Offshore Wind Turbine Internal Access System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Offshore wind turbines face challenges with external working platforms, access ladders, and intermediate platforms that increase construction height, wave drag, and require larger tower and foundation structures, limiting the overall height reduction and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An offshore wind turbine design with an internal access system, eliminating external platforms, where the ladder is housed within the tower, reducing wave resistance and allowing for a more compact foundation structure, and incorporating a movable lifting device protected from the weather for loading and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If external working platforms and access ladders are arranged outside the tower, then personnel access and service operations are enabled, but wave drag increases and foundation structure must be larger
Solution Approach 1:
The access ladder and working platforms are integrated inside the tower structure rather than being external attachments. The ladder is housed within the tower's interior space, and working platforms are positioned within the tower's cross-sectional area, effectively nesting the access system within the main structure to eliminate external wave exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The access system is merged with the tower structure itself. The tower serves dual functions as both the structural support and the housing for the access ladder and working platforms, eliminating the need for separate external access structures that would increase wave drag.
2Ease of operation
If external working platforms are arranged above the 50-year wave height, then service operations are enabled, but the overall construction height increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of increasing height vertically to place working platforms above wave height, the solution utilizes the horizontal dimension by positioning platforms within the tower's cross-sectional area. The tower's circumference provides sufficient space for working platforms at lower heights, converting a vertical placement problem into a horizontal space utilization solution.
3Ease of operation
If access ladders and intermediate platforms are arranged externally, then personnel can access the interior, but the tower and foundation structure must be dimensioned for additional loads
Solution Approach 1:
The access ladder and working platforms are merged into the tower's internal structure, allowing the tower to serve as both the load-bearing structure and the housing for access equipment. This integration eliminates additional external attachments that would require separate foundation load considerations.
4Length of stationary object
If the overall height of the wind turbine is reduced, then construction costs decrease, but external working platforms cannot be arranged at sufficient height
Solution Approach 1:
The solution transitions from vertical platform placement to horizontal space utilization within the tower. By using the tower's internal circumference and cross-sectional area, working platforms can be positioned at lower heights while still providing adequate clearance from waves and maintaining operational accessibility.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an offshore wind turbine, having: a supporting structure (4), a nacelle (6), a rotor (8), an interior space (10, 32), at least one access opening (12) and a means of ascent (14), such as a ladder, staircase or the like, wherein: the supporting structure (4) has a tower and a foundation structure (18), the tower supports the nacelle (6) and the rotor (8), the access opening (12) is designed for persons to access the interior space (10), the means of ascent (14) is arranged in the interior space (10), the means of ascent (14) is allocated to the access opening (12) and, when viewed along a vertical extent (H) of the supporting structure (4), no exterior work platform is arranged between the foundation structure (18) and the access opening (12).