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The reactive Power Take Off (PTO) force is the key to maximizing mechanical power absorption and electric power generation of Wave Energy Converters (WECs) from ocean waves of variable frequencies and amplitudes, but its study is limited due to its difficulty in physical realization. This paper presents a simple yet effective RLC-tuned WEC that generates a tunable reactive PTO force from tunable resistor R, inductor L and capacitor C in the WEC. A complete closed loop system model of the WEC is derived first, then five quantitative rules are obtained from analyzing the model. These rules are used to tune the RLC network and hence the reactive PTO force for the WEC to resonate with the regular wave input force and generate maximal electric power over a range of wave frequencies, or to significantly enhance electric power generation from irregular wave input force. Mathematical analysis of the WEC and tuning rules reveals the analytical and quantitative descriptions of mechanical power absorption, active and reactive electric power generation and power factor, optimal electric load R, and generator and LC capacity requirements of the WEC. Simulation studies verify the analysis results and show the effectiveness and advantages of the proposed WEC and its robustness to imprecise estimate of wave frequency.
Zhang et al. (Mon,) studied this question.