WO2022136524A1 - Support flottant en mer - Google Patents

Support flottant en mer Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2022136524A1
WO2022136524A1 PCT/EP2021/087241 EP2021087241W WO2022136524A1 WO 2022136524 A1 WO2022136524 A1 WO 2022136524A1 EP 2021087241 W EP2021087241 W EP 2021087241W WO 2022136524 A1 WO2022136524 A1 WO 2022136524A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
floating support
offshore floating
enclosures
support according
ballast
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2021/087241
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Donal Paul O'Flynn
David Smith
Original Assignee
Oflynn Donal Paul
David Smith
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 Oflynn Donal Paul, David Smith filed Critical Oflynn Donal Paul
Publication of WO2022136524A1 publication Critical patent/WO2022136524A1/fr

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Classifications

    • 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
    • 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
    • B63B1/10—Hydrodynamic or hydrostatic features of hulls or of hydrofoils deriving lift mainly from water displacement with multiple hulls
    • B63B1/107—Semi-submersibles; Small waterline area multiple hull vessels and the like, e.g. SWATH
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B39/00—Equipment to decrease pitch, roll, or like unwanted vessel movements; Apparatus for indicating vessel attitude
    • B63B39/02—Equipment to decrease pitch, roll, or like unwanted vessel movements; Apparatus for indicating vessel attitude to decrease vessel movements by displacement of masses
    • B63B39/03—Equipment to decrease pitch, roll, or like unwanted vessel movements; Apparatus for indicating vessel attitude to decrease vessel movements by displacement of masses by transferring liquids
    • 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
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B39/00—Equipment to decrease pitch, roll, or like unwanted vessel movements; Apparatus for indicating vessel attitude
    • B63B39/06—Equipment to decrease pitch, roll, or like unwanted vessel movements; Apparatus for indicating vessel attitude to decrease vessel movements by using foils acting on ambient water
    • B63B2039/067—Equipment to decrease pitch, roll, or like unwanted vessel movements; Apparatus for indicating vessel attitude to decrease vessel movements by using foils acting on ambient water effecting motion dampening by means of fixed or movable resistance bodies, e.g. by bilge keels

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an offshore floating support, in particular a support comprising a submersible base extending from which is an elongate tower riser for supporting a wind turbine or the like, although many other alternative applications are envisaged.
  • Offshore installations such as used in the oil and gas industry, in addition to offshore floating wind turbines, employ various platforms on which the installation is located, and generally take the form of a piled structure on which the hardware is supported, a floating platform which may be anchored or otherwise secured in place, or a caisson type system which may be adhered to the seabed by generating a vacuum within the caisson base of the platform or by the introduction of large quantities of ballast.
  • platforms include the semi-submersible platform and the spar platform.
  • the semi-submersible structure is susceptible to high waves and storm conditions while the Spar system requires deep port infrastructure for the construction due to the large draft.
  • an offshore floating support comprising a submersible base defining two or more independent enclosures adapted to provide buoyancy to the support when the base is submerged; at least one external platform extending between at least an adjacent pair of the independent enclosures; and an outer wall which extends between and connects at least two of the adjacent enclosures such as to define at least one externally accessible compartment adapted to receive and retain ballast therein; and a tower riser coupling connected to the base.
  • the enclosures and the at least one external platform are circumferentially disposed about a central axis.
  • the enclosures and the at least one external platform are disposed in a circular array about the central axis.
  • the enclosures are equally distributed about the central axis.
  • the enclosures are substantially cylindrical.
  • the enclosures have a substantially wedge shaped footprint increasing in width with increasing radial distance from the central axis.
  • the external platforms have a substantially wedge shaped footprint increasing in width with increasing radial distance from the central axis.
  • the support comprises a ballast distribution system operable to manage ballast levels within the two or more enclosures.
  • the ballast distribution system comprises a pump operable to displace ballast from one enclosure to another.
  • the ballast distribution system comprises a control unit and one or more sensors operable to monitor the orientation and/or motion of the support and to actively manage the ballast levels within the two or more enclosures to stabilise support.
  • control unit comprises a receiver operable to receive externally transmitted local environmental data.
  • the support comprises a wave deflection system.
