U.S. patent application number 13/143648 was filed with the patent office on 2012-01-19 for submersible platform with blocked thrust for offshore wind plants in open sea in concrete-steel hybrid solution.
This patent application is currently assigned to Blue H Intellectual Property Cyprus Limited. Invention is credited to Silvestro Caruso.
Application Number | 20120014752 13/143648 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41528703 |
Filed Date | 2012-01-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120014752 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Caruso; Silvestro |
January 19, 2012 |
Submersible Platform With Blocked Thrust For Offshore Wind Plants
In Open Sea In Concrete-Steel Hybrid Solution
Abstract
A tension-legged offshore submerged platform, in hybrid
concrete-steel solution, having a pre-stressed concrete central
body, a steel peripheral structure, which is connected to the
central body through steel stiffeners, and further to a basement
for such a platform.
Inventors: |
Caruso; Silvestro; (Genova,
IT) |
Assignee: |
Blue H Intellectual Property Cyprus
Limited
Nicosia
CY
|
Family ID: |
41528703 |
Appl. No.: |
13/143648 |
Filed: |
January 11, 2010 |
PCT Filed: |
January 11, 2010 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/IB2010/050088 |
371 Date: |
September 30, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
405/205 ;
405/211; 405/224 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B63B 35/44 20130101;
B63B 21/50 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
405/205 ;
405/224; 405/211 |
International
Class: |
B63B 35/44 20060101
B63B035/44; E02D 5/60 20060101 E02D005/60; E02D 29/09 20060101
E02D029/09 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 13, 2009 |
IT |
TO2009A000015 |
Claims
1. A tension legged offshore submerged platform for offshore wind
plants in an open sea, in hybrid concrete-steel solution,
comprising: a pre-stressed concrete central body, and a steel
peripheral structure, surrounding the central body and which is
connected to the central body through steel stiffeners.
2. The platform according to claim 1, further comprising: an
anchorage system of the platform, which is anchored to a basement
and includes a plurality of textile ropes, which are anchored
downwards to the basement and extend upwards until they penetrate
inside the central body, and at least one tensioning system
operating to modify a rope length and preloading the ropes
themselves, said tensioning system being located at the top of
cylindrical the central body.
3.-4. (canceled)
5. The platform according to claim 2, wherein the at least one
tensioning system is provided above sea level.
6. The platform according to claim 2, further comprising protection
devices for protecting the textile ropes.
7. The platform according to claim 2, wherein the basement is
formed from pre-stressed concrete, including free volumes, which
are pressurizable with air and floodable, such that the basement
operates as a semi-submerged pontoon for constructing the platform
and for transporting the basement and platform from a building yard
to an offshore site.
8. The platform according to claim 7, wherein during installation
of the platform at an offshore site, the platform remains anchored
to the basement such that the platform is partially submerged by
means of said textile ropes in tension.
9. The platform according to claim 2, further comprising free
volumes, which are pressurizable with air and floodable such that
the platform operates as a semi-submerged pontoon for constructing
the platform and for transporting the basement and platform from a
building yard to an offshore site.
10. Platform according to claim 9, wherein during installation of
the platform at an offshore site, the platform remains anchored to
the basement such that the platform is partially submerged by means
of said textile ropes in tension.
11. The platform according to claim 2, wherein the at least one
tensioning system is provided inside of the central body.
12. The platform according to claim 11, wherein the at least one
tensioning system is provided above sea level.
13. The platform according to claim 12, further comprising
protection devices for protecting the textile ropes.
14. The platform according to claim 13, wherein the basement is
formed from pre-stressed concrete, including free volumes, which
are pressurizable with air and floodable, such that the basement
operates as a semi-submerged pontoon for constructing the platform
and for transporting the basement and platform from a building yard
to an offshore site.
15. The platform according to claim 14, wherein during installation
of the platform at an offshore site, the platform remains anchored
to the basement such that the platform is partially submerged by
means of said textile ropes in tension.
16. The platform according to claim 13 further comprising free
volumes, which are pressurizable with air and floodable such that
the platform operates as a semi-submerged pontoon for constructing
the platform and for transporting the basement and platform from a
building yard to an offshore site.
