KR20230020891A - A floating wind turbine platform - Google Patents

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a floating wind turbine platform comprising a hull configurable to support a wind turbine tower. The hull includes a first post, a second post and a third post. The first post, the second post and the third post are connected by a first pontoon member, a second pontoon member and a third pontoon member and by a first connector, a second connector and a third connector. Each of the first, second and third posts includes an axial cross section for engaging the pontoon member.

Description

A floating wind turbine platform}

The present disclosure relates to a floating wind turbine platform. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a floating wind turbine platform.

Floating offshore wind energy converters are being researched and developed by various research and development (R&D) groups in both academia and industry. Although not yet in widespread industrial use, further development of floating offshore wind technology will make these power plants a more competitive and viable alternative in many regions in the near future.

A challenge associated with floating offshore wind energy converters is their construction and installation at offshore locations. Onshore construction may be more easily achieved, but this may cause problems later as large structures may need to be moved to an offshore location. Alternatively, transporting the components of a floating offshore wind energy converter to an offshore location may be relatively simple, but then construction at the offshore location may be problematic.

Due to the large force exerted on the floating offshore wind energy converter, it is important that the floating offshore wind energy converter be designed and built with high quality. In particular, the platform of the floating wind energy converter must be built to provide buoyancy and withstand direct wave and tidal forces. Accordingly, there is a need for a platform for floating wind turbines that is structurally sound and easy to build.

It is an object of this disclosure to mitigate, alleviate or eliminate one or more of the above specified deficiencies and disadvantages in the prior art. According to a first aspect, a floating wind turbine platform comprising a substantially triangular hull configurable to support a wind turbine tower is provided. The hull includes a first pillar, a second pillar, and a third pillar, and the first pillar, the second pillar, and the third pillar are formed by a first pontoon member, a second pontoon member, and a third pontoon member, And connected by the first connector, the second connector and the third connector.

Additional aspects and embodiments according to the present disclosure will become apparent from the detailed description given below. The detailed description and specific examples disclose preferred embodiments of the present disclosure by way of example only. Those skilled in the art will understand that changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the present disclosure from the guidance of the detailed description.

However, because the described devices and described methods may vary, the disclosure herein is not limited to the specific components of such devices or method steps. Also, it should be understood that terminology used herein is merely for describing specific embodiments and is not intended to be limiting. It should be noted that, when used in the specification and appended claims, the recitations of "a," and "above" are intended to imply the presence of one or more of these elements unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a unit” or “the unit” may include several devices, and the like. Moreover, the words “comprise,” “comprise,” “include,” and similar expressions do not exclude other elements or steps.

The foregoing and additional objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will be more fully understood by referring to the detailed, illustrative, non-limiting description of exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

1A and 1B show one embodiment of a known wind turbine and floating platform.
2 is an exemplary plan view of a floating platform according to the present disclosure.
3 is a perspective view of a floating platform according to the present disclosure.
4 is a schematic plan view of a portion of a platform.
5a to 5c and 6a to 6c schematically illustrate various ballast arrangements of a floating platform.
7 and 8 illustrate aspects of the platform of one embodiment.
9 illustrates one embodiment of a floating wind turbine platform 104 that includes a connector 122 that includes a narrow middle portion 145 , a wide end portion 146 and an end portion 147 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present disclosure will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings showing preferred exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. However, this disclosure may be embodied in other forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments disclosed herein. The disclosed embodiments are provided to fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art.

In this disclosure, the terms 'side' and 'surface' are used interchangeably and refer to the side or surface of a hull formed, for example, by steel plates. Although terms such as 'inner', 'outer', 'outer' and 'inner' are used in the detailed description, these terms may be used to indicate relative position or orientation relative to the triangle centroid or other component. You have to understand that you can. Unless otherwise indicated, the sides and surfaces discussed in this disclosure refer to the outer side of the hull and not to the side or surface located on the interior of the hull. (As will become clear, the hull may have a number of other structural elements on its inner surface, such as stiffening plates not described herein.)

1A and 1B show one embodiment of a known offshore wind energy converter 10 comprising a floating wind turbine 2 and a floating platform 4 . Here, the floating platform 4 comprises three cylindrical pillars 6 connected together by a plurality of upper supports 8 and lower supports 12 in the form of a triangle. A wind turbine tower 14 is mounted on the floating platform 4 via one of the cylindrical pillars 6 . The floating platform 4 may be positioned at a location on the sea and may provide support and buoyancy to the wind turbine tower 14 . As illustrated, the floating platform 4 includes a plurality of anchor points 16 which serve the purpose of anchoring the wind energy converter 10 at a desired location in an offshore location. In particular, an anchor point 16 is arranged on each pillar 6 .

2 illustrates a bottom view of a floating platform 4 according to one aspect of the present disclosure, and FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a floating platform 104 . 2, the floating platform 104 includes a first pillar 106a, a second pillar (connected to each other by a first pontoon member 112a, a second pontoon member 112b, and a third pontoon member 112c). 106b) and a hull composed of a third pillar 106c. In this embodiment, the pontoon members 112a-c are connected in the form of a triangle, and the skilled reader will appreciate that other connection configurations are possible that result in alternative shapes of the floating platform 104.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 1A and 1B the column 6 has a cylindrical shape, but in the embodiment of FIG. 2 it can be seen that the column has a cross section in the shape of an irregular polygon. Accordingly, the columns of the embodiment of FIG. 2 (and the columns as also seen in FIG. 3) are in the shape of irregular polygonal prisms. In particular, it should be understood that the column has a cross section in the shape of an irregular hexagon, but cross sections in other shapes (eg irregular pentagon shape) are also possible. Having the columns 106 in the shape of irregular polygons makes it simpler to build the columns from, for example, flat panels that can be connected together relatively simply (eg, by welding, bolting, etc.), thus allowing a floating platform ( 104) can help. As further explained, the shape of the post may also allow for a simpler and structurally sounder connection with the corresponding pontoon members 112a-c.

Here, the posts 106a-c have a cross-section shaped to allow connection of the pontoon members 112a-c to the cross-section 118, whereby the cross-section connects to the pontoon 106a-c. Extends perpendicular (eg, longitudinally) to the longitudinal axis of the members 112a-c. Intersecting surfaces 118 correspond to respective outer surfaces of posts 106a-c, which may correspond to flat panels used to build posts 106a-c, as described below. The pontoon members 112a-c may be connected directly to the intersection surface 118 or connected adjacent to the intersection surface.

As illustrated in the two views of FIGS. 2 and 3 , pillars 106a-c are disposed at respective vertices of the triangular shaped floating platform 104 . The pillars 106a-c of this embodiment have an irregular hexagonal cross section, and three sides thereof define the shape of each vertex of the floating platform 104 (the shape of a truncated vertex). The three sides that form the apex of the floating platform 104 can be considered to be the outward facing sides of the posts 106a-c and the other three sides can be considered to be the inward facing sides. Two of the remaining three sides (e.g., two of the inwardly facing sides) form an intersection surface 118, wherein the longitudinal axis of the pontoon members 112a-c is perpendicular to or substantially form an angle allowing the connection of the pontoon members to the column so that they are perpendicular to the Finally, each post 106a-c forms an intermediate plate 120 positioned between the intersections (eg, junctions) between the pontoon members 112a-c. In some embodiments, intermediate plate 120 may not be present, in which case each intersection may be directly adjacent. In this case, the column may have a cross section in the shape of a pentagon.

