ABSTRACT
Thus to achieve these requirements the WECPTO mechanism interface should be analyzed in detail. The function of the interface is to convert the oscillatory wave energy extracted with the WEC device (e.g. float, flap, column of water) into a useful form of forces and movements to be used by the PTO. This connecting ‘linkage’ may be formed by ramrods, cables, struts, hoses or columns of air (Salter et al. 2002). The mechanism interface can influence, for example, the force on the hydraulic cylinder and the number of these actuators. A preliminary study (Calvário et al. 2015) shows that in certain conditions, there are significant differences on the averaged harvested power with three different mechanism concepts.
