Floating offshore wind turbine apparatus and installation method

An offshore floating wind turbine apparatus comprising:

• a) a pair of spaced apart barges with a space between said barges;
• b) a pair of frames that each connect to said barges, said frames being spaced apart, each said frame connected to a said barge with a pivotal or universal joint connection;
• c) a wind turbine tower having upper and lower end portions;
• d) said wind turbine tower lower end portion having a base that is mounted to one of said frames;
• e) the wind turbine tower upper end portion having a rotor, hub, nacelle, and blades;
• and
• f) a mooring system that holds the pair of barges on a desired location.

An offshore floating wind turbine apparatus comprising:

• a) a pair of spaced apart hull sections with a space between said hull sections;
• b) one or more gantries that each connect to said hull sections, said one or more gantries spaced apart, each connected to a said hull section with a uniaxial pinned connection;
• c) a wind turbine tower having upper and lower end portions;
• d) said wind turbine tower lower end portion mounted to one of said one or more gantries;
• e) the wind turbine tower upper end portion having a rotor, hub, and blades;
• and
• f) a mooring system that holds said hull sections on a desired location.