• Journal of Magnetics
• /
• v.18 no.3
• /
• pp.250-254
• /
• 2013

In this research, the linear electrical generator in wave energy farm utilizing resonance power buoy system is studied. The mechanical resonance characteristics of the buoy and the wave are analyzed to maximize the kinetic energy in a relatively small wave energy area where WRPS is operated. In this research, we chose an analog model of the linear electrical generator of which size is one-hundredth of an actual size of it in WPRS (Wave energy farm utilizing Resonance Power buoy System) prior to verifying the characteristics of actual model of linear electrical generator in WRPS. In addition, the finite element analysis is conducted using commercial electromagnetic analysis software named MAXWELL to examine the electric characteristic of linear generator. Finally, for the verification of dynamic and electric characteristics of linear generator, the prototype was manufactured and the experiments to measure the displacement and the output electric power were performed.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
• /
• v.33 no.2
• /
• pp.585-594
• /
• 2013

In this study, laboratory experiments and numerical simulations were conducted to test the performance of resonance power buoy system proposed by Kweon et al.(2010). The system is composed of a linear generator and a mooring buoy. The mover of the linear generator mainly has heave motion driven by vertical oscillation of the buoy. In this system, the velocity discrepancy between the mover and the buoy makes electricity. However, ocean wave energy as a natural resource around Korean peninsula is comparatively small and the driving force for producing electricity is not enough for commercialization. Therefore, it is necessary that the buoy motion be amplified by using resonance characteristics. In order to verify the resonance effects on the test power buoy, the experimental investigations were conducted in the large wave flume (length of 110 m, width of 8 m, maximum depth of 6 m) equipped with regular and random plunger wave generator. The resonance draft of test power buoy is designed for the corresponding period of incident wave, 1.96 sec. Regular wave test results show that the heave response amplitude operator(RAO) by a test buoy has the amplification of 5.66 times higher compared to the wave amplitude at the resonance period. Test results of random waves show that the buoy has the largest spectrum area of 20.73 times higher at the point of not the resonance period but the shorter one of 1.85 sec. Therefore this study suggests the resonance power buoy for wave power generation for commercial application in the case of the coastal and oceanic area with smaller wave energy.

• International Journal of Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering
• /
• v.5 no.4
• /
• pp.614-624
• /
• 2013

The resonance power buoy is a convincing tool that can increase the extraction efficiency of wave energy. The buoy needs a corresponding draft, to move in resonance with waves within the peak frequency band where wave energy is concentrated. However, it must still be clarified if the buoy acts as an effective displacement amplifier, when there is insufficient water depth. In this study, the vertical displacement of a circular cylinder-type buoy was calculated, with the spectrum data observed in a real shallow sea as the external wave force, and with the corresponding draft, according to the mode frequency of normal waves. Such numerical investigation result, without considering Power Take-Off (PTO) damping, confirmed that the area of the heave responses spectrum can be amplified by up to about tenfold, compared with the wave energy spectrum, if the draft corresponds to the peak frequency, even with insufficient water depth. Moreover, the amplification factor of the buoy varied, according to the seasonal changes in the wave spectra.

• Journal of Ocean Engineering and Technology
• /
• v.29 no.2
• /
• pp.191-198
• /
• 2015

In this study, we proposed a new type of dual-buoy wave energy converter (WEC) exploiting multi-resonance and analyzed the experimental results from a model test in a 2-D wave flume. A dual-buoy WEC using multi-resonance has two advantages: high efficiency at the resonant frequencies and the potential to extend the frequency range available to extract wave power from the WEC. The suggested WEC was composed of an outer buoy and an inner buoy sliding vertically inside the outer buoy. As the power take-off device, a linear electric generator (LEG) consisting of permanent magnets and coils fixed at each buoy was adopted. Electricity was produced by the relative heave motion between the two buoys. To search for the optimal shape of a dual-buoy WEC, we conducted experiments on the heave motion of a two-body system in regular waves without an LEG installed. Model tests with six combinations of experimental models were conducted in order to find the motion characteristics of a dual-buoy WEC. It was found that model 2, which included a ring-shaped appendage to move the resonant frequency of the outer buoy toward a high value, showed a higher relative heave response amplitude operator (RAO) curve than model 1. In addition, the double-peak shape of the heave RAO curve shown for model 2 indicated the extension of the frequency range for extracting wave power in irregular waves.

