Semi-Submersible Platform With Expanded Column Cross-Sections

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Solution Overview

Problem

Deep waters are not suitable for fixed wind turbines due to high thrust/drag, leading to pitching motions and reduced efficiency, necessitating a floating platform with increased metacenter height and reduced center of gravity for stability.

Innovation Solution

The offshore floating wind turbine platform features multiple columns with expansion sections that increase the horizontal cross-sectional area upward, reducing overall size and weight while maintaining a high metacenter height, thereby enhancing stability and reducing wave-induced motions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the distance between columns is increased to increase metacenter height, then platform stability is improved, but platform size and construction cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplatform stabilityVSAvoidplatform size

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention transitions from increasing stability through horizontal expansion (increasing distance between columns) to vertical expansion (expansion sections extending upward from water surface). This dimensional change allows the platform to achieve greater metacenter height without proportionally increasing overall platform footprint, thereby improving stability while controlling size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The expansion sections are localized to specific regions of the columns rather than uniformly increasing all column dimensions. By concentrating the cross-sectional area increase in the vertical expansion sections, the platform achieves enhanced metacenter height with minimal impact on overall platform size and construction cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Stability of the object's composition

If heavy ballast is applied to reduce center of gravity height, then platform stability is improved, but platform weight and construction cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplatform stabilityVSAvoidplatform weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention addresses stability by expanding in the vertical dimension (expansion sections upward from water surface) rather than adding weight through horizontal expansion or heavy ballast. This approach increases metacenter height naturally through geometry rather than mass, reducing platform weight while maintaining stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Stability of the object's composition

If column cross-sectional area is increased to raise metacenter height, then platform stability is improved, but platform weight and size increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemetacenter heightVSAvoidplatform weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The invention achieves increased metacenter height through vertical expansion (expansion sections extending upward) rather than horizontal expansion. This dimensional change allows the platform to raise metacenter height while controlling weight by minimizing the volume of additional material required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 design reduces the platform's size and weight, improves power generation efficiency, and enhances availability and reliability by minimizing wave-induced motions and the need for heavy ballast.

Implementation Method 1

it is necessary to increase the distance between the columns to increase the height of the metacenter as much as possible

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMetacenter height principle: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Implementation Method 2

At least one of the columns has an expansion section, which the horizontal cross-sectional area gradually increases upward

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGeometric expansion: Geometry

Implementation Method 3

The connection portion connects the columns

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectStructural connection: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentEP4549304A1Offshore floating wind turbine platform of semi submersible type with columns' cross-section area expanded up to water surface

Publication Date: 2025.05.07 NATIONAL TAIWAN OCEAN UNIVERSITY

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AI summary

An offshore floating wind turbine platform (100, 200, 300, 400, 500) with columns' (110, 210, 310) cross-section expanded up toward water surface is used for a wind turbine (50) to be disposed thereon and floated on the sea. The offshore floating wind turbine platform (100, 200, 300, 400, 500) includes multiple columns (110, 210, 310) and a connection portion (120, 220). At least one of the columns (110, 210, 310) has an expansion section (112, 212, 312, 512). A horizontal cross-sectional area (A10) of the expansion section (112, 212, 312, 512) gradually increases upward. The wind turbine (50) is disposed on one of the columns (110, 210, 310). A design waterline of the offshore floating wind turbine platform (100, 200, 300, 400, 500) is located on the expansion section (112, 212, 312, 512). The connection portion (120, 220) connects the columns (110, 210, 310).