Key information

Title
A FLOATING PLATFORM FOR WIND TURBINE UNITS AND A METHOD FOR ASSEMBLYING THE PLATFORM
Application number
20230217
Case type
National
Status
02.12.2024 Patent meddelt (B1)
Filed
03.03.2023
Effective date
03.03.2023
Publicly available
04.09.2024
Next annual fee due
31.03.2027
Applicant
IDS INVEST AS (NO)
Owner
IDS INVEST AS (NO)
Inventor
Jan Vatsvåg (NO)
Agent
HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS (NO)
Granted
02.12.2024
Patent number
348353
Expiry date
03.03.2043

Abstract and drawing

Disclaimer: This text has been machine-scanned and may contain errors – please refer to "Publications" for legally binding content.
A floating and semi-submersible platform for wind turbine units where: - the platform comprises a front structure, a rear structure, and two mid-structures; - the front structure, the rear structure and the two mid-structures each comprises a plurality of rigid elongated members connected to form a polygon; - two corners of the front structure is each connected to a first corner in the midstructures; - two corners of the rear structure is each connected to a second corner in the midstructures; - the connected corners form a corner column; - the two mid-structures comprise a tower base in a distal end from the first corner and the second corner; - the rear structure comprises a rear stabilizing tower in the end corner from the two connected corners; and - the front structure comprises a front stabilizing tower in the end corner from the two connected corners. A method for assembling the platform is described as well.

Publications

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Documents

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Date
 Date Doc. No. Process Case number In/Out Journal description To/from
 02.02.2025 10-01 Saksbehandling 20230217(348353) UT PT Varsel om betaling av første årsavgift (3317) (PT20230217) HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 06.12.2024 09-01 Saksbehandling 20230217(348353) UT PT Registreringsbrev nasjonal patent (15) (PT20230217)
16.09.2024 08-01 Saksbehandling 20230217 UT PT Meddelelse om patent HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 11.09.2024 07-05 Saksbehandling 20230217 INN P30757NO00 Svar_Patentstyrets_uttalelse HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 11.09.2024 07-04 Saksbehandling 20230217 INN P30757NO00 Oversatte krav HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 11.09.2024 07-03 Saksbehandling 20230217 INN P30757NO00 Description_and_claims HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 11.09.2024 07-02 Saksbehandling 20230217 INN P30757NO00 Description_and_claims (mark-up) HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 11.09.2024 07-01 Saksbehandling 20230217 INN Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn) HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 02.07.2024 06-01 Saksbehandling 20230217 UT PT Bekreftelse på fristutsettelse HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 19.02.2024 05-01 Saksbehandling 20230217 UT 20230217_1817116_PT 08 HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 20.12.2023 04-06 Saksbehandling 20230217 INN P30757NO00_Svar_Patentstyrets_uttalelse_Dec_20,_2023_ HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 20.12.2023 04-05 Saksbehandling 20230217 INN P30757NO00 Figures prepared for publication HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 20.12.2023 04-04 Saksbehandling 20230217 INN P30757NO00 Figures mark-up HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 20.12.2023 04-03 Saksbehandling 20230217 INN P30757NO00 Description_and_claims_ mark-up HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 20.12.2023 04-02 Saksbehandling 20230217 INN P30757NO00 Description_and_claims_ clean HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 20.12.2023 04-01 Saksbehandling 20230217 INN Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn) HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 30.06.2023 03-02 Saksbehandling 20230217 UT PT report 11:31:39
30.06.2023 03-01 Saksbehandling 20230217 UT 20230217_1728800_PT 08 HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 07.03.2023 02-01 Saksbehandling 20230217 UT Informasjon til oppfinner Jan Vatsvåg
 03.03.2023 01-04 Saksbehandling 20230217 INN P30757NO00 Signert generalfullmakt HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 03.03.2023 01-03 Saksbehandling 20230217 INN P30757NO00 Figures HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 03.03.2023 01-02 Saksbehandling 20230217 INN P30757NO00 Description_and_claims_Priority founding HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 03.03.2023 01-01 Saksbehandling 20230217 INN Søknadsskjema Patent HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS

