Submerged Buoy With Segmented Column For Deep Water Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Offshore wind farms in deep water face challenges with unstable foundations due to fluctuating buoyancy caused by tidal effects and waves, leading to increased tether tension and reduced stability for wind-powered generators.
Innovation Solution
A buoy system with a negatively buoyant central column and an outer frame providing buoyancy, keeping it submerged to maintain constant tether tension, combined with a wave-powered generator to reduce energy transfer from waves, ensuring stability and efficient energy conversion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If buoyancy is provided by a central structure that is exposed to waves and tidal effects, then the buoy can support the wind-powered generator, but the buoyancy fluctuates with water level changes causing increased tether tension and reduced stability
Solution Approach 1:
The buoy is divided into separate functional components: a central column for mounting the wind-powered generator and separate buoyancy elements (outer frame and/or attached buoyancy) for providing flotation. This segmentation allows the buoyancy elements to be positioned independently below the water surface while the central column extends above water for generator mounting.
Solution Approach 2:
The buoyancy elements are positioned in a different spatial dimension (submerged below the lowermost water level) relative to the central structure (extending above water). This dimensional separation ensures that the buoyancy-providing components remain below wave action while the central column remains accessible for generator installation.
2Ease of operation
If the buoy extends from below to above the water surface to support the generator, then the generator can be mounted, but the buoyancy fluctuates with tidal effects and waves increasing peak tether tension
Solution Approach 1:
The buoyancy function is extracted from the central column and placed into separate buoyancy elements (outer frame and/or attached buoyancy) that are positioned below the water surface. This extraction allows the central column to serve its mounting function while the buoyancy elements remain submerged to provide stable flotation unaffected by wave action.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the buoy uses adjustable ballasting or operable openings to control stability, then the buoy can adapt to different conditions, but the complexity and potential failure points increase
Solution Approach 1:
The buoy is designed as a passive, self-serviceing structure with no operable openings, adjustable ballasting, or active control systems. The stability is inherently provided by the fixed configuration of the central column and buoyancy elements, with the buoy automatically maintaining its operational state without requiring active intervention or complex control mechanisms.
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 buoy system maintains consistent tether tension and improves stability, reducing fatigue and costs, while enabling efficient wind and wave energy conversion, even in deep water conditions, enhancing the overall generating capacity and commercial viability.
Implementation Method 1
buoyancy is provided by the outer frame and/or by buoyancy attached to at least one of the outer frame and the central column
Implementation Method 2
the central column is negatively buoyant
Implementation Method 3
combined with a wave-powered generator to reduce energy transfer from waves, ensuring stability and efficient energy conversion
Data Source
AI summary
A buoy (10) comprising a central column (12), an outer frame (14) attached to the central column with buoyancy which may be provided by the outer frame and/or by attached buoyancy units (16). The central column is negatively buoyant and is normally open at one end to allow water to flow in, and create an oscillating water column caused by waves. This water column dampens the effect of wave or other forces on the buoy, thus providing a more stable foundation for a wind powered generator. A further generator may be provided to extract energy from the oscillating water column. The buoy is normally attached to an anchor by one or more tension leg tethers which maintains the buoyancy below the surface of the water which has also be found to increase stability. The anchor may be a modular gravity base anchor.