Method and apparatus for towing offshore wind turbines
AssigneeStatoil ASA
InventorFinn Gunnar Nielsen
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of moving a floating wind turbine relative to a body of water, the floating wind turbine having a buoyant body with a nacelle at the upper end thereof, including the steps of floating the floating wind turbine in the body of water, and towing the floating wind turbine while holding the buoyant body in an inclined position, whereby the nacelle is held clear of the water. As the wind turbine is held in an inclined position, it can be towed through regions of shallower water than if it were in a vertical position.
Claims20
A method of moving a floating wind turbine relative to a body of water, the floating wind turbine having a buoyant body forming a support structure with a nacelle at the upper end thereof, the method comprising:
- floating the floating wind turbine in the body of water;
- and towing the floating wind turbine whilst holding the buoyant body in an inclined position, whereby the nacelle is held clear of the water;
- wherein the floating wind turbine is held in an inclined position by a floating member;
- wherein a wind turbine generator is provided at the nacelle and the floating member is attached by a line to the support structure.
A floating wind turbine system, comprising a floating wind turbine and a floating member, the floating wind turbine comprising a buoyant body that forms a support structure, a wind turbine generator, and wherein the floating member is arranged so that the buoyant body is held in an inclined position whilst the floating wind turbine is being towed in a body of water;
- wherein the floating wind turbine is held in an inclined position by the floating member
- wherein the wind turbine generator is provided at a nacelle and the floating member is attached by a line to the support structure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.