WO2020230685A1 - Floating offshore wind turbine and installation method for floating offshore wind turbine - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided are a floating wind turbine that can be installed offshore, and an installation method for said wind turbine.　This floating offshore wind turbine comprises a float (2), a shaft (3) that is connected to the float, and a blade structure that is connected to the shaft and can be folded in a direction approaching the shaft. Preferably, the blade structure further comprises: arms (7) that protrude radially from the shaft and are capable of rotation about a rotational axis that intersects the shaft; and blades (6) that are connected to the protruding ends of the arms so as to be capable of rotating about the rotational axis that intersects the shaft, said blades extending along the shaft.

Description

How to install a floating water turbine and a floating water turbine

This technology relates to the installation method of floating type water turbines and floating type water turbines.

Conventionally, a floating horizontal axis type wind turbine installed on the ocean has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In order to install the horizontal axis type wind turbine at sea, it is necessary to install the tower on the floating body and install the wind turbine head at the top of the tower.

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/02333231

Generally, the height of the tower is about 100 m, and the weight of the wind turbine head is several hundred tons. Therefore, in order to install the wind turbine head at the top of the tower, a land crane is insufficient and a large crane vessel must be used. Do not get. However, the charter fee for a large crane vessel is more than 10 million yen per day, and it is extremely difficult to install a floating horizontal axis wind turbine at sea from the viewpoint of cost.

The present disclosure has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide a floating wind turbine that can be practically installed on water and a method of installing the wind turbine.

The floating floating wind turbine according to the present disclosure includes a floating body, a shaft connected to the floating body, and a wing structure connected to the shaft and foldable in a direction approaching the shaft.

In the present disclosure, by bringing the wing structure closer to the shaft, the floating floating wind turbine can be made smaller and towed on the water becomes easier. Further, the blade structure may be deployed at a desired position, and the work of attaching the blade structure to the shaft on the water becomes unnecessary.

In the floating water wind turbine according to the present disclosure, the wing structure protrudes radially from the shaft and is rotatable around an axis that intersects the shaft, and a shaft that intersects the shaft at the protruding end of the arm. It has wings that are rotatably connected around and extend along the shaft.

In the present disclosure, the deployment of the wings is realized by rotating the arms and wings.

The floating floating wind turbine according to the present disclosure includes a reinforcing member for reinforcing the wing structure.

In this disclosure, the deployed wing structure is reinforced.

The floating floating wind turbine according to the present disclosure includes a plurality of the arms, the plurality of arms include a first arm and a second arm arranged in the axial direction of the shaft, and the reinforcing member includes the first arm and the first arm and the second arm. The connecting portion of the wing and the connecting portion of the shaft and the second arm are connected to form a truss structure.

In the present disclosure, the wing structure can be reinforced and the deployed state of the wing structure can be maintained by forming the truss structure.

In the floating water turbine according to the present disclosure, the wing structure includes a reinforced fiber plastic material or an aluminum member.

In the present disclosure, the weight of the wing structure can be reduced by using a reinforced fiber plastic material or an aluminum material. Moreover, the manufacturing cost of the wing structure can be suppressed.

In the floating type water turbine according to the present disclosure, the shaft is configured to be expandable and contractible.

In this disclosure, the shaft can be shrunk during towing to facilitate towing.

The method for installing a floating floating wind turbine according to the present disclosure is a floating floating wind turbine including a floating body, a shaft connected to the floating body, and a wing structure connected to the shaft and foldable in a direction approaching the shaft. Is assembled in a state where the wing structure is folded and laid on its side, the assembled floating floating wind turbine is towed to a desired position on the water, and the floating floating wind turbine is erected on the water with the floating body on the lower side. , The wing structure of the floating floating wind turbine that stands up is deployed.

In the present disclosure, by assembling the wind turbine in a sideways state, the load of the assembly work can be reduced as compared with the case where the parts are attached to the upright shaft. Also, by folding the wing structure, it is easy to tow a floating surface wind turbine. Further, since it is not necessary to attach the wing structure to the shaft on the water and it is only necessary to deploy the wing structure previously attached to the shaft, it is possible to reduce the installation cost, labor saving and time reduction of the installation work.

In the floating floating wind turbine and its installation method according to the present disclosure, by bringing the wing structure closer to the shaft, the floating floating wind turbine can be made smaller and towed on the water becomes easier. Further, the blade structure may be deployed at a desired position, which eliminates the need for the work of attaching the blade structure to the shaft on the water, and can reduce the installation cost, labor saving and time reduction of the installation work.

