Fusion 360 OWC CAD Model - 23/04/2026 10:10 EDT

I need a clean, well-organised Fusion 360 file that depicts an Oscillating Water Column (OWC) device in a way that engineers can immediately recognise and discuss. For this first phase I only require a visually accurate representation, yet it must still obey basic physics and align with published OWC literature so later optimisation studies can build on the same file.

The model should show the overall geometry and relationships between the essential subsystems:

• Air chamber
• Turbine (generic runner is fine)
• Water column and surrounding intake structure

Moderate detail is ideal—enough to illustrate key internal volumes, clearances and material thicknesses without getting lost in fasteners or manufacturing minutiae. If you already have a library of standard parts, feel free to place simplified versions to suggest shafts, bearings or duct transitions.

Please keep joint origins named, bodies grouped logically and parameters exposed so I can tweak dimensions in follow-up iterations. A short text note explaining any key assumptions (wave height, chamber pressure range, etc.) will help ensure the model remains “physically reasonable” for future CFD and structural runs.

Data and Assumptions:

1. Design Basis (Peru Conditions)
Use this as your reference environment:
• Wave energy flux: 35–45 kW/m
• Significant wave height (Hs): 1.5 – 2.5 m
• Wave period (T): 8 – 12 s
• Water depth (nearshore deployment): 10 – 25 m
Assume: Mean design wave: Hs = 2.0 m, T = 10 s

2. OWC Chamber Geometry (Core Structure)
Recommended baseline dimensions:
• Chamber width (front opening): 8 m
• Chamber depth (into structure): 10 m
• Total chamber height: 14 m
Breakdown:
• Submerged section: 6 m
• Freeboard (above sea level): 8 m

3. Water Column Behavior Assumption
Assume:
• Oscillation amplitude: ±1.0 m inside chamber
• Effective water column cross-section:
→ 8 m × 10 m = 80 m²
Air displacement per cycle:
ΔV ≈ Area × displacement
ΔV ≈ 80 × 1.0 = 80 m³ per half-cycle
So: ~160 m³ per full cycle (compression + decompression)

4. Air Chamber (Above Water)
• Height: 6 m
• Volume: ~ 480 m³
This acts as:
Primary compression zone before storage.

5. Air Pressure Storage System (Your Innovation)
This is critical.
Recommended baseline:
• Storage type: Cylindrical tank (or modular tanks)
Dimensions:
Option A (single tank): • Diameter: 3 m
• Length: 10 m
→ Volume ≈ 70 m³
Option B (recommended – modular):
• 3 tanks × 25 m³ each
→ Total ≈ 75 m³

Operating assumption:
• Pressure range: 1.1 – 1.5 bar (low-pressure system)
• Function:
• Smooth airflow
• Reduce oscillation peaks
• Provide quasi-continuous turbine input

6. Air Duct System
• Main duct diameter: 1.2 – 1.5 m
• Secondary ducts (to storage): 0.6 – 0.8 m
Material: Steel (corrosion-protected)

7. Turbine System
Use:
• Wells turbine (standard OWC choice)
Assumptions:
• Rated airflow: ~ 20–40 m³/s
• Rotational speed: 1000–1500 rpm

Turbine housing:
• Diameter: 2 – 3 m

8. Power Output (Single Module Estimate)

Step 1: Available wave power
Wave front = 8 m
Power density = 40 kW/m
→ Input power ≈ 320 kW

Step 2: System efficiency assumptions
• Hydrodynamic efficiency: 60%
• Air/turbine efficiency: 65%
• Electrical efficiency: 90%
Total:
0.60 × 0.65 × 0.90 ≈ 35%

Step 3: Output
320 kW × 0.35 ≈ 110 kW per module

9. Capacity Factor Assumption
Wave energy is relatively stable:
• CF: 40% – 55%
Use:
Baseline CF = 45%

Annual energy:
110 kW × 0.45 × 8760 ≈
≈ 430 MWh/year per module

10. Structural Assumptions
• Material: Reinforced concrete
• Wall thickness: 0.5 – 1.0 m
• Designed for:
Wave impact loads
Corrosion
Fatigue

11. Grid Integration
Assume:
• Nearshore location
• Distance to grid: < 5 km
• Medium voltage export

12. Key Engineering Assumptions Summary
• Linear wave theory (early stage)
• No extreme storm optimization yet
• No CFD optimization yet
• Air treated as compressible (low pressure)
• No thermal losses modeled

"Use these dimensions as baseline parameters but keep the model fully parametric for future optimization and scaling."

Core Deliverables (Mandatory)

1. Native CAD File
From Autodesk Fusion 360
Format: • .f3d or .f3z
Must include:
• Fully parametric model
• Named components (not “Body1, Body2”)
• Editable parameters (dimensions, volumes, etc.)

2. Neutral CAD File (for compatibility)
Format: • .STEP (.step or .stp)
Why:
Allows use in: • ANSYS
• SolidWorks
• CFD tools

3. High-Resolution Renders
Format: • PNG (3000px+)
Required views:
• Full system perspective
• Cutaway / section view
• Exploded view
• Close-up of turbine + storage system

4. Component Breakdown Document (PDF)
Simple but powerful.
Should include:
• List of components
• Materials
• Function of each part

5. Key Dimensions Sheet
Table with:
• Chamber size
• Tank volume
• Duct diameters
• Turbine housing

**(Optional but VERY valuable)**

Basic Animation
Short (10–20 sec):
• Water oscillation
• Air compression
• Flow to turbine

Simulation-Ready Version
Model prepared for:
• CFD (airflow)
• Structural analysis