Cast Transition Piece Assembly for Modular Jacket Foundations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing jacket type wind turbine foundations are heavy, expensive, and lack modularity, ease of manufacturing, and internal accessibility, particularly due to the use of costly weldable steel and difficult transportation of one-piece transition structures.
Innovation Solution
A jacket foundation with a transition piece composed of cast segments bolted together, featuring a centrally arranged entrance for access and bolted joints, replacing traditional welded connections to enhance modularity, reduce material use, and improve load distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional welded steel structures are used for the transition piece, then structural strength and reliability are improved, but weight and manufacturing cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The transition piece is divided into multiple cast steel segments that can be manufactured separately and assembled together using bolted connections. This segmentation allows for optimized material usage in each segment, reducing overall weight while maintaining structural strength through the modular design and precise casting processes.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a one-piece transition structure is used, then structural integrity is improved, but ease of manufacturing and transportation are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The transition piece is divided into multiple cast steel segments that can be manufactured separately and assembled together using bolted connections. This segmentation allows for optimized material usage in each segment, reducing overall weight while maintaining structural strength through the modular design and precise casting processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The transition piece segments are pre-manufactured as cast steel components with integrated connection elements. This preliminary manufacturing of standardized segments enables efficient assembly on-site through bolted connections, improving both manufacturing ease and structural integrity.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a one-piece transition structure is used, then structural integrity is improved, but ease of transportation and assembly are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The transition piece is divided into multiple cast steel segments that can be manufactured separately and assembled together using bolted connections. This segmentation allows for optimized material usage in each segment, reducing overall weight while maintaining structural strength through the modular design and precise casting processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The transition piece segments are pre-manufactured as cast steel components with integrated connection elements. This preliminary manufacturing of standardized segments enables efficient assembly on-site through bolted connections, improving both manufacturing ease and structural integrity.
4Force
If traditional welded structures are used, then load transfer capability is improved, but manufacturing cost and material usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The transition piece is divided into multiple cast steel segments that can be manufactured separately and assembled together using bolted connections. This segmentation allows for optimized material usage in each segment, reducing overall weight while maintaining structural strength through the modular design and precise casting processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the material parameters by using cast steel segments with optimized material distribution and density. The casting process allows for controlled material placement, reducing overall material usage while maintaining load transfer capability through precise geometric design and material property optimization in each segment.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
A jacket type wind turbine foundation (jacket) (2) for supporting a wind turbine tower (6), wherein the jacket (2) comprises: - a jacket support structure (28) configured to transfer loads from the tower (6) to the seabed (8), wherein the jacket support structure (28) comprises legs (4) supported by a bracing system built of cross members (12) and - a transition piece (14) constituting the top part of the jacket (2), wherein the transition piece (14) is configured to transfer the loads and weight of tower (6) to the jacket support structure (28), wherein the legs (4) are bolted to the transition piece (14). The transition piece (14) comprises: - one or more cast transition piece segments; - a floor (72); - a centrally arranged entrance (30) arranged and configured to allow access to the transition piece (14) for staff and/or equipment and - one connection portion (74, 74') for each leg (4), wherein each connection portion (74, 74') is attached to a leg (4) in a joint (20). The joints (20) are arranged in a level below the level of the floor (72) 20 of the transition piece (14).