Floating Platform Mooring Line Tensioning With Jackscrew Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mooring systems for floating platforms, such as floating wind turbine platforms, often fail to achieve the desired mooring line tension due to component tolerance stack-up and anchor settlement, necessitating time-consuming and resource-intensive adjustments.
Innovation Solution
A mooring line tensioning device with a pivotably coupled elongate housing and a linear actuator, allowing for adjustable tension of anchored mooring lines through a jackscrew assembly operated by a remotely operated vehicle (ROV), enabling tension adjustments without disconnection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If mooring line length is fixed during installation, then initial deployment is simplified, but tension accuracy deteriorates due to component tolerance stack-up and anchor settlement
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transforms the static, fixed-length mooring line system into a dynamic system with an adjustable length mechanism. The mooring line can be extended or retracted using a winch or telescopic mechanism, allowing the system to adapt to actual tension requirements after installation, thereby resolving the conflict between ease of installation and tension accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention enables change of the mooring line length parameter after installation. By incorporating an adjustable length mechanism, the system can modify the effective length of the mooring line to achieve precise tension control, overcoming the limitation of fixed-length installation.
2Manufacturing precision
If mooring line length is adjusted after installation, then tension accuracy is improved, but time consumption and resource expenditure increase due to disconnection and retrieval operations
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements a dynamic adjustment mechanism that allows the mooring line length to be changed in-situ without disconnection. The winch or telescopic mechanism enables continuous length adjustment while the mooring line remains connected to the floating platform, eliminating time-consuming retrieval operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention enables the mooring system to perform its own adjustment without requiring external intervention or disconnection. The integrated adjustment mechanism allows the system to self-regulate the mooring line length to achieve desired tension, reducing the need for external assistance and minimizing downtime.
3Stability of the object's composition
If mooring line tension is precisely controlled, then platform positioning stability is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional adjustment mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces dynamic adjustment capability through a winch or telescopic mechanism, allowing the mooring line length to be varied to achieve precise tension control. This dynamic element enables stable platform positioning while maintaining relatively simple overall system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention integrates multiple functions into the adjustment mechanism. The same winch or telescopic mechanism serves both to adjust the mooring line length for tension control and to compensate for settlement or environmental changes, reducing the need for separate systems and thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
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
Facilitates precise tension control of mooring lines, ensuring stable platform positioning and reducing operational downtime and resource expenditure.
Implementation Method 1
A suspension element is coupled to the elongate housing at a proximal end thereof and is positionable to pivotably couple the elongate housing to a floating platform
Implementation Method 2
A linear actuator is coupled to the base portion, and a linearly displaceable element of the linear actuator extends through the base portion and into the open interior of the elongate housing. The linearly displaceable element is linearly displaceable relative to the elongate housing to adjust a tension of the anchored mooring line
Implementation Method 3
the linear actuator is a jackscrew assembly and the linearly displaceable element is a lifting screw of the jackscrew assembly, the jackscrew assembly further including a mounting base that is secured to the base of the housing
Implementation Method 4
the lifting screw is linearly displaced relative to the housing by rotation of a nut that is in threaded engagement with the lifting screw
Data Source
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AI summary
A mooring line tensioning device is disclosed. The mooring line tensioning device may be coupled to a floating platform, such as a floating wind turbine platform. The mooring line tensioning device may include a housing, a proximal suspension element that can pivotably couple the housing to the floating platform, and a linearly displaceable element of a linear actuator that may extend through the base portion of the housing and may be linearly displaced relative to the housing. The linear actuator may be a jackscrew assembly and the linearly displaceable element may be a lifting screw of the jackscrew assembly. A mooring line may be coupled between a submerged anchor and a coupling element located at a distal end of the linearly displaceable element. Linear displacement of the linearly displaceable element by operation of the linear actuator can be used to adjust the tension of the mooring line.