Wave Protector

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The TfI WaveProtector technology protects Wave Energy Converter (WEC) devices and enhances the economic proposition through a substantial reduction in operational costs and lower capital costs. It uses passive, non-linear components to control the relative movement or applied force between components of the device. End-stop problems are eliminated, making almost any device survivable in all freak wave and high sea state environments.

The WaveProtector enhances energy capture efficiency by extending the operating envelope.

The Technology

The key to the TfI passive protection technology is the ability to deliver a tailored stress-strain curve between any components of the WEC device for any desired displacements or forces. The WaveProtector technology uses both tensile and compressive solutions to control the motion between any two components and deliver customised stress-strain responses along multiple axes. The components can be optimised for displacement and/or peak and shock force control.
 

By tailoring material and component design, these compenents can deliver optimum performance for a specific device in a defined ocean location.

  • Title: TFI Waveprotector test on Wavebob
  • Published: 2011-04-01 by waveprotector.
  • Categories: TFI, Waveprotector, Wavebob, wave energy conversion, marine energy, thermoplastic.
  • Duration: 33 seconds.

Technology from Ideas (TfI) has been working with Wavebob to confirm the benefits of it's WaveProtector technology on Wavebob's wave energy converter. The initial testing programme using Wavebob's PTO test rig has confirmed that the WaveProtector technology provided full protection to Wavebob's device under the range of wave conditions tested. Under the harshest conditions that the PTO test rig could produce the WaveProtector components controlled the stroke length within the desired parameters, with zero damping. The WaveProtector components are designed to protect the device from exceeding the physical PTO stroke length even in 100 year storms with a hydraulic failure. They also deliver significantly lower accelerations and maintained the deceleration of the float to less than half the deceleration that occurs with traditional buffer end-stops. This delivers substantial reductions in the shock and and consequent fatigue that all components throughout the device must endure, offering significant enhancements to the lifetime of components. For more information contact Noel Halloran at Technology from Ideas, noel.halloran@technologyfromideas.com