Offshore Wind Turbine Mast Pivoting for Maintenance and Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing offshore wind turbine systems face challenges such as limited mobility, high installation costs, environmental impact, and limited capacity for maintenance due to fixed anchoring and large contact surfaces with the sea, which restricts their scalability and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The system comprises a buoyancy body with an aerodynamically designed mast and wind turbine, capable of rotating between vertical and horizontal positions, allowing for easy relocation, maintenance, and transport. The mast is supported by a horizontal rotational axis through the center of gravity, and the buoyancy body is designed with a low draft and sinusoidal water lines for stability and reduced environmental impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the buoyancy body uses fixed anchoring with large contact surface to the sea, then stability is improved, but mobility and ability to relocate are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a dynamic anchoring system where the buoyancy body can rotate about a vertical axis to orient into the wind direction, and the mast can pivot between vertical and horizontal positions. This dynamic capability allows the system to maintain stability during operation while enabling relocation and adaptation to different conditions, resolving the contradiction between fixed stability and mobility.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the contact surface with sea is reduced to minimize wave impact, then wave resistance is improved, but weight load per area increases and survivability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a buoyancy body with a curved, hydrodynamic hull form that minimizes wave impact while maintaining adequate contact surface area. The curved geometry allows waves to flow smoothly around the structure, reducing resistance and impact forces, while the overall volume and shape provide sufficient buoyancy and stability to support the system weight and withstand environmental loads.
3Productivity
If the mast is fixed in vertical position for power generation, then energy production is improved, but ease of maintenance and transport capability are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a pivotable mast mechanism that can rotate between a vertical operating position for power generation and a horizontal transport/maintenance position. This dynamic positioning capability allows the system to optimize for energy production during operation while enabling easy access to the rotor and blades for maintenance, and facilitating transport in horizontal configuration, thus resolving the contradiction between productivity and ease of repair.
4Strength
If the wind turbine is equipped with rigid propeller blades to withstand strong wind, then strength is improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational parameters by allowing the entire wind turbine assembly to pivot and orient into the wind direction rather than relying solely on rigid blade design. This parameter change in the system's degrees of freedom reduces the requirement for excessively heavy rigid blades, as the aerodynamic forces are managed through active positioning and orientation of the entire turbine assembly rather than passive blade rigidity alone.
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 solution enhances the mobility and maintainability of offshore wind turbines, reduces environmental impact, and allows for scalable production without increasing seabed interventions, thereby improving the overall efficiency and survivability of the systems in harsh weather conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a buoyancy body in the shape of a ship's hull with a bow and an aft end
Implementation Method 2
an elongated, aerodynamic designed mast projecting upwards from the buoyancy body
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3d
AI summary
This document describes an offshore power generating system (100) comprising: - a buoyancy body (110) in the shape of a hull with a bow (112) and an aft end (111); - an elongated, aerodynamic shaped mast (140) designed to project up from the buoyancy body (110), rotatably supported on the buoyancy body (110) about a horizontal transverse axis (122); - a rotor supported in one end of the longitudinal mast (140) for rotation about a horizontal axis oriented in the length direction of the buoyancy body (110); - an arrangement for keeping the buoyancy body (110) in a position with the bow (112) turning up into the wind and incoming waves.The rotational support of the mast (140) is having a horizontal, transverse orientated rotational axis (122) through the center of gravity of the mast (140),5wherein the center of gravity of the mast (140) lies in the center plan (114) of the buoyancy body (110) vertical above the aft end (111) of the buoyancy body (110)when the buoyancy body (110) lies in operational position in calm sea, and where the rotational axis (122) of the rotational support of the mast (140) is orthogonal to the center plan (114) of the buoyancy body (110). Further, this document describes a method for on-board loading and commissioning of mast with installed rotor on-board a buoyancy body.