Auxiliary Floating System for Wind Turbine Tower Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for maintaining marine wind turbines, such as using jack-up vessels or conventional barges, are costly and impractical due to the high working height and movement issues, especially when the wind turbine structure is floating or not securely anchored.
Innovation Solution
An auxiliary floating system comprising floating elements, a crane, a work area, and a coupling structure with adjustable contact elements and tightening mechanisms that can securely attach to the wind turbine structure, allowing for stable maintenance operations regardless of the structure's floating status.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If jack-up vessels are used for maintenance, then the crane can work with minimal sea movement impact, but the vessels are very scarce and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a positioning system with multiple contact elements as an intermediary between the floating barge and the wind turbine structure. This positioning system mediates the interaction, allowing a conventional barge to achieve the operational stability previously only available from jack-up vessels, thereby making the solution more accessible and cost-effective.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional land cranes on barges are used, then the solution is more cost-effective, but movements of the barge multiply at the end of the boom making operation impracticable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic positioning system with multiple contact elements that can actively adjust and adapt to the barge's movements. Rather than attempting to completely eliminate barge motion, the system dynamically compensates for movements, allowing the crane to operate effectively from a conventional barge despite the barge's inherent mobility.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the support structure of the wind turbine is floating, then the turbine can be installed in deeper waters, but the problems of barge movement become even greater
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested arrangement where multiple contact elements are positioned at different levels along the wind turbine structure. This nested configuration creates a hierarchical stabilization system, with contact elements at various heights working together to constrain the floating barge's movements relative to the floating wind turbine structure.
4Ease of operation
If jack-up vessels are used, then maintenance operations can be performed, but the vessels are very scarce and greatly penalize maintenance costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the expensive, scarce jack-up vessels with a more economical solution based on conventional barges equipped with a specialized positioning system. While the barge itself is a simpler, more readily available platform, the added positioning equipment enables it to perform maintenance operations that previously required much more expensive specialized vessels.
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 system enables cost-effective and stable maintenance operations at high heights by minimizing relative movements between the floating crane and the wind turbine, facilitating the use of land cranes and reducing maintenance costs, while being adaptable to various tidal conditions and marine structures.
Implementation Method 1
at least three contact elements between the coupling structure and the marine structure... One or more tightening elements which allow the position of the contact elements to be regulated, said tightening elements being suitable for exerting a tightening force, through the contact elements, on the marine structure
Implementation Method 2
One or more floating elements... at least one crane located on at least one of said floating elements
Data Source
AI summary
Methods for the maintenance of a marine structure having a wind turbine and at least one essentially vertical shaft are described. The methods include the use of an auxiliary floating system having: at least one floating element that remains semisubmerged throughout the process of maintaining the marine structure; at least one coupling structure that connects the system to the floating structure; and contact elements and tightening elements, wherein the contact and tightening elements are secured to the coupling structure and are intended to solidly connect the system to the shaft. Advantageously, this solid connection allows operations for the maintenance of the marine structure to be carried out in a manner that is efficient and safe for maintenance workers and for the systems involved in the operations.