‘I.

C’,,.
on Dynamic Ocean Wave Motion

4
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Honor Code:

I have neither given nor received unauthorized assistance on this graded report.
Abstract:

Energy Generation Based on Dynamic Ocean Wave Motion

Methods of green energy generation from the motion of waves in the ocean are explored.

A buoy is designed ttranslate the vertical motion of a wave to a continuous rotating shaft and

utilize/a generator to harness electrical energy. A prototype is developed in order to model the

concept of design. The buoy theoretically will produce 1.5 kW assuming ideal wave conditions.

The estimated costs shows the buoy as a competitive energy source compared to solar and wind

power. With further research and design improvements, the buoy has potential to be an energy

harnessing method in the future.

2
 Table of Contents:

Introduction 4

Work Plan 5

Theoretical Background 6

Analysis and Sample Calculations 14

Prototype Development 22

Design of Experiments and Laboratory Tests 30

Environmental Considerations 33

Social Considerations 35

Safety 35

Cost Analysis 36

Final Design 40

Bibliography 51

Conclusions 52

Appendix 53

3
 Introduction:

Finding alternative renewable energy sources is one of the biggest challenges human
beings face today. As oil and coal are depleting, environmental concerns are increasing, t1
he need
for ending the dependency on fossil fuel has become a priority for many governments of the
world. One of the main obstacles that the developments of alternative sources have been facing is
he cost effectiveness. Currently, green energy sources are not nearly as cost effective as fossil
fuel alternatives.

This project sets out to design a buoy system that will generate renewable electric power
from the vertical motion of te waves. A mechanism is developed to harness energy from the
waves and translates it into electric power that can be utilized in daily life applications.

This design is intended to create an alternative, cheap and reliable source of energy that
will reduce the dependency on fossil fuel and be used both commercially and privately. It is
expected to produce a significant output that could be utilized in various applications and is
competitive with other green power methods such as wind and solar power.

The system consists of a steel buoy with a pulley-shaft system mounted inside it. The
buoy is floating in water and the pulley-shaft system is anchored with a counter mass. The
pulley-shaft assembly is connected to an electric generator. The waves push the buoy up and
down and cause the shaft to spin which translates the spinning motion to the electric generator .frj it
-at outputs useable energy.

After the system was theoretically tested using a scaled model, it stoave met the
desired goals.

4
Work Plan:
r
Task Start Completion Hours Members Method
Internet,
Thurs, Library
Preliminary Research 1/31 Thurs, 2/11 60 All Resources
Thu rs,
Preliminary Design #1 2/4 Thurs, 2/1 1 20 Four Paddles
Thurs,
Preliminary Design #2 2/4 Thurs, 2/11 20 Pulley System
Budget Request Mon, 2/8 Tues, 2/16 2 jt
Shear,
Normal,.)
Dynamic Forces, Stresses, Newton’s
Calculations Mon, 2/8 Thurs, 4/8 85 Laws
Develop Matlab Code Mon, 2/8 Thurs, 3/11 15 Matlab
Wave Frequencies in different
locations Mon, 2/8 Thurs, 2/18 6 NOAA
Research Mechanical Energy Magnets and
Conversion to Electrical Mon, 2/8 Thurs, 3/11 20 wire coils
Pulley, shaft,
bearings,
V Tues, shell, cable, -

Design of Mechanical Parts 2/16 Thurs, 3/11 25 flywheel

Thurs, Research
Energy Storage 2/18 Thurs, 2/25 4 Methods
Tues,
Project Accounting 2/16 Tues, 4/20 4
Thurs,
CAD Drawing 2/18 Thurs, 4/15 45 CATIA
Research and Purchasing Parts Mon, 3/ 1 Mon, 4/19 40
Experimental Apparatus Thurs,
Construction 4/1 Mon, 4/19 20
Thurs,
Prototype Construction 3/11 Tues, 4/13 60
30
15
15
Vacuum
Tues, Hosing,
Sealing Buoy from water 2/16 Mon, 4/19 15 sealants
Tues,
Final Testina 4/13 Mon. 4/19 20
Thurs,
Project Report 4/8 Mon, 4/19 80 All MS Word
Tues,
Meetings with Advisor 1/26 Wed, 4/21 30 All
Thurs, MS
Final Presentation 4/15 Thurs, 4/21 20 All Powerpoint
Total 651

5
Theoretical Background:

The system is designed to harness wave energy. The buoy moves up and down due to the

forces from the waves. As the buoy is forced up, a cable that has one end attached to the bottom

of the body of the water will exert a pulling force which will cause the pulley inside the buoy to

spin. The other end of the cable is attached to a free hanging mass.

The coaster gear will be fitted into a specially designed pulley so the pulley will only

exert a force in one direction around the shaft. This is done because the coaster gear will only

engage once the pulley has a velocity greater than the shaft. This will allow the system to be

more efficient by keeping the shaft constantly moving in one direction. By adding a flywheel to

the shaft, inertia will resist deceleration when a force is not exerted on the shaft by the pulley. To

harness the energy of the spinning shaft, a generator is attached to one end of the shaft. The

generator will spin a permanent magnet between a series of coils, and the magnetic fields will

induce a current through the coils.

