Mud floating type offshore wind turbine system cooperating with marine environment monitoring

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of offshore wind turbines, in particular to a mud floating type offshore wind turbine system cooperating with marine environment monitoring. The structure system comprises an upper fan, a fan main control system, a mud floating and suspension dual-purpose foundation, marine environment monitoring equipment and an anchoring system. Marine environment monitoring equipment is integrated, the wind meter is installed at the position of a fan cabin, the wave flow monitor is installed on the water surface, key ocean parameters such as the wind direction, the wind speed, waves, tide and temperature can be monitored in real time, and monitoring data collection and transmission are achieved. When the structure is normally used, the foundation is in a suspended state, a main control system of a fan can receive information in time and perform conversion between the suspended state and the mud floating state through environment forecast of monitoring equipment, safety and stability of the structure system are guaranteed, and the structure system is crucial for optimizing operation and maintenance of a wind power plant and has a wide application prospect. And meanwhile, precious data resources are provided for marine scientific research.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of offshore wind turbines, and in particular to a mud-floating offshore wind turbine system coordinated with marine environment monitoring. Background Art

[0002] As the energy crisis becomes increasingly prominent, offshore wind power, as a renewable energy source, has become an important component of the current energy structure and a key energy source for resolving the energy crisis. Among related technologies, mud-floating offshore wind turbines cannot monitor the marine environment in real time.

[0003] Therefore, there is an urgent need to provide a mud-floating offshore wind turbine system that cooperates with marine environment monitoring to solve the above technical problems. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention provides a mud-floating offshore wind turbine system coordinated with marine environment monitoring, which can monitor the marine environment in real time.

[0005] An embodiment of the present invention provides a mud-floating offshore wind turbine system for coordinated marine environment monitoring, comprising a wind turbine, a tower, a foundation and a pedestal connected in sequence from top to bottom, the foundation being connected in sequence with a lateral anchor chain and an anchor, a first vertical anchor chain being connected between the foundation and the pedestal, a wind meter being provided on the tower, the wind meter being used to monitor wind speed and direction, the anchor being connected in sequence with a second vertical anchor chain and a wave and current monitor, the foundation being connected in sequence with a third vertical anchor chain and a wave and current monitor, the wave and current monitor being used to monitor waves, tides and temperature, and the working states of the mud-floating offshore wind turbine foundation including a suspended state and a mud-floating state.

[0006] Beneficial effects:

[0007] According to the mud-floating offshore wind turbine system for coordinated marine environmental monitoring provided by an embodiment of the present invention, marine environmental monitoring equipment is installed, that is, a wind meter is installed at the wind turbine cabin, and a wave and current monitor is installed on the water surface, which can monitor key marine parameters such as wind direction, wind speed, waves, tides, and temperature in real time, and realize monitoring data collection and transmission; during normal use, the foundation is in a suspended state, and through the environmental forecast of the monitoring equipment, information can be received in a timely manner and the suspended state and mud-floating state can be converted, ensuring the safety and stability of the structural system. This structural system is crucial for optimizing the operation and maintenance of wind farms, and also provides valuable data resources for marine scientific research. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying any creative work.

[0009] Figure 1 This is a schematic structural diagram of a mud-floating offshore wind turbine in a suspended state for collaborative marine environment monitoring according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0010] Figure 2 for Figure 1 The front view of the mud-floating offshore wind turbine shown;

[0011] Figure 3 This is a schematic structural diagram of a mud-floating offshore wind turbine for collaborative marine environment monitoring according to an embodiment of the present invention when in a mud-floating state;

[0012] Figure 4 for Figure 3 The front view of the mud-floating offshore wind turbine shown;

[0013] Figure 5 for Figure 1 A partial schematic diagram of a mud-floating offshore wind turbine is shown;

[0014] Figure 6 for Figure 1 The structural diagram of the foundation of the mud-floating offshore wind turbine shown;

[0015] Figure 7 A schematic structural diagram of a base according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0016] Figure 8 for Figure 7 an enlarged schematic diagram of the base shown;

[0017] Figure 9 for Figure 1 The schematic diagram of the structure of the anchor in the mud-floating offshore wind turbine is shown.

