US20110305523A1 - Support structure for use in the offshore wind farm industry - Google Patents

Support structure for use in the offshore wind farm industry Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US20110305523A1
US20110305523A1 US13/000,286 US200913000286A US2011305523A1 US 20110305523 A1 US20110305523 A1 US 20110305523A1 US 200913000286 A US200913000286 A US 200913000286A US 2011305523 A1 US2011305523 A1 US 2011305523A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
foundation
support structure
tower
cavity
bottom slab
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US13/000,286
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Karel Karal
Sigurd Ramslie
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Seatower AS
Original Assignee
Seatower AS
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Seatower AS filed Critical Seatower AS
Assigned to SEATOWER AS reassignment SEATOWER AS ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: RAMSLIE, SIGURD, KARAL, KAREL
Publication of US20110305523A1 publication Critical patent/US20110305523A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02B—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING
    • E02B17/00—Artificial islands mounted on piles or like supports, e.g. platforms on raisable legs or offshore constructions; Construction methods therefor
    • E02B17/02—Artificial islands mounted on piles or like supports, e.g. platforms on raisable legs or offshore constructions; Construction methods therefor placed by lowering the supporting construction to the bottom, e.g. with subsequent fixing thereto
    • E02B17/027—Artificial islands mounted on piles or like supports, e.g. platforms on raisable legs or offshore constructions; Construction methods therefor placed by lowering the supporting construction to the bottom, e.g. with subsequent fixing thereto steel structures
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03D—WIND MOTORS
    • F03D1/00—Wind motors with rotation axis substantially parallel to the air flow entering the rotor 
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02B—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING
    • E02B17/00—Artificial islands mounted on piles or like supports, e.g. platforms on raisable legs or offshore constructions; Construction methods therefor
    • E02B17/02—Artificial islands mounted on piles or like supports, e.g. platforms on raisable legs or offshore constructions; Construction methods therefor placed by lowering the supporting construction to the bottom, e.g. with subsequent fixing thereto
    • E02B17/025—Reinforced concrete structures
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03D—WIND MOTORS
    • F03D13/00—Assembly, mounting or commissioning of wind motors; Arrangements specially adapted for transporting wind motor components
    • F03D13/10—Assembly of wind motors; Arrangements for erecting wind motors
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03D—WIND MOTORS
    • F03D13/00—Assembly, mounting or commissioning of wind motors; Arrangements specially adapted for transporting wind motor components
    • F03D13/20—Arrangements for mounting or supporting wind motors; Masts or towers for wind motors
    • F03D13/22—Foundations specially adapted for wind motors
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02B—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING
    • E02B17/00—Artificial islands mounted on piles or like supports, e.g. platforms on raisable legs or offshore constructions; Construction methods therefor
    • E02B2017/0039—Methods for placing the offshore structure
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02B—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING
    • E02B17/00—Artificial islands mounted on piles or like supports, e.g. platforms on raisable legs or offshore constructions; Construction methods therefor
    • E02B2017/0056—Platforms with supporting legs
    • E02B2017/0065—Monopile structures
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02B—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING
    • E02B17/00—Artificial islands mounted on piles or like supports, e.g. platforms on raisable legs or offshore constructions; Construction methods therefor
    • E02B2017/0091—Offshore structures for wind turbines
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
    • F05B—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
    • F05B2240/00—Components
    • F05B2240/90—Mounting on supporting structures or systems
    • F05B2240/95—Mounting on supporting structures or systems offshore
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
    • Y02E10/70—Wind energy
    • Y02E10/72—Wind turbines with rotation axis in wind direction
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
    • Y02E10/70—Wind energy
    • Y02E10/727—Offshore wind turbines
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02P—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS
    • Y02P70/00—Climate change mitigation technologies in the production process for final industrial or consumer products
    • Y02P70/50—Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to structures for supporting offshore wind turbines and similar equipment. More specifically, the invention relates to a support structure for use in the offshore wind farm industry, comprising a foundation for installation on a seabed below a body of water and a tower connected to and extending upwards from the foundation and being capable of supporting at least an equipment unit; as well as a method of manufacturing the support structure and a method of installing the support structure.
  • the increasing demand of exploitation of renewable energy sources enhances the demand of offshore wind power generation where the wind conditions are more favorable than onshore and the environmental impact is much less.
  • the support structure consists of shaft/tower fixed to the seabed either directly by means of a foundation or the structure is made floating and connected to the seabed by means of a mooring.
  • the present invention relates to the former type, namely the fixed support structures.
  • Typical fixed support structures for wind turbines applied in practice, planned for application, patented and described in publicly accessible sources are, in general terms characterized by the following:
  • EP 1 429 024 discloses a support structure for an offshore wind turbine, comprising a caisson supported by several columns embedded in the seabed and subjected to tension and pressure loads. Selected columns are piled at an inclined angle with respect to the vertical. The caisson is supported below the water surface but above the seabed.
