A floating platform suitable for deep offshore wind turbines

Abstract

The application discloses a floating platform suitable for a deep-sea wind power generator, which comprises a floating platform body in a triangular columnar structure, a support base for installing a wind power generator set is arranged on the top surface of two corners of the floating platform body, a single-point mooring assembly is connected to the bottom surface or the side wall of the remaining corner, and the single-point mooring assembly is single-point connected with the floating platform body to realize passive yaw of the floating platform body. The floating platform suitable for the deep-sea wind power generator aims at solving the problems of large weight, complicated control and high cost of a traditional wind power yaw system by using passive yaw realized by single-point mooring.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a floating platform for offshore wind power generation, and more specifically to a floating platform suitable for deep-sea wind turbines. Background Technology

[0002] Large-scale development of offshore wind power is an inevitable trend in the development and utilization of new energy sources. my country's total offshore wind energy reserves exceed 2000GW, with deep-sea wind energy reserves accounting for over 60%, indicating enormous potential for deep-sea wind power development. Compared to stationary wind power, floating offshore wind power has advantages such as a wider range of applicable sea areas and fewer restrictions on seabed geological conditions. It also boasts a significant cost advantage, particularly in deep-sea areas, making floating offshore wind power the preferred technology for deep-sea wind power development. Given the significant trend of deep-sea and large-scale offshore wind power development in my country, actively exploring new floating offshore wind power technologies with capacities of tens of megawatts is of great significance in seizing the forefront of future wind power technology. Currently, floating platforms suitable for deep-sea wind turbines are generally equipped with active yaw mechanisms. However, due to the large weight of floating platforms for deep-sea wind turbines, large-capacity yaw mechanisms are required, leading to problems such as large size and weight of the yaw system and large yaw load. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The technical problem to be solved by this invention is to provide a floating platform suitable for deep-sea wind turbines, addressing the aforementioned problems of existing technologies. This invention aims to solve the problems of large weight, complex control, and high cost of traditional wind power generation yaw systems by using passive yaw achieved through single-point mooring.

[0004] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows:

[0005] A floating platform suitable for deep-sea wind turbines includes a floating platform body with a triangular columnar structure. Support bases for installing wind turbine generators are provided on the top surfaces of two of the three corners of the floating platform body. A single-point mooring assembly is connected to the bottom surface or side wall of the remaining corner. The single-point mooring assembly is connected to the floating platform body at a single point to achieve passive yaw of the floating platform body.

[0006] Optionally, the floating platform body includes an upper structure and a lower structure, both of which are triangular in structure and arranged in parallel. Each pair of corners of the upper and lower structures is connected by a cylindrical connecting rod arranged in the vertical direction. The upper structure, the lower structure, and the cylindrical connecting rods are all hollow structures. Two of the three cylindrical connecting rods have support bases for installing wind turbine generators on their top surfaces, and the remaining cylindrical connecting rod has a single-point mooring assembly connected to its bottom surface or side wall.

[0007] Optionally, the bottom of the two cylindrical connecting rods with the support base is provided with anti-sway plates. The anti-sway plates are arranged at an angle relative to the support base and the two anti-sway plates are tilted in opposite directions to achieve balance against wave heave and pitch.

[0008] Optionally, the cross-section of the anti-slip plate is airfoil-shaped.

[0009] Optionally, the upper structure consists of three hollow upper cuboid connecting rods, each upper cuboid connecting rod serving as one side of a triangular structure and connected to a cylindrical connecting rod at each end; the lower structure consists of three hollow lower cuboid connecting rods, each lower cuboid connecting rod serving as one side of a triangular structure and connected to a cylindrical connecting rod at each end.

[0010] Optionally, the single-point mooring assembly includes one or more cables, one end of which is connected to a bearing or ring at the bottom of the same cylindrical connecting rod, and the other end is used to anchor or fix to the bottom of the water to moor the floating platform.

[0011] Optionally, the diameter of the support base is larger than the diameter of the cylindrical connecting rod, and the bottom of the support base is connected to the top of the cylindrical connecting rod through a frustum. The top diameter of the frustum is the same as the diameter of the support base, and the bottom diameter is the same as the diameter of the cylindrical connecting rod.

[0012] Optionally, the support base and the frustum are interconnected hollow cylindrical structures.

[0013] Optionally, on the top surface of two of the three corners of the floating platform body, between two support bases, there is a winching mechanism for pulling the L-shaped support arm installed on the support base to adjust the center of gravity height of the fan installed on the L-shaped support arm. The L-shaped support arm has two lever arms, one long and one short. The middle part of the L-shaped arm is rotatably connected to the support base through a pivot. The longer lever arm of the L-shaped arm is used for the fan, and the shorter lever arm is connected to the traction rope of the winching mechanism.

