Floating Wind Turbine Platform

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a floating wind turbine platform including a substantially triangular hull configurable to support a wind turbine tower, the hull including first, second, and third struts connected by first, second, and third pontoon members and by first, second, and third connectors.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to floating wind turbine platforms. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to floating wind turbine platforms. [Background technology]

[0002] Floating offshore wind energy converters are being considered and developed by various research and development (R&D) groups in both academia and industry. Although not yet in widespread commercial use, it is expected that further developments in floating offshore wind technology will make such plants a more competitive and viable alternative for many locations in the near future.

[0003] A challenge associated with a floating offshore wind energy converter is its construction and installation at the offshore location. Construction on land may be easier to achieve, but this may later cause problems, since a large structure may then need to be moved to the offshore location. Alternatively, it may be relatively simple to transport the components of the floating offshore wind energy converter to the offshore location, but subsequent construction at the offshore location may be problematic.

[0004] Due to the large forces experienced by floating offshore wind energy converters due to both wave and tidal forces as well as wind forces, it is important that they are designed and constructed to a high quality. In particular, the platform of a floating wind energy converter must be constructed to provide buoyancy as well as support the wind turbine tower and to withstand direct wave and tidal forces. Thus, there is a need for a platform for a floating wind turbine that is both structurally robust and easy to construct. Summary of the Invention

[0005] It is an object of the present disclosure to mitigate, alleviate or eliminate one or more of the above-mentioned deficiencies and drawbacks in the prior art. According to a first aspect, there is provided a floating wind turbine platform including a substantially triangular hull configurable to support a wind turbine tower. The hull includes first, second and third struts, the first, second and third struts connected by first, second and third pontoon members and by first, second and third connectors.

[0006] Further aspects and embodiments according to the present disclosure will become apparent from the detailed description set forth below. The detailed description and specific examples disclose preferred embodiments of the present disclosure by way of example only. Those skilled in the art will recognize from the guidance in the detailed description that changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0007] Therefore, it is to be understood that the disclosure disclosed herein is not limited to the particular component parts of the described devices or steps of the described methods, as such devices and methods may vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting. It should be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claims, the articles "a," "an," "the," and "Said" are intended to mean that there are one or more of an element, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to "a unit" or "the unit" may include several devices, etc. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," "containing," and similar expressions are not meant to exclude other elements or steps.

[0008] The foregoing objects, as well as further objects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure, will be more fully understood by reference to the following illustrative, non-limiting detailed description of example embodiments of the present disclosure, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1A-B show examples of known wind turbines and floating platforms; [Diagram 2] 1 is an exemplary plan view of a floating platform according to the present disclosure. FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a floating platform according to the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of parts of the platform. [Diagram 5] 1A, 1B, and 1C are diagrams illustrating various ballast arrangements on a floating platform; [Figure 6] 1A, 1B, and 1C are diagrams illustrating various ballast arrangements on a floating platform; [Figure 7] FIG. 1 illustrates aspects of a platform in one embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 illustrates aspects of a platform in one embodiment. [Figure 9] 1 illustrates a further example of a floating platform. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] The present disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show examples of preferred embodiments of the present disclosure. However, the present disclosure may be embodied in other forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments disclosed herein. The disclosed embodiments are provided to fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art.

[0011] In this disclosure, the terms "side" and "surface" are used interchangeably and refer to a side or surface of the hull, e.g. defined by steel plates. In the description, terms such as "inner", "outer", "exterior", "inner" are used, but it should be understood that these may also be used to indicate a position or orientation relative to, e.g., the center / centre of gravity of a triangle or other components. Unless otherwise specified, the sides and surfaces described in this disclosure refer to the exterior of the hull, i.e. not to sides or surfaces located on the interior of the hull. (As will be apparent, the hull may have many other structural elements in its interior, such as reinforcing plates, which are not described here).

[0012] 1a-b show an example of a known offshore wind energy converter 10. The offshore wind energy converter 10 comprises a floating wind turbine 2 and a floating platform 4. Here, the floating platform 4 comprises three cylindrical columns 6, which are connected to each other in a triangular form by several upper supports 8 and lower supports 12. Attached to the floating platform 4 via one of the cylindrical columns 6 is a wind turbine tower 14. The floating platform 4 may be located at an offshore location and may provide support and buoyancy for the wind turbine tower 14. As illustrated, the floating platform 4 comprises a number of anchor points 16, which serve the purpose of fixing the wind energy converter 10 at a desired position at the offshore location. In particular, the anchor points 16 are located on each of the columns 6.

[0013] FIG 2 illustrates an underside view of a floating platform 104 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG 3 illustrates a perspective view of the floating platform 104. In FIG 2, the floating platform 104 includes a hull made up of first, second, and third columns 106a-c, which are connected to each other by first, second, and third pontoon members 112a-c. In this example, the pontoon members 112a-c are connected in a triangular configuration, although one skilled in the art will appreciate that other connection configurations may be possible resulting in alternative shapes for the floating platform 104.

[0014] It can be seen that in the example of Figures 1a-b the struts 6 have a cylindrical shape, whereas in the example of Figure 2 the struts have a transverse cross section in the shape of an irregular polygon. Thus, the struts in the example of Figure 2 (and as also seen in Figure 3) are in the shape of an irregular polygonal prism. In particular, the transverse cross section of the struts is in the shape of an irregular hexagon, although it should be understood that other shapes of transverse cross section (e.g. irregular pentagonal shape) may also be possible. Having the struts 106 in the shape of an irregular polygon may aid in the construction of the floating platform 104, since the struts may be constructed more simply, for example from flat panels that may be relatively easily connected to each other (e.g. by welding, bolting, etc.). As will be further explained, the shape of the struts may also allow for simpler and more structurally sound connections with the corresponding pontoon members 112a-c.

[0015] Here, the lateral cross-sections of the struts 106a-c are shaped to permit connection of the pontoon members 112a-c to intersecting planes 118 that extend perpendicular to (e.g., extend longitudinally from) the longitudinal axes of the pontoon members 112a-c that connect to the struts 106a-c. The intersecting planes 118 correspond to the exterior surfaces of each of the struts 106a-c, which may correspond to the flat panels used to construct the struts 106a-c, as described below. The pontoon members 112a-c may connect directly to the intersecting planes 118 or adjacent to the intersecting planes.