  • the wave deflection system comprises one or more deflector plates extending from the tower riser coupling below an upper end thereof.
  • the support comprises a current deflection system.
  • the current deflection system is defined by one or more profiled edges on the base.
  • the profiled edges are chamfered.
  • the support comprises a mooring system to secure the support to the seabed.
  • the base comprises a cast concrete structure.
  • the tower riser coupling comprises an elongate hollow cylinder.
  • the tower riser coupling comprises a cast concrete structure.
  • the base and tower riser coupling are a single cast concrete structure.
  • the base has a substantially circular or multilateral footprint.
  • the base has a triangular, rectangular or hexagonal footprint.
  • tower riser coupling is intended to described both the base or foundation for a larger tower structure such as a steel tower or the like which may be secured to the tower riser coupling and on which a wind turbine or the like may be supported, in addition to meaning a fully formed tower structure to which a wind turbine or the like may be directly mounted or otherwise secured.
  • Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of an offshore floating support according to an embodiment of the present invention
  • Figure 2 illustrates a plan view of the support shown in Figure 1 ;
  • Figure 3 illustrates a side view, in outline, of the support shown in Figures 1 and 2;
  • Figure 4 illustrates a front elevation of the platform shown in Figures 1 to 3, with an outer wall of an enclosure is omitted to reveal the interior of the enclosure;
  • Figure 5 illustrates a perspective view from beneath of the support shown in Figures 1 to 4;
  • FIG. 6 illustrates various alternative configurations for the offshore floating support of the present invention
  • Figure 7 illustrates a perspective view of an offshore floating support according to a one alternative embodiment of the present invention
  • Figure 8 illustrates a perspective view of an offshore floating support according to a additional alternative embodiment of the present invention
  • Figure 9 illustrates a perspective view of an offshore floating support according to a further alternative embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 10 illustrates a perspective view of an offshore floating support according to a still further alternative embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 10 an offshore floating support, generally indicated as 10, for use is securing or supporting various large scale marine applications such as wind turbines (not shown) or the like thereon.
  • the support 10 comprises a base 12 and an elongate tower riser coupling 14 extending upwardly therefrom, and onto which a wind turbine (not shown) or other marine application may be either directly located, although the preferred construction technique involves the subsequent additional of a full height tower structure (not shown) such as a hollow steel or reinforced concrete mast or the like to the tower riser coupling 14 and onto which tower structure (not shown) the wind turbine or other marine application is then mounted or otherwise secured as described further below.
  • the base 12 may also be utilised to carry or otherwise support one or more elements of the marine application.
  • the support 10 is designed, as described in detail hereinafter, to be deployed in a body of water, most likely an offshore marine deployment, with the base 12 submerged below the water surface but buoyant, such that the tower riser 14 projects out of the water to carry the wind turbine or other application.
  • This design is inherently stable, having a relatively large mass in the form of the base 12 at the lower extremity, from which projects a central support in the form of the tower riser 14.
  • the support 10 is additionally operable to actively monitor and control stability such as to maintain a desired orientation regardless of the external environmental forces acting thereon.
  • the support 10 may also be moored to the seabed for additional stability and to maintain a fixed position, as will be described hereinafter.
  • the base 12 and the tower riser coupling 14 are cast from concrete, preferably reinforced concrete, which provides a number of benefits over alternative materials and construction techniques as detailed below.
  • the tower riser coupling 14 is preferably hollow and tapers towards the upper end in order to reduce the overall weight of the tower riser coupling 14.
  • the base 12 comprises at least two, and in the embodiment illustrated, four discrete hollow enclosures or tanks 16 equally circumferentially distributed about a central vertical axis AA of the platform 10.
  • each enclosure 16 has a wedge shaped footprint, increasing in width with increasing radial distance from the central axis AA, although other configurations may be employed.
  • the enclosures 16 may be partially filled with ballast, preferably a displaceable medium, and most preferably water from the surrounding body of water in which the support 10 is deployed.
  • this ballast is preferably only added to the enclosures 16 once the support 10 has been transported to the intended deployment site, which may be a significant distance offshore, for example in the region of 150km.
  • the ballast is preferably to include some level of ballast prior to reaching the deployment site, for example to provide stability or a desired draught during the transport phase.
