Key information

Title
System for Gravitational and Dynamic Counterbalancing for Offshore Wind Turbine Foundations
Application number
20230704
Case type
National
Status
18.03.2024 Patent meddelt (B1)
Filed
20.06.2023
Effective date
20.06.2023
Publicly available
03.07.2023
Next annual fee due
30.06.2027
Applicant
INTERNATIONAL ENERGY CONSORTIUM AS (NO)
Owner
INTERNATIONAL ENERGY CONSORTIUM AS (NO)
Inventor
Gunnar Myhr (NO)
Granted
18.03.2024
Patent number
347777
Expiry date
20.06.2043

Abstract and drawing

Disclaimer: This text has been machine-scanned and may contain errors – please refer to "Publications" for legally binding content.
This invention is related to floating offshore foundations, and in particular floating offshore wind turbines. Movements of a foundation by wind and currents can be amplified due to the tower with rotor blades, which will pose a variable angle facing the ambient wind, thus causing amplified surge (longitudinal) forces and motions, and equivalent enhanced forces in other directions. This causes reduced operational time or capacity utilization for the installation, thus limits operating profits (OPEX), and a more costly foundation design, thus increases investment costs (CAPEX). A solution to these deficiencies is represented by the developed counterbalancing systems, constituting at least one pivot point (7) (x, y, z), at least one string element (14), at least two fixed or rotational arrangements (15), at least one gravitational object (9). The systems further feature that e.g. the Centre of Gravity (3) (x, y, z, t) of the (at least one) total system (2-15) or (1-15) or core system is a function of time, the inertia tensor for the installation, Iinstallation is a function of time, and the at least one total system (2-15) or (1-15) or core system represents more than one degree of freedom. The systems further constitute at least one of; at least one sensor, at least one real time control system, at least one central processing unit, at least one AI brain.

Publications

Latest published versionB1A1

Documents

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 Date Doc. No. Process Case number In/Out Journal description To/from
 02.05.2026 22-01 Saksbehandling 20230704(347777) UT PT Varsel om betaling av årsavgift for år 4 + (3352) (PT20230704) INTERNATIONAL ENERGY CONSORTIUM AS
 02.05.2025 21-01 Saksbehandling 20230704(347777) UT PT Varsel om betaling av første årsavgift (3317) (PT20230704) INTERNATIONAL ENERGY CONSORTIUM AS
 20.03.2024 20-01 Saksbehandling 20230704(347777) UT PT Registreringsbrev nasjonal patent (15) (PT20230704)
14.02.2024 19-01 Saksbehandling 20230704 UT Intention to grant INTERNATIONAL ENERGY CONSORTIUM AS
 24.01.2024 18-06 Saksbehandling 20230704 INN Claims in Norwegian - NO20230704 INTERNATIONAL ENERGY CONSORTIUM AS
 24.01.2024 18-05 Saksbehandling 20230704 INN Body Text with Annotations - NO20230704 INTERNATIONAL ENERGY CONSORTIUM AS
 24.01.2024 18-04 Saksbehandling 20230704 INN Body Text Clean - NO20230704 INTERNATIONAL ENERGY CONSORTIUM AS
 24.01.2024 18-03 Saksbehandling 20230704 INN Abstract with Annotations - NO20230704 INTERNATIONAL ENERGY CONSORTIUM AS
 24.01.2024 18-02 Saksbehandling 20230704 INN Abstract - Clean - NO20230704 INTERNATIONAL ENERGY CONSORTIUM AS
 24.01.2024 18-01 Saksbehandling 20230704 INN Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn) INTERNATIONAL ENERGY CONSORTIUM AS
 19.01.2024 17-01 Saksbehandling 20230704 INN Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn) Gunnar Myhr
 17.01.2024 16-01 Saksbehandling 20230704 UT Substantive examination INTERNATIONAL ENERGY CONSORTIUM AS
 15.01.2024 15-06 Saksbehandling 20230704 INN 177217 Letter to the NIPO AWA NORWAY AS
 15.01.2024 15-05 Saksbehandling 20230704 INN 177217 Amended claims_marked AWA NORWAY AS
 15.01.2024 15-04 Saksbehandling 20230704 INN 177217 Amended Claims_clean AWA NORWAY AS
 15.01.2024 15-03 Saksbehandling 20230704 INN 177217 Amended application_marked AWA NORWAY AS
 15.01.2024 15-02 Saksbehandling 20230704 INN 177217 Amended application_clean AWA NORWAY AS
 15.01.2024 15-01 Saksbehandling 20230704 INN Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn) AWA NORWAY AS
 15.12.2023 14-05 Saksbehandling 20230704 INN 177217 Response letter to the NIPO AWA NORWAY AS
 15.12.2023 14-04 Saksbehandling 20230704 INN 177217 Claims_tracked changes AWA NORWAY AS
 15.12.2023 14-03 Saksbehandling 20230704 INN 177217 Claims_clean AWA NORWAY AS
 15.12.2023 14-02 Saksbehandling 20230704 INN 177217 Begrenset Fullmakt AWA NORWAY AS
 15.12.2023 14-01 Saksbehandling 20230704 INN Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn) AWA NORWAY AS
 04.12.2023 13-01 Saksbehandling 20230704 UT Substantive examination INTERNATIONAL ENERGY CONSORTIUM AS
 21.10.2023 12-01 Saksbehandling 20230704 INN Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn) INTERNATIONAL ENERGY CONSORTIUM AS
 06.10.2023 11-02 Saksbehandling 20230704 UT PT report 09:22:15
06.10.2023 11-01 Saksbehandling 20230704 UT Substantive examination INTERNATIONAL ENERGY CONSORTIUM AS
