Design Feasibility of a Vortex Induced Vibration Based Hydro-Kinetic Energy Harvesting System

Abstract

The vortex induced vibration (VIV) based power generating system discussed in this paper is a new concept in power generation from fluid flows in oceans, rivers and streams. The possibility of harnessing energy from the vibrations incurred in a bluff body due to the phenomenon known as VIV, in which motion is induced on a body facing an external flow due to the periodic irregularities in the flow caused by boundary layer separation is explored. The VIV system is based on the idea of maximizing rather than spoiling vortex shedding and exploiting rather than suppressing VIV. The vibrating bodies are in turn used to harness energy using an efficient power-take-off system. The study of fluid dynamics, along with maintaining vortex shedding over the synchronization range, plays an important role in the design of such a system. Apart from this, the main challenge in the design of a VIV generator is introducing optimal damping and low mass ratios for high energy conversion and an efficient power take- off mechanism. This work presents a scoping study of such a device. In contrast to previous work on forced vibrations, the present study focuses on free vibrations that arise due to the shedding of vortices from a cylinder. The working and design considerations of the energy converter is outlined starting with a set of basic definitions pertaining to this technology.

Meeting Name

IEEE Green Technologies Conference (2011: Apr. 14-15, Baton Rouge, LA)

Department(s)

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Second Department

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Keywords and Phrases

Bluff Body; Boundary-Layer Separation; Design Considerations; Design Feasibility; Efficient Power; Energy Converters; Energy Harvesting Systems; External Flow; Fluid Flow; Forced Vibration; Free Vibration; Low Mass; Optimal Damping; Power Generating Systems; Scoping; Vibrating Bodies; Vortex Induced Vibration; Boundary Layers; Design; Energy Conversion; Energy Harvesting; High Energy Physics; Power Takeoffs; Takeoff; Technology; Vibrations (Mechanical); Vortex Shedding; Vortex Flow

International Standard Book Number (ISBN)

978-1612847146; 978-1612847139

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

2166-546X; 2166-5478

Document Type

Article - Conference proceedings

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2011 Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), All rights reserved.

Publication Date

01 Apr 2011

Link to Full Text

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