  • WO 03/080939 discloses a foundation structure for a wind turbine tower or similar, for installation on the seabed.
  • the foundation structure can be manoeuvred to its offshore position using a vessel and separate (and removable) buoyancy means. These buoyancy elements must be rather large in order to maintain stability.
  • a pumping mechanism is used to sink a lower portion of the structure (e.g. skirts) into the seabed.
  • the foundation structure When the foundation structure has been anchored (or piled) in position on the seabed, it is capable of supporting the wind turbine tower.
  • a support structure for use in the offshore wind farm industry comprising a foundation for installation on a seabed below a body of water and a tower connected to and extending upwards from the foundation and being capable of supporting at least an equipment unit, characterized in that the foundation comprises a bottom slab element and a wall extending upwards from the bottom slab element, thereby defining a first cavity for holding ballast and for providing buoyancy during tow-out and installation.
  • the tower is preferably connected to the foundation via a lower part of the tower being attached to the bottom slab element and connected to the foundation via fixing elements connected to at least an upper wall portion.
  • the foundation comprises a circumferential skirt extending downwards from the bottom slab, thereby defining at least one compartment underneath the foundation.
  • the at least one compartment is subdivided into compartments by means of skirts extending downwards from the bottom slab and preferably extending radially from a center portion of the bottom slab to respective areas of the circumferential skirt.
  • the foundation comprises a roof structure, extending between the upper wall and the tower, thereby enclosing the first cavity.
  • the roof structure comprises an outer shell and an inner shell defining at least one second cavity there between, said inner shell facing the first cavity.
  • the second cavity is preferably filled with a material such as concrete.
  • the roof structure is formed by concrete cast in conventional formwork, or by single shell metal plates.
  • the bottom slab element and the wall comprise an outer shell and an inner shell defining at least one second cavity there between, said inner shell facing the first cavity.
  • the second cavity is preferably filled with a material such as concrete.
  • the upper wall is formed by slipform casting or by single shell metal plates.
  • the support structure comprises a buoyant stabilizing device releasably and slidably connected to the foundation, whereby the stability of the structure is maintained during tow, and during installation when the roof structure is moved from a position above the water to a partly or fully submerged state.
  • the buoyant stabilizing device comprises a recessed portion having upper and lower end stops for cooperation with a flange on the foundation, whereby the buoyant stabilizing device slidable movement is restricted by said upper and lower end stops.
  • the buoyant stabilizing device preferably comprises at least one inner cavity for selective addition and extraction of a ballasting fluid, such as water.
  • a roof structure is extended between the upper wall and the tower, thereby enclosing the first cavity.
  • the method installing comprises moving the foundation into a substantially level state by injecting a grouting material into selected ones of the compartments confined by the skirts below the bottom slab element.
  • the present invention introduces a number of parameters and structural compatibility by using different material types that can be applied for optimizing the supply of ready-for-operation structural supports for offshore wind farms.
  • the following advantageous aspects are achieved:
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a first embodiment of the invention, illustrating the principle of the invention where a portion of the foundation is protruding above the water surface;
  • FIG. 2 is a section through a lower part of the structure shown in FIG. 1 , along the section line A-A in FIG. 3 ;
  • FIG. 3 is a section along the section line B-B in FIG. 2 ;
  • FIG. 4 is a schematic side view of a second embodiment of the invention, illustrating the principle of the invention where a portion of the foundation is below the water surface
  • FIG. 5 is a section through a lower part of the structure shown in FIG. 4 , along a section line similar to section line A-A in FIG. 3 ;
  • FIG. 6 is a section through a lower portion of the foundation structure, along a section line similar to section line A-A in FIG. 3 , placed on shore;
  • FIG. 7 is a cut out of lower portion of the foundation structure illustrating composition of the main load bearing plate elements
  • FIG. 8 is a side view of the lower portion of the foundation structure shown in FIG. 6 , while being lifted from shore;
  • FIG. 9 is a side view of the lower portion of the foundation structure shown in FIG. 6 , floating on water;
  • FIG. 10 shows the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 , in a floating state on water and partially filled with ballast
  • FIGS. 11 to 13 show the main operations in the transport and installation of the support structure
  • FIG. 14 is a horizontal section at through line C-C in FIG. 15 , and shows the second embodiment of the invention fitted with a reusable floating stability device;
  • FIG. 15 is a section through a lower part of the structure shown in FIG. 4 , along the section line A-A in FIG. 14 , floating in the water and fitted with a reusable floating stability device;
  • FIG. 16 shows the same structure and floating stability device as in FIG. 14 , but where the floating stability device is shown in a state detached from the floating supporting structure, e.g. prior to attachment to the structure;
  • FIG. 17 shows a vertical section of the same structure and floating stability device as in FIG. 15 during lowering to seabed;
  • FIG. 18 shows the same structure and floating stability device as in FIGS. 15 and 17 , where the structure has been deployed onto seabed and the floating stability device has been flooded for detaching from the structure and further retrieval.
  • FIG. 1 is a side view of a first embodiment of the support structure, generally denoted by the reference numeral 1 and hereinafter also referred to as a “structure”.
