Ocean wind systems, subsystems, and methods with stabilization by assemblies of deep-water-masses with articulating floats
OwnerWilliam C. Alexanderinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Methods and systems for operating a stable platform in a far-offshore deep-sea environment. The platform can advantageously be a wind power generation station. A structural framework carries (for example) the wind turbine in an elevated position. Multiple points on the floating structure are connected both to a surface float and to a deep mass (e.g. an enclosed volume of seawater).
Claims11
A floating wind energy system which does not need mooring, anchoring, tethering, nor seabed foundations, comprising:
- a structural framework which includes both lateral support beams connected together to form a substantially rigid polygonal structure, and vertical support beams each connected to extend between a respective part of the polygonal structure and a turbine support location;
- a wind turbine having a nacelle mounted to the turbine support location, a hub rotatably connected to the nacelle, multiple wind turbine blades mounted to the hub, and a generator driven by rotation of the hub;
- and a plurality of stabilizer subsystems mounted to the structural framework, and each comprising a stabilizing mass, and a float which is operatively connected to a stabilizer shell by a tension element, and which floats at the ocean surface;
- wherein the mass and the float, in combination, have a resonant frequency which is less than half the normal minimum frequency of waves where the system is positioned.
A floating wind energy system which does not need mooring, anchoring, tethering, nor seabed foundations, comprising:
- a structural framework which includes both lateral support beams connected together to form a substantially rigid polygonal structure, and vertical support beams each connected to extend between a respective part of the polygonal structure and a turbine support location;
- a wind turbine having a nacelle mounted to the turbine support location, a hub rotatably connected to the nacelle, multiple wind turbine blades mounted to the hub, and a generator driven by rotation of the hub;
- and
- a plurality of stabilizer subsystems mounted to the structural framework, and each comprising
- a stabilizer shell filled with water, and
- a float which is operatively connected to the stabilizer shell by a tension element and a flexible joint, and which floats at the ocean surface above the stabilizer shell.
A floating wind energy system which does not need mooring, anchoring, tethering, nor seabed foundations, comprising:
- a structural framework which includes both lateral support beams connected together to form a substantially rigid polygonal structure, and vertical support beams each connected to extend between a respective part of the polygonal structure and a turbine support location;
- a wind turbine having a nacelle mounted to the turbine support location, a hub rotatably connected to the nacelle, multiple wind turbine blades mounted to the hub, and a generator driven by rotation of the hub;
- and a plurality of stabilizer subsystems mounted to the structural framework, and each comprising a stabilizing mass, and a float which is operatively connected to the stabilizing mass by a tension element, and which floats at the ocean surface above a stabilizer shell;
- and propulsion units mounted to the structural framework, and operatively connected to receive power directly or indirectly from the wind turbine;
- wherein each of the stabilizer subsystems has a natural heave frequency which is less than the normal minimum frequency of local wave motion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.