasing its energy conversion efficiency. A corresponding mathematical model for the harvester is developed to evaluate the generated power. The simulation results show that the generated power increases with increases in the ocean wave height, number of magnetic bars and decreases in the wave period, the distance between 2 opposite magnetic bars, and harvester's submerged part height. The power output is realized up to 260 W with the height, length, and width of the harvester being 1m × 1m × 1m, at the ocean wave height and period being 2 m and 7 seconds, respectively.