Wave energy buoy model test with four circumferential uniformly distributed eagles

Abstract

Considering the randomness and dispersion of wave motion, a new type of wave energy buoy model with four circumferential uniformly distributed eagles was designed. Then, the captured wave energy was stored as gravitational potential energy using a gravity accumulator. In the wave basin, the output force, the energy conversion efficiency, and the attitude stability of the test device under various wave conditions were tested. The results obtained show that the maximum capture efficiency of the model is respectively up to 46% and 28% in the tests of regular and irregular waves under the optimal wave condition and load, which verifies the rationality of the design. Model test data lay a good foundation for calculating the key parameters and optimizing the design of the device in a real sea condition.