ES2629867A2 - System and procedure of anchoring for floating marine platforms, which prevents the movement of pitch and allows to capture the energy of the waves (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) - Google Patents

Abstract

Anchoring system for floating platforms, characterized in that it totally eliminates pitching and rolling movements through the use of several cables (8) attached to the bottom (4), which are supported by various shovels of the platform (2 and 3) and they are all joined at the same point of a common counterweight (1) that hangs from the platform (10). The system also allows the energy of the waves to be captured (through the movement of the entire platform) by means of generators (12) interspersed in the mooring lines, and includes a novel procedure to install it at its destination without the help of ships. specials. The system is applicable to any type of floating platform, although it is especially suitable for marine wind turbine support platforms.

Description

System and procedure of anchoring for floating marine platforms, which prevents the movement of pitch and allows to capture the energy of the waves.

Object of the Invention

The present descriptive memorandum refers to a request for a patent of invention, relative to a mooring system applicable to all types of floating marine platforms, which allows the movement of the same, both in horizontal and vertical direction, but which completely cancels the movement of pitch and balance of the platform.

As it is a different anchoring system from the ones currently used, a procedure is also included to install the corresponding platform, moving it from the launch site to its final location, and allowing it to be relocated without special ships, with the only help from a conventional tugboat.

The fact that the floating platform on which this system is installed, does not have pitch or roll movements (even with large waves), makes it especially suitable for the following installations:

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In which embark people prone to seasickness with the movements of the platform (that is, not being marine professionals), such as young children, tourists, scientists, guests and visitors in general.

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On which offshore marine wind turbines are installed.

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In which the equipment installed and in which the activity to which they are dedicated (laboratories, research centers, factories), requires that the movements and accelerations of the platform are small.

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That they may be subjected (at some point) to extremely severe weather that could endanger the safety of the structure itself or that could overturn it (if its pitch movement was too great).

The platform on which this type of anchoring is installed does not need to be supported on the bottom, making it suitable for areas of any marine depth, both close to the coast (80 m depth), and far from it (to depths of 1000 m or more) and at any intermediate distance, since it is capable of withstanding very severe storms.

The distinguishing feature with respect to other conventional anchoring systems is that the anchoring lines do not attach directly to the structure of the platform, but they are returned by pulleys to the center of the platform and from there they are reshipped by means of other pulleys. towards a totally submerged counterweight, in which all the anchoring lines are joined.

Another of the priority objectives of the invention is to simplify and facilitate the installation maneuvers of the platform, so that special vessels are not necessary for this task. For example, the installation of a support platform for marine wind turbines equipped with this anchoring system, can be done with a single tugboat that transports it from the shipyard to the operation area and once there, position it and put it into operation without the use of special "crane ships".

It also allows you to uninstall it and move it to another position, with the only help of the tug that will move it. In later chapters, the entire transfer, installation and uninstallation sequence is specified.

Definitions used in this patent application

Next, some elements that are cited in the claims are defined and can have a meaning (or certain nuances) slightly different from the usual.

Float: it is a closed and tight enclosure, submerged totally or partially in the water and that can be subjected to hydrostatic or hydrodynamic forces due to the waves

or the marine currents. If it is partially submerged, it can also be subjected to the forces caused by the wind on its side or superstructures.

Helmet: it is one or several waterproof floats that form a rigid and resistant assembly, in which at least one of them is partially submerged.

Platform (10): it is a helmet of any shape or configuration, with several elements or additional structures, dedicated to any function (accommodation, industrial or recreational facilities, support of windmills, etc.), equipped with the anchoring system proposed here .

External agents: they are the wind, the marine currents, the waves, internal load movements or any element outside the platform that tries to move it away from its project position or try to have pitching or balance movements.

Cable tension: tensile force to which the cable is subjected (due to its flexible nature, the cable can not be subjected to compression forces).

Central Counterweight (1): it is a totally submerged helmet, with an average density higher than

1.3 kg / dm3, which keeps the anchoring lines that connect to it tightened. In simple installations there is only one counterweight located on the central axis of the platform, but there may be several or be located below other points of the platform.

