Floating Wind Turbine Counterweight with Variable Buoyancy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing floating offshore wind turbine foundation technologies face challenges such as deep draft issues during installation and transportation, complexity in stability management, and high costs due to the need for special vessels and temporary buoyancy systems, which limit their deployment in various offshore locations.
Innovation Solution
A floating wind turbine foundation system featuring a counterweight with buoyancy tanks that can float during towing and sink to a stable position using suspension means, allowing for reduced draft and simplified installation, maintenance, and stability adjustments, eliminating the need for special vessels and temporary buoyancy systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a spar buoy is used with deep draft to maintain stability, then stability is improved, but installation complexity and cost increase due to inability to use land-based cranes
Solution Approach 1:
The counterweight is designed with variable buoyancy capability, allowing it to transition between submerged and surfaced states. During installation, the counterweight surfaces to reduce draft, enabling land-based crane operations. After installation, it submerges to provide stability, thus dynamically adapting to different operational requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the draft parameter of the floating foundation by controlling the buoyancy state of the counterweight. When the counterweight surfaces, the draft decreases significantly, allowing standard cranes to handle the turbine. This parameter change resolves the contradiction between stability (requiring deep draft) and installability (requiring shallow draft).
2Ease of operation
If temporary buoyancy systems are used to reduce draft during installation, then installability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the counterweight function with the buoyancy system into a single integrated component. The counterweight structure itself incorporates buoyancy tanks, eliminating the need for separate temporary buoyancy devices. This combination reduces system complexity while maintaining the ability to adjust draft for installation purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The counterweight serves multiple functions: providing stability when submerged, reducing draft when surfaced for installation, and potentially serving as ballast. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated temporary buoyancy systems, reducing overall system complexity and cost.
3Adaptability or versatility
If special vessels are used for installation in deep waters, then installability in deep waters is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By making the counterweight buoyant during the towing and installation phases, the draft is reduced to levels that can be handled by conventional vessels and land-based cranes. This dynamic adjustment allows deployment in deep waters without requiring expensive special-purpose installation vessels, thus reducing installation costs while maintaining deep water adaptability.
4Stability of the object's composition
If a fixed deep draft configuration is used, then stability is improved, but maintenance difficulty increases due to inability to access components
Solution Approach 1:
The counterweight can be surfaced during maintenance operations, which reduces the draft and brings previously submerged components within easy access range for maintenance personnel. After maintenance is complete, the counterweight submerges again to restore the stable operational configuration, thus dynamically resolving the conflict between stability and maintainability.
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 solution enables cost-effective and efficient installation and maintenance of wind turbines in deeper waters without special vessels, reduces tether forces, and allows for dynamic response adjustments, enhancing stability and reducing installation complexities.
Implementation Method 1
The counterweight comprises one or more counterweight buoyancy tanks; The counterweight buoyancy tanks have dimensions such that when the internal volume is filled with air or another gas, the total buoyancy of the counterweight is close to or greater than its weight
Data Source
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AI summary
A floating wind turbine comprising a hull (1), a wind turbine (2) mounted on top of the hull (1) and a counterweight (3) suspended below the hull (1) by means of counterweight suspension means (18) is described. Also a method for the installation is described. The counterweight (3) comprises one or more counterweight buoyancy tanks (17). When the internal volume of the buoyancy tanks (17) is filled with air, the total buoyancy of the counterweight (3) is close to or greater than its weight. Hereby it is capable of floating in a towing / maintenance position with moderate or no support in the vertical direction from the hull (1) or other vessels. During towing, the hull substantially has the character of a barge, substantially relying on a large waterplane area and shallow draft to maintain stability. When the buoyancy tanks (17) are partly or completely flooded with water, the counterweight (3) will sink to an installed position at a level determined by the counter- weight suspension means (18). In this position the counterweight acts as a keel, stabilizing the foundation. The counterweight suspension means (18) are separately or jointly capable of transfer- ring both forces and moments to the hull (1), thereby enabling the counterweight (3) to stabilize the hull (1) when the counterweight (3) is in its installed position.