Offshore Wind Farm Hexagonal Foundation Mooring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing offshore wind farms with hexagonally arranged foundation elements and floating wind turbines face high installation efforts, maintenance costs due to rigid fixation, and dynamic load challenges from diagonal tension members and anchoring systems.
Innovation Solution
The use of parquetted hexagonal foundation elements that absorb horizontal and vertical loads, connected to floating wind turbines via chains or ropes allowing movement within a circular area around the hexagon center, reducing dynamic loads and enabling quick, material-saving installation with suction bucket foundations and adjustable connecting means.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If diagonal tension members and robust link chains are used to rigidly anchor floating wind turbines, then the wind turbines can be fixed in a fixed location without vibration, but the structures are subject to high wear and tear requiring significant maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from rigid fixed anchoring to dynamic mooring systems with chains and ropes that allow controlled movement. The mooring lines are designed with specific lengths and configurations that permit the floating wind turbine to drift within a defined circular area while maintaining operational stability, thereby reducing stress and wear on the anchoring structures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the connecting elements from rigid tension members to flexible chains and ropes with specific length characteristics. The mooring lines have lengths that allow horizontal and vertical movement while maintaining connection, changing the system from rigid to flexible with controlled degrees of freedom
2Manufacturing precision
If diagonal tension members with precise prestressing are used, then wind turbines can be installed in a fixed location, but the construction and installation costs are high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the anchoring system into modular foundation elements arranged in hexagonal patterns, with each element connected by standardized chain and rope configurations. This modular approach simplifies manufacturing and installation while maintaining precise positioning capabilities through the geometric arrangement rather than precision-tensioned individual members
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive, precision-engineered tension members with simpler, more economical chain and rope configurations. While individual mooring lines may require replacement over time, the overall system cost is reduced by eliminating the need for expensive prestressing mechanisms and high-strength rigid members
3Stability of the object's composition
If foundation elements are precisely positioned to form tessellated hexagons, then load distribution is optimized, but the installation effort and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal hexagonal foundation element design that serves multiple functions: precise positioning, load distribution in multiple directions, and modular scalability. Each foundation element is identical and can be used in any position within the tessellated pattern, simplifying installation while optimizing load distribution through the geometric configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple foundation elements into a unified tessellated hexagonal structure where adjacent hexagons share common foundation elements. This combining approach optimizes load distribution across the entire wind farm while reducing the total number of individual foundation elements needed compared to non-tessellated arrangements
4Force
If connecting means allow horizontal and vertical movement within a circular area, then dynamic loads on foundation elements are reduced, but the precision of turbine positioning decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic positioning system where the floating wind turbine is allowed to move within a controlled circular area defined by the mooring line lengths. The hexagonal foundation geometry and chain/rope configurations create natural boundaries that maintain sufficient positioning precision for operational purposes while significantly reducing dynamic loads through permitted movement
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial constraint by allowing movement in certain directions and degrees while maintaining constraints in others. The mooring lines are configured with specific lengths that permit horizontal and vertical drift within a circular area (up to 10% of hexagon circumradius) while still providing sufficient positioning accuracy for wind turbine operation
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 approach simplifies and speeds up the installation of offshore wind farms, reduces maintenance, and extends the service life of foundation elements by allowing flexible movement and load distribution, while minimizing the need for precise prestressing and regular inspections.
Implementation Method 1
Inserting a plurality of foundation elements into the bottom of a body of water
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The invention relates to an offshore wind farm (100) with a plurality of foundation elements (10) which are arranged so as to form the corners of a plurality of parquetted hexagons and with a plurality of floating offshore wind turbines (20). Each floating offshore wind turbine (20) within a hexagon is connected to the foundation elements (10) which form the hexagon. The invention is characterized in that the floating offshore wind turbines (20) are connected to the foundation elements (10) by means of connection means (30) designed as a chain and/or a cable or a combination of a chain and a cable. The connection means (30) have a length which allows the offshore wind turbines (20) to drift within a circular area with a radius of up to 10% of the hexagon circumradii about the respective hexagon center.