Floating type offshore wind structure having improved structural strength and reduced weight

Abstract

The present invention may provide a floating type offshore wind structure having improved structural strength and reduced weight, the structure comprising: a floating body having buoyancy in the sea;

Description

Floating offshore wind turbine structure with improved structural strength and reduced weight

[0001] The present invention relates to a floating offshore wind power structure with improved structural strength and reduced weight, wherein a plurality of pontoon units are arranged to support a wind turbine.

[0002] Floating offshore wind turbines are structures that float on the sea and support wind turbines. The turbine towers are fixed to the floats. The movement of these floating offshore wind turbines is controlled by mooring systems.

[0003] The float may be formed by combining multiple columns and connecting members connecting the columns. Each column is a buoyant body having an internal cavity. The wind turbine tower may be attached to any one of the multiple columns.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2010-280301 (published on December 16, 2010) discloses a floating body comprising a centrally located column and three surrounding columns. A wind turbine tower is secured to the centrally located column.

[0005] Floating structures equipped with wind turbines are subject to significant turbulence at sea due to wind and waves. Significant turbulence increases the risk of failure of wind turbines and power generation facilities. While increasing the size or draft of a floating structure is effective in reducing turbulence, larger floats present challenges in terms of manufacturing and maintenance.

[0006] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a floating offshore wind power structure that is small in size, yet can significantly reduce the oscillation of the floating body and increase its strength.

[0007] The problems to be solved by the present invention are not limited to the problems mentioned above, and other problems not mentioned herein will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below.

[0008] An embodiment may provide a floating offshore wind power structure including a floating body having buoyancy in the sea and a wind power generation unit fixed to the floating body, wherein the floating body includes a plurality of columns each arranged at a vertex position of a triangle, and a plurality of pontoon units arranged in a triangular shape to connect the plurality of columns, wherein the wind power generation unit is arranged in one of the plurality of columns, and the column includes a first surface contacting a first pontoon unit, which is one of the plurality of pontoon units, and a second surface contacting a second pontoon unit, which is another of the plurality of pontoon units, and wherein the first surface and the second surface are each plane.

[0009] The size of the first surface may correspond to the size of the cross-section of the first pontoon unit, and the size of the second surface may correspond to the size of the cross-section of the second pontoon unit.

[0010] The first side and the second side may be arranged adjacently.

[0011] A third surface adjacent to the first surface or the second surface is included, and the third surface may be a plane.

[0012] When viewed from the top and bottom, the first angle formed by the first surface and the second surface may be the same as the second angle formed by the first surface and the third surface or the third angle formed by the second surface and the third surface.

[0013] The first angle and the second angle may each be 120°.

[0014] When viewed from the top and bottom, the first angle formed by the first surface and the second surface may be greater than the second angle formed by the first surface and the third surface or the third angle formed by the second surface and the third surface.

[0015] The first angle may be 120°, and the second angle may be 90°.

[0016] Each of the corner plates is positioned near a vertex of the triangle and connects the neighboring pontoon units at the vertex, and the corner plates can be positioned rotationally symmetrically with respect to the center of the triangle.

[0017] When viewed from above, the column may be a polygon.

[0018] The embodiment has the advantage of greatly reducing the swaying of the float by increasing buoyancy and strength without increasing the size of the float by arranging a corner plate near the vertex of a pontoon unit having a triangular arrangement.

[0019] The embodiment has the advantage of being easy to assemble using a crane with a short reach, as it does not increase the size of the floating body.

[0020] The embodiment has the advantage of increasing the structural strength of the floating body by providing a column including a first surface and a second surface in contact with the pontoon unit, which have a planar cross-section corresponding to a pontoon unit having a square cross-section, thereby sufficiently absorbing external force transmitted from the pontoon unit.

[0021] The embodiment has the advantage of being easier to manufacture than a column having a circular cross-section, as the cross-section of the column is configured in a polygonal shape.

[0022] The embodiment has the advantage of configuring the cross-section of the column in a polygonal shape, making it easy to fold, and reducing the reach distance when folding.

[0023] FIG. 1 is a drawing illustrating a floating offshore wind power structure with improved structural strength and reduced weight according to one embodiment;

[0024] Figure 2 is a plan view of the floating body shown in Figure 1;

[0025] Figure 3 is a plan view showing a column;

[0026] Figure 4 is a plan view showing the column and pontoon unit.

[0027] Figure 5 is a plan view showing a floating body according to a modified example;

[0028] Figure 6 is a plan view showing the column and pontoon unit shown in Figure 5;

[0029] Figure 7 is a drawing showing a side cross-sectional view of a floating body.

[0030] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0031] However, the technical idea of ​​the present invention is not limited to some of the embodiments described, but can be implemented in various different forms, and within the scope of the technical idea of ​​the present invention, one or more of the components between the embodiments can be selectively combined or substituted for use.

[0032] In addition, terms (including technical and scientific terms) used in the embodiments of the present invention may be interpreted as having a meaning that can be generally understood by a person of ordinary skill in the technical field to which the present invention belongs, unless explicitly and specifically defined and described, and terms that are commonly used, such as terms defined in a dictionary, may be interpreted in consideration of the contextual meaning of the relevant technology.