Having the pontoon members 112a-c intersect with the posts 106a-c such that the longitudinal axis of the pontoon members 112a-c is perpendicular to the plane of intersection of the posts 106a-c is structurally more advantageous than is known. It can provide a sound and easier-to-build platform. For example, the area of intersection between pontoon members 112a-c and posts 106a-c is reduced compared to pontoon members 112a-c that intersect posts 106a-c at an oblique angle.

Columns 106a-c may be constructed from a plurality of flat panels. Flat panels may be joined together by welding, bolting, or the like. To construct columns 106a-c with irregular polygonal cross-sections, several flat panels of different widths may be connected together along their longitudinal edges to form the columns. The width of each flat panel may be different, but the length of the flat panel may be the same. Forming the posts 106a-c from a plurality of flat panels results in a cross section as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 having an intersection 118 for connecting each of the pontoon members 112a-c. The designer can vary the cross-sectional shape of the posts 106a-c to their particular needs by varying the width of one, some or all of the flat panels.

Each pontoon member 112a-c may be connected to a post 106a-c in any suitable way. For example, the pontoon member may be directly connected to the intersection surface 118 by, for example, bolting, welding, etc., such one end of the pontoon member (eg, the entirety of the side area of the end of the pontoon member). abuts on the intersection surface 118 of the pillars 106a-c. Alternatively, one or each pontoon member 112a-c may connect adjacent (eg, directly adjacent) intersections. In the normal orientation of the floating platform 104, the pontoon members 112a-c may be connected directly beneath the cross section 118. In this case, the pontoon members 112a-c may be connected to the periphery of the posts 106a-c, or may be connected to the bases of the posts 106a-c.

3, an embodiment is shown in which pontoon members are connected to the bases of the posts 106a-c. In this embodiment, the pontoon member may be in the form of a triangular collar, the edges of which may be connected to the bases of the posts 106a-c. In this embodiment, each pontoon member 112a-c may be connected together at its ends. Corners of the triangular collar may be formed to be flush with the outward side surfaces of the pillars 106a-c.

As explained in more detail in the following paragraphs, the pontoon member may be hollow and/or may contain facilities therein. In some embodiments, the pontoon members may include user actuable ballast devices therein to change the buoyancy of the floating platform 104 .

Although not illustrated in FIG. 2 , posts 106a-c may be connected together via a plurality of connectors 122a-c. A plurality of connectors 122a-c may be connected to the post above the connection point with the pontoon members 112a-c and may function to provide structural support. The connectors 122a-c may extend parallel to the pontoon members 112a-c or may extend at an angle to them. One single connector 122a-c may extend between each post 106a-c, or multiple connectors 122a-c may extend between posts 106a-c. The connectors 122a-c may have a smaller cross-sectional area than the pontoon members 112a-c. One embodiment of connectors 122a-c is illustrated in FIG. 3 . In this embodiment, connectors 122a-c are in the form of triangular collars that connect to the tops of posts 106a-c. Thus, in this embodiment, connectors 122a-c are connected at one end thereof to each adjacent connector 122a-c, similar to the construction of pontoon members 112a-c. It is also similar to the configuration of the pontoon members 112a-c. The connectors 122a-c are mounted on posts such that the parts of each connector 122a-c that connect to the top of each post 106a-c are coplanar with respect to the outward side of each post 106a-c. Connected. This configuration can improve the structural design of the floating platform 104 by eliminating any ledges or angles that can form stress concentration points on the floating platform 104 during use.

In other embodiments, the connectors may take alternate forms. For example, the connector may be in the form of a cylindrical beam connected to the side of each post 106a-c. One end of each connector 122a-c may contact the surface of a post 106a-c, similar to a pontoon member. Alternatively, each of the connectors 122a-c may be connected to the posts 106a-c through a connection interface, such as a pin connector or a threaded connector.

The cross-sectional shape of pillars 106a-c according to one embodiment is shown in more detail in FIG. 4 . Here, the first pillar is illustrated in terms of a regular hexagon 130 with side length a. As illustrated, the cross-section of the column 106a is symmetric about a central axis 132 extending between the center of the cross-section and the center of the floating platform 104, for example, as viewed from above. However, a cross section rotated by 90 degrees about the transverse axis 134 is asymmetrical. The transverse axis 134 divides the cross section into two, so that the three inner surfaces of the hexagon are on one side of the transverse axis 134 close to the adjacent pontoon members 112a and 112c, and the other three outer surfaces of the hexagon are the transverse axis ( 134) on the other side. The three inner surfaces include two side surfaces adjacent to the outer surface and one intermediate side surface, and the three outer surfaces include two side surfaces adjacent to the inner surface and one intermediate side surface. Each intermediate side surface is parallel to the transverse axis 134, and each adjacent side surface extends at an angle to the transverse axis 134.

As illustrated in Fig. 4, the two variables of the shape of the cross section are h1 and h2. h1 corresponds to the distance of the inner middle side from the transverse axis 134, and h2 corresponds to the distance of the outer middle side from the transverse axis 134. In this embodiment, the distance h2 is greater than h1.

Three additional variables shown are b1, b2 and b3. b1 and b3 correspond to the length of the inner intermediate side and the outer intermediate side, respectively, and b2 corresponds to the total length of the cross section in the direction along the transverse axis 134 .

By changing h1, h2, b1, b2 and b3, various shapes of irregular hexagons are possible. In the illustrated embodiment, the parameters were chosen such that the angle between adjacent sides of the corresponding inner and outer sides is 90 degrees. Equivalently, the parameters were chosen such that there is an angle of 30 degrees between the outer adjacent sides and the central axis 132 . This particular configuration allows the outer adjacent side to extend parallel to the length of the adjacent pontoon member and the inner adjacent side to extend perpendicular to the length of the adjacent pontoon member. Thus, the outer adjacent side can be disposed coplanar with the outer surface of the adjacent pontoon member 112a, 112c, and the inner adjacent side (which is also part of the intersecting plane) can be positioned at right angles to the adjacent pontoon member 112a, 112c. can be joined.

As can also be seen, the angle between the inner adjacent side and the inner intermediate side is greater than the angle between the outer adjacent side and the outer intermediate side. This and other variables have a greater effect on the area included between the transverse axis 134 and the outer surface compared to the area included between the transverse axis 134 and the inner surface. More specifically, if the angle between the sides of the regular hexagon is 120 degrees, the angle between the inner adjacent side and the inner middle side may be greater than 120 degrees, and the angle between the outer adjacent side and the outer middle side may be greater than 120 degrees. can be smaller The parameters can be chosen such that the total area of the cross section is equal to the case where the cross section is a regular hexagon.

In some embodiments, length b1 may be shortened or lengthened, eg depending on the width of the pontoon member. Here, the inner middle side may be shorter than the outer middle side, but in some embodiments, the two middle sides may have the same length, or the outer middle side may be shorter.

