Study on a Flapping Wing Hydroelectric Power Generation System

Abstract

In this paper, a hydroelectric power generation system able to extract the water flow energy from the hydroelastic response of an elastically supported rectangular wing is experimentally investigated. Except for a vertical wing, supported in the manner of a cantilever, the generator has no other parts submerged in water. An electric motor is used to excite pitching oscillations of the wing. Both the wing and the electric motor are supported by leaf springs which are designed to work both as a linear guide for the sway oscillations and as elastic elements. The wing mass in sway direction necessary to achieve a hydroelastic response is obtained by using a mechanical snubber mechanism. The appropriate load to generate electricity is provided by magnetic dampers. By employing the linear potential hydrodynamic theory, a theoretical analysis was performed to model the water channel tests on the power generation system and to determine its structural and hydrodynamic features. Tests revealed that the proposed power generation system is feasible and able to work with an efficiency of 32-37%.