Floating Offshore Wind Platform Assembly with Suspended Ballast
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for assembling and deploying floating offshore wind turbine platforms are inefficient and economically unfeasible, particularly in deep waters, due to high foundation costs and limited air flow interference from coastal obstacles, limiting the deployment of wind turbines in areas with high energy capacity.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a buoyant floater supporting a negatively buoyant mass suspended by suspension lines, where a hollow outer tank is floated with transit and suspension lines, filled with ballast material, and sunk to the seabed, with the buoyant floater positioned over the mass, allowing the platform to be towed and anchored, utilizing mooring lines for stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fixed foundations are used to attach wind turbines to the seabed, then wind turbines can be securely positioned near the coast, but deployment is limited to shallow depths up to about 45 meters and foundation costs become relatively expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of foundation type from fixed to floating, enabling deployment in deep waters beyond 45 meters. The floating platform system with adjustable ballast allows the structure to adapt to various water depths while maintaining stable positioning, thus resolving the contradiction between secure positioning and deployment depth range.
Solution Approach 2:
The floating platform incorporates dynamic elements including adjustable ballast systems and flexible mooring lines that allow the structure to adapt to changing environmental conditions and water depths. This dynamic capability enables deployment across a wider range of depths while maintaining reliable positioning through active control mechanisms.
2Adaptability or versatility
If steel floating platforms based on offshore oil and gas technology are used, then wind turbines can be deployed in deep waters, but assembly and deployment methods remain inefficient and economically unfeasible
Solution Approach 1:
The floating platform is divided into modular segments including the buoyant platform, negatively buoyant mass, suspension lines, and mooring lines. These modular components can be manufactured separately and assembled efficiently in deep water, significantly improving assembly productivity compared to traditional monolithic steel platforms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces transit lines as intermediary elements that facilitate the efficient assembly and deployment process. These transit lines enable the platform components to be connected and positioned in deep water without requiring complex heavy-lifting operations, thereby improving deployment efficiency and reducing costs.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the negatively buoyant mass is suspended from the buoyant floater by suspension lines, then platform stability is maintained, but the assembly process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the negatively buoyant mass as a counterweight to the buoyant platform, creating a balanced system that maintains stability through the suspension lines. This counterweight mechanism provides inherent stability without requiring complex active control systems, thus achieving platform stability while keeping the assembly process relatively simple.
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
Enables efficient assembly and deployment of floating offshore wind turbines in deep waters, reducing costs and enhancing power generation by utilizing natural air flow conditions, while maintaining platform stability and mobility.
Implementation Method 1
a negatively buoyant mass suspended from a positively buoyant floater by a plurality of suspension lines
Implementation Method 2
placing permanent ballast material in the outer tank to define a mass, and sinking the mass to a seabed of the body of water
Data Source
AI summary
A method of assembling and deploying a floating offshore wind turbine (FOWT) platform includes floating a buoyant floater and a hollow outer tank in a floating assembly, placing permanent ballast material in the hollow outer tank to define a mass, and sinking the mass to a seabed. The buoyant floater is moved to a position over the mass. Transit lines are attached between a lifting device in the buoyant floater and the mass to define a FOWT platform. The mass is lifted to a point directly under the buoyant floater and the FOWT platform is towed to an installation site. Mooring lines are attached between anchors in the seabed and the buoyant floater, and the mass is lowered to a depth wherein suspension lines attached thereto are taught, the mass with the suspension lines defining a suspended mass. The transit lines are then stored or removed from the mass.