WO2010093259A2 - Offshore wind turbine - Google Patents

Offshore wind turbine Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2010093259A2
WO2010093259A2 PCT/NO2010/000055 NO2010000055W WO2010093259A2 WO 2010093259 A2 WO2010093259 A2 WO 2010093259A2 NO 2010000055 W NO2010000055 W NO 2010000055W WO 2010093259 A2 WO2010093259 A2 WO 2010093259A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
docking station
connection
shaft
wind turbine
connection member
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/NO2010/000055
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO2010093259A3 (en
Inventor
Jostein Berland
Trond Emblem
Original Assignee
Vest Kran Wind Power 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 Vest Kran Wind Power As filed Critical Vest Kran Wind Power As
Publication of WO2010093259A2 publication Critical patent/WO2010093259A2/en
Publication of WO2010093259A3 publication Critical patent/WO2010093259A3/en

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Classifications

    • 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
    • F03D13/25—Arrangements for mounting or supporting wind motors; Masts or towers for wind motors specially adapted for offshore installation
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B1/00—Hydrodynamic or hydrostatic features of hulls or of hydrofoils
    • B63B1/02—Hydrodynamic or hydrostatic features of hulls or of hydrofoils deriving lift mainly from water displacement
    • B63B1/04—Hydrodynamic or hydrostatic features of hulls or of hydrofoils deriving lift mainly from water displacement with single hull
    • B63B1/048—Hydrodynamic or hydrostatic features of hulls or of hydrofoils deriving lift mainly from water displacement with single hull with hull extending principally vertically
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B1/00—Hydrodynamic or hydrostatic features of hulls or of hydrofoils
    • B63B1/02—Hydrodynamic or hydrostatic features of hulls or of hydrofoils deriving lift mainly from water displacement
    • B63B1/04—Hydrodynamic or hydrostatic features of hulls or of hydrofoils deriving lift mainly from water displacement with single hull
    • B63B2001/044—Hydrodynamic or hydrostatic features of hulls or of hydrofoils deriving lift mainly from water displacement with single hull with a small waterline area compared to total displacement, e.g. of semi-submersible type
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B35/00—Vessels or similar floating structures specially adapted for specific purposes and not otherwise provided for
    • B63B35/44—Floating buildings, stores, drilling platforms, or workshops, e.g. carrying water-oil separating devices
    • B63B2035/442—Spar-type semi-submersible structures, i.e. shaped as single slender, e.g. substantially cylindrical or trussed vertical bodies
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B35/00—Vessels or similar floating structures specially adapted for specific purposes and not otherwise provided for
    • B63B35/44—Floating buildings, stores, drilling platforms, or workshops, e.g. carrying water-oil separating devices
    • B63B2035/4433—Floating structures carrying electric power plants
    • B63B2035/446—Floating structures carrying electric power plants for converting wind energy into electric energy
    • 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
    • F05B2240/93—Mounting on supporting structures or systems on a structure floating on a liquid surface
    • 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

