Offshore Wind Generator Tower Support Structure for Stable Lifting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional offshore wind power generator installation methods face challenges with unstable installation at sea due to eccentric center of gravity, increased risk of overturning, and potential damage from tilting during transport, which complicates the process and increases costs.
Innovation Solution
An offshore wind power generator installation system featuring a tower support structure mounted above the center of gravity with a lifting jig and transport machine, ensuring the generator is lifted perpendicular to the sea surface, reducing the risk of overturning and incorporating a ring-shaped tower support structure to maintain low natural frequency and high rigidity, thereby stabilizing the installation process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the wind power generator is lifted using a crane by gripping the lower part of the tower, then the generator can be transported to the installation area, but the center of gravity being eccentric causes the generator to tilt and risk overturning
Solution Approach 1:
A support frame is introduced as an intermediary structure between the crane and the wind power generator. The support frame includes vertical support rods that extend to the center of gravity of the generator, providing balanced support and preventing tilting during lifting and transportation.
Solution Approach 2:
The support frame structure acts as a counterbalancing mechanism by distributing the lifting forces through multiple vertical rods positioned at the center of gravity, counteracting the eccentric weight distribution of the generator and preventing overturning.
2Productivity
If the wind power generator is lifted in a tilted state to maintain balance, then transportation is possible, but safety decreases due to overturning risk and quality deteriorates due to component damage
Solution Approach 1:
The support frame serves as a mediator that enables safe transportation by providing balanced support. It allows the generator to be transported in a horizontal state without tilting, eliminating the need to compromise safety for transportation efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The support frame creates equipotential conditions during transportation by evenly distributing support forces across the generator's center of gravity, ensuring that no part of the generator is subjected to excessive stress or tilting forces.
3Stability of the object's composition
If an additional spreader beam is provided at the middle of the wind power generator to maintain balance, then transportation stability improves, but installation costs and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The support frame is designed as a universal structure that performs multiple functions: it provides balanced support during lifting, maintains stability during transportation, and can be configured in various patterns (single row, double row, triangular, quadrangular) to suit different generator sizes and weights.
Solution Approach 2:
The support frame is segmented into multiple vertical support rods that can be independently positioned and configured. This segmentation allows the structure to be optimized for different generator types and weights without requiring a completely different design.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an offshore wind power generator, a lifting jig for transferring the offshore wind power generator, and a method for installing the offshore wind power generator using the lifting jig. The offshore wind power generator according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a blade, a nacelle including a power generator for generating power by the rotation of the blade, and a tower supporting the nacelle and installed on a support structure installed offshore. Also, the offshore wind power generator includes a tower support structure installed on the tower so that the tower is lifted using a predetermined transfer unit in a state where the blade, the nacelle, and the tower are integrally assembled. The tower support structure is disposed above a center of gravity of the wind power generator at which the blade, nacelle, and the tower are integrally assembled.