 01.08.2023 10-01 Saksbehandling 20230704 UT Generelt Brev Patent INTERNATIONAL ENERGY CONSORTIUM AS
 28.07.2023 09-01 Saksbehandling 20230704 INN Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn) INTERNATIONAL ENERGY CONSORTIUM AS
 24.07.2023 08-02 Saksbehandling 20230704 UT PT20230704_Priority
24.07.2023 08-01 Saksbehandling 20230704 UT Brev prioritetsdokument INTERNATIONAL ENERGY CONSORTIUM AS
 24.07.2023 07-01 Saksbehandling 20230704 INN Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn) INTERNATIONAL ENERGY CONSORTIUM AS
 24.07.2023 06-01 Saksbehandling 20230704 UT Generelt Brev Patent INTERNATIONAL ENERGY CONSORTIUM AS
 19.07.2023 05-01 Saksbehandling 20230704 INN Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn) INTERNATIONAL ENERGY CONSORTIUM AS
 01.07.2023 04-01 Saksbehandling 20230704 INN Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn) INTERNATIONAL ENERGY CONSORTIUM AS
 26.06.2023 03-01 Saksbehandling 20230704 INN Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn) INTERNATIONAL ENERGY CONSORTIUM AS
 20.06.2023 02-01 Saksbehandling 20230704 UT Generelt brev uten frist ENG INTERNATIONAL ENERGY CONSORTIUM AS
 20.06.2023 01-07 Saksbehandling 20230704 INN Fig - System for Gravitational and Dynamic Gunnar Myhr
 20.06.2023 01-06 Saksbehandling 20230704 INN ERKLÆRING OM RETT TIL OPPFINNELSE Gunnar Myhr
 20.06.2023 01-05 Saksbehandling 20230704 INN Claims - System for Gravitational and Dynamic Gunnar Myhr
 20.06.2023 01-04 Saksbehandling 20230704 INN Abstract Gunnar Myhr
 20.06.2023 01-03 Saksbehandling 20230704 INN 20_06_23 System for Gravitational and Dynamic Gunnar Myhr
 20.06.2023 01-02 Saksbehandling 20230704 INN 20_06_23 System for Gravitational and Dynamic Gunnar Myhr
 20.06.2023 01-01 Saksbehandling 20230704 INN Søknadsskjema Patent Gunnar Myhr

Description, claims and drawings

Disclaimer: This text has been machine-scanned and may contain errors – please refer to "Publications" for legally binding content. Description
This invention is related to floating offshore foundations, and in particular floating offshore wind turbines. Movements of a foundation by wind and currents, can be amplified due to that a tower with rotor blades will pose a variable angle facing the ambient wind, thus causing amplified surge (longitudinal) forces and motions, and equivalent enhanced forces in other directions.This causes reduced operational time or capacity utilization for the installation, thus limits operating profits, and a more costly foundation design, thus increases investment costs (CAPEX).Counterbalancing systems developed by this invention, will increase operational time and can simplify the foundation design, thus provide increased profits and decreased CAPEX.IntroductionWhen moving into deeper waters, e.g. applying offshore wind structures, including a wind turbine [including e.g., but not limited to, hub, rotor blades, turbine (nacelle), tower, foundation, anchors, cables, computers etc] have to be mounted on floating, submerged or semisubmersible foundations due to cost considerations. Fig.1 outlines various floating offshore support concepts for offshore wind structures. The various concepts can be described as tension leg platforms, semi submersibles and Spar type of (floating) foundations. The latter can be considered an example of a submerged foundation.Fig. 2 describes a floating or semi-submerged foundation (2) with a tower (1). If the structure is a wind turbine, (1) includes e.g., but not limited to, a nacelle, rotor blades and a hub.The various forces in the x, y and z directions cause the foundation to wobble, with combined surge, pitch and heave movements. This will again cause the tower with rotor (blades) to pose a variable angle facing the ambient wind, and undergo different working states during operations, from windmill working state, to vortex ring state, to propeller state, where the vortex ring state is the most unstable state (Fig.3a). This can cause an amplified surge (longitudinal) forces and motions, and equivalent enhanced forces in other directions (Fig 3b). Fig.4 outlines output – wind profiles. As an example, a wind velocity of 5 m/s is required to overcome internal frictions within a wind turbine. Between 5 m/s and 15 m/s of wind velocity, output (W) gradually increases as a function of wind velocity. To reduce stress and strain induced by the wind, directly and indirectly due to enhanced foundation movements, rotor blades are pitched to reduce drag. Increasing with wind velocity up to approximately 25 m/s, the pitch is gradually adjusted, providing a stable output.When the wind turbine is at rest, the pitch angle is 90 degrees. At maximum operational speed (in this example 25 m/s) the pitch is reduced to zero. To preserve the integrity of the total offshore structure, shut down feathering state is executed at a certain wind state. In this example it is at 25 m/s, when pitch angle is feathered near 90 degrees.By counterbalancing the floating foundation, as outlined as an example in Fig.4, variable output can be sustained at a wind speed up to e.g.18 m/s, and cut off wind speed at e.g.27 m/s. These are examples. The term "offshore" represents any device, structure or installation located on, within or at the bottom (subsea) of water. Equivalently, "onshore" represents any device or structure located not on, within or under water (subsea).The statement “at least one of” means, from a set of variables, activities or processes (synonymous terms) [a1, a2, …an] either a1, a2, …or an isolated (single activity) or any combination(s) among the variables. The term “at least one of” and “any combinations of” are synonymous.