Diseño mecánico y estructural de un generador undimotriz (wec) para el archipiélago de galápagos : diseño de un mecanismo para transformar movimiento traslacional estocástico en rotacional unidireccional de un wec.

Abstract

The implementation of new forms of energy generation is necessary due to the high energy demand. For this reason, the present work deals with the design of a transmission system of a power take-off (PTO) device, which is part of a wave energy converter (WEC). This device converts the energy generated by the waves into mechanical energy, which can be used later as electrical energy. This study is part of the project (CEDIA I+D+I-XVII-2022-16- WEC GALAPAGOS), where it is necessary to transform a stochastic translational movement into a unidirectional rotation. As a solution to this problem, the power transmission mechanism consists of a system of a set of racks, toothed wheels, ratchets, springs, bearings and a shaft. These elements allow the transformation of stochastic translational movement into unidirectional rotational movement. Some important mechanical elements of the PTO have been verified for resistance under extreme and fatigue loading. For a barge 30 [m] long and 20 [m] wide, with cone-type submerged masses with a height of 11 [m] and a diameter of 9 [m], a sea state with significant wave height Hs=1.5 [m] and peak period Tp=13 [sec] generates a maximum power of 28 [kW]. The maximum dynamic stress in extreme conditions is 100 [Tnf] and the characteristic stress for fatigue design is 37.2 [Tnf], these are used to size the main mechanical elements of the PTO. The procedure suggested for this job will serve in the future for the design of energy efficient prototypes, in order to generate electrical energy in a sustainable way.