Offset Floating Support for Offshore Wind Turbines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Offshore wind turbines on floating supports face challenges in maintaining the horizontal or vertical axis of rotation due to wind forces, wave movements, and hydrostatic instability, leading to reduced energy production efficiency and increased structural complexity.
Innovation Solution
A floating support system with a principal axis offset at a predetermined angle, utilizing a combination of fixed and hydraulic ballast systems, including tanks for liquid transfer, and a sea bottom anchoring system, to maintain the wind turbine axis horizontal or vertical, with a system for measuring inclination and controlling ballast distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a wind turbine is installed on a floating support, then offshore electricity production capacity is increased, but the hydrostatic stability of the system deteriorates due to the high center of gravity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies counterweight principles by positioning ballast masses at the bottom of the floating support structure to counterbalance the high center of gravity of the wind turbine. This creates a lower overall center of gravity for the combined system, improving hydrostatic stability while enabling the wind turbine to operate offshore in deep water locations
2Stability of the object's composition
If the floating support is designed to minimize movements, then hydrostatic stability is improved, but the complexity of the ballast and anchoring systems increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic ballast system with adjustable mass distribution that can adapt to varying sea conditions and wind loads. The ballast masses can be repositioned between different locations on the floating support to optimize stability characteristics dynamically, rather than relying on a fixed complex structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary anchoring system that connects the floating support to the seabed, acting as a mediator to reduce movements. This anchoring system works in conjunction with the ballast system to provide stability without requiring the floating support itself to be overly complex or massive
3Reliability
If the principal axis of the floating support is offset with respect to the wind turbine axis, then the rotation axis remains horizontal despite wind forces, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent deliberately introduces asymmetry by offsetting the principal axis of the floating support relative to the wind turbine rotation axis. This asymmetric geometric configuration, combined with strategically positioned ballast masses, creates a stable equilibrium position where the rotation axis remains horizontal. The asymmetric design is simpler than alternative symmetric solutions with active control systems
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 ensures the wind turbine axis remains stable and horizontal or vertical across varying wind conditions, optimizing energy production by adjusting ballast distribution and minimizing structural movements, thus enhancing hydrostatic stability and reducing trim angles.
Implementation Method 1
a floating support... the buoyancy provided by the float prevents the assembly from overturning
Implementation Method 2
the center of gravity is located at a distance of 70 m... the mass of the assembly, including the ballast
Implementation Method 3
The floating support can comprise a hydraulic ballast system for displacing a mass of liquid along the principal axis
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an offshore wind turbine on a floating support (1) comprising either a rotor with a horizontal rotation axis (horizontal-axis wind turbine HAWT) or a rotor with a vertical rotation axis (vertical-axis wind turbine VAWT) with the rotor being mounted on a floating support having a principal axis. According to the invention, the principal axis of the floating support is offset by an angle α with respect to either the axis of a tower carrying the horizontal-axis rotor or to the rotation axis of the vertical-axis rotor.