Definitions

  • the invention relates to wind turbines
  • Offshore wind turbines are previously known in the art.
  • One type of prior art wind turbine is permanently mounted to the seabed. Turbines of this type are designed for shallow water, typically at a depth of 50 m or less.
  • Another type of wind turbine known in the art is the floating wind turbine. Turbines of this type generally comprise a windmill generator unit mounted atop an elongated shaft. The buoyancy necessary to keep the turbine afloat is provided by buoyancy chambers contained in the shaft.
  • Offshore wind turbines of this type are extremely large and cumbersome constructions. The mounting and anchoring of the turbine is a particularly complex operation. This makes the retrieval of the turbine for maintenance and repair a time consuming and expensive operation, since the entire structure must be retrieved and transported to the maintenance site.
  • the present invention overcomes the disadvantage with known offshore wind turbines by providing a wind turbine comprising a docking station arranged at an offshore location.
  • An elongated shaft to which is mounted a windmill generator unit is removably attachable to the docking station. All of the necessary power and utility cables are connected to the docking station, which may be permanently anchored or otherwise stationed at a desired location.
  • the elongated shaft may be disconnected from the docking station, such that the shaft and windmill generator unit can be transported to the repair facility while the docking station remains anchored in place.
  • the term "offshore" should be understood to apply to use in connection with any type of body of water.
  • Fig 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the invention
  • Fig 2 is a perspective view of the docking station
  • Fig 3 is a perspective view of the docking station, showing internal structures
  • Fig 4 is a perspective view of connection unit attached to the elongated mast of a turbine
  • Fig 5 is a perspective view of a bolt arrangement
  • Fig 6 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the docking station
  • the offshore wind turbine comprises a vertical turbine unit 20 which may be removably attached to a docking station 22.
  • Turbine unit 22 comprises a windmill generator unit 24 mounted atop an elongated shaft 26.
  • docking station 22 is a buoyant body that floats on the surface of the water, as shown in Fig 2. Docking station 22 according to this embodiment is held in place at a desired location by a plurality of anchor lines 28.
  • docking station 22 is a hollow body having one or more air-filled buoyancy chambers 30, as shown in Fig 3.
  • the chambers may be partially filled with a ballast material in order to increase the stability of the docking station.
  • One or more of chambers 30 may house control units.
  • Cables 32 such as power and/or utility cables from the shore, are connected to docking station 22 at an appropriate termination interface.
  • the cables 32 are connected to docking station 22 by passing through a conduit 34, which may be a flexible bend restrictor device or a rigid conduit. The cables pass to a "manhole" access member 35 on the upper surface of the docking station.
  • elongated shaft 26 comprises one or more compartments at its lower end.
  • a first compartment 36 contains a ballast material in order to provide vertical stability to the mast, whereas one or more buoyancy compartments 38 provide buoyancy to the turbine unit.
  • Sea water may be selectively pumped into or out of buoyancy compartments 38 in order to regulate the buoyancy, and thereby the vertical position of mast 26 in relation to the surface of the water.
  • turbine unit 20 further comprises a connection unit 40 arranged on elongated shaft 26.
  • connection unit 40 may be a hollow body comprising one or more buoyancy chambers 42.
  • buoyancy compartments 38 water may be pumped into or out of buoyancy chambers 42 in order to regulate the buoyancy of turbine unit 20.
  • the buoyancy of turbine unit 20 can be provided either by buoyancy compartments 38 alone, buoyancy chambers 42 alone, or any combination thereof.
  • a pump unit 39 for pumping seawater into and out of compartments 38 and/or chambers 42 may be arranged in one of chambers 42 as illustrated in Fig 4.
  • connection unit 40 further comprises a connection member 44, arranged for cooperative engagement with a corresponding connection interface 46 of docking station 22 as shown in Fig 3.
  • connection member 44 is a raised structure comprising a plurality of teeth 48. Teeth 48 are arranged to fit into and engage corresponding slots 50 arranged on the inside walls of a U-shaped receiving opening 52 in docking station 22. The inside walls of receiving opening 52 have guide surfaces 54 that corresponding to guide surfaces 56 of the raised portion of connection member 44.
  • turbine units 20 is towed or otherwise transported to the location where docking station 22 is anchored.
  • turbine unit 20 is towed in the vertical orientation with connection unit 40 partially submerged beneath the surface of the water at a lower depth than docking station 22.
  • Turbine unit 20 is manoeuvred into position such that elongated shaft 26 is received in receiving opening 52, with connection member 44 in vertical alignment with connection interface 46. Water is thereafter pumped out of buoyancy chambers 42 and/or buoyancy compartments 38 such that turbine unit 20 rises into engagement with the docking station.
  • the teeth 48 of connection member 44 engage with the slots 50 of connection interface 46.
  • the connection operation is assisted by mutual cooperation of guide surfaces 54 and 56.
  • connection unit 40 As shown in Fig 4, a plurality of guide pins 58 are provided on the upper surface of connection unit 40 that engage guide recesses 60 on the lower surface of docking station 22.
  • the updrift of turbine unit 20 insures a secure connection between connection member 44 and connection interface 46.
  • connection unit 40 is attached to the docking station 22 by passing a plurality of locking bolts 62 through the bolt locking holes 64, into engagement with slots 65 on the upper surface of connection unit 40.
  • the engaging end of the locking bolts are "T" shaped as shown in Fig 5, and are turned into locking position hydrauslically. Power and utility cables can are connected from manhole 35 on the docking station to a similar manhole on the turbine unit as illustrated in figures 1, 3 and 4.
  • connection unit 40 may have a cylindrical recess 67 for receiving conduit 34.
  • sensor units are provided in order to monitor successful connection of turbine unit 20 to docking station 22.
  • the sensors may be pressure sensitive sensors 66 located adjacent slots 65 as shown in fig 4. Sensors 66 monitor the correct positioning of the bolt holes and slots prior to hydraulic activation of the bolts.
  • Other sensors may be arranged as part of connection member 44 to monitor the connection with connection interface 46, or to monitor stresses in the connection.
  • Docking station 22 and turbine unit 20 may also be equipped with GPS position monitoring devices to monitor and guide the connection operation.
  • connection member 44 thus disengages from connection interface 46, and connection unit 40 sinks below the docking station. Shaft 26 may be thereafter manoeuvred out of receiving opening 52 and towed back to shore.
  • Figure 6 shows an alternative arrangement of the docking station whereby buoyancy is provided by a horseshoe shaped ballast ring 68.
  • While the preferred embodiment provides for the turbine unit being raised into engagement from underneath the docking station, it is also possible to arrange the components such that the turbine unit is lower into engagement with the docking station from above. In such an embodiment it would be possible to arrange the docking station submerged in the vicinity of the seabed, particularly in areas of shallow water

