Floating body type metal platform

Abstract

To provide a floating body type metal platform (100) suitable for mass production, a method for assembling the floating body type metal platform (100), and a floating body type wind power turbine (1000) supported by the floating body type metal platform (100).SOLUTION: A floating body type metal platform (100) includes a central hub (120) connected to a tower (200), and at least three slender elements (110) connected to the central hub (120). The slender elements (110) are arranged at a regular angle interval (α). Each slender element (110) comprises a first slender member (111), a second slender member (112) parallel to the first slender member (111), and a first floating element (114) connected to the first slender member (111) and to the second slender member (112).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to floating metal platforms, in particular to floating wind turbine metal platforms. [Background technology]

[0002] When considering the design of floating offshore platforms to be adopted for various marine projects, structural efficiency, considering weight and shape in terms of motion characteristics, clearly stands out as the design driver of the most successful units. This design practice has been transferred to multi-unit applications such as floating offshore wind farms, while this practice emerged for single or few unit projects in different economic contexts. Now, economic margins are much lower and the number of units has increased greatly. The initial design principles should be reconsidered and it is found that the prior art structural design drivers for floating offshore platforms should not be the governing performance indicators for e.g. offshore wind platforms in today's supply market. Instead, the design should follow requirements such as supply chain availability, manufacturing and installation logistics, and engineering simplicity. Thus, simplification should be preferred over design sophistication at the expense of weight and motion characteristics. Complex structures with nonlinear excitations and responses entail uncertainties regarding structural performance, which, from the investor's point of view, translate into unquantifiable risks that must be mitigated against empirical contingencies that must be considered. Using state-of-the-art knowledge of dynamics, designers must simplify structures and linearize their dynamics as much as possible. This increases the accuracy of structural performance estimates to a level where reliability-based performance estimates become practically available. Such estimates would significantly improve investors' understanding of risk and allow them to shift investment decisions from qualitative to quantitative contingency estimates.

[0003] It has been found that emphasizing current state-of-the-art mass production techniques, including modern design logistics principles, will reduce supply chain maturity time and encourage automation, thereby significantly reducing manufacturing costs. This limits the designer's choices in geometry and complexity, which must be carefully weighed against ease of automation and logistics in assembly and storage.

[0004] Prior art semi-submersible wind turbine platforms rely on floating concrete or reinforced shells located on a structural perimeter joined at the center by either concrete elements or trusswork. Such reinforced concrete, trusswork and reinforced shells from tubular members are labor intensive and difficult to manufacture in automated mass production.

[0005] The design philosophy of the present invention redefines the design drivers for floating support structures for offshore wind. Prior art relies on common methods conceived in the early days of the offshore oil and gas industry. These methods are elegant and allow for advanced structural optimization with respect to weight and motion, but do not address the fundamental challenges in floating offshore wind. Unlike oil and gas, where field development projects involve one to a few units with excessive profit margins, the renewable energy market for support structures has low margins but a high number of units per project. This realization dictates a restructuring of the design drivers, where the focus should now shift from optimizing weight and motion to leveraging mass to achieve lower costs. The design and manufacturing processes by which this has been successfully achieved in the past are within the realm of automated continuous manufacturing, and the efficiency of such continuous manufacturing processes is governed by the continuous manufacturability of the units being manufactured. However, continuous manufacturability is not enough. Experience has shown that a significant number, if not all, of the efforts at serial manufacturing of units in offshore wind have been frustrated by the high upfront costs of obtaining fully functional large unit manufacturing lines with the attendant logistical capabilities. If one analyzes why investors (including manufacturers and developers) are reluctant to make such investments in offshore wind, the common denominator is the lack of a healthy market to offset the upfront costs.

[0006] Two assumptions have proven fundamental to the floating offshore wind industry:

[0007] -A successful floating offshore wind market depends on the availability of fit-for-purpose automated continuous manufacturing equipment.

[0008] The existence of automated continuous manufacturing facilities for offshore wind depends on a mature and foreseeable market.

[0009] However, these two assumptions are mutually exclusive and, in fact, explicitly contradictory due to their interdependence. Nevertheless, the interdependence of these assumptions can be attenuated by carefully designing bridging technologies between existing continuous manufacturing capabilities and commercially viable floating offshore wind technologies.

[0010] The existing continuous manufacturing capability identified as being sufficiently mature is monopile technology. This is by far the most successful foundation concept in fixed structure offshore wind. Monopile suppliers have been honing their skills for over a decade and have excellent throughput capabilities as well as a true continuous manufacturing philosophy.

[0011] However, the market for monopile technology is declining with new sites located at greater water depths where monopiles are no longer feasible. Monopile manufacturers need a way to transition to floating wind.

[0012] The cross-linking technology, which is the intersection of these needs and prerequisites, is a concept that emerges from the design philosophy of this invention. This invention satisfies the requirement for ease of continuous production, and can be manufactured with minimal changes to the production line of monopile manufacturers. This means that the biggest hurdle, the huge initial investment, can be avoided.

[0013] To fit within the continuous manufacturing requirements of monopile manufacturers, the columns in this invention must be substantially made of steel. The column walls of this invention may be sandwich members with steel faces and concrete cores, but they are not reinforced concrete as found in typical concrete floating structures. There are no automated large scale processes that are compatible with such composite materials.

[0014] Several prior art platforms are described in the following documents: [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0015] [Patent Document 1] GB Patent Application Publication No. 2365385 [Patent Document 2] US Patent Application Publication No. 2012 / 103244 [Patent Document 3] US Patent Application Publication No. 2013 / 019792 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0016] It is an object of the present invention to provide a floating metallic platform which is more suitable for mass production than prior art wind platforms. [Means for solving the problem]

[0017] The present invention relates to a floating metal platform, a wind turbine and a method for assembling a floating metal platform as set forth in the independent claims. Preferred embodiments are set forth in the dependent claims.

[0018] Prior art variations have made extensive use of concrete in their construction, but recently there has been attention given to the environmental impacts from concrete, which is seen as a less attractive material in the future. The base material for this invention is steel, with concrete being optional.

