To obtain a deeper understanding of the dynamic response of the flexible tube wave energy converter (WEC) in a realistic ocean environment, a coupled numerical analysis tool based on computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and finite element analysis (FEA) methods was established. This tool performs fluid-structure interaction (FSI) simulations for a typical flexible tube WEC, known as the S3.
With this tool, the FSI responses of the S3 WEC with mooring lines under regular waves can be captured. The motion of the tube, pressure field, generated power, structure deformation, and stress distribution are fully examined to explore the complex dynamic responses of the device.
Fig. 1 Wave-flexible tube interaction
Fig. 2 Velocity distribution inside the flexible tube