Experimental Investigation on the Power Generation Performance of Dielectric Elastomer Wave Power Generator Mounted on a Square Type Floating Body

Abstract

In this paper, a simple buoy was used for the power generation tests with a DE powered by waves in the two-dimensional wave tank and the experimental results were analyzed. This research result shows that the optimization of equipment shape and buoy based on the characteristics of the wave for power generation is very important. The extension and contraction of the DE are determined by the motion characteristics of the Heave of the simple shaped buoy model. Furthermore, in order to have freedom in tuning the motion characteristics of Heave, we found that a device capable of setting the spring characteristics of the DE to the smallest possible size with respect to the size of the floating body is necessary. By well matching these factors, high power generation with high efficiency can be realized in a real sea area.