First, the free body diagram of the hanging mass is analyzed as shown in Figure 1. There

are three forces that act on the hanging mass; weight, buoyancy and cable tension. By applying

Newton’s 2’ law in the y-direction, eq. 1.1 is derived, where mm is the mass of the free hanging

mass, Ym is the acceleration of the hanging mass, and Fb is the buoyancy force. Neglecting
pressure difference, the buoyancy force is Fb Vpg where Vm is the volume submerged, Pw

is the density of water, and g is gravity. f) \ ‘ fr’

By controlling the volume (Vm) and hang g mass (mm) to meet our design

the force of the cable is the only unknown in q. 1.2 so the buoyancy

6
\J)IJJ

C
 Los

F = ma (eq. 1.1)

—mg + Fb,m + Fm = mmYm (eq. 1.2)

Fm = mmYm — Vpg + mg (eq. 1.3)

Fm = mmYm + mg (i —
(eq. 1.4)

Figure 1 — FBD of Hanging Mass

Next, the assumption that the cable does not stretch or slip on the pulley is mal’This

means that at the point where the cable contacts the pulley, both the pulley and cable will have
A - JW
3Jae same veloci/’The forces that the cable exerts on the mass and the force the cable exerts on

,pk the pulley will be equal. With this, and assuming the no-stretch condition, the following
- 1
çW relationships can be formed, eq. 2.1-2.5. Using the no slip and no stretch condition, the

relationship between the displacement of the buoy and the hanging mass is described in Figure 2
S
and eq. 2.6-2.8. The displacement of the hanging mass is twice as much as the buoy because the

(eq.2.1)
(eq. 2.2)
Yi (eq. 2.3)
3
Yi= (eq. 2.4)
= r9 (eq. 2.5)
Yrn = Yi
2 (eq. 2.6)
Ym = 2’ (eq. 2.7)
Ym = 1
2 (eq. 2.8)

7
 ,ff
(7s
VA
iC

Figure 2 — No slip and no stretch condition

The shaft inside of the buoy is attached to the base of the buoy by two pillow block

bearings. The first bearing is a thrust bearing on the free body diagram is point A which is found

in Figure 3, and has x-, y- and z- components. The second bearing is a normal bearing and has x

and y- components. The pulley is attached in the middle of the shaft in order to center the forces

produced by the cable. e pulley, two forces are produced, one by the end of the cable

attached to the grou (Tg) a d the other attached to the counterweig (Tm). he pulley also has

a mass that will prod ea eight force (mpg). The center point of the mass of the shaft (msg) is

also concentrated at this point. On the left end of the shaft, there is a fly wheel attached that has a

mass which produces a weight force (mfg).

The last force is a moment from the generato (iIo) hich is located on the right end of

the buoy. The mass of the generator is not located on the s aft because the generator will be

attached to the base of the buoy. Also, no reaction forces from the shaft to the generator exist,

except for the moment because in order to minimize the stresses on the generator, the forces

should equal zero at the contact point.

8
 By neglecting motion of the buoy in the horizontal plane, the y- and z-direction, the sum

of the sn-.4e.forces in the y- and z-direction is set equal to zero, eq. 3.1, 4.1. The sum of the

forces in the x-direction is set equal to the mass of the shaft, pulley and flywheel multiplied by

the acceleration in the x-direction. Next, the sum of the moments about the x-axis, at point A is

set to zero since the moments are balanced evenly, eq. 5.1. Finally, the sum of the moments

about the z-axis, at point A are set equal to the angular acceleration multiplied by the inertia, eq.

7.1, where inertia for a cylinder is I =

2

Figure 3 — FBD of shaft assembly

Shaft

(eq. 3.1)
A=O

s,y (eq. 4.1)

=0 (eq. 4.2)

=0 (eq. 5.1)
0
= 0

9
“I
 F = (mf + m + m)yi

AX+BX—(mf+mP+mS)

)..MAZ = (eq. 7.1)

MG + (Tm —

= 2
(eq. 7.2)

The last free body diagram is the base of the buoy that is found in Figure 4. There are

forces from the two bearings, the buoyancy, the weight of the buoy, the generator, and the

moment from the generator. The sum of the forces in the y-direction is equal to the mass of the

buoy and generator multiplied by the acceleration, eq. 8.1. The sum of the moments about the x

axis at point A will equal zero because the system needs to be balanced. The moment produced

from the generator on the buoy has not been accounted for but will be later in the analysis.

1 J,B
mg mg

TTTT1 tTtTtTT
Figure 4— FBD of buoy base

10
Buoy
F,,x = (m,, + mG)y2 (eq. 8.1)
Fb,b — (A + B) (mb +—
m)(g —
= 0 (eq. 8.2)

/ib = 0 (eq. 9.1)

jI (“ (F,b
2
x — mbg) — 2 +x
(x )(B +
3 m,,g) = 0 (eq. 9.2)

After all the free body diagrams have been analyzed, the system can be described with

the following four equations:

Ax+Bx—(m+mp+ms)(g—i)—Tg—T=0 (eq.6.2)
= 2
+msrs
(mfrI+mPrP
)
MG + (Tm —
Os (eq. 7.2)
F,,,, (A + B)
— —
(m,,+ mM)(g = 0
—
(eq. 8.2)
(F,,,,, m,,g)
2
x — — (x + x
2 )(B + m,,g) = 0
3 (eq. 9.2)

The masses, radii, and distance across the shaft are determined based on design

specifications. Using eq. 2.1, Tm Fm where Fm is known. With this, there are four equations with

five unknowns. To solve this system of equations, one more equation is needed.

The solution is to determine the maximum buoyancy force produced by the waves.

Waves produce force from the density of the water, and by the motion of the waves that will

produce an impact force that pushes the buoy. Since it is impossible to calculate the force from

the motion of the wave, the force will be used as a safety factor. The buoyancy force from the

density of the water can be found by eq. 10.1, where this will be the maximum buoyancy force

the waves can produce so if the buoy produces an overall net force greater than this, the buoy

will become submerged under the water.

11
 The system of four equations has four unknowns, so the system of equations is solved in

the order below, eq. 11.1-11.4.

