Floating offshore wind turbine and connection system and interconnection system thereof

Abstract

A connection system for connecting a wind-swinging floating offshore support structure of a wind turbine to a pre-laid mooring system, the connection system comprising: a turret element comprising: a base for stable connection to the pre-laid mooring system; a support element comprising switching means connectable to one or more subsea cables and connectable to receive the power generated by the wind generator; a cylindrical body extending from the base to the support element and including an internal passage; and a bearing system configured to rotatably connect the turret element to the wind-oscillating floating offshore support structure; and a slip ring connector including a first connection member for receiving power generated by the wind generator and a second connection member cable connectable to the switching device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a connection system for connecting a wind-driven floating offshore support structure of a wind turbine to a pre-laid mooring system. The present invention also relates to a floating offshore wind turbine (FOWT) system, comprising a wind-driven floating offshore support structure of a wind turbine, a pre-laid mooring system, and a connection system configured to connect the wind-driven floating offshore support structure of the wind turbine to the pre-laid mooring system. The present invention also relates to an interconnection system, comprising a FOWT system connected to a plurality of external electrical components.

[0002] The invention is in the field of floating offshore structures, more specifically in the field of floating offshore wind turbines, but may also be applied in the field of wave energy converters and tidal stream generators. Background Art

[0003] Various prior art solutions have been developed in this area with the aim of improving the ease of installation and functionality of FOWT systems. The following overview highlights some of these prior art solutions and their associated disadvantages.

[0004] Conventional FOWT systems of the prior art have a position-maintaining mooring system that provides sufficient stability in all degrees of freedom to allow stable operation of the nacelle of the horizontal axis wind turbine (HAWT) mounted on the top. The HAWT has an active yaw system that keeps the generator rotor shaft facing the windward direction to maximize energy production. This is equivalent to the work done by wind turbines with fixed bottoms at sea and on land. In these cases, the inter-array submarine cables (usually operated at voltages between 20kV and 66kV, but planned to operate at higher voltages in the future) that usually connect each FOWT to the grid are routed to the FOWT floating support structure using an I-tube or J-tube that brings the cable (or multiple cables) into the hull. Once inside the hull, these cables are connected to the switchgear. If several FOWTs are "daisy chained" to optimize the array layout, two or even three cables can be connected to the switchgear, and typically one cable will be led out of the switchgear, connected to the transformer, and further connected to the wind turbine converter.

[0005] Another approach in the prior art involves a class of FOWTs in which the entire floating support structure can be steered to align itself with the incoming wind, waves and currents. For this type of FOWT, the conventional arrangement is no longer effective, as a method is needed to accommodate the unrestricted yaw motion of the floating body without damaging the cables. Most proposed solutions include some variation of the yaw bearing system plus an external rotatable electrical connector (i.e., not an integral part of the connection system, but rather an element constructed as external to the floating support structure), sometimes using a simple junction box as a connecting element for the submarine cable. In some designs, the combined power of potentially 5 or 6 FOWT systems can pass through the rotatable electrical connector, so a failure in one of these systems could render several FOWT units unusable for a long period of time until the problem is resolved, which in the worst case requires the FOWT to be towed to shore, which may then render the downstream FOWT units also disconnected and unable to generate power for a long period of time. In addition, high voltage, compact slip rings operating at 66 kV or higher are relatively new technologies with significant complexity and potential reliability issues (which are exacerbated by having to operate below water level). It is possible to use the switchgear directly as a connection point for the submarine cable so that at least the slip rings themselves are electrically protected, but the switchgear itself may become a reliability weak point and is again in an inconvenient location for maintenance so that replacing a failed switchgear may be very complicated, if not impossible.

[0006] In the prior art related to floating offshore wind turbines, when transformers (e.g., voltage transformers) are arranged in the connection area between the floating support structure with the wind turbine and the pre-laid mooring system, a key challenge that remains unsolved is the effective cooling of the transformers. The transformers are components of the offshore wind turbine system that are responsible for converting the generated electricity for transmission via submarine cables. However, the harsh and corrosive marine environment poses unique challenges to maintaining the optimal operating temperature of these transformers.

[0007] Given the inherent shortcomings associated with these prior art solutions, there is a clear need for an improved connection system that addresses these challenges while reducing the structural complexity of the connection system, improving accessibility to components for maintenance operations, and improving the reliability and robustness of the entire connection system in the case of a FOWT system configuration. Summary of the invention

[0008] It is an object of the present invention to provide a connection system that solves the above problems, reduces complexity, and greatly improves the reliability and maintainability of the FOWT system / array.

[0009] A first aspect of the present invention relates to a connection system for connecting a wind-swinging floating offshore support structure of a wind turbine to a pre-laid mooring system (also referred to as a pre-laid mooring structure). In the case of an offshore wind turbine, a pre-laid mooring system is a set of anchors, chains and other components installed on the seabed before the wind turbine structure is deployed. The system is used to fix and stabilize floating offshore wind turbines in their designated positions, allowing them to generate electricity efficiently and safely even in deep water environments. A non-limiting example of a pre-laid mooring system is represented by a tension leg platform (TLP), in which a plurality of mooring cables (e.g., more than three) are tensioned to provide the necessary stability and support for the wind-swinging floating offshore support structure of the wind turbine, so that the TLP is configured to remain in a stationary or quasi-stationary position. Appropriate tensioning ensures that the generator remains in its predetermined position and can withstand the dynamic forces applied by the marine environment. However, the pre-laid mooring system is also compatible with other configurations, such as a catenary configuration.

[0010] The floating offshore support structure swaying with the wind according to the present invention may include one or more wind turbines and may be configured according to a variety of configurations. In a preferred configuration, the floating offshore support structure swaying with the wind includes a pivot column configured to be connected to a pre-laid mooring system via a connection system according to the first aspect of the present invention. The floating offshore support structure swaying with the wind may be configured as a polygonal (e.g., triangular) floating base including a plurality of vertices (e.g., three vertices in the case of a triangular configuration), wherein the pivot column may be arranged at one of the vertices.

[0011] The connection system of the first aspect of the present invention comprises a turret element and a slip ring connector. The turret element comprises: a base, a support element, a columnar body and a bearing system. The base and the columnar body can be connected so that there is no relative rotation between them (i.e., they can be rigidly / firmly connected to each other).

[0012] The base is configured to be firmly connected to the pre-laid mooring system (also referred to as "stationarily" or "rigidly", i.e. such that the base (and preferably also the rest of the turret element) is configured to remain stationary relative to the pre-laid mooring system). The term "firmly / stationarily" is to be interpreted in the context of the present invention as defining a connection between the base and the pre-laid mooring system that is configured to prevent relative rotation between the base and the pre-laid mooring system (e.g. due to any relative rotation of the wind-swinging floating offshore support structure of the wind turbine relative to the pre-laid mooring system). Such a firmly connected connection is also compatible with providing one or more elastic elements (optionally) in the connection between the base and the pre-laid mooring system to improve the adjustment between these two elements, and is also compatible with configuring the base to be selectively connected and disconnected from the pre-laid mooring system. In this regard, the base of the turret element may be configured to selectively interact with a connection portion of the pre-laid mooring system, such that the base may be configured to be selectively connected and disconnected from a connection portion of the pre-laid mooring system.

[0013] The support element comprises a switchgear supported by the support element, wherein the switchgear is configured to be connected to one or more submarine cables and receive power generated by a generator of the wind turbine through the cable connection. The support element may comprise (or may be configured to be) a table or platform on which the switchgear may be arranged.

