Application of restoring force theory to increasing wave power generation under weak fluctuations

Abstract

The feasibility of extending the technique in practice to the development of wave power generation in an environmentally inadequate field are investigated by the application of restoring force theory to the increasing of wave power generation under the circumstances of weak fluctuations. Hydraulic model tests are carried out in the wave flume with regular waves as well as irregular waves to investigate over the efficacy of the wave power generation utilizing restoring force through elastic spring with ratchet wheel. The feasibility of the restoring device has been rudimentary confirmed by using a small-scale motor, tentatively, the ratchet wheel was adopt as a accumulation device to hoard up the amplitude of wave fluctuations with feeble energies to great potential, and the clockwork spring of a "pull-back car" then act as restoring device with sudden repercussions, which may create a greater quantity of wave power, the results are compared with that generate reciprocated by conventional oscillating movement, this improvement accrues at least twice power as much as that of original manner (reciprocation), the technique could be applied to the existing equipments for power generations to obtain a higher performance evaluation, especially in inadequate environment such as waves fields with weak fluctuations. The feasibility of the technique is applicable in practical applications to the development of existing wave power device, e.g. wave power and/or wind power generator.