Floating Marine Platform Pre-Tensioning for Deepwater Wind Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing large-scale offshore wind turbine developments are limited to shallow waters near the shore due to the high cost and difficulty of producing floating foundations, and there is a need for more economical and stable floating platforms that can accommodate large wind turbines.
Innovation Solution
A floating marine platform design featuring a central column, peripheral columns, radially extending beams, and pre-tensioned structural members that provide stability and stiffness, along with a motion control system using buoyancy air chambers and high-pressure air tanks to stabilize the platform.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If conventional floating foundation structures are used, then stability is achieved, but production cost and size are excessively high
Solution Approach 1:
The platform is divided into modular components: central column, peripheral columns, radially extending beams, and pre-tensioned structural members. This segmentation allows for standardized manufacturing of smaller, more economical components that can be assembled offshore, reducing overall production costs while maintaining structural integrity and stability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces pre-tensioning as a key parameter change in the structural members. By applying pre-tension forces to the structural members connecting peripheral columns to the central column, the system achieves enhanced stiffness and stability without requiring larger or more massive structural components, thereby reducing manufacturing costs
2Power
If larger wind turbines are deployed, then power generation capacity increases, but the size and cost of floating foundations must increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pre-tensioned structural members create a stiffened platform structure that can support larger wind turbine loads without proportionally increasing foundation size. The pre-tensioning parameter allows the same foundation structure to accommodate varying turbine sizes, including larger 200-meter rotor diameter turbines, without requiring massive increases in foundation dimensions
Solution Approach 2:
The platform utilizes composite structural systems combining concrete columns with steel pre-tensioned structural members. This composite approach optimizes the strength-to-weight ratio, enabling the foundation to support larger wind turbines while minimizing the overall size and material requirements of the floating structure
3Ease of manufacture
If fixed wind turbines are used in shallow waters, then installation is straightforward, but development area is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from fixed-bottom turbines to a dynamic floating platform system that can be deployed in deep water. The floating columns and pre-tensioned structural members create a dynamically stable platform that adapts to wave motions, enabling deployment in deep water locations previously inaccessible to fixed turbines, thereby expanding the available development area
4Object-affected harmful factors
If floating foundations are deployed in deep water, then visual impact reduces and wind speed increases, but structural cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The segmented modular design with standardized central and peripheral columns allows for economical manufacturing and assembly in deep water locations. This modularity reduces the overall structural cost compared to conventional monolithic floating foundations, making deep water deployment economically viable while enjoying reduced visual impact and higher wind speeds
Solution Approach 2:
The pre-tensioning parameter optimization allows the structural members to be designed more efficiently, reducing material requirements and construction costs. This cost reduction makes floating platforms economically competitive for deep water deployments where visual impact is reduced and wind resources are superior
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 reduces production costs while maintaining stability equivalent to existing platforms, allowing for larger wind turbines in deeper waters, reducing visual impact, and enhancing operational efficiency in varying sea conditions.
Implementation Method 1
the structural members are pre-tensioned. The pre-tension of the structural members induce a counter pressure to the beams that biases the beams in their elongate direction towards the central column
Implementation Method 2
a motion control system using buoyancy air chambers and high-pressure air tanks to stabilize the platform
Data Source
AI summary
A floating marine platform is provided including a central column, at least three peripheral columns circumferentially around the central column, radially extending beams from the central column that connect the peripheral columns with the central column, and structural members spanning between each adjacent pair of peripheral columns. The structural members are pre-tensioned.