17. Platform according to claim 16, wherein during installation of
the platform at an offshore site, the platform remains anchored to
the basement such that the platform is partially submerged by means
of said textile ropes in tension.
18. The platform according to claim 12, wherein the basement is
formed from pre-stressed concrete, including free volumes, which
are pressurizable with air and floodable, such that the basement
operates as a semi-submerged pontoon for constructing the platform
and for transporting the basement and platform from a building yard
to an offshore site.
19. The platform according to claim 18, wherein during installation
of the platform at an offshore site, the platform remains anchored
to the basement such that the platform is partially submerged by
means of said textile ropes in tension.
20. The platform according to claim 12 further comprising free
volumes, which are pressurizable with air and floodable such that
the platform operates as a semi-submerged pontoon for constructing
the platform and for transporting the basement and platform from a
building yard to an offshore site.
21. Platform according to claim 20, wherein during installation of
the platform at an offshore site, the platform remains anchored to
the basement such that the platform is partially submerged by means
of said textile ropes in tension.
22. The platform according to claim 11, further comprising
protection devices for protecting the textile ropes.
23. The platform according to claim 11, wherein the basement is
formed from pre-stressed concrete, including free volumes, which
are pressurizable with air and floodable, such that the basement
operates as a semi-submerged pontoon for constructing the platform
and for transporting the basement and platform from a building yard
to an offshore site.
24. The platform according to claim 23, wherein during installation
of the platform at an offshore site, the platform remains anchored
to the basement such that the platform is partially submerged by
means of said textile ropes in tension.
25. The platform according claim 11, further comprising free
volumes, which are pressurizable with air and floodable such that
the platform operates as a semi-submerged pontoon for constructing
the platform and for transporting the basement and platform from a
building yard to an offshore site.
26. Platform according to claim 25, wherein during installation of
the platform at an offshore site, the platform remains anchored to
the basement such that the platform is partially submerged by means
of said textile ropes in tension.
27. The platform according to claim 1, further comprising free
volumes, which are pressurizable with air and floodable such that
the platform operates as a semi-submerged pontoon for constructing
the platform and for transporting the basement and platform from a
building yard to an offshore site.
28. Platform according to claim 27, wherein during installation of
the platform at an offshore site, the platform remains anchored to
the basement such that the platform is partially submerged by means
of said textile ropes in tension.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] In US 2008/0014025 A1 a mounting system for mounting
structures and equipment such as wind-electric generators on water
comprising a carrier is disclosed which is attached to a foundation
through connecting elements. The carrier has an inherent buoyancy
and the connecting elements are used to maintain a stable position
of the carrier in the water.
[0002] WO 02/10589 A1 shows a wind powered generator for locating
offshore comprises a semi-submersible structure made of concrete or
steel for carrying a wind turbine. The semi-submersible structure
comprising a buoyancy chamber and is secured to the sea bed by a
primary anchor cable (mooring line) and auxiliary anchor cables.
The primary anchor cable is secured in the buoyancy chamber by a
connecting bracket. Additionally, a winching mechanism is provided
for winching the semi-submersible structure downwardly on the
primary anchor cable in the water against the upward buoyancy force
acting on the semi-submersible structure.
[0003] FR 1 327 924 A shows a platform comprising a first caisson
and a second caisson which can be made from pre-stressed concrete.
The second caisson is held in position by cables. Winches are
mounted on the corners for level adjustment. In use the winches are
exposed to the sea water.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The object of the present invention is a submersible
offshore wind platform with blocked thrust, constituted by a
concrete-steel mixed structure, according to some features
specified in the Italian patent Nr. 0001331996. Said Italian patent
Nr. 0001331996 relates to a submerged floating platform with the
double function of support base for wind plant in combination with
a mariculture plant. The whole is implemented by using a partially
submerged platform with blocked thrust, ballastable and
transportable as far as the site wherein it is anchored to a
basement placed onto the seafloor; the anchoring being implemented
with connection tie rods apt to support even combined weights,
pressures and efforts, due to the floating force and to the outer
forces deriving from the sea and from the wind.
[0005] The object of the present invention is to overcome some
critical aspects linked to the use of a platform according to the
features of the patent Nr. 0001331996, in the specific case
relating to the configuration, the materials used in the
implementation, the system for anchoring the platform to the
basement, as well as the use of the latter as semi-submersible
pontoon whereupon the platform in the construction plant is to be
constructed and assembled. At the construction plant, the wind
turbine is mounted on the structure after which the entire unit is
to be transported from the construction plant to the offshore
site.