- “Foundation”, is a platform or arrangement which can be floating, semi-submerged or submerged. A “foundation” can be a barge or a vessel. The foundation can be free floating, meaning it not fixed to the floor, is floating, is semi-submerged, or is submerged.“Structure” is any arrangement or device mounted on a foundation. See “Invention” for further elaborations.A foundation can carry more than one structure.The term “Installation” or “total installation” (synonymous terms) represents all aspects, associated with the foundation and structure (if included), and the counterbalancing systems either below the seabed, on the seabed, submerged or floating or above sea levels, including references to the water surface and seabed.“String element” is an arrangement within a dynamic counterbalancing system, constituting, but is not limited to, any combinations of wires, chains, beams, rods, pipes.A “string” can constitute at least one string element.All aspects of a foundation (2), structure (1), and the counterbalancing systems (7, 9, 14, 15) can be made of any combinations of, but not limited to, concrete, metals (in particular steel), wire, chains, pipes, solid beams, rods, ceramics, epoxy, kevlar, fibers, matrices, synthetic materials, epoxy, plastics, composites, fiber glass and the like.The term “core system” represents a foundation (2) and the counterbalancing systems (7, 9, 14, 15) or a foundation (2), structure (1) and the counterbalancing systems (7, 9, 14, 15). The term “total system” represents (2-15) or (1-15) or core system.All references, terms, definitions, and phrases related to all aspects mentioned in the "Introduction", "Prior art", “Invention” sections and in the figures, also apply to, form the basis of, and are incorporated into the invention represented by this document.Some general elements like comments covering materials, sensors, real time, AI, etc. follow what is stated in our previous document NO20220294.Prior ArtTo reduce platform movements, in particular thrusters and arms have been proposed, among: NO872222A (Due to early priority date it is only available in Norwegian, 1987-05-27.) Representerer en leddet pendel-offshorekonstruksjon med en fundamentdel som danner et tyngdekraft-fundament på havbunnen, et tårn som rager opp fra fundamentdelen og et dekk som bæres av tårnet i en avstand over havoverflaten. Tårnet er forbundet med fundamentdelen ved hjelp av et ledd som muliggjør at tårn og dekk kan utføre begrensede svingebevegelser. Et sett av strekkelementer, fortrinnsvis kabler er innfestet mellom forankringer på hhv. fundamentet og et høyereliggende sted på tårnet. I en foretrukken utførelsesform er tårnet og fundamentet utført som betongskallkonstruksjoner.EP2796362 Discloses a movement inhibiting apparatus for a floating offshore wind turbine and a floating base with the apparatus. The movement inhibiting apparatus for the floating offshore wind turbine comprises at least one layer of an annular shake-reducing panel placed horizontally and surrounding the floating base. A plurality of shake-reducing fins is further arranged on the shake-reducing panel.EP2457818 Describes a method of reducing oscillations in offshore wind turbine comprising one or more thrusters. The method comprises a system for determining an oscillation of the wind turbine and a control system for operating the underwater thrusters in response to signals received from the oscillation determination system.EP3739202 The invention describes a floating foundation for supportingan offshore wind turbine assembly. The floating foundation is characterized by an underwater yaw system comprising a plurality of marine propeller units mounted tothe floating foundation to facilitate a rotation of the offshore wind turbine assembly.CN112377372 Describes an offshore floating type of wind turbine foundation,an offshore wind turbine and a mounting method of the offshore wind turbine.The wind turbine foundation comprises a supporting platform, a plurality of floating cylinders and a plurality of movable arms. The plurality of movable arms is distributed in the circumferential direction of the supporting platform.CN113864128 Provides an offshore wind turbine supporting structure andan offshore wind turbine. The offshore wind turbine supporting structure comprises a floating foundation and a plurality of radial beams. Prestressed cables are