238 



Lockheed has built and tested a model to demonstrate proof of the concept. 

 We regard it as a nominal 1/100 scale model (Fig. 10). You can sec the vane 

 structure at the top which guides the waves into the central core; the central 

 core and turbine are also visible through the plexiglas shell. 



The test model was built as a proof-of-concept demonstration. Each com- 

 ponent had not been analytically optimized, but the model tests demonstrated 

 very encouraging qualitative results. 



The 1/100 scale model demonstrates the energy concentration by refraction 

 very vividly. The inlet guide vanes were configured to provide an omnidirec- 

 tional capability with respect to the relative orientation between the unit 

 and the approaching wave. 



The fluid flywheel, which Is to stabilize the impulsive incoming wave 

 power at the top opening of the flywheel to a quasi-steady rotational motion at 

 the lower end of the fluid flywheel, was well demonstrated. Though the wave 

 power at the flywheel inlet was impulsive regardless of regular or irregular 

 waves, the turbine rotation was fairly uniform. 



The power output efficiency of the 1/100 model test was low. Tests were 

 conducted at the Lockheed Oceanographic Laboratory in a 320 ft. long wave tank. 

 Wave frequency and amplitude were varied over a wide range. The unit, which 

 was designed as only a proof-of-concept system, performed for all input waves 

 but highlighted the need for component and system optimization. Figure 11 

 shows the variation in efficiency with wave period. The peak efficiency corre- 

 lates well with the design wave period. It is expected that design refinements 



Fig. 10 Scale Model 