[0014] One or more submarine cables are external to the connection system (also referred to as the connection device). These submarine cables can be used to transmit electricity generated by offshore wind turbines to the coast or a substation, to interconnect multiple wind turbines located at a certain distance from each other or to introduce electricity from the mainland to offshore facilities, especially when energy storage or backup power is required. Therefore, at least some of these submarine cables are configured to carry electricity generated by wind turbines, allowing them to be integrated into the power grid for distribution. Therefore, one or more submarine cables configured to be connected to the switchgear may include at least one submarine cable configured to receive (e.g., through an indirect connection with one or more intermediate connection interfaces, for example, through a slip ring) electricity generated by a generator of at least one wind turbine of a wind-swinging floating offshore support structure (the cable is generally referred to as an output cable and may include three phases, each phase having a corresponding terminal). One or more submarine cables may also include other submarine cables for interconnecting with other external electrical components such as substations or other wind turbines.

[0015] The switchgear can be configured to provide high voltage protection to the entire FOWT system including the connection system according to the first aspect of the invention. In addition, the switchgear can be configured to provide protection while maintaining electrical continuity of any downstream external electrical units connected to the switchgear by means of one or more submarine cables. Therefore, in the case of having, for example, one or more external FOWT systems connected to the switchgear, even when the wind turbine of the FOWT system equipped with the connection system of the first invention must be repaired for maintenance, the switchgear is configured to ensure said electrical continuity for the external FOWT systems (for example, by means of the switchgear of the connection system being connected in series with each other).

[0016] The columnar body is configured to extend from a base (e.g., longitudinally in a vertical direction when the turret element is in an operational position, i.e., when the turret element is arranged to effectively connect the wind-swinging floating offshore support structure to a pre-laid mooring system) to the support element. The columnar body comprises an internal passage configured to accommodate one or more submarine cables of a switchgear intended to be connected to the support element. Preferably, the columnar body may be configured to be firmly connected to the base of the turret element such that the columnar body remains in a stationary position relative to the base of the turret element.

[0017] The bearing system is configured to connect the turret element (preferably the columnar body of the turret element) to the wind-swinging floating offshore support structure, so that the wind-swinging floating offshore support structure can rotate relative to the pre-laid mooring system to align the wind turbine with the incoming wind.

[0018] It should be noted that the support element may be configured as an integral part of the columnar body or may be configured to be connectable to the columnar body. The support element may be connected to the columnar body (e.g., firmly connected) so that when the wind-swinging floating offshore support structure rotates relative to the pre-laid mooring system, the support element remains in the same predetermined position relative to the columnar body (i.e., the support element is stationary relative to the pre-laid mooring system).

[0019] In the case of offshore wind turbines, a problem associated with bearing systems is that undesirable friction in the bearing system may eventually lead to a "stick-slip" phenomenon, which refers to a type of friction-induced motion that may occur in a bearing system. Stick-slip is a phenomenon that occurs when two surfaces are in contact and they tend to stick together due to friction. When an external force (such as incoming wind) attempts to overcome this static friction and move one surface relative to another (for example, a floating offshore support structure swinging with the wind relative to a pre-laid mooring system), the surfaces suddenly "slip" and may move in a jerking or discontinuous manner. This jerking motion can cause vibration, noise, and increased wear and tear on the components of the bearing system.

[0020] In order to solve this problem, the support element may further comprise an energy dissipation system comprising one or more spring-damper elements (e.g., elastomers and / or damping elements), wherein the support element may be connected to the columnar body by means of the energy dissipation system, wherein the energy dissipation system may be configured as a filter for mechanical torsional vibrations between the columnar body and the support element. Thus, the energy dissipation system may be interpreted as a device configured to filter out mechanical torsional vibrations (e.g., vibrations or accelerations caused by stick-slip phenomena in the bearing system) between the turret element (i.e., the columnar body of the turret element) and the wind-swinging floating offshore support structure to protect the support element (i.e., such that the torsional acceleration / vibration is minimized before reaching the support element).

[0021] Thus, the energy dissipation system may include one or more spring-damper elements and may be configured such that, when the rotation of the wind-swinging floating offshore support structure relative to the pre-laid mooring system causes mechanical torsional vibrations to be transmitted to the columnar body through the bearing system (e.g. due to stick-slip phenomena), the mechanical torsional vibrations cause one or more spring-damper elements to deform momentarily, thereby absorbing at least a portion of the mechanical torsional vibrations, thereby reducing the mechanical torsional vibrations received by the support element. After the momentary elastic deformation, the one or more spring-damper elements restore their original shape, so that the support element restores its initial predetermined relative position relative to the columnar body.

[0022] Thus, the energy dissipation system may be configured to connect the support element to the columnar body so that the two elements remain in the same stationary position relative to each other (e.g., when the wind-swinging floating offshore support structure rotates relative to a pre-laid mooring system), but wherein one or more spring-damper elements provide elastic (e.g., temporary) torsional deformation in the connection between the support element and the columnar body in response to mechanical torsional vibrations caused by the rotation of the wind-swinging floating offshore support structure relative to the pre-laid mooring system. The one or more spring-damper elements may be configured to have an elastic deformation proportional to the mechanical torsional vibrations received by the columnar body. In such a configuration, the spring-damper element may be configured to have a low deformation when the torsional acceleration of the columnar body is low, but when the columnar body experiences high mechanical torsional vibrations (e.g., high torsional acceleration), significant deformation and energy absorption will occur in the spring-damper element, thereby protecting any equipment mounted on the support element and restoring its initial predetermined relative position relative to the columnar body in the absence of torsional acceleration. All of the above configurations for the support element are broadly compatible with all embodiments of the present invention.

[0023] The slip ring connector includes a first connection component and a second connection component (e.g., the two components can be configured to slide relative to each other while maintaining electrical contact therebetween; for example, by configuring each connection component as a slip ring, two slip rings therein contact each other and are allowed to slide relative to each other). The first connection component is configured to be connected to one or more cables configured to carry power generated by a generator of a wind turbine, wherein these cables can be configured to be directly (i.e., without intermediate elements) or indirectly (i.e., with intermediate elements, such as voltage transformers) connected to the generator of the wind turbine (it should be noted that the wind-swinging floating offshore support structure can include multiple wind turbines, each of which can include a corresponding generator, so that the slip ring can also be configured to be connected to all generators of the multiple wind turbines). The second connection component is configured to be connected to a switchgear as a cable, i.e., so that the switchgear receives the power generated by the generator of the wind turbine (e.g., then outputs it to at least one of the one or more submarine cables). The first component is also configured to be rotatable with the wind-swinging floating offshore support structure relative to a pre-laid mooring system, while the second connection component is configured to remain in the same position relative to the pre-laid mooring system. Furthermore, the slip ring connector is configured such that the first connection part is in electrical contact with the second connection part. Thus, electrical contact between the first connection part and the second connection part is maintained not only when there is no relative rotation between the first connection part and the second connection part, but also when there is relative rotation between the first connection part and the second connection part. Preferably, the slip ring connector is configured such that the relative rotation between the first connection part and the second connection part is relative to the same longitudinal axis, and the bearing system allows relative rotation between the wind-swinging floating offshore support structure and the pre-laid mooring system around the longitudinal axis (i.e., the slip ring connector can be aligned with the turret element).

[0024] The connection system may further be configured so that, when the connection system effectively connects the wind-swinging floating offshore support structure of the wind turbine to the pre-laid mooring system (i.e., when the connection system is in an operating position), the support element is configured to be positioned / arranged substantially above the water level where the wind-swinging floating offshore support structure is arranged to float. This prevents the electrical equipment from coming into contact with water in the event of a leak. The bearing system may be configured to be waterproof, however, it is difficult to ensure that this feature is maintained throughout the life of the connection system. Preferably, the slip ring connector may also be configured to be arranged above the water level when the connection system is arranged in its operating position. More preferably, the slip ring may be configured so that the distance from the slip ring connector to the water level is greater than the distance from the support element to the water level (i.e., the slip ring connector may be configured to be arranged farther away from the water level than the support element; for example, when the connection system is arranged so that the turret element is arranged vertically, the slip ring may be arranged above the position of the support element).