F,,,,, = (eq. 10.1)

— 3
(
x
+
2
) Fb,b—mbg)—(x
(mbg)x
BX eq.
-

— +x
2
(x
)
3
A Fb,b B (mb + mG)(g
= — — —
(eq. 11.2)
Tg =A +B —(mf +m +ms)(g )Tm
1
Y (eq. 11.3)
= +msrs
(mr1+mr
)
2
MG Os — (Tm — Tg)rp (eq. Ii .4)

With the speed and the maximum moment the generator can produce, the maximum

power is solved for by eq. 12.1. By assuming the speed of the pulley follows a perfect sine wave

the power produced would also follow a perfect sine wave. The average power in a half period of

a sine wave is related to the max power by 1

’avg = Ppeak/ V’ and since the system only harnesses

power as the pulley spins in one direction so power is described in eq. 13.1.

“peak =
(eq. 12.1)
pavg _Ppeak/ eq. 131
— /2’2

With the power produced by the shaft, the electrical energy can be foun the efficiency

of the generator is known. A typical generator usually has an efficiency aro 90% s the

power produced can be calculated by:

pproduced _JPpeak/ eq. 141

— / 2I

With all the forces on the shaft, a stress analysis is performed. When at rest, a substantial

By modeling it this way, be assumed. With a locked system assumption, a

Matlab program which is

torque stresses along the shaft and around each cross sectional area of the beam. Then with the

use of Mohr’ s circle, the maximum principle and shear stress are found. With these stresses, the

radius of the shaft is found based on the strength of steel. With the tension on the cable, the

required thickness of the steel cable is found.

13
Analysis and Calculations:

Givens:

Pw = 1000 kg/rn
3 Ps= 7860 kg/rn
3

rn=40kg m=40kg rnb=5Okg

m=2kg rnf=2Okg m=2kg

= 0.05 m rf = 0.08 m = 0.15 rn

1
x = 0.15 m 2
x = 0.10 rn 3
x = 0.10 m 4
x = 0.15 rn

“sub 3
=.262m

Speed of buoy:

The up and down motion of the waves at Cape Elizabeth which is 45 NM northwest of Aberdeen

Washington (47.34N 124.75W) is analyzed using a chart of the average height (A) and period

(T) at different times throughout the day found in the Appendix.

From Chart:

Aavg = 11 ft = 3.33 rn & Tavg = 13 sec

Calculate velocity and acceleration of buoy:

2ir
frequency = cv = -- = 0.4833 sec
1

S’. =cvA = 5.32rn/s

= A
2
co = 2.57 rn/s
2

14
Calculate velocity and acceleration of mass using the no stretch/slip condition:

3m = 23> = 10.64 rn/s

Yrn = 1
2 = 5.14 rn/s
2

Calculate angular velocity and angular acceleration of shaft:

rad
8 =Yi/r = 35.5——= 339rpm

O “/r = 2
17.lrad/s

Calculate tension of cable attached to counterweight:

Tm = Fm = rnrnyrn+rnmg(i
—) = 548.1N

Calculate buoyancy force on buoy:

Fb,b ”subPwg
1 = 2570 N

Calculate force on the normal bearing in the x-direction:

= x2(Fb,b — mbg) 2 +x
(x )(mg)
3 —

B = 341.4 N
2 +x
(x )
3

Calculate force on the thrust bearing in the x-direction:

A = Fb,b —
B — (mb + mG)(g — = 1577.ON

15
 Calculate tension of the cable attached to the ground:

TgAx+Bx—(m+mp+ms)(gi)_Tm 1196.5N

Calculate the max moment the generator can produce:

fmfr/ + mr + mri\..
MGj )6s+(7q_Tm)rp=98.8N_m
2

Calculate the peak power that can be produced:

MG 0
*

‘peak = 4759 W
7.0375

Calculate the electrical energy produced:

7”peak /
‘produced
—

1514.4 W
— /2I =
i)
Using Matlab, the max shear and principle stress can be found for a given

radius:

Radius of aft = 0.01 m

S
Shear Str ss = 9 . MPa

VI
Principle tress = 155.0 MPa
\ol ç•

‘) \
r

\
16
 304 Stainless Steel has a Max Shear and Principle Stress of 186 MPa and 500

MPa so the safety factor can be found. The radius of the shaft was adjusted

until the Safety factor of —2 was achieved.

186MPa
S.F.Shear= =3.2
9OMPa

500Mpa
S.F.PrLncLple = 2.1
= 155MPa

The generator in the buoy will place a moment on the buoy which will cause the

buoy to tilt. The angle of the tilt needs to be checked to make sure it will not affect the

buoy’s performance. To perform a quick check on the tilt, the buoy was split into two

sections, the left and right side of the buoy shown in Figure 5. The assumption that

buoyancy force of each section of the buoy will occur on their respective center points is

made. The moment caused by the two buoyancy forces about the center of the buoy is

found. By comparing the moment of the buoyancy force to the moment of the generator

which is equal, the difference in heights at the center points of each section is found. With

this distance and the distance between the center points, a slope is found.

4d4

Figure 5 — Tilt analysis

17
 _d*Fl=dPwg(f)(h)
2
MG=Fb=d*F

where h is the change in hieght & d

MG
h= =0609
2
firr
dpg

slope = 1
tan h/() = 8.166°

The generator will cause the buoy to tilt only 8.17° which in reality will be less

because as the buoy tilts the volume will increase on the one section which will cause more

buoyancy force on that particular section which is unaccounted for in our calculations. This

slope was satisfactory because the buoy can be naturally weighted to one side before the

motion of the generator so when the generator starts to move the buoy will only tilt 4.083°

in either direction.