arranged in the radial beams and are connected with the floating foundation.The Irish company Gazelle has announced a new floating wind platform design it says can stabilize offshore turbines up to 20 MW in capacity. Large pivoting mechanical arms link three sea floor tethers to a counterweight slung underneath the Gazelle platform. https://newatlas.com/energy/gazelle-floating-wind/A new barge platform structure for a Floating Offshore Wind Turbine (FOWT) has been proposed to reduce the platform's rotational and translational moments and the tower displacements, by installing Oscillating Water Columns (OWC) within the barge to oppose to the oscillatory motion of the waves. Payam A. et al Stabilization of a floating offshore wind turbine using oscillating water columns. Innovation and Lecture Notes in Control Engineering for Clean Energy Generation, II Jornada WWME 2020 Wind (and) Wave Ocean Energy, December 17, 2020.WO 03004869 A1 relates to a floating wind turbine. The purpose of WO 03004869 A1 is to provide means for restricting and/or controlling the inclination angle of the longitudinal axis of said tower relative to the vertical direction to a certain, predetermined maximum inclination angle. This is achieved in several different ways:• Fig. 1 illustrates the use of ballast compartments• Fig. 2 illustrates the use of a movable weight• Fig. 3 illustrates the use of thrustersThese three embodiments all have in common that their purpose is to provide a constant force on the lower end of the buoyancy chamber 4. The constant force thereby acts to control the inclination angle of the tower and counter act the effect of the wind load on the turbine.The InventionThe objective technical problem to be solved by the invention, is to counterbalance forces and movements on floating offshore foundations due to, but not limited to, wind, waves, currents, and tides. This in particular, when a floating offshore foundation has been mounted with, but not limited to, a structure, a tower (could in general include, but not limited to, a crane, a beacon, a unit mounted with solar panels), or a wind turbine unit, including, but not limited to, a hub, rotor blades, turbine (nacelle) and a tower, which elements, and in particular the rotor(s) with blades, exerts additional forces and enhances foundation movements.The described counterbalancing systems described by this invention, can increase operational availability to any offshore structure mounted on a floating foundation, and in particular a floating wind turbine unit, thus provide increased operating profits. In additional, the counterbalancing systems can provide better total structural integrity and safety to all units associated with the offshore foundation, a simpler design, and subsequently reduce investment costs (CAPEX).Real-time control requires controllers to capture all the significant target activities and to deliver their responses as swiftly as possible so that system performance is never degraded. In Advanced Industrial Control Technology, Peng Zhang, 2010, ISBN: 978-1-4377-7807-6, https://www.sciencedirect.com/book/9781437778076/advanced-industrial-controltechnology#book-info, structure and requirements to real-time control systems are outlined, excerpts (chapter 1.2.1, line 7):“A control operation is a series of events or actions occurring within system hardware and software to give a specific result. A real-time control system is a system in which the correctness of a result depends not only on its logical correctness but also on the time interval in which the result is made available. The following three standards give the definition of a real-time control operation, and an industrial control system in which all thecontrol operations occur in real-time qualifies as a real-time control system:(1) Reliable operation execution - the operation execution must be stable, and it must be repeatable.(2) Determined operation deadline - any control operation needs time to execute.(3) Predictable operation result -the result for any control operation must be predictable.” Artificial intelligence (AI) technologies will advance or support the next generation of control systems.Based on e.g. combinations of, but not limited to, Model Predictive Control, (MPC), Proportional Integral Derivative (PID), Deep Reinforcement Learning (DRL), three characteristics of AI-based controllers can be emphasized;1. Learning: DRL-based controllers learn by methodically and continuously practicing (machine learning).2. Delayed gratification: DRL-based controllers can learn to recognize sub-optimal behavior in the short term, which enables the optimization of gains in the long term.3. Non-traditional input data: DRL-based controllers manage the intake and are able evaluate sensor information that automated systems cannot.The enablement of e.g. DRL-based control systems to a process facility, require, but are not limited to, the following steps in delivering a DRL-based controls:1. Preparation of a companion simulation model for the (AI) brain,2. Design and training of the (AI) brain,3. Assessment of the trained (AI) brain,4. Deployment.For further reading, see e.g. :https://www.controleng.com/articles/evolution-of-controlsystems-with-artificial-intelligence/In this context the AI brain(s) is/are, but not limited to, to be trained to, at least one of; foresee, forecast, predict, simulate or otherwise, related to;- wind status,- weather status,- forces, movements and location (x, y, z) and time to all components of the installation foundation, structure, and the counterbalancing system(s) or any other element associated or connected to the installation), - Status to the inertia tensors Iinstallation and counterbalancing system I counterbalancing system. - technical and maintenance status to the various components constituting the installation.At least one systemic control and guidance system (not shown on any of the figures) will interconnect with all possible subsystems (not shown) with the help of sensors (not shown on figures). These sensors will, but are not limited to, location determination (GPS), acceleration, velocity, pressure, temperature, inertia. Inertia sensors are important for dynamic systems. See e.g. for more information:https://www.advancednavigation.com/imuahrs/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=IMU&utm_term=inertial%20 sensor&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI4qff0vfE_wIVRS4GAB0D1gfxEAAYASAAEgJ2bfD_BwE) Such sensors can be, but are not limited to, analogue or digital, computerized, electronic, electro - mechanical, optical or of ultrasound types. The sensors are connected by wire or wireless communications. Overall coordination of the control system is executed by at least one central processing unit (not shown), which constitute the hub of the at least one control and guidance system (not shown).If sensors are not connected to a remote power source, they can be fitted with motion chargers. This might be the case if they are placed inside objects (9), without an external power source.The at least one real time control and guidance system, and the at least one AI brain, can be installed in the at least one central processing unit. The at least one central processing unit can be placed, but not limited to, at or within the at least one structure (1), the at least one foundation (2), and at or within or inside any component constituting a counterbalancing system (7, 9, 14, 15).The at least one sensor can be placed, but not limited to, at or within or inside the at least one structure (1), the at least one foundation (2), and at or within or inside any component constituting at least one counterbalancing system (7, 9, 14, 15).GeneralAs a simplified example, the total energy (E) of the pendulum system of fig.5, assuming e.g. no drag force on a string, with a single mass point in the form of a sphere, can be expressed as E = mgL (1 – cos Φ0) = 1/2mL2(d Φ/dt)2 + mgL(1 – cos Φ) (eq 1)The first term on the right-hand side is the kinetic energy and the second term is the potential energy.Where(3) = Coordinates to the Centre of Gravity (CG) (x, y, z, t) of the total offshore structure (7) Coordinated to the at least one support or pivot point (x, y, z)(8) = hn = f( Φ), distance from the at least one support point (7) (x, y, z) to CG (3) (x, y, z, t) n = 1, 2, 3, …..nΦ = displacement angle of the dynamic counterbalancing systemΦ0 = amplitude of the oscillation or the maximum angular displacement or the initial displacement angle(13) Fbuoy = Buoyancy force due to displaced water(9) m = mass of pendulum minus the mass of displaced water. This will level off Fbuoy (13) g = gravitational constantm1 …mn represent the mass of any additional objects (minus the mass of displaced water) (9) on a string (element) (14).(12) L = Total length of the string (14). In this example it represents the distance from the support or pivot point (7) (x, y, z) to a spherical object (9), and the system represents a pendulum. r = distance from the support point to any point on the string(eq 1) can be writtend Φ/dt = /- {sqrt(2g/L)}[sqrt(cos Φ – cos Φ0)] (eq 2)by integrating d Φ/dt the exact period can be calculated.For a finite element solution to eq. (2), se e.g. Hafez, Y. Solving the nonlinear pendulum equation with friction and drag forces using the Finite Element Method. Ro. J. Techn. Sci.