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<p>The integration of flexible rubber-like materials into wave energy converters (WECs) holds significant potential for advancing commercial-scale wave energy exploitation. This study investigates a flexible spindle-shaped oscillating buoy (OB) moored to the seabed via a hydraulic power take-off (PTO) system. By combining viscous flow theory with the modal expansion method, a hybrid computational fluid dynamics (CFD)-finite element method (FEM) model is developed to simulate interactions among the external wave field, internal pneumatic pressure, and structural response of the flexible WEC. The hybrid CFD–FEM model accurately resolves structural dynamics—including both heave (rigid-body motion) and elastic (non-rigid) deformation modes—while simultaneously capturing wave scattering effects induced by the flexible OB. Compared with rigid counterparts, the flexible OB harvests additional wave power by effectively exploiting generalized deformation modes, enabling hydrodynamic efficiency to exceed 100% within certain wave periods. More importantly, the deformation of the flexible body reduces radiated waves and enables recovery of this energy component through elastic mode activation. However, conventional single-PTO configurations limit conversion of deformation-induced mechanical energy into electrical power. To address this limitation, multiple discrete PTO units are distributed across the body surface to ensure efficient harvesting of available deflections. Due to the reduced hydrostatic restoring stiffness inherent in the flexible OB design, the optimal PTO damping coefficient for each wave period is moderately higher than that of a rigid OB.</p>

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Wave Energy Extraction from a Floating Flexible Spindle-Shaped Wave Energy Converter

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年1月7日

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  • Yong Cheng,
  • Yi-nong Hu,
  • Wei-ming Du

摘要

The integration of flexible rubber-like materials into wave energy converters (WECs) holds significant potential for advancing commercial-scale wave energy exploitation. This study investigates a flexible spindle-shaped oscillating buoy (OB) moored to the seabed via a hydraulic power take-off (PTO) system. By combining viscous flow theory with the modal expansion method, a hybrid computational fluid dynamics (CFD)-finite element method (FEM) model is developed to simulate interactions among the external wave field, internal pneumatic pressure, and structural response of the flexible WEC. The hybrid CFD–FEM model accurately resolves structural dynamics—including both heave (rigid-body motion) and elastic (non-rigid) deformation modes—while simultaneously capturing wave scattering effects induced by the flexible OB. Compared with rigid counterparts, the flexible OB harvests additional wave power by effectively exploiting generalized deformation modes, enabling hydrodynamic efficiency to exceed 100% within certain wave periods. More importantly, the deformation of the flexible body reduces radiated waves and enables recovery of this energy component through elastic mode activation. However, conventional single-PTO configurations limit conversion of deformation-induced mechanical energy into electrical power. To address this limitation, multiple discrete PTO units are distributed across the body surface to ensure efficient harvesting of available deflections. Due to the reduced hydrostatic restoring stiffness inherent in the flexible OB design, the optimal PTO damping coefficient for each wave period is moderately higher than that of a rigid OB.