Angled Offshore Pile Foundation for Low Noise Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current offshore wind turbine foundation methods, such as driven piles and gravity foundations, cause significant noise and vibration pollution, are environmentally harmful, and require complex and costly installation processes, including extensive geological investigations and challenging dismantling procedures.
Innovation Solution
A foundation structure using piles that can be drilled or vibrated into the seabed at an angle, anchored with organic or inorganic materials, eliminating the need for ramming and allowing for a more environmentally friendly, cost-effective, and quicker installation process, with detachable connections for easier assembly and dismantling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If driven piles are used to anchor the foundation to the seabed, then the foundation achieves high anchoring strength and stability, but significant noise and vibration pollution is generated during installation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical impact driving system with a drilling system. Instead of using heavy piling hammers that generate noise and vibration, the foundation piles are drilled into the seabed using drilling equipment, thereby eliminating the harmful acoustic and vibrational effects while maintaining anchoring effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the installation method parameter from impact driving to drilling. This fundamental parameter change transforms the installation process from a high-noise, high-vibration mechanical impact process to a controlled drilling process, resolving the contradiction between achieving strong anchoring and avoiding environmental pollution
2Reliability
If extensive geological investigations are conducted before installation, then the foundation design is optimized for site conditions, but the installation process becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary geological investigations and soil classification before the actual foundation installation. By understanding the seabed conditions in advance, the drilling parameters and pile design can be optimized beforehand, making the actual installation process simpler and more straightforward
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adapts drilling parameters based on preliminary soil classification. By categorizing seabed conditions into different soil types beforehand, the installation process can use predetermined drilling parameters for each soil type, reducing on-site decision complexity and streamlining the installation procedure
3Strength
If traditional driven pile foundations are used, then the foundation achieves sufficient load-bearing capacity, but the dismantling process is difficult and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the foundation with detachable connections that allow the structure to transition from a fixed state during operation to a detachable state during dismantling. The load-bearing capacity is maintained during operation through secure anchoring, while the detachable features enable easy removal when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the foundation into separable components with standardized detachable connections. This segmentation allows the foundation elements to be easily disconnected and removed individually, making the dismantling process much simpler and less costly compared to traditional monolithic driven pile foundations
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution significantly reduces noise emissions, minimizes seabed disturbance, and simplifies the installation and dismantling processes, while adhering to environmental regulations and reducing logistical and operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
the pile (5) transfers loads into the seabed (4)
Implementation Method 2
which can be fixed in the seabed (4) with an organic or inorganic material
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
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AI summary
The invention relates to a foundation structure (1) of an offshore plant, in particular an offshore wind turbine, comprising at least one foundation element that can be anchored to the seabed without a gravity foundation and without a floating foundation and a support structure (2) fastened thereto for fixing the offshore plant. According to the invention, in order to achieve a high level of environmental compatibility of the foundation structure (1) during the installation and a simple and economical installation, the foundation element is a pile (5) that can be inserted into the seabed by means of drilling and/or by means of vibratory driving, can be fixed in the seabed by means of an organic and/or inorganic material, and is oriented at an angle from a vertical on the seabed. The invention further relates to a method for installing said foundation structure (1) on a seabed (4), wherein first the coupling element (3) is anchored by means of piles (5) inserted into the seabed (4) and then the support structure (2) is connected to the coupling element (3).