Automatic yawing type floating body foundation of low-cost offshore multi-head wind driven generator
By designing guide fins and ball-joint mooring components, automatic yaw of multi-nozzle offshore wind turbines was achieved, solving the problem of platform orientation adjustment, improving power generation efficiency and structural reliability, and reducing operation and maintenance costs.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- SINOMA OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-05-13
- Publication Date
- 2026-04-28
AI Technical Summary
Existing offshore multi-turbine wind power platforms cannot dynamically adjust the direction of the turbines, resulting in high operation and maintenance costs and increased complexity. Furthermore, the layout of multiple mooring cables is prone to cable entanglement and uneven stress, which limits the adaptability and stability of the platform.
It adopts a guide fin design and a ball-joint mooring assembly. The guide fins use wind or water flow power to drive the floating body foundation to rotate automatically, and the ball-joint mooring assembly uses a single mooring cable combined with a ball support to achieve 360-degree free rotation, replacing the traditional multi-cable fixing method.
It enables automatic yaw of multi-head wind turbines without external intervention, improving power generation efficiency and typhoon resistance, simplifying system structure, reducing operation and maintenance costs, and improving overall reliability and flexibility.
Smart Images
Figure CN224171138U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of offshore wind power engineering technology, and in particular to a low-cost offshore multi-head wind turbine automatic yaw floating body foundation. Background Technology
[0002] Yaw technology is one of the key technologies in offshore wind power systems. Its core lies in adjusting the direction of the wind turbine so that the blades are always facing the wind. This technology not only maximizes wind energy capture efficiency but also reduces the impact of lateral loads on the turbine structure during extreme weather events such as typhoons, thereby improving the safety and stability of the system.
[0003] Currently, offshore floating wind power platforms are mainly divided into two types: single-turbo and multi-turbo. Single-turbo platforms achieve yaw at all angles through free rotation; multi-turbo platforms significantly improve the overall power generation capacity through the coordinated operation of multiple wind turbines, but these platforms usually use multiple mooring cables to fix the floating foundation, resulting in insufficient platform turning flexibility.
[0004] In existing technologies, the wind turbines on multi-head platforms often have fixed directions and cannot be dynamically adjusted according to the environment. When wind or current direction changes, external intervention methods such as tugboats or mechanical drive devices are required to assist in adjusting the direction. This reliance not only increases operation and maintenance costs and complexity but also reduces the system's real-time response capability and reliability. In addition, the layout of multiple mooring cables is prone to cable entanglement or uneven stress, further limiting the platform's adaptability and stability, making it difficult to meet the needs of complex marine environments.
[0005] Based on this, a low-cost, automatic yaw floating body foundation for offshore multi-head wind turbines is proposed. Utility Model Content
[0006] The purpose of this invention is to provide a low-cost, automatic yaw floating body foundation for offshore multi-head wind turbines to solve the problems in the background art.
[0007] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides a low-cost offshore multi-head wind turbine automatic yaw floating foundation, including a multi-head wind turbine and a floating foundation body. The floating foundation body includes a central column and a connecting frame. The top of the central column is fixedly connected to the multi-head wind turbine. Multiple side float assemblies are fixedly connected to the sides of the central column through the connecting frame. Guide fins are fixedly installed on the outside of the side float assemblies, and the direction of the guide fins is facing the front of the multi-head wind turbine. A ball joint mooring assembly is fixedly installed at the bottom of the central column.
[0008] Preferably, the side buoy assembly includes a buoy and a damping plate fixedly disposed at the bottom of the buoy.
[0009] Preferably, the guide fins are triangular or arc-shaped.
[0010] Preferably, the ball-joint mooring assembly includes a ball bearing fixedly disposed at the bottom of the center post, and a steering ball is rotatably connected inside the ball bearing.
[0011] Preferably, a mooring cable is fixedly provided at the bottom of the steering ball, and the lower end of the mooring cable passes through the ball support.
[0012] Therefore, the low-cost offshore multi-head wind turbine automatic yaw floating body foundation of this utility model, which adopts the above-mentioned structure, has the following beneficial effects:
[0013] (1) By using the guide fin design, the floating foundation is automatically rotated by the power of wind or water flow, so that the multi-head wind turbine is always aligned with the direction of the fluid, realizing automatic yaw without external intervention, significantly improving power generation efficiency and enhancing typhoon resistance.