5a-5c and 6a-6c illustrate two embodiments of a floating platform 104 with ballast arrangements 124 incorporated therein. The ballast device 124 may be in the form of one or more ballast compartments housed within the floating platform 104 (eg, within a hollow portion of the floating platform 104). Each ballast compartment may be in the form of a space within the floating platform 104. The ballast compartment may include a ballast tank configured to contain a liquid, such as fresh or sea water, or may be configured to contain a solid ballast material that may be removed and inserted as needed. In some embodiments, one ballast compartment or a plurality of ballast compartments may include a plurality of ballast tanks therein.

5A illustrates a plan view of a floating platform 104 illustrating a triangular shaped pontoon base and a first post 106a, second post 106b and third post 106c disposed at each corner thereof. do. 5B is an elevational view of the floating platform 104 from A-A point of view, and FIG. 5C is an elevational view of the floating platform 104 from the point of view B-B.

In this embodiment, the first ballast compartment 140 is disposed along the entire length of the pontoon member 112b disposed between the second pillar 106b and the third pillar 106c, and the pontoon members 112a, 112c A part of the first ballast compartment 140 is also included. Since the pontoon base is in the shape of a triangle, the first ballast compartment 140 can be considered to be disposed along the entire length of the pontoon member 112b disposed on the opposite side of the first pillar 106a. In this embodiment, portions of the first pontoon member 112a and the third pontoon member 112c, which may be considered to be disposed adjacent to the second pontoon member 112b (and first post 106a), are in the ballast compartment. Includes parts of (140). The ballast compartment 140 extends halfway along the first pontoon member 112a and the third pontoon member 112c, for example halfway through, 1/2, 2/3, 1/3, 1/4, etc. It can be. Ballast compartment 140 can be one single compartment (e.g., including one continuous space for disposing ballast material or liquid), or it can include multiple compartments and/or spaces, e.g. For example, one compartment/space may be included in the second pontoon member 112b, and one compartment may be included inside each of the first pontoon member 112a and the third pontoon member 112c. .

The first ballast compartment 140 may be a space within one or more pontoon members 112a-c, and then a ballast tank may be installed within the pontoon members 112a-c. Alternatively, the ballast tanks may be formed by the material of the pontoon members 112a-c themselves (eg, a sealed space within the pontoon members 112a-c), which is a separate ballast tank within the pontoon members 112a-c. This means that it does not need to be formed. In some embodiments, pontoon members 112a-c may include one bulkhead or multiple bulkheads. The or each bulkhead may delimit a corresponding ballast compartment or tank. The bulkhead can be positioned, for example, in the center of the opposing pontoon member 112b and moved longitudinally along it to change the volume of the first ballast compartment 140 on either side of the bulkhead. If the first ballast compartment 140 is configurable to contain a liquid, such as water, the bulkhead can be pressed into the liquid volume in the ballast compartment to remove any residual gas therein, thereby allowing any liquid/ Gas boundaries can be eliminated and undesirable surface effects due to movement of the floating platform 104 away from the ballast compartment can be eliminated.

Also here, the bottom of the first column 106a includes a second ballast compartment 142 . The second ballast compartment 142 may be in the form of a base unit 142, which may be integrated into or connected to the first post 106a. In some embodiments, the bottom of the first post 106a including the second ballast compartment 142 (as illustrated in FIGS. 5A-5C ) can be seen forming part of the pontoon base 120. there is. The second ballast compartment 142 may be formed at the base of the first pillar 101 and may not extend higher than the top surface of the pontoon base. The intersection between the pontoon members 120d-f and the post 110 may conveniently form or assist in forming a compartment at the base of the post 110 in which a ballast compartment 142 may be disposed.

Like ballast compartment 140, second ballast compartment 142 may contain a ballast tank, or the material of column 106a may define a ballast compartment. If the second ballast compartment is a base unit 142, the base unit may be or define a ballast tank connectable to the first column 106a. In some embodiments, column 106a, second ballast compartment 142 may include a bulkhead therein, which may also be used to eliminate or reduce surface effect.

The second ballast compartment 142 illustrated in FIG. 5B may include an upper part and a lower part. The upper portion may be disposed above the height of the top surface of the pontoon members 112a-c, while the lower portion may be disposed below the height of the top surface of the pontoon members 112a-c, as illustrated. The top and bottom may be connected and/or in fluid communication, or may be separate from each other. The upper part may include an upper ballast tank, and the lower part may include a lower ballast tank. In some embodiments, the upper and lower portions may include a single ballast tank spanning them.

The second ballast compartment 142 may be in fluid communication with the first ballast compartment 140, for example via a ballast liquid transfer device. For example, a tube or tubing may extend between the first ballast compartment 140 and the second ballast compartment 142 within the floating platform 104, which allows a user to connect the first ballast compartment 140 and It is possible to transfer ballast liquid between the second ballast compartments 142, which makes it simple and quick to redistribute the weight of the floating platform 104.

This ballast device 124 can add weight to the floating platform 104 to offset the weight of the wind turbine tower 102 by selectively providing a counterweight to the opposite end of the floating platform 104. Therefore, it can provide stability during operation.

6a-6c provide different configurations of the ballast arrangement 124. As in the previous embodiment, the first column 106a includes a second ballast compartment 142, which is not further described.

In this embodiment, the first ballast compartment 140 is (as in the previous embodiment) along the entire length of the pontoon member 112b disposed between the second post 106b and the third post 106c. are placed In contrast to the previous embodiment, the first ballast compartment 140 is housed within the second pontoon member 112b and does not extend into adjacent pontoon members 112a, 112c. However, in this embodiment, the second post 106b and the third post 106c also contain ballast compartments, which may be in the form of base units as previously described. The ballast compartments of the second post 106b and the third post 106c may form part of the first ballast compartment 140, or they may be self-contained within each post 106b, 106c (e.g. , in the form of a base unit) may be a separate ballast compartment.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 6B and 6C , the ballast compartments of the second and third posts 106b and 106c are larger than those of the pontoon member 112b and even larger than those of the first post 106a. can be shallow In some embodiments, the ballast compartments of the second and third posts 106b and 106c can contain solid ballast material, while the pontoon member 112b can contain liquid ballast material (or the opposite). Although illustrated as being shallower than the ballast compartments of both the pontoon member 112b and the first post 106a, in some embodiments the ballast compartments may be deeper than one or both of the foregoing.

The configuration of the ballast arrangement 124 of FIGS. 6A-6C may provide an alternative weight distribution to the weight distribution previously described in FIGS. 5A-5C.

In any of the embodiments claimed or described herein, the pontoon member 112b disposed on the opposite side of the tower may be configured to receive more liquid ballast than the column 106a or corner portion associated with the tower column. . Advantageously, the pontoon member 112b has twice, three times, or four times more liquid ballast capacity than the tower column or corner portion (i.e., at least twice, three times, or four times the liquid ballast capacity of the tower column or corner portion). more than twice) of liquid ballast.

In any of the embodiments claimed or described herein, each of the two pontoon members 112a, 112c extending from the tower column or corner portion associated with the tower column is proximal to the tower column or corner portion and It may be configured to receive more liquid ballast in the distal half of each pontoon member than in the half of the pontoon member connected to them (see, eg, FIG. 5A). This may be realized, for example, by placing a liquid ballast tank within a portion of the pontoon members 112a, 112c closer to the distal columns 106b, 106c than the tower columns 106a.