Weight or block of anchoring (4): It is a weight (large) resting on the seabed, to which the cables of the anchoring system are attached. In other conventional installations, it is equivalent to the anchor, to the 'dead' who maintain buoys or other marine elements in their position, or to any other type anchored by piles.

Anchoring ring (4): it is a particular case of anchoring weights in which all the weights of the anchoring system are joined together, forming a single piece (generally in the form of a ring, but not necessarily) in which they hold all the anchoring sections of all the anchoring lines. It is facilitated if the maneuvers of installation of the platform.

Anchorage cable: it is a cable, chain or tie of any type that keeps the platform attached to the weight of the anchorage, preventing the platform from being dragged by external agents. It is composed of the following elements:

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Bottom section (8) is the part of the cable that joins the anchoring weight with the external pulley of the anchoring line. In most applications the project condition is fully vertical, although in special cases it may be slightly divergent.

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Intermediate section (7) is the part of the cable that joins the two pulleys that hold the cable, it can be horizontal or with a slight slope.

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Central section (6) is the part of the cable that joins the inner pulley with the central counterweight, the last part of this section is called.

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Adjustment section (9) located at the end of the central section, serves to adjust the length of the cable (once the platform is anchored in its place of operation) so that with the calm sea, the platform is horizontally leveled and all cables of funding have their project tension.

Axis of the anchoring line: a vertical axis that passes through the CdG of the counterweight in its resting (or project) position.

Anchorage line (generic): is the basic unit of the funding system, is composed of the following elements:

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An anchorage weight supported on the seabed

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An external pulley (3): attached to the platform in a partially flexible (or rotating) way, close to the vertical of the anchor weight

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An inner pulley (2): attached to the platform partially flexible (or rotating), located between the outer pulley and the axis of the anchor line

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The corresponding part of the central counterweight (several cables must necessarily share the same counterweight)

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An anchorage cable that joins all these elements, composed of the sections defined above.

All the elements of the anchoring line are coplanar in their resting state, although the pulleys are self-adjustable, so that they adapt to the variations of direction suffered by the central and anchoring sections due to the movements of the platform.

Pendulum: is the set formed by the central counterweight and the central sections of all the lines of funding that concur in this counterweight. It is so named because its dynamic behavior is very similar to that of a conventional pendulum, in fact with some waves, the counterweight has important horizontal movements and the cables rotate a lot with respect to the vertical (balance angles of the pendulum can be reached up to 15º) .

Block line (figure 1): it is a generic line of anchorage (as described above), responsible for maintaining the verticality of the platform, its elements are large, because they can be subject to great stress in their cable funding, especially on wind turbine support platforms.

Buffer line (figure 2): it is an anchorage line with some variations:

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Two intermediate pulleys (11) are added, equal and interlinked (they rotate exactly the same, but in opposite directions), one of them is connected to an electric generator, which allows to capture the energy of the movement of the platform.

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The central section of the anchoring cable (13) is not straight, but passes through the two intermediate pulleys (11), so that the pulleys rotate as the cable moves longitudinally.

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The adjustment section of the anchoring cable has a more elastic part, so that it absorbs the length variations of the blocking lines.

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The cable tension is limited by the electrical characteristics of the generator and is much lower than that of the blocking lines.

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The size of its elements (cable diameter, pulleys, supports ...) is also smaller, due to the lower stresses to which it is subjected.

Divergent anchoring line: It is an anchorage line in which its anchoring section (which is fastened on the seabed) is not vertical, but is tilted outwards, that is, the axis of the anchoring line is more far from the weight of anchoring that of the outer pulley (figure 6).

Group of anchoring lines: It is the set of several anchorage lines (blocking or buffer) that share a common central counterweight, with all its central sections very close. The resulting arrangement is necessarily radial, although each branch may have a different size (distance between the axis of the central line and the outer pulley).