  • the support structure 1 which comprises a tower 7 and a foundation 4 is illustrated placed in a body of water 2 and resting on a seabed 3 via the foundation 4 .
  • the support structure supports a turbine 5 with rotor blades 6 a - c .
  • the turbine is mounted on top of the tower 7 that is supported by and fixed to the foundation 4 by means of a fixing structure 8 .
  • the foundation 4 protrudes above the water level 9 , which is a typical arrangement for sites in shallow water.
  • the foundation 4 comprises a bottom slab 14 (see FIG. 2 ) and a wall extending upwards from the bottom slab.
  • the foundation wall is conveniently denoted “lower wall 23 ” and upper wall 54 ”, as indicated in FIG. 1 .
  • the foundation 4 is advantageous to give the foundation 4 a circular shape that can efficiently resist environmental loads in various phases during fabrication, transport and operation; typically hydrostatic water pressure, wave loads and—in some cases—, ice loads.
  • the tower 7 is fixed to the foundation by means of a multiple-legged structure 8 .
  • FIG. 2 is a vertical section through the foundation 4 along two vertical planes A-A as shown in FIG. 3 .
  • the multiple-legged fixing structure 8 fixing the tower 7 to the foundation 4 comprises upper struts 10 , vertical columns 11 and—if necessary—lower struts 12 .
  • a lower part 13 of the tower 7 may be embedded into the bottom slab 14 of the foundation in order to facilitate transfer of shear loads from the tower 7 into the foundation.
  • the space 15 inside the foundation 4 is used to control the buoyancy and center of gravity of the structure during fabrication, transport to the field and installation by being either air-filled or, to certain degree either filled by water or solid ballast or combination water and solid ballast.
  • FIG. 3 is a horizontal section along section line B-B in FIG. 2 , through the part of the foundation that is embedded in soil when the structure has been installed.
  • Radial skirts 16 divide the confined space within the outer (circular) skirt 18 into a number of compartments 17 .
  • FIG. 3 shows three such compartments 17 a - c , divided by radial skirts 16 a - c .
  • the skirts improve the load bearing capacity of the foundation by transferring the outer loads into deeper soils strata, and the outer skirt prevents deteriorating effects from possible scour of the seabed along the periphery.
  • grout or similar substance is filled into the compartments 17 a - c in order to avoid water filled pockets to be trapped between bottom of the foundation and seabed.
  • Grouting can be utilized to ensure that the foundation 4 is leveled (horizontally) and thereby ensuring verticality of the tower by controlling the grouting pressure thus the inserted grout volume in the individual compartments 17 a - c .
  • FIG. 4 is a side view of a second embodiment of the support structure 1 placed in a body of water 2 and resting on a seabed 3 via a foundation 4 ′.
  • the foundation 4 ′ does not protrude above the water level 9 .
  • this embodiment of the foundation 4 ′ comprises a roof structure 52 , connected to the upper wall 54 and thus enclosing the internal space 15 (see FIG. 5 ).
  • the skilled person will understand that the transition between the tower 7 and the roof structure 52 may—if required—be sealed by conventional means.
  • the roof structure 52 is preferably slanted, as shown in FIG. 4 .
  • FIG. 5 is a vertical section through the foundation 4 ′ along two vertical planes A-A similar to that shown in FIG. 3 for the first embodiment. It is seen the interior 15 of the foundation 4 can be used for ballast, i.e. water and/or solid ballast 19 (see FIG. 10 ).
  • ballast i.e. water and/or solid ballast 19 (see FIG. 10 ).
  • FIGS. 6 to 17 The inventive fabrication, transport and installation procedure is illustrated in FIGS. 6 to 17 and explained in the following.
  • FIG. 6 shows the first stage of fabrication that takes place on a quayside.
  • a similar fabrication procedure and method would be possible by using more expensive facilities such as dry or graving dock, or a submersible barge and by applying very similar procedure and materials. Therefore the further explanation will focus on the quayside fabrication and only comments will be provided, where appropriate, for the other optional fabrication methods.
  • temporary supports 21 a - c are established as necessary to support the lower part 22 of the foundation. This part of the process is similar irrespective of whether the first embodiment foundation 4 or the second embodiment foundation 4 ′ is used.
  • the fabrication of the lower part 22 of the foundation 4 ; 4 ′ comprises fabrication of outer skirt 18 , radial skirts 16 a - c (cf. FIG.
  • pre-assembly of bottom slab 14 and vertical walls 23 is carried on until a necessary predetermined height of the walls 23 is achieved and at the same time the capacity of load-out device is not exceeded (see explanation related to FIG. 8 ).
  • the required height of the lower walls 23 is governed by the required minimum acceptable freeboard in the next phase in which the structure under construction is floating.
  • both the bottom slab 14 and the vertical walls 23 or their lower part are fabricated as double steel shell structure having an outer shell 44 and an inner shell 42 , defining a cavity 46 there between, and where the shells 42 , 44 are held in desired distance from each other by transversal spacing plates or rods 48 , as shown in FIG. 7 .
  • the cavity 46 is intended to, in a later phase of fabrication, be filled with concrete in order to achieve desirable strength of the completed shell structure.
  • the hollow double shell steel structure is designed with strength sufficient to carry all loads occurring in the initial phases of fabrication. It is also possible to use prefabricated double shell sections commercially available on the market under brand name Bi-Steel. The use of this sandwich type of structure may not be required if the fabrication is performed in dock or on a submersible barge where the weight may not be a limiting parameter.
  • the lower part 22 of foundation 4 ; 4 ′ floats with an appropriate freeboard that allows safe work with continuation of the fabrication, which may continue either with extending the vertical walls in order to increase the freeboard of the floating body or filling the cavity between the shells by concrete to increase strength of the lower part of the foundation 4 ; 4 ′.
