Omnidirectional wave energy gimbal-based electromagnetic generator

TL;DR

This paper introduces an omnidirectional wave energy generator using a gimbal mechanism and planetary gear, achieving stable, efficient power output under irregular wave conditions with high reliability and low cost.

Contribution

The study presents a novel gimbal-based electromagnetic generator that effectively converts complex wave motions into electrical energy, enhancing efficiency and reliability in ocean energy harvesting.

Findings

Average output power of 0.24 W at 1 Hz

Power density of 40 W/m3

High efficiency and low cost design

Abstract

Wave energy, as a renewable energy source, is widely distributed and possesses substantial reserves. However, many existing wave energy harvesters exhibit motion constraints under irregular wave conditions, which limits their energy conversion efficiency. In this study, an omnidirectional wave energy gimbal-based electromagnetic generator (OWG-EMG) is proposed to achieve stable power generation under irregular wave motions. By integrating a three-axis gimbal mechanism with an inertial mass regulator, the proposed harvester effectively converts complex and varying wave-induced motions into relative rotational motion between gimbal frames. A planetary gear transmission is further employed to increase the rotational speed of the electromagnetic generator, enabling efficient omnidirectional wave energy harvesting. Experimental results demonstrate that the device delivers an average output power of up to 0.24 W at a frequency of 1 Hz, corresponding to an average power density of 40 W/m3. Importantly, in addition to its high energy conversion efficiency, the proposed device offers notable advantages including low cost, structural simplicity, and high reliability, highlighting its significant potential for applications in ocean energy harvesting and utilization.