Floating Wind Turbine Platform Assembly Using a Buoyant Base

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for assembling and mooring floating wind turbine platforms are inefficient, particularly in deep water depths where fixed foundations are not economically feasible, and there is a need for improved assembly and mooring techniques to harness offshore wind energy effectively.

Innovation Solution

The method involves forming a base assembly of a floating wind turbine platform in a cofferdam or graving dock, with a keystone and buoyant bottom beams, which is then floated to an assembly area for further assembly of center and outer columns, tower, and wind turbine, followed by mooring using various anchor systems to secure it to the seabed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If fixed foundations are used to attach wind turbines to the seabed, then wind turbines can be securely positioned near the coast, but this is only economically feasible at shallow depths up to about 25 meters

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater depth rangeVSAvoideconomic feasibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from fixed foundations suitable for shallow water to floating platforms for deep water, changing the fundamental operational parameter of water depth adaptability. This allows wind turbines to be deployed in depths exceeding 25 meters where fixed foundations are not economically feasible

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The floating platform acts as an intermediary between the wind turbine and the seabed, replacing the direct fixed foundation attachment. The platform provides buoyancy and stability, enabling deployment in deep water while maintaining secure positioning through mooring systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If floating platforms are used for deep water wind turbines, then wind energy can be harnessed at depths greater than 25 meters, but assembly and mooring methods become more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater depth rangeVSAvoidassembly and mooring complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The floating platform is divided into modular components including base assembly, columns, and platform sections that can be assembled separately and then connected. This segmentation simplifies the assembly process in deep water by allowing components to be manufactured and positioned independently before final assembly

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The base assembly is constructed and prepared in advance in a controlled environment (dry dock or assembly area) before being floated to the installation location. This preliminary action allows for quality control and simplifies the final assembly process in the harsh offshore environment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Manufacturing precision

If base assembly is formed in a cofferdam or graving dock, then assembly can be performed in controlled conditions, but the structure must be flooded and floated to the assembly area

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly precisionVSAvoidflood and float process

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cofferdam or graving dock serves as an intermediary controlled environment for assembling the base assembly. This allows precision work to be performed in calm, controlled conditions before the assembly is flooded and transported to the final installation location

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The base assembly undergoes a phase transition from being assembled in a dry controlled environment to being flooded and floated. This phase change from solid-supported assembly to water-borne transport enables the assembly to be moved to deep water locations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

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 approach allows for the efficient assembly and mooring of floating wind turbine platforms in deep water, reducing material costs and enabling the harnessing of significant offshore wind energy resources, while minimizing environmental impact.

Implementation Method 1

a keystone and a plurality of buoyant bottom beams extending radially outward of the keystone

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Data Source

PatentUS11352098B2Method of assembling a floating wind turbine platform

Publication Date: 2022.06.07 UNIVERSITY OF MAINE

AI summary

A method of assembling a floating wind turbine platform includes forming a base assembly of the floating wind turbine platform in either a cofferdam or a graving dock built in water having a first depth. The base assembly includes a keystone and a plurality of buoyant bottom beams extending radially outward of the keystone, wherein longitudinal axes of each of the plurality of bottom beams are coplanar. The cofferdam or the graving dock is flooded and the assembled base assembly is floated to an assembly area in water having a second depth. A center column and a plurality of outer columns are assembled or formed on the base assembly, a tower is assembled or formed on the center column, and a wind turbine is assembled on the tower, thereby defining the floating wind turbine platform.