-Appl. Mechanics, Vol.67, No.2, p.145-171, 2022.We are expanding the sum of string elements (L) (12) with a pendulum and sphere with a mass m (9), with a drag force, Fs (10) on the string (12), ref. fig. 5.The general magnitude of the drag force on an object moving in a fluid or the fluid is in motion can be describes as(11) Fb = 1/2Cd ρAv2 (eq 3)whereρ = density of the fluidv = velocityA = frontal cross-sectional area of the objectCd = constant (drag coefficient), function of the shape of the object and the Reynolds number For an object moving with small speeds, Fb can be approximated by(11) Fb = -cv (eq 4)wherec = constantv = velocityAn element of the string, dr, located at a distance r from the support point and moving with a velocity v,Ddr = cross sectional area of the element perpendicular to the direction of motionD = diameter of the string dFs = k(Ddr)v (eq 5) k = constantThe drag force is perpendicular to the stringIt can be shown that the total torque on the string τs, isτs = (kL3D/3)d Φ/dt (eq 6)The equation of motion can be expressed asmL2 d2 Φ/dt2 = -mgLsin Φ - τs - FbL (eq 7)where m = mass of at the least one object (9) minus the mass of displaced water Equation (7) can be simplified intoD2 Φ/dt2 + κd Φ/dt g/Lsin Φ = 0 (eq 8)whereThe damping constant κ = kLD/3m c/m (eq 9)With an angular frequency, ωω = sqrt(g/L – κ2/4) (eq 10)The general equation of motion becomesΦ = Φ0e(- κt/e)[Acos( ωt) Bsin( ωt)] (eq 11)A and B are constants determined by the initial conditions.A further analysis can be obtained by e.g.: Mohazzabi, P. and Shankar, S. P. Damping of a Simple Pendulum Due to Drag on Its String, Journal of Applied Mathematics and Physics, Vol 5, p 122-133, 2017.Practical problems may use, but not limited to, the finite element and/or finite difference methods.SpecificsIn Fig.2 (3) describes the location (coordinates to) of the Centre of Gravity (CG) (x, y, z, t) (in Fig.2, 5, 6a, b CG is placed in static mode, with Φ = 0) for the total offshore structure, including, but not limited to, a foundation (2), structure(1) and any counterbalancing arrangements (7, 9, 14, 15). (4) represents the water surface. (2) represents a foundation which can be floating, semi submerged or submerged. (5) represents the seabed. (6) are anchor arrangements if such are utilized. In most applications they are, but they are not a necessity. E.g. thrusters may be used. The foundation (2) can be free floating, meaning it has no hook up or anchoring arrangement to the sea floor.(7) is the coordinates to the at least one support or pivot point (x, y, z) to a string force, F7. In Fig.1;F1 = wind forces (on the tower or structure)F2 = forces due to vortex sheddingF3 = forces due to gravity of foundation and topside structure (tower with other arrangements) F4 = Buoyancy force(s)F5 = wave forcesF6 = current and tide forcesF7 = String force due to at least one counterbalancing arrangements or devicesF8, F9 = forces due to (any) anchor arrangementsVertical forces: F4 = F3 F8 F9 F7 cos ΦThe at least one string (14) can carry at least one gravitational object (9). An object can be of any shape and form, e.g. spherical, cylinder, cube, ellipsoidal. The at least one object can be solid or being non-solid.The at least one object (9) can be attached to the at least one string element (14) by at least one fixed or rotational arrangement (15). A fixed arrangement can be, but is not limited to, a clamping device, be welded to, glued together, or forged together. The at least one object (9) can be attached to a string by at least one rotational arrangement or device. This can be, but is not limited to, a swivel, spindle, hub, kingpin, a ring and a hook. The coordinates to the at least one attachment point of a string to the at least one foundation (2), the at least one support or pivotal point (7) (x, y, z), can be represented by at fixed arrangement or a rotational device (15).Fig 6a outlines the at least one gravitational, dynamic counterbalancing system for the at least one offshore (wind turbine) foundation.(3) is the coordinates to Centre of Gravity (CG) (x, y, z, t) = f( Φ) = function of timeThe same is the reality for the inertia tensor for the installation, I installation = function of time. There can be multiple number of h (hn, n = 1,2, 3 …n), one for each pivot point.(8) hn = distance from the at least one pivot point (7) (x, y, z) to CG (3) (x, y, z, t)There can be at least one (multiple numbers of) Φ ( Φn, n = 1,2, 3 …n)hn= f( Φn) = f(t), function of time(14) is at least one string element A string constitutes at least one string element (14), interconnected with at least two arrangements (15), one at the coordinates to the at least one pivot point (x, y, z) (7) and one at the at least one gravitational object (9).The coordinates to the at least one gravitational object (9) is a function of time (x, y, z, t). The at least one gravitational object (9) can be at rest with zero angular velocity.An arrangement (15) can either be fixed or rotational.The counterbalancing system, constituting at least one pivot point (7), with coordinates (x, y, z) at least one string element (14), at least two arrangements (15), at least one gravitational object (9), representing more than one degree of freedom.The inertia tensor for counterbalancing system, I counterbalancing system = function of time.The at least one sensor can be placed, but not limited to, at or within or inside the at least one structure (1), the at least one foundation (2), and at or within or inside any component constituting the at least one counterbalancing system (7, 9, 14, 15).The at least one sensor is/are connected by wire or wireless and communications are executed via at least one central control