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Ocean Engineering Commons

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Full-Text Articles in Ocean Engineering

Wave Goodbye To Salt, Andy Wu, Amanda Olla, Solie Grantham, Charlie Sinclair Jun 2022

Wave Goodbye To Salt, Andy Wu, Amanda Olla, Solie Grantham, Charlie Sinclair

Mechanical Engineering

Our team of Cal Poly Mechanical Engineers ideated, designed, built, and tested a system to help combat the growing problem of widespread drought in coastal and island communities. We developed a proof-of-concept model of a wave powered, mechanical system to desalinate ocean water using a reverse osmosis process. From topical research, it was found that there are many ways to harness a portion of the huge amount of energy that the ocean provides. While large scale ocean water desalination plants are already in operation, smaller scale desalination units powered by ocean waves are largely underdeveloped. Our relatively small and inexpensive …


Design And Testing Of A Foundation Raised Oscillating Surge Wave Energy Converter, Jacob R. Davis Oct 2021

Design And Testing Of A Foundation Raised Oscillating Surge Wave Energy Converter, Jacob R. Davis

Masters Theses

Our oceans contain tremendous resource potential in the form of mechanical energy. With the ability to capture and convert the energy carried in surface waves into usable electricity, wave energy converters (WECs) have been a long-held aspiration in ocean renewable energy. One of the most popular wave energy design concepts is the Oscillating Surge Wave Energy Converter (OSWEC). True to their namesake, OSWECs extract energy from the surge force induced by incident waves. In their most basic form, OSWECs are analogous to a bottom-hinged paddle which pitches fore and aft in the direction of wave motion. Most commonly, OSWECs are …


Sliding Mode Control Of A Nonlinear Wave Energy Converter Model, Tania Demonte Gonzalez Jan 2021

Sliding Mode Control Of A Nonlinear Wave Energy Converter Model, Tania Demonte Gonzalez

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

The most accurate wave energy converter models for heaving point absorbers include nonlinearities, which increase as resonance is achieved to maximize energy capture. The efficiency of wave energy converters can be enhanced by employing a control scheme that accounts for these nonlinearities. This project proposes a sliding mode control for a heaving point absorber that includes the nonlinear effects of the Froude-Krylov force. The sliding mode controller tracks a reference velocity that matches the phase of the excitation force to ensure higher energy absorption. This control algorithm is tested in regular linear waves and is compared to a complex-conjugate control …


Optimization Of Shape And Control Of Linear And Nonlinear Wave Energy Converters, Jiajun Song Jan 2020

Optimization Of Shape And Control Of Linear And Nonlinear Wave Energy Converters, Jiajun Song

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

In this dissertation, we address the optimal control and shape optimization of Wave Energy Converters. The wave energy converters considered in this study are the single-body heaving wave energy converters, and the two-body heaving wave energy converters. Different types of wave energy converters are modeled mathematically, and different optimal controls are developed for them. The concept of shape optimization is introduced in this dissertation; the goal is to leverage nonlinear hydrodynamic forces which are dependent on the buoy shape. In this dissertation, shape optimization is carried out and its impact on energy extraction is investigated. In all the studies conducted …


Geometric Optimization Of A Heaving Point Absorber Wave Energy Converter, Ian Riley Jan 2018

Geometric Optimization Of A Heaving Point Absorber Wave Energy Converter, Ian Riley

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Wave energy shows significant potential for development into a competitive renewable energy source. Non-renewable resources are finite and contribute to adverse effects on the environment. Development of wave energy conversion devices that use heave motion as the primary driver for converting wave energy into electrical potential is explored through optimizing the geometry of an axisymmetric partially submerged buoy in deep water. The governing equations of motion and hydrodynamic forces are solved for in one degree of freedom using ANSYS Aqwa. An external PTO device is simulated to induce power capture in the system. Four different geometric shapes are tested and …