Abstract

A wave-driven sea-water pump which operates by resonance is described. Oscillations in the resonant and exhaust ducts perform similar to two mass-spring systems coupled by a third spring acting for the compression chamber. Performance of the pump is optimized by means of a variable volume air compression chamber (patents pending) which tunes the system to the incoming wave frequency. Wave tank experiments with an instrumented, 1:20-scale model of the pump are described. Performance was studied under various wave and tuning conditions and compared to a numerical model which was found to describe the system accurately. Successful sea trials at an energetic coastline provide evidence of the system’s viability under demanding conditions.

Issue Section:
Research Papers
Topics:
Pumps, Resonance, Seawater, Waves, Compression, Springs, Computer simulation, Ducts, Exhaust systems, Oscillations, Patents, Seas, Shorelines, Wave frequency
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