system to at least one processing unit (not shown).Algorithm(s) is/are executed by at least one processing unit (not shown), which constitute the hub of the at least one central control and guidance system (not shown).The at least one algorithm calculates in real time, at least one of, but not limited to:- wind status,- weather status,- forces, movements and location, stress and strain (x, y, z, t) to all components of the installation, but not limited to, foundation (2), structure (1), and the at least one counterbalancing system(s) (7, 9, 14, 15), location of CG (3) (x, y, z, t), the at least one height (8), hn = f ( Φn) = f(t), between the at least one pivot point (7) (x, y, z) and CG (3) (x, y, z, t), or any other element associated or connected to the installation, - Status or value(s) to the inertia tensor of the installation Iinstallation, the inertia tensor for counterbalancing system, I counterbalancing system = f(t).The (at least one) AI brain(s) is/are, but not limited to, to be trained to, at least one of; foresee, forecast, predict, simulate or otherwise, related to, but not limited to;- wind status,- weather status,forces, movements and location, stress and strain (x, y, z) to all components of the total installation, but not limited to,[at least one foundation (2), at least one structure (1)], and the at least one counterbalancing system(s) (9, 14, 15), location of CG (3) (x, y, z, t), the at least one height (8), hn= f( Φn) = f(t), function of time, between the at least one pivot point (7) (x, y, z) and CG (3) (x, y, z, t), or any other element associated or connected to the installation, - Status or value(s) to the inertia tensor of the installation Iinstallation = f(t), the inertia tensor for counterbalancing system, I counterbalancing system = f(t). The at least one AI brain can be, but is not limited to, to represent an algorithm within the at least one central processing unit (not shown).If the central processing unit or computer (synonymous terms) locate any value detected by at least one sensor and/or any real time measured or calculated present or future value by the at least one algorithm, utilizing at least central one process unit, a value near of above a certain threshold and/or warning value, this can be communicated to a master control unit (not shown). A master control unit (not shown) can be, but not necessary represent least one human being.The central processing unit can reduce the angular velocity of the rotor blades, shut down or lock the wind turbine or execute any other preventive measures if the structure (1) represents at least one wind turbine if at least one sensor and/or any real time measured or calculated present or future value by the at least one algorithm, utilizing at least one process unit, a value near of above a curtain threshold and/or any stated or predefined warning value, or any value the at the at least one AI brain calculates to represent a hazardous present or future value. Fig. 6b describes some examples counterbalancing systems. One example has multiple string elements (14) and one spherical gravitational object (9). One example constitutes multiple string elements (14), multiple pivot points (7) and multiple gravitational objects with multiple shapes and forms (9). These are examples, which are not to be interpreted in any limiting sense.
Claims
Claims1. A system for offshore gravitational and dynamic counterbalancing, comprising;at least one foundation (2), at least one pivot point (7), at least one string element (14), at least two arrangements (15) and at least one gravitational object (9),characterised in that;the at least one string element (14) has a first end connected by at least one arrangement (15) to the foundation (2) at the at least one pivot point (7) and the at least one string element (14) has a second end connected by at least one arrangement (15) to an at least one gravitational object (9) forming a pendulum;- the coordinates to the Centre of Gravity (3) of the total system or core system is a function of time,- the inertia tensor for the installation, Iinstallation is a function of time,- the height, hn, from the at least one pivot point (7) to the Centre of Gravity is a function of time.2. The system according to claim 1; wherein- a structure (1) is integrated with the foundation (2).3. The system according to claim 2; wherein- a structure (1) represents at least one wind turbine unit (1), including, but not limited to, at least one tower, at least one hub, at least one set of rotor blades, at least one turbine.4. The system according to all previous claims; wherein- the total system or core system represents more than one degree of freedom.5. The system according to all previous claims; wherein- at least one systemic control and guidance system will interconnect with all possible subsystems with the help of at least one sensor, the at least one sensor includes at least one of a location determination (GPS) sensor, an acceleration sensor, a velocity