Putting the Squeeze on Wave Power

Technocrat

Putting the Squeeze on Wave Power

zogger

Thu Jul 03 22:39:00 -0700 2008

Science

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There's a new design for a wave powered generator. The inventors call it the Anaconda because it is roughly a big water snake shaped flexible tube with a turbine at one end. Ocean waves passing by put pressure on the tube, and it forms a bulge, as it is passed down the length of the tube, eventually at the end the pressure behind the traveling bulge surges, and it encounters the turbine. A more detailed explanation here, Anaconda bulge wave turbine system

Because it is made of rubber, the Anaconda is much lighter than other wave energy devices (which are primarily made of metal) and dispenses with the need for hydraulic rams, hinges and articulated joints. This reduces capital and maintenance costs and scope for breakdowns.ed.z.: seems like the big challenge there would be how many compress/decompress cycles the rubber tube could go through before it fell apart or sprung a leak.

Putting the Squeeze on Wave Power

President4242

Mon Jul 07 11:46:01 -0700 2008
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A minor leak wouldn't matter in such a system- just another place for water to ENTER into the system.

I still like the vertical wave powered generators better- no need for a turbine and the mechanism is just simpler. And there is *no* reason why you couldn't build it out of plastic or rubber casing.