  • Completion of the foundation 4 ; 4 ′ involves construction of walls up to the their final height and for the foundation 4 ′ shown in FIG. 4 , also constructing the tight roof 52 , thus creating a barrier between the internal space 15 and the outside water. Construction of the walls up to their final height can either continue with the double-shell configuration or continue using standard concrete structure building methods such as slipforming or the use of conventional formwork and concrete casting.
  • concrete of different density can be used in different sections or concrete can be entirely or in sections replaced by steel.
  • This fabrication phase is shown in FIG. 9 where the lower part of the foundation 22 floats on surface of water mass 2 and construction of walls and other parts inside the foundation is in progress.
  • FIG. 10 shows adjustments of the draft and the center of buoyancy that both are important for stability of the complete structure during tow to the site. It is seen that in this selected case solid ballast 19 is being added into the space 15 of the foundation 4 ′ via a suitable opening 37 in the roof structure 52 .
  • the outer dimensions of the foundation 4 ; 4 ′ are important parameters the design engineer can adjust to control the floating stability. The ultimate goal would be achieving sufficient stability with the tower 7 and equipment units 5 , 6 a - c installed before tow-out. This may however lead to a cost inefficient solution in which the additional cost for the extended structure cannot counterweigh the technical and economical gains from installing the tower and installing of all equipment and outfitting at the shore fabrication site. Therefore, compromises may be required to be introduced such as:
  • FIG. 11 shows the transport of the support structure 1 from the assembly site to the installation site by towage of the structure by means of a towing vessel 23 connected by tow line 24 to the foundation 4 ′.
  • a towing vessel 23 connected by tow line 24 to the foundation 4 ′.
  • additional vessel(s) may be needed to perform this task.
  • FIG. 12 shows the structure 1 being transferred from the towing position to seabed that is achieved by adding weight (solid ballast 19 , or water) into the space 15 of the foundation 4 ′ from the installation vessel 23 via a connection 25 .
  • FIG. 13 shows the structure 1 deployed on the seabed 3 with outer skirts 18 and radial skirts 17 a,c penetrated into the seabed.
  • the grouting i.e. filling of voids where is not contact between the base of the foundation 4 ′ and the seabed and, if needed, filling of additional grout in selected compartment(s) 17 a - c thus to align the tower 7 with vertical by leveling the foundation 4 ′, is illustrated as being performed by adding grouting substance via a suitable conduit 33 .
  • the grout is filled into one or two of the three compartments.
  • FIG. 14 is top view of the foundation 4 ′ along section line C-C in FIG. 15 , in the region of the water line, and illustrates a floating stability device 26 attached to the foundation 4 ′.
  • the purpose of the floating stability device 26 is to provide additional water plane area to the floating foundation 4 ′ and hence make it stable during tow-out and installation.
  • the floating stability device 26 may be designed as a hollow body, preferably in a shape embracing the structure along its periphery, e.g. circular as seen in the figure.
  • the device 26 comprises two segments 27 a,b connected to each other via a joint 28 and a locking mechanism 29 .
  • FIG. 16 is a vertical section through a portion of the structure 1 , illustrating the foundation 4 ′ and the floating stability device 26 along two vertical planes A-A as defined in FIG. 14 .
  • the foundation 4 ′ is provided with a flange 30 that fits into a recess 31 in the inner wall 32 of the floating stability device 26 .
  • Interaction between the floating stability device 26 and the foundation 4 ′ takes place when the foundation 4 ′ is ballasted down so that the flange 30 rests on the recess 31 , as shown in FIG. 17 .
  • the typical situations when the floating stability element 26 is needed are (a) tow to site and lowering/ballasting to seabed of top-heavy structure 1 and (b) lowering/ballasting to seabed of structure 1 for deeper water where the vertical wall of the foundation 4 ′ or entire foundation is submerged below water surface 9 .
  • FIG. 16 is a top view of foundation 4 ′ and the floating stability device 26 with is segments 27 a,b connected through the hinge 28 , locking mechanism 29 disconnected and the segments 27 a,b separated so that the device 26 can be maneuvered toward the foundation 4 ′ with aim of embracing the foundation by the segments 27 a and 27 b.
  • the locking mechanism 29 can be engaged thus creating an assembly that after increasing of draft of the structure 1 behaves as one body from the floating stability point of view.
  • FIG. 17 shows the lowering of the structure 1 to the seabed 3 being in progress. Ballast is gradually added into the space 15 of the foundation 4 ′ thus the assembly of the structure 1 and the floating stability device 26 is submerging deeper into water. In order to achieve structural strength the device 26 is strengthened by internal reinforcement indicated by structural members 33 a and 33 b.
  • FIG. 18 the assembly made of the structure 1 and the floating device 26 has been by adding ballast deployed onto the seabed 3 with the skirts 18 penetrating into it.
  • the floating stability device 26 is outfitted with equipment for ballasting and deballasting by means of sea water.
  • the interior of it is divided with vertical bulkheads (not shown). The figure shows that ballast water 34 has been filled into the device so that the device 26 is floating without contact between the recess 30 and the flange 31 , hence the floating stability device 26 can be easily disengaged and removed.
  • the invention is particularly suitable for suitable for shallow waters in particular in the interval between 8 m and 30 m.
  • the system can preferably be designed in the soft-stiff dynamic response regime.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Sustainable Energy (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Sustainable Development (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Foundations (AREA)
  • Revetment (AREA)
  • Wind Motors (AREA)
US13/000,286 2008-06-20 2009-06-17 Support structure for use in the offshore wind farm industry Abandoned US20110305523A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NO20082860A NO328838B1 (no) 2008-06-20 2008-06-20 Anordning og fremgangsmate ved vindgenerator
NO20082860 2008-06-20
PCT/NO2009/000226 WO2009154472A2 (en) 2008-06-20 2009-06-17 Support structure for use in the offshore wind farm industry