Description, claims and drawings

Disclaimer: This text has been machine-scanned and may contain errors – please refer to "Publications" for legally binding content. Description
A FLOATING PLATFORM FOR WIND TURBINE UNITS AND A METHOD FOR ASSEMBLYING THE PLATFORMThe present invention is related to a semi-submersible floating platform for wind turbine units and a method for assembling the platform for wind turbine units.The technology of windfarms has evolved from smaller onshore windfarms which has been present for several decades, to inshore bottom fixed windfarm units. These require shallow water depths, typically between 10 and 50 meters to allow for cost efficient support structures. The recent energy situation worldwide and in Europe in particular, have boosted the demand for offshore wind. Available coastal areas for large bottom fixed windfarms are limited and the public opinion to install windfarms in these locations is challenging, as are the environmental impact on the coastal areas.Therefore, new development of large-scale windfarms must be positioned further away from the coast, into deeper waters where new large areas for windfarms can be made available. At these locations the water depth normally excludes bottom-fixed units. The environmental conditions at these locations are severe, requiring large robust floating support structures.Larger diameter wind turbines are developed comprising a single support structure. Windfarms comprising multiple single floating wind turbines require a spacing between the wind turbines to be up to 7D between the turbines, where D is the diameter of the rotor blades of one wind turbine. This limits the number of large diameter wind turbines that can be placed within a defined area. Document US2020339230 discloses a floating wind power platform with a triangular form with two wind turbine units. To reduce the size of the platform, the wind turbine towers are tilted to provide sufficient distance between the rotors. A disadvantage is that when the size of the wind turbine units exceeds 10MW, the peripheral structure of the platform becomes very long and it becomes challenging to assemble the platform. The wind turbine units are placed in the rear portion of the platform. The elements within the platform that provides stability during high wind and high waves need to be large to avoid the platform from tilting to far causing the energy production to be inefficient.Document WO2013040871 discloses a semi-submersible floating platform that includes at least three hollow cylindrical concrete floating tubes. The tubes are interconnected by a transverse frame structure, forming a polygonal structure. Each tube there is equipped a wind turbine.Document US2020317309 discloses a platform for a semi-submersible floating type offshore structure. The platform has an arrangement structure in which a plurality of pontoons are combined to form a plurality of polygonal shapes.Document WO2021219787 discloses a moored floating offshore wind semi-submersible platform with at least three columns. These columns are supported by a T-shaped underwater hull. The document also discloses a method where the platform is constructed in hull assemblies at a first location and then transported to a second location for assembly. Document WO2013074027 discloses a frame for mounting two wind turbines. This frame comprises beams and wires and is adapted to be connected to a fundament.Document US2019367136 discloses a floating device for supporting an offshore wind turbine. The floating device comprises a central floating pillar equipped with a wind turbine. The central floating pillar is connected to at least three peripheral floaters.The invention has for its object to remedy or to reduce at least one of the drawbacks of the prior art, or at least provide a useful alternative to prior art. The object is achieved through features, which are specified in the description below and in the claims that fol low. The invention is defined by the independent patent claims. The dependent claims define advantageous embodiments of the invention.In a first aspect the invention relates more particularly to a floating and semi-submersible platform for wind turbine units, wherein:- the platform comprises a front structure, a rear structure, and two mid-structures; - the front structure, the rear structure and the two mid-structures each comprises a plurality of rigid elongated members connected to form a polygon;- two corners of the front structure is each connected to a first corner in the midstructures;- two corners of the rear structure is each connected to a second corner in the midstructures;- the connected corners form a corner column;- the two mid-structures comprises a tower base in a distal end from the first corner and the second corner;- the rear structure comprises a rear stabilizing tower in a distal end from the two connected corners; and- the front structure comprises a front stabilizing tower in a distal end from the two connected corners.The platform is designed to be installed offshore where the depth is generally deeper than close to shore. The depth may be more than 50 meters. The depth may be more than 100 meters. The depth may be from 100 meters to 800 meters. The depth may be greater than 800 meters.The platform may comprise a wind turbine unit installed on each tower base where a wind turbine unit size may be 15 Megawatts or larger. The wind turbine unit may comprise a tower, a nacelle, and a wind turbine rotor wherein the wind turbine rotor comprises a plurality of turbine blades. The nacelle may be orientable. The tower base forms a tower base central axis where the tower base central axis may be vertical when the platform is floating in a body of water with an even keel. The tower base comprises a connecting portion for the rigid elongated member. The rigid elongated member may be welded to the connecting portion. The rigid elongated member may be bolted to the connecting portion. The rigid elongated member may be attached to the connecting portion by suitable means known in the art.The front structure, the rear structure and the two mid-structures each comprises a plurality of rigid elongated members connected to each form the polygon where the polygons may be a triangle, a tetragon, a pentagon, a hexagon or any other polygon form. The front structure, the rear structure and the two mid-structures may have an identical form or may have different polygon forms and sizes. The rigid elongated members may have a different form depending on a position within the platform.The corner columns connect the polygons to form the platform where the corner columns may each comprise