[0014] Optionally, a counterweight water tank is provided on the shorter lever arm of the L-shaped arm. The counterweight water tank is equipped with an electronic drain valve and a water inlet with a water pump for controlled adjustment of the water volume in the counterweight water tank.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following main advantages:

[0016] 1. This invention includes a floating platform body with a triangular columnar structure. Support bases for mounting wind turbine generators are provided on the top surfaces of two of the three corners of the floating platform body. A single-point mooring assembly is connected to the bottom surface or side wall of the remaining corner. The single-point mooring assembly is connected to the floating platform body at a single point to achieve passive yaw of the floating platform body. Through this arrangement, when the single-point mooring assembly exerts traction on the floating platform body, the triangular columnar floating platform body will passively yaw using the connection point of the single-point mooring assembly as a reference point. This simplifies the active yaw system and solves the problems of large weight, complex control, and high cost of traditional wind power yaw systems.

[0017] 2. The floating platform body of the present invention has a support base for installing wind turbine generators on the top surface of two of the three corners, so that the floating platform body can install two wind power generation units, thereby increasing the power generation capacity of a single floating platform. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the floating platform according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the anti-sway plate layout structure of the floating platform according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Legend: 1. Upper structure; 11. Upper cuboid connecting rod; 12. Hoisting mechanism; 13. Counterweight water tank; 2. Lower structure; 21. Lower cuboid connecting rod; 3. Cylindrical connecting rod; 31. Support base; 32. Frustum; 4. Single-point mooring assembly; 5. Anti-sway plate. Detailed Implementation

[0021] like Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, this embodiment provides a floating platform suitable for deep-sea wind turbines, including a floating platform body with a triangular columnar structure. Support bases 31 for mounting wind turbine generators are provided on the top surfaces of two of the three corners of the floating platform body. A single-point mooring assembly 4 is connected to the bottom surface or side wall of the remaining corner. The single-point mooring assembly 4 is connected to the floating platform body at a single point to achieve passive yaw of the floating platform body. Through this arrangement, when the single-point mooring assembly 4 exerts traction on the floating platform body 1, the triangular columnar floating platform body will passively yaw using the connection point of the single-point mooring assembly as a reference point. This simplifies the active yaw system and solves the problems of large weight, complex control, and high cost of traditional wind power yaw systems. The support bases 31 for mounting wind turbine generators are provided on the top surfaces of two of the three corners of the floating platform body, allowing the floating platform body to install two wind power generating units, effectively increasing the power generation capacity of a single floating platform.

[0022] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the floating platform body of this embodiment includes an upper structure 1 and a lower structure 2, both triangular in structure and arranged in parallel. A cylindrical connecting rod 3, arranged vertically, connects each opposite corner of the upper structure 1 and the lower structure 2. The upper structure 1, lower structure 2, and cylindrical connecting rods 3 are all hollow structures. Two of the three cylindrical connecting rods 3 have support bases 31 on their top surfaces for mounting wind turbine generators. A single-point mooring assembly 4 is connected to the bottom surface or side wall of the remaining cylindrical connecting rod 3. This two-layer triangular floating platform structure solves the problems of difficult transportation and installation, and poor stability of traditional floating platforms. For simplification of the upper structure 1, see [link to documentation]. Figure 1 In this embodiment, the upper structure 1 directly uses the cylindrical connecting rod 3 as its structural component, requiring only three hollow upper cuboid connecting rods 11. This design offers advantages such as simple and lightweight structure. Since both the cylindrical connecting rod 3 and the upper cuboid connecting rod 11 are rod-shaped structures, they are easy to transport and install. Similarly, in this embodiment, the lower structure 2 directly uses the cylindrical connecting rod 3 as its structural component, requiring only three hollow lower cuboid connecting rods 21. This design also offers advantages such as simple and lightweight structure. Furthermore, since the cylindrical connecting rod 3, the upper cuboid connecting rod 11, and the lower cuboid connecting rod 21 are all rod-shaped structures, they are easy to transport and install.