In both the ballast arrangements 124 of FIGS. 5A-5C and 6A-6C, it is possible to vary the ballast weight provided by each ballast compartment, whereby the weight distribution of the wind turbine platform 100 , a significant degree of control over the center of gravity and overall weight becomes possible. For example, a lighter platform may be useful during installation and maintenance. Depending on the stage of installation (eg whether only the turbine tower is mounted on the floating platform 104 or whether both the tower and the nacelle including the blades are mounted), the floating platform ( 104) may be a desirable feature. A change in the weight and/or center of gravity of the floating platform 104 may provide easier access and/or improved stability of the floating platform 104 and wind turbine platform 100 as a whole.

Referring back to FIG. 4 , in some embodiments, each of the first post 106a, second post 106b, and third post 106c defines an inner middle side 150 and an outer middle side 151. may include, wherein the inner middle side 150 and the outer middle side 151 are disposed parallel to each other, the center of the cross section (ie, the center point lying on the axis 132) and the center of the floating platform 104. (Perpendicular to axis 132 extending between the center/centre of the triangle. The terms 'outer' and 'inner' refer to the relative position of the center/centre of the triangle, i.e. the outer mid-side 151 is the inner mid-side It is farther from the city center than (150).

Advantageously, the horizontal length b1 of the inner middle side 150 may be equal to or shorter than the horizontal length b2 of the outer middle side 151 .

Each of the first pillar 106a, the second pillar 106b, and the third pillar 106c is adjacent to the first outer side surface 152 adjacent to the first intersection surface 118 and the second intersection surface 118. It may further include a second outer side surface 153 that does. Advantageously, the first outer surface 152 and the second outer surface 153 can be disposed coplanar with the outer surfaces 154 and 155 of each pontoon member 112a-c, respectively (see FIG. 2). see also).

Alternatively or additionally, the first outer surface 152 and the second outer surface 153 are each disposed coplanar with the outer surface 149 (see FIG. 8) of each connector 122a-c. It can be.

Optionally, as illustrated in FIG. 7, on each of the three sides of the substantially triangular hull, the outer surfaces 152, 153 of each of the pillars 106a-c, the outer surfaces of the pontoon members 112a-c The side faces 154 and 155 and the outer face 149 of the connectors 122a-c may be coplanar (as indicated by hatched areas in FIG. 7).

The above option can be obtained, for example, by constructing the hull from flat plates such as steel plates. Having such coplanar and/or coplanar surfaces can provide manufacturing advantages and benefits with respect to the structural strength of the hull, for example separate building plates that are positioned at 0 or 90 degree angles during manufacture. It is easier to use internal reinforcing members on or between them.

Referring to FIG. 8 (and also visible in FIGS. 3 and 7 ), connectors 122a-c may advantageously include a narrow middle portion 145 and a wide end portion 146; The wide end portion 146 at the outer ends 147 of the connectors 122a-c has a horizontal length c1 equal to the horizontal length c2 of the adjacent intersection surface 118 (see FIG. 4). In this way, the connectors 122a-c reduce the cross-section of the intermediate portion 145, i.e., similarly to the pontoon members 112a-c throughout the length of the cross-section 118, the posts 106a-c c) can be structurally connected. Due to this, if the load bearing requirements of the connectors 122a-c can be met with a reduced cross-section of the intermediate portion 145, there is a gap between the ends 147 and the posts 106a-c while reducing the use of weight and material. It can transfer the load advantageously.

Advantageously, the connectors 122a-c are disposed with the planar outwardly vertical plane 149 (see FIG. 8) between the ends 147, the reduction in cross-section of the narrow middle portion 145, also illustrated in FIG. As shown, it is obtained by indentation of the inward facing side of the connectors 122a-c. In particular, the entire outward vertical surface 149 may be a single straight plane.

Referring again to FIG. 4 , in each column 106a-c, the inner middle side 150 has an inner middle side 150 connected to two adjacent intersecting surfaces 118, and an outer middle side 151 connected to 2 adjacent intersections 118. connected to two adjacent outer surfaces 152 and 153, and each intersection surface 118 connected to each outer surface 152 and 153 to form the hexagonal cross-section of the column.

Advantageously, the angle v1 between the inner mid-side 150 and the intersecting plane 118 is made greater than the angle v2 between the outer mid-side 151 and the outer sides 152, 153 so as to form an irregular hexagon. can create

Each cross face 118 may be connected at an angle of 90 degrees to each outer face 152 , 153 .

Advantageously, the sum of the horizontal lengths of the inner middle side 150 and the intersecting surface 118 can be made smaller than the sum of the horizontal lengths of the outer middle side 151 and the outer surfaces 152 and 153. Additionally or alternatively, the respective horizontal lengths of the inner mid-side 150 and the intersecting surface 118 are shorter than the respective horizontal lengths of the outer mid-side 151 and any of the outer surfaces 152, 153. (ie sides 151, 152 and 153 are all longer than sides 118 and 150).

The outer middle side 151 illustrated in FIG. 7 may also form or part of the planar edge surface 148 of the hull. Here, 'edge surface' means a vertical surface disposed at the edge portion of a substantially triangular hull. The hull may have such surfaces and therefore not form a perfect triangle, but nevertheless in that the edge surfaces 148 are significantly shorter than the sides, for example less than 1/5 or 1/10 of the sides. is essentially a triangle.

Advantageously, the planar edge surface 148 is a single plane extending throughout the height of the hull. If the posts 106a-c extend throughout the height of the hull, the planar edge surface 148 may consist entirely of the outer middle side 151, or the pontoon members 112a-c and connectors ( When 122a-c) extends toward the edge and is secured to the top and/or bottom of pillars 106a-c, it may be partially composed of pontoon members 112a-c and/or connectors 122a-c. .

The hull includes 6, preferably exactly 6 plane vertical planes constituting the outermost boundary of the hull in the horizontal plane around its horizontal direction. Six or exactly six surfaces may be formed by the three planar side surfaces 149 , 152 , 153 , 154 , 155 and the three planar edge surfaces 148 .

9 illustrates one embodiment of a floating wind turbine platform 104 that includes a connector 122 that includes a narrow middle portion 145 , a wide end portion 146 and an end portion 147 .

As noted above, connector 122 widens from narrow middle portion 145 toward end 147 . Narrow middle portion 145 may widen linearly from middle portion 145 toward end 147 . As in this embodiment, the horizontal or transverse cross section of the wide end portion 146 has the shape of a triangle or truncated triangle and/or trapezoid. The wide end portion 146 widens from the width of the narrow middle portion 145 to a horizontal length c2 (eg, see FIG. 4 ), which may be equal to the horizontal length of the adjacent intersecting surface 118 . . In this embodiment and in the previous embodiments, the connectors may be connected along the entire width of the adjacent intersection surface 118 .

