US 2026/0285452 A1 · APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR TRANSPORTING A WIND TURBINE COMPONENT TO AND/OR AT AN OFFSHORE WIND TURBINE

Abstract

A transportation skid (46) for transporting a wind turbine component (32) to a floating foundation (16) of an offshore wind turbine (10) is provided. The floating foundation (16) includes a tower interface (34) for attachment to an end of a wind turbine tower (12). The transportation skid (46) includes a skid frame (54) for supporting the wind turbine component (32) and a surface engagement element (56) configured to engage a component landing area (48) of the floating foundation (16). The component landing area (48) is spaced from the tower interface (34). The transportation skid (46) further includes a shock absorber (58) connecting the surface engagement element (56) and the skid frame (54) to soften the landing on the component landing area (48). A method of transporting the wind turbine component (32) to the floating foundation (16) of the offshore wind turbine (10) is also provided.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A transportation skid for transporting a wind turbine component to a floating foundation of an offshore wind turbine, the floating foundation having a tower interface configured to attach to an end of a wind turbine tower, the transportation skid comprising:

a skid frame for supporting the wind turbine component;
at least one surface engagement element configured to engage a component landing area of the floating foundation, the component landing area being spaced from the tower interface of the floating foundation;
and
at least one shock absorber connecting the at least one surface engagement element and the skid frame, the at least one shock absorber configured to soften the landing of the transportation skid on the component landing area during delivery of the wind turbine component to the floating foundation.

1 more element

A method of transporting a wind turbine component to a floating foundation of an offshore wind turbine, the floating foundation having a tower interface configured to attach to an end of a wind turbine tower, the method comprising:

providing the wind turbine component on a transportation skid, the transportation skid and wind turbine component transported near to the floating foundation on a transport vessel;
connecting the transportation skid to a lifting device on the transport vessel;
using the lifting device:
moving the transportation skid from the transport vessel toward a component landing area of the floating foundation, the component landing area being spaced from the tower interface of the floating foundation;
and
lowering the transportation skid to engage at least one surface engagement of the transportation skid with the component landing area on the floating foundation;
and
absorbing impacts of the at least one surface engagement element of the transportation skid with the component landing area to soften the landing of the transportation skid on the component landing area during delivery of the wind turbine component to the floating foundation.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Apparatus and method for transporting a wind turbine component to and/or at an offshore wind turbine

Life of this patent

Apparatus and method for transporting a wind turbine component to and/or at an offshore wind turbine

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19