[0023] like Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, in this embodiment, the bottom of the two cylindrical connecting rods 3 with the support base 31 is provided with anti-sway plates 5. The anti-sway plates 5 are arranged at an angle relative to the support base 31 and the two anti-sway plates 5 are tilted in opposite directions to achieve the balance of wave heave and pitch. The anti-sway plates 5 are arranged at an angle along the line connecting the two cylindrical connecting rods 3 and the two anti-sway plates 5 are tilted in opposite directions. The two anti-sway plates 5 are symmetrical about the connection point of the single-point mooring component 4. When impacted by waves, the anti-sway plates 5 with opposite tilt directions will offset the components of the impact force, resulting in better stability. The balance effect of the two anti-sway plates 5 is maximized, thereby effectively suppressing the problems of wave heave and pitch.

[0024] In this embodiment, the cross-section of the anti-sway plate 5 is an airfoil, which is inspired by the blade structure of aircraft and wind turbines. By utilizing the curved surface structure, the impact of sea waves on the anti-sway plate 5 can be effectively dispersed. On the one hand, this can improve the lifespan of the anti-sway plate 5, and on the other hand, it can reduce the impact of sea waves on the floating platform and improve the stability of the floating platform.

[0025] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, in this embodiment, the upper structure 1 is composed of three hollow upper cuboid connecting rods 11, each upper cuboid connecting rod 11 serving as one side of a triangular structure and connected to a cylindrical connecting rod 3 at each end; the lower structure 2 is composed of three hollow lower cuboid connecting rods 21, each lower cuboid connecting rod 21 serving as one side of a triangular structure and connected to a cylindrical connecting rod 3 at each end.

[0026] like Figure 2 As shown, in this embodiment, the single-point mooring assembly 4 includes multiple cables (or one cable). One end of the cable is connected to a bearing or ring at the bottom of the same cylindrical connecting rod 3, and the other end is used to anchor or install it to the bottom of the water to moor the floating platform.

[0027] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, in this embodiment, the diameter of the upper support base 31 is larger than the diameter of the cylindrical connecting rod 3, and the bottom of the support base 31 is connected to the top of the cylindrical connecting rod 3 via a frustum 32. The top diameter of the frustum 32 is the same as the diameter of the support base 31, and the bottom diameter is the same as the diameter of the cylindrical connecting rod 3. Through this structure, when the side of the frustum 32 is impacted by waves, the force will form two components in the planar and longitudinal directions. The horizontal components in different directions can cancel each other out, which helps improve the stability of the floating platform. In this embodiment, the support base 31 and the frustum 32 are interconnected hollow cylindrical structures, which can reduce weight and increase buoyancy.

[0028] like Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, in this embodiment, on the top surface of two of the three corners of the floating platform body, between two support bases 31, there is a winch mechanism 12 for traction of L-shaped support arms (not shown in the figure) installed on the support bases 31 to adjust the center of gravity height of the fan installed on the L-shaped support arms. The L-shaped support arm has two lever arms, one long and one short. The middle part of the L-shaped arm is rotatably connected to the support base 31 through a pivot. The longer lever arm of the L-shaped arm is used for the fan, and the shorter lever arm is connected to the traction rope of the winch mechanism 12. In this embodiment, a counterweight water tank 13 is provided on the shorter lever arm of the L-shaped arm. The counterweight water tank 13 is equipped with an electronic drain valve and a water inlet with a water pump for controlled adjustment of the water capacity in the counterweight water tank 13. The counterweight tank 13 stores seawater, ensuring that the weight of the arm formed by the counterweight arm 2 and the counterweight tank 13 is similar (but not equal) to that of the other arm formed by the unit arm 1 and the end arm where the nacelle and impeller assembly are installed. This reduces the torque difference between the left and right sides and lowers the stress on the L-shaped arm. Furthermore, by fixing the counterweight tank 13 to the end of the counterweight arm 2, the mass distribution of the entire L-shaped arm can be improved by adjusting the seawater volume inside the counterweight tank 13 during lifting and lowering, thus solving the problem of excessive system load and stress on the arm during the lifting and lowering of the L-shaped arm.

[0029] In summary, this embodiment includes an upper and lower structure, both triangular in shape and arranged in parallel. Each pair of opposite corners of the upper and lower structures is connected by a vertically arranged cylindrical connecting rod. This structure forms a double-triangular overall structure, offering advantages such as good structural stability, a longer service life, and the ability to transport individual components separately for later assembly, facilitating transportation and installation. In this embodiment, the upper and lower structures, as well as the cylindrical connecting rods, are all hollow, achieving a lightweight design. This reduces the weight of the structure and allows the floating platform to float without the need for additional buoyancy structures, thus reducing the weight of traditional floating platforms, simplifying structural design, and saving costs. In this embodiment, one of the three cylindrical connecting rods has a single-point mooring assembly at its bottom. Using this single-point mooring assembly to secure the floating platform further simplifies the platform structure. In this embodiment, one of the three cylindrical connecting rods is equipped with a single-point mooring assembly at its bottom, while the other two cylindrical connecting rods are equipped with balance plates at their bottoms. When the single-point mooring assembly receives traction, the balance plates enable balance between the other two cylindrical connecting rods, thereby improving the stability of the floating platform. The upper structure of this embodiment can accommodate two wind power generation units to increase the power generation capacity of a single floating platform. This embodiment, applicable to floating platforms for deep-sea wind turbines, offers advantages such as lightweight design, long lifespan, and low cost. It addresses the problems of existing floating platforms, including large size and weight, high transportation costs, poor stability, and short service life. It is particularly suitable for floating platforms for large-capacity wind turbine generators in deep-sea environments, laying the foundation for the large-scale development of deep-sea wind power resources.

