Offshore Wind Tower Segments Using Water Basin Damping
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Solution Overview
Problem
The installation of offshore wind turbines is challenging due to the need for precise weather conditions, particularly low wave heights, which limits the availability of suitable installation windows and requires expensive and voluminous hydraulic buffers and damping systems.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus involving a wind turbine tower socket segment with a basin that is filled with water, allowing a plug segment to be lowered into it, utilizing water as a buffering system to facilitate easier assembly under less-than-ideal weather conditions, reducing the need for heavy transition segments and hydraulic buffers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hydraulic buffers and heavy transition segments with damping cylinders are used, then the stability and damping during installation is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses water (a fluid) to create a cushioning effect between tower segments during installation. The basin filled with water provides hydraulic damping without requiring complex hydraulic buffers or damping cylinders, thus maintaining installation stability while reducing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The water basin serves multiple functions: it provides damping, acts as a connection medium between segments, and eliminates the need for separate buffering systems. The system uses readily available water instead of requiring specialized heavy equipment, making the installation process self-sufficient
2Manufacturing precision
If strict weather conditions are required for installation, then the installation precision and safety are improved, but the productivity and installation speed decrease due to limited weather windows
Solution Approach 1:
The water basin is prepared in advance to provide cushioning during the connection process. This pre-prepared damping system allows installation to proceed under less ideal weather conditions while maintaining sufficient precision, as the water cushion absorbs irregularities and movements during the connection process
3Force
If heavy transition segments with damping cylinders are used, then the damping capacity is improved, but the weight and volume of the installation equipment increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces heavy mechanical damping cylinders with a water-based hydraulic cushion. The water in the basin provides the necessary damping force through its incompressibility and fluid pressure, achieving the same effect as heavy damping equipment without the associated weight and volume
4Adaptability or versatility
If more work is done at sea during installation, then the adaptability to different weather conditions is improved, but the installation time and operational readiness decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The water basin system requires minimal intervention and preparation at sea. The basin is simply filled with water before connecting the next tower segment, eliminating the need for complex setup procedures during the installation process. This allows rapid progression through installation stages while maintaining adaptability to varying weather conditions
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 allows for faster and more efficient installation of offshore wind turbines by increasing the size of weather windows for assembly, reducing the amount of work needed at sea, and minimizing the use of expensive buffering systems, enabling quicker turbine deployment.
Implementation Method 1
The water in the basin acts as a buffer when the plug segment is brought into connection with the socket segment
Data Source
AI summary
A method for erecting an off-shore wind turbine includes providing a wind turbine tower socket segment that includes a basin positioned at one end of the wind turbine tower socket segment. The basin is filled with water. A wind turbine tower plug segment, which has a closed surface at one end of the wind turbine tower plug segment, is brought in connection with the wind turbine tower socket segment. Further, a wind turbine tower socket segment for off-shore wind turbines is provided that includes a basin adapted for receiving water on one side of the segment. The socket segment is adapted for receiving a wind turbine tower plug segment. Further, a wind turbine tower plug segment adapted for being plugged into a wind turbine tower socket segment is provided. The wind turbine tower plug segment includes a closed surface at one end of the segment. Further, a wind turbine is provided.