Frequency Response Analysis of an Ocean Wave Energy Converter

Abstract

A theoretical analysis is presented for the dynamic behavior and energy conversion efficiency of a wave energy converter which is oscillating and absorbing power in an incident sinusoidal wave train. The energy converter consists of two floating bodies which have different configuration and are connected by a rigid link. Basic equations governing the floating bodies contained in the energy converter are obtained by assuming two dimensional motions and by considering the interactions between the two bodies and hydrodynamic and damping forces, and they have been solved numerically by using Lewis form as the configuration of the floating bodies. Energy absorption is assumed to be proportional to the square of the relative velocity between the oscillating body and the connecting link. It is shown that nearly 100 percent of wave energy is converted into mechanical energy in a wide frequency band.