[0019] A floating metal platform for supporting an offshore installation is described, the platform including at least three elongated elements, each of the elongated elements including a first elongated member, a second elongated member parallel to the first elongated member, and at least a first buoyancy element connected to the first and second elongated members. Each of the elongated elements has a first end and an opposite second end. A floating metal platform is described, wherein one of the first end or the second end of each of the elongated elements is connected to one of the first end or the second end of at least one of the other elongated elements.

[0020] "Connected" should be construed as directly or indirectly connected, for example through an intermediate part.

[0021] A floating metal platform suitable for mass production is provided, particularly one suitable for mass production by readily available manufacturing facilities.

[0022] A floating metal platform can be constructed without the use of concrete.

[0023] The floating metal platform may be constructed entirely of metal, with preferred examples of metals including steel and aluminum.

[0024] The first and second elongate elements may be vertically aligned, horizontally aligned, or anything in between.

[0025] The first elongated member may include a first end, an opposing second end, and an intermediate portion therebetween. The second elongated member may include a first end, an opposing second end, and an intermediate portion therebetween. At least the first buoyancy element may be connected to the intermediate portions of the first and second elongated members.

[0026] The advantage of this arrangement is that instead of using elongate elements to connect the buoyant elements, the buoyant elements are integrated into the elongate elements, i.e. used as structural elements in addition to providing buoyancy, and thus can at least partially provide the required stiffness for the elongate elements, which in turn provides the stiffness of the floating platform.

[0027] Another advantage is that the buoyancy elements can be distributed more evenly along the elongate element instead of being located only at each end.

[0028] The elongate elements may be freestanding.

[0029] Each elongated element may include a plurality of buoyant elements. One buoyant element may be connected to a first end of the first and second elongated members. One buoyant element may be connected to a second end of the first and second elongated members. Two connected elongated elements may have one common buoyant element. Multiple buoyant elements may be connected to intermediate portions of the first and second elongated members.

[0030] The first buoyant element may include a first end surface and an opposing second end surface, the first elongated member may be connected to the first end surface of the first buoyant element and the second elongated member may be connected to the second end surface of the first buoyant element.

[0031] The advantage of this configuration is that a more compact construction can be achieved.

[0032] The elongate members may be pipes, plates, curved plates, reinforced plates, sandwich structures and may have a corrugated or sheet pile cross section.

[0033] The offshore facility may be a renewable energy facility, a mining facility, a food production facility, a desalination facility or a hydrocarbon production facility.

[0034] The offshore installation may be a wind turbine, a wave energy converter, a solar panel, an aquaculture plant or a building.

[0035] The elongate elements may be arranged in the same plane.

[0036] Each of the elongated elements may further include a third elongated member parallel to the first and second elongated members, and a second buoyancy element connected to the second and third elongated members.

[0037] The first buoyant element and the second buoyant element (114b) are connected to opposite sides of the second elongated member (112) and are aligned with one another.

[0038] The first buoyant element and the second buoyant element may be connected to opposite sides of the second elongate member and may be offset from one another.

[0039] Each of said elongate elements may further comprise stiffening means for stiffening the parallel elongate members.

[0040] The at least one buoyant element may be cylindrical. If cylindrical, the buoyant element has a central axis. The elongated elements may be arranged such that the central axis of the buoyant element is oriented substantially vertically when the platform is floating in the body of water. Alternatively, the elongated elements may be oriented such that the central axis of the buoyant element is oriented substantially horizontally when the platform is floating in the body of water. Alternatively, the elongated elements may be oriented such that the central axis of the buoyant element is oriented in any direction when the platform is floating in the body of water.

[0041] The at least one buoyancy element may include an outer liner, an inner liner concentric with the outer liner and having a smaller diameter than the outer liner, and an annulus between the outer liner and the inner liner, the annulus may be filled with concrete.

[0042] The at least one buoyant element may have a planar interface with at least two of the first elongate member, the second elongate member and / or the third elongate member.

[0043] The platform may include a central hub, and the elongate elements may be connected to the central hub and may be arranged at regular angular intervals.

[0044] A floating wind turbine is described, which may include the metal platform described herein, a tower connected to the platform, and a horizontal axis wind turbine connected to the tower.

[0045] The metal platform may include a central hub having a central axis, and the tower may extend along the central axis.

[0046] The floating wind turbine may further include a stay cable having a first end connected to the elongated element and a second end connected to the tower.

[0047] The floating wind turbine may further include a central column connected to the platform and extending opposite the tower, preferably arranged concentrically with the tower.

[0048] The floating wind turbine may further include a stay cable having a first end connected to the elongated element and a second end connected to the central column.

[0049] A method of assembling a floating metal platform is described, the method comprising the steps of: connecting at least a first buoyancy element to a first elongated member and a second elongated member parallel to the first elongated member to provide at least three elongated elements, each having a first end and an opposing second end, and connecting one of the first end or the second end of each of the elongated elements to one of the first end or the second end of at least one of the other elongated elements.

[0050] The first elongated member may include a first end, an opposing second end, and an intermediate portion therebetween. The second elongated member may include a first end, an opposing second end, and an intermediate portion therebetween. The method may include connecting at least the first buoyancy element to the intermediate portions of the first elongated member and the second elongated member.

[0051] The step of providing the elongated element may further include connecting at least a second buoyant element to the second elongated member and to a third elongated member parallel to the first and second elongated members.

[0052] The method may further comprise the step of stiffening the two parallel elongated members with stiffening means connected to the elongated members.

[0053] The method may further include providing a central hub connectable to at least three elongate elements, and connecting one of the first end or the second end of each of the elongate elements to one of the first end or the second end of at least one of the other elongate elements via the central hub.

[0054] A floating wind turbine metal platform is described that includes a central hub and at least three elongated elements connected to the central hub, the elongated elements being arranged in a same plane at regular angular intervals, each elongated element including a first elongated member, a second elongated member parallel to the first elongated member, and at least one buoyancy element connected to the first and second elongated members.

[0055] A floating platform suitable for mass production is provided, particularly one suitable for mass production using readily available manufacturing facilities.

[0056] The floating platform can be constructed without the use of concrete.

[0057] The floating platform may be constructed entirely of metal, with preferred examples of metals including steel and aluminum.

