Off-Center Cylindrical Support for Floating Wind Turbine Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing offshore wind turbine installations face challenges in deeper waters where fixed or piled turbines are impractical, necessitating innovative floating structures that enhance stability and support for wind turbines.
Innovation Solution
A floating structure with an open top and bottom, featuring an annular wall and an off-center cylindrical support that transfers vertical forces as shear forces, allowing for the secure placement of a wind turbine tower without sitting on a deck, thereby improving stability and support in deep water environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed or piled offshore wind turbine is installed, then the wind turbine can be securely supported, but it becomes much more challenging or even impossible in deeper waters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional fixed mechanical foundation system with a floating structure that uses hydrodynamic principles. The floating structure includes a hull submerged in water and a moonpool that allows water to enter and exit, creating a buoyant system that adapts to deep water environments without requiring traditional piled foundations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces water as an intermediary medium between the wind turbine support structure and the seabed. The floating structure interacts with water through the moonpool and hull, using water's buoyancy and mass to provide support and stability, thereby eliminating the need for direct seabed penetration or fixed foundations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a floating structure with large moonpool is used, then the wind turbine can be supported in deep water, but the stability when installed with wind turbine deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric positioning of the cylindrical structure off-center from the moonpool center. This asymmetric arrangement creates a balanced configuration that improves rotational stability while maintaining the large moonpool area needed for deep water operation. The off-center placement allows the structure to resist rolling moments more effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a cylindrical structure with curved surfaces positioned within the floating structure. The curved geometry of the cylindrical structure, combined with the circular moonpool, creates a symmetric radial arrangement that improves rotational stability. The curved surfaces also help distribute stresses more evenly during wave loading.
3Ease of operation
If a tower sits on top deck of floating platform, then the tower can be supported, but the force transfer efficiency and stability are reduced compared to direct foundation support
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a vertical force transfer path (tower on deck to seabed through piles) to a horizontal force transfer path (tower to cylindrical structure to annular wall to water). The cylindrical structure extends horizontally from the moonpool, allowing forces to be distributed laterally through the annular wall into the surrounding water mass, which provides superior force transfer efficiency.
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 solution provides enhanced stability and support for wind turbines in deep waters by effectively transferring vertical forces through shear connections, enabling efficient harnessing of wind energy in challenging marine conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a cylindrical structure arranged off center of the floating structure and configured to support a tower... At least part of the cylindrical structure extends alongside and coupled to the annular wall
Data Source
AI summary
According to embodiments of the present invention, a floating structure is provided. The floating structure includes an open top end; an open bottom end opposite the open top end; an annular wall extending between the open top end and the open bottom end; and a cylindrical structure arranged off center of the floating structure and configured to support a tower. The annular wall forms a circumferential peripheral of the floating structure to provide a central moonpool. At least part of the cylindrical structure extends alongside and coupled to the annular wall. According to further embodiments, an apparatus including the floating structure and a tower supported by a cylindrical structure of the floating structure is also provided.