Experimental study on a cascade flapping wing hydroelectric power generator

Hisanori Abiru, Akira Yoshitake

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

3 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

In this paper, a hydroelectric power generator that can extract the water flow energy from the hydroelastic response of an elastically supported rectangular wing is experimentally investigated. An electric motor is used to excite pitching oscillations of the wing. The wing and the electric motor are supported by leaf springs that are designed to function both as a linear guide for the sway oscillations and as elastic elements. The wing mass in the sway direction necessary to achieve a hydroelastic response is obtained by utilizing a mechanical snubber mechanism. The load to generate electricity is provided equivalently by magnetic dampers. In a previous paper(1), the power generation rate and the efficiency of a single-wing model were examined through experiments, and the feasibility of a flapping wing hydroelectric power generator was verified. In this paper, the influence of neighboring wings is examined by using two experimental apparatuses with the intention of achieving a practical cascade-wing generator. Tests showed that a cascade moving in-phase with neighboring wings with smaller gaps between the wings has a higher rate of electric power generation.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationASME 2011 Power Conference Collocated with JSME ICOPE 2011, POWER 2011
PublisherAmerican Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
Pages537-543
Number of pages7
Edition1
ISBN (Print)9780791844601
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2011
EventASME 2011 Power Conference, POWER 2011 Collocated with JSME ICOPE 2011 - Denver, CO, United States
Duration: Jul 12 2011Jul 14 2011

Publication series

NameAmerican Society of Mechanical Engineers, Power Division (Publication) POWER
Number1
Volume2

Conference

ConferenceASME 2011 Power Conference, POWER 2011 Collocated with JSME ICOPE 2011
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityDenver, CO
Period7/12/117/14/11

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Energy Engineering and Power Technology

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