Floating Wind Turbine Foundation With Interpenetrating Tube Joints
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing floating foundations for large offshore wind turbines face challenges in deep waters due to harsh environmental conditions, requiring complex construction, high maintenance, and are not cost-effective.
Innovation Solution
A floating foundation design with alternating vertical and horizontal tubular sections connected by interpenetrating tube joints, allowing for a meandering path and enhanced stability, which simplifies assembly and reduces complexity while maintaining structural integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If gravity base structures are used to provide stable support, then stability is improved, but the weight and cost of materials increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies buoyancy as a counterweight force to gravity. The floating foundation utilizes large-volume concrete elements that displace water to generate upward buoyant forces, counteracting the downward gravitational force on the turbine structure. This replaces the traditional gravity-based stabilization with buoyancy-based stabilization, significantly reducing material weight while maintaining stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and density parameters of the foundation material. By using aerated or cellular concrete with controlled porosity (30-80% air content), the foundation achieves optimized density and buoyancy characteristics. This parameter change allows the structure to float while maintaining sufficient mass for stability, resolving the contradiction between weight and stability.
2Stability of the object's composition
If conventional gravity base structures are used, then stability is achieved, but transportation and installation costs increase due to heavy weight
Solution Approach 1:
By replacing gravity-based support with buoyancy-based support, the foundation weight is dramatically reduced. The floating design eliminates the need for heavy concrete mass, making the structure much easier to transport to offshore locations and install on the seabed, directly addressing the transportation and installation cost issue.
Solution Approach 2:
The floating foundation is divided into multiple modular concrete elements (typically 3-5 segments) that can be manufactured separately in land-based facilities, transported independently, and then assembled at the installation site. This segmentation enables easier transportation and simplifies installation procedures while maintaining overall structural stability.
3Stability of the object's composition
If large volume concrete elements are used for floating foundation, then buoyancy and stability are improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates air voids or cellular structures within the concrete elements, changing the material's internal structure and density distribution. This allows the elements to achieve the required buoyancy with slightly less precise external dimensions, as the internal air pockets provide additional volume for displacement without requiring tight tolerances on the outer geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
Ballast tanks or adjustable weight systems are pre-installed within the floating foundation structure during manufacturing. This preliminary action allows for fine-tuning of the center of gravity and buoyancy characteristics after assembly, compensating for any variations in manufacturing precision and ensuring optimal stability without requiring extremely tight manufacturing tolerances.
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
The design provides a resilient, cost-effective, and easily constructible foundation suitable for large wind turbines, with reduced draught and improved hydrodynamic stability, enabling efficient installation and maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
A floating foundation for an offshore wind turbine utilizes the principles of buoyancy and gravity to provide stable support for a wind turbine
Data Source
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AI summary
A floating foundation for an offshore wind turbine having a tower defining a vertical direction, the floating foundation comprising at least three vertical sections and at least two horizontal sections, wherein the vertical sections and the horizontal sections are tubular members, arranged in an alternating manner, and connected together by interpenetrating tube joints and wherein one of the vertical sections is arranged to receive the tower.