Minimizing movements of offshore wind turbines
AssigneeEntrion Wind, Inc.
InventorsEivind Johnsen, Li Lee
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Techniques are disclosed herein for minimizing movement of an offshore wind turbine. Using the technologies described, a wind turbine may be mounted on a marine platform that is constructed and deployed to reduce environmental loads (e.g., wind, waves, . . . ) on the platform in both shallow and deep water. In some configurations, a fully restrained platform (FRP) is configured to support a wind turbine. According to some examples, moorings are attached to the FRP and/or the structure of the wind turbine structure to reduce movement in six degrees of freedom.
Claims20
A method to restrain motions of a platform that hosts a wind turbine structure or an offshore substation, comprising,
- temporarily mounting one or more weights to a buoyant structure coupled to the platform during transportation of the platform, wherein the one or more weights lower a vertical center of gravity (VCG);
- attaching moorings at one or more elevations of the platform;
- and
- rotating individual moorings about a respective attachment at an angle to create a moment arm, wherein attaching the moorings and rotating the individual moorings restrain surge, sway, heave, roll, pitch, and yaw motions.
A method to restrain motions of a platform that hosts a wind turbine structure or an offshore substation, comprising,
- temporarily mounting one or more weights to a buoyant structure coupled to the platform during transportation of the platform, wherein the one or more weights lower a vertical center of gravity (VCG);
- attaching moorings at one or more elevations of the platform;
- and
- rotating individual moorings about a respective attachment at an angle to create a moment arm, wherein attaching the moorings and rotating the individual moorings restrain surge, sway, heave, roll, pitch, and yaw motions;
- wherein the platform includes:
- a buoyant structure coupled to the platform;
- at least one of a wind turbine structure or an offshore substation;
- one or more anchors attached to a seabed;
- and
- one or more moorings.
A method to restrain motions of a platform that hosts a wind turbine structure or an offshore substation, comprising,
- temporarily mounting one or more weights to a buoyant structure coupled to the platform during transportation of the platform, wherein the one or more weights lower a vertical center of gravity (VCG);
- attaching moorings at one or more elevations of the platform;
- and
- rotating individual moorings about a respective attachment at an angle to create a moment arm, wherein attaching the moorings and rotating the individual moorings restrain surge, sway, heave, roll, pitch, and yaw motions;
- wherein the platform includes:
- a monopile that includes a first end embedded into a seabed, the platform coupled to the structure;
- at least one of a wind turbine structure or an offshore substation;
- and
- a buoyant structure that is integrated into the monopile.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.