[0058] If three elongated elements are connected to the central hub, the angular spacing between adjacent elongated elements may be 120 degrees. If four elongated elements are connected to the central hub, the angular spacing between adjacent elongated elements may be 90 degrees. If five elongated elements are connected to the central hub, the angular spacing between adjacent elongated elements may be 72 degrees. If six elongated elements are connected to the central hub, the angular spacing between adjacent elongated elements may be 60 degrees.

[0059] The central hub may include an attachment means for connecting to the elongated elements, such as a bolted interface, or the central hub and the elongated elements may be welded together.

[0060] The central hub may include a body, which may be a hollow body with one or several open ends. The body may be cylindrical and may have a vertically oriented central axis. Alternatively, instead of a circular cross section, the hollow body may have a polygonal cross section. The body may be a buoyancy element. The body may be suitable for connection to a wind turbine tower.

[0061] The central hub may include a flange suitable for connecting to an elongate member of the elongate element, and such a flange may be connected to the body of the central hub.

[0062] The elongate elements of the platform may have the same size. However, the elongate elements of the platform may have different sizes.

[0063] The elongate elements may be provided with anchoring supports, typically at the ends of the elongate elements.

[0064] The elongated member may be any extrusion, rolling, pipe, or plate, with or without reinforcement. Some reinforcements that may be used are, for example, flat stiffeners, angle stiffeners, T-shaped stiffeners (e.g., H-beams or I-beams), box stiffeners, box stiffeners, ball-and-flat stiffeners, riveted angle stiffeners, single-sided stiffeners, double-sided stiffeners, multi-leg stiffeners, etc. The elongated member may be of laminated construction. The elongated member may have a sandwich construction, for example, two metal layers with an intermediate layer of concrete.

[0065] The elongate member typically defines a length and a width of the elongate element.

[0066] The buoyant element may typically be a hollow body, or alternatively, the buoyant element may be a mass that is less dense than seawater.

[0067] The buoyancy elements may include ballast means, by which an increased stability of the platform is achieved. In this way, an adjustment function of the dynamic properties of the platform is achieved. In this way, a low draft can be achieved, for example during transport on shore or at a wharf. The ballast means makes it possible to raise the turbine during manufacture.

[0068] The buoyant elements of the elongate members may have different shapes. The width of the buoyant elements may be different to the width of the elongate members.

[0069] In one aspect, each elongate element may further include a third elongate member parallel to the first and second elongate members, and at least one buoyancy element connected to the second and third elongate members.

[0070] Such a multi-layered configuration of elongate elements increases scalability and reduces the need for reinforcing means by overlapping buoyancy elements between each layer.

[0071] At least one of the buoyant elements connected to the first elongate member and the second elongate member may be positioned at a distance from the central hub that is different from the distance from the central hub to either of the buoyant elements connected to the second elongate member and the third elongate member.

[0072] The buoyant elements connected to the first and second elongate members and the buoyant elements connected to the second and third elongate members may be arranged in pairs at corresponding distances from the central hub.

[0073] The distribution of buoyancy elements within an elongated element affects the strength and stability of the elongated element.

[0074] Each elongate element may further include stiffening means for stiffening the parallel elongate members.

[0075] In this way, the strength and stability of the elongate elements can be further improved.

[0076] The strengthening means may be mechanically fastened or welded to the structure. Examples of mechanical fastening means include anchors and shoes, bolts and nuts, screws, nails, rivets, adhesives, tongues and grooves, etc.

[0077] The stiffening means may be pre-stressed to any value required, or may not be pre-stressed at all.

[0078] The reinforcing means can balance discontinuous normal shear forces in the gaps between the buoyancy elements. The reinforcing means may be arranged in pairs to form a substantially X-shape. The X-shaped pair of reinforcing means, when pre-tensioned, exerts a force on the elongated members and the buoyancy elements. The force is balanced by a compressive force in the first elongated member, the second elongated member and the buoyancy elements. When properly configured, the first principal stress tensor substantially normal to the weld can be designed to be in compression over most of its dynamic range, significantly improving fatigue performance.

[0079] Alternatively, the reinforcing means may be disposed alone.

[0080] The reinforcement may be achieved by reinforcing means such as pretensioning cables, strands, rods, bars, tubes, or other beam sections connecting the elongate members. The reinforcement may also be achieved by additional reinforcement included in the elongate members.

[0081] The buoyancy element may be cylindrical.

[0082] The buoyancy element includes an outer liner, an inner liner concentric with and having a smaller diameter than the outer liner, and an annulus between the outer liner and the inner liner, which may be filled with concrete.

[0083] Such a sandwich structure is well suited for mass production.

[0084] The buoyant element may have a planar interface with at least two of the first elongate member, the second elongate member and / or the third elongate member, and if the elongate element comprises a plurality of elongate members, the buoyant element of that elongate element may have a planar interface with any of the elongate members.

[0085] A floating wind turbine may comprise a metal platform according to any aspect of the present invention, a tower connected to the platform and extending along a central axis of the central hub of the platform, and a horizontal wind turbine connected to the tower.

[0086] The floating wind turbine may further include a stay cable having a first end connected to the elongated element and a second end connected to the tower.

[0087] The floating wind turbine may further include a central column connected to said platform and extending opposite said tower, preferably arranged concentrically with said tower.

[0088] The floating wind turbine may further include a stay cable having a first end connected to the elongated element and a second end connected to the central column.

[0089] Floating wind turbines may be used offshore. Floating wind turbines may be column stabilized units, semi-submersible, spar designs, or any combination of these.

[0090] A method of assembling a floating wind turbine metallic platform is described, the method comprising the steps of providing elongated elements by connecting at least one buoyancy element to a first elongated member and a second elongated member parallel to the first elongated member, providing a central hub connectable to at least three elongated elements, and connecting the at least three elongated elements to the central hub.

[0091] The step of providing the elongated elements may further include connecting at least one buoyant element to the second elongated member and to a third elongated member parallel to the first and second elongated members.

[0092] The method may further comprise the step of pretensioning two parallel elongate members with stiffening means connected to the elongate members.

[0093] The floating platform does not require investment in new manufacturing lines: so-called monopiles, towers or any other large diameter cylindrical steel elements that are continuously manufactured can be used as buoyancy elements as they are, i.e. the invention converts an existing unrelated structural element, the monopile, into a new application.