[0025] In some embodiments, when the connection system is arranged to effectively connect the wind-swinging floating offshore support structure of the wind turbine to a pre-laid mooring system (i.e., when the connection system is in its operating position), the turret element may be arranged in a vertical position so that the turret element extends vertically from the base to the support element (e.g., the columnar body is also arranged vertically). Preferably, the columnar body may extend at least partially between the base and the support element; and / or the slip ring connector may be configured to be arranged at a position arranged above the turret element in the vertical direction.

[0026] The slip ring connector can be configured to be removable from its position so that the support element becomes accessible from above (i.e. from the top) so that any equipment / elements arranged at the support element (e.g. switchgear and / or voltage transformers) can be removed by onboard or external lifting equipment such as a port or ship crane so that they can be replaced in the event of a failure.

[0027] The support element may include (or may be configured to) at least one walkable platform configured to support the switchgear. Preferably, the at least one walkable platform may be configured to be at least partially surrounded by an external walkable platform of the wind-swinging floating offshore support structure (for example, the external walkable platform may be integrated into the pivot column of the wind-swinging floating offshore support structure), thereby allowing personnel to walk between them. The external platform may be configured so that when the wind-swinging floating offshore support structure rotates relative to the pre-laid mooring system to align the wind turbine with the incoming wind, the external platform rotates together with the offshore support structure relative to the pre-laid mooring system and the walkable platform of the support element.

[0028] The turret element may further comprise a junction box configured to connect one or more submarine cables to the switchgear, wherein preferably the junction box may be arranged at the support element, for example close to the switchgear (for example the junction box may be configured to be pre-connected to the switchgear). The fact of having a junction box (for example as an interface) for connecting one or more submarine cables (for example so that they can be indirectly connected to the switchgear) makes the operation of connecting said cables easier, since the connectors of the switchgear itself may not be in a convenient position and the submarine cables are not easy to handle, and furthermore this better keeps them relatively straight. This is particularly advantageous when the support element comprises at least one walkable platform as described above, since it is easier for an operator (i.e. a human worker) to establish said connection.

[0029] According to some embodiments, the switchgear may be configured (e.g., sized) to receive at least one submarine cable from each of a plurality of external electrical elements (i.e., outside the connection system, outside the floating offshore support structure, outside the pre-laid mooring system, i.e., outside the corresponding floating offshore wind turbine FOWT system). In addition, the switchgear may be configured to maintain electrical continuity with any downstream external electrical element / unit connected to the switchgear via the corresponding submarine cable (so that the continuity can be maintained even when at least one wind turbine of the floating offshore support structure is repaired / disconnected for maintenance purposes). The plurality of external electrical elements may include: one or more external wind turbines (e.g., two); and / or one or more external substations; and / or an external electrical connection hub; and / or one or more external power consuming elements. In some embodiments, the switchgear may be configured as a connection node (e.g., a common connection node) between the different external electrical elements. More specifically, the plurality of external electrical elements may include any combination of two external electrical elements, namely: at least one external floating offshore wind turbine (also referred to as an external wind turbine) and at least one substation; at least one external floating offshore wind turbine and at least one electrical connection hub; at least one external floating offshore wind turbine generator and at least one power consuming element; at least one substation and at least one external electrical connection hub; at least one substation and at least one power consuming element; or at least one electrical connection hub and at least one power consuming element.

[0030] This configuration of the switchgear is particularly advantageous for connecting several external electrical elements (e.g., several external wind turbines) in a "series" configuration (i.e., in a series configuration) using a connection system. In the context of offshore wind turbines, "series" generally refers to a method of connecting multiple wind turbines or other electrical components together in a sequential manner to form a continuous circuit. The term is generally used in the context of the interconnection of the electrical systems of offshore wind turbines within a wind farm or between the generators and an offshore substation (or one or more other external electrical elements connected thereto).

[0031] The connection system may further comprise a voltage transformer configured to adapt the power generated by the generator of the wind turbine to a higher voltage through one or more submarine cables. Thus, the voltage transformer may be configured to be arranged at a location of the connection system between the generator and the switchgear such that the switchgear receives the power generated by the generator of the wind turbine, which power is conveniently adapted to a higher voltage through one or more submarine cables. Preferably, the connection system further comprises a housing configured to accommodate the voltage transformer. The housing may be configured to be airtight and / or waterproof, i.e. may be configured to be a weather-protected housing.

[0032] According to some embodiments, the voltage transformer may be arranged at the wind-swinging floating offshore support structure, so that the voltage transformer may be configured to be rotatable together with the wind-swinging floating offshore support structure relative to the pre-laid mooring system. In addition, the voltage transformer may also be configured to receive (e.g., via a cable connection) the power generated by the generator of the wind turbine to adapt its voltage, and provide (e.g., via a cable connection) the power with the adapted voltage to the first connection part of the slip ring connector. In other words, the voltage transformer may be configured to be connected between the generator of the wind turbine and the first connection part of the slip ring, so that the switch device may be cable-connected to the second connection part of the slip ring connector to receive the adapted power.

[0033] In other embodiments, a voltage transformer may be arranged at the turret element (preferably at the support element of the turret element, i.e. together with the switchgear) and may be cabled between the second connection part of the slip ring connector and the switchgear, so that the cable connection of the switchgear to the second connection part of the slip ring connector is arranged at / through the voltage transformer. Having a voltage transformer on the support element (and therefore on the turret element) means that the slip ring connector will operate at a much lower voltage. Since slip rings in the range of 400 to 10 kV or 20 kV (a typical range of generator voltages for wind turbines) are very standard, well-proven equipment and are also much smaller in size due to the much lower electrical isolation requirements, this provides great advantages in terms of reliability and equipment handling.

[0034] The housing can be configured as a fluid cooled housing including a plurality of conduits / ducts including a plurality of fluid conduits (configured to allow fluid to circulate through the housing to cool the voltage transformer) and at least one additional conduit (e.g., a cable conduit) for voltage transformer cables to cable the voltage transformer. Voltage transformer cables refer to any cables that connect the transformer to any other element of the connection system (e.g., cables that connect the voltage transformer to a switchgear or to a second connection component of a slip ring connector, or to a rotating assembly described below). The fluid conduits may include at least one fluid inlet and at least one fluid outlet. Note that in the case of a liquid cooled transformer (as opposed to air cooled), it may not be necessary to have an additional housing shell for the transformer as the transformer housing will already include the functionality provided by the housing in terms of facilitating and containing the flow of coolant fluid through the heat exchange surfaces of the transformer.

[0035] Preferably, the connection system may further include a rotating stack assembly. The rotating stack assembly may be configured to be connected as a top element of the connection system (e.g., with a slip ring connector). Therefore, the rotating stack assembly may be connected to a support element, or to any element (e.g., a voltage transformer and / or a housing of a voltage transformer) arranged at the support element. The rotating stack assembly may include a plurality of rotating parts stacked on top of each other, wherein the plurality of rotating parts are configured so that when the wind-swinging floating offshore support structure rotates relative to a pre-laid mooring system to align the wind turbine with the incoming wind, the rotating parts rotate relative to each other (e.g., unlimited rotation) to provide a fluid channel (e.g., a continuous channel; also referred to as a fluid / flow path or a fluid / flow channel) to allow a cooling fluid (e.g., a gas, such as air, or a liquid, such as water) for cooling the voltage transformer to pass through the rotating stack assembly (e.g., from a fluid cooling system toward a fluid cooling housing circulation).

[0036] In some embodiments, the connection system can be configured so that the cooling fluid passing through the rotating stack assembly is then circulated directly through the fluid-cooled housing of the voltage transformer. In other embodiments, the connection system can be configured so that the first cooling fluid is circulated through the rotating stack assembly and the second cooling fluid is circulated through the fluid-cooled housing, so that the connection system also includes an intermediate heat exchanger (e.g., which can be considered a fluid cooling system) that is configured to transfer heat between the second cooling fluid and the first cooling fluid.

