Arrangement of local structures for stress distribution and strength improvement of floating offshore wind turbine platform type TLP

Abstract

There is provided a local structure arrangement for stress distribution and strength improvement of a TLP type floating offshore wind turbine platform, the arrangement being characterized in that a plurality of support members (141,142,143) at least one of which is elongated in a different direction protrude from the bottom plate (120) of a node (100), so that the top plate (110) of the node (100) to which a load is applied by a wind turbine (300) is supported by the support members (141,142,143), stresses are distributed, and damage to the top plate (110) is prevented so that the wind turbine (300) can be stably supported via the node (100). Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Arrangement of local structures for stress distribution and strength improvement of a floating offshore wind turbine platform of the TLP type FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present description relates to an offshore wind turbine platform and, in more detail, to an arrangement of local structures for stress distribution and strength improvement of a floating offshore wind turbine platform of the TLP type, the arrangement supporting a top plate of a node, which supports a wind turbine, with a plurality of support members arranged as sheet ribs so that the wind turbine is stably supported through the node because when a load is applied to the top plate of the node, stresses are distributed through the support members and damage to the top plate is avoided.

[0002] TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Environmentally friendly renewable energy is in the spotlight as environmental contamination is worsening due to the use of fossil fuels.

[0004] Environmentally friendly renewable energy has the advantage of being clean, not presenting a risk of exhaustion and being able to be recycled without contamination, so its scope of application is expanding.

[0005] Furthermore, wind energy, which uses a wind power generator, is a type of environmentally friendly renewable energy.

[0006] A wind power generator has a turbine mounted on a vertically installed tower and the turbine is rotated by the wind, thereby generating power.

[0007] However, since the size of the turbine of a wind power generator is considerable, a relatively large installation space is required, so there is a problem that the installation space is limited.

[0008] Furthermore, since considerable noise is generated when the turbine of a wind power generator is rotated, the problem is that this noise is a factor in civil complaints.

[0009] To solve these problems, such an "offshore wind power generator" described in Korean Patent Application Publication No. 10-2023-0026975, etc. has recently been increasingly used.

[0010] Offshore wind power generators are installed at sea, away from private dwellings, etc., so that it is easy to secure the spaces and they can be free from civil complaints due to noise.

[0011] A tower of such offshore wind power generators is installed on a floating platform composed of a plurality of pontoons generally arranged circumferentially and a node connected to the pontoons, in detail, is installed at the center of the top plate of the node.

[0012] As a result, a load of several tons or even tens of tons acts on the top plate of the node, so that when the node itself is weak, the support of the tower may become unstable and, as a result, there is a problem that a serious accident may occur.

[0013] Therefore, there are attempts in this field to develop an offshore wind turbine platform that avoids damage to the top plate of a node so that a wind turbine can be stably supported through the node by smoothly distributing stresses when a load is applied to the top plate of the node by the wind turbine, but no satisfactory results have been obtained so far.

[0014] (Patent Document 1) Korean Patent Application Publication No. 10-2023-0026975

[0015] SUBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0016] The present disclosure has been made for the purpose of solving the problems of the related art described above and an objective of the present disclosure is to provide an offshore wind turbine platform which can stably support a wind turbine through a node by avoiding damage to a top plate of a node by smoothly distributing stresses when a load is applied to the top plate of the node by the wind turbine.

[0017] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] In order to achieve these objectives, the present disclosure provides a local structure arrangement for stress distribution and strength improvement of a TLP type floating offshore wind turbine platform, the arrangement comprising: a node providing a seating surface for a wind turbine via a top plate and having a first planar surface formed in any one direction, a second planar surface formed in another direction and a third planar surface formed in another direction; and a plurality of pontoons generating buoyancy on the sea by being connected to the node and elongated in three directions by being connected to the first planar surface, the second planar surface and the third planar surface of the node, respectively, wherein the node comprises a plurality of support members which project upwardly from a plate bottom plate arranged at a predetermined distance below the top plate and at least one of which is elongated in a different direction, and the top plate is supported by the support members, so that the stresses generated by a load applied to the top plate by the wind turbine are distributed.

