Floating Support for Offshore Wind Turbines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing floating supports for offshore structures, such as wind turbines, face challenges in assembly, handling, and transportation due to the need for large lifting equipment and vertical towing, which complicates site installation and increases costs and dependency on specific equipment and weather conditions.
Innovation Solution
A floating support design featuring elongated floats inclined at an angle between 15° and 45° around a mast, allowing for two stable positions: a lying position for transport and assembly, and an upright position for operation, with ballasting means to transition between these positions, reducing the need for heavy lifting equipment and enabling assembly in a basin.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the floating support is assembled and towed in a vertical position, then the structure can be installed on the operating site, but extremely large lifting equipment is required which is difficult to implement on site
Solution Approach 1:
The floating support is designed to dynamically change its orientation from a lying position during transport to an upright position during operation. The structure includes a mast that can be positioned at different angles, allowing the support to be towed horizontally and then erected vertically at the installation site without requiring large lifting equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The floating support is pre-assembled in a lying position where the mast is inclined relative to the floats. This preliminary configuration allows for easier assembly and transport, and then the structure is later transformed into its operational upright position through controlled ballasting and buoyancy adjustments
2Ease of manufacture
If the floating support is assembled in a vertical position, then the nacelle can be assembled on the mast, but the assembly requires extremely large lifting equipment which increases costs
Solution Approach 1:
The assembly process utilizes the dynamic reconfiguration capability of the floating support. Components are assembled when the structure is in a lying position with the mast inclined, allowing gravity and buoyancy to assist rather than resist the assembly operations, thereby eliminating the need for large cranes
Solution Approach 2:
The ballasting system is used to counterbalance weights during assembly operations. By adjusting the ballast distribution, the structure creates counteracting forces that enable components to be positioned and secured without requiring external lifting equipment
3Adaptability or versatility
If the floating support is towed in a vertical position, then the structure can reach the operating site, but the towing requires specialized equipment and favorable weather conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The floating support transitions from a static vertical design to a dynamic system that can assume different orientations. During transport, the structure is configured in a lying position with the mast inclined, making it more stable and easier to tow in various sea conditions, thereby reducing dependency on specialized towing equipment and favorable weather
4Device complexity
If the floats are arranged parallel to the mast, then the structure is simple to construct, but the structure lacks stable positions and requires complex ballasting
Solution Approach 1:
The floats are arranged asymmetrically relative to the mast, with the mast inclined at an angle between 15° and 45° to the floats. This asymmetric configuration creates two stable equilibrium positions (lying and upright) without requiring complex active ballasting systems, as the geometry itself provides inherent stability
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
This design simplifies assembly and transportation, reduces the need for large cranes, enhances stability and damping, and allows for installation without specialized equipment, resulting in cost savings and improved operational independence from weather and equipment availability.
Implementation Method 1
the float-shaped means comprise at least three elongated floats arranged regularly around the mast-shaped means and inclined relative to the mast-shaped means at an angle of between 15° and 45°
Implementation Method 2
means forming ballast, the float-shaped means also being able to be associated with ballasting means
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
This floating support for an offshore structure such as a wind generator in particular, of the type comprising means in the form of a support mast (16), the upper part of which is associated with the structure and the lower part of which is associated with means (18) in the form of a float and with ballast-forming means (17), is characterized in that the means (18) in the form of a float have an overall shape which widens out from the lower part of the means (16) in the form of a mast, allowing two stable positions of the support to be defined, one of the positions being a lying-down position and the other a position standing up on the means in the form of a float.