[0030] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The scope of protection of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. All technical solutions falling within the scope of the present invention's concept are within the scope of protection of the present invention. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, any improvements and modifications made without departing from the principles of the present invention should also be considered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A floating platform suitable for deep-sea wind turbines, characterized in that, The system includes a floating platform body with a triangular columnar structure. Support bases (31) for installing wind turbine generators are provided on the top surfaces of two of the three corners of the floating platform body. A single-point mooring assembly (4) is connected to the bottom surface or side wall of the remaining corner. The single-point mooring assembly (4) is connected to the floating platform body at a single point to achieve passive yaw of the floating platform body. The floating platform body includes an upper structure (1) and a lower structure (2), both triangular in structure and arranged in parallel. A cylindrical connecting rod (3) arranged vertically is connected between each pair of corners of the upper structure (1) and the lower structure (2). The upper structure (1), lower structure (2), and cylindrical connecting rod (3) are all hollow structures, and the top surfaces of two of the three cylindrical connecting rods (3) are provided for installing... The support base (31) of the wind turbine generator set has a single-point mooring assembly (4) connected to the bottom or side wall of the remaining cylindrical connecting rod (3). On the top surface of two of the three corners of the floating platform body, between the two support bases (31), there is a winch mechanism (12) for pulling the L-shaped support arm installed on the support base (31) to adjust the height of the wind turbine center of gravity installed on the L-shaped support arm. The L-shaped support arm has two lever arms, one long and one short. The middle part of the L-shaped support arm is rotatably connected to the support base (31) through a rotating shaft. The longer lever arm of the L-shaped support arm is used for the wind turbine, and the shorter lever arm is connected to the traction rope of the winch mechanism (12). The shorter lever arm of the L-shaped support arm is provided with a counterweight water tank (13). The counterweight water tank (13) is provided with an electronic drain valve and a water inlet with a water pump for controlled adjustment of the water capacity in the counterweight water tank (13).

2. The floating platform for deep-sea wind turbines according to claim 1, characterized in that, Two cylindrical connecting rods (3) with a support base (31) are provided with anti-sway plates (5) at their bottoms. The anti-sway plates (5) are arranged at an angle relative to the support base (31) and the two anti-sway plates (5) are in opposite directions to achieve balance against the heave and pitch of the waves.

3. The floating platform for deep-sea wind turbines according to claim 2, characterized in that, The cross-section of the anti-slip plate (5) is airfoil-shaped.

4. The floating platform for deep-sea wind turbines according to claim 1, characterized in that, The upper structure (1) is composed of three hollow upper cuboid connecting rods (11), each upper cuboid connecting rod (11) serving as a side of a triangular structure and connected to a cylindrical connecting rod (3) at each end; the lower structure (2) is composed of three hollow lower cuboid connecting rods (21), each lower cuboid connecting rod (21) serving as a side of a triangular structure and connected to a cylindrical connecting rod (3) at each end.

5. The floating platform for deep-sea wind turbines according to claim 1, characterized in that, The single-point mooring assembly (4) includes one or more cables, one end of which is connected to a bearing or ring at the bottom of the same cylindrical connecting rod (3), and the other end is used to anchor or fix to the bottom of the water to moor the floating platform.

6. The floating platform for deep-sea wind turbines according to claim 1, characterized in that, The diameter of the support base (31) is larger than the diameter of the cylindrical connecting rod (3), and the bottom of the support base (31) is connected to the top of the cylindrical connecting rod (3) through a frustum (32). The top diameter of the frustum (32) is the same as the diameter of the support base (31), and the bottom diameter is the same as the diameter of the cylindrical connecting rod (3).

7. The floating platform for deep-sea wind turbines according to claim 6, characterized in that, The support base (31) and the truncated cone (32) are interconnected hollow cylindrical structures.

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