How does Oyster work? The simple interpretation of Oyster mathematics

Oyster®  is a surface-piercing flap-type device designed to harvest wave energy in the nearshore environment. Established mathematical theories of wave energy conversion, such as 3D point-absorber and 2D terminator theory, are inadequate to accurately describe the behaviour of Oyster, historically r...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:European journal of mechanics, B, Fluids B, Fluids, 2014-09, Vol.47 (47), p.124-131
Main Authors: Renzi, E., Doherty, K., Henry, A., Dias, F.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Applied mathematics
Applied sciences
Devices
Energy
Energy of waters: ocean thermal energy, wave and tidal energy, etc
Exact sciences and technology
Fluid–structure interactions
Harnesses
Horizontal
Laws
Mathematical models
Natural energy
Ocean bottom
Oyster
Oysters
Three dimensional
Wave energy
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Summary:Oyster®  is a surface-piercing flap-type device designed to harvest wave energy in the nearshore environment. Established mathematical theories of wave energy conversion, such as 3D point-absorber and 2D terminator theory, are inadequate to accurately describe the behaviour of Oyster, historically resulting in distorted conclusions regarding the potential of such a concept to harness the power of ocean waves. Accurately reproducing the dynamics of Oyster requires the introduction of a new reference mathematical model, the “flap-type absorber”. A flap-type absorber is a large thin device which extracts energy by pitching about a horizontal axis parallel to the ocean bottom. This paper unravels the mathematics of Oyster as a flap-type absorber. The main goals of this work are to provide a simple–yet accurate–physical interpretation of the laws governing the mechanism of wave power absorption by Oyster and to emphasise why some other, more established, mathematical theories cannot be expected to accurately describe its behaviour.
ISSN:0997-7546
1873-7390
DOI:10.1016/j.euromechflu.2014.03.007