[0037] The fluid cooling system (i.e., the device for supplying cooling fluid passing through the rotating stack assembly) can be configured as a universal heat exchanger system (e.g., arranged at the wind-swinging offshore support structure). In some embodiments, the fluid cooling system can be configured to renew the air inside the housing of the voltage transformer by exchanging with the outside (e.g., by a fluid cooling system including a forced air system, such as one or more fans configured to cause air circulation between the inside and outside of the housing, i.e., the air comes from outside the wind-swinging floating offshore wind turbine 200 and outside the pre-laid mooring system 300).

[0038] Preferably, the rotating parts can also be configured to rotate relative to each other to further provide a passage for at least a portion of a voltage transformer cable, which is configured to receive electricity generated by a generator of the wind turbine via a cable connection (e.g., from the second connection part of the slip ring connector).

[0039] The rotating stack assembly can be configured to be substantially coaxial with the bearing system and the slip ring connector of the turret element (for example, with the central axis of the turret element, which is also the central axis of the columnar body). This facilitates the maintenance of these units. In some cases, if a winch that can be easily pulled out from the upper deck is used, this will also allow the submarine cable to be pulled in. The rotating stack assembly and / or the slip ring connector can be configured to be movable to the side (away from the central axis) through an appropriate auxiliary structure system. Therefore, the rotating stack assembly and / or the slip ring connector can be configured to interact with the connection system and / or the auxiliary structure system of the wind-swinging floating offshore support structure, so that the rotating stack assembly and / or the slip ring connector becomes movable beside the central axis of the columnar body. Preferably, the auxiliary structure system may include (or may be configured to) one or more tracks and / or one or more hinges and / or one or more flexible joints, which are configured to interact with the rotating stack assembly and / or the slip ring connector. Thus, the support element can be configured so that when the rotating stack assembly and / or the slip ring are moved aside, the support element is accessible from the top, so that any equipment / elements arranged at the support element (e.g., switchgear and / or voltage transformers) can be removed by onboard or external lifting equipment such as port or ship cranes, so that they can be replaced in the event of a failure. It should be noted that in those embodiments without any rotating stack assembly, the slip ring connector can be configured to be movable alongside the central axis of the columnar body according to the description provided. In those embodiments in which both the rotating stack assembly and the slip ring connector are movable aside, the auxiliary structure system can be configured as a single system shared by both equipment.

[0040] The slip ring connector may preferably be constructed as an integral part of the rotating stack assembly. However, in some embodiments, the slip ring connector and the rotating stack may be constructed as separate elements, both of which are arranged above the location of the support element.

[0041] A second aspect of the present invention relates to a FOWT system, comprising: a pre-laid mooring system, a floating offshore support structure that swings with the wind, the floating offshore support structure swinging with the wind comprising at least one wind turbine, one or more submarine cables, and a connection system according to any of the foregoing embodiments, wherein the connection system is configured to connect the floating offshore support structure that swings with the wind to the pre-laid mooring system, so that the floating offshore support structure that swings with the wind can rotate relative to the pre-laid mooring system to align the wind turbine with the incoming wind.

[0042] The pre-laid mooring system can be configured as a tension leg platform TLP, in which multiple mooring cables (e.g., three or more) are tensioned to provide the necessary stability and support for the wind-swinging floating offshore support structure of the wind turbine, so that the TLP is configured to remain in a stationary or quasi-stationary position.

[0043] In a preferred embodiment, the floating offshore support structure that sways with the wind may include one or more wind turbines and may be configured according to a variety of configurations. In a preferred configuration, the floating offshore support structure that sways with the wind includes a pivot column that is configured to be connected to a pre-laid mooring system via a connection system according to the first aspect of the present invention. Therefore, the pivot column may be configured to have an internal space to receive the connection system. The floating offshore support structure that sways with the wind may be configured as a polygonal (e.g., triangular) floating base including a plurality of vertices (e.g., three vertices in the case of a triangular configuration), wherein the pivot column may be arranged at one of the vertices.

[0044] The one or more submarine cables may be configured to be connected to the switchgear and may include at least one submarine cable to receive power generated by a generator of at least one wind turbine of the wind-swinging floating offshore support structure (the cable may include three phases, each phase having a corresponding terminal). The one or more submarine cables may also include other submarine cables for interconnecting with other external electrical elements such as a substation or other wind turbines.

[0045] The connection system according to the first aspect of the present invention is configured to provide a mechanical and electrical connection between a wind-swaying floating offshore support structure and a pre-laid mooring structure according to the above description of the first aspect of the present invention.

[0046] The support element may include (or may be configured to include) at least one walkable platform configured to support the switchgear of the connection system. Preferably, the at least one walkable platform may be configured to be at least partially surrounded by an external walkable platform of the wind-swinging floating offshore support structure (for example, the external walkable platform may be integrated into the pivot column of the wind-swinging floating offshore support structure), thereby allowing personnel to walk between them. Therefore, the wind-swinging floating offshore support structure may include an external platform, which is configured so that when the wind-swinging floating offshore support structure rotates relative to a pre-laid mooring system to align the wind turbine with the incoming wind, the external platform rotates together with the offshore support structure relative to the pre-laid mooring system and the walkable platform of the support element.

[0047] A third aspect of the invention relates to an interconnection system comprising: a FOWT system according to the second aspect of the invention (i.e. comprising a connection system according to the first aspect of the invention); and a plurality of external electrical components configured to be connected to the switchgear of the connection system of the FOWT system via corresponding submarine cables.

[0048] The plurality of external electrical elements may include: one or more external wind turbines (e.g., two); and / or one or more external substations; and / or an external electrical connection hub; and / or one or more external power consuming elements. In some embodiments, the switch device may be configured as a connection node (e.g., a common connection node) between the different external electrical elements (e.g., for connecting one or more external FOWT systems to the FOWT system of the second aspect of the invention, wherein preferably, the connection may be configured as a "series" configuration). More particularly, according to the list of combinations provided above, the plurality of external electrical elements may include any combination of two external electrical elements.

[0049] A plurality of external electrical components may be configured to be connected in series or in parallel or a combination thereof. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0050] Figure 1 An overall view of a generic FOWT system 500 according to the second aspect of the invention is depicted, comprising a pre-laid mooring system 300, a wind-driven floating offshore support structure 200 including a wind turbine 201, and a connection system 100 according to any embodiment of the first aspect of the invention.

[0051] Figure 2 A connection system 100 of the first aspect of the invention is shown according to a first embodiment.

[0052] Figure 3 The connection system 100 of the first aspect of the invention is shown according to a second embodiment.

[0053] Figure 4 The connection system 100 of the first aspect of the invention is shown according to a third embodiment.

[0054] Figure 5 The connection system 100 of the first aspect of the invention is shown according to a fourth embodiment.

[0055] Figure 6A-6C Shows Figures 2 to 5 Three single-line wiring diagrams of the electrical connections of the embodiments described.

[0056] Figure 7 An interconnection system according to a third aspect of the invention is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0057] Figure 1An overall view of a general floating offshore wind turbine (FOWT) system 500 is depicted, which includes: a pre-laid mooring system 300, a wind-swinging floating offshore support structure 200 including a wind turbine 201, and a connection system 100 according to any embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention, wherein the connection system 100 is configured to connect the wind-swinging floating offshore support structure 200 to the pre-laid mooring system 300, so that the wind-swinging floating offshore support structure 200 can be rotated relative to the pre-laid mooring system 300 to align the wind turbine 201 with the incoming wind. Figure 1 The FOWT system 500 is widely used with the following Figures 2 to 5 Any of the arrangements shown in any of the .

