A study of a speed amplified linear generator for low-frequency wave energy conversion

摘要

This paper proposes a new method of speed amplification for a direct drive ocean wave energy converter. The relative speed of the stator and translator of a linear generator is doubled through a fixed pulley wheel mechanism. Analytical and simulation models of the system have been developed and simulated considering the mechanical damping and electrical damping coefficients. The models have been simulated in both the regular waves and irregular waves where hydrodynamic parameters for different heaving buoys are calculated from hydrodynamic boundary element analysis simulation using the ANSYS AQWA software. The relative displacement, output voltage and harvested power of the speed amplified wave energy converter system have been obtained in the frequency and time domains. The frequency and time domain models were validated through comparing the peak output power values at different frequencies. The generator parameters of electromagnetic coupling coefficient, or the power take-off (PTO) electrical damping coefficient and external resistance were studied to ensure an optimal wave-energy converter (WEC) design.