Modular Wind Turbine Support Structure with Shared Ballast
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for installing wind energy capture modules are costly and environmentally detrimental, particularly due to the need for large foundations, deep drilling, and complex anchoring systems, which complicate dismantling and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A supporting structure that connects multiple wind energy capture modules via a common framework, utilizing a combination of weight, buoyancy, and articulated connections to maintain verticality and balance, allowing for shared ballast and reduced mechanical constraints, enabling easier installation and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If individual wind turbines are installed using large reinforced concrete foundations, then stability and verticality are ensured, but dismantling becomes difficult and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the support structure into modular components: individual wind turbine units are supported by separate foundations that are part of a larger modular grid system. Each foundation can be independently removed while others remain, enabling selective dismantling without requiring complete system decomposition.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple individual foundations are merged into a common supporting grid structure that shares loads and provides mutual stability. The foundations are connected through underground elements forming a unified support system that maintains individual turbine stability while enabling coordinated dismantling of entire modules.
2Stability of the object's composition
If offshore wind turbines use gravity bases weighing several thousand tonnes, then stability is achieved, but significant marine engineering work is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple smaller gravity bases into a unified offshore platform structure where several wind turbine units share common support elements. This distributed approach achieves overall system stability without requiring each individual base to be extremely massive, reducing marine engineering complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The offshore support structure is segmented into modular units that can be assembled and installed separately, then connected to form the complete platform. This modular construction reduces the complexity of marine engineering operations compared to installing single massive gravity bases.
3Stability of the object's composition
If deep drilling is used for monopile installations, then stable foundation support is achieved, but cost and environmental impact increase
Solution Approach 1:
The foundation system is divided into multiple smaller piles or support elements distributed across the platform rather than requiring deep drilling for each individual turbine. This segmented approach reduces the depth and intensity of drilling operations per location while maintaining overall foundation stability through the collective support system.
4Stability of the object's composition
If floating offshore wind turbines use very large floats and ballasts, then verticality is ensured, but the anchoring system becomes complex and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the ballast systems of multiple floating turbine units into a coordinated ballasting strategy where adjacent units support each other's verticality. This shared ballast approach reduces the size and complexity of individual float and ballast systems while maintaining vertical stability through mutual support.
Solution Approach 2:
The anchoring system is segmented into simpler, standardized connection points distributed across the floating platform rather than requiring complex individual anchoring for each turbine. The modular floating units can be anchored using repeated simple mechanisms rather than unique complex systems.
5Adaptability or versatility
If individual wind turbines are installed separately, then each unit can be optimized independently, but overall system cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains segmentation of wind turbine units as independent functional modules that can be optimized and installed separately, while organizing them into larger supported structures that provide collective benefits. This hierarchical segmentation allows both individual optimization and system-level efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The supporting structure uses standardized, universal connection elements and foundation designs that can accommodate different turbine configurations and layouts. This universality allows independent optimization of individual units while simplifying the overall system through repeated standardized components rather than custom-designed elements.
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 solution reduces installation and maintenance costs, minimizes environmental impact, and allows for flexible adaptation to varying terrain and marine conditions, enhancing the stability and efficiency of wind energy capture systems.
Implementation Method 1
at least one floating box connecting said stringer to at least one anchor block connected by mooring cable to at least one barrel and/or at least one floating box
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a~2c
Figure 3a~3c
AI summary
Supporting structure for installing wind energy collection modules comprising: · at least one shaft (11) supporting the tower (12) of the wind energy collection module (1), the main axis XX' of which is substantially vertical; · at least one longitudinal girder (2) arranged at the periphery of the shaft (11) in a plane containing the main axis XX' of the shaft (11), and a short end (28) of which is either rigidly connected (17) to the shaft (11) or by hinges (23) and/or by means of a guide bar (26), and/or by a single (21) or double (22) articulated parallelogram; · at least one block (4), connecting the longitudinal girders (2) if the wind energy collection modules (1) are installed, and · at least one block (4) secured to the structure by anchoring cables (7) if the wind energy collection modules (1) are floating; · at least one floating caisson (6) connecting the longitudinal girders (2) in the case of floating wind energy collection modules (1).