Modular Gravity Foundation for Fast Offshore Wind Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The installation of offshore wind farm foundations is a time-consuming process, particularly when the seabed contains geological obstacles such as boulders or hard rocky layers, and requires complex piling or drilling of anchor piles.
Innovation Solution
A modular gravity-based support pile foundation with pre-formed ballasts and a supporting structure that allows for easy assembly on a prepared seabed, eliminating the need for seabed piling and enabling installation using smaller vessels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If piling or drilling anchor piles into the seabed is performed, then the supporting structure can withstand bending moments and lateral forces, but the installation process becomes time-consuming and complex, especially when geological obstacles are present
Solution Approach 1:
The foundation is divided into separate modular components: a supporting structure with feet, pre-formed ballasts, and a support pile. These components can be manufactured independently and assembled on-site, eliminating the need for time-consuming seabed piling operations while maintaining structural integrity and load-bearing capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses pre-formed ballasts (concrete blocks) as a temporary yet effective solution to replace permanent anchor piles. The ballasts provide sufficient stabilization during operation and can be installed quickly without complex drilling equipment, reducing both installation time and dependency on seabed conditions.
2Strength
If piling or drilling anchor piles into the seabed is performed, then the supporting structure can withstand bending moments and lateral forces, but the device complexity increases due to required equipment and procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the complex piling or drilling equipment from the installation process. Instead of driving anchor piles into the seabed, the system uses a simplified assembly of a supporting structure with feet and pre-formed ballasts that can be installed using basic lifting and placement equipment, significantly reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The pre-formed ballasts are designed to be self-positioning on the feet of the supporting structure. The modular components are engineered to fit together without requiring complex alignment procedures or specialized installation equipment, allowing the system to be assembled using simple lifting equipment and basic manual operations.
3Productivity
If pre-formed ballasts are used to stabilize the supporting structure, then installation becomes rapid and independent of seabed conditions, but additional components and assembly steps are required
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the ballast function directly into the supporting structure by integrating pre-formed ballasts with the feet of the structure. This combination creates a unified gravity-based foundation system where the ballasts and supporting structure work together as a single stabilized unit, simplifying the overall system despite the modular component approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The pre-formed ballasts serve multiple functions: they provide gravitational stabilization to counteract bending moments and lateral forces, act as ballast weight for the floating structure, and serve as connection elements between the supporting structure and the seabed environment. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components 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
Facilitates rapid and seabed-independent installation of offshore wind farm foundations, reducing installation time and vessel complexity, while withstanding significant bending moments and lateral forces.
Implementation Method 1
The gravity of the pre-formed ballasts thus stabilize the supporting structure, and consequently the support pile, onto the seabed, by countering the important bending moments applied on the support pile and by resisting movement due to the lateral forces from waves and currents.
Data Source
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AI summary
A kit of parts for assembling into an offshore wind farm foundation, comprising a supporting structure for receiving a support pile, and comprising multiple pre-formed ballasts configured to be placed on top of the supporting structure at a predetermined attachment location.