Anchoring system: It is the set of all the groups of anchoring lines that hold a platform. In general, each platform has a single buffer and a single counterweight. There may be more complex configurations:

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On very long platforms, you can have installed several groups of anchoring lines acting on the same counterweight (the center lines of each group of anchoring lines are fastened to different points of the counterweight, which is also elongated).

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On especially large platforms, there may be several groups of anchoring lines, each group with its corresponding counterweight.

Platform LVDT (variable length by voltage difference): it is a platform in which the anchoring system proposed in this patent has been installed.

TLP Platform (tension leg platform): a type of existing platforms in the market, in which the anchoring is composed of three (or more) vertical anchoring lines that are kept in tension due to an excess of buoyancy of the platform hull .

Central well (16): it is a hole that crosses the whole platform vertically, just below the inner pulleys, for the passage of the pendulum (cables of the central section and counterweight), when the inner pulleys are separated from the vertical of the central counterweight, the central well is unnecessary.

Field of application of the invention

It is applicable to any floating marine installation, in which the movement requirements are an important design condition. Especially for the following cases:

Tourism, maritime leisure and water sports

A platform designed with this type of funding, is ideal for the hotel and recreation industry, since most of the potential clients of this type of facility are not expert sailors and the fact that it moves very little, supposes a great attractive.

A hotel can be installed, placing it in extraterritorial waters more than 10 nautical miles from the coast, so it could have rest facilities, recreation, casino and game rooms, theme parks or any other facilities for which an equivalent installation on land could find impediments of urban type or have difficulties to obtain the opening permits or have problems with the current municipal regulations.

Being far from the coast, the depth of the sea is greater and it is not possible to support the hotel on the seabed. In addition, the waves are greater, so a conventional platform would move too much for this application.

Wind farms

The windmills, need a base that moves as little as possible, in fact, exceeded a certain level of inclination (pitch) or a certain level of acceleration, wind turbines must stop for safety reasons. The fact that it moves less than those that currently exist, increases the profitability of the installation, by having more net hours per year to generate electricity.

In fact, several of the preferred embodiments presented in this patent refer to platforms specifically designed as support for marine wind turbines.

Alternative energies

By its very nature, the proposed system reduces the pitch angle of the platform by extracting energy from the absolute movement of the main float. This is done by incorporating an electric generator to one of the meshed pulleys (11) of the intermediate section of the anchoring cable of the damping lines. The electrical energy generated can be used for the own consumption of the installation or to send it to earth through the corresponding electric cable.

In fact, the proposed patent can be approached from two different points of view in terms of primary objective, but basically they are the same thing:

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As a collector of renewable energies: It is a system that extracts energy from the movement caused by the waves, simultaneously canceling the annoying movements of pitch and balance of the platform.

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As a comfort device: It is a system that cancels the pitching movements of the platform, which can also generate energy from the waves.

From the second point of view, the energy extracted from the damping lines can be dissipated directly in the form of heat or can be converted into electrical energy. If it dissipates, the necessary equipment is cheaper and simpler, the movements of the platform would be the same, but the full potential of the system is not used. If it is decided to take advantage of the available energy, it can be stored in batteries or consumed on board in the installation.

Recreation boats

A reduced version of this anchoring system could be used for recreational vessels that are going to anchor near the coast (with a low bottom), it would be a removable system that is installed manually and adjusted each time it is anchored (since the seabed is irregular), would be installed in the stern of the boat and would only annul the balance movement, allowing the pitching, which in itself is small and less annoying than the balance, in this type of vessels.

Background of the Invention

From the cinematic point of view (movements)

When dealing with the problem of the movements of a floating platform, there are several approaches and ways to solve it:

The simplest is to ignore them, especially when the platform will be located in places where there may be small waves, such as in river areas, in small lakes and swamps or in port facilities. In all of them, it is assumed that the platform will be in sheltered areas where the risk of large waves is very low. In this case, whatever the behavior of the platform, if there are no waves it does not move.

