Abstract
This research aims to apply combined wave and tidal current loads to a small-scale floating marine current turbine in a wave tank, where an actuation system applies hydrodynamic and mooring forces on the floating platform based on results from a simulation. We use a real-time hybrid model test setup with physical wave forcing from the wave tank and simulated current and mooring forces implemented through a tensioned cable array. For this paper, we developed an optimization algorithm that adjusts the geometry of the cable array to achieve more efficient tension allocation across the cables for the loads that need to be actuated. By adjusting the points where the cables are attached to the floating platform and the angles between the platform and the winches, an optimal cable geometry can be found to minimize tension variations in the lines, maintain the desired pretension, and prevent excessive tensions. We present the optimization problem formulation, the actuation system evaluation approach, and optimization results that show effective cable actuation setups that are being considered for implementation in the wave tank tests.
The presentation for this paper at UMERC+ METS 2024 can be found here.