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EP-4741574-A2 - MULTI-USE FULLY RESTRAINED PLATFORMS

EP4741574A2EP 4741574 A2EP4741574 A2EP 4741574A2EP-4741574-A2

Abstract

A multi-use fully restrained platform system for offshore marine applications includes a monopile foundation, an interface piece mounted atop the monopile, and a deck structure coupled to the interface piece. The interface piece provides a standardized connection mechanism that enables various payload configurations to be mounted on the same foundational infrastructure, including wind turbines, oil and gas extraction equipment, hydrogen production facilities, offshore charging stations, electrical substations, offshore datacenters, and marine infrastructure such as bridges. The interface piece includes multiple receptacles configured to receive mounting columns from the deck structure, with the receptacles arranged to accommodate different deck geometries and payload requirements.

Inventors

  • LEE, LI
  • EIDE, Bjornar
  • HØVIK, Jon
  • JOHNSEN, ERIK
  • FERTIG, Tomas
  • JOHNSEN, Eivind

Assignees

  • Entrion Wind, Inc.

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20251112

Claims (15)

  1. A fully restrained platform (100) for ocean deployment comprising: a monopile (108) configured to be driven into an ocean floor (112) and extending vertically through a waterline (110); an interface piece (106) mounted atop the monopile (108), the interface piece including a first plurality of interface receptacles (204); a deck structure (104) coupled to the interface piece (106), the deck structure (104) including a second plurality of mounting columns (206) configured to align with and engage the interface receptacles (204) of the interface piece (106); and a payload (102) mounted on the deck structure (104).
  2. The fully restrained platform of claim 1, wherein the interface piece (106) includes a truss portion (306) and a cap portion (308), the cap portion (308) to mate over a top portion of the monopile (108).
  3. The fully restrained platform of claim 2, wherein the top portion of the monopile (108) is tapered to increase friction with regards to the cap (308) of the interface piece (106) when assembled.
  4. The fully restrained platform of any of claims 1-3, wherein: the monopile (108) has a top portion including a cavity; the interface piece (106) includes a lower portion to mate within the cavity; and walls of the cavity are arranged at an angle and/or tapered to increase friction between the monopile (108) and the interface piece (106) when assembled.
  5. The fully restrained platform of any of claims 1-4, wherein a number of the first plurality of interface receptacles (204) of the interface piece (106) is greater than or equal to a number of the second plurality of mounting columns (206) of the deck structure (104).
  6. The fully restrained platform of any of claims 1-5, wherein a number of the second plurality of mounting columns (206) of the deck structure (104) is greater than or equal to a number of the plurality of interface receptacles (204) of the interface piece (106).
  7. The fully restrained platform of any of claims 1-6, wherein the interface piece (106) is secured to the monopile (108) via grouting (702).
  8. The fully restrained platform of any of claims 1-7, wherein the interface piece (106) is secured to the monopile (108) via one or more locking mechanisms (602).
  9. The fully restrained platform of any of claims 1-8, wherein the monopile (108) includes at least one top mooring assembly (1002; 1102) incorporating a hydraulic damper (1002; 1102), the at least one top mooring assembly (1002; 1102) coupled to an anchor pile (1004) via a mooring line (1006; 1104).
  10. A fully restrained platform (100) for ocean deployment comprising: a monopile (108) driven into a seabed floor (112) and extending vertically upward past a waterline (110); an interface piece (106) including a cap (308) mounted over a top portion of the monopile (108), the interface piece (106) including a first plurality of interface receptacles (204); and a deck structure (104) including a second plurality of mounting columns (206) coupled to corresponding one of the first plurality of the interface receptacles (204) of the interface piece (106).
  11. The fully restrained platform of claim 10, wherein the monopile (108) includes an open truss structure (1402) that extends from below the waterline (110) to above the waterline (110).
  12. The fully restrained platform of claims 10 or 11, further comprising: a support collar (1208) mounted around the monopile (108); and one or more braces (1204) extending between the deck structure (140) and the support collar (1208) to provide additional structural stiffness and load transfer capabilities between the deck structure (104) and the monopile (108).
  13. The fully restrained platform of any of claims 10-12, further comprising a payload (102; 1302) mounted on the deck structure (104).
  14. The fully restrained platform of any of claims 10-13, wherein the monopile (108) includes a moonpool (210).
  15. The fully restrained platform of any of claims 10-14, wherein at least a portion of a wall of the monopile (108) is reinforced with at least one of string stiffeners (1702) or ring stiffeners (1704).

