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JP-2026514523-A - A floating platform for wind power generation equipment, especially in the ocean, with improved stability.

JP2026514523AJP 2026514523 AJP2026514523 AJP 2026514523AJP-2026514523-A

Abstract

The present invention relates to a floating platform (2), particularly a platform (2) for a wind turbine, in which stability can be improved by the arrangement of fixing tendons (17, 18). The present invention also relates to a method for assembling such a platform with a wind turbine, and a method for fixing the platform to the sea. [Selection Diagram] Figure 1

Inventors

  • デュラン フィリップ
  • デュラン ステファニー

Assignees

  • コフラテルム

Dates

Publication Date
20260511
Application Date
20240426
Priority Date
20230428

Claims (16)

  1. A floating platform (2) configured to support equipment (3) and organized around a substantially vertical main axis (X1), particularly an offshore floating platform, includes a floating body (8), a plurality of tendons (17, 18), mounting means (22) for holding the upper end of each tendon to the floating body, and anchoring means (6) for fixing the lower end of each tendon to the seabed (4), The plurality of tendons include at least three vertically positioned first type tendons (17) and at least three diagonally positioned second type tendons (18) between the mounting means and the anchoring means. A platform characterized in that the first and second types of the plurality of tendons are arranged alternately around the main shaft (X1), and in the operating position, the floating body (8) is immersed and held at a water level (HS) below the mean water level (S), and at least the vertically arranged tendons (17) are held under tension.
  2. The platform according to claim 1, characterized in that all of the diagonally arranged tendons (18) form the same angle (A18) with respect to the main axis (X1), preferably exceeding 5 degrees.
  3. The platform according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the diagonally positioned tendons are preferably cylindrical rigid rods.
  4. The platform according to claim 3, characterized in that each end of the plurality of tendons (17, 18) is connected to the mounting means or the anchoring means by ball joint means.
  5. The platform according to any one of claims 3 and 4, characterized in that the mounting means (22) is configured to transmit only tensile stress to the upper end of the diagonally positioned tendon (18).
  6. The platform according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the diagonally positioned tendons (18) are formed from strands (118) of a continuous cable (101) that are pulled between a pulley (102) supported by the floating body (8) and a pulley (102) supported by an individual anchor of the anchoring means (6).
  7. The platform according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the floating body (8) is a rotating body centered on the main axis, and preferably is annular in shape.
  8. Furthermore, the platform according to any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising a raised section (9) and a base section (10) for the equipment, wherein the base section is positioned on the raised section, the raised section extends upward from the floating body (8), and the platform is configured such that, at the point of use, there is an air draft (HA) below the base section.
  9. The platform according to claim 8, characterized by including a structure having means for wave and wind permeability (31, 32), preferably a truss structure, and more preferably a structure having columns (31) and substantially horizontal bars (32) connecting the columns.
  10. Furthermore, the platform according to any one of claims 1 to 9 is characterized by including an inflatable buoy means (46) capable of ensuring the buoyancy of the platform when the floating body (8) is completely filled with ballast.
  11. An assembly (1) comprising a platform (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, and equipment (3) supported by the platform.
  12. The assembly according to claim 11, comprising the platform described in claim 8, wherein the equipment (3) includes a base (41) that, together with the foundation (10) of the platform, forms a rotational support means.
  13. The assembly according to claim 12, comprising counterweight means (42, 43) extending downward from the base (41) through the platform (2), wherein the counterweight means preferably comprises a rod (42) extending downward from the base and a weight (43) fixed to the lower end of the rod, and the base includes an axial passage (37) for the rod.
  14. The assembly according to any one of claims 12 and 13, characterized in that the equipment is a wind power generation device (3) equipped with a propeller (13) having a rotating shaft (X13), and the rotational support means has its center of rotation substantially on the rotating shaft (X13).
  15. In the platform assembly method described in claim 9, - Make the quay available for use; - Multiple assembly work areas (P1-P5) are arranged along the aforementioned quay; - Make floodable barges available; - To manufacture the floating body (8), barges are placed in one or more workshops (P1-P2); then, - To attach the raised section (9) and the base section (10), the barge is placed in one or more work areas (P3); then, - To attach the equipment to the platform, the barge is positioned in one or more work areas (P4); then, - Place the barge in another workspace (P5); then, - Add ballast to the barge until the buoyancy of the assembled assembly is guaranteed by the floating body alone. A method for assembling a platform according to claim 9, characterized by including the following:
  16. A method for mooring an assembly (1) according to any one of claims 12 to 14, which includes a platform (2) according to claim 10, - The step of positioning the anchor means (6) at a desired position according to the template; - The step of fixing the tendons (17, 18) to the anchor means, - The step of guiding the assembly to the desired position by buoyancy; - The step of inflating the buoy means (46); - The step of adding ballast to the floating body until it is fully submerged; - The step of fixing the upper end of the tendon to the float; - The step of removing the ballast from the floating body, - The step of deflating the buoy means, A method characterized by including the following.