[0094] The floating platform reduces the construction complexity compared to prior art solutions, which increases the availability of production yards.

[0095] The floating platform utilizes stiffening plates and simple stiffening means for structural strength instead of the complex pontoon (barge) structures found in prior art semi-submersibles.

[0096] Floating platforms allow for a high degree of automation during construction, which limits human exposure. As with O&G, the focus on HSE (Health, Safety, and Environment) in floating offshore wind is expected to increase over time, making "human intervention" increasingly attractive.

[0097] The invention will now be described in non-limiting embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0098] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a wind turbine platform. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a wind turbine comprising a wind turbine platform, a tower and a horizontal axis turbine. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a top view of a wind turbine platform with a central hub and three elongated elements. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a wind turbine with a tower connected to a platform by means of stay wires. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a wind turbine including a tower, a platform, a central column extending below a central hub of the platform, and stay wires from the central column to elongated elements of the platform and from the tower to the elongated elements. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a wind turbine platform in a two-layer slender element configuration with a gap reinforcement system with reinforcement means. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a wind turbine platform in a two-layer slender element configuration with a gap enhancement system by overlapping buoyancy elements. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an elongated element with buoyancy elements arranged in a horizontal triangular lattice. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is an isometric view of an elongate element with an alternative set of reinforcing means. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a wind turbine platform including a central hub and an elongated body. [Figure 11a] 1A-1C are isometric views of three different embodiments of an elongate member. [Figure 11b] 1A-1C are isometric views of three different embodiments of an elongate member. [Figure 11c] 1A-1C are isometric views of three different embodiments of an elongate member. [Figure 12] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a sandwich structure that can be used for the body of the buoyancy element or central hub. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is an isometric view of an elongate element with an alternative set of reinforcing means. [Figure 14] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a wind turbine platform with elongated elements each having one buoyancy element. [Figure 15] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a wind turbine platform in a two-tier slender element configuration with slender elements with one buoyancy element on each tier. [Figure 16] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a two-layer elongated element with each layer having a different length. [Figure 17] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a floating wind turbine including a triangular floating wind turbine platform and a horizontal axis turbine. [Figure 18] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a floating wind turbine including a triangular floating wind turbine platform and two horizontal axis turbines. [Figure 19] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a floating wind turbine including a rectangular shaped floating wind turbine platform and a horizontal axis turbine. [Figure 20] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a floating wind turbine including a rectangular shaped floating wind turbine platform and two horizontal axis turbines. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0099] The drawings above and the following written description of specific structures and functions are not presented to limit the scope of the applicant's invention or the scope of the appended claims. Rather, the drawings and written description are provided to teach one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the disclosure for which patent protection is sought. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that not all features of the disclosed commercial embodiments have been described or shown for clarity and understanding. Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that developing an actual commercial embodiment incorporating aspects of the present disclosure will require many implementation-specific decisions to achieve the development goals of the commercial embodiment. Such implementation-specific decisions may include, but are not limited to, compliance with system-related, business-related, government-related, and other constraints. These constraints may vary depending on the particular implementation and location, and over time. While the developer's efforts may be complex and time-consuming in absolute terms, such efforts are nevertheless a routine undertaking for those skilled in the art having the benefit of this disclosure. It should be appreciated that the disclosure disclosed and taught herein is susceptible to many different modifications and alternative forms. The use of singular forms such as, but not limited to, "a" is not intended to limit the number of items, and the use of relative terms such as, but not limited to, "top," "bottom," "left," "right," "upper," "lower," "downward," "upward," "side" is used for clarity with specific reference to the drawings and is not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure or the claims.

[0100] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present disclosure provides an improved design for a floating column-stabilized platform. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG.

[0101] 10 is an exploded perspective view of a floating wind turbine platform 100. The floating wind turbine platform 100 may include three elongated elements 110 connected to a central hub 120.

[0102] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a floating wind turbine platform 100. The floating wind turbine platform 100 may include three elongated elements 110 connected to a central hub 120. Each elongated element 110 includes three buoyant elements 114 disposed between a first elongated member 111 and a second elongated member 112. A stiffening means 115 may be connected to the first elongated member 111 and the second elongated member 112 between the buoyant elements 114. The central hub 120 may include a first flange 121 and a second flange 122 connected to the first elongated member 111 and the second elongated member 112, respectively, coupling the elongated elements 110 to the central hub 120. The central hub 120 may also include a body 124 connected to the first flange 121 and the second flange 122.

[0103] 2 shows a floating wind turbine 1000 including a floating wind turbine platform 100, a tower 200, and a horizontal axis wind turbine 300. As an alternative to the horizontal axis wind turbine 300, the floating wind turbine 1000 may comprise a vertical axis turbine (not shown).

[0104] 3 is a top view of the floating wind turbine platform 100 with angles α1, α2, α3 between the elongated elements 110 in the horizontal plane. The angles α1, α2, α3 may all be equal or all different. Alternatively, the elongated elements 110 may be arranged with angles between them such that α1=α2>α3 or α1=α2<α3. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that a similar angular distribution can be applied to a platform 100 having more than two elongated elements 110.

[0105] FIG. 4 shows that the floating wind turbine 1000 may include stay cables 500 connected between the tower 200 and the floating wind turbine platform 100 .

[0106] 5 shows that a central column 400 may extend below the floating wind turbine platform 100. The extending central column 400 may be connected to the floating wind turbine platform 100 by stay cables 500. These lower stay cables 500 counteract the forces from the upper stay cables 52, forming a force triangle equilibrium.

[0107] FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of a floating wind turbine platform 100. The floating wind turbine platform 100 may include a two-layer elongated element 110, each of which is connected to a central hub 120. The configuration of each two-layer elongated element 110 may include three buoyant elements 114a, 114b in two layers. The three first buoyant elements 114a arranged in the upper layer may be arranged between the first elongated member 111 and the second elongated member 112. The three second buoyant elements 114b arranged in the lower layer may be arranged between the second elongated member 112 and the third elongated member 113. As shown in FIG. 6, the three upper layer first buoyant elements 114a may be substantially co-located with the three lower layer second buoyant elements 114b in the horizontal plane.