[0019] According to the arrangement of local structures for stress distribution and strength improvement of a TLP type floating offshore wind turbine platform of the present disclosure, since a plurality of support members at least one of which is elongated in a different direction protrude from the bottom plate of a node, the top plate of the node to which a load is applied by a wind turbine can be supported by the support members, so that stresses are distributed and damage to the top plate is avoided, and accordingly, the wind turbine can be stably supported via the node.The local structure arrangement for stress distribution and strength improvement of a TLP type offshore wind turbine floating platform of the present disclosure comprises: a plurality of first support members which are elongated horizontally from the first planar surface and any one of which are spaced apart from each other; a plurality of second support members which are elongated downward at an angle from the second planar surface toward the first support members and any one of which are spaced apart from each other; and a plurality of third support members which are elongated upward at an angle from the third planar surface toward the first support members and any one of which are spaced apart from each other.

[0020] Accordingly, stresses can be distributed more smoothly in multiple directions by the first support member, the second support member, and the third support member being elongated in different directions in a sheet rib-like profile.

[0021] Furthermore, according to the arrangement of local structures for stress distribution and strength improvement of TLP type floating offshore wind turbine platform of the present disclosure, since the support members of the node are vertically elongated, the interference between them is avoided, so that the attachment / detachment is easy and the work practicability can be improved. In addition, since there is no bent portion in the whole section of the support members, the bending is not required, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost. In addition, it is easy to add reinforcing members at the joints with the flat surfaces in accordance with the structural stress level, thereby further increasing the structural stability. Brief description of the drawings

[0022] The foregoing and other objects, features and other advantages of the present disclosure will be more clearly understood in light of the following detailed description, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0023] [Fig.l] is a perspective view of an offshore wind turbine platform to which a local structure arrangement for stress distribution and strength improvement of a TLP type floating offshore wind turbine platform of the present disclosure has been applied;

[0024] [Fig.2] is a partially exploded perspective view of a node in the offshore wind turbine platform to which a local structure arrangement for stress distribution and strength improvement of the TLP type floating offshore wind turbine platform of the present disclosure has been applied;

[0025] [Fig.3] is a sectional view of the node in the offshore wind turbine platform to which a local structure arrangement for stress distribution and strength improvement of TLP type floating offshore wind turbine platform of the present disclosure has been applied;

[0026] [Fig.4] is an exemplary view illustrating another type of arrangement of node support members in the offshore wind turbine platform to which a local structure arrangement for stress distribution and strength improvement of TLP type floating offshore wind turbine platform of the present disclosure has been applied;

[0027] [Fig.5] is an exemplary view illustrating the case where at least one of the support members of the node is formed to have a different thickness in the offshore wind turbine platform to which a local structure arrangement for stress distribution and strength improvement of TLP type floating offshore wind turbine platform of the present disclosure has been applied;

[0028] [Fig.6] is an exemplary view illustrating the case where protrusions are formed on a finishing plate of the node of the offshore wind turbine platform to which a local structure arrangement for stress distribution and strength improvement of the TLP type floating offshore wind turbine platform of the present disclosure has been applied; and

[0029] [Fig.7] is an exemplary view illustrating an arrangement of the protrusions formed on finishing plates constituting the node of the offshore wind turbine platform to which a local structure arrangement for stress distribution and strength improvement of the TLP type floating offshore wind turbine platform of the present disclosure has been applied. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] Hereinafter, the present description is described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0031] As illustrated in [Fig.l], an offshore wind turbine platform A to which a local structure arrangement for stress distribution and strength improvement of a floating offshore wind turbine platform of the TLP type according to the present disclosure has been applied comprises a node 100 and pontoons 200.

[0032] The node 100 of the present disclosure provides a seating surface for a wind turbine 300 via a top plate 110 and has a first planar surface 100a formed in any one direction, a second planar surface 100b formed in another direction, and a third planar surface 100c formed in another direction.

