Modular Floating Wind Floater Assembly with Sealed Connectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current offshore wind energy technologies face challenges in efficient construction and assembly of floating wind power plants, particularly in terms of manufacturing complexity, cost, and operational efficiency, especially in harsh weather conditions and deep water environments.
Innovation Solution
The method involves constructing a floater using pre-assembled polyhedron or flat plate panels that are interconnected with connectors, allowing for easier assembly and reduced manufacturing tolerances, enabling the use of connectors that provide non-welded connections and buoyancy for easier installation in shallower waters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional welding and complex assembly methods are used for constructing floaters, then structural integrity can be achieved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The floater is divided into multiple pre-assembled modules that can be manufactured separately and then connected using standardized connectors. This segmentation allows each module to be built with controlled complexity while the overall structure achieves structural integrity through the modular connection system.
Solution Approach 2:
Standardized connectors serve as intermediary elements between pre-assembled modules, replacing complex welding operations. These connectors provide a simplified interface that maintains structural integrity while significantly reducing manufacturing complexity and assembly skill requirements.
2Reliability
If traditional assembly methods requiring deep-water facilities are used, then proper assembly conditions can be ensured, but assembly costs and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
Modules are pre-assembled onshore in controlled environments before being transported to the installation site. This preliminary assembly ensures proper alignment and connection quality without requiring specialized deep-water assembly facilities, thereby reducing assembly time and costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular design with standardized connectors creates an equipotential assembly system where modules can be connected at various water depths without requiring specialized facilities. The connection mechanism is designed to function reliably whether assembled in shallow or deep water, eliminating the time loss associated with transporting to deep-water facilities.
3Manufacturing precision
If tight manufacturing tolerances are imposed on traditional welded structures, then structural precision is achieved, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the structure into modular segments with standardized interfaces, the precision requirements are localized to the connection points rather than the entire structure. This allows for cost-effective manufacturing of individual modules while maintaining overall structural precision through the standardized connector design.
Solution Approach 2:
The design transitions from requiring tight tolerances across welded joints to requiring precision only at standardized connector interfaces. This parameter change in where precision is applied allows for more economical manufacturing of the individual modules while maintaining the necessary overall structural precision.
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
This approach simplifies the assembly process, reduces manufacturing costs, and enhances the operational efficiency of floating wind power plants by allowing assembly in shallower waters and reducing the need for deep-water facilities, while maintaining structural integrity and stability.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the first pre-assembled part and the second pre-assembled part are configured to be floatable
Data Source
AI summary
A method for constructing a floater for a floatable wind energy power plant includes providing a first pre-assembled part with at least one first connection arrangement, providing a second pre-assembled part with at least one second connection arrangement, arranging the at least one first connection arrangement of the first pre-assembled part proximate to the at least one second connection arrangement of the second pre-assembled part so as to form a connection site which includes at least a part of the at least one first connection arrangement and at least a part of the at least one second connection arrangement, sealingly arranging an enclosure about the connection site so as to seal the enclosure against an ingress of water, and connecting the first pre-assembled part and the second pre-assembled part at the connection site. Each of the first pre-assembled part and the second pre-assembled part are floatable.