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Sustainable Energy (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Sustainable Development (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
  • Wind Motors (AREA)
  • Connection Of Motors, Electrical Generators, Mechanical Devices, And The Like (AREA)

Abstract

An offshore wind turbine comprising a floating docking station (22) arranged at an offshore location and an elongated shaft (26) to which is mounted a windmill generator unit said shaft (26) being removably attachable to the docking station (22), said docking station being in electrical connection to an onshore facility.

Description

OFFSHORE WIND TURBINE
Field of the invention
The invention relates to wind turbines
Background of the invention
Offshore wind turbines are previously known in the art. One type of prior art wind turbine is permanently mounted to the seabed. Turbines of this type are designed for shallow water, typically at a depth of 50 m or less. Another type of wind turbine known in the art is the floating wind turbine. Turbines of this type generally comprise a windmill generator unit mounted atop an elongated shaft. The buoyancy necessary to keep the turbine afloat is provided by buoyancy chambers contained in the shaft. Offshore wind turbines of this type are extremely large and cumbersome constructions. The mounting and anchoring of the turbine is a particularly complex operation. This makes the retrieval of the turbine for maintenance and repair a time consuming and expensive operation, since the entire structure must be retrieved and transported to the maintenance site.
Summary of the invention
The present invention overcomes the disadvantage with known offshore wind turbines by providing a wind turbine comprising a docking station arranged at an offshore location. An elongated shaft to which is mounted a windmill generator unit is removably attachable to the docking station. All of the necessary power and utility cables are connected to the docking station, which may be permanently anchored or otherwise stationed at a desired location. In the event that repairs or maintenance are required, the elongated shaft may be disconnected from the docking station, such that the shaft and windmill generator unit can be transported to the repair facility while the docking station remains anchored in place. In the context of the present invention, the term "offshore" should be understood to apply to use in connection with any type of body of water. Brief description of the drawings
Fig 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the invention Fig 2 is a perspective view of the docking station
Fig 3 is a perspective view of the docking station, showing internal structures Fig 4 is a perspective view of connection unit attached to the elongated mast of a turbine Fig 5 is a perspective view of a bolt arrangement
Fig 6 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the docking station
Detailed description of the invention
As shown in figure 1, the offshore wind turbine according to the invention comprises a vertical turbine unit 20 which may be removably attached to a docking station 22. Turbine unit 22 comprises a windmill generator unit 24 mounted atop an elongated shaft 26. According to one aspect of the invention, docking station 22 is a buoyant body that floats on the surface of the water, as shown in Fig 2. Docking station 22 according to this embodiment is held in place at a desired location by a plurality of anchor lines 28.
According to the preferred embodiment, docking station 22 is a hollow body having one or more air-filled buoyancy chambers 30, as shown in Fig 3. The chambers may be partially filled with a ballast material in order to increase the stability of the docking station. One or more of chambers 30 may house control units. Cables 32, such as power and/or utility cables from the shore, are connected to docking station 22 at an appropriate termination interface. According to one aspect of the invention the cables 32 are connected to docking station 22 by passing through a conduit 34, which may be a flexible bend restrictor device or a rigid conduit. The cables pass to a "manhole" access member 35 on the upper surface of the docking station.
As shown in Fig 1, elongated shaft 26 comprises one or more compartments at its lower end. According one aspect of the invention, a first compartment 36 contains a ballast material in order to provide vertical stability to the mast, whereas one or more buoyancy compartments 38 provide buoyancy to the turbine unit. Sea water may be selectively pumped into or out of buoyancy compartments 38 in order to regulate the buoyancy, and thereby the vertical position of mast 26 in relation to the surface of the water.
