Offshore floating platform, particularly for wind turbines

Abstract

Floating offshore platform, in particular for wind turbines This floating offshore platform, in particular for wind turbines, is characterized in that it comprises, in at least some of its peripheral portions, damping boxes (7) in fluidic relation with the environment of the platform. Figure for the abstract: 2

Description

Title of the invention: Offshore floating platform, particularly for wind turbines

[0001] The present invention relates to a floating offshore platform, in particular for a wind turbine.

[0002] Many floating offshore platforms of this type are already known in the state of the art.

[0003] These include submerged portions.

[0004] Such platforms can be used in the oil industry or in the renewable energy industry, for example in the field of offshore wind turbines.

[0005] For example, reference may be made to document EP 2 271 547 which describes such a floating wind turbine platform.

[0006] In addition to describing a floating offshore platform for a wind turbine, this document also describes the use of plates or appendages which are intended to generate hydrodynamic effects of drag and / or mass added to the platform.

[0007] This makes it possible in particular to obtain drag damping which is beneficial for reducing loads on structures by reducing platform movements.

[0008] According to other embodiments, hydrodynamic drag skirts can also be used to achieve such an effect.

[0009] But all these known solutions are limited, particularly in size and therefore in efficiency.

[0010] Indeed, the size achievable by appendages such as skirts and plates is limited by considerations of structural feasibility and manufacturing costs.

[0011] The size of these appendages may also be limited by industrial constraints such as, for example, constraints on the space available on the platform construction site.

[0012] The aim of the invention is therefore to solve these problems.

[0013] To this end, the invention relates to a floating offshore platform, in particular for a wind turbine, characterized in that it comprises, in at least some of its peripheral portions, damping boxes in fluidic relation with the environment of the platform.

[0014] According to other characteristics of the platform according to the invention, taken alone or in combination:

[0015] - the damping boxes are arranged in submersible portions of the platform ;

[0016] - the damping boxes are in fluidic relation with the environment at through means of flow restriction;

[0017] - the flow restriction means comprise orifices in the platform;

[0018] - it comprises external columns connected by pontoons;

[0019] - the damping boxes are arranged in the pontoons near the outer end of these;

[0020] - the damping boxes are arranged in the external columns.

[0021] The invention will be better understood with the aid of the following description, given solely by way of example and made with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

[0022] [Fig-1] and [Fig.2] Figures 1 and 2 respectively represent a side view of a exemplary embodiment of a float forming part of a platform according to the invention and a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a damping box forming part of such a platform.

[0023] In fact, [Fig. 1] shows a floating offshore platform for wind turbines which is designated by the general reference 1.

[0024] This comprises, for example, in a conventional manner, a central column designated by the general reference 2, for example tubular, forming a support for fixing a wind turbine mast.

[0025] Also conventionally, a wind turbine nacelle is then fixed to the upper end of this mast.

[0026] This central column 2 is connected for example to external columns designated by the references 3 and 4, by means of pontoons for example radial, designated by the references 5 and 6.

[0027] Such floating offshore platform structures have already been proposed in the state of the art, whether they are provided with three, four or a different number of pontoons and central and external columns.

[0028] A part of this floating offshore platform is then submerged in use.

[0029] In particular, the pontoons are submerged in whole or in part, as well as the part lower columns.

[0030] According to the invention, this structure comprises, in at least some of these submersible portions, damping boxes in fluidic relation with the environment of the platform.

[0031] Different positions of these boxes can be envisaged.

[0032] They can in fact be arranged in the external columns of the platform as illustrated in [Fig.l], in the pontoons near the external end of these or elsewhere.

[0033] In fact, these boxes ensure the damping of the movements of the float by implementing filling and flushing cycles.

[0034] These boxes are in fact in fluidic relation with the environment through means of restricting the filling and flushing flow.

[0035] The movements of the platform then cause cycles of filling and flushing of these boxes which has the effect of damping the movements of this platform.

[0036] An example of the embodiment of one of these boxes is shown diagrammatically in [Fig.2].

[0037] In this [Fig.2], the box is designated by the general reference 7.

[0038] This box 7 is provided for example on a column of the float.

[0039] Of course, similar boxes can be provided in other parts. submersibles of the platform as previously indicated.

[0040] In fact, these boxes can be produced in the form of ballast volumes 8 in fluidic relation with the environment of the platform, through flow restriction means.

[0041] These means comprise for example a filling and flushing conduit designated by the reference 9, in the lower part of this box and a vent 10 in its upper part.

[0042] Generally speaking, other perforations and / or restriction orifices can be provided in the walls of the platform.

[0043] Of course, other embodiments of these elements can be envisaged.

[0044] It is thus understood that it is possible to integrate, inside the platform, zones forming a box making it possible to absorb the movements of this platform.

[0045] This makes it possible to improve in particular the nautical performance of such a floating platform, without increasing its overall size.

[0046] The additional manufacturing costs are limited.

[0047] Of course, other embodiments can still be envisaged.

Claims

Claims

1. Floating offshore platform, in particular for a wind turbine, characterized in that it comprises, in at least some of its peripheral portions, damping boxes (7) in fluidic relation with the environment of the platform (1) and external columns (3, 4) connected by pontoons (5, 6), the damping boxes (7) being arranged in the pontoons (5, 6), close to the external end of the pontoons (5, 6).

2. Floating offshore platform according to claim 1, characterized in that the damping boxes (7) are arranged in submersible portions of the platform (1).

3. Floating offshore platform according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the damping boxes (7) are in fluidic relation with the environment through flow restriction means (9, 10).

4. Floating offshore platform according to claim 3, characterized in that the flow restriction means (9, 10) comprise orifices in the platform.

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