V-Shaped Floating Wind Turbine Hull with Ballast Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional floating wind turbine generating apparatuses face high construction and installation costs due to complex foundation requirements and interference issues affecting stability and power generation efficiency, especially in deep water regions.
Innovation Solution
A floating wind turbine generating apparatus with a V-shaped floating body featuring three columns and two hollow lower hulls, allowing for adjustable water injection to stabilize the structure and reduce manufacturing costs, along with an installation method using a crane for land-based assembly and water injection for stable floating installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If foundation piles are hammered into the bottom and connected by steel pipes (TLP type), then stability against wind and waves is improved, but construction cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the complex foundation pile and steel pipe connection system from the TLP design. Instead of using foundation piles hammered into the seabed connected by high-strength steel pipes, the patent uses a simplified floating body structure with columns directly connected to pontoons, removing the expensive foundation construction while maintaining stability through the floating body's design and water ballast system
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the stability mechanism from relying on deep foundation anchoring to using adjustable water ballast in internal chambers and the floating body's inherent buoyancy characteristics. By controlling the amount of water in ballast chambers and adjusting the floating body's draft, stability is achieved without expensive foundation piles, transforming the stability approach from fixed anchoring to adjustable buoyancy control
2Stability of the object's composition
If the main floating body is formed into an elongated shape (spar type), then stability against wind and waves is improved, but installation complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the floating body into modular components: separate columns and separate pontoons that are connected together. This segmentation allows for easier manufacturing, transportation, and installation of individual modules, reducing installation complexity compared to forming a single large elongated spar structure, while maintaining stability through the configured arrangement of these modular elements
Solution Approach 2:
The invention performs preliminary assembly of the floating body components (columns and pontoons) in a controlled environment before deployment. The floating body is pre-configured with its stabilizing geometry and ballast systems assembled beforehand, allowing for simpler on-site installation without requiring complex elongated structure formation during the installation process itself
3Productivity
If wind turbine generators are arranged in a staggered fashion, then power generation efficiency is improved for certain wind directions, but interference between generators occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The invention positions the wind turbine generator at the center of the floating body structure, creating a symmetric arrangement that optimizes performance for winds coming from any direction. This central positioning eliminates the interference issues that arise from staggered arrangements, as the single centrally-located generator does not create wake effects on other generators, while still maintaining high power generation efficiency through optimal exposure to winds from all directions
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 solution provides enhanced stability against wind and waves, reduced manufacturing and installation costs, and high power generation efficiency regardless of wind direction, while simplifying the installation process and eliminating the need for large cranes.
Implementation Method 1
water is injected into the hollow lower hulls so that the floating body is configured to be installed on the water in a state where the top faces of the lower hulls are underwater
Data Source
AI summary
A floating type wind turbine generating apparatus comprises a floating body floating on a surface of a water, and a wind turbine generator installed on the floating body. The floating body is formed into a substantially V-shape in the planar view including three columns and two hollow lower hulls connecting two of the three columns, a top face of each of the columns being disposed above a top face of each of the lower hulls and the wind turbine generator being installed on the top face of at least one of the three columns. Water is injected into the hollow lower hulls so that the floating body is configured to be installed on the water in a state where the top faces of the lower hulls are underwater.