Abstract
A concept for wave energy conversion is being developed at the Swedish Center for Renewable Electric Energy Conversion at the Ångström Laboratory at Uppsala University, Sweden.
This paper presents the results of offshore measurements where strain gauge sensors instrumented on the capsule of the WEC and a force transducer measuring line force from the floating buoy were used. A method for measurement and evaluation of the lateral force on the guiding system was developed. The experimental data allow us to define the inclination and azimuth angle between the generator and the floating buoy. The inclination angle is one of the key parameters for the design and the construction of the outer structure. It can be assumed that the inclination angle between the linear generator and the buoy with the stretched connection line did not exceed 8° at a sea state of 1.32 m waves. Snatch load between the buoy and the generator occur. This was obtained by a sudden jump of the inclination angle between the generator and the floating buoy. Moreover, the inclination and azimuth angle allow reproduction of the position of the floating buoy on the water surface.