  • platforms 18 Located between adjacent pairs of the enclosures 16 are openly accessible platforms 18 which preferably fully span the space between the adjacent enclosures 16, and as a result also have a substantially wedge shaped footprint in the illustrated embodiment.
  • the platforms 18 are preferably positioned at or adjacent a lower end of the base 12 such as to define an externally accessible compartment framed by the platform 18 and opposed sidewalls of the adjacent enclosures 16, into which compartment solid ballast may be located following deployment of the support 10, again as will be detailed hereinafter.
  • An outer wall 20 extends between and connects the adjacent enclosures 16 in order to provide a barrier to retain ballast located into the compartment, but no upper wall or roof is present, thereby allowing access to the compartments from above, permitting ballast to be introduced as required, and preferably only once the support 10 has been located at the intended deployment site.
  • the outer wall 20 is preferably cast as part of the base 12 but could be formed from a separate component suitably secured in place. Such an arrangement could allow the wall 20 to be temporarily removed should it be necessary to remove ballast located in the compartment, for example were it necessary to decommission the support 10 or transport to an alternative deployment site.
  • the foremost wall 20 in Figure 1 is illustrated as being transparent for illustrative purposes only.
  • the enclosures 16 and platforms 18 are preferably arranged in a circular array around the central axis AA, and are arranged to provide an equal weight distribution about the axis AA such that the support 10 will tend to adopt a substantially upright or vertical orientation in the absence of destabilising external forces.
  • the support 10 utilises a combination of buoyancy, along with static and active ballast, in order to maintain stability in use and under harsh environmental conditions.
  • upright and vertical are intended to mean that the support is oriented with the central axis AA extending substantially vertically, with the tower riser coupling 14 projecting upwardly from the base 12.
  • the support 10 is designed such that the plurality of enclosures 16 provide sufficient buoyancy to allow the base 12 to be fully submerged a relatively short distance below the surface of the body of water, but buoyant at the desired depth such as to effectively have a neutral buoyancy, with the tower riser coupling 14 then projecting above the surface of the water.
  • the support 10 can therefore be said to be floating, but beneath the surface of the body of water.
  • the tower riser coupling 14 may be dimensioned to project the necessary height above the surface of the water for the particular application, for example to carry a wind turbine at a suitable height above the water to ensure proper operation and blade clearance above the water.
  • the tower riser coupling 14 is provided as a foundation for a full height hollow steel tower structure (not shown), and is dimensioned accordingly.
  • the floating support 10 is designed such that on deployment the base 12 is submerged to a level where an upper surface of the base 12 is located approximately 30m to 50m below the surface of the water, and in the case of an offshore installation at that depth below the mean sea level. It will be appreciated that this depth may be varied as required by the application.
  • the enclosures 16 are also designed to retain a displaceable or active ballast therein, for example water or the like, whereby the amount of ballast within each of the enclosures 16 may be actively varied on site, and preferably automatically as described hereinafter.. This allows the distribution of ballast about the central axis AA of the support 10 to be varied in order to improve stability and/or correct the orientation of the support 10 in real time.
  • the support 10 comprises a ballast distribution system 22 which is operable to add or remove active ballast, preferably seawater, from one or more of the enclosures 16.
  • the ballast distribution system 22 may include any suitable hardware to achieve the displacement of ballast, for example one or more pumps (not shown) associated with each enclosure 16 and which may be arranged to pump surrounding seawater into the enclosures 16 or out of the enclosures 16 into the surrounding water. Additionally or alternatively the ballast distribution system may be operable to displace ballast from one enclosure 16 directly into another enclosure 16, for example transferring ballast from one side of the base 12 to the other in order to counteract a vertical offset of the support 10 arising from external forces acting on the support 10.
  • the ballast distribution system 22 comprises a conduit 24 extending from a manifold (not shown) located internally of the tower riser coupling 14 and into a respective enclosure 16, via which water can be pumped into or out of the enclosure.
  • the manifold facilitates selective fluid communication between the enclosures 16 allowing ballast water to be pumped between enclosures 16 as required in order to maintain the stability of the support 10.
  • Any suitable power source may be employed for the ballast distribution system 22, for example solar power, a wind turbine if deployed on the support 10, or any other suitable alternative.