a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion is connected to the second portion in a joint. The joint may comprise a first profile that mates with a complementary second profile. When seen in a plan view, the first profile and the second profile may each be a semicircle that form a circular corner column when connected. The first profile and the second profile may be any other profiles suitable for being connected to form the corner column. In an alternative embodiment, the corner column may form a polygon when seen in the plan view.The joint may comprise a plurality of stiffening plates where a first part of the stiffening plate may be connected to the first portion of the corner column, and a second part of the stiffening plate may be connected to the second portion of the corner column. The stiffening plates may be positioned on a top of the corner column, on the circular form of the corner column, on a bottom of the corner column or a combination of any one of the described positions.When a bending force is applied to the joint, a first part of the joint may experience a compressive force, while a second opposite part of the joint may experience a tensile force. A portion in between the first part of the joint and the second part of the joint will therefore experience very little forces. In one embodiment, the stiffening plates may be positioned on the circular form of the corner column near the top of the corner column, on the circular shape near the bottom of the corner column and on top of the corner column. This may reduce the number of stiffening plates required and reduces complexity during installation.In an alternative embodiment, the plurality of stiffening plates may be evenly positioned along an outer boundary of the joint. In an alternative embodiment, the joint may comprise a welding seam along the outer boundary of the joint and along an inner boundary of the joint positioned inside the corner column. The joint may comprise a means for connecting the first portion of the corner column to the second portion of the corner column on an inside of the corner column.The rigid elongated members that comprise two corner columns in the front structure, the rear structure and the two mid-structures, form a centre tetragon near the centre of the platform. The centre tetragon may be equiangular, equilateral, the angles may vary, the length of each side may vary or be a combination of the described shapes. The front structure, the rear structure, the two mid-structures and the centre tetragon may comprise a support member within the peripheral boundary to strengthen a rigidity in the platform.The four polygons may be pre-assembled using relatively short rigid elongated members compared to a distance between the two tower bases enabling smaller yards and equipment to be used. Once pre-assembled, the polygons may be lowered into a body of water before being connected to form the platform. The front structure, the rear structure and the two mid-structures being polygons enables them to float in the body of water that reduces the complexity in connecting them to form the platform. The platform comprising the plurality of polygons therefore reduces complexity in manufacturing, assembly and reduces the cost.The front stabilizing tower, the rear stabilizing tower, and the two tower bases may each create a buoyancy force when floating in the body of water. The front stabilizing tower, the rear stabilizing tower and the two tower bases each creates a distance from the centre of floatation. The centre of floatation is where the platform tilts around. When the platform is floating in the body of water and not subjected to any external forces except the buoyancy forces created by the water, the forces in the platform are in an equilibrium. When the platform is floating in the body of water and subjected to an environmental force, the platform may create a tilt angle between a vertical line and the tower base central axis. The environmental force may be wind, waves, or sea currents. When the tilt angle is created, one region of the platform is forced deeper into the body of water, and a second portion in the opposite end of the platform is lifted to a shallower depth in the body of water. As an example, a wind at right angles to the plurality of rotor blades and along a line from the front stabilizing tower to the rear stabilizing tower is subjected to the platform. A tilt angle is then created where the rear stabilizing tower is forced deeper in the body of water, while the front stabilizing tower is lifted to a shallower depth in the body of water. The buoyancy force in the rear stabilizing tower will then increase and the buoyancy force in the front stabilizing tower will decrease. The effect of this is that a recovery force is created, and the tilt angle is restricted from continuing to increase and the platform establishes in a new equilibrium. By positioning the front stabilizing tower, the rear stabilizing tower and the two tower bases in the distal end from the connected corners, the distance from the centre of floatation is larger compared to if the front stabilizing tower, the rear stabilizing tower and the two tower bases where positioned at a position closer to the centre of floatation, as for example along the rigid elongated members with the two corner columns. The recovery force is therefore larger when the front stabilizing tower, the rear stabilizing tower and the two tower bases are positioned in the distal end of the connected corners.In an alternative embodiment there may be a plurality of front stabilizing towers, and a plurality of rear stabilizing towers. The plurality of front stabilizing towers, and the plurality of rear stabilizing towers may be positioned in the corners of the polygons.The front stabilizing tower and the rear stabilizing tower may have a cylindrical shape comprising a diameter and a height. The diameter may be small compared to the height where the diameter may be between 5 meters and 20 meters, and the height may be between 40 meters and 100 meters. The effect of this is that a wave force may be small compared to if the diameter was much wider. The tower base positioned in the distal end from the connected corners in the midstructures maximize a distance between the two tower bases without increasing a length of the rigid elongated member. This may allow a larger wind turbine unit to be installed. In one embodiment of the platform, the two tower bases may be positioned such that a line between the two tower bases intersects the centre of floatation. This decreases an impact from the wind turbine unit subjected to the wind on tilting the platform as the distance from the wind turbine unit to the