[0058] Figure 1 The pre-laid mooring system 300 is represented as a tension leg platform. However, this pre-laid mooring system 300 is also compatible with other configurations, such as a catenary configuration. The wind-swinging floating offshore support structure 200 is also compatible with a variety of configurations. In a preferred embodiment, the wind-swinging floating offshore support structure 200 includes a wind turbine 201, which is connected to the rest of the wind-swinging floating offshore support structure 200 via a tripod structure, and the tripod structure is connected to the base of the wind-swinging floating offshore support structure 200, which is configured as a triangular base (i.e., a horizontally arranged triangular base structure). The wind-swinging floating offshore support structure 200 may also include a plurality of wind turbines 201.

[0059] The connection system 100 not only provides a mechanical connection between the wind-swaying floating offshore support structure 200 and the pre-laid mooring system 300, but also provides an electrical connection between one or more submarine cables 400 and the wind-swaying floating offshore support structure 200, so that the electricity generated by the generator of the wind turbine 201 is allowed to be transmitted to the outside of the FOWT system 500.

[0060] The wind-swaying floating offshore support structure 200 is configured to float on water such that at least a portion of the structure 200 is located above the water level W. For illustrative purposes, the portion of the wind-swaying floating offshore support structure 200 that is configured to be connected to the pre-laid system 300 via the connection system 100 is identified as a pivot column 204.

[0061] Figure 2 A first embodiment of the connection system 100 according to the first aspect of the present invention is shown. Figure 1 Compatible with FOWT systems. Figure 2 The connection system 100 comprises a turret element 1 and a slip ring 6 , wherein the turret element 1 comprises: a base 2 , a support element 3 , a columnar body 4 and a bearing system 5 .

[0062] The foundation 2 is configured to be stably connected to the pre-laid mooring system 300, i.e. such that the foundation 2 (and hence the turret element 1) remains in a stationary (or quasi-stationary) position relative to the pre-laid mooring system 300. Figure 1 Not shown, but this stable connection is also suitable for providing one or more elastic elements (optional) in the connection between the base 2 and the pre-laid mooring system 300 to improve the adjustment between these two elements. Figure 2 The base 2 of the turret element 1 is also configured (optional feature) to selectively connect and disconnect with the pre-laid mooring system 300. In this regard, the base 2 of the turret element 1 can be configured to selectively interact with the connection component 301 of the pre-laid mooring system 300, so that the base 2 can be configured to selectively connect and disconnect with the connection component 301 of the pre-laid mooring system 300.

[0063] The support element 3 comprises a switchgear 31 supported by the support element 3 , wherein the switchgear 31 is configured to be connected to one or more submarine cables 400 and to receive electrical power generated by a generator of the wind turbine 201 through a cable connection. Figure 2 The support element 3 is shown (an optional feature) as comprising (or being configured to) a walkable platform configured to support a switch device 31.

[0064] The columnar body 4 is configured to extend from the base 2 to the support element 3. The columnar body 4 comprises an internal passage 41 configured to accommodate one or more submarine cables 400 to allow the one or more submarine cables 400 to be connected to the switchgear 31 of the support element 3.

[0065] The bearing system 5 is configured to connect the turret element 1 (preferably the columnar body 4 of the turret element 1) to the wind-swinging floating offshore support structure 200, so that the wind-swinging floating offshore support structure 200 can rotate relative to the pre-laid mooring system 300 to align the wind turbine 201 with the incoming wind. Figure 2 In the drawing, the portion of the wind-swaying floating offshore support structure 200 that is configured to be connected to the turret element 1 through the bearing system 5 is represented as a pivot column 204.

[0066] Despite Figure 2, but the support element 3 is compatible with multiple configurations. Therefore, the support element 3 can be provided as an integral part of the columnar body 4, or can be provided to be connectable to the columnar body 4. The support element 3 can be connected to the columnar body 4 so that when the wind-swinging floating offshore support structure 200 rotates relative to the pre-laid mooring system 300, the support element 3 remains in the same predetermined position (i.e., stationary) relative to the columnar body 4. The support element can also include an energy dissipation system including one or more spring-damper elements described in the Summary of the Invention.

[0067] The slip ring connector 6 includes a first connection component 61 and a second connection component 62 (the two components may be configured to slide relative to each other while maintaining electrical contact therebetween). Figure 2 in (and in Figures 3 to 5 ), the slip rings are schematically shown, so that the first connection component 61 is shown as a first slip ring and the second connection component 62 is shown as a second slip ring (the sliding state is shown by the schematic bearing between the two connection components 61, 62, see the X-marked area). The first connection component 61 is configured to be connected to one or more cables 202, which are configured to carry electricity generated by the generator of the wind turbine 201. Figure 2 In the figure, since the generator of the wind turbine 201 is not shown, these cables 202 are shown as including three terminals, which are intended to receive (i.e., through stable and appropriate connection) the power generated by the generator of the wind turbine 201. These cables 202 can be configured to be directly (i.e., without intermediate elements) or indirectly (i.e., with intermediate elements, such as voltage transformers) connected to the generator of the wind turbine 201 (it should be noted that the wind-swinging floating offshore support structure can include a plurality of wind turbines, each of which can include a respective generator, so that the slip ring 6 can also be configured to be connected to all the generators of the plurality of wind turbines). The second connection component 61 is configured to be cable-connected to the switch device 31 (i.e., so that the switch device 31 receives the power generated by the generator of the wind turbine). The first component 61 is also configured to be rotatable with the wind-swinging floating offshore support structure 200 relative to the pre-laid mooring system 300, while the second connection component 62 is configured to remain in the same position relative to the pre-laid mooring system 300. In addition, the slip ring connector 6 is configured so that the first connection member 61 and the second connection member 62 are in electrical contact. Therefore, not only when there is no relative rotation between the first connection member 61 and the second connection member 62, but also even when there is relative rotation between the first connection member 61 and the second connection member 62, the electrical contact between the first connection member 61 and the second connection member 62 can be maintained.

[0068] The connection system 100 is also configured such that when the connection system 100 effectively connects the wind-swinging floating offshore support structure 200 of the wind turbine 201 to (i.e., when the connection system is in a position such as Figure 2 When the mooring system 300 is pre-laid in the operating position shown in FIG. 1 ), the support element 3 is configured to be positioned / arranged at the water level on which the wind-swinging floating offshore support structure 200 is arranged to float (see FIG. 1 ). Figure 1 This is an optional feature of the present invention. Figure 2 1 shows a preferred configuration, wherein the slip ring connector 6 is also configured to be arranged above the water level W when the connection system 100 is arranged in its operating position. Figure 2 In the embodiment, the slip ring connector 6 is configured such that the distance from the slip ring connector 6 to the water level W is greater than the distance from the support element 3 to the water level W (i.e., the slip ring connector 6 is configured to be arranged farther from the water level W than the support element 3). Figure 2 In the illustrated configuration, the turret element 1 is arranged vertically, and the slip ring connector 6 is arranged above the position support element 3 of the turret element 1 (ie, the slip ring connector 6 is not supported by the support element 3 but is arranged at a higher position).

[0069] also, Figure 2 The turret element 1 is configured to be arranged in a vertical position (ie vertically) in its operating position. The turret element 1 extends vertically from a base 2 to a support element 3 (eg, a columnar body 4 is also arranged vertically).

[0070] Despite Figure 2 Not visible in the figure, the turret element 1 may further comprise a junction box configured to connect one or more submarine cables 400 to the switchgear 31 , wherein preferably the junction box may be arranged at the supporting element.

[0071] Figure 2 The switch device 31 may optionally be configured (eg, sized) to receive a plurality of external electrical components (in Figure 2 Each of the plurality of external electrical components (not visible in FIG. 4 ) receives at least one submarine cable 400. The plurality of external electrical components may include: one or more external wind turbines (e.g., two); and / or one or more external substations; and / or an external electrical connection hub; and / or one or more external power consuming components. In some embodiments, the switchgear may be configured as a connection node (e.g., a common connection node) between the different external electrical components.