[0014] (2) The ball joint mooring assembly replaces the traditional multi-cable fixing method with a single mooring cable combined with a ball support, allowing the floating foundation to rotate freely 360 degrees. This not only avoids the risk of cable entanglement, but also simplifies the system structure and improves the overall reliability and maintenance convenience.
[0015] (3) It achieves automatic yaw function of multi-head platform at low cost, while taking into account efficient power generation and structural reliability, providing an economical and practical solution for the large-scale application of offshore wind power technology.
[0016] The technical solution of this utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. Attached Figure Description
[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of an embodiment of the present utility model;
[0018] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the guide fin structure according to an embodiment of the present utility model;
[0019] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of a ball-joint mooring assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0020] Figure label:
[0021] 1. Multi-head fan; 2. Central column; 3. Connecting frame; 4. Side float assembly; 41. Float; 42. Damping plate; 5. Guide fin; 6. Ball joint mooring assembly; 61. Ball bearing; 62. Steering ball; 63. Mooring cable. Detailed Implementation
[0022] The technical solution of this utility model will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.
[0023] Unless otherwise defined, the technical or scientific terms used in this utility model shall have the ordinary meaning understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this utility model pertains. The terms "first," "second," and similar terms used in this utility model do not indicate any order, quantity, or importance, but are merely used to distinguish different components. Terms such as "comprising" or "including" mean that the element or object preceding the word encompasses the elements or objects listed following the word and their equivalents, without excluding other elements or objects. Terms such as "connected" or "linked" are not limited to physical or mechanical connections, but can include electrical connections, whether direct or indirect. Terms such as "upper," "lower," "left," and "right" are used only to indicate relative positional relationships; when the absolute position of the described object changes, the relative positional relationship may also change accordingly.
[0024] Example
[0025] like Figures 1-3 As shown, this utility model discloses a low-cost offshore multi-head wind turbine automatic yaw floating foundation, comprising a multi-head wind turbine 1 and a floating foundation body. The floating foundation body includes a central column 2 and a connecting frame 3. In this embodiment, the multi-head wind turbine 1 includes a conventional tower, a wind turbine nacelle, and blades. The bottom of the tower is welded to the central column 2, and multiple wind turbine nacelles are welded to the top of the tower. Three blades are rotatably connected to the wind turbine nacelles. Connecting frames (specifically trusses, steel beams, steel pipes, etc.) are also welded between the wind turbine nacelles to improve stability. The wind turbine nacelles house the key structures necessary for converting the mechanical energy transmitted by the blades into electrical energy, such as gearboxes and generators.
[0026] Multiple side float assemblies 4 are welded to the side of the central column 2 via connecting frames 3. In this embodiment, the connecting frame 3 is specifically a conventional truss, steel beam, steel pipe, etc. There are three side float assemblies 4. Each side float assembly 4 includes a float 41 and a damping plate 42 welded to the bottom of the float 41. The float 41 is hollow inside to provide buoyancy and can be filled with water for ballast. Together with the central column 2, it balances the platform load. The damping plate 42 is used to increase the damping effect, reduce the platform's sway, and improve stability. The connecting frame 3 is used for a stable connection between the float 41 and the central column 2, between the damping plate 42 and the central column 2, and between the multiple floats 41.
[0027] The side float assembly 4 is welded with guide fins 5. Specifically, guide fins 5 are welded to the side of the float 41, the top of the float 41, or the top, side, and bottom of the damping plate 42 (conventional connectors for connecting and fixing guide fins 5 can also be added to the outside of the floating foundation body). The guide fins 5 are directed to the front of the multi-head wind turbine 1. The shape of the guide fins 5 is triangular or arc-shaped. The guide fins 5 use wind / water flow power to drive the floating foundation body to rotate, so that the wind turbine automatically yaws and aligns with the wind direction or water flow direction to generate electricity with maximum efficiency or to resist typhoons by reducing lateral wind loads.
[0028] In addition, based on actual needs, a "two small and one large" guide fin design can be adopted, that is, using two smaller fins and one larger fin, so that the fluid forces on different fins are different. The large fin is more affected by wind / water flow and generates a larger yaw moment, while the small fin is less affected by wind / water flow and provides a smaller balancing force. This asymmetrical force will cause the floating foundation to automatically rotate in the direction of less resistance until the thrust of wind / water flow on the large fin is balanced with the overall resistance, thereby achieving stable yaw.