Here, the first pillar 106a may be configured to mount a structure such as a wind turbine thereon. Here, each post 106 is connected to the ends 147 of two adjacent connectors and thus also to two adjacent wide end portions 146 . As illustrated, the wide end portion 146 adjacent to the first post 106a supports the second post 106b and the third post 106c (eg, their The top surface may be flat and is axially longer (e.g., the first The wide end portion 146 adjacent to 1 post 106a has a longer axial length). Also, the connector 122 connected to the first post 106a has a shorter and narrower middle portion 145 than the connector 122 not connected to the first post 106a.

The end 146 adjacent to the first post 106a is longer and the narrow middle portion 145 is shorter, so that the first post 106a may need to support a greater load due to the structure being mounted on the top surface. A smoother load distribution may be possible through the connector 122 in the vicinity.

As further illustrated in this embodiment, the pillars 106 each have the same cross-sectional shape as illustrated in the previous embodiment, and have a regular hexagonal cross-section but a different cross-section, for example, as described above. It should be noted that it is also possible to have a cross section. Since the cross section is a regular hexagon, the cross planes 118 connecting the respective ends of the connector 122 are not parallel, and thus the ends 147 of the connector 122 are at an oblique angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the connector 122. is extended In some embodiments, intersecting surfaces 118 connecting each end of connector 122 as posts 106 having irregular polygonal cross-sections (as described in connection with the previous figures) may also be used in this embodiment. It should be noted that the can be parallel, in which case the end 147 of the connector can extend perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the connector 122 . If the cross planes 118 connecting the ends of each of the connectors 122 are parallel, the wide end portion 146 may have parallel ends and may therefore be considered trapezoidal.

As illustrated, connector 122 is connected to the cross-surface at an interface that forms an interface area between connector 122 and cross-surface 118 . Each connector 122 forms two interfaces on the intersection surface 118 of the post 106 . Each interface may include a centroid, and an axis of the interface extends between the interfaces formed by each connector 122 . In this embodiment, the axis of the interface is parallel to, but not aligned with, the longitudinal axis of each connector 122 . The longitudinal axis of the connector is offset towards the exterior of the floatation device 104 in a direction away from the center of the floatation device 104 .

Features according to FIGS. 4 , 7 , 8 and 9 and related descriptions, individually or collectively, e.g. the internal strengthening of the hull is simplified, and/or the design acts on the interface on the inside of the transverse axis 134. It offers the combined benefits of improved structural strength and reliability and superior manufacturability in that it is better suited to handle load concentrations, such as loads. For example, providing irregular polygons/hexagons inclined about the transverse axis 134 in an advantageous manner can improve the load handling capacity of the flotation device.

Those skilled in the art understand that the present disclosure is not limited to the preferred embodiments described above. Those skilled in the art also understand that modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the appended claims. Further, variations of the disclosed embodiments may be understood and practiced by those skilled in the art from a study of the drawings, this disclosure, and the appended claims when practicing the claimed disclosure.

Additional examples and embodiments are outlined in the following sections.

1. As a floating wind turbine platform (104),

a substantially triangular hull configurable to support a wind turbine tower;

The hull includes a first pillar 106a, a second pillar 106b, and a third pillar 106c, and the first pillar 106a, the second pillar 106b, and the third pillar 106c are connected by 1 pontoon member 112a, 2nd pontoon member 112b and 3rd pontoon member 112c and by 1st connector 122a, 2nd connector 122b and 3rd connector 122c , a floating wind turbine platform.

2. In section 1, each of the first pillar 106a, the second pillar 106b and the third pillar 106c includes two intersection surfaces 118 extending in the axial direction, each The intersecting plane (118) is oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the pontoon members (112a-c).

3. The floating wind turbine platform according to clause 1 or 2, wherein each cross section of the first pillar 106a, the second pillar 106b and the third pillar 106c has an irregular polygonal shape. .

4. The floating type according to any one of sections 1 to 3, wherein each cross section of the first pillar 106a, the second pillar 106b and the third pillar 106c has a hexagonal shape. wind turbine platform.

5. The float according to any one of clauses 1 to 4, wherein each cross section of the first pillar 106a, the second pillar 106b and the third pillar 106c has an irregular hexagonal shape. expression wind turbine platform.

6. The floating wind turbine platform according to any of clauses 1 to 5, wherein one angle between two adjacent sides of the irregular hexagon is a right angle.

7. In any one of clauses 1 to 6, each of the first pillar 106a, the second pillar 106b and the third pillar 106c is the first pontoon member 112a, A floating wind turbine platform connecting two of the two pontoon members 112b and the third pontoon member 112c.

8. In any one of clauses 1 to 7, each of the first pillar 106a, the second pillar 106b, and the third pillar 106c has a first intersection surface and a second intersection surface ( 118), wherein each of the first intersection surface and the second intersection surface 118 is two of the first pontoon member 112a, the second pontoon member 112b, and the third pontoon member 112c. A floating wind turbine platform, connected to one.

9. In any one of clauses 1 to 8, the first pillar 106a, the second pillar 106b and the third pillar 106c are the first pontoon member 112a, the second pontoon A floating wind turbine platform connected in a triangular shape by member 112b and third pontoon member 112c.

10. The method of any one of clauses 1 to 9, wherein the first connector 122a, the second connector 122b and the third connector 122c are the first pontoon member 112a, the second pontoon A floating wind turbine platform, arranged above and parallel to member 112b and third pontoon member 112c to these pontoon members.

11. In any one of clauses 1 to 10, each of the first pillar 106a, the second pillar 106b, and the third pillar 106c has a first intersection surface and a second intersection surface ( 118), wherein each of the first intersection surface and the second intersection surface 118 is connected to one of two of the first connector 122a, the second connector 122b, and the third connector 122c. , a floating wind turbine platform.

12. The first pillar 106a, the second pillar 106b and the third pillar 106c according to any one of clauses 1 to 11, respectively, an inner middle side 150 and an outer middle side 151, wherein the inner middle side 150 and the outer middle side 151 are parallel to each other and perpendicular to an axis 132 extending between the center of the cross section and the center of the floating platform 104. , a floating wind turbine platform.

13. The method according to any one of paragraphs 1 to 12, wherein the horizontal length b1 of the inner intermediate side 150 is shorter than the horizontal length b2 of the outer intermediate side 151, or The horizontal length (b1) of the inner middle side (150) is equal to the horizontal length (b2) of the outer middle side (151).

14. The method according to any one of clauses 1 to 13, wherein each of the first pillar (106a), the second pillar (106b) and the third pillar (106c) is adjacent to the first intersection surface (118). A floating wind turbine platform comprising a first outer surface (152) and a second outer surface (153) adjacent to a second intersecting surface (118).

15. The method according to any of clauses 1 to 14, wherein each of the first outer face 152 and the second outer face 153 is the outer face 154 of each pontoon member 112a-c. , 155), a floating wind turbine platform.

16. The first outer surface 152 and the second outer surface 153 are identical to the outer surface 149 of each connector 122a-c according to any of clauses 1 to 15. A floating wind turbine platform on a flat surface.

