Offshore Wind Turbine Fluid Supply Assembly for Protected Seawater Pumping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Offshore wind turbines face challenges in supplying input fluid, such as seawater, to electrolytic units due to height differences and harsh environmental conditions, leading to hose damage and high maintenance costs.
Innovation Solution
A fluid supply assembly for offshore wind turbines that includes a pump and fluid connection extending through the base and/or tower, with a pipeline protected by anticorrosive materials, allowing the pump to be raised for maintenance and reducing exposure to harsh conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a hose is used to supply fluid from water level to electrolytic unit platform, then the fluid supply function is achieved, but the hose is damaged by external forces from wind and waves
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a fluid supply assembly as an intermediary structure between the water level and the electrolytic unit platform. This assembly includes a pump housing positioned at the water level with a pump inside, and a fluid supply line connecting to the electrolytic unit. The pump housing acts as a protective intermediary that shields the pump and fluid supply system from direct exposure to harsh environmental forces like wind and waves, while still enabling fluid supply functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the vulnerable pump and fluid supply components from their previous location on the electrolytic unit platform (exposed to wind and waves) and relocates them to a protected position at or near the water level. By taking out these components from the harmful environment and placing them in a protected location, the system maintains fluid supply functionality while significantly reducing damage from external forces.
2Ease of operation
If the pump is positioned at the electrolytic unit platform, then fluid supply is achieved, but the pump is exposed to harsh environmental conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The pump housing serves as a protective intermediary structure that houses the pump at a location shielded from harsh environmental conditions. The housing protects the pump from wind, waves, and other environmental factors while still allowing the pump to perform its fluid supply function effectively. This intermediary structure enables the pump to operate in a more favorable environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump is extracted from its vulnerable position on the electrolytic unit platform and relocated to a protected position at or near the water level. This relocation removes the pump from direct exposure to harsh environmental conditions while maintaining its ability to supply fluid to the electrolytic unit through the fluid supply line.
3Reliability
If the hose is designed to protect the pump and pipeline, then protection is provided, but the hose itself is damaged by external forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a pump housing as a protective intermediary structure that encloses the pump and provides structural protection. This housing serves as a more robust protective barrier compared to a flexible hose, shielding the pump and connected pipeline from external forces like wind and waves. The housing acts as a permanent, sturdy protective structure that better withstands environmental forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump housing appears to be constructed as a robust protective structure, potentially using composite materials or heavy-duty construction that combines strength and durability. This composite or reinforced structure provides superior protection compared to a standard hose, enabling the system to withstand harsh environmental conditions while protecting the pump and pipeline.
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
Reduces hose damage and maintenance costs by protecting the fluid supply system from environmental forces and facilitating easier maintenance, ensuring reliable operation of electrolytic units.
Implementation Method 1
The fluid supply assembly comprises a pump and a fluid connection between the fluid inlet and the electrolytic unit
Implementation Method 2
A rotor is mounted at the hub and coupled to a generator... the rotational energy of the blades is transferred to the generator, which then converts the mechanical energy into electricity
Implementation Method 3
an electrolytic unit electrically powered by the generator to produce hydrogen from an input fluid, in particular water
Data Source
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AI summary
An offshore wind turbine (1) erected in a body of water comprising a generator (2), a base (5), a nacelle (6), a tower (4) having a first end mounted to the base (5) and a second end supporting the nacelle (6), an electrolytic unit (3) electrically powered by the generator (2) to produce hydrogen (6) from an input fluid (9), in particular water, and a fluid supply assembly (21) for supplying the input fluid (9) from a fluid inlet (23) arranged below a water level (31) to the electrolytic unit (3) arranged above the water level (31), wherein the fluid supply assembly (21) comprises a pump (24) and a fluid connection (22) between the fluid inlet (23) and the electrolytic unit (3).