18
 The preliminary theoretical design starts with the thought of a buoy moving up and down

a shaft from the motion of waves. A shaft is mounted to the floor of a river and the buoy is

shaped as a ring and would encompass the shaft. A magnet is then mounted to the shaft near the

top of the water. A copper coil is mounted inside of the buoy and as the buoy moves up and

down from the motion of the river, the copper coil will move around the magnet and induce a

current.

There were many flaws with this design. Mounting a shaft to the floor of a river would be

extremely expensive and difficult to perform. Waterproofing this system would be very complex

and the vertical distance traveled by the buoy in a river was found to be insufficient to achieve

desired output results.

The next theoretical design changed from harnessing vertical wave motion to harnessing

rocking motion of the buoy. The buoy is tethered to the bottom of the river floor by a cable. Four

arms extend out of the buoy and into the water. These arms will move up and down with the

motion of the waves and connect to a piston that will push a magnet through a copper coil,

inducing current. The four arms could also be used to spin a gear with a magnet attached that

would run through a copper coil. The rocking motion was found to be insufficient to provide the

power desired.

The final design incorporated the vertical motion of waves in the ocean because the

oceans waves are much larger and can create a larger distance the buoy can travel. With larger

waves and distances, larger forces and accelerations can be harnessed by the buoy, creating a

larger output of power. The motion of a magnet passing through a copper coil is easily harnessed

19
with the use of a generator. The generator is more practical, cost effective, and easier to produce

than developing a separate apparatus that spins a magnet within a coil. A shaft coupled to the

generator will spin from the movement of a belt. Each end of the belt will run through a separate

hole in the bottom of the buoy while the cable is engaged in a clutch pulley attached to the shaft

shown in Figure 6. A corrugated hose is flanged and sealed on each of the two holes in the

bottom of the buoy; the belt runs over the pulley clutch and inside of each corrugated hose. The

bottom of the corrugated hose is then capped and sealed to keep the inside of the buoy and belt

waterproof. A cable is then connected to a cap and runs to an anchor at the bottom of the ocean, a

separate cable is connected to the other cap and a counterweight is attached. As the buoy rises

from a wave, the belt will run over the coaster pulley and engage the shaft, forcing it to spin, and

translating mechanical energy into electrical energy from the generator. As the cable runs over

the coaster pulley, the belt will pull on the corrugated tubing attached to the anchor, forcing it to

elongate, while forcing the tubing attached to the counterweight to rise and contract.

Figure 6 — Shaft assembly with chain running over coaster gear

20
 The shaft will be mounted with two bearings for support and a flywheel to add inertia to

the spinning shaft to prevent deceleration. As the wave starts a downward motion, the coaster

pulley will disengage and spin freely until the wave starts its upward motion. During the

downward motion, the inertia of the flywheel will keep the shaft spinning so continuous work

can be achieved. Once the upward motion starts again, a cycle is completed and will repeat.

21
Prototype Development:

The preliminary design included the use of a shaft mounted in two pillow block bearings

with a flywheel on one end of the shaft and a generator on the other end as shown in Figure 7.

The generator and the pillow block bearings are mounted to the platform, where the platform is

mounted to the bottom interior of the buoy as seen in Figure 8. A belt runs over and engages the

shaft with the use of a clutch or gear. The two ends of the belt will go through two separate holes

in the bottom of the interior of the buoy. One end of the belt would be fixed to the sea floor and

the other would have a counterweight attached. The belt and holes would be sealed to keep the

system waterproof.

Figure 7 Shaft assembly (from left to right) with flywheel, pillow block bearing, coaster gear,
-

pillow block bearing, and generator

22
Figure 8 Platform mount in bottom of buoy
-

The initial development of the prototype started with research of a one-way clutch and a

coaster gear. Research is performed to find a suitable solution that will allow the shaft to engage

in only one direction. A one-way roller bearing is purchased which would allow a belt to run

over the entire bearing and engage the shaft while spinning in one direction and spin freely in the

opposite direction. This bearing turned out to be too small and could not endure the torque the

system would create. A coaster gear found at a bicycle shop fixes this problem and the use of a

chain spins the shaft effectively.

The coaster gear is then measured to find a shaft and bearings to fit. The gear has an inner

diameter of 15mm and bearings could not be found to match. A 5/8” shaft, bearings, and

flywheel were purchased and the inner diameter of the gear is drilled to fit the shaft and bearings.

A chain was purchased that fit the outer teeth of the coaster gear. Electric motors and generators

were then researched but a suitably geared motor for an rpm range of approximately 60 were

23
hard to find. A hand crank generator was purchased, modified, and tested to determine its output.

The generator allows the output to be shown through a light bulb or leads can be connected to a

voltmeter for demonstration purposes which can be seen in Figure 9(a). The hand crank on the

generator is removed and a shaft is exposed with a hole perpendicular to the length of the shaft

shown in Figure 9(b).

Figure 9(a) Hand crank generator with light bulb and leads

Figure 9(b) Hand crank generator with handle removed, exposing shaft

A hole is then drilled into the 5/8” shaft, parallel to its length, which will allow the shaft

from the generator to slide inside of the 5/8” shaft shown in Figure 10(a). A hole is then drilled

normal to the length of the 5/8” shaft, as shown in Figure 10(b), so that a cotter pin can slide into

the 5/8” shaft, into the generator shaft, back into the 5/8” shaft, and out the other side. This fixes

the two shafts together and allows them to spin as one.

