Auxiliary Structure for Floating Offshore Wind Turbines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing offshore wind turbine installation methods using suction bucket foundations face inefficiencies in long-distance floating transport and installation, requiring large ships and multiple site visits, and struggle with complex marine environments and soil conditions, leading to safety and cost issues.
Innovation Solution
An auxiliary structure comprising upper and lower brackets with floating boxes and cross-connectors, allowing for adjustable buoyancy and synchronized sinking of the wind turbine, including an anti-scouring sand shell film to prevent soil erosion, facilitating long-distance transport and rapid on-site installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If large-scale special ships are used for floating transport and installation, then the whole machine can be transported and installed, but the operation efficiency is low and construction costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The auxiliary structure is divided into upper bracket and lower bracket that can be separated and recombined. The lower bracket is sunk to the seabed and the upper bracket is used for assembly, allowing the process to be completed in one site visit rather than requiring large special ships for entire transport and installation
Solution Approach 2:
The auxiliary structure acts as an intermediary between the wind turbine and the seabed. It provides a stable platform for assembly and installation, transferring the function from large special ships to a smaller, more efficient system that can be deployed from ordinary vessels
2Stability of the object's composition
If the suction bucket foundation is used for floating transport, then self-floating stability is achieved, but the long-distance floating transport and installation of the whole machine cannot be met
Solution Approach 1:
The auxiliary structure is divided into upper bracket and lower bracket that can be separated and recombined. The lower bracket is sunk to the seabed and the upper bracket is used for assembly, allowing the process to be completed in one site visit rather than requiring large special ships for entire transport and installation
Solution Approach 2:
The lower bracket is sunk to the seabed in advance to form a stable base before the wind turbine is assembled and installed. This preliminary action creates a ready-made foundation platform that enables efficient one-visit installation
3Productivity
If the whole machine is sunk directly, then installation is achieved, but the influence of complex marine environment and eccentric load cannot be overcome
Solution Approach 1:
The auxiliary structure is divided into upper bracket and lower bracket that can be separated and recombined. The lower bracket is sunk to the seabed and the upper bracket is used for assembly, allowing the process to be completed in one site visit rather than requiring large special ships for entire transport and installation
Solution Approach 2:
The auxiliary structure provides preliminary support and stabilization before the wind turbine is fully installed. It cushions against the effects of complex marine environments and eccentric loads during the critical installation phase
4Reliability
If anti-scouring structure is installed after foundation sinking, then scouring protection is achieved, but the site must be entered twice reducing efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The anti-scouring sand shell film is integrated with the lower bracket as a combined structure. The film is pre-installed on the lower bracket before sinking, merging the anti-scouring function with the foundation structure itself, eliminating the need for a second site visit
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
Enhances stability and efficiency during transport and installation, reduces construction costs, and prevents issues like shallow penetration or insufficient pressure, enabling rapid and safe installation of entire offshore wind turbines.
Implementation Method 1
an upper bracket floated on water, wherein the upper bracket includes upper floating boxes
Implementation Method 2
suction bucket foundation with a bottom opening is filled with a certain amount of gas, this suction bucket foundation has a certain self-floating stability
Data Source
AI summary
There provides an auxiliary structure for floating and sinking the whole offshore wind turbine with suction bucket foundation(s), which includes an upper bracket floated on water and a lower bracket sunk synchronously with a support structure. The upper bracket includes upper floating boxes; upper cross-connectors each of which is fixedly connected to the upper hoop and a corresponding upper floating box; and an upper hoop configured to sleeve on an outer side of the support structure. The upper bracket and the support structure are relatively moved in an up and down direction, and are connected in a manner of limiting position. The lower bracket includes lower floating boxes, a bottom of each of which is adjustable in height; lower cross-connectors each of which is fixedly connected to the lower hoop and a corresponding lower floating box; and a lower hoop that holds the support structure tightly.