Offshore Wind Turbine Tower Installation with Axial Displacement Piles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current offshore wind turbine installation methods with pile-based foundations are costly and have a low installation rate due to the need for extensive transportation and assembly equipment, especially at greater depths, where the cost increases significantly with depth.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a tower mast, at least three piles, flexible anchoring means, a platform that supports the mast, and buoyancy means, allowing axial displacement of the piles, enabling efficient assembly and installation with reduced external equipment dependency, and allowing for continuous production and reuse of components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional pile-based foundation methods are used with extensive transportation equipment (barges, floating cranes), then the wind turbine can be installed, but the installation cost increases significantly with depth and the installation rate decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The foundation system is segmented into separate functional components: piles with axial displacement capability, anchoring means, and platform. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and assembled more efficiently, reducing the complexity of transportation and assembly equipment needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The piles are designed with axial displacement capability, allowing them to move vertically relative to the platform. This dynamic feature enables the foundation to adapt to irregular seabeds and simplifies the installation process by allowing piles to be positioned and adjusted more easily, reducing the need for complex external equipment.
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional support assemblies are formed ashore and transported using barges and floating cranes, then the foundation can be installed, but the installation cost is high and the installation rate is slow
Solution Approach 1:
The piles, anchoring means, and platform are prepared and pre-assembled ashore before being transported to the installation site. This preliminary preparation reduces the complexity of on-site assembly operations and enables faster installation rates once the components arrive at the location.
Solution Approach 2:
The foundation system is designed to be largely self-assembling. The piles with axial displacement capability can be positioned and adjusted independently, and the anchoring means can be connected without requiring extensive external equipment, thereby increasing the installation rate.
3Device complexity
If single tower installation methods are used to minimize equipment deployment costs, then equipment costs are reduced, but the installation rate becomes slower than desired
Solution Approach 1:
The foundation components, particularly the piles with axial displacement capability and the modular platform design, are universally applicable to multiple tower installations. The same equipment and assembly procedures can be reused across different towers, enabling faster installation rates without proportionally increasing equipment deployment costs.
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 method simplifies and economizes the installation process, allowing for a higher installation rate by minimizing external equipment needs and enabling efficient adaptation to irregular seabeds, while reducing costs and environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
buoyancy means, said piles being applied to said platform so that said piles are essentially vertical
Data Source
Figure 1A~1E
Figure 1B~1C
Figure 1D1~1D2
AI summary
Method for installation of an offshore tower, which comprises: providing a tower mast, piles, anchoring means, a platform with securing means, and buoyancy means with securing means; fastening piles to platform; fastening mast to platform in the use position; providing actuation and/or braking means between piles and platform; providing a platform between lower zone and upper zone; anchoring means to piles and to platform; launching buoyancy means; launching base assembly (platform, mast, piles, anchoring means); securing base assembly to buoyancy means using securing means; transferring transport assembly to tower location; actuating actuation and/or braking means until piles are fixed in the seabed; fastening piles to seabed; actuating actuation and/or braking means until platform is on a level with pile upper zone; mounting wind turbine on mast; removing securing means and withdrawing buoyancy means from platform; and tensioning anchoring means.