Dynamic system design optimization of wave energy converters utilizing direct transcription

Abstract

Dynamics are playing an increasingly important role in many engineering domains as these systems become more active and autonomous. Designing a dynamic engineering system can be challenging. In this thesis, both the problem formulation and solution methods will be discussed for designing a dynamic engineering system. A case is made for the inclusion of both the physical and control system design into a single design formulation. A particular class of numerical methods known as direct transcription is identified as promising solution method. These principles are then demonstrated on the design of a wave energy converter, a device that captures energy present in ocean waves. This system is of particular interest since a successful design hinges on exploiting the natural dynamics of the interaction between the ocean waves and the physical wave energy converter. A number of numerical studies are presented that identify both novel and previously observed strategies for the maximizing energy production of a ocean wave energy converter.