It is a schematic perspective view of the floating wind power generator which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a schematic diagram explaining the assembly process of a floating wind power generator. It is a schematic diagram explaining the assembly process of a floating wind power generator. It is a schematic diagram explaining the assembly process of a floating wind power generator. It is a schematic diagram explaining the assembly process of a floating wind power generator. It is a schematic enlarged view of an arm, a wing and a reinforcing member of a floating wind power generator whose composition was partially changed. It is a perspective view which shows the telescopic shaft of the floating wind power generator which concerns on Embodiment 2. FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the telescopic shaft of the floating wind power generator which concerns on Embodiment 2. FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the telescopic shaft of the floating wind power generator which concerns on Embodiment 2. FIG. It is a partially enlarged schematic view of a 1st arm, a 2nd arm, and a shaft.

(Embodiment 1)
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings showing the floating wind power generator according to the first embodiment. FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a floating wind power generator 1. The floating wind power generator 1 includes a floating vertical axis type water turbine, a power generator 4, and a rope 5. The floating vertical axis type floating wind turbine includes a floating body 2 forming a hollow columnar shape, a shaft 3, an arm 7, and a wing 6. The floating body 2 floats on water such as on the sea or on a lake. Ballast material such as water, iron material, and rock is put into the inside of the floating body 2, and a part of the ballast material is arranged below the water surface.

The shaft 3 is coaxially connected to the portion of the floating body 2 protruding from the water surface. A steel material, a reinforced fiber plastic material, or an aluminum material is used for the shaft 3. A plurality of connecting rings 9 are attached to the outer periphery of the shaft 3. The plurality of connecting rings 9 are arranged at predetermined intervals in the axial direction of the shaft 3. A plurality of arms 7 (three in this embodiment) are rotatably attached to each of the connecting rings 9. The plurality of arms 7 project radially from the connecting ring 9 and are arranged in the circumferential direction with substantially the same phase spacing. One end of the arm 7 is connected to the connecting ring 9 via a hinge 10 whose rotation axis direction is orthogonal to the shaft 3. The length of each arm 7 is substantially the same. The arm 7 has a flat columnar shape.

Wings 6 are rotatably attached to the other ends of a plurality of arms 7 arranged in the same phase in the circumferential direction and arranged in the axial direction. The airfoil 6 has a flat columnar shape extending along the shaft 3 and has an airfoil cross-sectional shape in a plan view. The other end of the arm 7 is connected to the blade 6 via a hinge 10 whose rotation axis direction is orthogonal to the shaft 3.

The arm 7 arranged at the position closest to the floating body 2 (hereinafter, also referred to as the first arm 71), and the arm 7 arranged next to the first arm 71 in the axial direction (hereinafter, also referred to as the second arm 72). A reinforcing member 8 is provided between the two. The reinforcing member 8 has a flat columnar shape, and one end of the reinforcing member 8 is connected to the connecting portion between the first arm 71 and the wing 6 via a hinge 12 whose rotation axis direction is orthogonal to the shaft 3. .. The other end of the reinforcing member 8 is fixed to the connecting portion between the second arm 72 and the shaft 3 by the fixing member 11.

A truss structure is formed by the first arm 71, the second arm 72, the reinforcing member 8, the wings 6, and the shaft 3. The arrangement position of the reinforcing member 8 is not limited to between the first arm 71 and the second arm 72, and the reinforcing member 8 may be arranged between the other two arms to form a truss structure. The reinforcing member 8 corresponds to a maintenance member.

Reinforcing fiber plastic material is used for the wing 6, the arm 7, and the reinforcing member 8, and since the wing 6, the arm 7, and the reinforcing member 8 have a substantially constant flat shape over the length direction, they are continuous at high speed. And can be manufactured, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced. Further, the weight of the wing 6, the arm 7, and the reinforcing member 8 can be reduced. An aluminum material may be used instead of the reinforced fiber plastic material.

A power generation device 4 is attached to the outer periphery of the shaft 3 between the first arm 71 and the floating body 2. The power generation device 4 is moored by a plurality of ropes 5, and the rotation of the power generation device 4 around the axis is restricted.

When wind power acts on the blade 6, the floating body 2 and the shaft 3 rotate around the axis. On the other hand, the power generation device 4 does not rotate. That is, the shaft 3 and the power generation device 4 rotate relatively around the axis, and the power generation device 4 generates power by the rotation of the shaft 3. Power generation is performed, for example, by meshing gears provided on the shaft 3 and the power generation device 4, or by providing an electromagnet and a coil on the shaft 3 and the power generation device 4. Permanent magnets may be used instead of electromagnets.

Next, the assembly process of the floating wind power generator 1 will be described. 2 to 5 are schematic views illustrating an assembly process of the floating wind power generator 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the floating body 2 and the shaft 3 are placed sideways on the ground 50, and the connecting ring 9, the arm 7, and the wing 6 are attached to the shaft 3. The arm 7 and the wing 6 are attached to the shaft 3 in a substantially parallel state. That is, the arm 7 and the wing 6 are folded in a direction approaching the shaft 3.