[0016] As illustrated in both Figures 2 and 3, the struts 106a-c are located at each apex of the triangular floating platform 104. The struts 106a-c in this example are irregular hexagons in transverse cross-section, three sides of which define the shape of each apex of the floating platform 104 (in the form of truncated apexes). The three sides defining the apex of the floating platform 104 may be considered to be the outboard facing sides of the struts 106a-c, while the remaining three sides may be considered to be the inboard facing sides. Two of the remaining three sides (e.g., two of the inboard facing sides) define an intersection plane 118 that is angled to allow connection of the pontoon members to the struts such that the longitudinal axes of the pontoon members 112a-c are perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the intersection plane 118. Finally, each of the struts 106a-c defines an intermediate plate 120 disposed between the intersections (e.g., connections) between the pontoon members 112a-c. In some examples, the intermediate plate 120 may not be present, in which case the intersections may be directly adjacent. The struts in such cases may be pentagonal in shape in transverse cross section.

[0017] By having the pontoon members 112a-c intersect with the struts 106a-c such that the longitudinal axes of the pontoon members 112a-c are perpendicular to the intersection plane of the struts 106a-c, a structurally stronger and easier to construct platform than known ones may be provided. For example, the intersection area between the pontoon members 112a-c and the struts 106a-c is reduced compared to when the pontoon members 112a-c intersect with the struts 106a-c at an oblique angle.

[0018] The columns 106a-c may be constructed from a number of flat panels. The flat panels may be connected to each other by welding, bolting, etc. To construct the columns 106a-c with an irregular polygonal transverse cross-section, several flat panels having different widths may be connected to each other along their longitudinal edges to form the columns. Each of the flat panels may have a different width, but the flat panels may have the same length. By forming the columns 106a-c from a number of flat panels, it may be possible to achieve a transverse cross-section as illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, with intersecting surfaces 118 for connecting each pontoon member 112a-c thereto. By varying the width of one, some, or all of the flat panels, the designer may be able to vary the transverse cross-sectional shape of the columns 106a-c according to their specific needs.

[0019] Each pontoon member 112a-c may be connected to the struts 106a-c in any suitable manner. For example, the pontoon members may be connected directly to the intersecting surface 118, e.g., by bolting, welding, etc., such that one end of the pontoon member (e.g., the entire side area of ​​the end of the pontoon member) abuts the intersecting surface 118 of the struts 106a-c. Alternatively, one or each pontoon member 112a-c may be connected adjacent (e.g., directly adjacent) to the intersecting surface. In a normal orientation of the floating platform 104, the pontoon members 112a-c may be connected directly below the intersecting surface 118. In such a case, the pontoon members 112a-c may be connected to the struts 106a-c around their periphery or may be connected to the base of the struts 106a-c.

[0020] 3 shows an example where the pontoon members connect to the bases of the struts 106a-c. In this example, the pontoon members may be in the form of triangular collars, the corners of which may be connected to the bases of the struts 106a-c. In this example, each of the pontoon members 106a-c may be connected to one another at their ends. The corners of the triangular collars may be shaped to be flush with the sides of the outwardly facing sides of the struts 106a-c.

[0021] As described in more detail in the following paragraphs, the pontoon members may be hollow and / or may include equipment therein. In some examples, the pontoon members may include ballast arrangements therein that may be operable by a user to vary the buoyancy of the floating platform 104.

[0022] Although not illustrated in FIG. 2, the struts 106a-c may be connected to each other via multiple connectors 122a-c. The multiple connectors 122a-c may connect to the struts above their connection points with the pontoon members 112a-c and may function to provide structural support. The connectors 122a-c may extend parallel to the pontoon members 112a-c or at an angle thereto. One single connector 122a-c may extend between each strut 106a-c or multiple connectors 122a-c may extend between the struts 106a-c. The connectors 122a-c may have a smaller cross-sectional area than the pontoon members 112a-c. An example of the connectors 122a-c is illustrated in FIG. 3. In this example, the connectors 122a-c are in the form of triangular collars connected to the tops of the struts 106a-c. Thus, in this example, the connectors 122a-c connect at one end to each adjacent connector 122a-c, similar to the configuration with the pontoon members 112a-c. The connectors 122a-c are connected to the struts such that the portion of each connector 122a-c that connects to the top of each strut 106a-c is flush with the outward facing side of each strut 106a-c. With such a configuration, the structural design of the floating platform 104 may be improved by removing any protrusions or angles that may create stress concentration points on the floating platform 104 in use.

[0023] In other examples, the connectors may take alternative forms. For example, the connectors may be in the form of a cylindrical beam that connects to a side of each of the struts 106a-c. Similar to a pontoon member, one end of each of the connectors 122a-c may abut a surface of the struts 106a-c. Alternatively, each of the connectors 122a-c may connect to the struts 106a-c via a connection interface, for example, via a pin connector or a threaded connector.

[0024] The cross-sectional shape of the example struts 106a-c is shown in more detail in FIG. 4. Here, a first strut is illustrated with respect to a regular hexagon 130 having a side length a. As illustrated, the cross-section of the strut 106a is symmetric about a central axis 132 extending between the center of the cross-section and the center of the floating platform 104, for example when viewed from above. However, the cross-section is asymmetric about a horizontal axis 134 rotated 90 degrees. The horizontal axis 134 divides the cross-section in two, with three interior sides of the hexagon located on one side of the horizontal axis 134 adjacent the adjacent pontoon members 112a, 112c, and the remaining three exterior sides of the hexagon located on the other side of the horizontal axis 134. The three interior sides include one middle side and two adjacent sides to the exterior sides, and the three exterior sides include one middle side and two adjacent sides to the interior sides. Each of the intermediate sides is parallel to the horizontal axis 134 , while each of the adjacent sides extends obliquely relative to the horizontal axis 134 .

[0025] 4, the two variables of the cross-sectional shape are h1 and h2. h1 corresponds to the distance of the inner medial side from the horizontal axis 134, while h2 corresponds to the distance of the outer medial side from the horizontal axis 134. In this example, the distance h2 is greater than h1.

