College - Author 1
College of Engineering
Department - Author 1
Electrical Engineering Department
Degree Name - Author 1
BS in Electrical Engineering
College - Author 2
College of Engineering
Department - Author 2
Electrical Engineering Department
Degree - Author 2
BS in Electrical Engineering
College - Author 3
College of Engineering
Department - Author 3
Electrical Engineering Department
Degree - Author 3
BS in Electrical Engineering
College - Author 4
College of Engineering
Department - Author 4
Electrical Engineering Department
Degree - Author 4
BS in Electrical Engineering
Date
6-2025
Primary Advisor
Steve Dunton, College of Engineering, Electrical Engineering Department
Abstract/Summary
Point Absorber Wave Energy Converters are currently being explored as a new form of energy harvesting. The Naval Facilities' Expeditionary Ocean Warfare Center (NAVFAC EXWC) has commissioned an interdisciplinary project for students at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, to design a prototype Expeditionary Ocean Power Generator (ExOPG) for charging batteries in the ocean.
The Mechanical Engineering team is responsible for assembling the prototype chassis, which converts the vertical bobbing motion of a buoy into kinetic rotational energy that can be used to rotate a generator shaft. They are additionally tasked with isolating the electrical components from the harsh ocean environment. The Electrical Engineering team is responsible for designing a battery charging system that takes rotational energy from the mechanical subsystem and safely and efficiently converts it to electrical potential energy, which is then used to charge an onboard payload battery.
The system was tested in a near-shore environment in Morro Bay, California. While each system functioned successfully independently during bench tests, and all components from each team survived the harsh saltwater environment, the prototype system did not significantly charge the battery in the ocean. Key factors were identified that caused the system to fail both teams, and with minimal design changes, the entire system can be tested in the future with more promising results.
URL: https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/eesp/680