[0018] Reference numerals:

[0019] 1-wind turbine; 2-tower; 3-foundation; 4-pedestal; 41-groove; 42-subdivision plate; 5-lateral anchor chain; 6-anchor; 7-first vertical anchor chain; 8-second vertical anchor chain; 9-wind gauge; 10-wave and current monitor; 11-third vertical anchor chain;

[0020] 1a-robotic arm grab bucket; 2a-vibrating rod; 3a-mud suction pump; 4a-camera; 5a-spiral blade; 6a-air outlet; 7a-annular belt; 8a-first water outlet; 9a-water inlet; 10a-booster; 11a-second water outlet; 12a-flushing pipe. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] In order to make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0022] A mud-floating offshore wind turbine refers to a wind turbine foundation that can be converted between a suspended state and a mud-floating state. The suspended state means that the wind turbine foundation is suspended on the sea surface or in the sea water. In this state, the upper wind turbine works at a higher height, which is conducive to improving power generation efficiency and is suitable for conditions with better marine environments; the mud-floating state means that the wind turbine foundation is fixed in the mud layer on the seabed. In this state, the upper wind turbine works at a lower height, which is conducive to improving safety and is suitable for conditions with harsher marine environments.

[0023] like Figures 1 to 5 As shown, an embodiment of the present invention provides a mud-floating offshore wind turbine system for coordinated marine environment monitoring, comprising a wind turbine 1, a tower 2, a foundation 3 and a pedestal 4 connected in sequence from top to bottom, the foundation 3 being connected in sequence with a lateral anchor chain 5 and an anchor 6, a first vertical anchor chain 7 being connected between the foundation 3 and the pedestal 4, a wind meter 9 being provided on the tower 2, the wind meter 9 being used to monitor wind speed and wind direction, the anchor 6 being connected in sequence with a second vertical anchor chain 8 and a wave and current monitor 10, the foundation 3 being connected in sequence with a third vertical anchor chain 11 and a wave and current monitor 10, the wave and current monitor 10 being used to monitor waves, tides and temperature, and the working states of the mud-floating offshore wind turbine foundation including a suspended state and a mud-floating state.

[0024] In this embodiment, marine environment monitoring equipment, that is, a wind meter 9 is installed at the wind turbine cabin, and a wave and current monitor 10 is installed on the water surface, which can monitor key marine parameters such as wind direction, wind speed, waves, tides, temperature, etc. in real time, and realize monitoring data collection and transmission; during normal use, the foundation is in a suspended state, and through the environmental forecast of the monitoring equipment, it can receive information in time and perform conversion between the suspended state and the mud floating state, ensuring the safety and stability of the structural system. This structural system is crucial for optimizing the operation and maintenance of wind farms, and also provides valuable data resources for marine scientific research.

[0025] like Figure 2 and Figure 4As shown, in one embodiment of the present invention, in the suspended state, all wave and current monitors 10 float on the sea surface; in the mud floating state, some of the wave and current monitors 10 float on the sea surface, and the other part of the wave and current monitors 10 are under the sea surface.

[0026] In one embodiment of the present invention, a main control system (not shown) electrically connected to the wind meter 9 and the wave and current monitor 10 is installed within the tower 2. The main control system is located below the sea surface. This arrangement allows the different heights of the mud-floating and suspended dual-purpose foundation to be utilized during the transition between states, enabling monitoring of the marine environment from the sea surface to a certain depth below the sea surface.