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20110305523A1 true US20110305523A1 (en) 2011-12-15

Family

ID=41434578

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US13/000,286 Abandoned US20110305523A1 (en) 2008-06-20 2009-06-17 Support structure for use in the offshore wind farm industry

Country Status (10)

Country Link
US (1) US20110305523A1 (pt)
EP (1) EP2310670B1 (pt)
KR (1) KR101399983B1 (pt)
CN (1) CN102124214B (pt)
BR (1) BRPI0914148A2 (pt)
CA (1) CA2728430C (pt)
DK (1) DK2310670T3 (pt)
ES (1) ES2431583T3 (pt)
NO (1) NO328838B1 (pt)
WO (1) WO2009154472A2 (pt)

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20120023860A1 (en) * 2011-05-25 2012-02-02 General Electric Company Adapter Configuration for a Wind Tower Lattice Structure
US8753040B2 (en) * 2012-11-14 2014-06-17 Ship And Ocean Industries R&D Center Offshore installation method of a wind power generator and its fabrication segments
WO2014180828A1 (en) 2013-05-06 2014-11-13 Seatower As A gravity-based structure
US9476409B2 (en) 2012-05-11 2016-10-25 Zachry Construction Corporation Offshore wind turbine
US20180230662A1 (en) * 2017-02-13 2018-08-16 Saudi Arabian Oil Company Self-installing offshore platform
CN115434866A (zh) * 2022-10-24 2022-12-06 重庆大学 一种折叠型装配式分段钢结构风电塔筒
CN115450820A (zh) * 2022-10-13 2022-12-09 上海能源科技发展有限公司 一种考虑尾流效应的海上风电桩基础防冲刷装置及方法
US11685486B2 (en) 2021-01-14 2023-06-27 Saudi Arabian Oil Company Resilient bumper and bumper system

Families Citing this family (30)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
NO329902B1 (no) 2009-06-10 2011-01-24 Seatower As Stabiliserende oppdriftsanordning
NO20100398A1 (no) 2010-03-18 2011-09-19 Seatower As Innretning for bedring av flytende strukturers flytestabilitet og flyteevne
US9004819B2 (en) * 2010-07-12 2015-04-14 Daoda (Shanghai) Wind Power Investment Co., Ltd. Installation method and recovery method for offshore wind turbine
EP2593355A1 (en) 2010-07-16 2013-05-22 Seatower AS System and method for accurate positioning of structures in sea under exposure to waves and currents
ES2378960B1 (es) 2010-09-22 2013-02-25 Inneo Torres S.L. Procedimiento de instalación de torre para uso aguas adentro.
NO332557B1 (no) * 2011-03-10 2012-10-22 Vici Ventus Technology As Offshorefundament for installasjon pa havbunnen samt fremgangsmate for installasjon av offshorefundamentet
NO332863B1 (no) 2011-06-20 2013-01-28 Seatower As Understottelseskonstruksjon for installasjon pa en havbunn
NL2007257C2 (en) * 2011-08-11 2013-02-12 Bos & Kalis Baggermaatsch Method for installation of an off-shore mast or pile.
CN102506012A (zh) * 2011-11-09 2012-06-20 汪砚秋 锚泊半潜连体底座海上风力发电机组
KR101283670B1 (ko) * 2011-12-02 2013-07-08 현대중공업 주식회사 삼발이형 해상풍력발전 기초재
CN102493484B (zh) * 2011-12-23 2014-01-15 中铁大桥局股份有限公司 裙筒式深水大型基础及其施工方法
GB2501123B (en) * 2012-04-13 2014-09-10 Laing O Rourke Plc Foundation structures
KR101384165B1 (ko) * 2012-05-02 2014-04-10 한국해양과학기술원 해상풍력 기초의 세굴방지용 캡
KR101417835B1 (ko) * 2012-12-12 2014-07-09 현대건설주식회사 연장 가능한 타워부를 구비하는 해상풍력용 구조물
ES2461065B1 (es) * 2014-02-26 2015-02-13 University Of Stuttgart Public-Law Institution Estructura flotante para soporte de turbinas eólicas marinas y procedimiento para su construcción e instalación
NL2012573B1 (en) * 2014-04-07 2016-03-08 Koninklijke Bam Groep Nv Gravity based foundation for an offshore installation.
KR102292685B1 (ko) * 2014-11-11 2021-08-24 대우조선해양 주식회사 해양구조물용 자켓의 설치방법
GB201420661D0 (en) * 2014-11-20 2015-01-07 Concrete Marine Solutions Ltd A floating support structure for a wind turbine and method for installing same
FR3032682B1 (fr) * 2015-02-18 2018-08-17 Saipem S.A. Structure de support et d'ancrage d'eolienne maritime du type embase gravitaire et procede de remorquage et depose en mer
US10215161B2 (en) * 2015-02-24 2019-02-26 University Of Maine System Board Of Trustees Method of construction, assembly, and launch of a floating wind turbine platform
KR101866972B1 (ko) * 2015-11-23 2018-06-14 한국전력공사 해상 지지구조물의 가변형 기초구조물 및 이를 이용한 해상 지지구조물의 설치방법
CN106704113B (zh) * 2016-11-15 2018-12-14 天津大学 一种下压式破冰刃
KR101724593B1 (ko) 2016-12-29 2017-04-07 주식회사 제이디 엔지니어링 전용 바지선을 이용한 풍력발전기의 해상 구축 방법
ES2617991B1 (es) 2017-02-14 2018-03-27 Berenguer Ingenieros S.L. Estructura marítima para la cimentación por gravedad de edificaciones, instalaciones y aerogeneradores en el medio marino
ES2785802B2 (es) * 2019-04-05 2021-05-19 Esteyco S A Procedimiento de instalacion de un aerogenerador de torre mar adentro
EP3767035A1 (en) * 2019-07-18 2021-01-20 Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy A/S Method for assembling an offshore wind turbine, tower foundation for an offshore wind turbine and offshore wind turbine
KR102293722B1 (ko) * 2019-11-26 2021-08-26 한국해양과학기술원 다중 격벽식 중공형 수중기초 구조물
BE1028599B1 (nl) * 2020-09-11 2022-04-11 Jan De Nul Een offshore windparkfundering
GB2604909A (en) * 2021-03-18 2022-09-21 Subsea 7 Ltd Subsea foundations
CN117999390A (zh) 2021-07-30 2024-05-07 穆罕默德·阿米·拉克 基于重力的地基

