Tuned Mass Damper for Floating Wind Turbines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Floating offshore wind turbine (FOWT) platforms experience instability due to wind, wave, and current loading, which existing technologies fail to adequately mitigate, especially in deep water where fixed foundations are not economically feasible.
Innovation Solution
An improved tuned mass damper (TMD) system is integrated into various types of FOWT platforms, including barge, semi-submersible, and spar platforms, utilizing water ballast chambers and pressurized air to create mass and spring-like effects, allowing for adjustable frequency operation to counteract motion and loading from wind, waves, and currents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If floating platforms are used in deep water, then access to high-energy wind resources is enabled, but platform stability deteriorates due to wind, wave, and current loading
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the platform by integrating tuned mass dampers with adjustable mass, stiffness, and damping coefficients. These parameter adjustments allow the system to adapt to varying wave frequencies and environmental conditions, optimizing stability while maintaining energy harvesting capability in deep water locations
2Reliability
If traditional single-frequency TMD systems are used, then motion reduction is achieved at one frequency, but effectiveness deteriorates when operating conditions vary
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the single TMD system into multiple independent TMD units, each tuned to different frequencies. This segmentation allows each TMD to target specific frequency ranges, providing comprehensive motion reduction across varying operational conditions and wave spectra
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic adjustability in the TMD system, allowing the mass, stiffness, and damping parameters to be modified in response to changing environmental conditions. This dynamic capability enables the system to maintain optimal performance across different operating scenarios
3Reliability
If complex TMD systems with multiple components are integrated, then motion reduction effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the TMD components to serve multiple functions: the same mass elements provide both inertial damping and ballast functionality, while the stiffness and damping mechanisms contribute to both motion reduction and structural stabilization. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity despite the advanced capabilities
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 TMD system effectively reduces platform motion and loading, enhancing stability and reducing fatigue and ultimate loads on structural components, allowing for more efficient energy harvesting in deep water conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure chamber formed within the base, the pressure chamber connected to a source of pressurized air
Implementation Method 2
a first water ballast chamber that defines a mass of the first TMD
Implementation Method 3
an orifice damper is formed in the pressure chamber
Implementation Method 4
a flexible and water-impermeable diaphragm is mounted between the pressure chamber and the body of water in which the FOWT platform is deployed, the water urging against the diaphragm defining a mass of the TMD
Data Source
AI summary
A tuned mass damper (TMD) system in combination with a floating offshore wind turbine (FOWT) platform includes a barge type FOWT platform having a hull configured to have a wind turbine tower mounted thereon. A TMD system is mounted in the hull and has a first TMD configured to operate at a first frequency, and a second TMD configured to operate at a second frequency different than the first frequency.