Offshore Wind Turbine Support System with Damper and Counter-Balance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Offshore wind turbines are limited to shallow water depths due to the high cost of assembling support systems in deeper waters, restricting their placement to areas with favorable wind conditions.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a damper and counter-balance system in the offshore support system to stabilize and reduce the movement of wind turbines subjected to wind and tidal forces, allowing them to be installed at any offshore location, including deeper waters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If support columns are extended to increase water depth coverage, then the operational range of offshore wind turbines is improved, but the cost and complexity of assembling the support system increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater depth coverageVSAvoidsupport system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support system is divided into multiple modular sections that can be assembled in shallow water and then connected vertically. The platform is segmented into a lower platform and upper platform that can be assembled separately and then connected using splices, allowing the system to reach greater depths without requiring complex deep-water assembly operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Support columns and platform sections are pre-assembled in shallow water conditions where assembly is easier and less costly. The lower platform and initial support column sections are installed first, providing a stable base from which additional sections can be added. This preliminary assembly in favorable conditions reduces overall system complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If support columns are extended to reach deeper water, then the location flexibility of wind turbines is improved, but the assembly cost increases exponentially

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocation flexibilityVSAvoidassembly cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure is segmented into modular columns that can be assembled in sections. Support columns include intermediate support structures that can be attached at different heights, allowing the system to be built in manageable segments rather than requiring single-piece deep-water installation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple platform sections and support column segments are pre-assembled in shallow water where conditions are more favorable and costs are lower. The lower platform is assembled first with initial support columns, providing a stable foundation for subsequent additions. This preliminary assembly in cost-effective conditions significantly reduces overall manufacturing costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the support system is designed for deep water installation, then the operational depth range is improved, but the structural complexity and material requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational depth rangeVSAvoidstructural requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The support columns are divided into multiple segments that can be connected using splices and coupling structures. Intermediate support structures can be attached at various heights along the columns, distributing structural loads more effectively and reducing the complexity of any single structural element.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from a single deep-water installation approach to a multi-level assembly process. Platforms can be positioned at different vertical levels, and support columns can have intermediate supports at various heights, creating a three-dimensional modular structure that reduces material requirements compared to a single monolithic deep-water support system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

Enables the installation of wind turbines at any offshore location, regardless of water depth, by stabilizing the turbine and reducing movement, thus expanding the potential sites for offshore wind farms beyond shallow waters.

Implementation Method 1

a damper and a counter-balance system for suspending at least a portion of the wind turbine at least partially above a water surface. The damper reduces movement of the wind turbine in a vertical direction.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrodynamic drag: Drag

Implementation Method 2

a damper and a counter-balance system for suspending at least a portion of the wind turbine at least partially above a water surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Data Source

PatentEP2333314B1Systems for assembling an offshore support system for use with a wind turbine

Publication Date: 2017.02.22 GENERAL ELECTRIC CO

AI summary

An offshore support system (14) for use with a wind turbine (10) is provided. The offshore support system includes a damper (102,302) adapted to be coupled to a wind turbine tower (12) to facilitate reducing movement of the wind turbine in at least one direction, and a counter-balance system (104) coupled to the damper for suspending at least a portion of the wind turbine above a water surface (106), the counter-balance system configured to stabilize the wind turbine when subjected to wind and tidal forces.