In addition to a scale model device, a WEHD test-bed apparatus has been developed, consisting of a
comprehensive range of sensors interfaced to a PC and software for automated data logging (Fig. 7). This
instrumentation enables automatic recording throughout wave tank experiments of wave motion, buoy
motion, drive shaft speed, flywheel and alternator shaft speed, and the electrical current and voltage output
by the device. Additionally, two temperature sensors are mounted on the alternator to check for
overheating. All sensors are input to specially designed software which automatically stores and timestamps
the data as well as plotting data as a series of graphs. This comprehensive instrumentation test bed
enables a large number of experiments to be attempted to discover optimal values of key parameters such
as gear ratio, flywheel inertia, resistive load, and buoy geometry, in various wave conditions.