Offshore Wind Turbine Anchoring with Suction and Gravity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing offshore wind turbine systems lack effective anchoring mechanisms to restrain displacement in both vertical and horizontal directions, particularly in harsh marine environments, leading to potential skewing, excessive horizontal displacement, and even toppling.
Innovation Solution
A mud floating type offshore wind turbine system is introduced, comprising gravity anchors, suction anchors, an upper wind turbine, a tower drum, and a wind turbine foundation with a unique spherical shell and connecting rod structure. This system uses adjustable anchor chains and telescopic anchor discs to restrain vertical and horizontal displacements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If only one anchor structure is designed to restrain vertical displacement, then the structure is simple, but the wind turbine system experiences excessive horizontal displacement and may topple in harsh marine environments
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor system is segmented into multiple independent anchor structures (first anchor structure with first anchor chain, second anchor structure with second anchor chain) that work together to provide comprehensive restraint. Each anchor structure is positioned at different locations and oriented to restrain displacement in specific directions, creating a distributed anchoring system that improves reliability while maintaining manageable complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from single-dimension (vertical) restraint to multi-dimension restraint by configuring anchor chains in different spatial orientations. The first anchor chains restrain vertical displacement, while the second anchor chains restrain horizontal displacement, adding dimensional control to the anchoring system to prevent toppling and excessive movement in harsh environments
2Reliability
If anchor chains are made adjustable to restrain displacement in both vertical and horizontal directions, then the stability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor chains are designed with adjustable lengths that can be dynamically modified during installation and operation. The first anchor chains and second anchor chains can be independently adjusted to optimize restraint forces in vertical and horizontal directions, allowing the system to adapt to different environmental conditions and operational requirements while maintaining stability
Solution Approach 2:
The tower drum serves as an intermediary mechanism that enables adjustment of anchor chain lengths. By winding or unwinding anchor chains on the tower drum, the system can modify the restraint characteristics without requiring complex direct adjustment mechanisms at the anchor points themselves, simplifying the overall adjustment system while maintaining reliability
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
The system effectively restrains displacement of the wind turbine in both vertical and horizontal directions, enhancing safety and stability, especially in harsh marine environments.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of suction anchors, each suction anchor being connected with one first anchor chain
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of gravity anchors, each gravity anchor being connected with one second anchor chain
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a mud floating type offshore wind turbine system and an installation method thereof. The system includes a plurality of suction anchors, a plurality of gravity anchors, an upper wind turbine, a tower drum and a wind turbine foundation; the fan foundation includes a column body, a first spherical shell, a second spherical shell, a plurality of third spherical shells, first connecting rods, second connecting rods and supporting rods; each of the first spherical shell and the second spherical shell is internally provided with a winch with a plurality of telescopic anchor discs; each suction anchor and each gravity anchor are located beneath the corresponding third spherical shell and located on a side face of the corresponding third spherical shell respectively and used for restraining positions of the upper wind turbine in a vertical direction and a horizontal direction respectively.