  • the ballast distribution system may comprise one or more batteries (not shown) which may be charged from a wind turbine if present, or from onshore power connected to the support 10 through any suitable means.
  • Power transmission cables may be extended between an onshore station and the support 10, particularly where the support 10 is carrying a wind turbine in order to allow the power to be transmitted ashore.
  • the ballast distribution system 22 thus additionally comprise a control unit (not shown) and one or more sensors (not shown) distributed about the support 10, in order to be capable of monitoring various parameters and enabling feedback control in managing the distribution of the ballast around the enclosures 16.
  • the one or more sensors may include a tilt sensor, wind anemometer, wave height sensor, water/tidal current sensor, etc.
  • the control unit may also comprise a receiver operable to receive externally transmitted data regarding local environmental conditions, which data may for example be obtained by satellite transmission or any other suitable means.
  • the control unit can thus have access to real time environmental data, for example to provide advance warning of a storm surge or the like, and which may allow the support 10 to prepare for such conditions through ballast distribution. Data from one or more of the above sensors can therefore be used to provide feedback control to the ballast distribution system, allowing ballast to be distributed about the enclosures 16 to provide counterbalance and enhanced stability.
  • the base 12 and tower riser coupling 14 are preferably cast in concrete as a single monolithic structure, although it is also envisaged that the base 12 and tower riser coupling 14 could be fabricated as separate items and subsequently joined by any suitable means.
  • fabricating the support 10 as a single cast concrete structure many benefits can be achieved. Construction of the support 10 can be undertaken closer to the intended deployment site, as fabrication of the support 10 does not require deep port infrastructure.
  • the support 10 can be manufactured from readily available reinforced concrete and does not require a specialized or dedicated manufacturing site.
  • the support 10 can be manufactured in local dry dock facilities, creating a sustainable structure that supports local employment and avoids excess marine transportation and construction activities.
  • the use of concrete significantly reduces maintenance requirements as a result of the durability of the material, avoiding the requirement for periodic painting or the use of anti corrosion devices such as anode/cathode based systems.
  • the support 10 By initially omitting ballast from within the enclosures 16 and in the enclosures defined by the platforms 18, combined with the relatively wide base 12, the support 10 has a significantly reduced draft when transporting from a dry dock or other manufacturing centre, and does not therefore require deep water ports, further increasing the number of sites suitable to support construction. In an exemplary embodiment a draft of approximately 5m to 10m is sufficient. The above benefits will therefore significantly reduce manufacturing and transportation costs.
  • the floating support 10 is preferably manufactured as close as practicable to the intended deployment site, and most preferably in a dry dock. Once manufacture is complete the dry dock is flooded and the support 10 will be buoyant and floated to a quayside or the like, where a full height tower structure (not shown) can be suitable secured to the tower riser coupling 14, preferably utilising a plug and socket type connection in which a hollow cylindrical steel or concrete tower structure is lowered over the tower riser coupling 14 and secured thereto.
  • This construction technique avoids the requirement for any subsurface works to be carried out in securing the full height tower structure to the tower rise 14, significantly reducing the complexity of the operation.
  • a wind turbine (not shown) or other hardware can be added as appropriate to the tower structure (not shown) once secured to the tower riser coupling 14. While the tower riser coupling 14 could be cast to define the full height tower structure this would add to the cost and complexity of the manufacturing and initial transport process
  • the support 10 is then transported to the deployment site, preferably by floating the support 10 and using one or more transport vessels to tow the support 10 to the deployment site. Once at the deployment site ballast can be introduced to the base 12 in order to achieve the appropriate submersion of the base 12 for the application in question.
  • the support 10 is also preferably moored to the seabed or other suitable anchor (not shown), for example via a number of chains 28 secured to the underside of the base 12. It will be appreciated that the chains 28 or other mooring hardware may be secured to any other suitable location about the support 10, and may be of any other suitable configuration.
  • the support 10 utilises three type of ballast, which can be classified as permanent ballast derived from the weight of the base 12 and tower riser coupling 14, solid ballast B in the form of suitable material placed on the platforms 18, and active ballast derived from the water or other displaceable material selectively locatable within the enclosures 16 by the ballast distribution system.