[0108] The stiffening means 115 may be connected between the first elongate member 111 and the second elongate member 112, between the first buoyant element 114a. The stiffening means 115 may be connected between the second elongate member 112 and the third elongate member 113, between the second buoyant element 114b. The central hub 120 may comprise a first flange 121, a second flange 122 and a third flange 123 connected to the first elongate member 111, the second elongate member 112 and the third elongate member 113, respectively, and coupling the elongate elements 110 to the central hub 110. The central hub 120 may comprise a body 124 connected to the first flange 121, the second flange 122 and the third flange 123.

[0109] FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view of a floating wind turbine platform 100. The floating wind turbine platform 100 may include a two-tiered elongated element 110 configuration, each elongated element 110 of which may be connected to a central hub 120. Each two-tiered elongated element 110 configuration may include two tiers of four buoyant elements 114a, 114b. The four first buoyant elements 114a arranged in the upper tier may be disposed between the first elongated member 111 and the second elongated member 112. The four second buoyant elements 114b arranged in the lower tier may be disposed between the second elongated member 112 and the third elongated member 113. The inner second buoyant element 114b may be disposed partially between the second elongated member 112 and the third elongated member 113, and partially between the second flange 122 and the third flange 123 of the central hub 120. The four upper layer first buoyancy elements 114a may substantially overlap the four lower layer second buoyancy elements 114 in the horizontal plane, as shown in FIG.

[0110] The central hub 120 may include a first flange 121, a second flange 122, and a third flange 123 that connect to the first elongate member 111, the second elongate member 112, and the third elongate member 113 of the elongate element 110. The central hub 120 may include a body 124 connected to the first flange 121 and the second flange 122.

[0111] The floating wind turbine platform 100 may include a central hub 120. The central hub 120 may include flanges 121, 122, 123 that may be connected to the elongated members 111, 112, 113 of the elongated elements 110, and a body 124 that is subsequently connected to the tower 200. The body may house any necessary equipment, ballast and buoyancy elements, as well as power cable housings, marine outgoing power cables, mooring supports, etc. The body may ensure proper load transfer between the wind turbine tower and the elongated elements 110.

[0112] The elongated element 110 may be free-standing and include at least two buoyant elements 114 that may be disposed between at least two elongated members 111, 112, 113. The buoyant elements 114 may be welded to the elongated members 111, 112, 113. The present disclosure provides an innovative design where the elongated element 110 balances structural continuity and transverse permeability in a design suitable for automated manufacturing. This is achieved by alternating buoyant elements 114 and reinforced gaps along its longitudinal axis while pursuing simple geometries such as cylinders, square plates, and rods in the design. The design suitable for automated manufacturing is suitable for existing continuous manufacturing equipment due to the simple geometries.

[0113] The floating wind turbine platform 100 may include at least three slender elements 110 .

[0114] The elongated elements 110 may have the configuration of a single layer elongated element 110. The elongated elements 110 may also have a multi-layer elongated element 110, where multiple elongated elements 110 are stacked together using common intermediate elongated members 111, 112, 113. Additional layers of elongated elements 110 increase scalability by overlapping buoyancy elements 114 between the layers, reducing the need for stiffening means.

[0115] The horizontal pattern formed by the individual horizontal arrangement of the buoyant elements 114 in the elongated element 110 may be one or two dimensional, regular or irregular. Regular patterns include five 2D lattice types: square, rectangular, slanted, diamond, and hexagon. Figure 1 shows an elongated element 110 with a regular one dimensional pattern.

[0116] 8 shows a regular two-dimensional pattern of a hexagonal lattice type. In embodiments where the repetition of the regular pattern is replaced with arbitrary or random gaps between the buoyant elements 114, irregular patterns can be seen.

[0117] The buoyant elements 114 may have the dual purpose of providing buoyancy and piecewise structural strength for the slender elements 110. The buoyant elements 114 have a simple geometry that is suitable for fabrication and assembly line automation. The buoyant elements 114 may be tailored to fit the capabilities of the manufacturer and may be adapted to current raw material markets by balancing the use of metal and concrete.

[0118] The vertical cross-section of the buoyant element 114 may be straight, tapered, or curved.

[0119] The horizontal cross-sectional shape of the buoyancy element 114 may be selected from the group consisting of a circle, an oval, an ellipse, a curved triangle, a triangle, a square, a kite, a diamond, a pentagon, a hexagon, a heptagon, an octagon, a nonagon, or a decagon.

[0120] The buoyancy element 114 may be partially or completely filled with ballast material, which may include water, minerals, and concrete.

[0121] The vertical walls of the buoyancy element 114 of the elongated element 110 may be a steel cylinder. The vertical walls of the buoyancy element 114 of the elongated element 110 may also be a sandwich structure with a grout annulus 119 between an outer liner 117 and an inner liner 118, preferably made of steel. The vertical walls of the buoyancy element 114 of the elongated element 110 may be a steel wall including lateral / ring-like and axial reinforcements.

[0122] The first elongated member 111 and the second elongated member 112 may be coupled with a buoyancy element 114 to form a continuous structural element, i.e., the elongated element 110. The submerged elongated members 111, 112, 113 introduce further hydrodynamic loads to the system which can be adjusted by varying the dimensions of the submerged elongated members 111, 112, 113 to help optimize the overall motion characteristics of the floating wind turbine platform 110. The submerged members 111, 112, 113 provide structural performance in the radial direction, balancing radial forces and moments substantially in the vertical-radial plane.

[0123] To ensure scalability of the assembled unit and provide robustness to changing market conditions and supplier technologies, the elongated members 111, 112, 113 can have various embodiments: the elongated members 111, 112, 113 can be, for example, homogenous, sandwich structure, unreinforced, reinforced, flat or curved.

[0124] In the perpendicular-radial plane between the two plates, for a single layer single row configuration, the shear stiffness of the elongated elements 110 is discontinuous in the gaps between the buoyant elements 114. This discontinuity can be mitigated by stiffening means 115 and / or an intra-plate stiffening system.

[0125] Reinforcement may be achieved by reinforcing means 115, such as pre-tensioned cables, strands, rods, bars, tubes, or other beam sections, connecting between the elongate members 111, 112, 113. Reinforcement may also be achieved by additional reinforcing materials included in the elongate members 111, 112, 113.