[0033] Accordingly, the pontoons 200 described below are coupled to the first planar surface 100a, the second planar surface 100b, and the third planar surface 100c, respectively, such that the node 100 and the pontoons 200 can be connected.

[0034] The node 100 comprises a plurality of support members 140 which project upwardly from a bottom plate 120 disposed at a predetermined distance below the top plate 110 and at least one of which is elongated in a different direction.

[0035] Accordingly, the upper ends of the support members 140 are in contact with the underside of the top plate 110, such that the top plate 110 can be supported by the support members 140, and accordingly, stresses that are generated by a load applied to the top plate 110 by a wind turbine 300 can be distributed.

[0036] The support members 140 comprise: a plurality of first support members 141 which are elongated horizontally from the first planar surface 100a and any one of which are spaced apart from each other; a plurality of second support members 142 which are elongated downward at an angle from the second planar surface 100b toward the first support members 141 and any one of which are spaced apart from each other; and a plurality of third support members 143 which are elongated upward at an angle from the third planar surface 100c toward the first support members 141 and any one of which is spaced apart from each other, such that a sheet-rib-like profile is formed by the first support members 141, the second support members 142, and the third support members 143.Accordingly, stresses that are generated by a load applied to the top plate 110 can be distributed homogeneously in multiple directions.

[0037] The first support members 141, the second support members 142, and the third support members 143 may each be arranged such that any one and the other are arranged with an equal gap between any one end and any other end in the longitudinal direction of the first planar surface 100a, the second planar surface 100b, and the third planar surface 100c, respectively, but they are not limited thereto.

[0038] That is, the first support members 141, the second support members 142, and the third support members 143 may each be arranged such that the gap between any one of them decreases toward the middle portion from any one end in the longitudinal direction of the first planar surface 100a, the second planar surface 100b, and the third planar surface 100c, respectively.

[0039] Accordingly, the central portion of the top plate 110 can be particularly firmly supported by the first support members 141, the second support members 142, and the third support members 143.

[0040] Further, at least one of each of the first support members 141, the second support members 142, and the third support members 143 is formed to have a different thickness, i.e., at least one is formed thicker, such that the top plate 110 can be more firmly supported.

[0041] Further, at least one of each of the first support members 141, the second support members 142, and the third support members 143 is formed to have a different length, i.e., at least one is formed longer, such that it is possible to more widely support the top plate 110.

[0042] The node 100 comprises a finishing plate 130 elongated from the edge of the top plate 110 towards the edge of the bottom plate 120.

[0043] Accordingly, the top plate 110 can also be supported by the finishing plate 130 and the water flow inside between the top plate 110 and the bottom plate 120 can be prevented by the finishing plate 130.

[0044] The top plate 130 has a plurality of projections 131 projecting from the inner surface of the top plate 130 with an upper end in contact with the underside of the top plate 110 and a lower end in contact with the top of the bottom plate 120, such that the top plate 110 can also be supported by the projections 131.

[0045] The projections 131 are disposed between any one of the first support members 141, between any one of the second support members 142, and between any one of the third support members 143, respectively, so that when the finishing plate 130 is installed, interference due to contact of the projections 131 with the support members 140 can be avoided.

[0046] The coupling of the support members 140 and the top plate 110, the coupling of the top plate 110 and the finishing plate 130, and the coupling of the bottom plate 120 and the finishing plate 130 at the node 100 are performed by welding, so that the coupling of the support members 140 and the top plate 110, the coupling of the top plate 110 and the finishing plate 130, and the coupling of the bottom plate 120 and the finishing plate 130 can be maintained stably and the entry of water through the joints can also be prevented.

[0047] The pontoons 200 of the present disclosure are connected to the node 100 to generate buoyancy on the sea and are elongated in three directions by being connected to the first planar surface 100a, the second planar surface 100b, and the third planar surface 100c, respectively.

