Tristan Meuschel
Research Mentor: Michael Bernitsas
Mentor Department: Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering, Engineering
Author(s): Not Available
Session: Session 4 (1:00 PM – 1:50 PM)
Presentation Type: Poster 80
Abstract
The VIVACE Converter Project group has been working on developing a hydrodynamic power producing device through transferring turbulence (phenomenon known as VIVACE) into electricity through the feedback of a generator. The problem with the project is the chaotic nature of turbulence and its resulting power output in the generator. Therefore to better predict and use the system, the project group has been modeling the output of the system through fluid dynamic software to see how the system behaves over time. It was found that with higher fluid flow rates, two phenomena produce forces on the body that help with producing power: as said before VIVACE helps produce an oscillatory response to the body at lower flow rates, and galloping which produces a linear response to the body at higher flow rates. Although VIVACE helps induce power, due to the resistance of the generator (and other factors) the VIVACE converter may not operate under optimal conditions to produce max power; therefore the project group also worked on a Power Take Off System which takes the dynamic system and reduces/increases the resistance the generator to meet max power output conditions. The project group had developed models to help show a proof of concept of the system. Therefore, the project team is currently finding results needed to help induce known hydrodynamic phenomena (primarily VIVACE) to help design a power producing technology.