[0029] In addition to different sizes, the position of the fins from the center of the float can be adjusted to further affect the yaw moment. For example, two small fins can be placed closer to the center and the large fins can be placed further away from the center to enhance the automatic adjustment capability and make the floating foundation body more sensitive to changes in wind direction / water flow.
[0030] The bottom of the central column 2 is welded with a ball-joint mooring assembly 6. The ball-joint mooring assembly 6 includes a ball support 61 welded to the bottom of the central column 2. The ball support 61 has a spherical cavity inside, in which a steering ball 62 is rotatably connected. The steering ball 62 and the ball support 61 allow the floating foundation body to rotate 360° laterally to adapt to changes in wind direction / ocean current.
[0031] The bottom of the steering ball 62 is fixedly connected to a mooring cable 63. The lower end of the mooring cable 63 passes through the ball support 61 (through a conventional anchoring device) and is connected to the seabed. A single mooring cable 63 can prevent the cable from getting tangled.
[0032] The yaw principle of the aforementioned low-cost offshore multi-nozzle wind turbine automatic yaw floating foundation is as follows:
[0033] When the wind or flow direction changes, the guide fin 5 is subjected to force on its side, which pushes the guide fin 5 to gradually rotate to the direction parallel to the fluid. During this process, the guide fin 5 rotates the multi-head wind turbine 1 to face the fluid flow direction through the side float assembly 4, connecting frame 3, and central column 2. The wind turbine can generate electricity with maximum efficiency or resist typhoons by reducing lateral wind load. At the same time, the ball bearing 61 will rotate accordingly. Due to the ball-joint structure of the steering ball 62 and the ball bearing 61, the problem of steering restriction is avoided, and low-cost automatic yaw is achieved.
[0034] Therefore, this utility model presents a low-cost, automatic yaw floating foundation for multi-head offshore wind turbines, employing the aforementioned structure. Through guide fin design, the floating foundation automatically rotates using wind or water flow power, ensuring that the multi-head wind turbines are always aligned with the fluid direction. This achieves automatic yaw without external intervention, significantly improving power generation efficiency and enhancing typhoon resistance. The ball-joint mooring assembly replaces the traditional multi-cable fixing method with a single mooring cable combined with a ball bearing, allowing the floating foundation body to rotate freely 360 degrees. This not only avoids the risk of cable entanglement but also simplifies the system structure, improving overall reliability and maintenance convenience. By achieving automatic yaw functionality for multi-head platforms at low cost, while balancing high-efficiency power generation and structural reliability, this invention provides an economical and practical solution for the large-scale application of offshore wind power technology.
[0035] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solution of this utility model and not to limit it. Although the utility model has been described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications or equivalent substitutions can still be made to the technical solution of this utility model, and these modifications or equivalent substitutions cannot cause the modified technical solution to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solution of this utility model.
Claims
1. A low-cost, multi-head offshore wind turbine automatic yaw type floating foundation, comprising a multi-head wind turbine and a floating foundation body, characterized in that: The floating foundation includes a central column and a connecting frame. The top of the central column is fixedly connected to the multi-head wind turbine. Multiple side float assemblies are fixedly connected to the side of the central column through the connecting frame. Guide fins are fixedly installed on the outside of the side float assemblies, and the direction of the guide fins is facing the front of the multi-head wind turbine. A ball joint mooring assembly is fixedly installed at the bottom of the central column.
2. The low-cost offshore multi-head wind turbine automatic yaw type floating body foundation according to claim 1, characterized in that: The side buoy assembly includes a buoy and a damping plate fixedly disposed at the bottom of the buoy.
3. The low-cost offshore multi-head wind turbine automatic yaw type floating body foundation according to claim 1, characterized in that: The guide fins are triangular or arc-shaped.
4. The low-cost offshore multi-head wind turbine automatic yaw type floating body foundation according to claim 1, characterized in that: The ball-joint mooring assembly includes a ball bearing fixedly mounted at the bottom of the center post, and a steering ball is rotatably connected inside the ball bearing.
5. The low-cost offshore multi-head wind turbine automatic yaw type floating body foundation according to claim 4, characterized in that: A mooring cable is fixedly installed at the bottom of the steering ball, and the lower end of the mooring cable passes through the ball support.