Wind Turbine Placement System Heave Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge of placing a wind turbine assembly on a support structure supported on a seabed using a lifting crane on a floating vessel is complicated by vertical and horizontal movements of the vessel, leading to reciprocal crane movements that can cause damage to the wind turbine or support structure due to excessive vertical reciprocal movement.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising first and second counter force devices, coupling assemblies, and a pulling device that allows adjustable counteracting forces to manage vertical reciprocal movements, enabling the wind turbine assembly to be safely pulled onto the support structure by switching between operation modes to minimize or eliminate excessive movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a lifting crane mounted on a floating vessel is used for placing a wind turbine assembly on a support structure, then the vessel can be positioned on the seabed, but the vessel is subjected to vertical reciprocal movements (heave, pitch, roll) that cause dangerous vertical reciprocal movements of the crane, increasing the risk of damage to the wind turbine assembly or support structure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies counter force devices that generate counteracting forces opposite to the vertical reciprocal movements of the crane. These devices compensate for the harmful up-and-down movements caused by vessel heave, pitch, and roll, thereby eliminating the dangerous vertical reciprocal movements of the crane during wind turbine assembly placement operations
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows adjustable counteracting forces that can be modified based on operational conditions. The counter force devices can adjust their force parameters to compensate for varying vessel movements, enabling safe operation across different sea states and operational phases
2Object-affected harmful factors
If heave compensation systems are used to reduce vertical reciprocal movement of the wind turbine assembly, then the vertical movement risk is reduced, but the systems become complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the compensation function into separate counter force devices that can be independently attached to the crane and/or wind turbine assembly. This segmentation allows for simpler, modular implementation compared to integrated heave compensation systems, with each device handling specific compensation tasks independently
Solution Approach 2:
The counter force devices act as intermediary elements between the crane and the wind turbine assembly, providing a simple mechanical means to compensate for vertical movements without requiring complex control systems. The devices mediate the harmful movements through straightforward counteracting forces
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 system effectively reduces the risk of damage by compensating for vertical reciprocal crane movements, allowing the wind turbine assembly to be securely placed on the support structure without causing harm, through controlled counteracting forces and operation mode adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
the first counter force device is configured to allow a vertical first reciprocal movement between the crane and the wind turbine assembly and to control the first reciprocal movement by providing a first counteracting force F1 acting against the first reciprocal movement when the crane is moving away from the support structure
Implementation Method 2
the second counter force device is configured to allow a vertical second reciprocal movement of the wind turbine assembly relative to the support structure and to control the second reciprocal movement by providing a second counteracting force F2 acting against the second reciprocal movement when the crane is moving away from the support structure
Data Source
AI summary
A system for placing a wind turbine assembly on a support surface of a support structure being supported on a seabed with a lifting crane provided on a floating vessel, said system can be changed from a first operation mode into a second operation mode to compensate a vertical reciprocal crane movement of the crane relative to the support structure.