[0027] In this embodiment, the foundation is in a suspended state during normal use. When the marine environment monitoring equipment detects adverse marine conditions, such as a typhoon or large waves, the monitoring system automatically issues an alarm and transmits this information to the wind turbine master control system. The wind turbine master control system then determines whether the foundation is in a suspended state by filling the air-water displacement structure within the buoy of the mud-floating and floating dual-purpose foundation with water, gradually sinking toward the mud surface. The anchor chain retraction system tightens the anchor chain until the foundation connects to the base, tightening the anchor chain and transitioning the foundation to a mud-floating state. When the marine environment returns to normal or falls below a safety threshold, the alarm is lifted, information is transmitted to the wind turbine master control system, and air is added to the air-water displacement structure within the buoy of the mud-floating and floating dual-purpose foundation, causing the foundation to float. The anchor chain retraction system extends the anchor chain, transitioning the foundation to a suspended state, with the anchor chain remaining tightened. The wind turbine master control system should be kept below the water surface when the foundation is in a mud-floating state to prevent damage from water.

[0028] Marine environmental monitoring equipment uses sensors to monitor the wind farm area's environment in real time over a long period of time, transmitting this data to a monitoring center. By analyzing and processing this data, the patterns and trends of environmental changes surrounding the mud-floating wind turbines during operation can be determined. This data can also be transmitted to the wind turbine's main control system, enabling it to take appropriate actions.

[0029] When monitoring a harsh marine environment, or when environmental parameters exceed preset safety thresholds, the system automatically issues a warning signal and transmits the information to the wind turbine's main control system, enabling it to make a decision and switch the foundation to a mud-floating state. When the marine environment returns to normal or falls below the safety threshold, the alarm is lifted and the foundation is switched back to a suspended state. The system also records long-term forecasts of the marine environment, enabling predictions of future sea conditions and timely state transitions.

[0030] Humans cannot achieve long-term observation and monitoring, making it difficult to timely understand and predict wind turbine operation and structural changes. Using cameras on monitoring equipment, we can observe the operating status of the wind turbine, monitor the quality and damage of the mud-floating platform and blades, and transmit this data to onshore for timely maintenance, reducing the number of offshore inspections and maintenance costs.

[0031] Based on the wind direction and speed data monitored by the anemometer connected to the nacelle and transmitted to the wind turbine through optical fibers, the wind turbine can adjust operating parameters such as blade angle and blade speed in real time to ensure that the wind turbine is always in the best operating state, maximize the use of wind energy resources, and improve power generation efficiency.

[0032] General monitoring equipment is powered by batteries, which need to be replaced regularly. The cost is high in the deep sea. Therefore, cables can be laid to connect to the power supply system of the wind turbine, allowing the wind turbine to directly power it. The wind turbine power supply is relatively more stable, which can reduce the situation where the monitoring equipment cannot work due to power failure and ensure the continuity of monitoring data.

[0033] Mud-floating offshore wind turbines can be assembled on land and towed to a designated sea area as a single unit to connect to a mooring system. Alternatively, they can be towed to a designated sea area in separate modules and then installed. Finally, the assembled wind turbine is connected to marine environmental monitoring equipment. When a wind turbine failure occurs, the cause of the failure can be comprehensively analyzed in combination with stored environmental monitoring data, providing a more accurate basis for repair decisions. This invention improves the stability of the foundation structure by combining multiple buoys and connecting a mud-floating dual-purpose foundation.

[0034] The foundation 3 includes a connecting component that moves up and down along the tower 2, a plurality of diagonal braces connected to the connecting component, a side buoy connected to each diagonal brace, a side rod connected to every two adjacent side buoys, a cross bar connected to each side buoy, a middle buoy 6 connected to all cross bars, and a bottom plate connected to each side buoy. The middle buoy is arranged at the end of the tower, and the bottom plate is used to abut against the base. The side buoys and the middle buoy are both provided with an angle sensor and an air-water displacement valve (not shown in the figure). The angle sensor is used to monitor the inclination change of the float, and the air-water displacement valve is used to adjust the air-water ratio in the float based on the inclination change to adjust the center of gravity of the float. The side buoys are connected with lateral anchor chains 5 and anchor 6 in sequence, and a first vertical anchor chain 7 is connected between the side buoy and the base 4.