Description

Cross-reference to related applications This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/719,237 filed on November 12, 2024 and entitled "MULTI-USE FULLY RESTRAINED PLATFORMS," which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Background Offshore platforms serve as foundations for various marine operations, including energy production, resource extraction, and infrastructure support. These structures must withstand harsh environmental conditions while providing stable working surfaces for equipment and personnel. Traditional offshore platform designs have evolved to address the challenges of operating in marine environments where wind, waves, and currents create dynamic loading conditions that can affect structural integrity and operational performance. As offshore operations expand into deeper waters and more challenging environments, there is a growing need for platform designs that can accommodate various payload types while maintaining structural efficiency and cost-effectiveness. The ability to support different operational requirements, from energy production to marine infrastructure, presents opportunities for more versatile platform configurations that can adapt to changing operational needs throughout their service life. Convectional offshore platform designs often require custom engineering and fabrication for specific applications, leading to increased costs and extended development timelines. Summary of the invention In an aspect, the invention relates to a fully restrained platform for ocean deployment. The fully restrained platform comprises a monopile configured to be driven into an ocean floor and extending vertically through a waterline, and an interface piece mounted atop the monopile, the interface piece including a first plurality of interface receptacles. The platform comprises a deck structure coupled to the interface piece, the deck structure including a second plurality of mounting columns configured to align with and engage the interface receptacles of the interface piece. A payload may preferably be mounted on the deck structure. The interface piece may in various embodiments provide a standardized connection mechanism that enables various payload configurations to be mounted on the same foundational infrastructure, including, for example, wind turbines, oil and gas extraction equipment, hydrogen production facilities, offshore charging stations, electrical substations, offshore datacenters, and marine infrastructure such as bridges. The interface piece includes multiple receptacles configured to receive mounting columns from the deck structure, with the receptacles for example advantageously arranged to accommodate different deck geometries and payload requirements. The fully restrained platform may be a system of the monopile, interface piece and deck structure, configured to be installed as described in the ocean floor. The fully restrained platform may alternatively be a platform fully or partly installed in the ocean floor, comprising the monopile, interface piece and deck structure as described. The interface piece may include a truss portion and a cap portion, the cap portion to mate over a top portion of the monopile. The top portion of the monopile may preferably be tapered to increase friction with regards to the cap of the interface piece when assembled. The monopile may have a top portion including a cavity, and the interface piece may include a lower portion to mate within the cavity. Walls of the cavity may be arranged at an angle and/or tapered to increase friction between the monopile and the interface piece when assembled. The monopile may in various embodiments further include a moonpool, and/or at least a portion of a wall of the monopile may be reinforced with at least one of string stiffeners or ring stiffeners. The fully restrained platform may further comprise a tuned mass damper mounted on the monopile above the waterline. In a configuration, the tuned mass damper for example comprises a sloshing tank partially filled with liquid, the liquid configured to move within the sloshing tank in response to environmental loads impacting the fully restrained platform. A number of the first plurality of interface receptacles of the interface piece may be greater than or equal to a number of the second plurality of mounting columns of the deck structure. Alternatively, a number of the second plurality of mounting columns of the deck structure may be greater than or equal to a number of the plurality of interface receptacles of the interface piece. The interface piece, in any of the above configurations, may, for example, be secured to the monopile via grouting, and/or via one or more locking mechanisms. In the various configurations, the monopile may include at least one top mooring assembly incorporating a hydraulic damper, the at least one top mooring assembly coupled to an anchor pile via a mooring line. The fully restrained platform