Autonomously Buoyant Heavyweight Foundation Anchoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for anchoring offshore wind or solar energy conversion installations in the open sea, such as using piles or buoyant heavyweight anchors, result in high noise levels and complex installation processes, and lack efficient solutions for stationary anchoring and relocation.
Innovation Solution
A self-sufficient floating heavyweight foundation made of concrete or reinforced concrete with fillable chambers and anchor plates, allowing for controlled flooding to add weight for anchoring and easy transportation and relocation, featuring anchor plates with fastening means to transmit tensile and compressive forces effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If piles are driven into the seabed for anchoring, then anchoring capability is improved, but noise levels increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The anchoring system is divided into separate components: a floating platform with integrated anchor plates and separate anchor elements. This segmentation allows the anchor plates to be positioned precisely on the seabed without the need for noisy pile driving, as the anchor plates themselves serve as the anchoring interface.
Solution Approach 2:
Anchor plates serve as intermediary elements between the floating platform and the seabed. These plates distribute loads and provide anchoring capability without requiring direct penetration into the seabed, thereby eliminating the noise associated with pile driving while maintaining reliable anchoring.
2Reliability
If buoyant heavyweight anchors are used, then anchoring is achieved, but installation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor plates are merged with the floating platform structure, forming an integrated anchoring system. This combination eliminates the need for separate buoyant anchors and complex installation procedures, as the anchor plates are already positioned and integrated into the platform structure before deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The floating platform with integrated anchor plates is self-sufficient and requires no additional installation equipment or complex procedures. The platform itself provides the anchoring function through its integrated anchor plates, eliminating the need for separate installation operations and reducing overall system complexity.
3Reliability
If fixed anchoring structures are used, then stationary positioning is achieved, but relocation capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The anchoring system is designed to be dynamic rather than fixed. The floating platform with anchor plates can be easily repositioned by towing to new locations, and the anchor plates can be repositioned or reconfigured as needed. This dynamic design maintains reliable stationary positioning when anchored while preserving full relocation capability when needed.
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
Enables quiet and efficient stationary anchoring of offshore installations with controlled weight adjustment, facilitating easy transportation and relocation, while minimizing noise and complexity.
Implementation Method 1
The floating gravity foundation has empty chambers and the lowered gravity foundation has filled chambers
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The invention relates to autonomously buoyant heavyweight foundations (1) for connection to an offshore plant for converting wind energy or solar energy into electrical energy comprising a solid plate (2), at least one fillable chamber (3) and attachment means (5) for a supporting structure (10) of a wind turbine or solar plant. These are characterised in particular in that the offshore plant can be simply anchored at a fixed location. To this end, the solid plate (2) has anchor plates (4) each having an attachment means (5) for connection to at least one bracing means (13) for connection to the supporting structure (10). The anchor plate (4) comprises at least one vertically oriented or substantially vertically oriented first plate 6 having the attachment means (5) and at least one horizontally or substantially horizontally oriented second plate (7). The first plate (6) is at least partially in the solid plate (2) so that the second plate (7) is covered by a region of the solid plate (2). The first plates 6 of the anchor plates (4) are first plates (6) transferring the tensile forces of the supporting structure (10) and the second plates (7) are plates exerting the pressure forces resulting from the tensile forces onto the solid plate (2).