Abstract
The results from a model test of a wave energy converter of the articulated body type are presented and compared with the analytical results from a linear frequency domain analysis. The focus is on the rotational response of the arm connecting the bodies, since this is the motion used for energy extraction. Using a servo motor with programmable torque vs. angular velocity characteristics constant, linear and quadratic relationships could be modeled in the test. The comparison with the numerical model shows that the presence of walls in the test tank influences the response, thus some uncertainty in the results is found. Still, the capture width is found to be above 60% of the width of the device for the most common waves. For long and large waves the efficiency is very low, which means that the PTO system is not overloaded in storm conditions. Comparison of the response with different characteristics of the PTO show that a quadratic relation gives an effective energy capture over a wide range of sea states with no tuning of parameters.