• Journal of Advanced Marine Engineering and Technology
• /
• v.36 no.6
• /
• pp.780-787
• /
• 2012

In general, the ocean wave vibration power generator consists of buoy, vibration system and linear generation system. It maximized energy efficiency by using resonance phenomenon that turned to the natural frequency of vibration system and frequency of ocean wave energy. But it is difficult to obtain efficiently energy from ocean wave because the frequency of ocean wave changes from moment to moment. In this paper, we study the buoy and vibration system of ocean wave power generator to solve these problem. Firstly, we designed the buoy that gives rise to resonance between ocean wave and buoy. Secondly, we designed vibration system that is occurred to resonance between buoy and vibration system. And then the relative velocity between the buoy and magnetic of ocean wave vibration generator increases and the relative displacement between buoy and ocean wave decreases at the same time. As a result, the method which is proposed in this paper has merits not only securing its stability from harsh ocean wave environment but also obtaining more kinetic energy from ever-changing ocean wave.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Marine Engineers Conference
• /
• 2011.10a
• /
• pp.75-75
• /
• 2011

This paper has been studied that ocean wave vibration power generator is composed of buoy and vibration generator to make effective use of ocean wave energy. We designed buoy to can occur resonance for dominant frequency with ocean wave. And then we fitted the natural frequency of vibration system with vibration power generator to buoy's natural frequency. And we can show that the amplitude of ocean wave up and down motion is decreased, on the other hand, the displacement of vibration system with vibration power generator is increased. Therefore, ocean wave vibration power generator which is proposed in this paper has merits not only securing its stability from surroundings but also producing more electronic power by using ocean wave energy.

• Journal of Advanced Marine Engineering and Technology
• /
• v.32 no.1
• /
• pp.169-174
• /
• 2008

Floating devices, such as a cavity resonance device take advantage of both the water motion and the wave induced motions of the floating body itself. The wave energy converter is known commercially as the WAGB(Wave Activated Generator Buoy) and is used in some commercially available buoys to power navigation aids such as lights and horns. This wave energy converter consists of a circular floatation body which contains a vertical center pipe that has free communication with the sea. A theoretical analysis of this power generated by a pneumatic type wave energy converter is performed and the results obtained from the analysis are used for a real wave energy converter for buoy. This paper presents the analysis results and the design method for the WEC(Wave Energy Converter), and the associate results are application to the commercially available WEC for buoy. Maximum performance of WEC occurs at resonance with driving waves. The analysis of WEC is performed with LabVIEW program, and the design method of WEC for buoy is suggested in this paper.

• Ocean Systems Engineering
• /
• v.2 no.4
• /
• pp.297-314
• /
• 2012

Power-take-off through inner dynamic system inside a floating buoy is suggested. The power take-off system is characterized by mass, stiffness, and damping and generates power through the relative heave motion between the buoy and inner mass (magnet or amateur). A systematic hydrodynamic theory is developed for the suggested WEC and the developed theory is illustrated by a case study. A vertical truncated cylinder is selected as a buoy and the optimal condition of the inner dynamic system for maximum PTO (power take off) through double resonance for the given wave condition is systematically investigated. Through the case study, it is seen that the maximum power can actually be obtained at the optimal spring and damper condition, as predicted by the developed WEC theory. However, the band-width of high performance region is not necessarily the greatest at the optimal (maximum-power-take-off) condition, so it has to be taken into consideration in the actual design of the WEC.

• Journal of Navigation and Port Research
• /
• v.32 no.9
• /
• pp.705-709
• /
• 2008

In the sea various methods have been conducted to capture wave energy which include the use of pendulums, pneumatic devices, etc. Floating devices, such as a cavity resonance device take advantages of both the water motion and the wave induced motions of the floating body itself. The wave energy converter is known commercially as the WAGB(Wave Activated Generator Buoy) and is used in some commercially available buoys to power navigation aids such as lights and horns. This wave energy converter consists of a circular flotation body which contains a vertical water column that has free communication with the sea. A theoretical analysis of this power generated by a pneumatic type wave energy converter is performed and the results obtained from the analysis are used for a real wave energy converter buoy. This paper is shown to have an optimum value for which maximum power is obtained at a given resonant wave period Also, the length of the internal water column corresponds to that of the water mass in the water column. If designed properly, wave energy converter can take advantage not only of the cavity resonance, but also qf the heaving motion of the buoy. Finally, simulation is performed with a LabVIEW program and the simulation results are applied to a wave energy simulator for modifying design data for a wave energy converter.

• International Journal of Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering
• /
• v.9 no.1
• /
• pp.25-34
• /
• 2017

The concentric dual-buoy Wave Energy Converter (WEC), which consists of external buoy (hallow-cylinder) with toroidal appendage and cylindrical internal buoy within the moon-pool is suggested in this research and its performance in various wave conditions is studied. The Linear Electric Generator (LEG), consisting of a permanent magnet and coils, is used as a direct Power Take-Off (PTO) system. To maximize the electrical energy extracted from the PTO system, the relative heave motions between the dual buoys must be highly amplified by the multiple resonance phenomena of dual-buoy and internal-fluid motions. The high-performance range can be widened by distributing those natural frequencies with respect to the peak frequency of the wave spectrum. The performance of the newly developed dual-buoy WEC was measured throughout the systematic 1:5.95-model test in regular and irregular waves conducted in a wave tank at Seoul National University. The model-test results are also validated by an independently developed numerical method.