Floating Wind Turbine Maintenance Transfer Method
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Solution Overview
Problem
Floating-body type wind turbine power generating apparatuses face instability during maintenance due to environmental conditions like wind and waves, making maintenance challenging, especially in locations with high wind velocities and waves.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the separation of mooring lines and cables from a first floating-body type wind turbine power generating apparatus, allowing it to be transferred away from the mooring position for maintenance in a more stable environment, while a second apparatus without maintenance needs is brought to the position, enabling efficient maintenance and operation without the need for replacement units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If maintenance is performed on a floating-body type wind turbine power generating apparatus while moored at a predetermined position, then the apparatus can be maintained in its operational location, but the floating body sways due to wind and waves causing low work stability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the floating body from its moored operational position and transfers it to a maintenance position where it can be stabilized. By separating the maintenance location from the operational mooring location, the floating body can be maintained in a controlled environment away from severe wind and wave conditions, thereby improving work stability during maintenance operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary transfer process using a transfer vessel to move the floating body between the mooring position and maintenance position. This intermediary mechanism allows the floating body to be transported to a location where maintenance can be performed with better stability, while still maintaining connection to the operational site through the mooring system.
2Ease of operation
If the floating body is transferred from the mooring position for maintenance, then maintenance can be performed in a more stable environment, but additional transfer operations and mooring line management are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the mooring system into separate mooring lines and cables that can be independently managed. By separating these connection elements, the floating body can be transferred to a maintenance position while the mooring lines remain attached to the original mooring position, allowing for controlled disconnection and reconnection during the transfer process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary separation of the mooring lines and cables from the floating body before the transfer operation. This preliminary action prepares the system for smooth transfer by ensuring all connection points are ready, reducing complexity during the actual transfer process, and enabling systematic reconnection at the maintenance position.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of maintaining a power generating apparatus includes a separation step of separating a mooring line and a cable from a floating body of a first floating-body type wind turbine power generating apparatus including a maintenance-target section; a retention step of retaining the mooring line and the cable by a floating-body structure, after the separation step; a first transfer step of transferring the first floating-body type wind turbine power generating apparatus from the mooring position, after the separation step; a second transfer step of transferring a second floating-body type wind turbine power generating apparatus having no maintenance-target section to the mooring position; and a connection step of detaching the mooring line and the cable from the floating-body structure and connecting the mooring line and the cable to the second floating-body type wind turbine power generating apparatus, after the second transfer step.