Floating Turbine Anchoring with Flexible Tripod Cables
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional anchoring systems for flowing-water driveable turbines in deep water sites face challenges with increased overturning moments due to water current drag forces, making the top third of the water column inaccessible and requiring rigid anchoring that is difficult to maintain and repair.
Innovation Solution
A tripod formation of flexible anchoring cables with varying lengths and angles, incorporating mooring and tag lines of different materials and elasticity, which can absorb impacts and provide directional support, allowing the turbine assembly to be constrained to a position of floating equilibrium and maintain stability against drag forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If traditional rigid anchoring systems are used in deep water sites, then the turbine assembly can be anchored to the water bed, but the top third of the water column becomes inaccessible due to increased overturning moments from water current drag forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies flexible anchoring cables instead of rigid anchoring structures. The cables can bend and flex to accommodate movement of the turbine assembly while maintaining anchoring tension, allowing the turbine to be positioned in the top third of the water column where maintenance is more accessible while still providing sufficient anchoring force to counteract drag forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the anchoring system by using cables with varying lengths and angles. By adjusting the cable length and attachment angles, the system can accommodate the turbine assembly at different positions in the water column, including the previously inaccessible top third, while maintaining adequate anchoring force.
2Power
If the turbine assembly is positioned in the top third of the water column for optimal power extraction, then energy generation is maximized, but traditional anchoring systems cannot provide sufficient stability due to increased overturning moments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric anchoring cable configurations with different lengths and attachment angles on different sides of the turbine assembly. This asymmetric arrangement allows the cables to work together to counteract the overturning moments generated by water current drag, providing enhanced stability for turbines positioned in the top third of the water column where power extraction is optimal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extends the anchoring system into the horizontal dimension by using widely spaced anchor points on the water bed. This creates a broad base of support that increases the moment arm for counteracting overturning forces, allowing the turbine to operate at greater elevations where power extraction efficiency is maximized.
3Stability of the object's composition
If flexible anchoring cables are used to absorb impacts and provide stability, then the turbine assembly can be positioned at greater elevations, but the anchoring system becomes more complex with multiple cable types and configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the anchoring cables to serve multiple functions simultaneously. The same flexible cables provide impact absorption, directional support, and positional stabilization. By making the cables multi-functional rather than using separate specialized components for each function, the system achieves complex stability requirements without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic anchoring cable systems that can adjust their tension and configuration in response to varying water currents and wave conditions. This dynamic behavior allows the system to maintain stability across different operating conditions without requiring overly complex fixed-configuration anchoring structures.
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 anchoring system effectively stabilizes the turbine assembly at greater elevations above the water bed, allowing power extraction from the optimal position, while being flexible enough to absorb shocks and maintain stability against wave action and water flow, facilitating easier maintenance and transport.
Implementation Method 1
inherent flexibility in the anchoring cables can absorb impacts against the turbine assembly or its rotors
Implementation Method 2
a positively buoyant turbine assembly to a position of floating equilibrium against the upward force of the of the turbine assembly
Data Source
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AI summary
A flowing-water driveable turbine assembly (104) for location in river or sea areas with unidirectional and bidirectional water flows. The turbine assembly comprises a turbine support (106) with positive buoyancy in water. The turbine support (106) is arranged to be anchored by an anchoring system (108) to a water bed. The turbine assembly comprises at least one turbine (110). The positive buoyancy of the turbine assembly in water has an upward force to constrain the turbine support 106 and the at least one turbine (110) to a position of floating equilibrium against a downward force of the anchoring system (108). The turbine assembly may have variable buoyancy, a duct around each turbine for directing water through the turbine to generate power from water flow, and a winch or winches for submerging the turbine assembly or parts thereof.