Another approach is to physically prevent movement, as is done in the TLP platforms (tension leg platform), which hold the platform by means of rigid and very tight cables to the seafloor and thus prevents its movement. This system cancels the movement of pitch and balance of the platform, but prevents it from adapting to the tides, if for example the tide rises 5 meters, the platform is submerged (compared to sea level) that same distance, this leads to very tall and slender designs, so you can absorb those draft differences. Currently they are only applicable for platforms that support wind turbines, because the useful roof surface they need is very small.

If the platform needs large living areas, it is usual to resort to semi-submersible platforms, which have an acceptable wave behavior and have large free surfaces. They are suitable with sea states, mild and medium. When more severe sea states are expected, larger and heavier platforms are used that move less than the smaller ones. In any case, the semi-submersible platforms do not impede the movement of pitch / balance, they only limit it.

From the energy point of view (energy capture)

Recently there have been projects for the use of wave energy, using as a base a floating platform. Some of these projects share elements with the device proposed in this patent application, but present great differences.

In general they consist of a large number of small floats, distributed around the periphery of the platform and subject to this by an articulated arm, the movement of these arms activates a hydraulic pump that captures the energy of the waves close to the platform, the fact that there are many floats is an advantage from the point of energy capture, but that is not the primary objective of this invention. On the other hand, they are very small floats compared to the platform, so they do not affect the movements of the platform.

Other types of energy capture devices are articulated / flexible floating structures that move with the waves and capture their energy taking advantage of the relative movement between the different parts of the structure, this is inherent to the capture of energy (if there is no relative movement , the generated energy is zero).

All these types of devices are the opposite of the proposed system, what those try is that the structure moves as much as possible to generate power, in this patent proposal, what is intended is that the platform (the main float) move as little as possible. If you can also take advantage of the energy of the movement of the structure, it is an added value, but not the primary objective.

TLP platforms (tension leg platform)

It is a type of platforms for supporting marine wind turbines, of approximately vertical cylindrical shape, with 3 or more submerged arms, at the ends of which the anchoring cables that reach to the sea bottom are fastened and fixed on piles anchored to the bottom.

They avoid the movements of pitch and balance, but also block the vertical movement of the platform, generating tensions in the very high cables.

The proposed system greatly limits the stresses that occur in the cables and the rest of the platform structure.

Fundamentals of the system

Theoretical basis of the invention

The theoretical basis of the invention is quite simple (although the practical realization may present certain difficulties), since it is based on a geometric construction, as can be seen in figure 3.

Each anchoring cable can be considered almost inextensible, if we assume it consists of three sections: T6 (central section), T7 (intermediate section) and T8 (anchoring section) the sum of the three is constant: T6 + T7 + T8 = Cte , since the intermediate stretch does not vary in length, it is also true that: T6 + T8 = Cte.

Each position of the platform, has two lines of anchoring (if the plane movement is assumed, if it is raised three-dimensional there would be at least 3, but the result is the same)

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Project condition: it has two lines (Ta and Tb), each with its three sections mentioned.

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Any other position: the lines are transformed into (Tc and Td)

Since each line maintains its measurement:

T6a + T8a = T6c + T8c and T6b + T8b = T6b + T8b

Since T6a = T6b and T6c = T6d (they represent the same measure) If we start from two symmetrical lines, that is to say T8a = T8b, then T8c = T8d

In other words, the two outer pulleys and the two anchor weights form an 'articulated' quadrilateral in which their opposite sides are equal and therefore the upper side always remains parallel to the lower side, regardless of the position of the center of the platform.

To block the rotation of the platform in one plane, two lines of anchoring are sufficient, as seen in figures 1 or 3. For example, if you want to avoid the pitch angle, you need two lines in a longitudinal plane, with an outer pulley in the bow and an outer aft pulley, with the two inner pulleys between them (it is not necessary that the intermediate sections of the anchorage cable are equal). If you want to avoid the balance angle, the two lines must be in a transverse plane.

