Buoyant Power Plant Deployment Using Self-Service Buoyancy Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The deployment and retrieval of submerged power generating apparatus in extreme marine environments are hindered by difficulties in accurate alignment and control, especially during deployment, which requires expensive and heavy lifting equipment, and is sensitive to weather conditions, with existing methods being inefficient and prone to equipment failure.
Innovation Solution
A buoyant power generating apparatus with a motor-driven winching device and flexible tether, where the alignment and latching means are designed to align the net buoyancy force with a central mating axis, allowing for stable and controlled deployment and retrieval without the need for heavy surface vessels or complex seabed anchor systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a surface vessel with heavy lifting equipment is used to deploy and retrieve the PGA, then the PGA can be raised and lowered, but the cost and complexity of the operation increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The PGA utilizes its own buoyancy characteristics to perform the lifting operation. The negative buoyancy of the PGA enables it to be lowered onto the support structure, and subsequent retrieval is achieved by altering the buoyancy of the support structure rather than using external heavy lifting equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses buoyant balloons attached to the support structure to counterbalance the weight of the PGA during retrieval operations, eliminating the need for heavy surface vessels and cranes.
2Measurement precision
If a telescopic tube is used to guide the PGA during deployment, then position control is improved, but the risk of jamming and equipment failure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the telescopic tube guiding mechanism from the system, replacing it with a method that uses the PGA's own negative buoyancy and the buoyancy of balloons on the support structure to achieve controlled deployment and retrieval without mechanical guides that can jam.
3Measurement precision
If guide wires are used to guide the PGA, then alignment is improved, but the operation becomes time-consuming and requires expensive heave compensation equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The PGA's negative buoyancy serves as its own guiding and positioning mechanism during deployment. The controlled release of buoyant balloons from the support structure provides the necessary alignment and positioning without requiring external guide wires or expensive heave compensation equipment.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the PGA is negatively buoyant for operation, then it remains stable on the seabed, but it requires heavy lifting equipment for deployment and retrieval
Solution Approach 1:
The invention dynamically changes the buoyancy characteristics of the support structure during retrieval operations by attaching and detaching buoyant balloons, allowing the same PGA to be easily retrieved without requiring heavy lifting equipment, while maintaining negative buoyancy for stable operation.
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 efficient and safe deployment and retrieval of power generating equipment in moderately severe weather conditions, reducing the need for heavy lifting equipment and complex guide systems, while allowing for easier maintenance access and aborting operations if necessary.
Implementation Method 1
A buoyant power generating apparatus with a motor-driven winching device and flexible tether
Implementation Method 2
a motor-driven winching device having a flexible tether which is connectable at its free end to the support structure whereby, in use, retraction of the tether causes the power generating apparatus to be drawn downwardly through the body of water into engagement with the support structure
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4a~4d
Figure 5a~5d
AI summary
Power generating equipment comprising a buoyant power generating apparatus (1) and a support structure (7) for the power generating apparatus (1), which support structure (7), in use, is disposed on the bed of a body of water, the power generating apparatus (1) comprising a motor-driven winching device (4) having a tether (10) which is connectable at its free end to the support structure (7) whereby retraction of the tether (10) causes the power generating apparatus (1) to be drawn downwardly through the body of water into engagement with the support structure (7), the power generating apparatus (1) and the support structure (7) being provided with means (3, 5) for aligning and latching the power generating apparatus (1) with respect to the support structure (7) upon engagement with the support structure (7).