Description

This invention relates to the field of marine platforms, particularly platforms that serve as supports for offshore wind power generation equipment. In particular, the platforms that support offshore wind turbines must be as stable as possible to ensure electrical energy production even under conditions of high waves or strong winds, within the operating limits set by the manufacturer. In fact, the system automatically shuts down power generation when wind speeds exceed a certain level, such as 80 kilometers per hour. Furthermore, a more stable platform makes access to the wind turbines easier; therefore, maintenance costs for the wind turbines decrease. This reduces the stress on the wind turbines, decreasing the need for maintenance and wear, extending their lifespan, and thus increasing productivity. This is a schematic elevation view showing an assembly including a wind turbine mounted on a floating platform according to the present invention.Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing a seabed floating structure for the platform and a first deployment mode for the tendon.This is a schematic diagram showing the floating structure for the platform in Figure 1 and a second configuration mode for the tendon.Figure 1 is a schematic partial cross-sectional elevation perspective view of the platform.Figure 1 is a schematic elevation perspective view showing the floating platform.This is a schematic elevation perspective view showing the rotating support structure for the platform in Figure 1.Figure 1 is a schematic elevation perspective view showing the assembly method and assembly work area on the quay for the assembly.This is a schematic elevation view showing the steps involved in deploying the assembly shown in Figure 1 into the ocean.Figure 1 shows a submarine floating structure for the platform and a second embodiment for the tendons, which are schematic diagrams showing how these tendons are formed from a pulley system. In this description of the present invention, terms such as “upper,” “lower,” “upper,” “downward,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” and other similar terms are used as appropriate, but these generally refer to the illustrated positions. Figure 1 shows an offshore wind power generation assembly 1. This assembly is substantially symmetrical with respect to a vertical main axis X1 and, in particular, includes a floating platform 2 and a wind turbine 3. The wind turbine is installed on the platform 2. The platform is anchored to the seabed 4 by anchors 6. The platform includes an annular floating body 8 centered on a main axis X1; in the usage position shown in Figure 1, this floating body is immersed and held below an immersion water level HS, measured from the top surface of the floating body to the mean water level NS of the water surface S. The platform also includes a riser 9 attached to the floating body, which extends to a water level H9 above the immersion water level HS, so that the platform reaches an air draft HA = H9 - HS above the mean water level NS. The immersion water level HS is selected so that the stress on the riser is barely or undetectable by the floating body. Generally, the immersion water level is selected between 8 and 15 meters, depending on the platform's installation location. This float is sealed. The buoyancy volume of the float is calculated to determine a thrust according to Archimedes' principle such that it exceeds the sum of the total weight of assembly 1 and the force the assembly could experience under the strongest foreseeable storm conditions. The platform further includes a base 10 attached to the top of the raised section 9, which is for mounting equipment. In the illustrated embodiment, the equipment supported by the platform is a wind turbine 3. The wind turbine includes a cylindrical, hollow mast 11 extending upward from the base 10, a nacelle 12 positioned on top of the mast 11, and a three-bladed propeller 13 fixed to the nacelle 12. The propeller 13 moves about a substantially horizontal propeller rotation axis X13. The water depth H4 above the seabed 4 beneath the floating body 8 can exceed 70 meters. The platform includes a mooring system 16 for securing it to anchor 6. This system includes eight tendons 17, 18, four of which are vertical tendons 17 and four are diagonal tendons 18. The tendons used in the embodiments shown in Figures 1 and 4 are nearly rigid metal tubes, and their length is adapted to the irregularities of the seabed 4. The resulting length difference is small with respect to the water depth H4 and can be ignored, thus having little effect on the operation of the mooring system. The diameter of the tube is determined by the mechanical properties of the tube, which allow the tube to remain at its yield point under maximum stress. In the embodiments, these tubes have a diameter of 800 mm and a thickness of 30 mm. In the embodiment shown in Figure 9, the angled tendon 18 is formed from a continuous cable connected to the anchor 6 and the