Floating Wind Turbine Integrated with Steel Fish Cage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Offshore wind turbines face challenges in deep waters due to high construction costs and mechanical instability, while traditional aquaculture cages in deep waters are prone to deformation and fish escape under harsh sea conditions, limiting the development of deepwater aquaculture and wind power integration.
Innovation Solution
A floating offshore wind turbine integrated with a steel fish farming cage, featuring a conic steel frame foundation, lateral and bottom nets, and a mooring system, providing mechanical stability and maintaining water volume, suitable for deep waters up to 200 meters, with power generation supporting aquaculture operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional HDPE fishing cages are used in deep water, then the cage can be deployed, but the cage deforms and breaks under harsh sea conditions, causing fish escape
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional HDPE material with a composite structure consisting of a steel frame skeleton providing structural strength and a flexible net skin providing containment. The steel frame includes radial ribs, tangential ribs, and cross braces forming a rigid spatial framework that resists deformation under wave and current loads, while the net material provides necessary flexibility and fish containment.
Solution Approach 2:
The fishing cage is divided into modular components: a steel frame skeleton divided into radial and tangential elements, with net skin sections that can be independently installed and maintained. The cage structure is segmented into upper and lower portions connected by ladders and platforms, allowing for localized repairs and adjustments without replacing the entire cage.
2Power
If offshore wind turbines are deployed in deep water, then power generation is enabled, but construction cost and mechanical instability increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the wind turbine support structure with the fishing cage into a single integrated system. The wind turbine tower is directly mounted on the steel frame skeleton of the fishing cage, eliminating the need for separate foundations and reducing overall construction complexity. This integration allows one structure to serve dual purposes: supporting wind power generation and providing fish containment.
Solution Approach 2:
The steel frame skeleton serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support for the wind turbine, forms the framework for the fishing cage, provides mooring attachment points, and serves as a platform for fish farming operations. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of structures needed and lowers overall construction costs.
3Stability of the object's composition
If fishing cages are placed along the coastal line in shallow water, then the cage is stable, but the environment is polluted and fish quality decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from shallow water coastal farming to deep water open sea farming by utilizing the vertical dimension and water depth. The fishing cage is deployed at depths exceeding 20 meters where water circulation is stronger and pollution is diluted, while the steel frame structure provides stability against deep water wave conditions. This dimensional transition moves the operation from polluted coastal zones to cleaner deep sea environments.
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 system achieves stability and efficiency in wave motion, prevents cage deformation, maintains water volume, and enhances fish quality, reducing costs and extending the payback period for investment, while providing a sustainable solution for both wind power and aquaculture in deep seas.
Implementation Method 1
a floating offshore wind turbine integrated with a steel fish farming cage
Implementation Method 2
the mooring system is used to connect the floating wind turbine foundation with the seabed
Data Source
AI summary
A floating offshore wind turbine integrated with a steel fish farming cage mainly includes a wind turbine, a wind turbine tower, a living quarter, a floating wind turbine foundation in a conic steel structure, a mooring system, a lateral net encircling the floating wind turbine foundation, a bottom net, and lifting systems. The upper end of the wind turbine tower hosts a wind turbine, and the lower end of the wind turbine tower is fixed on the floating wind turbine foundation. In the present invention, the inner space of the floating wind turbine foundation is used to form a huge farming cage, which functions for the objectives of “power exploitation on the top and fish farming at the bottom”. The foundation has excellent stability and seakeeping performance, and is applicable to deep waters.