  • These ballasts combined with the buoyancy established by the sealed enclosures 16, allow the support 10 to be positioned at the required submersion and attitude within the water at the deployment site, and to actively manage the stability and there improved performance of the support 10.
  • the enclosures defined by the platforms 18 allow the relatively easy and accurate placement of ballast therein in order to avoid damage to the support 10.
  • This ballast B may be brought to the deployment site with the towing vessel (not shown), and lowered into position therefrom by any suitable means, for example one or more cranes. Once the solid ballast has been added to the requisite level the support 10 is fully deployed, and the active ballast distribution system can then be activated in order to maintain the orientation and stability of the support 10.
  • the plurality of discrete and isolated enclosures 16 also provide redundancy to the support 10 in the event of damage to one of the enclosures 16. Thus the enclosures 16 effectively act as baffle walls to prevent loss of buoyancy should there be a leak in one of the enclosures 16.
  • a current deflection system is integrated into the support 10 in the form of chamfered or otherwise profiled edges 30 on the exterior circumferential edges of the base 12, in particular the upper and lower edges of each enclosure 16 and platform 18.
  • the chamfered edges 30 improve streamlining of the base 12 in order to reduce drag and turbulence, which will also serve to reduce vibrations and reduce tension on the mooring chains 28. Reduced turbulence and vibration on the support 10 will also assist with the deterioration of the turbine blades, thus reducing operation and maintenance costs.
  • the support 10 preferably additionally comprises a wave deflection system 32 comprising at least one deflection plate or vane 32 which is provided on the tower riser coupling 14 and projecting radially outward therefrom.
  • the deflection vane 32 preferably fully circumscribes the tower riser coupling 14 in order to provide wave deflection from all directions.
  • the defection system 32 is particularly beneficial when the tower riser coupling 14 is carrying a wind turbine (not shown) or the like as it will act to deflect waves which might otherwise impact the blades of the turbine and negatively effect the performance thereof, in addition to reducing repairs and maintenance costs and time.
  • the offshore floating support 10 in which the base 12 which, although preferably cylindrical in shape, may be of any other suitable shape, and the number, shape and configuration of the enclosures and platforms may be varied.
  • FIG. 7 there is illustrated an alternative embodiment of an offshore floating support according to the present invention, generally indicated as 110.
  • like components have been accorded like reference numerals and unless otherwise stated perform a like function.
  • the offshore floating support 110 comprises a base 112 and a tower riser coupling 114 each of which function in substantially the same manner as described with reference to the support 10.
  • the base 112 comprises four cylindrical enclosures 116 equally spaced or positioned about a central vertical axis of the support 110, the base 112 further comprising a platform 118 about a lower end of the enclosures 116 and connecting same together.
  • the platform 118 and enclosures 116 may be formed integrally with one another, and for example may be formed as a monolithic concrete casting, although any other suitable construction may be employed.
  • An outer wall 120 extends between adjacent enclosures 116 such as to define a single uninterrupted and externally accessible compartment framed by the platform 118, sidewalls of the adjacent enclosures 116, and outer wall 120. As described above the outer wall 120 extends between and connects the adjacent enclosures 116 in order to provide a barrier to retain ballast located into the compartment, but no upper wall or roof is present, thereby allowing access to the compartments from above, permitting ballast to be introduced as required, and preferably only once the support 110 has been located at the intended deployment site.
  • the outer wall 120 is again preferably cast as part of the base 112 but could be formed from a separate component.
  • the open compartment defined by the platform 118 and outer walls 120 is a single uninterrupted space but could be divided in order to define a number of discrete zones into which ballast can be located.
  • the tower riser coupling 114 comprises a centrally located pad 140 secured in position by an array of beams 142, one extending to an upper end of each enclosure 116.
  • the tower riser coupling 114 may be integrally formed with the base 112, and may for example be formed as a monolithic concrete casting although any other suitable constructions may be employed.
  • the pad 140 and/or beams 142 may comprise a material such as steel or the like.
  • the pad 140 provides a base or platform onto which a conventional wind turbine tower (not shown) or the like can be secured by suitable means, either at the quay or other shore based location, or alternatively once the offshore floating support 110 is located on site and suitably ballasted such as to provide a stable foundation.