[0035] Specifically, the base plate and foundation 4 are connected by a first vertical anchor chain 7. When the structure is suspended, the foundation 3 and foundation 4 are separated by a certain vertical distance. When the structure is in a mud-floating state, the foundation 3 is completely seated on the foundation 4, and the first vertical anchor chain 7 is fully tightened. The lateral anchor chain 5 and the first vertical anchor chain 7 are compatible with each other, ensuring safe and efficient state transitions of the structural system. The lateral anchor chain 5 can be adjusted in direction and position through the lifting ring of the anchor foundation, better adapting to changes in the structural system state and ensuring the optimal position of the lateral anchor chain 5.

[0036] In some embodiments, the bottom of the middle buoy is spherical, which facilitates the contact of the entire structure with the seabed when in a mud-floating state, and is also conducive to floating when the mud-floating state is converted to a suspended state.

[0037] like Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, in one embodiment of the present invention, the interior of the base 4 is a hollow structure, which is suitable for different seabed terrains and can be widely used in different ocean terrains.

[0038] In one embodiment of the present invention, a serrated structure is provided on the bottom edge of the base 4 to facilitate the base 4 to be inserted into the soil during installation, while increasing the subsequent bearing capacity of the base 4.

[0039] In one embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of grooves 41 are provided on the base 4 , and the grooves 41 are connected to the foundation 3 via a first vertical anchor chain 7 .

[0040] In one embodiment of the present invention, an annular belt 7a is provided on the inner edge of the base 4. The height of the annular belt 7a exceeds the main body of the base 4 to prevent silt and other impurities from entering.

[0041] In the related art, during the installation and conversion from a suspended state to a mud-floating state of a mud-floating offshore wind turbine, a large amount of silt and stones will appear at the bottom of the base, which is not conducive to the foundation being embedded in the base.

[0042] In order to solve this technical problem, in one embodiment of the present invention, a silt removal device is further included, and the silt removal device includes:

[0043] The mechanical arm grab bucket 1a provided on the outer wall of the base 4 is used to remove stones and upper silt inside the base 4;

[0044] The vibrating rod 2a is provided inside the base 4 and is used to loosen the lower layer of silt inside the base 4;

[0045] The sludge suction pump 3 a provided on the annular belt 7 a is used to suck the loosened lower layer sludge out of the base 4 .

[0046] In this embodiment, during installation, the device first clears the seabed to facilitate smooth installation of the mud-floating foundation 3 and pedestal 4. When transitioning from a suspended state to a mud-floating state is required in extreme marine environments, the device first clears pedestal 4 to allow the foundation 3 to be fully embedded within it. This technology features thorough dredging, a wide range of applications, and high operational efficiency, providing a strong guarantee for the stable operation and smooth state transition of the offshore wind turbine foundation 3.

[0047] Specifically, when foundation 3 transitions from a suspended state to a mud-floating state, a large amount of silt at the bottom of base 4 needs to be cleared before foundation 3 can be fully integrated with base 4. At this point, a remotely controlled robotic grab 1a is used to roughly remove the large silt and rocks accumulated on the upper portion. The vibrating rod 2a is then activated to vibrate and loosen the accumulated silt within base 4. The loosened silt is then sucked out using the sludge pump 3a, completing the silt removal work on base 4 and enabling the structure to better complete the state transition. When the structure is in the mud-floating state, the robotic grab 1a is positioned at the side wall of base 4, leaving space for foundation 3 to sink.

[0048] In one embodiment of the present invention, the bottom of the vibration rod 2a is a conical structure (not shown in the figure) so as to better insert it into the mud.

[0049] like Figure 6 As shown, in one embodiment of the present invention, a spiral blade 5a is provided at the outer bottom of the foundation 3 and can rotate as the foundation 3 rises and sinks.

[0050] In this embodiment, a spiral blade 5a is mounted at the bottom of foundation 3. A vertical anchor chain is connected to the center axis of the blade 5a. The blade 5a rotates as foundation 3 rises and sinks, and can also be activated and controlled by a motor. The blade 5a removes marine life from the underside of foundation 3 and cuts away flexible vegetation, such as aquatic plants, that could entangle or cling to the anchor chain. This prevents impurities from affecting the anchor chain during its extension and contraction, ensuring that the structure can smoothly transition between states.