[0126] The present disclosure provides an innovative approach towards the utilization of internal stresses by stiffening means. Referring to FIG. 1, the floating wind turbine platform 100 may comprise 36 stiffening means 115. The stiffening means can balance discontinuous normal shear forces in the gaps between the buoyancy elements 114. The stiffening means 115 may be arranged such that they form a substantially X-shape in pairs. When pretensioned, the X-shaped pair of stiffening means 115 exerts a force on the elongated members 111, 112, 113 and the buoyancy elements 114. The force is balanced by the compression of the first elongated member 111, the second elongated member 112 and the buoyancy elements 114. When properly configured, the first principal stress tensor substantially perpendicular to the joints is designed to be compressive in most of the dynamic range, significantly improving fatigue performance.

[0127] 9 shows that a single elongated element 110 may contain 72 reinforcing means 115 for three radial structures, with the number decreasing in a radial distribution. This outward decreasing number is advantageous over a constant number, as it allows the thickness of the member to remain uniform throughout the structure.

[0128] 11a-c are isometric views of three different embodiments of elongate members 111, 112, 113. FIG.

[0129] FIG. 11a shows that the elongate members 111, 112, 113 may be plates with longitudinal flat reinforcements.

[0130] FIG. 11b shows that the elongate members 111, 112, 113 may be plates with longitudinal closure reinforcements.

[0131] FIG. 11c shows that the elongate members 111, 112, 113 may be composite sandwich elements made of a concrete core and a steel liner.

[0132] 12 shows that the tubular sandwich structure can include an outer liner 117 and an inner liner 118. An annulus 119 can be formed between the outer liner 117 and the inner liner 118. The outer liner 117 is preferably concentric with the inner liner 118. The annulus 119 can be filled with concrete. In this manner, a sandwich element is formed that can be used in the buoyancy element 114 or the body 124 of the central hub 120.

[0133] The corrosion protection of the reinforcement means 115 in the splash zone can be a corrosion allowance or a coating. The corrosion protection for the cable or strand reinforcement means can preferably be a tube coating, more preferably a tube coating from a vulcanized rubber sheet.

[0134] FIG. 13 shows an isometric view of an elongated element 110 with an alternative set of reinforcing means 115. The reinforcing means 115 may be arranged singly. By the expression "singly", it is understood that the two reinforcing means 115 are not arranged such that their pair substantially forms an X-shape. Nevertheless, several reinforcing means 115 may be arranged on the same elongated element 110. The reinforcing means 115 may be arranged perpendicularly or inclined with respect to the elongated members 111, 112, 113. If several reinforcing means 115 are provided, they may be arranged parallel or at an angle to each other. This alternative set of reinforcing means 115 may be applied to all elongated elements 110, regardless of the number of buoyancy elements 114 and the number of layers.

[0135] Reinforcing means 115 may be connected to the edges of the elongate members 11, 112, 113.

[0136] 14 is an isometric view of a floating wind turbine platform 100 including three elongated elements 110 (first elongated element 110, second elongated element 110 and third elongated element 110) each including one buoyant element 114. The elongated elements 110 may further include stiffening means 115. The stiffening means 115 may extend from the elongated elements 110 to the central hub 120. Alternatively, the stiffening means 115 may be located only on the elongated elements 110.

[0137] 15 shows an isometric view of a floating wind turbine platform 100 with a two-layer elongated element configuration, including three elongated elements 110 (first elongated element 110, second elongated element 110 and third elongated element 110), each including one buoyancy element 114a, 114b in each layer. The elongated elements 110 may further comprise stiffening means 115. The stiffening means 115 may extend from the elongated elements 110 to the central hub 120. Alternatively, the stiffening means 115 may be located only on the elongated elements 110.

[0138] 16 is an isometric view of a two-layer elongated element 110 with each layer having a different length. Different layers of the elongated element 110 may include a different number of buoyancy elements 114a, 114b. Different layers of the elongated element 110 may include a different number of reinforcing means 115. Different elongated members 111, 112, 113 of the elongated element 110 may have different lengths.

[0139] The stiffening means 115 may be pre-tensioned using anchors and shoes 116. The anchors and shoes 116 may be located on the inside or outside of the elongated members 111, 112, 113. Referring to FIG. 16, the shoes 116 may be located on the outside with the stiffening means 115 protruding from the elongated members 111, 112, 113. The outside location of the shoes 116 leads to compressive stresses between the shoes 1116 and the elongated members 111, 112, 113. The present disclosure provides an innovative approach towards a design suited to the demands of current wind farm developers in that the simplicity of the geometric elements allows for a reduced set of structural parameters, accelerating design iterations in a schedule-driven environment. The gap between the buoyancy elements 114 provides a key parameter for tuning water resistance versus structural stiffness. The diameter of an individual buoyancy element 114 can be understood as the diameter of the smallest circumscribed circle around the cross-sectional shape of the buoyancy element 114. The diameter and height of the individual buoyancy elements 114 are parameters that can be varied along with the clearance parameters to optimize structural capabilities and motion characteristics.

[0140] The floating wind turbine platform 100 may be equipped with a system for station keeping. The station keeping system may include components from the group including mooring systems and thrusters. The mooring system may include components from the group including synthetic ropes, steel chains, steel cables, mass elements, buoyancy elements, damping elements. The mooring system may be fixed to the seabed by any type of anchors including suction anchors and torpedoes.

[0141] The triangular and quadrangular floating wind turbine platforms 100 may have mooring systems connected to one or several corners of the triangle or quadrangle. If the tower 200 is located at one of the corners, the mooring system may preferably be connected to at least one of the other corners.

[0142] The access system may be selected from the group consisting of a marine ladder, a ship bumper, a helicopter lifting station, and a helicopter loading pad. The floating wind turbine platform 100 may include corrosion protection. The corrosion protection may be selected from the group consisting of a sacrificial anode, a coating, and an impressed current.

[0143] The floating wind turbine platform 100 may include ballast.

[0144] The floating wind turbine platform 100 may include an active ballast system, which may have autonomous or manual control, that can move ballast to change the trim and draft of the floating wind turbine platform 100. The ballast may be fixed, and the trim and draft may be changed using temporary ballast pumps.