24
Figure 10(a) Hole drilled normal to each shaft

Figure 10(b) Hole drilled in parallel in 5/8” shaft to fit the generator’s shaft

The expected length from the end of the motor to the end of the flywheel is 16” and a

suitable structure is then needed to fit the shaft assembly and have enough buoyant force to stay

afloat. Various solutions were contemplated but a problem continued to be the diameter of the

container. To solve this, the length of the shaft assembly is reduced in length near its minimum

25
of 10.5”, and a 5-gallon painter’s bucket is used as the structure. An inexpensive structure

allowed for cost effective testing and multiple structures are purchased to allow room for error in

assembly.

Two holes were drilled in the bottom of the 5-gallon painter bucket so the chain can run

over the coaster gear with an end of the chain going through each hole. Initially, corrugated

tubing would be sealed to the bottom of the 5-gallon painter bucket, engulf the chain, and be

sealed at the end of the chain to keep the system waterproof. The corrugated tubing ended up

being too stiff and would not elongate and compress upon itself. The elongation and compression

is essential because as the buoy rises and lowers, the chain will be attached at an end of the

tubing, where the chain and tubing will move in the vertical direction. This allowed us to

investigate surgical latex tubing but problems mounting the chain and sealing the tubing off were

a problem.

Vacuum tubing is tested and the elongation and compression work well. Each end of the

vacuum tubing has a plastic cap attachment that can thread onto the vacuum tubing. The caps are

then attached to the bottom of the 5-gallon painter’s bucket with epoxy and sealant shown in

Figure 11. The caps on the other end of the vacuum tubing are attached to PVC fittings with the

use of epoxy and sealant shown in Figures 12(a),(b). The PVC fitting is made from two female

connectors that screw onto each side of the male cap, making a seal with a cap in the middle of

two female connectors as seen in Figure 13. A cross brace is drilled through the side of a female

connector and a rope is attached to the cross brace. Each rope will have a weight, one being an

anchor and the other a counterweight. In Figure 14, the exterior of the buoy is shown but does

not have a rope connecting the PVC fittings to an anchor or counterweight.

26
Figure 11 - Chain running through threaded plastic caps mounted to a 5-gallon painter’s bucket

Figure 12(a) Vacuum hose separated from PVC fitting and plastic cap

Figure 12(b) Vacuum hose threaded into plastic cap

27
Figure 13 - Two female PVC connectors threaded onto a male cap

Figure 14 Exterior of buoy

-

28
 The system would be manufactured on an assembly line. The design implemented,

accounted for practical assembly on common parts. The parts would be machined or created

from a supplier. The manufactured assembly of the theoretical design would start with having the

shaft coupled to the generator. A pillow block thrust bearing, coaster pulley, and a pillow block

bearing slides onto the shaft and is secured with setscrews. The flywheel would be attached to

the end of the shaft with the use of a setscrew. Set screws allow for easier assembly and

maintenance.

The system would continue to be manufactured by setting the shaft assembly onto the

base of the buoy. Bolts will mount the pillow block bearings and generator to a raised platform

on the base of the buoy. The platform will have threaded holes for easy alignment of flanges on

the generator and bearings. Fittings will be attached to the ends of the corrugated tubing and will

thread and seal to the bottom of the buoy. The belt will then run over the coaster pulley and

through each side of corrugated tubing. The other ends of tubing will have fittings that seal to

keep the system waterproof. An eyebolt will attach into the fitting and a cable will attach to a

counterweight and an anchor on either side. The buoy and platform will be made out of steel.

The bottom portion with the shaft assembly will be welded with the top half and will complete

the buoy assembly.

29
Design of Experiments and Laboratory Tests:

An experiment has been designed on the energy harnessing buoy to attempt to simulate

the effect of a wave without a body of water. The experimental apparatus consists of a 42-gallon

garbage can, a 5-gallon painter’s bucket, 4” drain tile hose, drain tile adaptors, and various

sealants and epoxies. The bottom of the garbage can and the 5-gallon painter’s bucket is mounted

with a drain tile adaptor with the use of epoxy and sealant. The 5-gallon painter’s bucket

mounted to the drain tile hose is shown in Figure 15. The drain tile adaptors are each fitted to an

end of the drain tile hose and sealed. Giving an assembly of a garbage can and a 5-gallon

painter’s bucket connected with a drain tile. The apparatus is then filled with water so that each

garbage can is approximately half full. The buoy is anchored to the bottom of the garbage can on

one side of the chain and a counterweight is attached to the other side of the chain. The 5-gallon

painter’s bucket is lifted and gravity would induce equilibrium and force the water into the

garbage can containing the buoy. This would raise the water level in the garbage can and the

displacement of water would force the buoy to rise, spinning the coaster gear and shaft, creating

current in the hand crank generator.

Figure 15 5-gallon painter’s bucket mounted to drain tile hose

-

30
 This experiment did not displace enough water to force the buoy to rise and the idea of

using three 5-gallon painter’s buckets evolved but was not used because numerous seals needed

to be created for each bucket used. The experiment uses two garbage cans connected in a similar

fashion using drain tile adaptors but fails because the seals are not able to hold on the forces from

the standing water. To try to solve this problem, the drain tile adaptors are removed from the

experimental design, and the drain tile hose will seal into the garbage cans directly with epoxy

and sealant as shown in Figure 16.

Figure 16 Garbage cans connected with drain tile hose

-

The experiment runs with the buoy floating on the water with the anchor and

counterweight underwater. The garbage can without the buoy is raised approximately three feet

and water is forced into the garbage can with the buoy. The buoy rises and the shaft is engaged

but the light does not turn on. The garbage can is lowered and water drains out of the garbage

can holding the buoy, forcing the buoy to fall. This process is repeated but there is not enough

water flow to raise the water level high enough to create enough power to turn on the light bulb.