17. The pontoon member according to any of paragraphs 1 to 16, on each of the three faces of the substantially triangular hull, on each outer face 152, 153 of a column 106a-c The outer surfaces 154 and 155 of 112a-c and the outer surface 149 of the connector 122a-c are coplanar, in particular the outer surfaces 152 and 153 of the pillar 106a-c. , wherein the outer surfaces 154, 155 of the pontoon members 112a-c and the outer surfaces 149 of the connectors 122a-c constitute a single plane.

18. The method of any of clauses 1-17, wherein each connector 122a-c includes a narrow middle portion 145 and wide end portions 146, wherein the connector 122a-c The wide end portions (146) at the outer ends (147) of the platform have a horizontal length (c1) equal to the horizontal length (c2) of the adjacent intersection (118).

19. The connector (122a-c) according to any of clauses 1 to 18, wherein the connector (122a-c) between the ends (147) has a planar outwardly facing vertical surface (149), in particular the entirety of said outwardly facing vertical surface (149). is a single planar, floating wind turbine platform.

20. The method according to any of clauses 1 to 19, wherein in each column 106a-c, an inner intermediate side 150 is connected to two adjacent intersecting surfaces 118, and an outer intermediate side 151 ) are connected to two adjacent outer faces 152, 153, and each cross face 118 is connected to each outer face 152, 153 to form a hexagonal cross-section of the column. .

21. The method according to any of clauses 1 to 20, wherein the angle v1 between the inner intermediate side surface 150 and the intersection surface 118 is the outer intermediate side surface 151 and the outer surface 152 , 153) resulting in an irregular hexagon.

22. The floating wind turbine platform according to any of paragraphs 1 to 21, wherein each cross face (118) is connected to each outer face (152, 153) at an angle of 90 degrees.

23. according to any one of clauses 1 to 22, wherein the sum of the horizontal lengths of the inner intermediate side (150) and the intersecting surface (118) is the outer intermediate side (151) and the outer surface (152) , 153), a floating wind turbine platform that is less than the sum of its horizontal lengths.

24. according to any one of paragraphs 1 to 23, wherein the respective horizontal lengths of the inner intermediate side 150 and the intersecting surface 118 are equal to the outer intermediate side 151 and the outer side 152 , 153) of any of the horizontal lengths of the floating wind turbine platform.

25. The floating wind turbine platform according to any of paragraphs 1 to 24, wherein the outer intermediate side (151) forms a planar edge surface (148) or part of a planar edge surface (148). .

26. The floating wind turbine platform according to any of paragraphs 1 to 25, wherein the planar edge surface (148) is a single plane extending over the entire height of the hull.

27. The hull according to any one of paragraphs 1 to 26, wherein the hull comprises, with respect to its horizontal periphery, six, preferably exactly six, vertical planes constituting the outermost boundary of the hull. and wherein the six or precisely six vertical surfaces are formed by three planar side surfaces (149, 152, 153, 154, 155) and three planar edge surfaces (148).

28. The method according to any one of clauses 1 to 27, wherein at least one of the first pontoon member 112a, the second pontoon member 112b and the third pontoon member 112c includes a ballast device 124. Including, a floating wind turbine platform.

29. The ballast device 124 according to any of clauses 1 to 28, wherein the ballast device 124 is one of the first pontoon member 112a, the second pontoon member 112b and the third pontoon member 112c. A floating wind turbine platform comprising a ballast compartment extending substantially along its entire length.

30. The ballast device 124 according to any one of clauses 1 to 29, wherein the ballast device 124 is at least one of the first pontoon member 112a, the second pontoon member 112b and the third pontoon member 112c. A floating wind turbine platform comprising a ballast compartment extending partially along the length of a wind turbine.

31. The ballast device 124 according to any of paragraphs 1 to 30, wherein the ballast device 124 substantially comprises two of the first pontoon member 112a, the second pontoon member 112b and the third pontoon member 112c. A floating wind turbine platform comprising a ballast compartment extending along one half of the

32. The wind turbine tower according to any of clauses 1 to 31, wherein the wind turbine tower is configurable to be mounted to one of the first pole (106a), the second pole (106b) and the third pole (106c) and , The first pillar 106a, the second pillar 106b, and the third pillar 106c are triangular by the first pontoon member 112a, the second pontoon member 112b, and the third pontoon member 112c. connected in a form, whereby the ballast device 124 is disposed opposite to one of the first pillar 106a, the second pillar 106b and the third pillar 106c configurable to which the turbine tower is mounted Pontoon A floating wind turbine platform comprising a ballast compartment extending along substantially the entire length of the members (112a-c).

33. The ballast device 124 according to any of clauses 1 to 32, wherein the ballast device 124 comprises the first pillar 106a, the second pillar 106b and the third pillar (configurable to be mounted on the turbine tower) 106c) comprising a ballast compartment extending substantially along half each of the first pontoon member 112a, the second pontoon member 112b and the third pontoon member 112c disposed adjacent to one of the pontoon members 112c. , a floating wind turbine platform.

Additional examples and embodiments are outlined in the following sections.

1. A floating wind turbine platform (104) comprising a substantially triangular hull configurable to support a wind turbine tower;

The hull includes a first pillar 106a, a second pillar 106b, and a third pillar 106c, and the first pillar 106a, the second pillar 106b, and the third pillar 106c are connected by first pontoon member 112a, second pontoon member 112b and third pontoon member 112c and by first connector 122a, second connector 122b and third connector 122c; ,

Each cross section of the first column (106a), the second column (106b) and the third column (106c) has an irregular polygonal shape.

2. In section 1, each of the first pillar 106a, the second pillar 106b and the third pillar 106c includes two intersection surfaces 118 extending in the axial direction, each The intersecting plane (118) is oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the pontoon members (112a-c).

3. The floating wind turbine platform according to clause 1 or 2, wherein each cross section of the first pillar 106a, the second pillar 106b and the third pillar 106c has an irregular hexagonal shape. .

4. The floating wind turbine platform according to clause 3, wherein an angle between two adjacent sides of the irregular hexagon is a right angle.

5. In any one of clauses 1 to 4, each of the first pillar 106a, the second pillar 106b and the third pillar 106c is the first pontoon member 112a, A floating wind turbine platform connected to two of the second pontoon member 112b and the third pontoon member 112c.

6. In any one of clauses 1 to 5, each of the first pillar 106a, the second pillar 106b, and the third pillar 106c has a first intersection surface and a second intersection surface ( 118), wherein each of the first intersection surface and the second intersection surface 118 is two of the first pontoon member 112a, the second pontoon member 112b, and the third pontoon member 112c. A floating wind turbine platform, connected to one.

7. In any one of clauses 1 to 6, the first pillar 106a, the second pillar 106b and the third pillar 106c are the first pontoon member 112a, the second pontoon A floating wind turbine platform connected in a triangular shape by member 112b and third pontoon member 112c.

8. In any one of clauses 1 to 7, the first connector 122a, the second connector 122b and the third connector 122c are the first pontoon member 112a, the second pontoon A floating wind turbine platform, arranged above and parallel to member 112b and third pontoon member 112c to these pontoon members.

9. In any one of clauses 1 to 8, each of the first pillar 106a, the second pillar 106b, and the third pillar 106c has a first intersection surface and a second intersection surface ( 118), wherein each of the first intersection surface and the second intersection surface 118 is connected to one of two of the first connector 122a, the second connector 122b, and the third connector 122c. , a floating wind turbine platform.