[0145] The floating wind turbine 1000 may include stay cables 500 between the wind turbine tower 200 and the floating wind turbine platform 100 .

[0146] The floating wind turbine 1000 may include an extension of the central column 400 to a lower draft than the elongated elements 110 of the floating wind turbine platform 100. The floating wind turbine 1000 may include stay cables 500 connecting the elongated elements 110 to the central column 400. The central column 400 may be utilized in greater water depths to include a partial spar buoy effect.

[0147] The material of the floating wind turbine platform 100 may be selected from the group consisting of metals, polymers, composites and ceramics, including concrete.

[0148] The floating wind turbine platform 100 may be equipped with a structural monitoring system that may include home-based communications and continuously transmits the status of all predefined characteristic structural parameters, enabling predictive maintenance, just-in-time operational decisions, and detailed learning models for improved design optimization.

[0149] 17 is an isometric view of a floating wind turbine 1000. The floating wind turbine 1000 may include a triangular floating wind turbine platform 100 and a horizontal axis turbine 300. The triangular floating wind turbine platform 100 may include three elongated elements 110 (a first elongated element 110, a second elongated element 110, and a third elongated element 110). Although the elongated elements 110 are shown as one layer, they may be multiple layers.

[0150] One or all of the elongate members 111, 112, 113 of the triangular floating wind turbine platform 100 may be separate members that are connected during manufacture, or may be fabricated as one piece, for example as one plate.

[0151] 17 shows how a horizontal axis turbine 300 can be located on a tower 200 located on top of a triangular floating wind turbine platform 100. The tower 200 is preferably located at one of the corners of the triangular floating wind turbine platform 100. Alternatively, the tower can be located between two corners of the triangular floating wind turbine platform 100. The tower 200 can be located on the elongated member 111, opposite the buoyancy element 114.

[0152] 17 shows that the tower 200 extends substantially vertically above the floating wind turbine platform 100. As such, the tower 200 extends primarily vertically when in use.

[0153] 18 is an isometric view of a floating wind turbine 1000. The floating wind turbine 1000 may include a triangular floating wind turbine platform 100 and multiple horizontal axis turbines 300, for example, two horizontal axis turbines 300. The horizontal axis turbines 300 may be located at each corner of the triangular floating wind turbine platform 100.

[0154] 18 and 20 show that the towers 200 extend at an angle other than 90 degrees relative to the floating wind turbine platform. In this example, two horizontal axis turbines 300 are placed on the floating wind turbine platform 100 with their towers 200 angled away from each other such that the horizontal distance between the horizontal axis turbines 300 is greater than the horizontal distance between the connection points of the towers 200 on the floating wind turbine platform 100.

[0155] As the number of horizontal axis turbines 300 on the floating wind turbine platform 100 increases, the required buoyancy increases. This can be solved by increasing the volume of each buoyancy element 114 and / or by increasing the number of buoyancy elements 114.

[0156] In the exemplary drawings, a triangular floating wind turbine platform 100 containing one horizontal axis turbine 300 is shown with six buoyancy elements 114, and a triangular floating wind turbine platform 100 containing two horizontal axis turbines 300 is shown with nine buoyancy elements 114.

[0157] In the exemplary drawings, a rectangular floating wind turbine platform 100 containing one horizontal axis turbine 300 is shown with eight buoyancy elements 114, and a rectangular floating wind turbine platform 100 containing two horizontal axis turbines 300 is shown with twelve buoyancy elements 114.

[0158] As shown in FIGS. 17-20, connected elongate elements 110 may share one buoyant element 114.

[0159] FIG. 19 is an isometric view of a floating wind turbine 1000 comprising a rectangular floating wind turbine platform 100 and a horizontal axis turbine 300.

[0160] The rectangular floating wind turbine platform 100 includes four elongated elements 110 (a first elongated element 110, a second elongated element 110, a third elongated element 110, and a fourth elongated element 110). In FIG. 18, the elongated elements 110 have equal lengths and are arranged at right angles, i.e., as a square. However, the elongated elements 110 may have different lengths, e.g., two different lengths, or two elongated elements 110 may have equal lengths. The elongated elements 110 may not be arranged at right angles, e.g., have two obtuse angles and two acute angles.

[0161] 19 shows how a horizontal axis turbine 300 can be arranged on a tower 200 located on top of a rectangular shaped floating wind turbine platform 100. The tower 200 is preferably arranged on one of the corners of the rectangular shaped floating wind turbine platform 100. Alternatively, the tower can be arranged between two corners of the rectangular shaped floating wind turbine platform 100. The tower 200 can also be arranged on the elongated member 111, opposite the buoyancy element 114.

[0162] 19 shows that the tower 200 extends substantially vertically above the floating wind turbine platform 100. As such, the tower 200 extends primarily vertically when in use.

[0163] 20 is an isometric view of a floating wind turbine 1000. The floating wind turbine 1000 may comprise a rectangular shaped floating wind turbine platform 100 and a number of horizontal axis turbines 300, for example two horizontal axis turbines 300. The horizontal axis turbines 300 may be located at each corner of the rectangular shaped floating wind turbine platform 100.

[0164] As shown in Figures 17 to 20, each elongated element 110 may have a first end and an opposite second end. The elongated elements 110 may be arranged in the same plane. One of the first end or the second end of each elongated element 110 may be connected to one of the first end or the second end of at least one of the other elongated elements 110, i.e. two elongated elements 110 may be connected to two other elongated elements at one of their first ends or second ends. In Figures 17 to 20, they are directly connected to each other. Alternatively, they may be indirectly connected to each other, for example via a central hub 120, as shown in Figure 3.

[0165] 17 shows a first elongate element 110 at a first end connected to a first end of a second elongate element 110. The first elongate element 110 may further be connected at a second end to a first end of a third elongate element 110. The second elongate element 110 may further be connected at a second end to a second end of the third elongate element 110.

[0166] In Figures 17-18, each of the elongate elements 110 is shown to be directly connected at each end to every other elongate element 110.

[0167] 17-20, each of the elongate elements 110 is shown connected to another elongate element 110 at both first and second ends thereof.