As shown in figure 4, turbine unit 20 further comprises a connection unit 40 arranged on elongated shaft 26. According to one aspect of the invention, connection unit 40 may be a hollow body comprising one or more buoyancy chambers 42. As is the case with buoyancy compartments 38, water may be pumped into or out of buoyancy chambers 42 in order to regulate the buoyancy of turbine unit 20. As can be appreciated, the buoyancy of turbine unit 20 can be provided either by buoyancy compartments 38 alone, buoyancy chambers 42 alone, or any combination thereof. A pump unit 39 for pumping seawater into and out of compartments 38 and/or chambers 42 may be arranged in one of chambers 42 as illustrated in Fig 4.
As shown in figure 4, connection unit 40 further comprises a connection member 44, arranged for cooperative engagement with a corresponding connection interface 46 of docking station 22 as shown in Fig 3. As shown, connection member 44 is a raised structure comprising a plurality of teeth 48. Teeth 48 are arranged to fit into and engage corresponding slots 50 arranged on the inside walls of a U-shaped receiving opening 52 in docking station 22. The inside walls of receiving opening 52 have guide surfaces 54 that corresponding to guide surfaces 56 of the raised portion of connection member 44.
In use, turbine units 20 is towed or otherwise transported to the location where docking station 22 is anchored. According to one aspect of the invention, turbine unit 20 is towed in the vertical orientation with connection unit 40 partially submerged beneath the surface of the water at a lower depth than docking station 22. Turbine unit 20 is manoeuvred into position such that elongated shaft 26 is received in receiving opening 52, with connection member 44 in vertical alignment with connection interface 46. Water is thereafter pumped out of buoyancy chambers 42 and/or buoyancy compartments 38 such that turbine unit 20 rises into engagement with the docking station. The teeth 48 of connection member 44 engage with the slots 50 of connection interface 46. The connection operation is assisted by mutual cooperation of guide surfaces 54 and 56. As shown in Fig 4, a plurality of guide pins 58 are provided on the upper surface of connection unit 40 that engage guide recesses 60 on the lower surface of docking station 22. The updrift of turbine unit 20 insures a secure connection between connection member 44 and connection interface 46. In addition, connection unit 40 is attached to the docking station 22 by passing a plurality of locking bolts 62 through the bolt locking holes 64, into engagement with slots 65 on the upper surface of connection unit 40. In a preferred embodiment the engaging end of the locking bolts are "T" shaped as shown in Fig 5, and are turned into locking position hydrauslically. Power and utility cables can are connected from manhole 35 on the docking station to a similar manhole on the turbine unit as illustrated in figures 1, 3 and 4. According to one aspect of the invention, connection unit 40 may have a cylindrical recess 67 for receiving conduit 34.
According to one aspect of the invention, sensor units are provided in order to monitor successful connection of turbine unit 20 to docking station 22. According to one aspect of the invention, the sensors may be pressure sensitive sensors 66 located adjacent slots 65 as shown in fig 4. Sensors 66 monitor the correct positioning of the bolt holes and slots prior to hydraulic activation of the bolts. Other sensors may be arranged as part of connection member 44 to monitor the connection with connection interface 46, or to monitor stresses in the connection. Docking station 22 and turbine unit 20 may also be equipped with GPS position monitoring devices to monitor and guide the connection operation.
In order to retrieve turbine unit 20, the above process is simply reversed. The cables running fro the docking station to the turbine unit are disconnected, the connecting bolts are removed, and water is pumped into the appropriate buoyancy chambers. Connection member 44 thus disengages from connection interface 46, and connection unit 40 sinks below the docking station. Shaft 26 may be thereafter manoeuvred out of receiving opening 52 and towed back to shore.
Figure 6 shows an alternative arrangement of the docking station whereby buoyancy is provided by a horseshoe shaped ballast ring 68.
It is also possible to connect the docking station to the seabed using tension legs.
While the preferred embodiment provides for the turbine unit being raised into engagement from underneath the docking station, it is also possible to arrange the components such that the turbine unit is lower into engagement with the docking station from above. In such an embodiment it would be possible to arrange the docking station submerged in the vicinity of the seabed, particularly in areas of shallow water