[0026] Three further illustrated variables are b1, b2, and b3. b1 and b3 correspond to the lengths of the inner and outer medial sides, respectively, while b2 corresponds to the overall length of the cross-section in the direction along the transverse axis 134.

[0027] By varying h1, h2, b1, b2, and b3, various configurations of irregular hexagons are possible. In the illustrated example, the variables are selected such that the angle between the corresponding interior and exterior adjacent sides is 90 degrees. Similarly, the variables are selected such that there is a 30 degree angle between the exterior adjacent sides and the central axis 132. This particular configuration allows the exterior adjacent sides to extend parallel to the length of the adjacent pontoon members, while the interior adjacent sides extend perpendicular to the length of the adjacent pontoon members. Thus, the exterior adjacent sides can be flush with the exterior surfaces of the adjacent pontoon members 112a, c, while the interior adjacent sides (which are also part of the intersection plane) can join the adjacent pontoon members 112a, 112c at right angles.

[0028] As can also be seen, the angle between the interior adjacent sides and the interior medial side is greater than the angle between the exterior adjacent sides and the exterior medial side. This and other variables have the effect of increasing the area enclosed between the horizontal axis 134 and the exterior side compared to the area enclosed between the horizontal axis 134 and the interior side. More specifically, if the angle between the sides of a regular hexagon is 120 degrees, the angle between the interior adjacent sides and the interior medial side may be greater than 120 degrees, while the angle between the exterior adjacent sides and the exterior medial side may be less than 120 degrees. The variables may be selected such that the total area of ​​the cross section is the same as if it were a regular hexagon.

[0029] In some examples, the length b1 may be decreased or increased depending, for example, on the width of the pontoon member. Here, the inner medial side is shorter than the outer medial side, but it should be understood that in some examples, both medial sides may be the same length or the outer medial side may be the shorter side.

[0030] 5a-c and 6a-c illustrate two examples of a floating platform 104 including a ballast arrangement 124 therein. The ballast arrangement 124 may be in the form of a ballast room or a number of ballast rooms housed within the floating platform 104 (e.g., within a hollow portion of the floating platform 104). Each ballast room may be in the form of a void within the floating platform 104. The ballast rooms may include ballast tanks configured to hold a liquid, such as fresh water or salt water, or may be configured to hold solid ballast material that may be removed and inserted as needed. In some examples, the ballast room or the ballast rooms may include multiple ballast tanks therein.

[0031] Figure 5a illustrates a plan view of the floating platform 104, showing the triangular shaped pontoon base and the first, second and third columns 106a-c located at each corner thereof. Figure 5b illustrates a front view of the floating platform 104 from viewpoint AA, while Figure 5c illustrates a front view of the floating platform 104 from viewpoint BB.

[0032] In this example, the first ballast chamber 140 is located along the entire length of the pontoon member 112b located between the second and third struts 106b, 106c, while portions of the pontoon members 106a, 106c also include the first ballast chamber 140. Because the pontoon base is triangular in shape, the first ballast chamber 140 may be considered to be located along the entire length of the pontoon member 112b opposite the first strut 106a. In this example, the portions of the first and third pontoon members 112a, 112c that may be considered to be adjacent the second pontoon member 112b (and the first strut 106a) include a portion of the ballast chamber 140. The ballast chamber 140 may extend partway along the first and third pontoon members 112a, 112c, e.g., halfway, two-thirds, one-third, one-quarter, etc. The ballast chamber 140 may be one single compartment (e.g., including one continuous cavity for placing ballast material or liquid) or may include multiple compartments and / or cavities, for example, one compartment / cavity in the second pontoon member 112b and one compartment in each of the first and third pontoon members 112a, 112c.

[0033] The first ballast chamber 140 may be a void in one or more of the pontoon members 112a-c, and then a ballast tank may be provided within the pontoon members 112a-c. Alternatively, the ballast tank may be formed by the material of the pontoon members 112a-c themselves (e.g., an enclosed void within the pontoon member), i.e., a separate ballast tank need not be formed within the pontoon members 112a-c. In some examples, the pontoon members 112a-c may include a bulkhead or multiple bulkheads. One or each bulkhead may define a boundary of a corresponding ballast chamber or tank. The bulkheads may be located, for example, at the center of the opposing pontoon members 112b, and may be longitudinally movable therealong to vary the volume of the first ballast chamber 140 on either side of the bulkhead. If the first ballast chamber 140 is configurable to contain a liquid, such as water, the bulkhead may be forced into the liquid volume within the ballast chamber to remove any residual gas therein, thereby eliminating any liquid / gas boundary and removing undesirable surface effects from the movement of the floating platform 104 from the ballast chamber.

[0034] In addition, here the bottom of the first strut 106a includes a second ballast chamber 142. The second ballast chamber 142 may be in the form of a base unit 142 that may be incorporated within or connectable to the first strut 106a. In some examples, the bottom of the first strut 106a (illustrated in Figs. 5a-c) including the second ballast chamber 142 may be considered to form part of the pontoon base 120. The second ballast chamber 142 may be formed within the base of the first strut 101 and may not extend higher than the top surface of the pontoon base. The intersection between the pontoon members 120d-f and the strut 110 may conveniently form or help form a compartment at the base of the strut 110 in which the ballast chamber 142 may be located.

[0035] Similar to the ballast chamber 140, the second ballast chamber 142 may include a ballast tank or the material of the strut 106a may define the ballast chamber. If the second ballast chamber is a base unit 142, the base unit may be or define a ballast tank connectable to the first strut 106a. In some examples, the strut 106a, the second ballast chamber 142 may include a bulkhead therein, which may also be used to eliminate or reduce surface effects.

[0036] As illustrated in FIG. 5b, the second ballast chamber 142 may include an upper portion and a lower portion. As illustrated, the upper portion may be located above the elevation of the top surface of the pontoon members 112a-c, while the lower portion may be located below the elevation of the top surface of the pontoon members 112a-c. The upper portion and lower portion may be connected and / or in fluid communication with each other, or may be separate from each other. The upper portion may include an upper ballast tank, while the lower portion may include a lower ballast tank. In some examples, the upper portion and lower portion may include a single ballast tank that spans both portions.

