Converting intermittent linear motion into smooth rotary motion

  • Thread starter Thread starter Brooksbarnes
  • Start date Start date
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the challenge of converting intermittent linear motion from ocean waves into smooth rotary motion suitable for driving a generator. Participants explore various methods to harness wave energy effectively, focusing on the use of hydraulic cylinders and energy accumulators.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests using hydraulic cylinders to capture kinetic energy from breaking waves, but expresses concern about the intermittent nature of the waves affecting generator performance.
  • Another participant emphasizes the need for a steady rotational speed for electrical generators and proposes the use of an energy accumulator to store and release energy from waves cyclically.
  • A later reply mentions various wave power generator designs, indicating that there are multiple approaches to harnessing wave energy.
  • One participant references a specific patent that describes a device capable of converting oscillatory motion into constant rotational motion using simple machines, suggesting it as a potential solution.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the need for an intermediate mechanism to connect wave action to generator rotation, but multiple competing views on the best approach remain, with no consensus reached on a specific solution.

Contextual Notes

Participants discuss the limitations of current methods and the need for further exploration of energy storage solutions, but specific assumptions and definitions related to energy accumulation and conversion are not fully resolved.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to individuals exploring renewable energy technologies, particularly those focused on wave energy conversion and energy storage solutions.

Brooksbarnes
Messages
5
Reaction score
5
Thanks to anyone who can assist. (I have a curious mind but a limited grasp of the physics here.) Ocean waves hitting the shore carry a lot of kinetic energy. Let's say I capture this energy with a number of hydraulic cylinders and want to harness this energy by connecting it to a generator. The problem is that breaking waves are intermittent (perhaps every 10 seconds) and I don't see that they could they could turn a generator/motor effectively. Is there a way that one or more flywheels could flatten out the power output to produce a steady supply of reciprocating motion to turn a generator? Again, my thanks and admiration to those much brighter than myself :)
 
Engineering news on Phys.org
Welcome, @Brooksbarnes ! :smile:

Any electrical generator will need certain steady rotational speed in order to be effective.
Therefore, you will need to find an intermediate way to connect the wave's action to the useful rotation.

That would be some sort of energy accumulator, which saves the relatively small amount and intermittent energy of each wave over certain period of time, in order to accumulate enough to be released into the generator until depleted (cyclic electrical generation).
 
Wave power generators work in many different ways:







 
  • Informative
Likes   Reactions: berkeman
Many thanks for taking time out to answer me! I've seen some of these, but not all. I will read up on Accumulators. This is new to me and is possibly the key to my (first) problem. All the best,
BB
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: berkeman
Lnewqban said:
Welcome, @Brooksbarnes ! :smile:

Any electrical generator will need certain steady rotational speed in order to be effective.
Therefore, you will need to find an intermediate way to connect the wave's action to the useful rotation.

That would be some sort of energy accumulator, which saves the relatively small amount and intermittent energy of each wave over certain period of time, in order to accumulate enough to be released into the generator until depleted (cyclic electrical generation).
Thanks very much for your fast reply, Lnewqban! I will start reading up on accumulators! This is my 2nd step of many more. Take care and best regards, Brooks
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: berkeman and Lnewqban
You are welcome! :smile:

Please, see:
https://www.nationalgrid.com/stories/energy-explained/what-is-renewable-energy-storage

A constant supply of fossil combustible can constantly move a generator that produces a constant supply of electrical energy.
In that case, mechanical energy is constantly transformed into another type.
That is the way power plants, vehicles and home generators have functioned during many years of abundant and convenient combustibles.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Brooksbarnes
Lnewqban said:
You are welcome! :smile:

Please, see:
https://www.nationalgrid.com/stories/energy-explained/what-is-renewable-energy-storage

A constant supply of fossil combustible can constantly move a generator that produces a constant supply of electrical energy.
In that case, mechanical energy is constantly transformed into another type.
That is the way power plants, vehicles and home generators have functioned during many years of abundant and convenient combustibles.
You are a scholar AND a gentleman! Thanks, BB
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Lnewqban
If you check out US patent 11,867,144 B1 you will see a device that can mechanically convert an intermittent oscillatory motion (wave amplitude) into a constant rotational motion sufficient to drive a generator. It employs a combination of simple machines (piston, pawls and a chain) to turn a free wheeling fly wheel which then stores kinetic energy and turns a generator.

[Link to patent added by a Mentor]
https://patents.google.com/patent/WO2014092557A1/zh
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Hi Loubert,
Many thanks for this tip. I will check out you link.
Take care and I appreciate your time :)
Brooks
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: berkeman

Similar threads

Replies
5
Views
5K
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
7K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
6K