Test Rig Adaptation for the Investigation of Bearings in Wave Energy Converters

Abstract: Wave ocean energy is a source of renewable energy which is gaining interest in the modern world. In contrast to other well-researched renewable energy sources such as wind energy, wave ocean energy is under the development phase. Governments around the world are encouraging the research of harnessing wave energy. As of now, there are different concepts to harness energy from waves. Tribological components are one of the main aspects that need attention in these wave energy converters. The moving components such as bearings can be the life-determining component of the entire device. This thesis provides conceptual solutions to adapt an existing start-stop bearing test rig to the conditions of wave energy converters. The test rig can test different bearing sused in the wave energy converters. The new design intends to provide scaled wave energy conditions. These conditions are mainly influenced by the oscillating movement of the bearings, the complex load condition and the salty environment. Since the testing of bearings in wave energy converters is in the initial stage, modular designs are implemented to test different types of bearings.