[0037] The second ballast chamber 142 may be in fluid communication with the first ballast chamber 140, for example, via a ballast liquid transfer arrangement. For example, tubing or piping may extend within the floating platform 104 between the first and second ballast chambers 140, 142, which may allow a user to transfer ballast liquid between the first and second ballast chambers 140, 142, thereby allowing for easy and quick redistribution of the weight of the floating platform 104.

[0038] This ballast arrangement 124 may provide stability during operation because the floating platform 104 may be weighted to offset the weight of the wind turbine tower 102, optionally by providing a counterweight at the opposite end of the floating platform 104.

[0039] Examples 6a-c show different configurations of the ballast arrangement 124. As in the previous examples, the first strut 106a includes a second ballast chamber 142, which will not be described further.

[0040] In this example, the first ballast chamber 140 is located along the entire length of the pontoon member 112b located between the second and third struts 111, 112 (as in the previous example). In contrast to the previous example, the first ballast chamber 140 is contained within the pontoon member 112b and does not extend into the adjacent pontoon members 112a, 112c. However, in this example, the second and third struts 106b, 106c also include a ballast chamber, which may be in the form of a base unit as previously described. The ballast chambers of the second and third struts 106b, 106c may form part of the first ballast chamber 140 or may be separate ballast chambers (e.g. in the form of a base unit) self-contained within each strut 106b, 106c.

[0041] As best illustrated in Figures 6b and 6c, the ballast chambers of the second and third struts 106b, 106c may be shallower than those in the pontoon member 112b, which may also be shallower than those in the first strut 106a. In some examples, the ballast chambers of the second and third struts 106b, 106c may hold solid ballast material, while the pontoon member 112b may hold liquid ballast material (or vice versa). Although illustrated as shallower than the ballast chambers of both the pontoon member 112b and the first strut 106a, in some examples, it may be possible for the ballast chambers to be deeper than one or both of the foregoing.

[0042] The configuration of the ballast arrangement 124 of Figures 6a-c may provide an alternative weight distribution to that previously described in Figures 5a-c.

[0043] In any of the embodiments claimed or described herein, the pontoon member 112b located on the opposite side of the tower may be configured to hold more liquid ballast than the strut 106a or the corner associated with the tower strut. Advantageously, the pontoon member 112b may be configured to hold two, three, or four times more liquid ballast than the tower strut or corner (i.e., more than two, three, or four times the liquid ballast capacity of the tower strut or corner).

[0044] In any of the embodiments claimed or described herein, each of the two pontoon members 112a,c extending from a tower column or a corner associated with the tower column may be configured to hold more liquid ballast in a distal half of the respective pontoon member than in the half of the pontoon member proximate and connected to the tower column or corner (see, e.g., FIG. 5A). This can be accomplished, for example, by locating liquid ballast tanks in a portion of the pontoon member 112a,c closer to the distal column 106b,c than to the tower column 106a.

[0045] In both ballast arrangements 124 of Figures 5a-c and 6a-c, it may be possible to vary the ballast weight provided by each ballast room, thereby allowing a great degree of control over the weight distribution, center of gravity, and overall weight of the wind turbine platform 100. For example, a lighter platform may be useful during installation and maintenance. Depending on the stage of installation (e.g., whether only the turbine tower is mounted on the floating platform 104, or both the tower and the nacelle with blades), a change in the center of gravity of the floating platform 104 may be a desirable feature. Changing the weight and / or center of gravity of the floating platform 104 may provide easier access and / or improved stability of the floating platform 104 and the wind turbine platform 100 as a whole.

[0046] 4, in some embodiments, each of the first, second, and third struts 106a-c may include an inner medial side 150 and an outer medial side 151. The inner and outer medial sides 150, 151 are disposed parallel to one another and perpendicular to the axis 132 that extends between the center of the lateral cross section (i.e., a center point located on the axis 132) and the center of the floating platform 104 (i.e., the center / center of gravity of the triangle). The terms "outer" and "inner" refer to a position relative to the center / center of gravity of the triangle, i.e., the outer medial side 151 is further from the center of gravity than the inner medial side 150.

[0047] Advantageously, the horizontal extent b1 of the inner medial side 150 may be less than or equal to the horizontal extent b2 of the outer medial side 151.

[0048] Each of the first, second, and third struts 106a-c may further include a first exterior side 152 adjacent the first intersecting plane 118 and a second exterior side 153 adjacent the second intersecting plane 118. Advantageously, the first and second exterior sides 152, 153 may be disposed flush with the outer sides 154, 155 of each pontoon member 112a-c, respectively (see also FIG. 2).

[0049] Alternatively, or in addition, the first and second exterior sides 152, 153, respectively, may be disposed flush with the exterior side 149 (see FIG. 8) of the respective connectors 122a-c.

[0050] Optionally, on each of the three sides of the substantially triangular hull, the exterior sides 152, 153 of each of the struts 106a-c, the exterior sides 154, 155 of the pontoon members 112a-c, and the exterior side 149 of the connectors 122a-c may be arranged to be flush with one another (as illustrated by the shaded areas in FIG. 7).

[0051] The above mentioned options can be obtained, for example, by constructing the hull from flat plates, such as steel plates. By having such flush and / or coplanar surfaces, manufacturing advantages and benefits regarding the structural strength of the hull can be obtained, for example, internal stiffening members can be more easily used on or between separate construction plates that are positioned at zero or 90 degree angles during manufacture.

[0052] Referring now to FIG. 8 (also visible in FIGS. 3 and 7), the connectors 122a-c may advantageously include a narrowed central portion 145 and a widened end portion 146. At the outer ends 147 of the connectors 122a-c, the horizontal length c1 of the widened end portion 146 is equal to the horizontal length c2 (see FIG. 4) of the adjacent intersecting surface 118. In this manner, the connectors 122a-c may be structurally connected to the struts 106a-c in a manner similar to that of the pontoon members 112a-c, i.e., over the entire length of the intersecting surface 118, while having a reduced cross section at the central portion 145. As a result, if the load capacity requirements of the connectors 122a-c can be met by a reduced cross section at the central portion 145, useful load transfer may be obtained between the ends 147 and the struts 106a-c while reducing weight and material usage.

[0053] Advantageously, the connectors 122a-c are arranged with flat outwardly facing vertical sides 149 (see FIG. 8) between the ends 147, and the reduction in cross section in the narrowed central portion 145 is obtained by means of a recess in the inwardly facing sides of the connectors 122a-c, as also illustrated in FIG. 7. In particular, the entire outwardly facing vertical side 149 may be a single straight flat surface.