[0006] The platform object of the present invention is too a
submerged platform, with blocked thrust, equipped with an
axial-symmetric central body made of pre-stressed concrete and a
peripheral structure made of steel connected thereto by means of a
plurality of stiffening members. A solution of this kind allows
obtaining several advantages: to contain the whole weight of the
structure, to guarantee high features of mechanical resistance, to
simplify and economize the construction, to allow implementing the
platform itself by avoiding or however limiting to resort to
qualified building crafts for special processes (welding,
etc.).
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0007] The detailed description of the invention will refer
specifically to the figures wherein a preferred embodiment example
of the present invention is represented, absolutely not for
limitative purposes.
[0008] In particular:
[0009] FIG. 1 represents a scheme of the general configuration of
the system;
[0010] FIG. 2 represents a plan and a section view of the
basement;
[0011] FIG. 3 represents a plan view of the submerged platform.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0012] As it can be seen from the above-mentioned figures, the
platform comprises a central body 1 made of pre-stressed concrete,
a peripheral structure made of steel 2 connected to the central
body 1 by means of specific inserts made of steel 9 buried in the
concrete, tie rods made of steel 10 and a stiffening ring 5. The
central body is dominated by a tower made of steel 12 supporting
the wind turbine.
[0013] Fundamental feature of the present invention is the system
for anchoring the platform to the basement 15, comprising a
plurality of textile ropes 6 which, anchored downwards the basement
15, extend upwards to penetrate inside the central body 1. At the
top of the central body 1, tensioning systems 11 are placed,
planned to allow modifying the length of the ropes 6, having effect
onto the preload of the same, by even a great number of meters.
This feature also allows compensating the possible vertical
settling of the basement 15, even by several metres, consequent to
the action of the various marine currents, above all in sites with
a huge layer of sand, by acting simply from the inside of the
platform. The solution further comprises devices 7 and 8 apt to
protect the ropes 6 extending outwardly the platform and to
minimize/annul the frictions along the route of the same. The
platform already object of the patent Nr. 0001331996, on the
contrary, was characterized by the use of tie rods (for example
chains) which at the periphery tied up vertically the platform to
the counterweight or anchor weight (basement). Such chains were
anchored to the legs of the platform with hydraulic jacks equipped
with mechanical safe devices and therefore adjustable in a limited
way.
[0014] In such case, the length of the chains had to be defined
based upon the depth and condition of the seabed, so that the
wished preload onto the tie rods was implemented. This requested to
perform precise surveys of the seabed. Furthermore, during
installation, and then for maintenance purposes, the reference
solution requested the use of scuba divers.
[0015] These problems are overcome in the present invention thanks
to the use of said textile ropes 6 with related tensioning system
11 incorporated at the top of the central body 1.
[0016] Furthermore, as far as the use of the materials is
concerned, a platform only made of pre-stressed concrete comprising
a central body tied up, in the lower portion, to a peripheral
crown, made of concrete too, would have a weight constituted by 80%
by the peripheral portion and by 20% by the central body. On the
other hand, the structure wholly made of steel would be relatively
light in the peripheral portion, but would require long periods of
time, qualified building crafts and high costs for the
implementation thereof.
[0017] The structure made of pre-stressed concrete and steel object
of the present invention adds up the advantages of the solutions
wholly made of concrete and wholly made of steel, by eliminating
the disadvantages thereof. The solution of the patent Nr.
0001331996 provided to transport the platform to the site and,
subsequently, to anchor it by means of the tie rods to the basement
previously arranged onto the seabed. On the contrary, the solution
of the present invention comprises a basement 15 made of
pre-stressed concrete with free volumes which can be pressurized
with air and which can be flooded, which, after the construction
thereof, can be used as semi-submersible pontoon for constructing
the platform thereupon and the joined transportation basement 15
plus platform from the construction plant to the site.
[0018] Furthermore, during the unit installation, the basement 15,
during the submersion thereof, remains anchored to the platform
standing above, through said ropes 6, which is kept in tension,
with positive effect onto the system stability.
* * * * *