[0051] In one embodiment of the present invention, each groove 41 corresponds to a spiral blade 5a, and the inner wall surface of each groove 41 is provided with a plurality of air outlet holes 6a to exhaust air outward in a centralized manner to remove the silt deposited in that part, thereby preventing excessive silt deposition from hindering the normal operation of the anchor chain, and playing a vital role in maintaining the stable state transition of the mud-floating structure.

[0052] In one embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of partition plates 42 are provided inside the base 4, and the partition plates 42 are used to divide the cavity inside the base 4 into a plurality of compartments, each compartment is provided with a vibrating rod 2a, and each compartment corresponds to a robotic arm grab 1a and a mud suction pump 3a.

[0053] In this embodiment, the base 4 utilizes a compartmentalized approach, with the hexagonal structure of the foundation 3 being equally divided into six compartments via compartment plates 42. Each compartment independently handles dredging tasks, reducing the overall difficulty of dredging. Each compartment is equipped with a dredge pump 3a, one end of which is connected to the interior of the base 4 compartment and the other end to the external marine environment. The dredge pump 3a, in conjunction with the vibrating rod 2a, can completely remove silt that is difficult for the robotic grab 1a to remove, ensuring cleanliness within the base 4 and providing bottom space for the structure to transition from a suspended state to a mud-floating state, allowing the foundation 3 to be fully integrated into the base 4.

[0054] In some embodiments, the annular belt 7a is connected to the compartment plate 42 .

[0055] In one embodiment of the present invention, a micro pump (not shown in the figure) is provided inside the annular belt 7a, and a plurality of first water outlet holes 8a connected to the micro pump are provided on the outside of the annular belt 7a to flush the silt deposited on the upper part of the base 4 by spraying high-pressure water flow, thereby preventing the silt from accumulating and hindering the sinking of the foundation 3.

[0056] like Figure 9 As shown, in one embodiment of the present invention, the side wall of the anchor 6 is provided with a water inlet 9a, a booster 10a is provided inside, and a second water outlet 11a is provided on the bottom wall. The water inlet 9a, the booster 10a and the second water outlet 11a are connected in sequence.

[0057] In this embodiment, during the sinking process of the anchor 6, the water inlet 9a absorbs water. When the anchor 6 is about to reach the mud surface, the second water outlet 11a is opened and the supercharger 10a is used to spray high-pressure water outward to flush the silt on the bottom of the ocean, loosening and suspending the seabed mud layer, which has a good effect on softer mud and sediments, thereby making the seabed surface where the anchor 6 is located smoother.

[0058] In one embodiment of the present invention, a flushing pipe 12a is provided on the top of the anchor 6, the water inlet 9a, the booster 10a and the flushing pipe 12a are connected in sequence, and the outlet of the flushing pipe 12a faces the lateral anchor chain 5.

[0059] In this embodiment, the lateral anchor chain 5 is in contact with the transmission gear arranged in the anchor 6. Two flushing pipes 12a are installed on the upper part of the anchor 6. The flushing pipes 12a can use the supercharger 10a to spray high-pressure water outward to flush the marine organisms attached to the lateral anchor chain 5, and at the same time clean the lateral anchor chain 5 to prevent the lateral anchor chain 5 from rusting and the large amount of marine organisms attached to make it difficult for the lateral anchor chain 5 to retract normally.

[0060] like Figure 6As shown, in one embodiment of the present invention, a camera 4a is provided at the central bottom of the foundation 3, and the camera 4a is used to perform visual operation of the robotic arm grab 1a in conjunction with a rear-end remote control system (not shown in the figure).

