Rotating Buoyant Columns for Offshore Platform Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current floating power generation platforms face challenges such as high costs, complexity, and inefficiency in deployment and operation, particularly in extreme offshore conditions, and they have not achieved optimal power performance at an affordable price.
Innovation Solution
The proposed offshore floating power generation platform incorporates rotating, inflatable, and mixed buoyancy portions to improve shipping, deployment, and construction efficiency, reducing weight and costs. It combines features of semi-submersible, spar buoy, and tension leg platforms into a single structure, allowing for scalable designs and reduced deployment vessel requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional floating platform designs (semi-submersible, spar buoy, tension leg) are used, then stability and power generation capability are achieved, but deployment cost and structural complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple floating platform design features (semi-submersible buoyancy, spar buoy stability, tension leg anchoring) into a single integrated structure. The floating platform includes buoyant columns with cross-bracing systems that provide both structural stability and anchoring capability, eliminating the need for separate mooring systems and reducing overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The floating platform structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: the buoyant columns provide both buoyancy and structural support, the cross-bracing system provides both structural integrity and acts as a tensioning mechanism, and the platform can be deployed in various water depths without requiring different design configurations.
2Productivity
If floating platforms are positioned farther from shore to capture more renewable energy, then power generation performance improves, but deployment cost and infrastructure requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The floating platform is designed to be dynamically adjustable in the water column, allowing it to move with wave and current forces rather than resisting them. The platform can be positioned at optimal depths to capture renewable energy while maintaining stability, and its modular design allows for easy deployment and repositioning without complex infrastructure.
3Productivity
If traditional floating platform designs are used, then power generation capability is achieved, but manufacturing and shipping costs increase due to weight and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The floating platform is divided into modular components including buoyant columns, cross-bracing systems, and platform sections that can be manufactured separately and assembled on-site. This segmentation reduces manufacturing complexity, allows for standardized production of components, and decreases shipping costs as smaller modular units are easier and cheaper to transport than monolithic structures.
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 configuration enhances the performance of the floating power generation platform, reduces overall operating costs, and facilitates rapid deployment in various ocean depths, while also minimizing environmental impact by reducing the platform's footprint near sensitive ecosystems.
Implementation Method 1
a water plane platform including a plurality of buoyant columns
Implementation Method 2
At least one buoyant column of the plurality of buoyant columns is rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the at least one central structure, relative to at least another one buoyant column of the plurality of buoyant columns
Data Source
AI summary
A floating power generation platform includes a water plane platform including a plurality of buoyant columns, and at least one central structure extending above the water plane platform and configured to support at least one power generation system. At least one buoyant column of the plurality of buoyant columns is rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the at least one central structure between an unrotated position and a rotated position to move the floating power generation platform between a transportation configuration and a deployed configuration.