Floating Yawing Spar Tidal Turbine Depth Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ocean current turbine systems face challenges in cost-effectiveness, maintenance accessibility, and energy capture due to rigid seabed mounting, high structural costs, and inefficient deployment methods, limiting their ability to harness ocean currents for utility-scale power generation and desalination.
Innovation Solution
A floating, yawing spar platform with a spreader and yaw motors that automatically adjusts to tidal flow direction, allowing the turbine to maintain optimal orientation and depth, facilitating surface accessibility for maintenance and reducing structural costs through conventional anchoring systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid seabed mounting system is used for ocean current turbines, then structural stability is improved, but deployment cost and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a dynamic floating spar platform that can move vertically with water level changes and horizontally with current forces, replacing rigid seabed mounting. The spar buoyancy system provides automatic stabilization while allowing deployment in shallow waters without complex seabed infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operational parameters by allowing the turbine platform to float at variable depths and positions rather than being fixed. The mooring system enables controlled positioning while maintaining flexibility to adapt to changing ocean conditions, reducing deployment complexity.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional anchoring systems are used for floating spar platforms, then structural costs are reduced, but maintaining optimal turbine orientation becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The yaw motor system provides automatic orientation control by detecting current direction and actively yawing the turbine to face the flow. This self-adjusting mechanism eliminates the need for complex manual orientation systems while maintaining optimal power capture efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates flow direction sensing and automatic yaw control with feedback mechanisms. The yaw motor receives input from flow direction sensors and adjusts the turbine orientation accordingly, ensuring continuous optimal alignment with changing current directions.
3Ease of manufacture
If the turbine platform is fixed at a specific depth, then installation is simplified, but energy capture efficiency decreases due to inability to adapt to tidal flow variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic depth adjustment system where the floating spar can move vertically to optimize its position in the water column. The mooring system allows controlled depth variation while maintaining platform stability, enabling the turbine to operate at optimal depths for maximum energy capture.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes operational depth parameters in response to tidal flow variations. The floating spar platform can adjust its depth position to match changing water levels and current conditions, maintaining optimal hydrodynamic performance throughout the tidal cycle.
4Productivity
If a floating spar platform with yaw capability is implemented, then energy capture and maintenance accessibility are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the platform into distinct functional segments: the floating spar buoyancy system, the yaw motor orientation system, the turbine generator assembly, and the mooring anchoring system. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies maintenance access while managing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The floating spar platform serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides buoyancy support, enables depth adjustment, facilitates yawing motion, and allows maintenance access. The mooring system also serves to position the platform and enable vertical movement. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated systems for each function.
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 floating spar platform enhances energy capture by adjusting depth and orientation with tidal flows, reduces maintenance costs, and increases operational efficiency, enabling cost-effective, utility-scale power generation and desalination.
Implementation Method 1
a floating spar buoy including a keel at a bottom end
Implementation Method 2
Flooding of the ballast tank and activation of the winch draws the keel down
Implementation Method 3
converting current or tidal flow into electricity
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention describes a floating yawing spar buoy current/tidal turbine. The spar includes a spreader above the rotor(s) with the spreader tips connected to fore and aft cable yokes that transition to opposing mooring lines connected to anchors on the seabed. The spreader comprises a yaw motor, which drives gears that engage with a ring gear fixed to the outer perimeter of the spar. Flow direction sensors activate the yaw motor for automatic yaw adjustments of the spar turbine. As tidal direction changes, the entire spar and turbine are yawed to maintain the rotor plane facing the tidal flow. The bottom end of the spar extends to approximately the bottom sweep of the rotor plane and contains a winched vertical mooring line, extending to the seabed and attached to a gravity or suction pile anchor. The turbine drive train can be accessed for servicing from the surface via hatches and ladders within the spar to enter the drive train and generating system vessel. The spar turbine is deployed by towing it in a horizontal position. At the operating site, the yokes are connected to the forward and aft mooring lines and the winch line is connected to the gravity anchor. The winch inside the keel draws the bottom end of the spar down and may be assisted by flooding the keel to reach a vertical position for the spar. The winch is then locked to retain required operating depth, or can actively control operating depth in areas of wide tide level range.