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Experimental studies and time-domain simulation of a hinged-type wave energy converter in regular waves

Marine Systems & Ocean Technology volume 15, pages 1–15 (2020)Cite this article

Abstract

This paper presents the design concept of a hinged-type wave energy converter, Sea Wave Energy Extraction Device (SeaWEED), and associated numerical and experimental studies of its performance in regular waves. The device is considered as an improved attenuator. A SeaWEED unit consists of four modules that are connected by rigid truss structures. The four-module array includes a non-energy producing nose module in the front, followed by two energy producing modules, and another non-energy producing module at the rear. A potential-flow-based time-domain program with the Lagrange multiplier approach was developed to simulate the dynamics of multiple constrained bodies. Model tests of a 1:35 scale model with and without the power take-off (PTO) units were carried out to validate the numerical method. Friction dampers were designed and manufactured to mimic the PTO units. The validated time-domain method was applied to predict the absorbed power by the device in regular waves.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by National Research Council of Canada (NRC)’s Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP), Grey Island Energy Inc., and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Advanced Marine Hydrodynamics Laboratory, Department of Ocean and Naval Architectural Engineering, Memorial University, St. John’s, Canada

    Hongxuan (Heather) Peng, Wei Qiu, Wei Meng & Meng Chen

  2. Grey Island Energy Inc., St. John’s, Canada

    Brian Lundrigan & Tim Gardiner

Authors
  1. Hongxuan (Heather) Peng
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  2. Wei Qiu
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  3. Wei Meng
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  4. Meng Chen
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Correspondence to Wei Qiu.

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Peng, H., Qiu, W., Meng, W. et al. Experimental studies and time-domain simulation of a hinged-type wave energy converter in regular waves. Mar Syst Ocean Technol 15, 1–15 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40868-020-00073-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40868-020-00073-5

Keywords

  • Wave energy converter
  • Frictional damper
  • Constrained motions
  • Wave energy
  • Power take-off