To block the two turns (pitch and balance) you need at least three lines of anchoring, with the outer pulleys arranged preferably at the vertices of an equilateral triangle, although it could also be an isosceles triangle if the platform was longer than wide or if the general distribution of the interior of the platform does not allow a solution with axial symmetry.

Scheme of operation (balance of forces)

The scheme of operation of the system can be seen in figure 4.

When the external agents (winds, waves or marine currents) act on the platform, they generate a bending moment (Mf) and a force (Fx) that pushes the platform to the position seen in the figure.

On the other hand, the central counterweight (1) has a net weight (dry weight minus hydrostatic thrust) that stretches the two cables of the anchoring lines generating two forces, windward (F1) and leeward (F2).

By balancing of a counterweight it is true that:

F1 + F2 = P These forces are transmitted through the cable up to the anchor weights (4).

For the platform to be in equilibrium, the two forces F1 and F2 applied in the anchoring sections must fully compensate for the bending moment of the external agents (Mf).

(F1-F2) x Distance pulleys external x cosine (A) = Mf

Since the cables do not work in compression, while F2 is positive, the platform will maintain the horizontality, then begin to lean to leeward.

On the other hand, the balance of horizontal forces requires that:

FH = F1 x sine (A) + F2 x sine (A) = P x sine (A) = Fx

Comparison with the TLP platforms (Tension Leg Platform)

Apparently the platforms with TLP anchoring system serve for the same as a platform with the proposed anchoring system. Its objective is to cancel the pitch / balance movement of the platform. However, the operating principle of both is radically different and its kinematic and dynamic characteristics are also different, as can be seen in the following table:

Description of the invention

Technical problem raised

The invention presented aims to solve a problem inherent to all floating structures, with waves or wind have pitching or balance movements, which are detrimental to the operation of the same, annoying for the personnel on board and that can put in danger the safety of people and structures.

This invention allows these movements to be annulled, leaving it free to move vertically.

Advantages compared to other current anchoring systems

Its main features / advantages are:

• It can be applied to any type of platform, especially for windmills and

for platforms dedicated to maritime leisure activities.

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It totally prevents the movement of pitch and balance of the platform, but allows any horizontal or vertical movement.

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 It does not need foundations, nor special preparation of the seabed.

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 The optimum drafts are between 70 m and 400 m. can reach greater depths

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It can be installed or relocated (as many times as you want) without the need for special vessels, you only need a tug to move it.

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It can be adapted to capture the energy of the waves, without more than including one or more conventional generators.

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The forces that appear in the lines of anchoring, are smaller than in the TLP, if a line breaks, it continues to work with the others. It can be repaired / replaced in situ.

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 With the pressure of the wind, the platform does not submerge, reduces its draft.

It allows to design much lighter platforms (and therefore more economical) and reduced strut (with less visual impact).

Elements of the anchoring system

Most of the elements that make up the proposed system have been described in the definitions. There are other optional elements that help the correct operation of the main elements and other elements that help the real implementation in a given platform. Finally there are some possible modifications, which although slightly distort the philosophy of the system, improve their performance in certain specific cases.

Basic elements of anchoring

The simplest configuration is composed of three blocking anchoring lines, each of which is composed of:

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 An anchor weight (4) resting on the bottom of the sea.

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 Two pulleys, one outer (3) and one inner (2).

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 A central counterweight (1), common to the three lines of anchoring.

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A cable that joins the weight of the anchor with the central counterweight, passing through the pulley

outer (3) and the inner pulley (2), defining three independent sections:

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The central section of the anchoring cable (6), which joins the inner pulley (2) with the central counterweight (1), its length depends on the vertical position of the central counterweight. The part of the cable (9) closest to the central weight (1), has been called the adjustment section of the anchoring cable and can be used to adjust the total length of the cable to the depth of the seabed at the point where it is going to place the platform.

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The intermediate section of the anchoring cable (7), which joins the inner pulley (2) with the outer pulley (3), by its nature has a constant length.

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A bottom section of the anchoring cable (8), which joins the outer pulley 3) with the anchoring weight (4), its length depends on the position of the platform.