10. The first pillar 106a, the second pillar 106b and the third pillar 106c according to any one of clauses 1 to 9, respectively, an inner middle side 150 and an outer middle side 151, wherein the inner middle side 150 and the outer middle side 151 are parallel to each other and perpendicular to an axis 132 extending between the center of the cross section and the center of the floating platform 104. , a floating wind turbine platform.

11. The method according to any one of paragraphs 1 to 10, wherein the horizontal length b1 of the inner intermediate side 150 is shorter than the horizontal length b2 of the outer intermediate side 151, or The horizontal length (b1) of the inner middle side (150) is equal to the horizontal length (b2) of the outer middle side (151).

12. The method according to any one of clauses 1 to 11, wherein each of the first pillar (106a), the second pillar (106b) and the third pillar (106c) is adjacent to the first intersection surface (118). A floating wind turbine platform comprising a second outer surface (153) adjacent to a first outer surface (152) and a second intersecting surface (118).

13. Each of the first outer face 152 and the second outer face 153 according to any of paragraphs 1 to 12, the outer face 154 of each pontoon member 112a-c. , 155), a floating wind turbine platform.

14. The first outer surface 152 and the second outer surface 153 according to any one of clauses 1 to 13, respectively, the outer surface 149 and the respective connector 122a-c A coplanar, floating wind turbine platform.

15. The pontoon according to any one of paragraphs 1 to 14, on each of the three faces of the substantially triangular hull, on each outer face 152, 153 of the column 106a-c. The outer surfaces 154 and 155 of the members 112a-c and the outer surfaces 149 of the connectors 122a-c are coplanar, in particular the outer surfaces 152 and 153 of the pillars 106a-c. ), the outer surfaces 154, 155 of the pontoon members 112a-c and the outer surfaces 149 of the connectors 122a-c constitute a single plane.

16. The method of any of clauses 1-15, wherein each connector 122a-c includes a narrow middle portion 145 and a wide end portion 146, wherein the connector 122a-c At the outer end (147) the wide end portion (146) has a horizontal length (c1) equal to the horizontal length (c2) of the adjacent intersection (118).

17. The method of clause 16, wherein the first post is configured to mount a wind turbine thereon, wherein each of the first post, second post, and third post comprises at least two adjacent connectors and at least two adjacent wide ends. 146, the axial length of the wide end portion adjacent to the first post in the axial direction of each connector is the axial length of the wide end portion adjacent to the second post and the third post. Longer Than Length, Floating Wind Turbine Platform.

18. The connector (122a-c) according to any of clauses 1 to 17, wherein the connector (122a-c) between the ends (147) has a planar outwardly facing vertical surface (149), in particular the entirety of said outwardly facing vertical surface (149). is a single planar, floating wind turbine platform.

19. according to any one of sections 1 to 18, wherein in each column 106a-c an inner intermediate side 150 is connected to two adjacent intersecting surfaces 118, and an outer intermediate side 151 connected to these two adjacent outer faces (152, 153), each cross face (118) connected to each outer face (152, 153) to form a hexagonal cross-section of the column.

20. The method according to any of clauses 1 to 19, wherein the angle v1 between the inner intermediate side 150 and the intersection surface 118 is equal to the outer intermediate side 151 and the outer side 152 , 153) resulting in an irregular hexagon.

21. The floating wind turbine platform according to any of paragraphs 1 to 20, wherein each cross face (118) is connected to each outer face (152, 153) at an angle of 90 degrees.

22. The method according to any one of clauses 1 to 21, wherein the sum of the horizontal lengths of the inner intermediate side surface (150) and the intersecting surface (118) is the outer intermediate side surface (151) and the outer surface (152) , 153), less than the sum of the horizontal lengths of the floating wind turbine platform.

23. according to any one of paragraphs 1 to 22, wherein the respective horizontal lengths of the inner intermediate side 150 and the intersecting surface 118 are equal to the outer intermediate side 151 and the outer side 152 , 153) of any of the horizontal lengths of the floating wind turbine platform.

24. The floating wind turbine platform according to any of paragraphs 1 to 23, wherein the outer intermediate side (151) forms a planar edge surface (148) or part of a planar edge surface (148). .

25. The floating wind turbine platform according to any of paragraphs 1 to 24, wherein the planar edge surface (148) is a single plane extending over the entire height of the hull.

26. The hull according to any one of paragraphs 1 to 25, wherein the hull comprises, with respect to its horizontal periphery, exactly six plane vertical planes constituting the outermost boundary of the hull, said six vertical planes is formed by three planar sides (149, 152, 153, 154, 155) and a three planar edge surface (148).

Additional examples and embodiments are outlined in the following sections.

1. A floating wind turbine platform (104) comprising a substantially triangular hull configurable to support a wind turbine tower;

The hull includes a first pillar 106a, a second pillar 106b, and a third pillar 106c, and the first pillar 106a, the second pillar 106b, and the third pillar 106c are connected by first pontoon member 112a, second pontoon member 112b and third pontoon member 112c and by first connector 122a, second connector 122b and third connector 122c; ,

At least one of the first pontoon member 112a, the second pontoon member 112b and the third pontoon member 112c includes a ballast device 124,

The wind turbine tower is configurable to be mounted on one of the first pillar 106a, the second pillar 106b and the third pillar 106c, and the first pillar 106a, the second pillar 106b and The third pillar 106c is connected in a triangular shape by the first pontoon member 112a, the second pontoon member 112b and the third pontoon member 112c, whereby the ballast device 124 is connected to the turbine Extending along substantially the entire length of the pontoon members 112a-c disposed opposite one of the first post 106a, the second post 106b and the third post 106c configurable to be mounted on a tower. A floating wind turbine platform, including a ballast compartment.

2. The ballast device (124) of clause 1, wherein the ballast device (124) extends along substantially the entire length of one of the first pontoon member (112a), the second (112b) and the third (112c) pontoon member (112c). A floating wind turbine platform, including a ballast compartment.

3. The ballast device 124 according to clause 1 or 2, wherein the ballast device 124 is provided along the length of at least one of the first pontoon member 112a, the second pontoon member 112b and the third pontoon member 112c. A floating wind turbine platform comprising a partially extending ballast compartment.

4. The ballast device 124 according to any one of clauses 1 to 3, wherein the ballast device 124 substantially comprises two of the first pontoon member 112a, the second pontoon member 112b and the third pontoon member 112c. A floating wind turbine platform comprising a ballast compartment extending along one half of the

5. The ballast device 124 according to any one of clauses 1 to 4, the first pillar 106a, the second pillar 106b and the third pillar (configurable to be mounted on the turbine tower) 106c) comprising a ballast compartment extending substantially along half each of the first pontoon member 112a, the second pontoon member 112b and the third pontoon member 112c disposed adjacent to one of the pontoon members 112c. , a floating wind turbine platform.

Additional examples and embodiments are outlined in the following sections.