[0048] Accordingly, since the pontoons 200 generate buoyancy on the sea, the offshore wind turbine platform A to which the arrangement of local structures for stress distribution and strength improvement of TLP type floating offshore wind turbine platform according to the present disclosure has been applied can be installed at sea.

[0049] Any common structures and manners may be used for the pontoons 200 as long as they can generate buoyancy on the sea, so the pontoons 200 are not described in detail.

[0050] Furthermore, the pontoons 200 and the node 100 may be coupled in any common manner as long as the coupled state can be firmly maintained, and for example, a fastening that uses fasteners or welding may be used.

[0051] In the offshore wind turbine platform A to which the arrangement of local structures for stress distribution and strength improvement of TLP type floating offshore wind turbine platform according to the present description has been applied, stresses can be distributed homogeneously in the top plate 110 of the node 100. This point is described in detail below.

[0052] A wind turbine 300 is seated in the center of the top plate 110 of the node 100.

[0053] In this configuration, since the first planar surface 100a is formed in any direction, the second planar surface 100b is formed in another direction, and the third planar surface 100c is formed in another direction on the node 100, it is possible to generate buoyancy on the sea by coupling the pontoons 200 to the first planar surface 100a, the second planar surface 100b, and the third planar surface 100c. plane 100b, and to the third plane surface 100c, respectively, and accordingly, the wind turbine 300 can float on the sea.

[0054] However, since the wind turbine 300 is a very large structure with a length and width of tens of meters, a considerable load acts on the top plate 110 of the node 100. Accordingly, when stresses generated by a load concentrate at a portion of the top plate 110, the top plate 110 may be damaged and the support of the wind turbine 300 may become unstable.

[0055] However, in the present description, a plurality of support members 140 at least one of which is elongated in a different direction protrudes from the bottom plate 120 of the node 100, as illustrated in [Fig. 2], and the top plate 110 of the node 100 to which a load is applied by the wind turbine 300 is supported by the support members 140, so that stresses are distributed by the support members 140 and damage to the top plate 110 is avoided. Accordingly, the wind turbine 300 can be stably supported via the node 100.

[0056] The support members 140 of the present disclosure, as illustrated in [Fig.3], comprise: a plurality of first support members 141 which are elongated horizontally from the first planar surface 100a of the node 100 and any one of which are spaced apart from each other; a plurality of second support members 142 which are elongated downward at an angle from the second planar surface 100b of the node 100 toward the first support members 141 and any one of which are spaced apart from each other; and a plurality of third support members 143 which are elongated upward at an angle from the third planar surface 100c of the node 100 toward the first support members 141 and any one of which is spaced apart from each other, such that the first support members 141, the second support members 142, and the third support members 143 are elongated in different directions in a leaf rib-like profile.As a result, stresses that are generated by a load applied to the top plate 110 can be distributed more evenly in multiple directions, so that the wind turbine 300 can be more stably supported via the node 100.

[0057] In this configuration, as illustrated in [Fig. 4], the first support members 141, the second support members 142, and the third support members 143 may each be arranged such that the gap between any one of them decreases toward the middle portion from any one end in the longitudinal direction of the first planar surface 100a, the second planar surface 100b, and the third planar surface 100c, respectively, so that the central portion of the top plate 110 can be firmly supported by the support members 141, the second support members 142, and the third support members 143, and accordingly, damage to the central portion of the top plate 110 on which the load of the wind turbine 300 is concentrated can be further prevented.

[0058] Further, as illustrated in [Fig.5], at least one of each of the first support members 141, the second support members 142, and the third support members 143 may be formed to have a different thickness, i.e., at least one may be formed thicker, so that the top plate 110 may be more firmly supported by the first support members 141, the second support members 142, and the third support members 143.

[0059] Further, at least one of each of the first support members 141, the second support members 142, and the third support members 143 may be formed to have a different length, i.e., at least one may be formed longer, so that the top plate 110 may be supported more widely via the first support members 141, the second support members 142, and the third support members 143.