[0168] Other further embodiments may be devised that utilize one or more aspects of the above disclosure without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. The embodiments have been generally described with respect to welding to join the parts, as the general state of the art is directed to welding. However, the present disclosure is not limited to welding, but may include any suitable form of joining, such as clamping, injection, fastening, or other joining means as further defined herein. Other variations in the system are possible.

[0169] Furthermore, various methods and embodiments of the system may be combined with each other to produce variations of the disclosed methods and embodiments. A description of a singular element may include a plurality of elements and vice versa. A reference to at least one item followed by a reference to that item may include one or more items. Also, various aspects of the embodiments may be used in conjunction with each other to achieve the understood goals of the disclosure. Unless the context requires otherwise, the words "comprises" and variations such as "comprises", "including", "including" and the like should be understood to mean the inclusion of at least the described elements or steps or groups of elements or steps or equivalents thereof, and not the exclusion of a greater quantity or any other elements or steps or groups of elements or steps or equivalents thereof. The device or system may be used in several orientations and orientations. The terms "coupled," "coupling," "coupler," and similar terms are used broadly herein and include, for example, any method or device for fastening, adhering, joining, fastening, attaching, connecting, inserting within, forming within, communicating with, or otherwise cooperating one or more components of each member together, e.g., mechanically, magnetically, electrically, chemically, operatively, directly or indirectly through intermediate elements, and further including, without limitation, the integral formation of one functional member with another. Coupling may occur in a rotational manner.

[0170] The order of these steps may occur in various orders unless specifically limited otherwise. Various steps described herein may be combined with other steps, interleaved with steps described above, and / or divided into multiple steps. Similarly, elements are described functionally and may be embodied as separate components or combined into components having multiple functions.

[0171] The subject matter of the present invention has been described in the context of preferred and other embodiments, and not every embodiment has been described. Obvious modifications and variations to the described embodiments are available to those skilled in the art. The disclosed or undisclosed embodiments are not intended to limit or restrict the scope or applicability of the disclosure contemplated by the applicant, but rather, under the patent laws, the applicant intends to fully protect all modifications and improvements that come within the scope of the following claims or their equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0172] 100 Floating Wind Turbine Metal Platform α1, α2, α3 angles between adjacent slender elements 110, ll0a-c: elongated element, first to third elongated elements 110', 110'' The first and second ends of the elongated element ( end Department) 111 First elongated member 111', 111'', 111''' First, second ends and middle portion of first elongated member 112 Second elongated member 112', 112'', 112''' first, second ends and intermediate portion of second elongated member 113 Third elongated member 113', 113'', 113''' first, second ends and intermediate portion of third elongated member 114 Buoyancy Elements 114a, 114b First and second buoyancy elements 115 Strengthening means 116 Shoe 117 Outer Liner 118 Inner liner 119 Circular section 120 central hub 121 First flange 122 Second flange 123 Third Flange 124 Main Unit A center line 200 Tower 300 Horizontal axis turbine 400 Center Column 500 Stay cable 1000 Floating Wind Turbines

Claims

1. A floating wind turbine metal platform (100) for supporting a wind turbine, said floating wind turbine metal platform (100) comprising: a central hub (120) connected to the tower (200); and three elongated elements (110) connected to said central hub (120); The elongated elements (110) are arranged at regular angular intervals (α), Each of the elongated elements (110) A first elongated member (111); a second elongated member (112) parallel to the first elongated member (111); a first buoyancy element (114a) connected to the first elongated member (111) and the second elongated member (112); At least one of the first and second elongated members (111, 112) of each of the elongated elements is a reinforcing plate; 1. A floating wind turbine metallic platform (100), wherein each of said elongated elements (110) comprises a reinforcing means (115) for reinforcing said first and second elongated members (111, 112).

2. the first buoyancy element (114a) includes a first end surface and an opposing second end surface; the first elongated member (111) is connected to the first end surface of the first buoyant element (114a); The floating wind turbine metal platform (100) of claim 1, wherein the second elongated member (112) is connected to the second end surface of the first buoyancy element (114a).

3. The floating wind turbine metallic platform (100) of claim 1 or 2, wherein the elongated elements (110) are arranged in the same plane.

4. The floating wind turbine metallic platform (100) of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein at least one of the first buoyancy elements (114a) is cylindrical.

5. The floating wind turbine metallic platform (100) of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the central hub (120) comprises a body (124).

6. 6. The floating wind turbine metallic platform (100) of claim 5, wherein the body (124) has a cylindrical circular cross-section with a vertically oriented central axis (A) or the body (124) has a polygonal cross-section.

7. The floating wind turbine metallic platform (100) of claim 5 or 6, wherein the body (124) is a hollow body having one or more open ends.

8. The floating wind turbine metal platform (100) of claim 5 or 6, wherein the body (124) comprises a buoyancy element (114a).

9. A method of assembling a floating wind turbine metal platform (100) for supporting a wind turbine, the method comprising: - providing an elongated element (110) by connecting at least a first buoyant element (114a) to a first elongated member (111) and to a second elongated member (112) parallel to said first elongated member (111); providing a central hub (120) connectable to at least three elongate elements (110); The method includes connecting at least three elongate elements (110) to the central hub (120).

10. 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising pretensioning one of the first elongated member (111) and the second elongated member (112) using a reinforcing means (115) connected to the first elongated member (111) and the second elongated member (112).

11. A floating wind turbine (1000), comprising: The floating wind turbine metallic platform (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, a tower (200) connected to the floating wind turbine metal platform (100); a horizontal axis wind turbine (300) connected to the tower (200).

12. The floating wind turbine (1000) of claim 11, wherein the tower (200) extends along a central axis (A) of the central hub (120).

13. 13. The floating wind turbine (1000) of claim 11 or 12, comprising a stay cable (500) having a first end connected to the elongated element (110) and a second end connected to the tower (200).

14. The floating wind turbine (1000) comprises:

12. The floating wind turbine (1000) of claim 11, comprising a central column (400) connected to the floating wind turbine metal platform (100), extending in a direction opposite to the tower (200) and disposed concentrically therewith.

15. The floating wind turbine (1000) comprises:

14. The floating wind turbine (1000) of claim 13, comprising stay cables (500) having a first end connected to the elongated elements (110) and a second end connected to the central column (400).

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