[0054] Referring again now to FIG. 4, in each of the struts 106a-c, the inner intermediate side 150 may be connected to two adjacent intersecting faces 118, and the outer intermediate side 151 may be connected to two adjacent outer side faces 152, 153, and each intersecting face 118 may be connected to a respective outer side face 152, 153 to form a hexagonal transverse cross-section of the strut.

[0055] Advantageously, the angle v1 between the inner medial side 150 and the intersecting plane 118 can be greater than the angle v2 between the outer medial side 151 and the outer sides 152, 153 to form an irregular hexagon.

[0056] Each intersecting surface 118 may be connected to a respective exterior side surface 152, 153 at a 90 degree angle.

[0057] Advantageously, the sum of the horizontal lengths of the inner medial side 150 and the intersecting surface 118 can be less than the sum of the horizontal lengths of the outer medial side 151 and the outer sides 152, 153. Additionally or alternatively, the individual horizontal lengths of the inner medial side 150 and the intersecting surface 118 are less than the individual horizontal lengths of either the outer medial side 151 and the outer sides 152, 153. (i.e., sides 151, 152, and 153 are all longer than sides 118 and 150).

[0058] As illustrated in Figure 7, the outer intermediate side 151 may form (or form part of) a flat end surface 148 of the hull. By "end surface" is meant herein a vertical surface disposed at an edge portion of a substantially triangular hull. A hull may have such a surface and thus not form a perfect triangle, but is nevertheless substantially triangular in that the end surface 148 is significantly shorter than the side surface, e.g., less than one-fifth or one-tenth of the side surface.

[0059] Advantageously, the flat end surface 148 is a single flat surface that extends the entire height of the hull. The flat end surface 148 can consist entirely of the outer intermediate side surface 151, in which case the struts 106a-c extend the entire height of the hull, or it can consist partially of the pontoon members 112a-c and / or connectors 122a-c, in which case these components extend towards the edges and are secured to the struts 106a-c above and / or below the struts 106a-c.

[0060] The hull may include six, preferably exactly six, flat vertical surfaces around its horizontal periphery that constitute the hull's outermost boundary in the horizontal plane. The six or exactly six surfaces may be defined by three flat side surfaces 149, 152, 153, 154, 155 and three flat end surfaces 148.

[0061] FIG. 9 illustrates an example of a floating wind turbine platform 104 that includes a connector 122 that includes a narrowed central portion 145 , wider end portions 146 , and an end portion 147 .

[0062] As previously mentioned, the connector 122 widens from the narrowed central portion 145 towards the end 147. The narrowed central portion 145 may widen linearly from the central portion 145 towards the end 147. In this example, the horizontal or transverse cross section of the widened end portion 146 has a triangular, or truncated triangular, and / or trapezoidal shape. The widened end portion 145 widens from the width of the narrowed central portion 145 to a horizontal length c2 (see, for example, FIG. 4 ) that may be equal to that of the adjacent intersecting surface 118. In this example and the previous example, the connector may connect along the entire width of the adjacent intersecting surface 118.

[0063] Here, the first strut 106a is configurable to mount a structure thereon, such as a wind turbine. Here, each strut 106 is connected at its end 147 to two adjacent connectors, and therefore also to two adjacent widened end portions 146. As illustrated, the widened end portion 146 adjacent to the first strut 106a is longer (e.g., has a longer axial length) in the axial direction of the respective adjacent connector 122 than the widened end portion 146 adjacent to the second and third struts 106b,c. The second and third struts 106b,c may not be configured to mount a structure thereon (e.g., their top surfaces may be flat and without a base structure to which a wind turbine may be attached). Additionally, the connector 122 that connects to the first strut 106a has a shorter narrowed central portion 145 than the connectors 122 not connected to the first strut 106a.

[0064] Having longer end portions 146 adjacent the first strut 106a and a shorter narrower central portion 145 may allow for smoother load distribution through the connectors 122 near the first strut 106. The first strut 106 may need to withstand higher loads as a result of the structure mounted thereon.

[0065] Further, as illustrated in this example, each of the struts 106 has the same transverse cross-sectional shape, as illustrated in the previous example, with the transverse cross-section being in the shape of a regular hexagon, although it should be noted that other transverse cross-sections, such as those previously described, may be possible. Because the transverse cross-section is a regular hexagon, the intersecting surfaces 118 connecting to each end of the connector 122 are not parallel, and thus the end 147 of the connector 122 extends at an oblique angle to the longitudinal axis of the connector 122. It should be noted that in some examples, struts 106 having irregular polygonal transverse cross-sections (as described in connection with the previous figures) may also be used in this example, such that the intersecting surfaces 118 connecting to each end of the connector 122 may be parallel, in which case the end 147 of the connector may extend perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the connector 122. If the intersecting surfaces 118 connecting to each end of the connector 122 are parallel, the widened end portion 146 may have parallel ends and thus may be considered to have a trapezoidal shape.

[0066] As illustrated, the connectors 122 connect to the intersecting surfaces at interfaces that form an interface area between the connectors 122 and the intersecting surfaces 118. Each connector 122 forms two interfaces on the intersecting surfaces 118 of the struts 106. Each interface may include a center of gravity having an interface axis that extends between the interfaces formed by each connector. In this example, the interface axis is parallel to, but misaligned with, the longitudinal axis of the respective connector 122. The longitudinal axes of the connectors are offset away from the center of the floater 104 toward the exterior of the floater 104.

[0067] 4, 7, 8 and 9 and the associated description provide advantages, individually or collectively, of improved structural strength and reliability combined with superior manufacturability, for example in that the internal strengthening of the hull is simplified and / or the design is better suited to handle load hotspots such as loads acting on the inner interface of the transverse axis 134. For example, obtaining an irregular polygon / hexagon inclined in a useful manner relative to the transverse axis 134 (see FIG. 4) can improve the load handling capabilities of the floater.

[0068] Those skilled in the art will understand that the present disclosure is not limited to the preferred embodiments described above. Those skilled in the art will further understand that changes and modifications are possible within the scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, those skilled in the art will be able to understand and achieve modifications to the disclosed embodiments when practicing the claimed disclosure, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims.