Citations (29)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3719048A (en) * 1971-11-18 1973-03-06 Chicago Bridge & Iron Co Offshore structure with static and dynamic stabilization shell
US3733834A (en) * 1972-05-01 1973-05-22 L Ludwig Dynamic damper for offshore structures
US3738113A (en) * 1971-10-14 1973-06-12 Chicago Bridge & Iron Co Offshore oil storage structure with submergence shell
US3793840A (en) * 1971-10-18 1974-02-26 Texaco Inc Mobile, arctic drilling and production platform
US4222682A (en) * 1976-06-30 1980-09-16 Enterprise D'equipments Mechaniques Et Hydrauliques, E.M.H. Platforms for sea-bottom exploitation
US4302130A (en) * 1978-03-30 1981-11-24 Olav Mo Gas platform
US4303352A (en) * 1978-06-26 1981-12-01 Compagnie Generale Pour Les Developpements Operationnels Des Richesses Sous-Marines Method for the building and putting in place of a sea platform with a gravity resting base, and means for implementing such a method
US4314776A (en) * 1978-06-21 1982-02-09 Dome Petroleum Limited Offshore drilling and production structure
US4639167A (en) * 1985-04-24 1987-01-27 Odeco, Inc. Deep water mobile submersible arctic structure
US4648751A (en) * 1985-11-12 1987-03-10 Exxon Production Research Co. Method and apparatus for erecting offshore platforms
US4664556A (en) * 1983-10-24 1987-05-12 Dixon Richard K Method for building structures in water
US4693637A (en) * 1984-12-20 1987-09-15 Takenaka Komuten Co., Ltd. Gravity type oceanic structure and its stable installation
US4695194A (en) * 1986-01-16 1987-09-22 Santa Fe International Corporation Mobile marine operations structure
US4696601A (en) * 1986-07-14 1987-09-29 Exxon Production Research Company Articulated compliant offshore structure
US4701075A (en) * 1984-04-12 1987-10-20 Novolipetsky Politekhnichersky Institut Imeni Leninskogo Komsomola Belorusii Reinforced concrete offshore platform
US4741648A (en) * 1982-10-21 1988-05-03 Ingenior F. Selmer A/S Offshore platform structure having at least a superstructure and a substructure made of reinforced concrete, and slipforming means for slipforming supporting columns of such structure
US4749309A (en) * 1985-10-23 1988-06-07 Norwegian Contractors Offshore platform structure of reinforced concrete and a method of producing same
US4767241A (en) * 1985-11-13 1988-08-30 Wells Gordon T Method for simultaneous forming of concrete footings and piers
US4778308A (en) * 1985-02-12 1988-10-18 Saga Petroleum A.S. Arrangement in an offshore concrete platform
US4810135A (en) * 1987-06-04 1989-03-07 Exxon Production Research Company Compliant offshore structure with fixed base
US5226750A (en) * 1992-07-06 1993-07-13 Meheen H Joe Offshore drilling platform support
US5301625A (en) * 1990-12-04 1994-04-12 Offshore Concrete A/S Marine construction
US5316413A (en) * 1992-09-28 1994-05-31 Chevron Research And Technology Company Offshore double cone structure
US5513929A (en) * 1994-08-11 1996-05-07 Mcdermott International, Inc. Fixed offshore platform structures, using small diameter, tensioned, well casing tiebacks
US6371695B1 (en) * 1998-11-06 2002-04-16 Exxonmobil Upstream Research Company Offshore caisson having upper and lower sections separated by a structural diaphragm and method of installing the same
US20040262926A1 (en) * 2003-04-04 2004-12-30 Logima V/Svend Erik Hansen Vessel for transporting wind turbines, methods of moving a wind turbine, and a wind turbine for an off-shore wind farm
EP1777348A1 (en) * 2005-10-21 2007-04-25 Dredging International N.V. Device and method for offshore installations
WO2009044161A2 (en) * 2007-10-05 2009-04-09 Aquamarine Power Limited Underwater foundation
US20110135398A1 (en) * 2009-12-14 2011-06-09 Francisco Garcia Lopez Systems and methods for assembling an offshore support system for use with a wind turbine