[0061] In this embodiment, an underwater visualization camera 4a is installed at the bottom sphere of foundation 3. When foundation 3 transitions from a suspended state to a mud-floating state, foundation 3 descends. When the visualization of underwater camera 4a on base 4 reaches a certain range and clarity, workers can remotely control the robotic arm grab 1a via a computer. Combined with the underwater visualization camera 4a, dredging and desilting operations can be performed intuitively and conveniently. When desilting is completed, the robotic arm grab 1a rotates back to the outside of foundation 3, leaving space for foundation 3 to sink. The underwater visualization camera 4a can monitor the silt accumulation at the bottom of the mud-floating structure in real time and, in conjunction with computer-aided equipment, control the robotic arm grab 1a to perform targeted desilting operations on base 4. This technology makes desilting intuitive and convenient, reducing the difficulty of desilting.

[0062] In some embodiments, the robotic arm grab 1a can be remotely controlled by a computer through digital twin technology, which will not be described in detail here.

[0063] It should be noted that, in this document, relational terms such as primary and secondary are used only to distinguish one entity or operation from another entity or operation, and do not necessarily require or imply the existence of any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Moreover, the terms "comprises," "comprising," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or device comprising a series of elements includes not only those elements, but also other elements not explicitly listed, or elements inherent to such process, method, article, or device. In the absence of further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising a ..." does not exclude the presence of other identical factors in the process, method, article, or device comprising the element.

[0064] Finally, it should be noted that the above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is intended only to illustrate the technical solution of the present invention and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present invention are included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A mud-floating offshore wind turbine system for coordinated marine environmental monitoring, characterized in that: It includes a wind turbine, a tower, a foundation and a pedestal connected in sequence from top to bottom, the foundation is connected with a lateral anchor chain and an anchor in sequence, a first vertical anchor chain is connected between the foundation and the pedestal, a wind meter is provided on the tower, the wind meter is used to monitor wind speed and wind direction, the anchor is connected with a second vertical anchor chain and a wave and current monitor in sequence, the foundation is connected with a third vertical anchor chain and a wave and current monitor in sequence, the wave and current monitor is used to monitor waves, tides and temperature, and the working states of the mud-floating offshore wind turbine foundation include a suspended state and a mud-floating state.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein: In the suspended state, all the wave and current monitors float on the sea surface; in the mud-floating state, some of the wave and current monitors float on the sea surface, and the other part of the wave and current monitors are below the sea surface.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein: A main control system electrically connected to the anemometer and the wave and current monitor is provided in the tower, and the main control system is located under the sea surface.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein: The interior of the base is a hollow structure.

5. The system according to claim 4, characterized in that The base is provided with a plurality of grooves, and the grooves are connected to the foundation through the first vertical anchor chain. The inner edge of the base is provided with a ring belt, and the height of the ring belt exceeds the main part of the base.

6. The system according to claim 5, characterized in that The invention also includes a silt clearing device, the silt clearing device comprising: A mechanical arm grab bucket provided on the outer side wall of the base is used to remove stones and upper silt inside the base; A vibrating rod disposed inside the base, used to loosen the lower layer of silt inside the base; The sludge suction pump arranged on the annular belt is used to suck the loosened lower layer sludge out to the outside of the base.

7. The system according to claim 6, characterized in that The outer bottom of the foundation is provided with a spiral blade which can rotate as the foundation floats up and sinks.

8. The system according to claim 7, characterized in that Each of the grooves corresponds to one of the spiral blades, and the inner wall surface of each of the grooves is provided with a plurality of air outlet holes.

9. The system according to claim 6, wherein: A micro pump is provided inside the annular belt, and a plurality of first water outlet holes connected to the micro pump are provided outside the annular belt.

10. The system according to claim 9, characterized in that The side wall of the anchor is provided with a water inlet, a booster is provided inside, and a second water outlet is provided on the bottom wall, wherein the water inlet, the booster and the second water outlet are connected in sequence; A flushing pipe is provided on the top of the anchor, the water inlet, the booster and the flushing pipe are connected in sequence, and the outlet of the flushing pipe faces the lateral anchor chain.

Images