Potential well hopping and performance of ocean energy harvesters

This paper examines a gimballed horizontal pendulum and studies how it can be used to harvest energy from ocean waves. The system's behavior is analyzed under both static and dynamic scenarios. Threshold escape behavior for parametrically excited systems with a time dependent term in the potential energy function is discussed and a criterion is proposed for predicting escape events. Performance metrics are identified to quantify and compare different responses. Numerical and experimental studies are conducted showing how the system can be designed for enhanced performance by altering geometric parameters to suit various excitations. The system's response to both deterministic single frequency and stochastic multi-frequency excitations is investigated. Design implications are discussed.

Duke Scholars

Author Brian Mann Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materia ...