[0069] Further examples and embodiments are outlined in the following set of clauses.

[0070] A-Clause

[0071] Clause A1 A floating wind turbine platform (104), comprising: a substantially triangular hull configurable to support a wind turbine tower; the hull includes first, second, and third struts (106a-c), the first, second, and third struts (106a-c) being connected by first, second, and third pontoon members (112a-c) and first, second, and third connectors (122a-c); The floating wind turbine platform (104), wherein the lateral cross-section of each of the first, second and third struts (106a-c) has the shape of an irregular polygon.

[0072] Clause A2 The floating wind turbine platform (104) described in clause A1, wherein each of the first, second, and third struts (106a-c) includes two axially extending intersecting surfaces (118), each intersecting surface (118) being oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the pontoon members (112a-c).

[0073] Clause A3 13. The floating wind turbine platform (104) of any preceding clause, wherein a lateral cross-section of each of the first, second and third struts (106a-c) has an irregular hexagonal shape.

[0074] Clause A4 The floating wind turbine platform (104) as described in clause A3, wherein an angle between two adjacent faces of the irregular hexagon is a right angle.

[0075] Clause A5 2. The floating wind turbine platform (104) of any preceding clause, wherein each of the first, second and third struts (106a-c) is connected to two of the first, second and third pontoon members (112a-c).

[0076] Clause A6 2. The floating wind turbine platform (104) of any preceding clause, wherein each of the first, second and third struts (106a-c) includes first and second intersecting surfaces (118), each of the first and second intersecting surfaces (118) being connected to one of the two of the first, second and third pontoon members (112a-c).

[0077] Clause A7 2. The floating wind turbine platform (104) of any preceding clause, wherein the first, second and third struts (106a-c) are connected in a triangular configuration by the first, second and third pontoon members (112a-c).

[0078] Clause A8 2. The floating wind turbine platform (104) of any preceding clause, wherein the first, second and third connectors (122a-c) are located above and parallel to the first, second and third pontoon members (112a-c).

[0079] Clause A9 2. The floating wind turbine platform (104) of any preceding clause, wherein each of the first, second and third struts (106a-c) includes first and second intersecting surfaces (118), each of the first and second intersecting surfaces (118) being connected to one of two of the first, second and third connectors (122a-c).

[0080] Clause A10 10. The floating wind turbine platform (104) of any preceding clause, wherein each of the first, second and third struts (106a-c) includes an inner intermediate side (150) and an outer intermediate side (151), the inner and outer intermediate sides (150, 151) being parallel to each other and perpendicular to an axis (132) extending between a centre of the lateral cross section and a centre of the floating platform (104).

[0081] Clause A11 2. The floating wind turbine platform (104) of any preceding clause, wherein a horizontal length (b1) of the inner intermediate side (150) is shorter than a horizontal length (b2) of the outer intermediate side (151), or the horizontal length (b1) of the inner intermediate side (150) is equal to the horizontal length (b2) of the outer intermediate side (151).

[0082] Clause A12 2. The floating wind turbine platform (104) of any preceding clause, wherein each of the first, second, and third struts (106a-c) includes a first exterior side (152) adjacent a first intersecting plane (118) and a second exterior side (153) adjacent a second intersecting plane (118).

[0083] Article A13 13. The floating wind turbine platform (104) of any preceding clause, wherein the first and second exterior sides (152, 153) are each flush with an exterior side (154, 155) of a respective pontoon member (112a-c).

[0084] Article A14 11. The floating wind turbine platform (104) of any preceding clause, wherein the first and second exterior sides (152, 153) are each flush with an exterior surface (149) of a respective connector (122a-c).

[0085] Article A15 2. The floating wind turbine platform (104) according to any preceding clause, wherein, on each of the three sides of the substantially triangular hull, the respective external sides (152, 153) of the struts (106a-c), the external sides (154, 155) of the pontoon members (112a-c) and the external sides (149) of the connectors (122a-c) are coplanar, in particular the external sides (152, 153) of the struts (106a-c), the external sides (154, 155) of the pontoon members (112a-c) and the external sides (149) of the connectors (122a-c) constitute a single flat surface.

[0086] Article A16 13. The floating wind turbine platform (104) of any preceding clause, wherein each connector (122a-c) includes a narrowed central portion (145) and a wider end portion (146), and at an outer end (147) of the connector (122a-c), a horizontal extent (c1) of the wider end portion (146) is equal to the horizontal extent (c2) of the adjacent intersecting surface (118).

[0087] Article A17 The floating wind turbine platform (104) of any preceding clause, wherein the connectors (122a-c) between the ends (147) have flat outwardly facing vertical sides (149), in particular, the entire outwardly facing vertical sides (149) being a single flat surface.

[0088] Article A18 2. The floating wind turbine platform (104) of any preceding clause, wherein, in each strut (106a-c), an inner intermediate side (150) is connected to two adjacent intersecting faces (118) and an outer intermediate side (151) is connected to two adjacent outer side faces (152, 153), each intersecting face (118) being connected to a respective outer side face (152, 153) to form a hexagonal transverse cross-section of the strut.

[0089] Article A19 2. The floating wind turbine platform (104) of claim 1, wherein an angle (v1) between the inner intermediate side (150) and the intersecting plane (118) is greater than an angle (v2) between the outer intermediate side (151) and the outer sides (152, 153) forming an irregular hexagon.

[0090] Article A20 2. The floating wind turbine platform (104) of any preceding clause, wherein each intersecting surface (118) is connected to a respective exterior side surface (152, 153) at a 90 degree angle.

[0091] Article A21 2. The floating wind turbine platform (104) of any preceding clause, wherein a sum of horizontal lengths of the inner intermediate side (150) and the intersecting plane (118) is less than a sum of horizontal lengths of the outer intermediate side (151) and the outer sides (152, 153).

[0092] Article A22 2. The floating wind turbine platform (104) of any preceding clause, wherein the respective horizontal lengths of the inner intermediate side (150) and the intersecting surface (118) are less than the respective horizontal lengths of either the outer intermediate side (151) and the outer sides (152, 153).

[0093] Article A23 2. The floating wind turbine platform (104) of any preceding clause, wherein the outer intermediate side (151) forms, or forms part of, a flat end surface (148).