[0033] Additionally, the terms used in the embodiments of the present invention are intended to describe the embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0034] In this specification, the singular may also include the plural unless specifically stated otherwise in the phrase, and when it is described as “A and / or at least one (or more) of B, C”, it may include one or more of all combinations that can be combined with A, B, C.

[0035] Additionally, in describing components of embodiments of the present invention, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b), etc. may be used.

[0036] These terms are intended only to distinguish one component from another, and are not intended to limit the nature, order, or sequence of the component.

[0037] And, when a component is described as being 'connected', 'coupled' or 'connected' to another component, it may include not only cases where the component is directly connected, coupled or connected to the other component, but also cases where the component is 'connected', 'coupled' or 'connected' by another component between the component and the other component.

[0038] Additionally, when described as being formed or arranged "above or below" each component, "above" or "below" includes not only cases where the two components are in direct contact with each other, but also cases where one or more other components are formed or arranged between the two components. Furthermore, when expressed as "above" or "below," it can include the meaning of a downward direction as well as an upward direction based on one component.

[0039] FIG. 1 is a drawing illustrating a floating offshore wind power structure according to one embodiment.

[0040] Referring to FIG. 1, a floating offshore wind power structure according to an embodiment may include a floating body (100) and a wind power generation unit (200).

[0041] The floating body (100) may be a buoyant body including a cavity therein. The floating body (100) may include three columns (110), three pontoon units (120), and a plurality of connecting bodies (130).

[0042] Each of the three columns (110) may have a cylindrical shape. These three columns (110) are arranged so as to be located at the vertices of a triangle when viewed from above. The wind power generator (200) may be arranged in any one of the three columns (110).

[0043] The pontoon unit (120) may include a first pontoon unit (120A), a second pontoon unit (120B), and a third pontoon unit (120C).

[0044] The first pontoon unit (120A), the second pontoon unit (120B), and the third pontoon unit (120C) are connected by three columns (110) so as to form sides of an equilateral triangle when viewed from above. These pontoon units (120) may have a bar-shaped shape with a constant thickness in the vertical direction. In addition, each pontoon unit (120) may have a rectangular cross-section, and the upper and lower surfaces may be formed as flat planes.

[0045] These pontoon units (120) and columns (110) are at least partially submerged in water to generate buoyancy.

[0046] A plurality of connectors (130) connect the columns (110) to each other, thereby increasing the rigidity of the floating body (100) and ensuring structural safety. These connectors (130) are also arranged rotationally symmetrically with respect to the center (C) of the triangle formed by the pontoon unit (120), thereby ensuring balance in the load applied to the floating body (100).

[0047] The wind power generation unit (200) may include a tower (210) fixed to one of three columns (110) and a nacelle (220) arranged on the tower (210).

[0048] Figure 2 is a plan view of the floating body (100) illustrated in Figure 1.

[0049] Referring to FIG. 2, the float (100) includes a plurality of corner plates (140). The corner plates (140) are intended to increase buoyancy and strength without increasing the size of the float (100), and can be placed near each vertex of a triangle formed by the pontoon units (120).

[0050] The corner plates (140) can be arranged to connect neighboring pontoon units (120) near each vertex of a triangle formed by the pontoon units (120). That is, the three corner plates (140) can be connected to each column (110) and arranged between the pontoon units (120) connected to the columns (110).

[0051] These corner plates (140) can be arranged rotationally symmetrically with respect to the center (C) of the triangle formed by the pontoon units (120). This is to balance the load of the floating body (100) and structurally secure the balance of the floating body (100).

[0052] When viewed from above, the inner surface (163) of the corner plate (140) may be a plane forming an angle with the inner surface of the pontoon unit (120).

[0053] Since the corner plate (140) is placed on the inside of the pontoon unit (120), it has the advantage of being able to increase the buoyancy and weight of the float (100) without increasing the size of the float (100) outward. In addition, the corner plate (140) has the advantage of being able to increase the strength of the float (100) by structurally supporting the pontoon unit (120) and the column (110) near the connection portion of the column (110).

[0054] Meanwhile, the pontoon unit (120) arranged in a triangular shape has the advantage of being easy to assemble using a crane with a short reach distance because the column (110) on which the wind power generator (200) is arranged can be arranged at a close distance from the crane.

[0055] Figure 3 is a plan view illustrating a column.

[0056] Referring to FIG. 3, the column (110) includes a first surface (S1) and a second surface (S2). The first surface (S1) is a surface that contacts one of the three pontoon units (e.g., the first pontoon unit). The second surface (S2) is a surface that contacts another of the three pontoon units (e.g., the second pontoon unit). The first surface (S1) and the second surface (S2) may be flat. And the third surface may also be flat.

[0057] The column (110) may include a fourth surface adjacent to the third surface. The fourth surface may be a plane.

