CASE STUDY
Enhanced VIV Energy Harvesting with OAV Air Bearings and a Smart Damper–Spring System
University of Poitiers researchers integrated OAV Air Bearings with a virtual damper–spring system to improve vortex-induced vibration energy harvesting through frictionless, precisely controlled motion.
CUSTOMER
University of Poitiers
INDUSTRY
Research & Academics
APPLICATION
VIV Energy Harvesting
PRODUCT USED
Air Bearings
BENEFIT
Frictionless Precision Motion
THE CHALLENGE
Efficient energy harvesting from natural fluid flows like wind and marine currents remains difficult. One common effect of fluid motion is vortex-induced vibrations (VIV), which allows these vibrations to turn into usable energy. This case study explores how integrating a virtual damper–spring system paired with OAV Air Bearings enhances VIV energy harvesting by addressing critical challenges such as minimizing energy loss, enhancing adaptability, and increasing long term durability.
Traditional VIV systems rely on physical dampers and springs, which can introduce mechanical losses and provide limited control as flow conditions change. Their fixed mechanical characteristics can restrict the system's ability to operate efficiently across a range of conditions. Mechanical components may also wear over time, creating additional challenges for systems intended for long-term operation.
THE SOLUTION
To overcome these challenges, the research team at the University of Poitiers in France developed a virtual damper–spring system that adjusts damping and stiffness in real time through a software designed to allow for seamless adaptation to changing flow conditions without the need for physical modifications. This system required ultra-precise controls that eliminated friction, enhanced stability, and ensured reliable alignment in harsh environments. OAV Air Bearings are ideally suited for this application, offering advantages that directly addresses the limitations of traditional VIV systems.
By providing frictionless motion, OAV Air Bearings reduced energy loss, enabling quick responsiveness to changes in flow speed and maximizing energy capture. Precision alignment enabled the virtual damper–spring system to operate with high accuracy. Additionally, with no contact or rolling parts, OAV Air Bearings smooth low vibration performance operated with no noise, no wear and tear, and required no maintenance especially for fluid-exposed systems that need durability.
Experiments showed that maintaining stable performance across a range of flow rates significantly increased energy yield. With OAV Air Bearings, the system would benefit from longer life, more reliable alignment, and reduced noise from vibrations. The ability to resist environmental wear (from wind or marine forces, for example) without performance loss gives OAV Air Bearings a clear advantage over traditional bearing solutions in these settings.
Figure 1: Photography of the experimental setup
Figure 2: Graph one shows variations in reduced amplitude (A*10) as a function of reduced velocity (U*) for the three configurations analysed. Graph two shows variations in reduced amplitude (A*10) as a function of reduced velocity (U*) for different values of damping ratios. Graph three shows variations in energy harvesting efficiency (in percent) as a function of the reduced velocity.
THE RESULTS
The experimental study demonstrated that the virtual damper–spring system could actively modify the dynamic response of the VIV energy harvester across varying flow conditions. By adjusting damping and stiffness, the researchers were able to influence vibration amplitude and energy-harvesting efficiency without relying on fixed mechanical damping characteristics.
The OAV Air Bearings provided frictionless linear motion that was needed by the experimental platform, which minimized mechanical losses that otherwise influenced the measured response. This allowed the researchers to evaluate the effects of the virtual damper–spring control strategy under controlled experimental conditions.
Enabled low-friction motion for VIV energy-harvesting experiments
Supported precise control of the virtual damper–spring system
Reduced mechanical losses within the experimental platform
Enabled evaluation across varying flow and damping conditions
The study demonstrates how low-friction precision motion can support advanced experimental platforms designed to investigate and optimize VIV-based energy-harvesting technologies.
REFERENCES
Schmider, A., Kerhervé, F., Spohn, A., & Cordier, L. (2024). Improved VIV energy harvesting with a virtual damper–spring system. Ocean Engineering, 293, 116668. DOI: 10.1016/j.oceaneng.2024.116668