[0094] Article A24 10. The floating wind turbine platform (104) of claim 9, wherein the flat end surface (148) is a single flat surface extending across the entire height of the hull.

[0095] Article A25 10. A floating wind turbine platform (104) as described in any preceding clause, wherein around its horizontal periphery, the hull includes exactly six flat vertical surfaces constituting the hull's outermost boundary, said six surfaces being defined by three flat side surfaces (149, 152, 153, 154, 155) and three flat end surfaces (148).

[0096] B-Clause

[0097] Clause B1 A floating wind turbine platform (104), comprising: a substantially triangular hull configurable to support a wind turbine tower; the hull includes first, second, and third struts (106a-c), the first, second, and third struts (106a-c) being connected by first, second, and third pontoon members (112a-c) and first, second, and third connectors (122a-c); At least one of the first, second, and third pontoon members (112a-c) includes a ballast arrangement (124); The floating wind turbine platform (104), wherein the wind turbine tower is configureable to be mounted to one of the first, second, and third struts (106a-c), the first, second, and third struts (106a-c) being connected in a triangular configuration by the first, second, and third pontoon members (112a-c), and the ballast arrangement (124) includes a ballast chamber extending along substantially the entire length of the pontoon member (112a-c) located opposite the one of the first, second, and third struts (106a-c) to which the turbine tower is configureable to be mounted.

[0098] Clause B2 The floating wind turbine platform (104) described in clause B1, wherein the ballast arrangement (124) includes a ballast chamber extending along substantially the entire length of one of the first, second and third pontoon members (112a-c).

[0099] Clause B3 The floating wind turbine platform (104) of any preceding clause, wherein the ballast arrangement (124) includes a ballast chamber extending partially along a length of at least one of the first, second, and third pontoon members (112a-c).

[0100] Clause B4 11. The floating wind turbine platform (104) of any preceding clause, wherein the ballast arrangement (124) includes a ballast chamber extending along substantially half the length of two of the first, second and third pontoon members (112a-c).

[0101] Clause B5 11. The floating wind turbine platform (104) of any preceding clause, wherein the ballast arrangement (124) includes a ballast chamber extending along substantially half of each of the first, second and third pontoon members (112a-c) located adjacent to the one of the first, second and third struts (106a-c) to which the turbine tower is configurable to be mounted.

[0102] C-Clause

[0103] Clause C1 A floating wind turbine platform (104), comprising: a substantially triangular hull configurable to support a wind turbine tower; the hull includes first, second, and third struts (106a-c), the first, second, and third struts (106a-c) being connected by first, second, and third pontoon members (112a-c) and first, second, and third connectors (122a-c); Each connector of the floating wind turbine platform (104) includes a narrowed central portion (145) and a wider end portion (146).

[0104] Clause C2 The floating wind turbine platform (104) described in clause C1, wherein a horizontal length (c1) of each of the widened end portions (146) is equal to a horizontal length (c2) of the adjacent intersecting surface (118) to which the respective connector is connected.

[0105] Clause C3 13. The floating wind turbine platform of any preceding clause, wherein the widened end portions linearly widen from a horizontal length (c1) at an end adjacent the narrowed central portion (145) equal to a width of the narrowed central portion (145), to a horizontal length (c2) at an outer end thereof equal to the horizontal length (c1) of the adjacent crossing surface (118).

[0106] Clause C4 2. The floating wind turbine platform (104) of any preceding clause, wherein a horizontal cross-section of the widened end portion is trapezoidal in shape, non-parallel sides of the trapezoidal shape having different lengths.

[0107] Clause C5 The floating wind turbine platform (104) as described in clause C4, wherein the horizontal cross-section has an irregular trapezoidal shape.

[0108] Clause C6 13. The floating wind turbine platform (104) of any preceding clause, wherein each of the first, second, and third connectors includes a longitudinal axis and connects to the first, second, and third struts (106a-c) at an interface, the center of gravity of the interface being misaligned with the longitudinal axis of the connected connector (122a-c).

[0109] Clause C7 11. The floating wind turbine platform (104) of any preceding clause, wherein the first strut is configured to mount a wind turbine thereon, and each of the first, second and third struts includes at least two adjacent connectors and at least two adjacent widened end portions (146), and an axial length of the widened end portion in the longitudinal direction of each of the connectors adjacent the first strut is greater than an axial length of the widened end portion adjacent the second and third struts.

[0110] Clause C8 20. The floating wind turbine platform (104) of any preceding clause, wherein the widened end portion comprises an irregular truncated pyramidal shape.

[0111] Clause C9 2. The floating wind turbine platform of any preceding clause, wherein each of the first, second and third struts (106a-c) includes first and second intersecting surfaces (118) connected to one of the first, second and third connectors.

[0112] D-Clause

[0113] Clause D1 A floating wind turbine platform (104), comprising: a substantially triangular hull configurable to support a wind turbine tower; the hull includes first, second, and third struts (106a-c), the first, second, and third struts (106a-c) being connected by first, second, and third pontoon members (112a-c) and first, second, and third connectors (122a-c); Each connector includes two outer ends (147) with at least one side extending between said outer ends (147) being flat.

[0114] Clause D2 The floating wind turbine platform (104) of clause D1, wherein one of the at least one flat side is oriented vertically.

[0115] Clause D3 The floating wind turbine platform (104) of any one of clauses D1-D2, wherein the vertically oriented surface faces outward, e.g., away from a center of gravity of the substantially triangular hull.

[0116] Clause D4 The floating wind turbine platform (104) of any preceding clause, wherein the at least one flat side of each connector is a single flat surface.

[0117] Clause D5 11. The floating wind turbine platform (104) of any preceding clause, wherein each flat side is flush with a surface of one of the first, second and third columns (106a-c).

[0118] Clause D6 2. The floating wind turbine platform (104) of any preceding clause, wherein each of the first, second, and third struts (106a-c) includes a first exterior side (152) adjacent a first intersecting plane (118) and a second exterior side (153) adjacent a second intersecting plane (118).

[0119] Clause D7 The floating wind turbine platform (104) as described in clause D6, wherein the first and second exterior sides (152, 153) are each flush with an exterior side (154, 155) of a respective pontoon member (112a-c).

