Marine turbines--Mathematical models

This thesis explores an approach for the measurement of the quality of power
generated by the Center of Ocean and Energy Technology's prototype ocean turbine. The
work includes the development of a system that measures the current and voltage
waveforms for all three phases of power created by the induction generator and quantifies
power variations and events that occur within the system. These so called "power quality
indices" are discussed in detail including the definition of each and how they are
calculated using LabYiew. The results of various tests demonstrate that this system is
accurate and may be implemented in the ocean turbine system to measure the quality of
power produced by the turbine. The work then explores a dynamic model of the ocean
turbine system that can be used to simulate the response of the turbine to varying
conditions.

The "C-Plane" is a submerged ocean current turbine that uses sustained ocean currents to produce electricity. This turbine is moored to the sea floor and is capable of changing depth, as the current profile changes, to optimize energy production. A 1/30th scale physical prototype of the C-Plane is being developed and the analysis and control of this prototype is the focus of this work. A mathematical model and dynamic simulation of the 1/30th scale C-Plane prototype is created to analyze this vehicle's performance, and aid in the creation of control systems. The control systems that are created for this prototype each use three modes of operation and are the Mixed PID/Bang Bang, Mixed LQR/PID/Bang Bang, and Mixed LQG/PID/Bang Bang control systems. Each of these controllers is tested using the dynamic simulation and Mixed PID/Bang Bang controller proves to be the most efficient and robust controller during these tests.