Modelling and Simulation of the Power Take-Off System for a Hinge-BargeWave-Energy Converter

The McCabe Wave Pump (MWP) has possibilities for the conversion of wave energy into electrical energy and the production of potable water. However, in order to optimise the dynamics and operation of this device in the face of a wide variety of sea conditions, a number of important control issues must be addressed. The first step, which is addressed in this paper, is the production of a dynamical model of the MWP, which can provide a basis for both control design and simulation. Since the power take-off (PTO) system provides the main damping in the system, the paper places particular emphasis on the PTO model and how it couples to the main rig dynamics. The control problem formulation is also briefly addressed.