centre of floatation is minimized for a given distance between the two tower bases. In an alternative embodiment, the tower bases may be positioned to form a distance between the line and the centre of floatation.To optimize energy production in the wind turbine units, the wind needs to be perpendicular to a plane of rotation of the rotor blades and the wake effect from one wind turbine unit should not affect the adjacent wind turbine unit. To enable this, the platform may comprise a turret. The turret may be positioned between the centre of floatation and the front stabilizing tower. The turret comprises a plurality of mooring lines. The platform is rotatable around the turret. The turret positioned between the centre of floatation and the front stabilizing tower enables the platform to orientate and align the rotor blades perpendicular to the wind. The mooring lines will maintain the position of the platform in the body of water. By having two wind turbine units on one platform that orientates according to a wind direction, the energy production is doubled within a production area as a distance between platforms may be 7D where D is the wind turbine rotor diameter.The turret and the mooring lines may create an open space near a centre of the turret and below the turret. A power cable may be guided into and through a through hole in the turret from an upper end. The power cable exits the turret at an opposite lower end where the power cable is then joined to a power grid for distribution of harvested energy. The turret when positioned in a position between the centre of floatation and the front stabilizing tower provide a beneficial effect in limiting the platform from tilting. This is due to the mooring lines being connected to the turret where the mooring lines limit the amount the front stabilizing tower is allowed to be lifted to a shallower depth. A turret rotation may be limited to avoid excess twisting of the power cable. The turret rotation may be limited to 720˚ between a first turret turning limit and an opposite turret turning limit. The turret rotation may be limited to 360˚ between the first turret turning limit and the opposite turret turning limit. The turret rotation may be limited to a specific value based on the power cable properties. The effect of the through hole and the turret guiding the power cable away from the platform is that the platform may be aligned with the wind direction without limitations and therefore increase the efficiency of the wind turbine units. Another effect is that the turret may comprise a simple design where there is no requirement for sliprings as the power cable twists when the wind turbine platform rotates around the turret. The turret may be fully submerged with a water lubrication in the turret such that a maintenance interval is expected to be at least 20 years.The platform may be adapted to be ballasted. The ballast may be water, sand or other suitable mediums known in the art. The ballast may be positioned in any one of the front stabilizing tower, the rear stabilizing tower, the two tower bases, or within the rigid elongated members.When the platform is floating during a less-than-optimal wind condition, the platform may be ballasted to such that the front stabilizing tower floats deeper than the rear stabilizing tower. The effect of this is when an optimum wind condition occurs, the platform is tilted due to the wind turbine units being subjected to the wind that positions the wind direction perpendicular to the plane of rotation. This increases efficiency of the wind turbine units.In a no-wind condition the platform may form a trim angle between a horizontal plane and the platform. The trim angle may be approximately 4˚ in the no-wind condition. The trim angle may be approximately 6˚ in the no-wind condition. The trim angle may be optimized in the no-wind condition based on the wind turbine size and the platform size. The front stabilizing tower may comprise the turret and the mooring lines that maximizes the distance from the centre of floatation to the turret position. This improves the weathervane effect compared to having the turret closer to the centre of floatation. The platform may be adapted to be ballasted. When ballasted the corner columns are at least 10 meters below the surface of the body of water and more preferably around 20 meters below the surface of the body of water. The platform may be ballasted to position the corner columns at a depth from the surface of the body of water to optimize the depth for a specific region. A large portion of the platform is positioned below the waves that may reduce an impact of the waves on the platform. This may reduce cost of the platform as components may be subjected to reduced dynamic loads from the waves. If the front stabilizing tower and the rear stabilizing tower are fully submerged into the body of water, the buoyancy will not change when forcing one of them to a deeper depth. The effect of stabilizing the platform is therefore greatly reduced. The front stabilizing tower and the rear stabilizing tower should always protrude through the surface of the body of water and therefore the front stabilizing tower and the rear stabilizing tower may extend above the corner columns. The front stabilizing tower and the rear stabilizing tower may extend above the corner columns with a vertical distance of between 25 and 80 meters, more preferably between 40 and 60 meters, most preferably around 40 meters.The polygon in the front structure, rear structure and the two mid-structures may be a triangle. The triangle may be isosceles, equilateral or right angled. The front stabilizing tower, the rear stabilizing tower and the two tower bases may in this embodiment be positioned in a distal corner of the two connected corners. This is beneficial in that an angle between the rigid elongated members connected to the distal corner will provide a beneficial effect in lowering the swing period of the wind turbine units. The swing period is the time it takes for a part of the wind turbine unit to swing from one point and back to the same point again when subjected to an external force.The rigid elongated members connected to the tower bases may comprise an upper portion that forms an angle of less than 90 degrees with the tower base central axis, the angle may be measured between the upper portion and a lower part of the tower base. An effect of the upper portion forming the angle of less than 90 degrees is that an angle between the upper portion of the rigid elongated member and a lower portion of the rigid elongated member provide a beneficial effect in lowering the swing period in the wind turbine unit. The upper