Floating Platform Structure With Immersion Floats for Towing Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing floating platforms for offshore wind turbines face challenges in maintaining stability during towing and anchoring, particularly due to wave-induced swaying and capsizing, and require complex anchoring systems to mitigate these issues.
Innovation Solution
A floating platform design featuring a pedestal frame supported by pillars and immersion floats that provide buoyancy and stability, with a low-draft bottom plate and hollow pillars, allowing for increased stability during towing and reduced wave interaction at the final location, combined with a counterweight system for enhanced anchoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the floating platform uses a conventional design with high pillars and large above-water structure, then it can support the wind turbine structure, but it becomes highly susceptible to wave-induced swaying and capsizing during towing
Solution Approach 1:
The platform employs variable draft capability where the hull can be partially submerged or exposed based on operational phase. During towing, the platform maintains lower draft with pillars above water for stability; during anchoring, it submerges deeper to reduce wave interaction. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between structural support and towing stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical parameter of draft depth between operational phases. By controlling the amount of hull submerged in water, the platform optimizes its stability characteristics - shallower draft during towing reduces wave impact, while deeper draft during anchoring enhances wave transparency and reduces overturning moments.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the floating platform is anchored with adequate tension in anchoring cables to minimize pitching and rolling, then stability at final location is improved, but the platform becomes more vulnerable to wave forces during towing when cables are released
Solution Approach 1:
The platform's stability configuration is dynamically adjusted between towing and anchoring modes. During towing with cables released, the platform adopts a stable configuration with pillars above water. During anchoring, the same platform submerges deeper to achieve wave transparency, thereby addressing wave forces differently in each operational phase rather than compromising one mode for the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The platform alternates between two stable configurations corresponding to its operational cycle - towing mode with pillars exposed and anchoring mode with pillars submerged. This periodic adjustment of draft depth allows the platform to be optimized for each phase, reducing wave susceptibility during towing while maintaining anchoring stability.
3Productivity
If the floating platform operates with wind turbine blades positioned to generate power, then energy production is maximized, but the overturning moment from wind on the tower increases the risk of platform capsizing in wave conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The platform's draft depth is dynamically adjusted based on operational conditions. In calm conditions, the platform operates with shallower draft for optimal turbine performance. In rough wave conditions, the platform submerges deeper to achieve wave transparency, reducing the overturning moment from wind-loaded turbine blades while maintaining operational capability.
4Area of moving object
If the floating platform uses a larger surface area above water to improve visibility and deck space, then functional versatility is enhanced, but the platform becomes more susceptible to wave forces and requires more complex anchoring systems
Solution Approach 1:
The platform's effective water-facing surface area is dynamically controlled through draft adjustment. During towing, the platform maintains smaller above-water area with pillars exposed. During anchoring in calm conditions, the platform can submerge deeper to reduce wave interaction with the superstructure, thereby reducing wave forces without compromising deck functionality when needed.
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 enhances stability during towing and anchoring, reducing wave-induced movements and capsizing risks, while facilitating easier assembly and maintenance, and optimizing load distribution through structural arms and buoyancy chambers.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of immersion floats (400) projecting from said bottom plate (200)
Implementation Method 2
Preferably, the pillars (300) are hollow, thus serving as floats
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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AI summary
A floating platform (1) comprising a pedestal frame (100) configured to serve as a support for a structure, wherein the pedestal frame (100) is attached to a bottom plate (200) by means of a plurality of pillars (300) such that, in operating condition, the pedestal frame (100) is supported by the bottom plate (200) by means of the pillars (300), wherein the floating platform (1) comprises a plurality of immersion floats (400) projecting from the bottom plate (200) to an intermediate distance between the bottom plate (200) and the maximum height above the bottom plate (200) of the pillars (300). It also includes a geometry that allows the platform to be manufactured exclusively with flat panels.