4.20. WaveTank

The WaveTank glue-code is an experimental code for coupling hardware-in-the-loop MHK models in a wavetank to software simulating the MHK turbine loads that cannot be physically modeled in the wave tank. The OpenFAST modules SeaState, AeroDyn, MoorDyn, and InflowWind are statically linked into a single dynamic library (cmake target wavetanktesting_c_binding) with a c-binding based interface. This library can be called from LabView or another code.

Inputs to the library include the time and motions, including the velocities and accelerations, located at a single reference poitn at each time step. The resulting forces and moments are returned to the calling code.

4.20.1. Restrictions

The current setup WaveTank library has several restrictions:

  • rigid structure including platform, tower, and nacelle

  • no yaw DOF

  • rigid rotor

  • constant rotor RPM for entire simulation

  • no option for controller interfacing at present

  • visualization limitted to AeroDyn and SeaState

  • Current implementation only supports floating MHK turbines (MHK = 2). Other modes are present but not fully implemented.