31
 Minimum Revolutions to light bulb

0.5 rotation/second
30 rpm
Experimental Wave Data

0.75 ft
4seconds
0.1875 ft/sec
0.523333 circumference of gear (ft)
0.35828 rotations/sec
21.49682 rpm
Experimental Requirements for bulb to light

1.046667 ft
4 seconds
0.261667 ft/sec
0.523333 circumference of gear (ft)
Table 1: Experimental wave data and wave requirements.

The required velocity for the buoy to raise and power the light bulb is 0.26 ft/sec while

the experiment only produced a velocity of 0.19 ft/sec as shown in Table 1. The difference in

velocity could be solved by connecting another drain tile hose between the two garbage cans or

adding another garbage can, which would allow two garbage cans to be lifted, forcing more

water into the testing garbage can. The garbage can testing apparatus has problems with the seals

connecting the drain tile hose. When the garbage can is lifted, a large force transfers between the

garbage cans and a torque is applied to the hose connection. This caused the seals to slowly

degrade and eventually fail entirely. This could be changed by using flanges to connect the drain

tile hose to the garbage cans. Also, sealing the vacuum hose to the cap connections has problems.

Water would enter the vacuum tubing that contains the chain from the threading in the plastic

caps. The use of flanges to connect the vacuum hose to the plastic caps could prevent this

problem.

32
Environmental Aspects:

Alone, a single buoy does not have much of an impact on the environment. However,

environmental concerns arise from a buoy system using multiple buoys in array formation for

large scale power generation. In this case, consideration on the impact and possible disruption on

the ecosystem in which the buoy is placed must be considered.

The location of the buoy system poses some environmental concerns if it placed close to

the shoreline. Minor disruption of local ocean wildlife will occur during the installation of the

array. Other than the initial installation and routine maintenance, the system will be completely

free of fossil fuel dependency. If failure occurs in the system, other than the debris that would be

scattered across the landscape, the system poses little risk of contaminating the environment. All

of the components pose little harm to the environment if failure occurs. The highest risk to

contamination would arise from the bearings in the pulley and pillow blocks as well as the

generator from possible leakage of oils and lubricants.

A recent article in the Block Island Times reports that the transmission of electricity

through electric cables connected to offshore wind turbine farms can have a maj or impact on the

migration patterns of many types of sea faring wildlife. In particular lobsters, sharks, seals and

crabs are species which can be found near the location which is designed to house the buoy

system. This may be a cause for concern as those creatures use the earth’s magnetic field in

migration patterns. In addition to migration patterns, sharks use magnetism to hunt for prey. The

article notes that further research will need to be conducted to determine whether sea life,

How dofish react to windfarms and cables? Steve Scos --April12, 2010

!
33
 especially those most affected by the cables would be able to adapt to the magnetic fields

created.

In addition to the magnetic fields created, the article also delves in to the effect of driving

piles in to the seabed for the wind turbines. This is less of a concern for this system as the buoys

do not need as severe of anchoring as a wind turbine.

Another study 2 was conducted to determine whether magnetic fields could influence the

direction of travel of particular fish by testing whether the fish were attracted to magnets, both

north and south facing which were attached to fyke nets in addition to a control net in which no

magnets were placed. The conclusions of the study indicate that, “The magnet-rigged fyke nets

were found to catch by 70-90% more fish (depending on the magnet pole location) than control

traps, rigged with magnet dummies, did.”

/2
Effects Of Magnetic Field On The Direction OfFish Movement Under Natural Conditione

Department of Fish Anatomy and Embryology, Agricultural University ofSzczecin

KrzysztofFormicki, Adam Tahski, Aleksander Winnicki

http://www.ursi.org/Proceedings/ProcGA02/papers/p0842.pdf

34
Cost Analysis:

A significant portion of the cost is expected to be spent in installation as the system will

be installed in the ocean. Installation costs will include the cost of transportation, tools,

equipment, and labor. Annual operating and maintenance costs are estimated. The life

expectancy of the electric generator is typically around 8 years, and based on the 15 years

estimated life expectancy of the system; the generator will have to be replaced at least once. The

overall price of energy does not take into consideration the losses in transmitting the power to the

shore where it can be utilized. Such losses are expected to be high and will increase the cost of

energy. The cost breakdown of manufacturing and installation of one unit for the buoy system is

estimated in the following table:

Part Price (US $)

Electric Generator 800*

Shaft 100

Bearings 102

Pulley Clutch 95

Belt 500

Body 1,000

Sealing System 700

Anchor 70

Miscellaneous 300

Total 3,667

36
 Installation 5,500

Operating and Maintenance (Annual Cost) 400

Table 2: Cost Breakdown.

Based on the energy output calculation, the generator will produce an output of

approximately 1.5 kW. In order to test the cost effectiveness of the project, the power generation

is compared to two of the main green alternative energy resources, wind and solar. The

comparison takes into consideration several factors; generated output, system cost, installation

cost, maintenance cost, efficiency, life expectancy and power cost per hour. The following table

summarizes the results of the comparison:

Buoy System Buoy System Wind Turbine Wind Turbine Solar Panel

( I unit) (Farm —400 units) (Residential) (Commercial) (Commercial)

Output(kW) 1.5 600 1.5 600 1.5

System Cost (US $) 3,667 1,393,460 7,000 800,000 12,000

Installation Cost (US $) 5,500 240,000 Included Included Included

Maintenance Cost! 400 32,000 140 16,000 50

(Annual) (US $)
Expectancy Life (Years) 15 15 30 30 20

Efficiency (%) 75% 75% 18.0% 20.0% 13.2%

Power Cost (cent!kWh) 10.16 3.574 15.78 4.059 37.48

Table 3: Summary of Comparison Results.

