Modeling and Analysis of a Circular Wave Energy Conversion System

A circular wave energy converter (WEC) is put forward to solve the cable loosing problem of the non-circular structure WEC model. The circular device mainly consists of a double acting ratchet, cable, a driving wheel, four fixed pulleys, a counterweight, a gear box and a generator. In this modified model, the weight of counterweight is smaller than that of the float. The model can obtain a bigger maximum and average driving torque when the float rises, so that the utilization rate of wave energy is improved. Moreover, the influence of the float shape is also discussed.