[0072] Figure 3 Describes the Figure 1 A second embodiment of the connection system 100 of the first aspect of the present invention is compatible with a FOWT system. Figure 3 The embodiments described in Figure 2The first embodiment of the invention also includes a voltage transformer. It should be noted that the invention has been described as Figure 2 The optional features of those features are also Figure 3 Optional features of an embodiment of. In addition, Figure 3 An optional configuration is shown in which the walkable platform 32 (i.e., at least one walkable platform 32) is configured to be at least partially surrounded by an outer walkable platform 203 of the wind-swinging floating offshore support structure 200 (e.g., the outer walkable platform can be integrated into the pivot column 204), thereby allowing people to walk between them. This feature is also related to Figure 2 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 is compatible with any embodiment of .

[0073] Therefore, in Figure 3 In the embodiment, the connection system 100 further comprises a voltage transformer 7, which is configured to make the generator of the wind turbine 201 (in Figure 1 Visible in Figure 3 The power generated by the voltage transformer 7 (not visible in FIG. 1 ) is adjusted to a higher voltage transmitted through one or more submarine cables 400. Therefore, the voltage transformer 7 can be configured to be arranged at a location of the connection system 100 between the generator (i.e., the generator of the wind turbine 201, which is not part of the connection system 100) and the switch device 31, so that the switch device 31 receives the power generated by the generator of the wind turbine 201, which is conveniently adjusted to a higher voltage transmitted through one or more submarine cables 400. Preferably and optionally, the connection system 100 also includes a housing configured to accommodate the voltage transformer 7, wherein the housing can be configured to be airtight and / or watertight.

[0074] Figure 3 An optional configuration is shown, in which the voltage transformer 7 is arranged at the wind-swinging floating offshore support structure 200 (at Figure 3 In the embodiment, the voltage transformer 7 is more specifically arranged in an optional pivot column 204 of the wind-swinging floating offshore support structure 200), so that the voltage transformer 7 is configured to rotate together with the wind-swinging floating offshore support structure 200 relative to the pre-laid mooring system 300. In addition, the voltage transformer 7 is configured to receive the power generated by the generator of the wind turbine 201 of the wind-swinging floating offshore support structure 200 through a cable connection to adapt its voltage, and to provide the power with the adapted voltage to the first connection part 61 of the slip ring connector 6 through a cable connection. Therefore, Figure 3 The voltage transformer 7 is configured to be connected between the generator of the wind turbine 201 and the first connection part 61 of the slip ring 6, and the switch device 31 is cable-connected to the second connection part 62 of the slip ring connector 6 to receive the adapted power.

[0075] Figure 4 A third embodiment of the connection system 100 according to the first aspect of the present invention is shown. Figure 1 Compatible with FOWT systems. Figure 4 The embodiment shown is based on the first embodiment and the second embodiment, but the voltage transformer 7 is arranged at a different position relative to the second embodiment. Figure 2 and / or Figure 3 The optional features of those features are also Figure 4 An optional feature of an embodiment of.

[0076] exist Figure 4 In the embodiment of the invention, the voltage transformer 7 is arranged at the turret element 1 (in particular, Figure 4 An alternative configuration is depicted, in which the voltage transformer 7 is arranged at the support element 3 of the turret element 1, i.e. together with the switchgear 31), and the cable connection is between the second connection part 62 of the slip ring connector 6 and the switchgear 31. Thus, the cable connection of the switchgear 31 to the second connection part 62 of the slip ring connector 6 is provided with (i.e. passes through) the voltage transformer 7. Thus, according to this configuration, the generator of the wind turbine 201 (at Figure 4 Not visible in , but in Figure 1 The power generated by the voltage transformer 7 (as can be seen in FIG. 1 ) arrives (e.g., via one or more cables 202) at the first connection part 61 of the slip ring connector 6, and then the power is transmitted to the second connection part 62 of the slip ring connector 6, and then to the voltage transformer 7, which adapts / converts its voltage to a higher voltage transmitted through one or more submarine cables 400. The power adapted by the voltage transformer 7 is then transmitted to the switch device 31, and from the switch device 31 to at least one of the one or more submarine cables 400 (it should be noted that each of the one or more submarine cables may include several cables, for example, three cables each with one phase). Having the voltage transformer 7 on the support element 3 (and therefore on the turret element) means that the slip ring connector will operate at a much lower voltage. As previously mentioned, the connection system 100 may optionally include a housing configured to accommodate the voltage transformer 7.

[0077] Figure 5 A fourth embodiment of the connection system 100 according to the first aspect of the present invention is shown. Figure 1 Compatible with FOWT systems. Figure 5 The embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is based on the third embodiment, but the voltage transformer 7 does have a housing (due to Figure 5 is a simplified schematic representation of the fact that Figure 5 ), and the connection system 100 also includes a rotating stack assembly 8. It should be noted that the Figure 2The optional features of those features are also Figure 5 Compatible optional features of embodiments.

[0078] The housing of the voltage transformer 7 is constructed as a fluid-cooled housing including a plurality of pipes / conduits 71, the plurality of pipes 71 including a plurality of fluid pipes (configured to allow fluid to circulate through the housing to cool the voltage transformer, such as at least one fluid inlet pipe and at least one fluid outlet pipe) and at least one additional pipe for voltage transformer cables, for cables connecting the voltage transformer (such as those cables for connecting the voltage transformer 7 to the switching device 31 and the second connecting part 62 of the slip ring connector 6).

[0079] The rotating stack assembly 8 is configured to be connected as the top element of the connection system 100. The rotating stack assembly 8 may include a plurality of rotating parts stacked on each other, wherein the plurality of rotating parts are configured such that, when the wind-swinging floating offshore support structure 200 rotates relative to the pre-laid mooring system 300 to align the wind turbine 201 with the incoming wind, the rotating parts rotate relative to each other to provide a fluid passage allowing a cooling fluid for cooling the voltage transformer 7 to pass toward the rotating stack assembly 8. In this regard, Figure 5 A schematic diagram showing an inlet pipe and an outlet pipe arranged on the upper part of a box representing a voltage transformer 7 (in this case, the box can be interpreted as representing the housing of the voltage transformer 7). The two pipes are then connected to a rotating stack assembly 8, which, as previously described, provides each pipe with a respective path (e.g., a continuous path) regardless of the relative position of the wind-swinging floating offshore support structure 200 relative to the pre-laid mooring system 300.

[0080] Figure 5 An optional configuration is shown, in which two corresponding auxiliary pipes 205 are connected to the rotating stack assembly 8, as the corresponding paths provided by the rotating stack assembly 8 are directed toward the wind-swinging floating offshore support structure 200 (in Figure 5 The auxiliary duct 205 is a continuation of the exterior of the floating offshore support structure 200 (represented by the pivot column 204 in FIG. 1 ). The auxiliary duct 205 is considered to be stationary relative to the wind-swinging floating offshore support structure 200 (i.e., the auxiliary duct 205 is configured to rotate with the wind-swinging floating offshore support structure 200 relative to the pre-laid mooring system 300). It should be noted that this particular embodiment only shows one solution described in the invention summary, namely a solution in which air is forced (vents are not shown) to circulate from the outside of the wind-swinging floating offshore support structure to the transformer. However, the remaining solutions described are also compatible with the embodiments of the accompanying drawings (e.g., using an intermediate heat exchanger as described above).

[0081] Although not visible in the figure, the rotating stack assembly 8 and / or the slip ring connector 6 may be configured to interact with the connection system 100 and / or the auxiliary structure system of the wind-swinging floating offshore support structure 200, so that the rotating stack assembly 8 and / or the slip ring connector 6 become movable next to the central axis of the columnar body 4. Preferably, the auxiliary structure system may include (or may be configured to be) one or more rails and / or one or more hinges and / or one or more flexible joints, which are configured to interact with the rotating stack assembly 8 and / or the slip ring connector 6. This configuration and Figures 2 to 4 ) is compatible with any of the embodiments of (ie, for those embodiments not having any rotating stack assembly 8, the system is only applicable to slip ring connectors 6).

