Floating Wind Turbine Compensation System for Platform Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Floating offshore wind turbines, particularly vertical-axis turbines, face instability due to bending moments caused by wind forces, which can lead to platform pitching and rolling, increasing the risk of overturning and requiring oversized platforms for stabilization.
Innovation Solution
A compensation system with moving elements on the blades' attachment arms deflects surrounding air to generate an aerodynamic force that counteracts the bending moment, enhancing platform stability without oversizing the platform.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the floating platform is oversized to absorb bending moment and prevent overturning, then platform stability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies counterweight principle by introducing a compensation system that generates opposing aerodynamic forces to balance the bending moments. The compensating devices create lift forces that counteract the destabilizing moments from wind on blades, eliminating the need for oversized platforms while maintaining stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The compensation system acts as an intermediary mechanism between the wind turbine blades and the floating platform. It transfers and counterbalances the bending moments through compensating devices with moving elements that generate aerodynamic counter-forces, protecting the platform from destabilizing effects without requiring structural oversizing.
2Stability of the object's composition
If stopping means are activated to prevent overturning during strong wind, then platform stability is improved, but energy production decreases due to unnecessary shutdowns
Solution Approach 1:
The compensation system provides preliminary counter-action by continuously generating compensating aerodynamic forces that preemptively balance bending moments before they can cause instability. This eliminates the need for reactive shutdowns, allowing the turbine to maintain operation during conditions that would previously require stopping.
Solution Approach 2:
The system converts the harmful bending moments from wind into beneficial operating conditions. By using compensating devices that generate aerodynamic forces in response to blade wind loads, the system transforms what would be destabilizing forces into a balanced state that enables continued energy production without compromising platform stability.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a compensation system with moving elements is added to counteract bending moment, then platform stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The compensating devices are integrated into the existing blade structure, with moving elements that serve multiple functions: generating aerodynamic lift for compensation, rotating with the blades, and adapting to varying wind conditions. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity despite adding stabilization capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The compensation system employs dynamic moving elements that automatically adjust their position and aerodynamic characteristics in response to rotating blade angles and varying wind conditions. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain effectiveness across different operating conditions without requiring complex control mechanisms or multiple discrete components.
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
This solution increases the stability of the floating platform, reduces the risk of overturning, and allows for efficient energy utilization by preventing unnecessary shutdowns, resulting in a safer, more cost-effective, and efficient wind turbine operation.
Implementation Method 1
said moving element is activated to deflect a surrounding air enveloping the wind turbine and directed along the attachment arm when said attachment arm is rotating about the vertical shaft, such that said deflection causes, by way of reaction, an aerodynamic force which generates a compensation moment on the floating platform
Data Source
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AI summary
Vertical axis floating offshore wind-powered generator (100) comprising a wind turbine (1) arranged on a floating platform (2), and a method for stabilizing the floating platform (2) of said wind-powered generator (100). The wind turbine (1) comprises a plurality of blades (3) rotating about a vertical shaft (4), each blade (3) being attached to the vertical shaft (4) through at least one attachment arm (5). The floating wind-powered generator (100) also comprises a compensation system which reduces a bending moment transferred to the floating platform (2) as a result of the force exerted by the wind on the blades (3). The compensation system comprises at least one compensating device (6) associated with a blade (3), each compensating device (6) being arranged in an attachment arm (5). Each compensating device (6) comprises a moving element (6.1) which is configured for redirecting a surrounding air enveloping the wind turbine (1) and which generates, by way of reaction, a force causing a compensation moment on the floating platform (2) which counteracts the bending moment generated by the force exerted by the wind on the blades (3), thereby successfully increasing the stability of the floating platform (2).