While most of the data used to find the above results is obtained from commercial sources, some

of it is assumed based on industry standards. The comparison is established based on the

37
quantities and their outputs. This comparison may not provide accurate results since data for

efficiency and life expectancy are estimated.

The buoy system is first compared to a small residential wind turbine with an equivalent

output to one unit buoy. Another comparison is conducted between a larger commercial wind

turbine with an output of 600 kW and a farm of 400 units of buoys that provide the same output

in order to test the cost effectiveness of building one unit compared to building a farm of buoys.

Secondly, a one unit buoy system is compared to a residential solar panel that is expected

to produce the same output and has the same life expectancy.

Under ideal conditions, one unit of the buoy system will have a lower power cost than

one unit of a small residential wind turbine or a residential solar power unit. Also, a farm of 400

buoy units will have a slightly lower power cost compared to a large commercial wind turbine.

The following charts show the details and the results of each comparison:

a. Buoy system vs. rdtIsnf1 1.5 kW wind turbine:

, Buoy System Wind Turbine

Capital Cost (US $) 3,667 7,000

Installation Cost (US $) 5,500 Included

Initial Cost (US $) 9,167 7,000

Life Expectancy (Years) 15 30

Operating and Maintenance Cost (US $) 400 140

Annual Cost (US $) 1,011 373

Annual Energy Output (kW) 9,950 2,365

CostperkWh(US$) 0.1016 0.1578

38
 b. Buoy system vs. residential solar panel:
Buoy System Wind Turbine (Resid.)

Capital Cost (US $) 3,667 12,000

Installation Cost (US $) 5,500 Included

Initial Cost (US $) 9,167 12,000

Life Expectancy (Years) 15 20

Operating and Maintenance Cost (US $) 400 50

AnnualCost(US$) 1,011 650

Annual Energy Output (kW) 9,950 1,735

Cost per kWh (US $) 0.1016 0.3748

c. Buoy farm vs. 600 kW commercial wind turbine:

Buoy Farm Wind Turbine (Comm.)

Capital Cost (US $) 1,393,460 800,000

Installation Cost (US $) 240,000 Included

Initial Cost (US $) 1,633,460 800,000

Life Expectancy (Years) 15 30

Operating and Maintenance Cost (US $) 32,000 16,000

Annual Cost (US $) 140,897 42,667

Annual Energy Output (kW) 3,942,000 1,051,200

Cost per kWh (US $) 0.0357 0.0406

39
Final Design:

Figure 17— Shaft Assembly

40
Figure 18— Buoy Housing with Assembly

41
Figure 19— Buoy Housing with Assembly, Corrugated Tubing, and Counterweight

42
Figure 20— Corrugated Tubing with Counterweight and Cable

43
 C

1(0
L

Figure 21 - Inner Bearing

44
 0

0
C,,

U,

\-J
— e23.67

7934
Tj

(D

350
L

‘‘pm
I r
121
CD

oI
I..—’.

i/o’

61

152.4
 R245

•94 C

5O.94

Figure 25 Corrugated Tubing

-

48
 It)

200

Figure 26 Flywheel
-

49
 0
zzzL
—
Bibliography:

Effects Of Magnetic Field On The Direction Of Fish Movement Under Natural Conditions.
Department of Fish Anatomy and Embryology, Agricultural University of Szczecin
Krzysztof Formicki, Adam Tañski, Aleksander
Winnickihttp ://www.ursi .org/Proceedings/ProcGAO2/papers/p0842.pdf

How do fish react to wind farms and cables? Steve Stycos April 12, 2010
--

http://www.blockislandtimes.com/view/full_story/7020209/article-How-do-fi sh-react-to
wind-farms-and-cables-?instance=homenewsl st_right

The Economics of Wind Power.” N.p., 2005. Web. 20 Apr 2010.

<http ://www.social.mtu.edulgormanleconomics.htm>.

51
Conclusions:

Investigation of energy generation from ocean wave motion shows that another green

energy source has the opportunity to be harnessed. The goal in research and development of a

buoy to generate energy met and exceeded the proof of concept. Even though the prototype was

unable to perform in the water simulated experiment, it does not mean that it will not work. The

performance of the buoy was poor due to the experimental apparatus. When the buoy is tested by

hand, results are much more desirable. This result shows that more research into wave energy

generation should continue.

Even though the cost of energy from the buoy design is less expensive than that of wind

and solar power, there are efficiency factors that are difficult to predict. Energy losses will come

from an electrical grid to contain the energy and come from sending the energy to the shore.

These losses will more than likely be large and will significantly alter the price at which energy

is produced. Even with these losses, wave motion energy is believed to be economical and

competitive to other forms of energy. Wind, solar, and wave power are all renewable, green, and

do not have a fuel cost.

The design is advantageous because it achieves continuous power from a constant

rotation of a shaft. This design could be improved by making the system more efficient and

reliable by converting the downward motion of the buoy into rotational motion of the shaft. This

could be achieved by the use of another gear and a clutch system. The design could also be

improved by increasing the size of the buoy to generate a larger buoyancy force.

52
 The location used in the design is Cape Elizabeth which is 45 NM northwest of Aberdeen

Washington. The design is location specific and depends on the height of the waves and their

frequency. A change of location will change the hanging mass, buoy mass, pulley radius,

velocity of the shaft, and length of corrugated tubing.

