Offshore Wind Turbine Support Structure Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The installation of support structures for offshore wind turbines in depths of 80 to 150 meters is challenging due to the need for larger and heavier transportation barges and cranes, increasing costs and complicating the installation process, especially for serial installations.
Innovation Solution
A support structure comprising a first structure part with dummy legs and anchor devices distributed in a specific pattern, allowing for a two-part structure that can be installed in sections, reducing the size and weight requirements for transportation and installation equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If a single-piece support structure is used for depths of 80 to 150 m, then the structure can reach the required depth, but the transportation barge and floating crane must be greater and heavier, increasing costs and impacting installation planning
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is divided into two separate parts: a first structure part (skirt structure) that is installed on the seabed, and a second structure part (upper support structure) that is transported and assembled separately. This segmentation allows the transported components to be smaller and lighter, reducing the requirements for transportation barges and floating cranes while still achieving the required total height for depths of 80 to 150 m.
2Length of stationary object
If a single-piece support structure is used for depths of 80 to 150 m, then the structure can reach the required depth, but the installation process becomes more complicated and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is divided into two separate parts: a first structure part (skirt structure) that is installed on the seabed, and a second structure part (upper support structure) that is transported and assembled separately. This segmentation allows the transported components to be smaller and lighter, reducing the requirements for transportation barges and floating cranes while still achieving the required total height for depths of 80 to 150 m.
Solution Approach 2:
The first structure part is pre-installed and fixed to the seabed before the second structure part is transported and assembled. This preliminary action creates a stable foundation that simplifies the subsequent assembly process, as the base structure is already in place to receive and support the upper components.
3Device complexity
If anchor devices are positioned directly under the dummy legs, then the structure is simpler, but the fixation is more complicated due to the depth
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor devices are positioned asymmetrically relative to the dummy legs, with each anchor device located at a different radial distance from the central axis. This asymmetric arrangement optimizes the fixation process by distributing the anchoring forces more effectively across the seabed, making the fixation process easier despite the depth, while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure configuration.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a support structure (1) for an offshore wind turbine, said support structure (1) comprising:—a first structure part (A) destined to be fixed to the seabed (Sb), said first structure part (A) comprising at least three dummy legs (3) distributed regularly on a first circle (XI) having as center a longitudinal axis (Y) of the support structure (1) and extending along said longitudinal axis (Y) of the support structure (1), said dummy legs (3) comprising a lower extremity (3a) designed to face the seabed (Sb) and an upper extremity (3b) opposed to the lower extremity (3a), the first structure part (A) also comprising at least three anchor devices (5) to the seabed (Sb) linked to the at least three dummy legs (3), —a second structure part (B) comprising a lower extremity (Ba), attached to the upper extremity (3b) of the at least three dummy legs (3) of the first structure part (A), wherein at least one anchor device (5) of the first structure part (A) is positioned angularly between two adjacent dummy legs (3) on a second circle (X2) having as center the longitudinal axis (Y) of the support structure (1). The present invention also relates to a process to install said support structures (1) for a wind farm installation.