Design and verification of a “Fixed-Point” spar buoy scale model for a “Lab on Sea” unit

The present work is a part of a larger project relative to design of an instrumented spar buoy within the multi-purpose “Lab on Sea” unit equipped with an energy harvesting system for use in marine applications. Such a system will be based on deformable bands integral to the unit to convert the wave motion energy into electricity through piezo patch transducers. In this paper, a “fixed-point” spar buoy scale model suitable for tests in a controlled ripples-type wave motion channel was designed, built and tested. The purpose of this model is to verify that it remains fixed maximizing, then, the displacement of the bands under wave motion. To evaluate its response, the buoy scale model was equipped with a measuring device consisting of a MEMS accelerometer and a gyroscope. Results of acquisitions from on-board sensors revealed a very low susceptibility of the buoy scale model to the wave motion imposed.