Claims

1. An offshore wind turbine comprising a floating docking station (22) arranged at an offshore location and an elongated shaft (26) to which is mounted a windmill generator unit said shaft (26) being removably attachable to the docking station (22), said docking station being in electrical connection to an onshore facility.
2. An offshore wind turbine according to claim 1, wherein the shaft further comprises a connection member (44), arranged for cooperative engagement with a corresponding connection interface (46) of docking station.
3. An offshore wind turbine according to claim 2, wherein connection member (44) is a raised structure comprising a plurality of teeth (48), said teeth (48) being arranged to fit into and engage corresponding slots (50) arranged on inside walls of a U-shaped receiving opening (52) in docking station 22, the inside walls of receiving opening (52) having guide surfaces (54) that corresponding to guide surfaces (56) of the raised portion of connection member (44).
4. An offshore wind turbine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein docking station (22) is a hollow body having one or more air-filled buoyancy chambers (30), at least one of said chambers being at least partially filled with a ballast material and at least one of chambers (30) being arranged for housing control devices, and further comprising connection means for connecting power cables.
5. An offshore wind turbine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein elongated shaft (26) is buoyant, and comprises one or more compartments at its lower end, wherein a first compartment (36) contains a ballast material and wherein one or more of the compartments are buoyancy compartments (38) arranged to provide buoyancy to the turbine unit.
6. An offshore wind turbine according to claim 5, wherein the shaft (26) is arranged such that sea water may be selectively pumped into or out of buoyancy compartments (38) in order to regulate the buoyancy, and thereby the vertical position of mast (26) in relation to the surface of the water.
7. An offshore wind turbine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein connection member (44) and connection interface (46) are arranged such that connection member (44) is engagable into connection interface (46) from below, such that the engagement may by accomplished by raising of shaft (26) in relation to the surface of the water until connection member (44) enters into and connects with connection interface (46).
8. An offshore wind turbine according to any one of claim 1-6, wherein connection member (44) and connection interface (46) are arranged such that connection member (44) is engagable into connection interface (46) from above, such that the engagement may by accomplished by lowering of shaft (26) in relation to the surface of the water until connection member (44) enters into and connects with connection interface (46).
9. An offshore wind turbine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a plurality of guide pins (58) are provided on the upper surface of connection unit (40) that engage guide recesses (60) on the lower surface of docking station (22) arranged such that a secure connection may be achieved by passing a plurality of locking bolts (62) through a plurality of bolt locking holes (64), into engagement with slots (65) on the upper surface of connection unit 40.
10. An offshore wind turbine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a plurality of pressure sensor units(66) are provided in order to monitor successful connection of turbine unit (20) to docking station (22).
11. An offshore wind turbine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the connection interface is arranged above the surface of the water atop a floating ring body (68).
12. A method for arranging a floating wind turbine at an offshore location, comprising the steps of: a. Providing modular wind turbine comprising a floating docking station (22) and an elongated shaft (26) to which is mounted a windmill generator unit, said elongated shaft (26) being buoyant, the buoyancy of said elongated shaft being adjustable by the selective pumping of seawater into or out of chambers located in the shaft, said docking station further comprising a connection interface arranged for receiving a connection member arranged on the elongated shaft, b. Anchoring the docking station at an appropriate offshore location and arranging an electrical connection between the docking station and an onshore facility, c. Towing the elongated shaft (26) out to the docking station (22), d. Orienting the elongated shaft vertically, e. Pumping seawater into or out of the elongated shaft such that the connection member is arranged either above or below the connection interface, f. Guiding the shaft such that the connection member is vertically aligned with the connection interface, g. Pumping seawater either into or out of the shaft, such that vertical position of the shaft changes, thereby causing the connection member to engage the connection interface, h. Securing the connection between the shaft and the docking station, i. Arranging an electrical connection between the windmill generator and the docking station.
13. A method according to claim 12, wherein the shaft is submerged below the docking station, and cased to be raised such that the connection member engages the connection interface, and whereby the buoyancy of the shaft provides at least part of the secure engagement between the connection member and the connection interface.
PCT/NO2010/000055 2009-02-13 2010-02-12 Offshore wind turbine WO2010093259A2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US15227609P 2009-02-13 2009-02-13
US61/152,276 2009-02-13