portion may be an upper boom.The front stabilizing tower, the rear stabilizing tower and the two tower bases may comprise the connecting portions where the rigid elongated members are connected. To reduce stresses and bending forces in the connecting portion, it is beneficial with a large connecting portion. The large connecting portion may create a large exposed area on each side of the rigid elongated members that may cause sea current to have a negative effect on the platforms ability to weathervane. The rigid elongated members may comprise a trusswork wherein the upper portion may be the upper boom. The rigid elongated member comprising the trusswork is less impacted by sea current and waves compared to a rigid elongated member made of a solid member.A wind turbine unit may be installed on each of the tower bases.In a second aspect the invention relates more particularly to a method for assembling a platform for wind turbine units, wherein the method comprises to:- assemble a front structure, a rear structure, and two mid-structures, where the front structure, the rear structure and the two mid-structures each comprises a plurality of rigid elongated members connected to form a polygon where at least two corners in each polygon comprise a portion of a corner column, each portion comprises a first portion or a second portion, wherein a first portion aligned with a second portion form a corner column;- lower the front structure, the rear structure, and the two mid-structures in a body of water;- position the front structure, the rear structure, and the two mid-structures to form two corner columns connecting the front structure with the two mid-structures, and two corner columns connecting the rear structure with the two mid-structures; and- permanently connect the portions forming the four corner columns.The method may comprise to ballast the front structure, the rear structure, and the two mid-structures to an assembly depth. The method may comprise to temporarily position and align the plurality of portions of corner columns in the front structure, the rear structure, and the two mid-structures using a plurality of winches and a means for aligning the portions of the corner columns. The method may comprise to use a submersible barge for temporarily position and align the plurality of portions of the corner columns in the front structure, the rear structure, and the two mid-structures.The method may comprise to lift one corner column above the body of water before permanently connecting a lower portion of the portions of the corner columns.The method may comprise to use a submersible barge for lifting each corner column above the body of water before permanently connecting the two portions of the corner column.The method may comprise to instal a wind turbine unit on each tower base.The method may comprise to ballast the platform to an operational depth.The method may comprise to:- ballast the platform to a wind turbine unit installation depth;- instal the wind turbine units on the tower bases; and- ballast the platform to an operational depth.The method may comprise to provide the elements according to any one of the embodiments previously described.The four polygons forming the platform may be pre-assembled using relatively short rigid elongated members compared to a distance between the two tower bases. The preassembled polygons may be transported from a production facility to a submersible barge and then lowered into a body of water by lowering the submersible barge. A land-crane or a ship-crane may also be used for lowering the pre-assembled polygons into the body of water. The pre-assembled polygons may be ballasted to the assembly depth that reduces the complexity in positioning the polygons prior to permanently connecting them together. An effect of the platform comprising pre-assembled polygons that may be as sembled after being lowered into the body of water, enables smaller yards and equipment to be used during production.Each corner column is formed by two portions of the corner columns. The two portions forming each corner columns may be held in position by a plurality of winched temporarily positioned on top of a portion of the corner column. The submersible barge may be used in aligning the two portions forming each corner columns. A means for aligning the two portions forming each corner columns may be used. The means for aligning may be a profile on one portion of corner column that slides into a complementary profile on adjacent portion of the corner column. When the pre-assembled polygons are positioned and the plurality of winches maintain the portions forming each corner column, the corner columns may be permanently connected to form the platform. The corner columns may be permanently connected by a plurality of stiffening plates, a weld seam or other suitable means known in the art. The two portions in the corner columns may be permanently connected in two steps, wherein the first step comprises to permanently connect the two portions of the corner column in an upper part of the corner column positioned above the body of water, and a second step that may comprise to lift a lower part of the corner column above the body of water and permanently connect the two portions of the corner column in the lower part of the corner column. The submersible barge may be positioned under a first region of the platform and used for lifting one corner column or two corner columns above the water prior to connecting the lower part of the two portions forming the corner column. A second region of the platform in the opposite end of the first region of the platform may be ballasted to aid in lifting the corner column(s). The process of lifting the corner columns may be repeated until all the corner columns are permanently connected. The ship crane or the land-crane may be used to lift the corner columns above the body of water.When the pre-assembled polygons are assembled and forms the platform, the platform may be ballasted deeper to a wind turbine unit installation depth. The effect of this is that a lifting height required to install the wind turbine unit on the tower is reduced. The platform may be moored to a pier prior to having the wind turbine unit installed by a landcrane. Prior to starting energy production, the platform may be ballasted to an operational depth.The described method for assembly of the platform may be used for a platform that comprises of more than four polygons and wherein the corner columns may comprise of more than two portions to form the corner column.In an alternative method, the method may comprise to:- assemble a plurality of structures, each structure comprises a plurality of