Family Cites Families (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FI107184B (fi) * 1999-11-11 2001-06-15 Asko Fagerstroem Menetelmä ja järjestelmä offshore-tuulivoimalan asentamiseksi merelle ja/tai noutamiseksi mereltä, ja offshore-tuulivoimala
FR2827015B1 (fr) * 2001-07-06 2005-12-23 Bouygues Offshore Eolienne offshore et son procede de construction
GB0206569D0 (en) 2002-03-20 2002-05-01 Boreas Consultants Ltd Installation platform
EP1429024A3 (de) 2002-12-11 2010-09-29 Ed. Züblin Ag Caisson auf Pfählen als off-shore-Gründung für Windkraftanlagen
ITBA20020047A1 (it) * 2002-12-17 2004-06-18 Enertec Aktiegesellschaft Ag Metodo di realizzazione di una piattaforma sommergibile a spinta bloccata per la produzione di energia elettrica dal vento in mare aperto e di prodotti di maricoltura
DK175261B1 (da) * 2003-04-04 2004-08-02 Logima V Svend Erik Hansen Et fartöj til vindmölletransport, fremgangsmåder til flytning af en vindmölle samt en vindmölle til en offshore vindmöllepark
DE20310992U1 (de) * 2003-07-17 2003-11-13 Linhart Jiri Fundament
NL1024581C2 (nl) * 2003-10-21 2005-04-22 Gmb Beton En Ind Noord West B Windmolenfundatie.
NO326937B1 (no) 2007-06-29 2009-03-16 Seatower Anordning og fremgangsmate ved marin tarnstruktur

Patent Citations (29)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3738113A (en) * 1971-10-14 1973-06-12 Chicago Bridge & Iron Co Offshore oil storage structure with submergence shell
US3793840A (en) * 1971-10-18 1974-02-26 Texaco Inc Mobile, arctic drilling and production platform
US3719048A (en) * 1971-11-18 1973-03-06 Chicago Bridge & Iron Co Offshore structure with static and dynamic stabilization shell
US3733834A (en) * 1972-05-01 1973-05-22 L Ludwig Dynamic damper for offshore structures
US4222682A (en) * 1976-06-30 1980-09-16 Enterprise D'equipments Mechaniques Et Hydrauliques, E.M.H. Platforms for sea-bottom exploitation
US4302130A (en) * 1978-03-30 1981-11-24 Olav Mo Gas platform
US4314776A (en) * 1978-06-21 1982-02-09 Dome Petroleum Limited Offshore drilling and production structure
US4303352A (en) * 1978-06-26 1981-12-01 Compagnie Generale Pour Les Developpements Operationnels Des Richesses Sous-Marines Method for the building and putting in place of a sea platform with a gravity resting base, and means for implementing such a method
US4741648A (en) * 1982-10-21 1988-05-03 Ingenior F. Selmer A/S Offshore platform structure having at least a superstructure and a substructure made of reinforced concrete, and slipforming means for slipforming supporting columns of such structure
US4664556A (en) * 1983-10-24 1987-05-12 Dixon Richard K Method for building structures in water
US4701075A (en) * 1984-04-12 1987-10-20 Novolipetsky Politekhnichersky Institut Imeni Leninskogo Komsomola Belorusii Reinforced concrete offshore platform
US4693637A (en) * 1984-12-20 1987-09-15 Takenaka Komuten Co., Ltd. Gravity type oceanic structure and its stable installation
US4778308A (en) * 1985-02-12 1988-10-18 Saga Petroleum A.S. Arrangement in an offshore concrete platform
US4639167A (en) * 1985-04-24 1987-01-27 Odeco, Inc. Deep water mobile submersible arctic structure
US4749309A (en) * 1985-10-23 1988-06-07 Norwegian Contractors Offshore platform structure of reinforced concrete and a method of producing same
US4648751A (en) * 1985-11-12 1987-03-10 Exxon Production Research Co. Method and apparatus for erecting offshore platforms
US4767241A (en) * 1985-11-13 1988-08-30 Wells Gordon T Method for simultaneous forming of concrete footings and piers
US4695194A (en) * 1986-01-16 1987-09-22 Santa Fe International Corporation Mobile marine operations structure
US4696601A (en) * 1986-07-14 1987-09-29 Exxon Production Research Company Articulated compliant offshore structure
US4810135A (en) * 1987-06-04 1989-03-07 Exxon Production Research Company Compliant offshore structure with fixed base
US5301625A (en) * 1990-12-04 1994-04-12 Offshore Concrete A/S Marine construction
US5226750A (en) * 1992-07-06 1993-07-13 Meheen H Joe Offshore drilling platform support
US5316413A (en) * 1992-09-28 1994-05-31 Chevron Research And Technology Company Offshore double cone structure
US5513929A (en) * 1994-08-11 1996-05-07 Mcdermott International, Inc. Fixed offshore platform structures, using small diameter, tensioned, well casing tiebacks
US6371695B1 (en) * 1998-11-06 2002-04-16 Exxonmobil Upstream Research Company Offshore caisson having upper and lower sections separated by a structural diaphragm and method of installing the same
US20040262926A1 (en) * 2003-04-04 2004-12-30 Logima V/Svend Erik Hansen Vessel for transporting wind turbines, methods of moving a wind turbine, and a wind turbine for an off-shore wind farm
EP1777348A1 (en) * 2005-10-21 2007-04-25 Dredging International N.V. Device and method for offshore installations
WO2009044161A2 (en) * 2007-10-05 2009-04-09 Aquamarine Power Limited Underwater foundation
US20110135398A1 (en) * 2009-12-14 2011-06-09 Francisco Garcia Lopez Systems and methods for assembling an offshore support system for use with a wind turbine