[0058] The first side (S1) and the second side (S2) are arranged adjacent to each other. The column (110) may include a third side (S3) adjacent to the first side (S1). In addition, the column (110) may include another third side (S3) adjacent to the second side (S2). As an example, the column (110) may be formed of a member having a pentagonal cross-section so as to include the first side (S1) and the second side (S2).

[0059] When viewed from above, the width (W1) of the first side (S1) and the width (W2) of the side (S2) may be the same.

[0060] Figure 4 is a plan view of the column (110) and the pontoon unit (120).

[0061] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the first surface (S1) can be in contact with the first pontoon unit (120A). The second surface (S2) can be in contact with the second pontoon unit (120B).

[0062] When viewed from above, when the angle formed by the first side (S1) and the second side (S2) is referred to as the first angle (R1), the angle formed by the first side (S1) and the third side (S3) is referred to as the second angle (R2), and the angle formed by the second side (S2) and the third side (S3) is referred to as the third angle (R3), the first angle (R1) may be equal to the second angle (R2). And the first angle (R1) may be equal to the third angle (R3).

[0063] As an example, the first angle (R1), the second angle (R2), and the third angle (R3) can all be 120°.

[0064] The width (W1) of the first side (S1) and the width (W3) of the pontoon unit (120) may be the same.

[0065] The width (W2) of the second side (S2) and the width (W3) of the pontoon unit (120) may be the same.

[0066] In this way, in response to the pontoon unit (120) having a square cross-section, a column (110) including a first surface (S1) and a second surface (S2) having a cross-section in a planar shape that contacts the pontoon unit (120) is provided, thereby sufficiently absorbing the external force transmitted from the pontoon unit (120), thereby providing an advantage in increasing the structural strength of the floating body (100).

[0067] In addition, the cross-section of the column (110) is configured in a polygonal shape, which has the advantage of being easier to manufacture compared to a column (110) having a circular cross-section.

[0068] And, the cross-section of the column (110) is configured in a polygonal shape, so that it is easy to fold, and there is an advantage in that the reach distance can be reduced when folding.

[0069] FIG. 5 is a plan view illustrating a floating body (100) according to a modified example, and FIG. 6 is a plan view illustrating a column (110) and a pontoon unit (120) illustrated in FIG. 5.

[0070] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the floating body according to the modified example may have a first angle (R1) greater than a second angle (R2). Furthermore, the first angle (R1) may be greater than a third angle (R3). As an example, the first angle (R1) may be 120°, and the second angle (R2) and the third angle (R3) may each be 90°.

[0071] Figure 7 is a drawing showing a side cross-sectional view of a floating body (100).

[0072] Referring to FIG. 7, the vertical thickness (t1) of each corner plate (140) may be smaller than the vertical thickness (t2) of the pontoon unit (120). For example, the upper surface of the pontoon unit (120) and the upper surface of the corner plate (140) may be arranged on the same plane. The lower surface of the pontoon unit (120) and the lower surface of the corner plate (140) may be arranged on different planes.

[0073] Above, a floating offshore wind power structure with improved structural strength and reduced weight according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention was specifically examined with reference to the attached drawings.

[0074] It should be understood that the above-described embodiments of the present invention are illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention will be determined by the claims that follow, rather than by the detailed description set forth above. Furthermore, the meaning and scope of these claims, as well as all possible modifications or variations derived from their equivalent concepts, should be construed as encompassing the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A floating type offshore wind structure comprising:a floating body having buoyancy at sea; anda wind power generation unit fixed to the floating body,wherein the floating body includes a plurality of columns disposed at vertex locations of a triangle, respectively, and a plurality of pontoon units disposed in a triangular shape to connect the plurality of columns,the wind power generation unit is disposed on any one of the plurality of columns, the column includes a first surface in contact with a first pontoon unit that is any one of the plurality of pontoon units, and a second surface in contact with a second pontoon unit that is another of the plurality of pontoon units, and a third surface adjacent to and in contact with the first surface or the second surface;wherein the first surface, the second surface and the third surface are each a planar surface;wherein, when viewed in a vertical direction, a first angle between the first surface and the second surface is greater than a second angle between the first surface and the third surface; and the first angle is greater than a third angle between the second surface and the third surface;wherein the third surface is arranged on the same plane as an outer surface of the first or second pontoon unit;wherein the floating body further comprises corner plates each disposed near vertices of the triangle to connect the neighboring pontoon units at the vertex, wherein the comer plates are disposed to be rotationally symmetrical with respect to a center of the triangle;wherein a vertical thickness of each corner plate is smaller than a vertical thickness of the pontoon unit.

2. The floating type offshore wind structure of claim 1, wherein a size of the first surface corresponds to a size of a cross section of the first pontoon unit, anda size of the second surface corresponds to a size of a cross section of the second pontoon unit.

3. The floating type offshore wind structure of claim 2, wherein the first surface and the second surface are disposed adjacent to each other.

4. The floating type offshore wind structure of claim 1, wherein the first angle is 120°, and the second angle is 90°.

5. The floating type offshore wind structure of claim 1, wherein, when viewed in a vertical direction, the column is polygonal.10 02 25

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