Multiline Ring Anchor Shared Mooring System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current anchoring systems for floating offshore wind turbines are costly due to individual anchoring for each platform, and they struggle with varying seabed soil conditions, requiring efficient designs that reduce capital costs and are versatile across different soil types and loading systems.
Innovation Solution
The multiline ring anchor system, comprising a hollow cylindrical body with pad-eyes and mooring lines, is designed for shared anchoring of multiple platforms, featuring suction or hammer-driven installation methods suitable for various soil conditions, and can handle horizontal and vertical loads, enabling cost reduction and versatility across different seabed conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If individual anchoring systems are used for each floating offshore platform, then the reliability of each platform is improved, but the capital cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple anchoring functions into a single shared anchor system. Multiple floating platforms are connected to one common anchor through separate mooring lines, replacing the conventional approach of having individual anchors for each platform. This merging reduces the total number of anchors needed while maintaining adequate anchoring reliability for each platform.
Solution Approach 2:
The shared anchor system performs multiple anchoring functions simultaneously for different platforms. A single anchor structure provides anchoring support for multiple floating units, making the anchor system universal and multi-functional rather than dedicated to a single platform.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional anchoring systems are used, then installation is straightforward, but the system lacks versatility across different seabed soil conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor system incorporates adjustable and configurable elements that allow adaptation to different seabed conditions. The mooring lines can be configured with different tensions and angles, and the anchor structure itself can be positioned at various depths and orientations to match the specific geotechnical characteristics of the seabed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows modification of key parameters such as anchor depth, mooring line tension, line angle, and anchor orientation to optimize performance for different soil types. By changing these parameters rather than redesigning the entire system, versatility across soil conditions is achieved without excessive complexity.
3Reliability
If multiple separate anchors are deployed for different platforms, then each platform has dedicated anchorage, but transportation and installation costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple anchorage functions are merged into a single anchor deployment operation. Instead of transporting and installing separate anchors for each platform, one anchor is installed and then multiple platforms are connected to it, significantly reducing the number of installation operations required.
Solution Approach 2:
The shared anchor is installed in advance before the platforms are fully positioned. This preliminary installation allows subsequent platforms to be connected to the pre-installed anchor, streamlining the overall deployment process and reducing total installation time.
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 capital costs by allowing shared anchors among multiple platforms, decreases site investigation and installation costs, and enhances geotechnical efficiency, making it suitable for a wide range of seabed conditions and loading systems, including catenary, semi-taut, and taut mooring systems.
Implementation Method 1
The multiline ring anchor can be used as a suction anchor
Implementation Method 2
The multiline ring anchor is installed by hammer driven installation
Data Source
AI summary
A multiline ring anchor and a method for installing the multiline ring anchor is disclosed herein. The multiline ring anchor can be used for mooring systems for including, but limited to, arrays of offshore floating offshore wind turbines, wave power, and floating barriers.