[0082] Figure 5 The slip ring connector 6 may preferably be constructed as an integral part of the rotating stack assembly 8. In an alternative embodiment, the slip ring connector 6 and the rotating stack assembly 8 may be constructed as separate elements, both of which are arranged above the location of the support element 3.

[0083] FIG. 6A to FIG. 6C Shows Figures 2 to 5 The three single-line wiring diagrams of the cable connections of the embodiment described in the FIG. FIG. 6A to FIG. 6C In the three figures of FIG. 2 , the dotted line separates part A from part B. Part A represents those elements configured to be fixed, i.e., to remain in the same relative position relative to the pre-laid mooring system 300 (i.e., to be arranged statically relative to the pre-laid mooring structure 300). Part B represents those elements configured to be movable relative to the pre-laid mooring structure 300 together with the wind-swinging floating offshore support structure 200. In this regard, it is noted that the slip ring 6 includes a first connection member 61 belonging to part A and a second connection member 62 belonging to part B.

[0084] FIG. 6A to FIG. 6C The elements described in are compatible with operation at multiple voltages. Thus, for example, one or more submarine cables and switchgear 31 are typically configured to operate at voltages in the range of 20 to 127 kV, with 33 and 66 kV being specific compatible values ​​within the range (this is typically expressed as 20 / 33 / 66 / 127 kV). The generator of wind turbine 201 typically produces electricity in the range of 0.4 to 20 kV, with electricity in the range of 3.3 to 10 kV also being common.

[0085] Fig. 6A express Figure 2 A single-line wiring diagram of the illustrated embodiment. In particular, Fig. 6AIt is shown that one or more submarine cables 400 are connected to the switch device 31, and then the switch device 31 is connected to the first connection part 61 of the slip ring connector 6. Then the second connection part 62 of the slip ring connector 6 is connected to receive the power generated by the generator of the wind turbine 201. In this embodiment, there is no voltage transformer, so that the voltage of the power generated by the generator of the wind turbine 201 is not compatible with the voltage transmitted through the one or more submarine cables 400. Therefore, this configuration is useful when there is no need to adapt the voltage because the voltage of the power generated by the generator of the wind turbine 201 is already compatible with the voltage transmitted through the one or more submarine cables 400.

[0086] Figure 6B Shows Figure 3 . In this embodiment, one or more submarine cables 400 are connected to the switch device 31, which in turn is connected to the first connection part 61 of the slip ring connector 6. Then, the second connection part 62 of the slip ring connector 6 is connected to the voltage transformer 7, which in turn is connected to receive the power generated by the generator of the wind turbine 201. Therefore, the voltage transformer 7 is arranged / connected between the slip ring connector 6 and the generator of the wind turbine 201, so that the voltage transformer 7 is configured to adapt the voltage of the power generated by the generator of the wind turbine 201 to the higher voltage transmitted by the submarine cable 400. It should be noted that in this configuration, the slip ring connector 6 needs to work at the higher voltage of the one or more submarine cables 400, so that it must be sized to withstand the voltage. Therefore, the voltage transformer 7 includes a first winding (connected to the second connecting part 62 of the slip ring connector 6 and configured to operate as a secondary winding of the voltage transformer 7), which is configured to operate at the voltage of one or more submarine cables (for example, 20 / 33 / 66 / 127 kV, that is, in the range of 20 to 127 kV, such as 33 or 66 kV); and a second winding (connected to receive the voltage of the electricity generated by the generator of the wind turbine 201, and configured to operate as the primary winding of the voltage transformer 7), which is configured to operate at a voltage corresponding to the voltage of the electricity generated by the generator of the wind turbine 201 (for example, in the range of 0.4 to 20 kV, such as 0.4 or 3.3 or 10 kV).

[0087] Figure 6C Representation and Figure 4 and Figure 5 The embodiment shown in the single-line wiring diagram is compatible with ( Figure 5The presence of the rotating stack assembly 8 in the embodiment of does not affect the electrical connection of the slip ring connector 6). In both embodiments, one or more submarine cables 400 are connected to the switch device 31, which in turn is connected to the voltage transformer 7. The voltage transformer 7 is also connected to the first connection part 61 of the slip ring connector 6, and the second connection part 62 of the slip ring connector 6 is then connected to receive the power generated by the generator of the wind turbine 201. It should be noted that this configuration is particularly advantageous because the arrangement of the transformer in part A (for example, on the support element 3) reduces the voltage at which the slip ring connector 6 needs to operate, so that the slip ring connector 6 is configured to operate at a much lower voltage (the voltage of the power generated by the generator of the wind turbine 201 is typically lower than the voltage through the submarine cable 400). Therefore, the slip ring connector 6 requires much lower isolation requirements and is therefore much smaller in size, which is particularly advantageous in offshore applications because all components need to be transported to the location of the FOWT system and need to be handled during the installation of the system.

[0088] exist Figure 6C In the figure, the voltage transformer 7 includes a first winding (connected to the switch device 31 and configured to operate as a secondary winding of the voltage transformer 7), which is configured to operate at the voltage of one or more submarine cables (for example, 20 / 33 / 66 / 127 kV, i.e., in the range of 20 to 127 kV, such as 33 or 66 kV); and a second winding (connected to the first connecting part 61 of the slip ring connector 6 to receive the voltage of the electric power generated by the generator of the wind turbine 201, and configured to operate as the primary winding of the voltage transformer 7), which is configured to operate at a voltage corresponding to the voltage of the electric power generated by the generator of the wind turbine 201 (for example, in the range of 0.4 to 20 kV, such as 0.4 or 3.3 or 10 kV).

[0089] Figure 7 An interconnection system according to a third aspect of the present invention is shown, comprising: a floating offshore wind turbine FOWT system 500 according to the second aspect of the present invention; and a plurality of external electrical components, configured to be connected to the switchgear 31 of the connection system 100 of the floating offshore wind turbine system 500 via corresponding submarine cables 400.

[0090] It should be noted that Figure 7 The floating offshore wind turbine FOWT system 500 is based on Figure 1 The FOWT system comprises: a pre-laid mooring system 300, a wind-swinging floating offshore support structure 200 including a wind turbine 201, and a connection system 100 according to any embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention. Figures 2 to 5 The connection system 100 is compatible with any of the above.

[0091] Multiple external electrical components in Figure 7 , represented as a plurality (a plurality is optionally represented by two units, but in other cases the number of units may be greater) of external floating offshore wind turbine FOWT systems 500', 500". The three FOWT systems 500, 500' and 500" are shown as being optionally connected in a "series" configuration / arrangement. However, it should be noted that the present invention is also compatible with other configurations, such that the switch device 31 of the connection system 100 of the FOWT system 500 is configured as a common node for connecting at least a portion of the external electrical components in parallel.

[0092] Furthermore, it should be noted that a plurality of external electrical elements may be configured to include (in lieu of or in addition to an external FOWT system) one or more of: an electrical substation and / or an electrical connection hub and / or electrical consuming elements.

[0093] In some embodiments, the plurality of external electrical components may include any combination of two external electrical components as previously listed in the Summary of the Invention.