rigid elongated members that form a polygon where at least two corners in each polygon comprise a portion of a corner column;- lower the plurality of structures into a body of water;- position the plurality of structures such that the portions of the corner columns forms a plurality of corner columns; and- permanently connect the portions of the corner columns.In the following is described an example of a preferred embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:Fig.1 shows a platform viewed from an angle on the side;Fig.2 shows a front view of the platform in fig.1 floating in a body of water; Figs. 3a-c show details of a portion of the platform during alignment of a midstructure and a rear structure of the platform;Figs. 4a-c show details of the portion of the platform shown in figure 3a-c after the mid-structure and the rear structure is connected;Fig.5 shows a plan view of the platform during positioning of one mid-structure relative to the rear structure and a front structure; andFigs. 6a-b show a submersible barge lifting a region of the platform above the surface of the water. Any positional indications refer to the position shown in the figures. In the figures, same or corresponding elements are indicated by same reference numerals. For clarity reasons, some elements may in some of the figures be without reference numerals. A person skilled in the art will understand that the figures are just principal drawings. The relative proportions of individual elements may also be distorted.Figure 1 shows a platform 1 comprising a front structure 2, a rear structure 4, and two mid-structures 3. The front structure 2, the rear structure 4 and the two mid-structures 3 each comprises a plurality of rigid elongated members in form of a trusswork connected to form a triangle.Two front corners 26 of the front structure 2 is each connected to a first corner 36 in the mid-structures 3. Two rear corners 46 of the rear structure 4 is each connected to a second corner 38 in the mid-structures 3. The front corner 26 connected to the first corner 36 form together a corner column 5, and the rear corner 46 connected to the second corner 38 also form together a corner column 5. Each of the corner columns 5 comprises a first portion 52 and a second portion 54.Each of the two mid-structures 3 comprises a tower base 32 in a distal corner from the first corner 36 and the second corner 38. Each tower base 32 has a wind turbine unit 200 installed on top of it. The rear structure 4 comprises a rear stabilizing tower 42 in the distal corner from the two rear corners 46. The front structure 2 comprises a front stabilizing tower 22 in the distal corner from the two front corners 26. The front stabilizing tower 22 comprises a turret 6. The platform 1 is rotatable around the turret 6.Figure 2 shows the platform 1 floating in a body of water 100. The platform 1 is ballasted such that the corner columns 5 are at a depth 300 below the surface 110 of the body of water 100. The depth 300 is in this embodiment around 20 meters. The front stabilizing tower 22 and the rear stabilizing tower 42 extend a vertical distance 350 above the corner columns 5. The vertical distance 350 is in this embodiment around 40 meters. The trusswork forming the mid-structures 3 comprises an upper boom. The upper boom forms an angle 400 with the tower base 32. The turret 6 comprises a plurality of mooring lines 62. Figure 3a shows one mid-structure 3 and the rear structure 4 during an aligning procedure where the first portion 52 and the second portion 54 of the corner column 5 are in the process of being aligned.Figure 3b shows a detailed view of the details within the box marked “A” in figure 3a. Two winches 55 are mounted on the second portion 54 of the corner column 5. Two wires 555 connect each winch 55 to the first portion 52 of the corner column 5. The winches 55 are used for pulling the first portion 52 of the corner column 5 towards the second portion 54 of the corner column 5. The first portion 52 and the second portion 54 are guided to align by a first guide part 56 that slide into a second guide part 57. A plurality of the first guide part 56 are positioned around the first portion 52, and a plurality of the second guide part 57 are positioned around the second portion 54.Figure 3c shows a side view of the corner column 5. The first portion 52 and the second portion 54 are aligned using the plurality of the first guide part 56 that slide into the plurality of the second guide part 57.Figure 4a shows the first portion 52 and the second portion 54 of the corner column 5 aligned and connected, thereby connecting the mid-structure 3 and the rear structure 4. Figure 4b shows a detailed view of the details within the box marked “C” in figure 4a. A plurality of a stiffening plate 58 are extending from the first portion 52 to the second portion 54 of the corner column 5 thereby connecting the first portion 52 and the second portion 54 to form the corner column 5.Figure 4c shows a side view of the corner column 5. A plurality of the stiffening plate 58 are extending from the first portion 52 to the second portion 54 of the corner column 5 thereby connecting the first portion 52 and the second portion 54 to form the corner column 5. The stiffening plates 58 are positioned near the top of the corner column 5 and near the bottom of the corner column 5.Figure 5 shows the front structure 2, one mid-structure 3 and the rear structure 4 connected. A submersible barge 9 transports one mid-structure 3 to align two first portions 52 with two second portions 54 of two corner columns 5 that will connect the midstructure 3 to the front structure 2 and the rear structure 4.Figure 6a shows the submersible barge 9 positioned under one mid-structure 3. A region of the platform 1 is lifted above the surface 110 of the body of water 100 such that two corner columns 5 are above the surface 110. The two corner columns 5 may be welded in the area, that prior to being lifted was positioned below the surface 110.Figure 6b shows a plan view of the platform 1 where the submersible barge 9 lifts one mid-structure 3 to bring two corner columns 5 above the surface 110 as indicated in figure 6a.It should be noted that the above-mentioned embodiments illustrate rather than limit the invention, and that those skilled in the art will be able to design many alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. Use of the verb "comprise" and its conjugations does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those stated in a claim. The article “a" or "an" preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements.The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.
Claims
