Transferable Crane for Floating Wind Turbine Component Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
The maintenance of offshore wind turbines with increasing dimensions on floating foundations is challenging due to limited operational windows caused by sea-state induced motions, making it impractical to use stable jack-up vessels, and towing the entire turbine to shore is a slow process.
Innovation Solution
A transferable crane system is used on a floating foundation, comprising a revolving superstructure, boom, and hoisting winch, allowing for maintenance operations at sea by arranging the crane on buoyant stabilizing columns, reducing relative motion and enabling larger operational weather windows.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a stable jack-up vessel is used for maintenance operations, then the stability of the crane platform is improved, but the operational window is limited to calm seas and low wind speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a motion compensation system as an intermediary between the crane and the sea state. This system includes sensors that detect platform motion and active compensation mechanisms that counteract these motions in real-time, allowing the crane to operate stably even when the vessel is moving due to waves and wind.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a static stability approach (jack-up vessels that are stable only in calm conditions) to a dynamic stability approach. The crane system actively adapts to changing sea conditions through real-time motion compensation, enabling operational versatility across a wider range of weather conditions while maintaining crane stability.
2Ease of repair
If the entire floating wind turbine is towed to shore for maintenance, then maintenance operations can be performed, but the process is slow and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the maintenance capability from the shore-based facility and places it directly on the floating wind turbine platform. By mounting a crane system on the floating platform itself, the system enables maintenance operations to be performed at sea without requiring the time-consuming process of towing the entire turbine to shore.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent prepares the floating platform with a mounted crane system in advance, so that when maintenance is needed, the equipment is already in position and ready for immediate operation. This eliminates the delay associated with transporting maintenance equipment or the turbine itself to a suitable location.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a floating crane vessel is used for maintenance at sea, then the operational flexibility is improved, but the relative motion between the crane and wind turbine increases due to sea-state induced motions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the crane system with the floating wind turbine platform by mounting the crane directly on the platform structure. This integration ensures that the crane and turbine move together as a single unit, minimizing relative motion between them while maintaining the operational flexibility of working at sea.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs motion compensation systems as intermediaries that actively counteract sea-state induced motions. Sensors detect the platform's movement relative to the turbine, and the system applies compensating forces to maintain stable relative positioning, enabling precise maintenance operations despite wave and wind effects.
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
Facilitates maintenance of floating wind turbines at sea without towing, using smaller vessels, and reduces relative motion between the crane and turbine, allowing for efficient installation and removal of components like blades and generators.
Implementation Method 1
floating foundation that is in floating condition, e.g. at the site of an offshore windfarm
Data Source
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AI summary
For the installation and/or removal of a wind turbine component on or from an offshore wind turbine that has a tower erected on a floating foundation and in floating condition, e.g. at the site of an offshore windfarm, use is made of a transferrable crane. The transferrable crane comprises a revolving superstructure, a boom mounted or to be mounted to the revolving superstructure, a hoisting winch and associated hoisting cable departing from the boom to lift and/or lower a wind turbine component, e.g. a wind turbine blade.The method comprises - with the floating foundation in floating condition – the steps of:- arranging the transferable crane on the floating foundation,- using the transferable crane arranged on the floating foundation to lift and/or lower a wind turbine component, e.g. a wind turbine blade, e.g. for installing, removing, or replacing a wind turbine component of the offshore wind turbine, e.g. for performing maintenance,- removing the transferable crane from the floating foundation.