Floating Wind Turbine Assembly With Heave-Compensated Mast Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for installing floating foundation wind turbines require long-distance towing of complete wind turbines, which is time-consuming and can be impaired by weather conditions, and lack efficient methods for assembly in deep waters.
Innovation Solution
A method for installing a wind turbine on a floating foundation at the offshore windfarm site, where the floating foundation is anchored and the wind turbine is assembled using a vessel with a crane and heave compensation and mast alignment systems to compensate for sea-state induced motions, allowing for precise alignment and stable fastening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the complete wind turbine is assembled at a shore-based location and then towed to the windfarm, then the assembly is completed in a controlled environment, but the towing process is time-consuming and can be impaired by weather conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The wind turbine is divided into separate components (mast, rotor assembly, nacelle) that can be transported independently to the installation site. The mast is installed on the floating foundation first, then the rotor assembly is mounted separately, allowing for more efficient installation compared to towing the complete assembled turbine
Solution Approach 2:
The floating foundation is pre-installed and anchored at the windfarm location before the wind turbine components arrive. The mast is installed on the foundation in advance, creating a ready structure that only requires the rotor assembly to be mounted, significantly reducing the time needed compared to towing a complete turbine
2Loss of time
If the wind turbine is assembled on a floating vessel at the windfarm location, then the towing time is eliminated, but the installation process must compensate for sea-state induced motions
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment system uses sensors to detect the relative position and orientation between the mast and mounting structure, providing real-time feedback to the control system. This feedback enables dynamic adjustment of the mast position to compensate for sea-state motions, ensuring precise alignment despite the challenging environment
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment system acts as an intermediary between the mast and the mounting structure, using active motion compensation to bridge the gap caused by sea-state motions. The system includes sensors, actuators, and control algorithms that work together to maintain proper alignment during the installation process
3Manufacturing precision
If the mast is lowered onto the mounting structure while compensating for heave motion, then precise alignment is achieved, but the alignment system must actively counteract sea-state induced motions
Solution Approach 1:
The heave compensation system uses sensors to monitor the vertical motion of the vessel and mounting structure, providing real-time feedback to the control system. This enables the alignment system to actively adjust the mast position to maintain precise alignment despite the dynamic sea-state conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the position and orientation parameters of the mast during the lowering process to compensate for heave motion. By continuously adjusting these parameters based on real-time sea-state measurements, the system maintains precise alignment between the mast and mounting structure
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 approach reduces the need for long-distance towing and enhances the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of establishing a floating foundation offshore windfarm by allowing for on-site assembly and stable installation despite sea-state conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The crane and/or the hoisting system thereof comprises a heave compensation device that is adapted to compensate for sea-state induced heave motion of the wind turbine mast relative to the mast mounting structure of the floating foundation
Implementation Method 2
Use is made of a mast alignment system that is configured to engage on the suspended wind turbine and to bring and maintain the mast of the wind turbine in alignment with the mounting axis of the floating foundation in order to compensate for sea-state induced motions, at least including tilt motions in one or more vertical planes
Implementation Method 3
a floating foundation that is in floating condition and subject to sea-state induced motions
Data Source
AI summary
A vessel for use in installation of a wind turbine on a floating foundation is provided, where both the vessel and the floating foundation are in floating condition and subject to sea-state induced motions. The vessel includes a floating hull; a crane including a hoisting system to suspend the wind turbine; a mast alignment system provided to engage on the wind turbine mast of the suspended wind turbine, and bring and maintain the wind turbine mast in alignment with the mounting axis of the floating foundation in order to compensate for sea-state induced motions; and a restraining system arranged to restrain the floating foundation only in a horizontal plane relative to the floating hull of the vessel and to allow for both sea-state induced heave motion and sea-state induced tilt motions in one or more vertical planes of the mast mounting structure relative to the hull of the vessel.