Offshore Wind Turbine Tower Assembly with Enclosed Section Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for offshore wind turbine installation face challenges such as the need for large, inflexible installation vessels and increased risks due to the number of components being transported and assembled at sea, which can lead to unsafe situations and reduced flexibility.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising an elongate superstructure with an internal space for receiving tower sections and a horizontally and vertically displaceable engaging structure, allowing for controlled assembly of wind turbine components on a vertically extending foundation, reducing the impact of wave movements and enabling safer, more efficient construction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If wind turbine components are transported and assembled separately at sea, then the transport becomes more manageable, but the assembly time increases significantly and safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The superstructure provides an internal space that can receive and contain multiple tower sections simultaneously, allowing them to be nested or stacked within the confined space during assembly operations
Solution Approach 2:
The engaging structure is configured to engage tower sections before final assembly, allowing preliminary positioning and securing of components within the superstructure's internal space, reducing the number of separate operations needed at sea
2Adaptability or versatility
If more components are handled separately during assembly, then the transport flexibility improves, but the number of operations increases and safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple tower sections are combined and assembled together within the enclosed internal space of the superstructure, merging separate handling operations into a single integrated assembly process that reduces exposure to sea conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The superstructure acts as an intermediary enclosed environment between the sea and the assembly operations, providing a protected workspace that isolates workers and components from harsh marine conditions while enabling flexible component handling
3Power
If installation vessels are made larger with heavier cranes to handle complete wind turbines, then the placing capability improves, but the flexibility and adaptability of the vessel decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The wind turbine is segmented into multiple tower sections that can be handled separately and assembled progressively within the superstructure, allowing the use of smaller, more flexible vessels rather than requiring massive lifting capacity for complete turbine installation
Solution Approach 2:
The superstructure serves multiple functions: providing an enclosed assembly space, supporting the engaging structure for component manipulation, and facilitating progressive assembly of different turbine configurations, making the vessel adaptable to various wind turbine types and sizes
Data Source
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AI summary
Described is a device for offshore arranging of a wind turbine or components thereof on a foundation present at sea. The device comprises the foundation and an elongate superstructure connected releasably to the foundation and extending between a lower surface and an upper surface thereof in the vertical direction from the foundation. The superstructure has an internal space which is accessible to a tower section of the wind turbine and in which the tower section can be received. Further present is a horizontally displaceable supply structure for a tower section, wherein the supply structure is configured to move a tower section coupled thereto from outside the internal space into the internal space by a horizontal displacement. An engaging structure, received for vertical displacement in the internal space, is configured to lift an engaged tower section in the internal space by a vertical displacement, whereby sufficient space is created under the relevant tower section for receiving another, underlying tower section in the internal space.