Floating Structure Installation System with Segmented Cradles
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Solution Overview
Problem
The installation of large floating structures, such as offshore wind turbines, faces challenges due to water depth restrictions and stability issues during transport and installation, leading to increased costs and schedule delays, particularly when using existing methods that require lifting and gripping mechanisms which can cause oscillation in rough weather.
Innovation Solution
A floating structure installation system comprising a body capable of traveling on water, with a first cradle for holding a submersible section and a second cradle for holding a connectable portion, featuring a moving device to connect the sections at the installation site, allowing for low-cost installation under varying water depth and environmental conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the gripping section is used to hold the flange section on the working ship, then the assembly working efficiency is improved, but the water depth restriction becomes more strict and oscillation occurs in rough weather
Solution Approach 1:
The floating structure is divided into a submersible section and a non-submersible section that can be assembled separately. The submersible section is equipped with its own lifting unit, allowing it to be independently positioned without requiring the entire structure to be held above water, thus resolving the water depth restriction issue while maintaining assembly efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The lifting unit on the submersible section provides dynamic adjustment capability, allowing the section to be lifted or lowered as needed. This dynamic control prevents oscillation in rough weather by maintaining stable positioning without requiring the gripping section to hold the entire structure, thereby eliminating the harmful effects while preserving productivity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the submersible section is located under the water surface during installation, then the floating structure can be installed in wide offshore area, but the transport and installation work becomes difficult in area with strict water depth restrictions
Solution Approach 1:
The submersible section is equipped with a lifting unit that can be activated preliminarily during transport and installation operations. This allows the section to be lifted above water when needed for easy operation in shallow areas, and then submerged for wide offshore installation, thus resolving both the adaptability and ease of operation requirements.
Data Source
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AI summary
A floating structure installation system includes, on a body capable of traveling on water, a first cradle including a first holding part capable of holding a first portion having a submersible section to be located under the water surface during installation, and a second cradle including a second holding part capable of holding a second portion connectable to the first portion. At least one of the first cradle or the second cradle is movable on the body to connect the first portion held by the first holding part and the second portion held by the second holding part. The first holding part includes a first lifting unit for lifting and lowering the first portion.