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WO2010093259A2 true WO2010093259A2 (en) 2010-08-19
WO2010093259A3 WO2010093259A3 (en) 2011-07-28

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Cited By (13)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2970748A1 (en) * 2011-01-20 2012-07-27 Nass & Wind Ind Method for realizing maintenance operations i.e. replacement of heavier parts, of floating wind turbine device of off-shore wind energy production system, involves positioning floating wind turbine device on maintenance device
WO2012169914A1 (en) 2011-06-07 2012-12-13 Vistal Wind Power Sp. Z O.O. Offshore wind power turbine and a method of erecting offshore wind power turbine.
EP2639452A1 (en) * 2012-03-15 2013-09-18 Alstom Wind, S.L.U. An offshore wind turbine
EP2808546A1 (en) * 2013-05-28 2014-12-03 Areva Wind GmbH Intermediate section, offshore wind generator and offfshore wind park
CN104884794A (en) * 2013-04-01 2015-09-02 新日铁住金株式会社 Floating structure
US20150275850A1 (en) * 2012-11-30 2015-10-01 Mhi Vestas Offshore Wind A/S Floating-body type wind turbine power generating apparatus and method of transporting components of the same
CN105756081A (en) * 2016-05-05 2016-07-13 江苏金海新能源科技有限公司 Self-tapered end prestress wire circular truncated cone concrete drum offshore wind turbine foundation and construction method thereof
WO2018037168A1 (en) * 2016-08-25 2018-03-01 Bardot Group Floating device comprising an interchangeable insert passing through a float and associated electrical production system
EP3212496A4 (en) * 2014-10-27 2018-05-23 Principle Power, Inc. Connection system for array cables of disconnectable offshore energy devices
CN109931226A (en) * 2017-12-15 2019-06-25 上海海事大学 A kind of vertical resistance-enlarging-type combined type marine windmill Bracing Systems
WO2020001932A1 (en) * 2018-06-28 2020-01-02 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Floating body, wind turbine and offshore wind farm
CN110979577A (en) * 2019-12-10 2020-04-10 上海勘测设计研究院有限公司 Detachable tension leg type offshore wind generating set foundation platform and construction method thereof
WO2023167590A1 (en) * 2022-03-01 2023-09-07 Apl Norway As System for connecting power or fluid lines to a floating energy converter device

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WO2002010589A1 (en) * 2000-07-27 2002-02-07 Christoffer Hannevig Floating structure for mounting a wind turbine offshore
GB2378679A (en) * 2001-08-16 2003-02-19 Technologies Ltd Ocean Floating offshore wind turbine
WO2004083031A1 (en) * 2003-03-17 2004-09-30 Harry Edward Dempster Technique and platform for fabricating a variable-buoyancy structure

Patent Citations (3)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2002010589A1 (en) * 2000-07-27 2002-02-07 Christoffer Hannevig Floating structure for mounting a wind turbine offshore
GB2378679A (en) * 2001-08-16 2003-02-19 Technologies Ltd Ocean Floating offshore wind turbine
WO2004083031A1 (en) * 2003-03-17 2004-09-30 Harry Edward Dempster Technique and platform for fabricating a variable-buoyancy structure

Cited By (23)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2970748A1 (en) * 2011-01-20 2012-07-27 Nass & Wind Ind Method for realizing maintenance operations i.e. replacement of heavier parts, of floating wind turbine device of off-shore wind energy production system, involves positioning floating wind turbine device on maintenance device
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