C l a i m s1. A floating and semi-submersible platform (1) for wind turbine units (200),c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that:-the platform (1) comprises a front structure (2), a rear structure (4), and two mid-structures (3);- the front structure (2), the rear structure (4) and the two mid-structures (3) each comprises a plurality of rigid elongated members connected to form a polygon;- two corners (26) of the front structure (2) is each connected to a first corner (36) in the mid-structures (3);- two corners (46) of the rear structure (4) is each connected to a second corner (38) in the mid-structures (3);- the connected corners (26, 36, 46, 38) form a corner column (5);- the two mid-structures (3) comprise a tower base (32) in a distal end from the first corner (36) and the second corner (38);- the rear structure (4) comprises a rear stabilizing tower (42) in the distal end from the two connected corners (46); and- the front structure (2) comprises a front stabilizing tower (22) in the distal end from the two connected corners (26).2. The platform (1) according to claim 1, wherein the platform (1) comprises a turret (6), the turret (6) is positioned between a centre of floatation and the front stabilizing tower (22), the turret (6) comprises a plurality of mooring lines (62), and the platform (1) is rotatable around the turret (6).3. The platform (1) according to claim 1, wherein the platform (1) comprises a turret (6), the turret (6) comprises a plurality of mooring lines (62), the platform (1) is rotatable around the turret (6), and the front stabilizing tower (22) comprises the turret (6).4. The platform (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the corner columns (5) each comprises a first portion (52) and a second portion (54), wherein the first portion (52) is connected to the second portion (54).5. The platform (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the platform (1) is adapted to be ballasted.6. The platform (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the front stabilizing tower (22) and the rear stabilizing tower (42) extends above the corner columns (5).7. The platform (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the polygons in the front structure (2), rear structure (4) and the two mid-structures (3) are triangles.8. The platform (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the rigid elongated members connected to the tower bases (32) comprises an upper portion that forms an angle (400) of less than 90 degrees with a tower base central axis, the angle (400) is measured between the upper portion and a lower part of the tower base (32).9. The platform (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the rigid elongated members comprise a trusswork.10. The platform (1) according to any one of claims 8 and 9, wherein the upper portion is an upper boom.11. The platform (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a wind turbine unit (200) is installed on each of the tower bases (32).12. A method for assembling a platform (1) for wind turbine units (200),c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the method comprises to:- assemble a front structure (2), a rear structure (4), and two mid-structures (3), where the front structure (2), the rear structure (4) and the two mid-structures (3) each comprises a plurality of rigid elongated members connected to form a polygon where at least two corners (26, 36, 38, 46) in each polygon comprise a portion (52, 54) of a corner column (5), each portion (52, 54) comprises a first portion (52) or a second portion (54), wherein a first portion (52) aligned with a second portion (54) form a corner column (5);- lower the front structure (2), the rear structure (4), and the two mid-structures (3) in a body of water (100);- position the front structure (2), the rear structure (4), and the two midstructures (3) to form two corner columns (5) connecting the front structure (2) with the two mid-structures (3), and two corner columns (5) connecting the rear structure (4) with the two mid-structures (3); and- permanently connect the portions (52, 54) forming the four corner columns (5).13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the method comprises to ballast the front structure (2), the rear structure (4), and the two mid-structures (3) to an assembly depth.14. The method according to any one of claims 12 and 13, wherein the method comprises to temporarily position and align the plurality of portions (52, 54) of the corner columns (5) in the front structure (2), the rear structure (4), and the two mid-structures (3) using a plurality of winches (55) and a means (56, 57) for aligning the portions (52, 54) of the corner columns (5).15. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein a submersible barge (9) is used for temporarily position and align the plurality of portions (52, 54) of the corner columns (5) in the front structure (2), the rear structure (4), and the two mid-structures (3).16. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein the method comprises to lift one corner column (5) above the body of water (100) before permanently connecting a lower portion of the portions (52, 54) of the corner columns (5).17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the method comprises to use a submersible barge (9) for lifting each corner column (5) above the body of water (100) before permanently connecting the two portions (52, 54) of the corner column (5).18. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 17, wherein the method comprises to instal a wind turbine unit (200) on each tower base (32).19. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 18, wherein the method comprises to ballast the platform (1) to an operational depth.20. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 17, wherein the method comprises to:- ballast the platform (1) to a wind turbine unit installation depth;- instal the wind turbine units (200) on the tower bases (32); and- ballast the platform (1) to an operational depth.21. