About the project
As part of my first experience in a research group (GIMAP),
I took the opportunity to work on an ongoing investigation line
with focus on energy harvesting from ocean waves. The object is to explore the idea of energy harvesting devices based on rotary dynamics of pendulum systems.
These devices take advantage of wave motion by using it as excitation to achieve a rotary motion of a parametric pendulum system. A pendulum with multiple
concentric masses is considered in the design, allowing the tuning of the natural frequency of the system for an enhanced versatility.
The concept consists of a pendulum, with a supporting structure fixed to a source of motion. If a stable rotation of the pendulum can be achieved, part of the
kinetic energy can be converted into electrical energy by a generator attached to the pendulum axis. As a first approach, the motion of the horse head from a
pump jack unit was used as input motion, due to the nonlinearity and simplicity of its mechanism to be later reproduced in a laboratory environment.