Floating Offshore Wind Turbine Yawing for Towable Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Offshore wind turbine maintenance and repair is costly and time-consuming due to the distance from shore and the need for heavy, immobile structures that require complex and expensive on-site operations.
Innovation Solution
A lattice tower structure with shallow draft floats and a single-line anchoring system allows passive yawing, enabling high-speed towing and swapping of turbines between offshore and near-shore locations, eliminating the need for mechanical yaw systems and on-site maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If heavy floating structures are used for ballast and stability, then stability is improved, but towing speed and ease of maintenance are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the floating structure movable rather than fixed. The semi-submersible platform can be towed to different locations and the turbine can be rotated to face the wind direction, transforming the system from static to dynamic operation. This resolves the contradiction by enabling both stability during operation and mobility during maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the system into separable components: the floating platform, the turbine assembly, and the mooring system. This segmentation allows the turbine to be independently removed and replaced while the platform remains in position, enabling maintenance without moving the entire heavy structure and thus maintaining both stability and ease of maintenance.
2Stability of the object's composition
If turbines are fixed in position offshore, then stability is improved, but maintenance cost and time are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic capabilities to an otherwise fixed offshore turbine system. The semi-submersible platform can be towed to shallow waters for maintenance, and the turbine can be rotated to track wind direction. This dynamic design allows the turbine to remain stable during operation while enabling efficient maintenance by bringing it to shore-based facilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces shallow water as an intermediary zone between the fixed offshore position and land-based maintenance facilities. The platform can be towed to this intermediate area where maintenance operations are more efficient, serving as a mediator that enables both stable operation and easy maintenance.
3Speed
If mechanical yaw systems are used, then wind alignment is improved, but device complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by allowing the turbine to automatically align with the wind direction through passive rotation of the entire platform structure. The semi-submersible platform can rotate to face the wind without requiring complex mechanical yaw systems, generators, or control mechanisms, thus achieving wind alignment while minimizing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the complex mechanical yaw system from the turbine design and replaces it with a simpler passive rotation mechanism. By removing the need for generators, brakes, and control systems associated with active yaw control, the design achieves wind alignment through a much simpler mechanism.
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
Facilitates cost-effective and efficient maintenance by allowing high-speed towing and swapping of turbines, reducing the need for on-site repairs and maintenance, thus lowering operational costs and time.
Implementation Method 1
shallow draft floats supporting a lattice tower
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for generating offshore wind employs shallow draft floats supporting a lattice tower with a wide base having a single-line anchoring providing passive yawing. The lattice structure supports a horizontal shaft at both ends of the shaft for rotating a rotor assembly. Mechanical energy from the rotor may be transferred to electrical generation equipment located at the base of the structure.