sensor, a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, and an inertia sensor, and- the at least one sensor is placed, at or within or inside at least one of the at least one structure (1), the at least one foundation (2), and any component constituting at least one counterbalancing system (7, 9, 14, 15).6. The system according to all previous claims wherein- the at least one systemic control and guidance system, and at least one AI brain, can be installed in the at least one central processing unit that is placed at or within the at least one structure (1), the at least one foundation (2), and any component constituting a counterbalancing system (7, 9, 14, 15).7. The system according to all previous claims; wherein- the at least one AI brain is trained to, at least one of; foresee, forecast, predict, simulate:- wind status,- weather status,- forces, movements and location and time to all components of the foundation, structure, and the counterbalancing system(s) or any other element associated or connected to the total system or core system,- Status to the inertia tensors Iinstallation and counterbalancing system I counterbalancing system.- technical and maintenance status to the various components constituting the installation.- and maintenance status to the various components constituting the installation.8. The system according to all previous claims; wherein- the foundation is not fixed to the floor, is floating, is semi-submerged, or is submerged.Krav norsk1. Et system for offshore gravitasjons- og dynamisk motbalanse, innbefattende;minst ett fundament (2), minst ett dreiepunkt (7), minst ett strengelement (14), minst to arrangementer (15) og minst ett gravitasjonsobjekt (9),kjennetegnet ved at;- det minst ene strengselementet (14) har en første ende koblet med minst ett arrangement (15) til fundamentet (2) ved det minst ene dreiepunkt (7) og det minst ene strengelement (14) har en andre ende koblet med minst ett arrangement (15) til minst ett gravitasjonsobjekt (9) som danner en pendel;- koordinatene til tyngdepunktet (3) til det totale systemet eller kjernesystemet er en funksjon av tid,- treghetstensoren for installasjonen, Iinstallation, er en funksjon av tid,- høyden, hn, fra minst ene dreiepunkt (7) til tyngdepunktet er en funksjon av tid.2. Systemet i henhold til krav 1; hvorav- en struktur (1) er integrert med fundamentet (2).3. Systemet i henhold til krav 2; hvorav- en struktur (1) representerer minst en vindturbinenhet (1), inkluderende, men ikke begrenset til, minst ett tårn, minst ett nav, minst ett sett rotorblader, minst en turbin.4. Systemet i henhold til alle tidligere krav; hvorav- det totale systemet eller kjernesystemet representerer mer enn én frihetsgrad.5. Systemet i henhold til alle tidligere krav; hvorav- minst ett systemisk kontroll- og styringssystem vil sammenkoble med alle mulige subsystemer med hjelp av minst ene sensor, der den minst ene sensor inkluderer minst en av en posisjonsbestemmende (GPS) sensor, en akselerasjonssensor, en hastighetssensor, en trykksensor, en temperatursensor og en tregehetssensor, og- den minst ene sensor er plassert, på eller ved eller inne i minst en av minst ene strukturen (1), minst ene fundamentet (2) og enhver komponent som utgjør minst ene motbalansesystem (7, 9, 14, 15).6. Systemet i henhold til alle tidligere krav der- det minst ene systemisk kontroll- og styringssystem, og minst ene AI-hjerne, kan installeres i minst ene sentrale prosessenhet som er plassert ved eller inne i minst ene struktur (1), minst ene fundament (2) og enhver komponent som utgjør et motbalansesystem (7, 9, 14, 15).7. Systemet i henhold til alle tidligere krav; der den minst ene AI-hjerne er trent til, minst en av; forutse, prognosere, predikere, simulere:- vindstatus,- værstatus,- krefter, bevegelser og plassering og tid til alle komponenter til fundamentet, struktur og motbalansesystemet(ene) eller ethvert annet element assosiert eller koblet til det totale systemet eller kjernesystemet,- status til inertitensorene Iinstallation og motbalansesystemet Imotbalansesystemet.- teknisk og vedlikeholdsstatus til de ulike komponentene som utgjør installasjonen. - og vedlikeholdsstatus til de ulike komponentene som utgjør installasjonen.8. Systemet i henhold til alle tidligere krav; hvorav- fundamentet er ikke festet til sjøbunnen, er flytende, er halv-nedsenket ellernedsenket.
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IPC classesF03D 13/25B63B 39/02B63B 35/44CPC classesF03D 13/256F03D 13/25B63B 39/02B63B 2035/446

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WO 03004869 A1 (A1)EP 1617076 A1 (A1)

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INTERNATIONAL ENERGY CONSORTIUM AS
INTERNATIONAL ENERGY CONSORTIUM AS

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c/o Gunnar Myhr Putten 50 1676 KRÅKERØY NO (FREDRIKSTAD Municipality, Østfold county)Org. number: 912678296Inventors
Gunnar Myhr
Putten 50 1676 KRÅKERØY NO (FREDRIKSTAD Municipality, Østfold county)

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