A reduced (1/10) scale model was developed
in order to verify the theoretical predictions, and it
has been tested in an engineering pool of dimensions
24x16x3 m3 with a 10 m shaft, by applying
to it several types of swells and currents, either mono
chromatic or random swells, up to 5m real scale. Results
of these tests have fully confirmed the theoretical predictions
that were previously carried out, in terms of horizontal
and vertical displacements (the latter are extremely
low), as well as in terms of angular deviations from
the vertical. For instance, the mean tilt of the buoy
is approximately 4o (with about ±4o of
pitching), for a 4.6m swell of period 5.2s, i.e., at
the limit before breaking occurs.
These tests have also confirmed that no hidden defect,
hardly discernible via calculations only, was compromising
the feasibility of the system. They also shown a significant
sensitivity to currents, which are however low on the
deployment site. The tests were fully conclusive and
led to the construction of the first beta version of
the buoy, in aluminum.
Look here at a sample film of the test
The 1/10 scale reduced model of he buoy
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