Effect of Trailing Edge Cylindrical Spoiler Structure on the Energy Harvesting Performance of the Oscillating Foil

Abstract

This study explores a novel flow control approach for enhancing the energy harvesting performance of an oscillating foil, which is a promising technology for harvesting renewable energy from wind and ocean currents. This approach involves placing a cylindrical spoiler structure at the trailing edge of the foil and investigating the effects of its diameter and spacing on the energy harvesting efficiency. The results show that the spoiler cylinders can significantly increase the energy harvesting efficiency of the foil by up to 19.26% compared to the case without them. The optimal configuration for the spoiler cylinders is found to be 11.0% of c in diameter, 0.5% of c in transverse spacing, and 0 in longitudinal spacing. Moreover, this flow control method is proven to be highly effective under a wide range of motion kinetic parameters. The findings of this study provide technical guidance for the design and implementation of oscillating foil energy harvesting devices, highlighting their practical engineering value.