Offshore wind turbine systems and processes for installing same

An offshore wind turbine system, comprising:

• a wind turbine generator comprising a plurality of blades connected thereto;
• a first support arm and a second support arm each comprising a first end and a second end;
• and
• a support structure configured to float on a surface of a body of water comprising a first column, a second column, and a third column, wherein:
• the first end of the first support arm and the first end of the second support arm each support the wind turbine generator at an elevation above the support structure,
• the second end of the first support arm is connected to and supported by the first column,
• the second end of the second support arm is connected to and supported by the second column,
• the system is free of a third support arm that supports the wind turbine generator,
• at least one of the first support arm and the second support arm further comprises an adjustable rudder disposed between the first end and the second end thereof, and
• the adjustable rudder is incorporated into the at least one of the first support arm and that second support arm such that a longitudinal axis of the adjustable rudder is located within the at least one of the first support arm and the second support arm.

An offshore wind turbine system, comprising:

• a wind turbine generator comprising a plurality of blades connected thereto;
• a first support arm and a second support arm each comprising a first end and a second end;
• a support structure configured to float on a surface of a body of water comprising a first column, a second column, and a third column, wherein:
• the first end of the first support arm and the first end of the second support arm each support the wind turbine generator at an elevation above the support structure,
• the second end of the first support arm is connected to and supported by the first column,
• the second end of the second support arm is connected to and supported by the second column, and
• the system is free of a third support arm that supports the wind turbine generator;
• an anchor structure configured to be connected to the third column of the support structure and to a floor of the body of water, wherein, when the anchor structure is connected to the third column, the support structure is configured to passively rotate relative to the anchor structure to align the plurality of blades with a wind direction during operation of the wind turbine system;
• an electrical slip ring comprising a fixed part and a rotating part rotatively connected together, wherein the fixed part of the electrical slip ring is connected to the anchor structure, wherein the rotating part of the electrical slip ring is connected to the support structure, and wherein the electrical slip ring is configured to maintain electrical continuity between the fixed part and the rotating part during rotation therebetween;
• and
• a first cable comprising a first end configured to be electrically connected to the wind turbine generator and a second end configured to be electrically connected to the rotating part of the electrical slip ring, wherein the offshore wind turbine system is configured to receive and support a second cable comprising a first end configured to be releasably connected to the fixed part of the electrical slip ring and a second end configured to be connected to a facility configured to receive electrical power generated by the wind turbine such that the wind turbine is configured to be electrically connected to the facility when the first end of the second cable is connected to the fixed part of the electrical slip ring and the second end of the second cable is connected to the facility.

An offshore wind turbine system, comprising:

• a wind turbine generator comprising a plurality of blades connected thereto;
• a first support arm and a second support arm each comprising a first end and a second end;
• and
• a support structure configured to float on a surface of a body of water comprising a first column, a second column, and a third column, wherein:
• the first and second support arms each comprise a first section and a second section,
• a first end of the first section of the first and second support arms each support the wind turbine generator at an elevation above the support structure,
• a second end of the first section of the first and second support arms is connected to a first end of the second section of the first and second support arms, respectively,
• a second end of the second section of the first and second support arms is connected to and supported by the first and second columns, respectively,
• the first sections of the first and second support arms form an A-frame type configuration,
• the second sections of the first and second support arms extend away from the first and second columns, respectively, in a substantially vertical direction such that the second sections of the first and second support arms are oriented within 15 degrees of an axis that is vertical with respect to a central longitudinal axis of the first and second columns, respectively, and
• the system is free of a third support arm that supports the wind turbine generator.