  • the offshore floating support 110 preferably comprises a ballast distribution system (not shown) whereby active ballast such as water may be contained within one or more of the enclosures 116, and may be actively displaced between the enclosures 116 as hereinbefore described.
  • active ballast such as water
  • the support 110 again utilises three types of ballast, permanent ballast derived from the weight of the base 112 and tower riser coupling 114, solid ballast placed on the platforms 118, and active ballast derived from the water or other displaceable material selectively locatable within the enclosures 116 by the ballast distribution system.
  • ballasts combined with the buoyancy established by the sealed enclosures 116, allow the support 110 to be positioned at the required submersion and attitude within the water at the deployment site, and to actively manage the stability and there improved performance of the support 110.
  • FIG. 8 there is illustrated a modification to the offshore floating support 110 comprising the base 112 and a tower riser coupling 114a which includes a pad 140a which extends continuously down to the platform 118, and which again provides an upper face onto which a wind turbine tower (not shown) or the like can be suitably secured.
  • FIG. 9 there is illustrated a further alternative embodiment of an offshore floating support according to the present invention, generally indicated as 210.
  • like components have been accorded like reference numerals and unless otherwise stated perform a like function.
  • the offshore floating support 210 comprises a base 212 and a tower riser coupling 214 each of which function in substantially the same as described with reference to the support 110.
  • the base 212 comprises three cylindrical enclosures 216 arranged in a triangular array.
  • the base 212 additionally comprises a platform 218 about a lower end of the enclosures 216.
  • An outer wall 220 extends between adjacent enclosures 216 such as to define a single uninterrupted and externally accessible compartment framed by the platform 218, sidewalls of the adjacent enclosures 216, and the outer walls 220. As described above each section of the outer wall 220 extends between and connects the adjacent enclosures 216 in order to provide a barrier to retain ballast located into the compartment.
  • the outer walls 220 are again preferably cast as part of the base 212 but could be formed from a separate component.
  • the open compartment defined by the platform 218 and outer walls 220 is a single uninterrupted space but could be divided in order to define a number of discrete zones into which ballast can be located.
  • FIG 10 there is illustrated a modification to the offshore floating support 210 comprising the base 212 and a tower riser coupling 214a which includes a pad 240a which extends continuously down to the platform 218, and which again provides an upper face onto which a wind turbine tower (not shown) or the like can be suitably secured.
  • the offshore floating support 210 preferably comprises a ballast distribution system (not shown) whereby active ballast such as water may be contained within one or more of the enclosures 216, and may be actively displaced between the enclosures 216 as hereinbefore described.
  • active ballast such as water
  • the offshore floating supports 110 and 210 as illustrated in Figure 7 to 10 may additionally include wave and/or current deflection systems (not shown), mooring hardware (not shown), and a control unit (not shown) and one or more sensors (not shown) distributed about the support 110; 210 in order to be capable of monitoring various parameters and enabling feedback control of the ballast distribution system.
  • sensors may again include a tilt sensor, wind anemometer, wave height sensor, water/tidal current sensor, etc.
  • the support 10; 110; 210 of the present invention is therefore of relatively low complexity and cost to manufacture, yet provides an advanced means of actively monitoring and maintaining stability by actively managing the distribution of ballast.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
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  • Sustainable Development (AREA)
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Abstract

La présente invention concerne un support flottant en mer, en particulier un support comprenant une base en béton submersible à partir de laquelle s'étend une colonne montante de tour couplée pour supporter une tour d'éolienne ou similaire, la base comprenant deux enceintes indépendantes ou plus conçues pour fournir une flottabilité au support, lorsque la base est immergée, et au moins une plateforme accessible à l'extérieur située entre les enceintes et conçue pour recevoir et retenir le ballast sur celle-ci.
PCT/EP2021/087241 2020-12-22 2021-12-22 Support flottant en mer WO2022136524A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB2020353.5 2020-12-22
GB2020353.5A GB2602284A (en) 2020-12-22 2020-12-22 An offshore floating support

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WO2022136524A1 true WO2022136524A1 (fr) 2022-06-30

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Citations (5)

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CN106759430A (zh) * 2016-11-15 2017-05-31 天津大学 一种三个筒型基础与混凝土支撑结构的风电整机施工方法
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