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 20, wherein the method comprises to provide elements that form the platform (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11.O v e r s a t t e p a t e n t k r a v1. Flytende og halvt nedsenkbar plattform (1) for vindturbinenheter (200),k a r a k t e r i s e r t v e d at:-plattformen (1) omfatter en fremre struktur (2), en bakre struktur (4) og to midtstrukturer (3);- hver av den fremre strukturen (2), den bakre strukturen (4) og de to midtstrukturene (3) omfatter en flerhet av stive langstrakte elementer forbundet for å danne en polygon;- hvert av to hjørner (26) av den fremre strukturen (2) er forbundet med et første hjørne (36) i midtstrukturene (3);- hvert av to hjørner (46) av den bakre strukturen (4) er forbundet med et andre hjørne (38) i midtstrukturene (3);- de forbundne hjørnene (26, 36, 46, 38) danner en hjørnesøyle (5);- de to midtstrukturene (3) omfatter en tårnbasis (32) i en distal ende fra det første hjørnet (36) og det andre hjørnet (38);- den bakre strukturen (4) omfatter et bakre stabiliseringstårn (42) i den distale enden fra de to forbundne hjørnene (46); og- den fremre strukturen (2) omfatter et fremre stabiliseringstårn (22) i den distale enden fra de to forbundne hjørnene (26).2. Plattformen (1) ifølge krav 1, hvori plattformen (1) omfatter en dreiesylinder (6), dreiesylinderen (6) er plassert mellom et oppdriftssenter og det fremre stabiliseringstårnet (22), dreiesylinderen (6) omfatter en flerhet av fortøyningsliner (62), og plattformen (1) er roterbar rundt dreiesylinderen (6).3. Plattformen (1) ifølge krav 1, hvori plattformen (1) omfatter en dreiesylinder (6), dreiesylinderen (6) omfatter en flerhet av fortøyningsliner (62), plattformen (1) er roterbar rundt dreiesylinderen (6), og det fremre stabiliseringstårnet (22) omfatter dreiesylinderen (6).4. Plattformen (1) ifølge hvilket som helst av de foregående kravene, hvori hver av hjørnesøylene (5) omfatter et første parti (52) og et andre parti (54), hvori det første partiet (52) er forbundet med det andre partiet (54).5. Plattformen (1) ifølge hvilket som helst av de foregående kravene, hvori plattformen (1) er tilpasset til å ballasteres.6. Plattformen (1) ifølge hvilket som helst av de foregående kravene, hvori det fremre stabiliseringstårnet (22) og det bakre stabiliseringstårnet (42) strekker seg over hjørnesøylene (5).7. Plattformen (1) ifølge hvilket som helst av de foregående kravene, hvori polygonene i den fremre strukturen (2), den bakre strukturen (4) og de to midtstrukturene (3) er trekanter.8. Plattformen (1) ifølge hvilket som helst av de foregående kravene, hvori de stive langstrakte elementene forbundet med tårnbasisene (32) omfatter et øvre parti som danner en vinkel (400) på mindre enn 90 grader med en senterakse i tårnbasisen, idet vinkelen (400) måles mellom det øvre partiet og en nedre del av tårnbasisen (32).9. Plattformen (1) ifølge hvilket som helst av de foregående kravene, hvori de stive langstrakte elementene omfatter et fagverk.10. Plattformen (1) ifølge hvilket som helst av kravene 8 og 9, hvori det øvre partiet er en øvre bom.11. Plattformen (1) ifølge hvilket som helst av de foregående kravene, hvori en vindturbinenhet (200) er installert på hver av tårnbasisene (32).12. Fremgangsmåte for sammenstilling av en plattform (1) for vindturbinenheter (200),k a r a k t e r i s e r t v e d at fremgangsmåten omfatter å:- sammenstille en fremre struktur (2), en bakre struktur (4) og to midtstrukturer (3), hvor hver av den fremre strukturen (2), den bakre strukturen (4) og de to midtstrukturene (3) omfatter en flerhet av stive langstrakte elementer forbundet for å danne en polygon hvor minst to hjørner (26, 36, 38, 46) i hver polygon omfatter et parti (52, 54) av en hjørnesøyle (5), idet hvert parti (52, 54) omfatter et første parti (52) eller et andre parti (54), hvori et første parti (52) rettet inn med et andre parti (54) danner en hjørnesøyle (5);- senke den fremre strukturen (2), den bakre strukturen (4) og de to midtstrukturene (3) i en vannmasse (100);- posisjonere den fremre strukturen (2), den bakre strukturen (4) og de to midtstrukturene (3) for å danne to hjørnesøyler (5) som forbinder den fremre strukturen (2) med de to midtstrukturene (3), og to hjørnesøyler (5) som forbinder den bakre strukturen (4) med de to midtstrukturene (3); og- permanent forbinde partiene (52, 54) som danner de fire hjørnesøylene (5).13. Fremgangsmåte ifølge krav 12, hvori fremgangsmåten omfatter å ballastere den fremre strukturen (2), den bakre strukturen (4) og de to midtstrukturene (3) til en sammenstillingsdybde.14. Fremgangsmåte ifølge hvilket som helst av kravene 12 og 13, hvori fremgangsmåten omfatter midlertidig å posisjonere og rette inn flerheten av partier (52, 54) av hjørnesøylene (5) i den fremre strukturen (2), den bakre strukturen (4) og de to midtstrukturene (3) ved bruk av en flerhet av vinsjer (55) og et middel (56, 57) for å rette inn partiene (52, 54) av hjørnesøylene (5).15. Fremgangsmåte ifølge hvilket som helst av kravene 12 til 14, hvori en nedsenkbar lekter (9) brukes for midlertidig å posisjonere og rette inn flerheten av partier (52, 54) av hjørnesøylene (5) i den fremre strukturen (2), den bakre strukturen (4) og de to midtstrukturene (3).16. Fremgangsmåte ifølge hvilket som helst av kravene 12 til 15, hvori fremgangsmåten omfatter å løfte én hjørnesøyle (5) over vannmassen (100) før permanent å forbinde et nedre parti av partiene (52, 54) av hjørnesøylene (5).17. Fremgangsmåte ifølge krav 16, hvori fremgangsmåten omfatter å bruke en nedsenkbar lekter (9) for å løfte hver hjørnesøyle (5) over vannmassen (100) før permanent å forbinde de to partiene (52, 54) i hjørnesøylen (5).18. Fremgangsmåte ifølge hvilket som helst av kravene 12 til 17, hvori fremgangsmåten omfatter å installere en vindturbinenhet (200) på hver tårnbasis (32).19. Fremgangsmåte ifølge hvilket som helst av kravene 12 til 18, hvori fremgangsmåten omfatter å ballastere plattformen (1) til en operasjonell dybde.20. Fremgangsmåte ifølge hvilket som helst av kravene 12 til 17, hvori fremgangsmåten omfatter å:- ballastere plattformen (1) til en installasjonsdybde for vindturbinenheter;- installere vindturbinenhetene (200) på tårnbasisene (32); og- ballastere plattformen (1) til en operasjonell dybde.21. Fremgangsmåte ifølge hvilket som helst av kravene 12 til 20, hvori fremgangsmåten omfatter å tilveiebringe elementene som danner plattformen (1) ifølge hvilket som helst av kravene 1 til 11.
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Patent classes

IPC classesF03D 13/25F03D 13/20B63B 35/44B63B 21/50CPC classesF03D 13/25F03D 13/22B63B 35/44B63B 21/507Y02E 10/727

Citations

WO 2013040871 A1 (A1)US 2020317309 A1 (A1)WO 2019143282 A1 (A1)WO 2021219787 A1 (A1)WO 2013074027 A1 (A1)US 2019367136 A1 (A1)US 2016272284 A1 (A1)WO 2011137903 A2 (A2)WO 2021256939 A1 (A1)

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IDS INVEST AS
Lagerveien 12 A 4033 STAVANGER NO (STAVANGER Municipality, Rogaland county)Org. number: 912097471Inventors
Jan Vatsvåg
Per Spelemanns vei 41 4019 STAVANGER NO (STAVANGER Municipality, Rogaland county)

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HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS

Org. number: 918752900

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