1. A floating wind turbine platform (104) comprising a substantially triangular hull configurable to support a wind turbine tower;

The hull includes a first pillar 106a, a second pillar 106b, and a third pillar 106c, and the first pillar 106a, the second pillar 106b, and the third pillar 106c are connected by first pontoon member 112a, second pontoon member 112b and third pontoon member 112c and by first connector 122a, second connector 122b and third connector 122c; ,

Each connector includes a narrow middle portion (145) and a wide end portion (146).

2. Floating according to clause 1, wherein the horizontal length (c1) of each of the wide end portions (146) is equal to the horizontal length (c2) of the adjacent intersection surface (118) to which the respective connector is connected. expression wind turbine platform.

3. according to clauses 1 or 2, wherein the wide end portion extends from the horizontal length at the end adjacent to the narrow middle portion (145) equal to the width of the narrow middle portion (145) to the adjacent cross section (118). ), which linearly widens to a horizontal length (c1) at the outer end equal to a horizontal length (c2) of the floating wind turbine platform.

4. The floating wind turbine platform according to any of clauses 1 to 3, wherein the wide end portion has a trapezoidal horizontal cross section, and the non-parallel sides of the trapezoid have different lengths.

5. The floating wind turbine platform according to clause 4, wherein the cross section in the horizontal direction has an irregular trapezoidal shape.

6. The method according to any one of clauses 1 to 5, wherein each of the first connector, the second connector and the third connector includes a longitudinal axis, and at the interface the first post 106a, the second post (106b) and third post (106c), wherein the centroid of the interface is not aligned with the longitudinal axis of the connected connectors (122a-c).

7. The method of clauses 1-6, wherein the first pole is configured to mount a wind turbine thereon, and each of the first pole, the second pole and the third pole comprises at least two adjacent connectors and at least two It includes two adjacent wide end portions 146, wherein the axial length of the wide end portion adjacent to the first post in the longitudinal direction of each connector is the wide end portion adjacent to the second post and the third post. A floating wind turbine platform that is longer than the axial length of a section.

8. The floating wind turbine platform according to any of clauses 1 to 7, wherein the wide end portion comprises an irregular truncated pyramid shape.

9. In any one of clauses 1 to 8, each of the first pillar 106a, the second pillar 106b, and the third pillar 106c is connected to the first connector 122a, the second pillar 106a, A floating wind turbine platform comprising a first intersection surface (118) and a second intersection surface (118) connected to one of a connector (122b) and a third connector (122c).

Additional examples and embodiments are outlined in the following sections.

1. A floating wind turbine platform (104) comprising a substantially triangular hull configurable to support a wind turbine tower;

The hull includes a first pillar 106a, a second pillar 106b, and a third pillar 106c, and the first pillar 106a, the second pillar 106b, and the third pillar 106c are Connected by 1 pontoon member (pontoon 112a), 2nd pontoon member 112b and 3rd pontoon member 112c, and by 1st connector 122a, 2nd connector 122b and 3rd connector 122c become,

Each connector includes two outer ends (147), and at least one side extending between the outer ends (147) is planar.

2. The floating wind turbine platform according to clause 1, wherein one of the sides of the at least one plane is oriented vertically.

3. The floating wind turbine platform according to clauses 1 or 2, wherein the vertically oriented side faces outward, eg in a direction away from the centroid of the substantially triangular hull.

4. The floating wind turbine platform according to any one of clauses 1 to 3, wherein the side of the at least one plane of each connector is a single plane.

5. In any one of clauses 1 to 4, the side of each plane is coplanar with a surface of one of the first pillar 106a, the second pillar 106b and the third pillar 106c Phosphorus, a floating wind turbine platform.

6. The first pillar 106a, the second pillar 106b and the third pillar 106c are each adjacent to the first intersection surface 118 according to any one of clauses 1 to 5. A floating wind turbine platform comprising a first outer surface (152) and a second outer surface (153) adjacent to a second intersecting surface (118).

7. Each of the first outer face 152 and the second outer face 153 according to any of paragraphs 1 to 6, the outer face 154 of each pontoon member 112a-c , 155), a floating wind turbine platform.

8. The first outer surface 152 and the second outer surface 153 according to clause 6 or 7 are coplanar with the outer surface 149 of each connector 122a-c. , a floating wind turbine platform.

9. Each outer face 152, 153 of the column 106a-c on each of the three sides of the substantially triangular hull according to any of paragraphs 1 to 8, the pontoon member The outer surfaces (154, 155) of (112a-c) and the plane of the connector are coplanar.

10. The floating wind turbine platform according to clause 9, wherein the respective outer surfaces of the pillars (106a-c), the outer surfaces of the pontoon members (112a-c) and the plane of the connector are oriented vertically.

11. The floating wind turbine platform according to any of paragraphs 1 to 10, wherein each connector comprises a narrow middle portion (145) and a wide end portion (146).

12. The wide end portion according to clause 11, wherein the wide end portion has a horizontal direction of the adjacent intersection surface (118) from a horizontal length at the end adjacent to the narrow middle portion (145) equal to a width of the narrow middle portion (145). A floating wind turbine platform that linearly widens to a horizontal length c1 at the outer end equal to length c2.

13. The floating wind turbine platform according to clause 11 or 12, wherein the wide end portion (146) has a horizontal cross-section of at least one of an irregular trapezoid or a right-angled trapezoid.

Claims (5)

As a floating wind turbine platform (104),
a substantially triangular hull configurable to support a wind turbine tower;
The hull includes a first pillar 106a, a second pillar 106b, and a third pillar 106c, and the first pillar 106a, the second pillar 106b, and the third pillar 106c are 1 pontoon member 112a, 2nd pontoon member 112b and 3rd pontoon member 112c, and to 1st connector 122a, 2nd connector 122b and 3rd connector 122c connected by
At least one of the first pontoon member 112a, the second pontoon member 112b and the third pontoon member 112c includes a ballast device 124,
The wind turbine tower is configurable to be mounted on one of the first pillar 106a, the second pillar 106b and the third pillar 106c, and the first pillar 106a, the second pillar 106b and The third pillar 106c is connected in a triangular shape by the first pontoon member 112a, the second pontoon member 112b and the third pontoon member 112c, whereby the ballast device 124 is connected to the turbine Extending along substantially the entire length of the pontoon members 112a-c disposed opposite one of the first post 106a, the second post 106b and the third post 106c configurable to be mounted on a tower. A floating wind turbine platform, including a ballast compartment. According to claim 1,
wherein the ballast device (124) comprises a ballast compartment extending along substantially the entire length of one of the first pontoon member (112a), the second pontoon member (112b) and the third pontoon member (112c). wind turbine platform. According to claim 1 or 2,
The ballast device 124 includes a ballast compartment extending partially along the length of at least one of the first pontoon member 112a, the second pontoon member 112b, and the third pontoon member 112c. wind turbine platform. According to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The ballast device (124) is a floating device comprising a ballast compartment extending substantially along one half of two of a first pontoon member (112a), a second pontoon member (112b) and a third pontoon member (112c). wind turbine platform. According to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The ballast device 124 is disposed adjacent to one of the first pillar 106a, the second pillar 106b and the third pillar 106c configurable to which the turbine tower is mounted. The first pontoon member 112a ), a ballast compartment extending substantially along half of each of the second pontoon member (112b) and the third pontoon member (112c).

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