Experimental Investigation of a Point Absorber Wave Energy Converter Using an Inertia Adjusting Mechanism

Abstract

This study proposes a novel point absorber wave energy converter (WEC) utilizing an inertial adjusting mechanism for performance evaluation. A conceptual design is introduced to explain the WEC’s functionality. Adjustable masses are incorporated to tune the natural frequency of the power take-off (PTO) system, matching the excitation frequencies of incoming waves. To analyze the system’s behavior, a coupled mechanical and hydrodynamic time domain simulation is presented. This simulation, built primarily in MATLAB/Simulink, focuses on a truncated floating buoy connected to a bidirectional gearbox. Since the WEC operates under various wave conditions, hydrodynamic parameters are determined and simulated in the frequency domain using ANSYS AQWA wave interaction software (version number 2021R1). Finally, a prototype is constructed and tested in a wave tank. Test results under different wave conditions are presented and compared to assess the proposed WEC’s performance.