Offshore structure support and foundation for use with a wind turbine and an associated method of assembly
AssigneeKeystone Engineering Company
InventorRudolph A. Hall
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A pile based braced caisson structural support device includes a number of legs in is used to support a wind turbine. The wind turbine includes a base, a turbine generator and a blade mechanism. The legs are configured in a teepee type configuration such that the footprint of the base is larger than the footprint of the opposing end. This structural support can be used as a base for an offshore platform in that the support reduces the lateral forces on the support caused by wave action.
Claims12
A wind turbine in combination with a structure support comprising:
- a wind turbine comprising a base;
- a structure support, said structure support further comprising
- at least three elements configured in a substantially teepee shaped configuration, wherein the at least three elements encompassing a vertical member;
- a first end of the at least three elements capable of being affixed to a structure;
- and
- a second end of the at least three elements adapted to be in contact with a surface, wherein the at least three elements intersect between the first end and the second end;
- a mounting frame connecting the structure support to the wind turbine;
- and
- a deck on which the mounting frame is fastened;
- wherein said mounting frame includes a foundation body and an elliptical head extending below the deck.
A method of constructing a wind turbine on a structure support comprising:
- providing at least three legs in a teepee configuration;
- placing an first end of the first three legs on a surface;
- affixing a deck to a second end of the at least three legs;
- affixing a wind turbine mounting flange to the structure;
- affixing a base to the mounting frame;
- affixing a turbine element to the mounting frame;
- affixing a blade mechanism to the turbine;
- and
- tuning the natural period of the wind turbine so that the wind turbine and structure operate at a predetermined frequency, wherein the natural period is tuned by adjusting the spacing between the three legs.
A method of constructing a wind turbine on a structure support comprising:
- providing at least three legs in a teepee configuration;
- placing an first end of the first three legs on a surface;
- affixing a deck to a second end of the at least three legs;
- affixing a wind turbine mounting flange to the structure;
- affixing a base to the mounting frame;
- affixing a turbine element to the mounting frame;
- and
- affixing a blade mechanism to the turbine;
- wherein the mounting frame includes a foundation body and an elliptical head, and wherein the three legs are attached to the foundation body of the elliptical head.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.