53
Appendices:

Buoy Forecast Surf Forecast -

Buoy 46041 Central Elizabeth -

47.34N 124.75W Data Updated On: 03/11/2010 tO6z

FAQs
Primary Swell Height — Period — Direction — Buoy 46041
25.0

22.5
2. 0

17 • 5
C)
1- 15.0 1)

o
0
1.o C.
QJ llj
7.5 0

5.0
2.5

. 0
.. .0 r-. • l 0 Cl r. 10 a’ II) -. .0 10 Cl C) C) C’. a’ -. a’ F’. U) 0 U) • .4 * .4
r r-. i r’. r’. r-. ID 0) 10 r. .0 10 10 F’. I) • - • • U) 0 II) Li) II) 10 10 .0 9 10 C’-
Cl Cl Cl Cl Cl Cl Cl Cl Cl Cl Cl Cl Cl Cl Cl Cl Cl Cl Cl Cl Cl Cl Cl Cl Cl Cl Cl Cl Cl Cl Cl
I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I
N r.J N N N N N N ‘J N N N N N N N N N N N4 N N N N N N N N N N N
C) a’ lb -. C) 0’ II) — C) 0’ LI) 1 C) a’ 11) 1 C) 0’ lb C) 0’ Lb . C) 0’ Ii) .4 C) 0’ lb
Cl 0 .4 Cl 0 0 .4 Cl 0 0 .4 Cl 0 0 “ Cl 0 0 — Cl 0 — Cl 0 0 .4

.4 Cl Cl Cl Cl C) C) C) I’) • • • + U) lb LI) 11) 10 10 10 C’. F’. C’. C’. 0) 10 10

Tire (Day oc month/Hour in G1T) and Direction (in degrees) — Copyright 2010 Stormsurf
Hti9h C+ — 14 axis) rPtriod Cstcs — iigh4 axis)

Figure A. 1 — Wave data to calculate wave displacement, velocity, and acceleration

Hanging Mass

(eq. 1.1)
(eq. 1.2)

No Slip and No Stretch Relationship

(eq. 2.1)
(eq. 2.2)
(eq. 2.3)
(eq. 2.4)
(eq. 2.5)

(eq. 2.6)
(eq. 2.7)
(eq. 2.8)

54
Shaft

(eq.3.1)
A=O

F=O (eq.4.1)
A+B = 0 (eq. 4.2)

MA = 0 (eq. 5.1)
2 +x
(x )B = 0
3
B = 0 >> A = 0

F=0 (eq.6.1)
Ax+Bx—(mf+mp+ms)g—Tg—Tm=0 (eq.6.2)

MA = (eq. 7.1)
+
fmfrf
-
\
2 I-mSrS
mrP
MG +(Tm —Tg)rp =‘\ 2
(eq. 7.2)

Buoy
Fb,X = 0 (eq. 8.1)
Fb,b — (A + B) — (mb + mG)g = 0 (eq. 8.2)

MA=O (eq.9.1)
x2(Fb,b — mgg) — 2 +x
(x )(B + mpg)
3 = 0 (eq. 9.2)

55
A

MATLAB code for maximum stresses

%Design Specifications
xl=. 15;
x2=.1;
x3=.1;
x4=.15;
I5
rs=.05;

%Shear Force
y=O;
for x=O:.OO1:I;
y=y+l;
if x<=xl
SF(y,1)=-196.2;
end
if x<=(xl+x2) & x>xl
SF(y, 1)=-196.2+1514.4;
end
if x>(xl+x2) & x<=(xl+x2+x3)
SF(y, 1)=-196.2+1514.4-1783.8; C,
end
if x>(xl+x2+x3)
SF(y,1)=-196.2+1514.4-1783.8+341.4;
end
end
c)

%Bending Moment
e
y=O;
for x=O:.OO1:I;
y=y+l;
if x<=xl
BM(y,1)=SF(y,1)*x;
zl=y;
end
if x<=(xl+x2) & x>xl
BM(y,1)=BM(z1,1)+SF(y,1)*(xx1);
z2=y;
end
if x>(xl+x2) & x<=(xl+x2+x3)
BM(y,1)=BM(z2, 1)+SF(y,1)*(xx1x2);
z3=y;
 end
if x>(xl+x2+x3)
BM(y, 1)=BM(z3, 1)+SF(y,1)*(xx1x2x3);
end
end
%Torque
y=O;
for x=O:.OO1:I;
y=y+l;
if x<=(xl+x2)
TO(y, 1)=97.26;
end
if x>(xl+x2)
TO(y, 1)=O;
end
end

%Geornetry Properties
c=rs;
A=pi*c2;
Ix=(pi*c4)/4;
Iz=Ix;
ic=(pi*c14)/2;
Q.A*4*c/(3*pi);

%Max shear and Principle Stress using Mohrs Circle

MaxPS=O;
MaxSS=O;
r=16;
angle=360/r;
y=O;
for x=O:.OO1:I;
;
1
y=y+
for s=1:1:r;
t=(360/r)*s;
xl(y,s)=c*cos(t); frDS’llIJ
yl(y,s)=c*sin(t);
NS(y,s)=BM(y,1)*yl(y,s)/Ix; 1
r’
‘
ii
SS(y,s)=(x1(y,s)*SF(y,1)*QJ(Iz*t))i((TO(y,1)...*c)/Jc);
OC(y,s)=(NS(y,s)/2);
SSm(y,s)=sqrt((SS(y,s)”2)-i-(OC(y,s)”2));

57
.74

PSMAX(y,s)=OC(y,s)+SSm(y,s);
if SSm(y,s)>MaxSS
MaxSS=SSm(y,s);
sMaxSS=s;
xMaxSS=x;
end
if MaxPS<PSMAX(y,s)
MaxPS=PSMAX(y,s);
sMaxPS=s;
xMaxPS=x;
end
end
end
MaxSS=MaxSS/1O”6
w
(/cL9
MaxPS=MaxPS/1O’6

fO)

58