As shown in FIG. 3, after the attachment of the connecting ring 9, the arm 7, and the blade 6 is completed, the floating wind power generator 1 is transported to the water surface 51, placed on the auxiliary floating body 40, and towed to a desired position. Next, as shown in FIG. 4, a ballast material such as water, an iron material, and a rock is put into the floating body 2, and the floating body 2 and the shaft 3 stand up. The floating body 2 is formed with an opening for inserting the ballast material.

Next, as shown in FIG. 5, each arm 7 is rotated toward the water surface 51, and each wing 6 is moved in a direction away from the shaft 3. That is, the wings 6 are deployed. For example, a wire (not shown) is attached to the arm 7 and the wing 6 in advance, the arm 7 and the wing 6 facing the water surface 51 by their own weight are held by the wire, the amount of movement of the wire is controlled, and the wing 6 is gradually expanded. At the time of deployment, it is preferable to deploy all the wings 6 at the same time. This is because it becomes difficult to maintain the equilibrium of the floating wind power generator 1 on the water when only a part of the blades 6 is deployed.

After the wing 6 is deployed, one end of the reinforcing member 8 is rotatably connected to the connecting portion between the first arm 71 and the wing 6. At this time, the other end of the reinforcing member 8 is a free end. A winch 20 is installed on the second arm 72, and a wire 21 is pulled out from the winch 20 and connected to the other end of the reinforcing member 8. After that, the winch 20 is driven to bring the other end of the reinforcing member 8 close to the connecting portion between the second arm 72 and the shaft 3, and the winch 20 is fixed to the connecting portion by the fixing member 11. A ladder for the worker to move and an operation unit for operating the winch 20 are provided in the shaft 3, and the operator can operate the operation unit to control the drive of the winch 20.

In the floating wind power generator 1 and its installation method according to the first embodiment, the floating wind power generator 1 is made smaller by bringing the arm 7 and the wing 6 closer to the shaft 3, and the towing on water is performed. It will be easier. Further, the arm 7 and the wing 6 may be deployed at a desired position, eliminating the need for the work of attaching the arm 7 and the wing 6 to the shaft 3 on the water, reducing the installation cost, labor saving and time reduction of the installation work. Can be planned. Further, by rotating the arm 7 and the wing 6, the wing 6 can be deployed.

Further, by attaching the reinforcing member 8 and forming the truss structure, it is possible to prevent the deployed wings 6 and the arm 7 from rotating toward the floating body 2 due to their own weight and to prevent them from being folded. Further, the arm 7 and the wing 6 can be reinforced. Further, by using a reinforced fiber plastic material or an aluminum material for the wing 6, the arm 7, and the reinforcing member 8, the weight of the wing 6, the arm 7, and the reinforcing member 8 can be reduced. Further, the manufacturing cost of the blade 6, the arm 7, and the reinforcing member 8 can be suppressed.

FIG. 6 is a schematic enlarged view of the arm 7, the blade 6, and the reinforcing member 8 of the floating wind power generator 1 whose configuration has been partially changed. The reinforcing member 8 may be attached as follows. A connecting ring 90 is slidably attached to the outer periphery of the shaft 3 between the first arm 71 and the second arm 72. The connecting ring 90 is arranged at a position close to the first arm 71. As described above, one end of the reinforcing member 8 is connected to the connecting portion between the first arm 71 and the wing 6 via a hinge 12. The other end of the reinforcing member 8 is connected to the connecting ring 90 via a hinge 10 that rotates about an axis orthogonal to the shaft 3.

The connecting ring 90 is moved toward the second arm 72, the other end of the reinforcing member 8 is adjacent to the connecting portion between the second arm 72 and the connecting ring 9, and the connecting ring 90 is fixed to the shaft 3.

(Embodiment 2)
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings showing the floating wind power generator 1 according to the second embodiment. 7A to 7C are perspective views showing the telescopic shaft 3. The shaft 3 is configured to be expandable and contractible. The shaft 3 includes a cylindrical large diameter portion 3a, a middle diameter portion 3b, and a small diameter portion 3c. The diameter of the middle diameter portion 3b is smaller than the diameter of the large diameter portion 3a, and the middle diameter portion 3b is arranged in the large diameter portion 3a. A locking portion (not shown) that locks to the large diameter portion 3a is formed in the middle diameter portion 3b. The middle diameter portion 3b can be pulled out until the locking portion locks on the large diameter portion 3a.