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20120023860A1 (en) * 2011-05-25 2012-02-02 General Electric Company Adapter Configuration for a Wind Tower Lattice Structure
US9476409B2 (en) 2012-05-11 2016-10-25 Zachry Construction Corporation Offshore wind turbine
US8753040B2 (en) * 2012-11-14 2014-06-17 Ship And Ocean Industries R&D Center Offshore installation method of a wind power generator and its fabrication segments
WO2014180828A1 (en) 2013-05-06 2014-11-13 Seatower As A gravity-based structure
CN105308243A (zh) * 2013-05-06 2016-02-03 海塔有限公司 基于重力的结构
US11313098B2 (en) 2013-05-06 2022-04-26 Seatower As Gravity-based structure
US20180230662A1 (en) * 2017-02-13 2018-08-16 Saudi Arabian Oil Company Self-installing offshore platform
US10352010B2 (en) * 2017-02-13 2019-07-16 Saudi Arabian Oil Company Self-installing offshore platform
US11685486B2 (en) 2021-01-14 2023-06-27 Saudi Arabian Oil Company Resilient bumper and bumper system
CN115450820A (zh) * 2022-10-13 2022-12-09 上海能源科技发展有限公司 一种考虑尾流效应的海上风电桩基础防冲刷装置及方法
CN115434866A (zh) * 2022-10-24 2022-12-06 重庆大学 一种折叠型装配式分段钢结构风电塔筒

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2009154472A3 (en) 2010-05-20
CA2728430C (en) 2018-05-01
KR101399983B1 (ko) 2014-05-27
EP2310670A2 (en) 2011-04-20
BRPI0914148A2 (pt) 2015-10-20
DK2310670T3 (da) 2013-10-14
CN102124214B (zh) 2014-04-09
EP2310670B1 (en) 2013-07-24
WO2009154472A2 (en) 2009-12-23
CN102124214A (zh) 2011-07-13
CA2728430A1 (en) 2009-12-23
NO328838B1 (no) 2010-05-25
KR20110030628A (ko) 2011-03-23
ES2431583T3 (es) 2013-11-27
NO20082860L (no) 2009-12-21

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
CA2728430C (en) Support structure for use in the offshore wind farm industry
DK2163691T3 (en) Device and method for the offshore installation of an electricity-producing turbine
AU2009289381B2 (en) Offshore station, foundation for an offshore station, and method for building an offshore station
EP3584373B1 (en) Maritime structure for laying the foundations of buildings and its method of installation
EP2837554A1 (en) Partially floating marine platform for offshore wind-power, bridges and marine buildings, and construction method
CN103228909A (zh) 用于安装海上塔的方法
GB2451191A (en) Wind turbine mounting
EP3276086B1 (en) Gravity foundation for the installation of offshore wind turbines
JP6270527B2 (ja) 洋上風力発電設備の施工方法
WO2010143967A2 (en) Tripod foundation
EP4060121A1 (en) Subsea foundations
WO2010143976A2 (en) A foundation, a method of manufacturing the foundation, and a method of installing the foundation on a seabed
NL2003012C2 (en) Hybrid offshore large pile - gravity foundation for constructions, and installation method therefor.
AU2012313196B2 (en) Partially floating marine platform for offshore wind-power, bridges and marine buildings, and construction method
JP5738642B2 (ja) 洋上風力発電設備の施工方法
EP2634424B1 (en) Method of constructing a foundation for tower-like structure
EP2189576A1 (en) Foundation system for marine structures in deep water
TW202106602A (zh) 具備塔式起重機之作業船及其起重機運用方法

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: SEATOWER AS, NORWAY

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:KARAL, KAREL;RAMSLIE, SIGURD;SIGNING DATES FROM 20110215 TO 20110216;REEL/FRAME:026016/0590

STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION