Stability Frame for Offshore Wind Turbine Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The installation of wind turbines in offshore locations, especially in deep water, faces challenges due to the delicate nature of components like glass-fiber blades and the increasing size and power of turbines, which complicates assembly and maneuvering amidst waves and wind.
Innovation Solution
A stability frame system comprising a main body mounted around the tower with guides and hooking members, anchored to a rigging assembly below the wind turbine's center of gravity, which is connected to a crane vessel for lifting and handling, and includes tugger lines to prevent twisting, ensuring secure anchoring and easy recovery for reuse.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a crane vessel is used to lift and transfer wind turbine components in deep water, then the installation can be performed in deeper locations, but the components are exposed to harmful effects from waves and wind causing swinging movements
Solution Approach 1:
A stability frame is introduced as an intermediary device between the wind turbine components and the crane vessel. The stability frame includes a main body mounted on the tower and multiple guides extending outwardly that constrain the rigging assembly, preventing swinging movements while allowing the crane vessel to perform lifting operations in deep water locations
2Power
If the wind turbine size and power are increased to actuate more powerful electrical generators, then the energy output is improved, but the structure becomes more delicate and harder to handle
Solution Approach 1:
The stability frame acts as a mediator that simplifies handling of large, powerful wind turbines. By providing structural support through the main body and constraining forces through the guides, the stability frame makes it easier to maneuver heavier components during installation operations
3Productivity
If glass-fiber blades are used to construct the wind turbine, then the aerodynamic performance is improved, but the delicate nature of the blades makes assembly and maneuvering more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The stability frame provides protective support for delicate glass-fiber blades during assembly and maneuvering operations. The guides constrain the rigging assembly to prevent excessive movements that could damage the blades, while the main body provides stable mounting for the tower structure
Data Source
AI summary
A stability frame for the installation of a wind turbine on an offshore substructure, wherein the wind turbine comprises a tower configured to be anchored to a rigging assembly below the barycenter of the wind turbine, has a main body configured to be mounted about the upper part of the tower; and a plurality of guides, which extend outwardly from the main body and are configured for constraining parts of the rigging assembly so as to laterally support the wind turbine by the rigging assembly.