Modeling and Simulation of a Wave Energy Converter: Multibody System Coupled to Fluid-Film Lubrication Model and Thermal Analysis

Sea wave energy is being increasingly regarded as one of the most promising sources renewable energy. This paper deals with modeling and simulation an onshore converter system designed by UMBRA GROUP SpA. Several topics are addressed. Starting from multibody strategy, this delves more deeply into mechanical efficiency evaluation ball-screw in elastohydrodynamic lubrication regime, core conversion process, well thermal characterization power take-off module, based on lumped-parameter finite element method models. High values indirect have been observed, ranging 73% to 97%; these results appear even encouraging when compared performance alternative energy-consuming technologies. Thermal analysis, other hand, provided a maximum temperature increase 40 °C, allowing for aversion any structural collapse realistic identification which turned out be mostly mixed. Finally, inverse dynamic analysis performed, interesting collected prove effectiveness proposed approach.