Claims

1. A connection system (100) for connecting a wind-driven floating offshore support structure (200) of a wind turbine (201) to a pre-laid mooring system (300), the connection system (100) comprising: A turret element (1), comprising: A base (2) configured to be stably connected to the pre-laid mooring system (300); a support element (3), comprising a switchgear (31) supported by the support element (3), wherein the switchgear (31) is configured to be connected to one or more submarine cables (400) and to receive power generated by a generator of the wind turbine (201) via a cable connection; a columnar body (4) extending from the base (2) to the support element (3), the columnar body (4) comprising an internal passage (41) configured to accommodate the one or more submarine cables (400); and a bearing system (5) configured to connect the turret element (1) to the wind-swinging floating offshore support structure (200), preferably to connect the columnar body (4) of the turret element (1) to the wind-swinging floating offshore support structure (200), so that the wind-swinging floating offshore support structure (200) can rotate relative to the pre-laid mooring system (300) to align the wind turbine with the incoming wind; and A slip ring connector (6) comprising a first connection component (61) and a second connection component (62), wherein the first connection component (61) is configured to be connected to one or more cables (202) configured to carry the power generated by the generator of the wind turbine (201), and the second connection component (62) is configured to be cable-connected to the switch device (31) so that the switch device (31) receives the power generated by the generator of the wind turbine (201), wherein the first component (61) is configured to be rotatable together with the wind-swinging floating offshore support structure (200) relative to the pre-laid mooring system (300), and the second connection component (62) is configured to remain in the same position relative to the pre-laid mooring system (300), wherein when there is relative rotation between the first connection component (61) and the second connection component (62), the electrical contact between the first connection component (61) and the second connection component (62) is maintained.

2. The connection system (100) according to claim 1 is further configured such that, when the connection system (100) is arranged to effectively connect the wind-driven floating offshore support structure (200) of the wind turbine to the pre-laid mooring system (300), the support element (3) is arranged above the water level (W), and the wind-driven floating offshore support structure (200) of the wind turbine is arranged to float above the water level (W), Preferably, the slip ring connector (6) is further configured to be arranged above the water level, and more preferably, the slip ring connector is arranged further away from the water level than the supporting element (3).

3. The connection system (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: in, The support element (3) is configured so that when the wind-swinging floating offshore support structure (200) is rotated relative to the pre-laid mooring system (300) to align the wind turbine with the incoming wind, the support element (3) remains in the same predetermined position relative to the pre-laid mooring system (300); and / or The support element (3) further comprises an energy dissipation system, wherein the support element (4) is connected to the columnar body (4) via the energy dissipation system, wherein the energy dissipation system comprises one or more spring-damper elements and is configured such that, when the rotation of the wind-swinging floating offshore support structure (200) relative to the pre-laid mooring system (300) causes mechanical torsional vibration to be transmitted to the columnar body (4) through the bearing system (5), the mechanical torsional vibration causes the one or more spring-damper elements to deform instantaneously, thereby reducing the mechanical torsional vibration received by the support element (3).

4. The connection system (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The support element (3) comprises at least one walkable platform (32) configured to support the switch device (31); Wherein, preferably, the at least one walkable platform (32) is configured to be at least partially surrounded by the external walkable platform (203) of the wind-swinging floating offshore support structure (200) so as to allow people to walk between them, and wherein the external platform (203) is configured so that, when the wind-swinging floating offshore support structure (200) is rotated relative to the pre-laid mooring system (300) to align the wind turbine with the incoming wind, the external platform (203) rotates together with the offshore support structure (200) relative to the pre-laid mooring system and the walkable platform (32) of the support element (4).

5. A connection system (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, when the connection system (100) is arranged to effectively connect the wind-swinging floating offshore support structure (200) of the wind turbine to the pre-laid mooring system (300), the turret element (1) is arranged in a vertical position so that the turret element (1) extends vertically from the base (2) to the support element (3), wherein preferably: The columnar body (4) extends at least partially between the base (2) and the support element (3); and / or in, The slip ring connector (6) is configured to be arranged in a position arranged above the turret element (1) in the vertical direction.

6. The connection system (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The turret element (1) further comprises a junction box, which is configured to connect the one or more submarine cables to the switch device (31); wherein preferably, the junction box is arranged at the support element (3).

7. The connection system (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The switch device (31) is configured to receive at least one submarine cable from each of a plurality of external electrical components, so that the switch device (31) is configured as a connection node between the plurality of external electrical components, wherein the plurality of external electrical components are external to the connection system, the wind-swinging floating offshore support structure and the pre-laid mooring system; Preferably, the plurality of external electrical components include: one or more external wind turbines (500', 500"), and / or one or more substations, and / or an electrical connection hub and / or one or more power consuming components.

8. The connection system (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a voltage transformer (7) configured to adapt the electric power generated by the generator of the wind turbine to a higher voltage through the one or more submarine cables; Preferably, the connection system (100) further comprises a housing configured to accommodate the voltage transformer (7).

9. The connection system (100) according to claim 8, wherein: The voltage transformer (7) is arranged at the wind-swinging floating offshore support structure (200), so that the voltage transformer (7) is configured to be able to rotate together with the wind-swinging floating offshore support structure (200) relative to the pre-laid mooring system (300), wherein the voltage transformer (7) is configured to be cable-connected to receive the electric power generated by the generator of the wind turbine, adapt its voltage, and provide the electric power with an adjusted voltage to the first connecting part (61) of the slip ring connector (6).

10. The connection system (100) according to claim 8, wherein: The voltage transformer (7) is arranged at the turret element (1), and a cable is connected between the second connecting part (62) of the slip ring connector (6) and the switch device (31), so that the cable connection from the switch device (41) to the second connecting part (62) of the slip ring connector (6) passes through the voltage transformer; wherein, preferably, the voltage transformer (7) is arranged at the supporting element (3) of the turret element (1).

11. The connection system (100) according to claim 10, wherein: The housing is configured as a fluid-cooled housing including a plurality of conduits (71), the plurality of conduits including a plurality of fluid conduits and at least one further conduit, the plurality of fluid conduits being configured to allow fluid to circulate through the housing for fluid cooling of the voltage transformer (7), the at least one further conduit being for a voltage transformer cable for cable connection of the voltage transformer (7); wherein the connection system (100) further comprises a rotating stack assembly (8) connected as a top element of the turret element (1), wherein the rotating stack assembly (8) comprises a plurality of rotating sections (81) stacked on top of each other, wherein the plurality of rotating sections (81) are configured such that, when the wind-swinging floating offshore support structure (200) is rotated relative to the pre-laid mooring system (300) to align the wind turbine with incoming wind, the rotating sections (81) rotate relative to each other to provide a fluid channel to allow a cooling fluid for cooling the voltage transformer (7) to pass through the rotating stack assembly (8); Preferably, the rotating parts (81) also rotate relative to each other to provide a corresponding passage for at least a portion of the voltage transformer cable, the voltage transformer cable being configured to receive power generated by a generator of the wind turbine through a cable connection.

12. A connection system (100) as claimed in claim 11, wherein the rotating stack assembly (8) and / or the slip ring connector (6) are configured to interact with the connection system (100) and / or the auxiliary structural system of the wind-swinging floating offshore support structure (200), so that the rotating stack assembly (8) and / or the slip ring connector (6) can be moved away from the central axis of the columnar body (4).

13. The connection system (100) according to claim 11 or 12, wherein: The slip ring connector (6) is an integral part of the rotating stack assembly.

14. A floating offshore wind turbine FOWT system (500), comprising: A wind-swinging floating offshore support structure (200) comprises at least one wind turbine (201); A pre-laid mooring system (300), preferably configured as a tension leg platform (TLP); one or more submarine cables (400) configured to receive the electricity generated by the at least one wind turbine (201); A connection system (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, and configured to connect a wind-swinging floating offshore support structure (200) to the pre-laid mooring system (300), so that the one or more submarine cables are connected to a switch device (31) of the connection system (100), and so that the wind-swinging floating offshore support structure (200) can be rotated relative to the pre-laid mooring system (300) to align the wind turbine with the incoming wind.

15. An interconnection system comprising: The floating offshore wind turbine FOWT system (500) according to claim 14; as well as a plurality of external electrical components, configured as switchgear (31) connected to a connection system (100) of said FOWT system (500) via respective submarine cables (400), Preferably, the plurality of external electrical components include one or more external FOWT systems (500', 500") and / or at least one of the following: a substation, an electrical connection hub or a power consuming component.

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