[0060] Further, in the present description, the node 100 includes the finishing plate 130 elongated from the edge of the top plate 110 toward the edge of the bottom plate 120, such that the top plate 110 may also be supported by the finishing plate 130.

[0061] The top plate 130, as illustrated in [Fig. 6], has a plurality of projections 131 projecting from the inner surface of the top plate 130 with an upper end in contact with the underside of the top plate 110 and a lower end in contact with the top of the bottom plate 120, such that the top plate 110 can also be supported by the projections 131.

[0062] However, since the protrusions 131 are formed on the finishing plate 130, the installation of the finishing plate 130 may be interfered by the protrusions 131.

[0063] That is, the protrusions 131 are in contact with at least one of the first support members 141, the second support members 142, and the third support members 143, the finishing plate 130 may separate and the installation thereof may be difficult.

[0064] However, in the present description, as illustrated in [Fig.7], the projections 131 are disposed between any one of the first support members 141, between any one of the second support members 142, and between any one of the third support members 143, respectively, so that when the finishing plate 130 is installed, interference due to contact of the projections 131 with the support members 140 can be avoided.

[0065] Since the top plate of the node supporting a wind turbine is supported by a plurality of support members arranged in a sheet rib-like profile, when a load is applied to the top plate of the node by the wind turbine, stresses are distributed by the support members and damage to the top plate is avoided, so that the wind turbine can be stably supported via the node. Accordingly, the present disclosure has industrial application with respect to the manufacture of a TLP-type floating offshore wind turbine platform.

[0066] Since the present description described above is not limited to the embodiment described above, the present description may be modified without departing from the spirit described in the following claims and such modification is included within the scope of protection of the present description defined in the claims.

Claims

Claims

1. A local structure arrangement for stress distribution and strength improvement of a TLP type floating offshore wind turbine platform, the arrangement comprising: a node (100) providing a seating surface for a wind turbine (300) via a top plate (110) and having a first planar surface (100a) formed in any one direction, a second planar surface (100b) formed in another direction, and a third planar surface (100c) formed in another direction;and a plurality of pontoons (200) generating buoyancy on the sea by being connected to the node and elongated in three directions by being connected to the first planar surface (100a), the second planar surface (100b), and the third planar surface (100c) of the node (100), respectively, wherein the node (100) comprises a plurality of support members (140) which protrude upward from a bottom plate (120) disposed at a predetermined distance below the top plate (110) and at least one of which is elongated in a different direction, and the top plate (110) is supported by the support members (140), so that stresses generated by a load applied to the top plate (110) by the wind turbine (300) are distributed.;

2. An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the support members (140) comprise: a plurality of first support members (141) which are elongated horizontally from the first planar surface (100a) and any one of which are spaced apart from each other; a plurality of second support members (142) which are elongated downward at an angle from the second planar surface (100b) toward the first support members (141) and any one of which are spaced apart from each other; and a plurality of third support members (143) which are elongated upward at an angle from the third planar surface (100c) toward the first support members (141) and any one of which are spaced apart from each other.

3. An arrangement according to claim 2, wherein the first support members (141), the second support members (142), and the third support members (143) are each arranged such that the gap between any one of these decreases toward a middle portion from any one end in a longitudinal direction of the first planar surface (100a), the second planar surface (100b), and the third planar surface (100c), respectively.

4. An arrangement according to claim 2, wherein at least one of each of the first support members (141), the second support members (142), and the third support members (143) is formed to have a different thickness.

5. An arrangement according to claim 2, wherein at least one of each of the first support members (141), the second support members (142), and the third support members (143) is formed to have a different length.

6. An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the node (100) comprises a finishing plate (130) elongated from an edge of the top plate (110) to an edge of the bottom plate (120).

7. An arrangement according to claim 6, wherein the finishing plate (130) comprises a plurality of projections (131) projecting from an inner surface of the finishing plate (130) with an upper end thereof in contact with a bottom of the top plate (110) and a lower end thereof in contact with a top of the bottom plate (120).

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