The diameter of the small diameter portion 3c is smaller than the diameter of the middle diameter portion 3b, and the small diameter portion 3c is arranged in the middle diameter portion 3b. A locking portion (not shown) that locks to the middle warp portion 3b is formed in the small diameter portion 3c. The small diameter portion 3c can be pulled out until the locking portion is locked to the middle warp portion 3b. The direction of pulling out the middle warp portion 3b and the small diameter portion 3c is the axial direction of the shaft 3 and is the same direction.

As shown in FIG. 7A, when the shaft 3 is the shortest, the middle diameter portion 3b is housed in the large diameter portion 3a, and the small diameter portion 3c is housed in the middle diameter portion 3b. When extending the shaft 3, as shown in FIG. 7B, the small diameter portion 3c is pulled out until the locking portion is locked to the middle diameter portion 3b, and further, as shown in FIG. 7C, the locking portion engages with the large diameter portion 3a. Pull out the middle part 3b until it stops. Then, the small diameter portion 3c and the middle warp portion 3b are fixed in a pulled out state.

FIG. 8 is a partially enlarged schematic view of the first arm 71, the second arm 72, and the shaft 3. Before deploying on water, the wing 6 is connected only to the large diameter portion 3a via the first arm 71 and the second arm 72. Since the middle diameter portion 3b and the small diameter portion 3c are arranged inside the large diameter portion 3a, the middle diameter portion 3b and the small diameter portion 3c and the wing 6 cannot be connected by the arm 7. That is, the arm 7 connecting the middle warp portion 3b, the small diameter portion 3c, and the wing 6 is removed. At the time of towing, the shaft 3 is contracted, and the first arm 71, the second arm 72 and the wing 6 are folded.

As shown in FIG. 8, after the shaft 3 stands on the water, the wing 6, the first arm 71 and the second arm 72 are deployed. After that, the shaft 3 is extended, and the middle warp portion 3b, the small diameter portion 3c, and the wing 6 are connected by the arm 7. For the installation of the arm 7, for example, a wire and a winch are used.

It is also possible to connect only one blade 6 to the large diameter portion 3a before deployment, deploy the blade 6, and then connect the remaining blade 6 to the shaft 3 using a crane. Further, the wing 6 and the arm 7 may not be connected to the shaft 3 before deployment, and the wing 6 and the arm 7 may be connected to the shaft 3 by using a crane after the shaft 3 is erected and extended on the water. Good.

In the floating wind power generator 1 according to the second embodiment, the shaft 3 is contracted at the time of towing to facilitate towing. Further, the shaft 3 can be erected at a desired position and then extended to deploy the wing 6.

Although not shown, the floating wind power generator 1 protects the shaft 3, wings 6, arms 7, connecting rings 9, hinges 10, 12 or power generator 4 from moisture, for example, seawater droplets. A cover is provided for this. A device for supplying lubricating oil may be provided at the contact points of the parts, for example, the hinges 10 and 12.

The embodiment disclosed this time is an example in all respects and should be considered not to be restrictive. The technical features described in each example can be combined with each other and the scope of the invention is intended to include all modifications within the claims and claims equivalent to the claims. ..

1 Floating wind power generator 2 Floating 3 Shaft 6 Wings 7 Arm 8 Reinforcing member 11 Fixing member 10, 12 Hinge

Claims (7)

1. Floating body and
   A shaft connected to the floating body and
   A floating floating wind turbine provided with a wing structure connected to the shaft and foldable in a direction approaching the shaft.
2. The wing structure
   An arm that projects radially from the shaft and can rotate about an axis that intersects the shaft.
   The floating floating wind turbine according to claim 1, further comprising a wing that is rotatably connected to a protruding end of the arm around an axis intersecting the shaft and extends along the shaft.
3. The floating water turbine according to claim 2, further comprising a reinforcing member for reinforcing the wing structure.
4. With multiple arms
   The plurality of arms include a first arm and a second arm aligned in the axial direction of the shaft.
   The floating floating wind turbine according to claim 3, wherein the reinforcing member connects the connecting portion of the first arm and the wing and the connecting portion of the shaft and the second arm to form a truss structure.
5. The floating floating wind turbine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the wing structure includes a reinforced fiber plastic material or an aluminum member.
6. The floating floating wind turbine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the shaft is configured to be expandable and contractible.
7. A floating floating wind turbine having a floating body, a shaft connected to the floating body, and a wing structure connected to the shaft and foldable in a direction approaching the shaft, in a state where the wing structure is folded and laid down. assembly,
   Tow the assembled floating water turbine to the desired position on the water,
   With the floating body on the lower side, the floating floating wind turbine is erected on the water.
   A method of installing a floating floating wind turbine that deploys the wing structure of the floating floating wind turbine that stands up.

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