[0120] Clause D8 The floating wind turbine platform (104) of any one of clauses D6-D7, wherein the first and second exterior sides (152, 153) are flush with an exterior surface (149) of the respective connector (122a-c).

[0121] Clause D9 2. The floating wind turbine platform (104) of any preceding clause, wherein, on each of the three sides of the substantially triangular hull, the outer sides (152, 153) of each of the struts (106a-c), the outer sides (154, 155) of the pontoon members (112a-c), and the flat surfaces of the connectors are coplanar.

[0122] Clause D10 The floating wind turbine platform of clause D9, wherein the respective exterior sides of the struts (106a-c), the exterior sides of the pontoon members (112a-c), and the planar sides of the connectors are oriented vertically.

[0123] Clause D11 13. The floating wind turbine platform of any preceding clause, wherein each connector includes a narrowed central portion (145) and a wider end portion (146).

[0124] Clause D12 12. The floating wind turbine platform of claim 11, wherein the widened end portions linearly widen from a horizontal length at an end adjacent the narrowed central portion (145) equal to a width of the narrowed central portion (145), to a horizontal length (c1) at its outer end equal to a horizontal length (c2) of an adjacent cross surface (118).

[0125] Clause D13 The floating wind turbine platform of any one of clauses D11 and D12, wherein a horizontal cross-section of the widened end portion (146) is at least one of an irregular trapezoid or a right-angled trapezoid.

Claims

1. A floating wind turbine platform including a triangular hull configurable to support a wind turbine tower, the hull includes a first strut, a second strut, and a third strut, the first strut, the second strut, and the third strut being connected by a first pontoon member, a second pontoon member, and a third pontoon member, and by a first connector, a second connector, and a third connector; a lateral cross-section of each of the first strut, the second strut, and the third strut has the shape of an irregular convex polygon; each of the first strut, the second strut, and the third strut includes a first intersecting plane and a second intersecting plane, each intersecting plane being oriented perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the first pontoon member, the second pontoon member, or the third pontoon member; each of the first strut, the second strut, and the third strut includes a first exterior side surface adjacent a first intersecting plane and a second exterior side surface adjacent a second intersecting plane, each exterior side surface being flush with a side surface of the first pontoon member, the second pontoon member, or the third pontoon member.

2. A floating wind turbine platform as described in claim 1, wherein the horizontal cross-section of each of the first support pillar, the second support pillar, and the third support pillar has an irregular hexagonal shape.

3. A floating wind turbine platform as described in claim 2, wherein the angle between two adjacent sides of the irregular hexagon is a right angle.

4. A floating wind turbine platform as described in claim 1, wherein each of the first support pillar, the second support pillar, and the third support pillar connects to two of the first pontoon member, the second pontoon member, and the third pontoon member.

5. A floating wind turbine platform as described in claim 4, wherein each of the first intersecting surface and the second intersecting surface is connected to one of the first pontoon member, the second pontoon member, and the third pontoon member.

6. A floating wind turbine platform as described in claim 5, wherein the first support pillar, the second support pillar, and the third support pillar are connected in a triangular formation by the first pontoon member, the second pontoon member, and the third pontoon member.

7. A floating wind turbine platform as described in claim 1, wherein the first connector, the second connector, and the third connector are positioned above and parallel to the first pontoon member, the second pontoon member, and the third pontoon member.

8. A floating wind turbine platform as described in claim 1, wherein each of the first intersecting surface and the second intersecting surface is connected to one of the first connector, the second connector, and the third connector.

9. A floating wind turbine platform as described in claim 1, wherein each of the first support, the second support, and the third support includes an inner middle side and an outer middle side, the inner middle side and the outer middle side being parallel to each other and perpendicular to an axis extending between the center of the lateral cross section and the center of the floating wind turbine platform.

10. A floating wind turbine platform as described in claim 9, wherein the horizontal length of the inner intermediate side is smaller than the horizontal length of the outer intermediate side, or the horizontal length of the inner intermediate side is equal to the horizontal length of the outer intermediate side.

11. A floating wind turbine platform as described in claim 1, wherein the first external side and the second external side are each flush with the outer surface of their respective connectors.

12. A floating wind turbine platform as described in claim 1, wherein on each of the three sides of the triangular hull, the outer sides of each of the struts, the outer sides of the pontoon members, and the outer sides of the connectors are on the same plane, whereby the outer sides of the struts, the outer sides of the pontoon members, and the outer sides of the connectors form a single flat surface.

13. A floating wind turbine platform as described in claim 1, wherein each connector includes a narrowed central portion and widened end portions, and at the outer ends of the connectors, the widened end portions have a horizontal length equal to the horizontal length of their adjacent intersecting surfaces.

14. A floating wind turbine platform as described in claim 13, wherein the first support is configured to mount a wind turbine thereon, and each of the first support, the second support, and the third support includes at least two adjacent connectors and at least two adjacent widened end portions, and in the axial direction of each connector, the axial length of the widened end portion adjacent to the first support is greater than the axial length of the widened end portion adjacent to the second support and the third support.

15. A floating wind turbine platform as described in claim 1, wherein the connectors between the ends have flat outwardly facing vertical sides, and the entire outwardly facing vertical sides are a single flat surface.

16. A floating wind turbine platform as described in claim 1, wherein in each strut, the inner middle side is connected to two adjacent intersecting faces and the outer middle side is connected to two adjacent outer side faces, each intersecting face being connected to a respective outer side face so as to form a convex hexagonal transverse cross section of the strut.

17. A floating wind turbine platform as described in claim 16, wherein the angle between the inner intermediate side and the intersecting plane is greater than the angle between the outer intermediate side and the outer side so as to form an irregular hexagon.

18. A floating wind turbine platform as described in claim 1, wherein each intersecting surface is connected to each outer side surface at a 90 degree angle.

19. A floating wind turbine platform as described in claim 16, wherein the sum of the horizontal lengths of the inner intermediate side and the intersecting surface is less than the sum of the horizontal lengths of the outer intermediate side and the outer side.

20. A floating wind turbine platform as described in claim 16, wherein the individual horizontal lengths of the inner intermediate side surface and the intersecting surface are smaller than the individual horizontal lengths of either of the outer intermediate side surface and the outer side surface.

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