Since the three sections are part of the same cable, the sum of their lengths is constant.

The mission of these elements is to prevent the movement of balance and pitch of the platform, allowing it to move horizontally or vertically.

Kinematic and dynamic peculiarities

If the platform moves vertically a height H, the counterweight moves vertically a height 2H, but the forces on the platform are not altered

If the platform moves horizontally an amount H, the lines generate an opposite horizontal force that tends to return the platform to its original position, the vertical forces on the platform hardly change. The counterweight moves slightly upwards.

If a bending moment is applied that tries to make the platform turn in the direction of the pitch, the tensions of the anchoring cables vary to compensate and prevent the turn, if that bending moment increases enough, one of the lines will become unstressed and the platform is subject only by the other lines, in general the hull of the platform will begin to submerge slightly.

When all the lines have been relaxed except one, the tipping of the platform will possibly start. That overturn will be reversible or irreversible depending on the particular geometry of the whole set.

Elements of energy capture

In the anchoring several buffer lines with or without energy sensors can also be included. The fundamental mission of these lines is to reduce the vibrations (oscillations) that can occur as a consequence of the elasticity of the anchoring cables, in a conceptually rather rigid system.

These low / medium frequency vibrations could significantly increase the accelerations in the platform and make it unacceptable. The incorporation of damping lines almost completely cancels these vibrations (oscillations).

These damping lines are very similar to the locking anchoring lines, which also incorporate two pulleys (11) in the intermediate section (13). These pulleys drive an electric generator (if you are going to take advantage of the energy) or a hydraulic or electric heatsink (if they only work as shock absorbers)

Auxiliary elements

Depending on the geometry of the platform that will be attached, you may need some elements that facilitate the proper functioning of the anchoring system. Some can be seen in figures 5 and 7, others are normal in shipbuilding and have not been represented in the figures. Among others can be cited:

Support pulleys of the intermediate section (12): the intermediate section has the form of a catenary supported on the inner and outer pulleys, a catenary varies its length according to the tension to which the cable is subjected, this phenomenon is translated (if the distance between pulleys is large) in that in this part the cable acts as if it were more elastic than normal and interferes with the philosophy of the system. To avoid this, intermediate support pulleys can be placed in this section (that reduce the distance between supports and therefore drastically reduce the arrow of the corresponding catenary), so that it behaves almost as if it were in a straight line and the cable recovers its original rigidity .

Support arms of the outer pulley (17): on platforms supporting wind turbines, the diameter of the platform is much smaller than the optimum distance to place the outer pulley. Radial arms are then needed that protrude from the platform and from which the outer pulley hangs, this arm can be a reticulated structure (the elements are exposed to the weather) or a closed structure (the elements are protected from the weather), The choice of one type or another will depend on the philosophy of each specific design.

Lifting weights: during the installation / removal maneuvers, we must lower the anchor weights to the seabed and position the central counterweight to its project position, this is done by means of winches and auxiliary chain lines, which at the end of the operation, they fold back (they unhook the weight from the anchoring and go up to the deck) or they are left installed (totally untensioned so that they do not interfere with the normal blocking lines). These razors need little power and draft force, since the installation / removal process is done with the anchor weights with almost zero buoyancy (slightly negative so that they sink) they only acquire all their weight when they are already resting on the bottom.

Modifications to the proposed system (wind turbines)

This is a special variant for platforms that support marine wind turbines. This type of platforms have several peculiarities, among others:

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The platform does not need a large roof surface, it can be a small buoy that supports the weight of the wind turbine and its tower.

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The main design force is the aerodynamic thrust of the wind on the rotor blades of the wind turbine.

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The force of the wind exerts a bending moment on the base of the very large tower.

If the anchoring lines in the project condition are not vertical (as seen in figure 3), but slightly divergent (as seen in figure 6), then when the platform is swept by the wind, the leeward rises with respect to windward, as a consequence, the platform has a pitch angle OPPOSED to the force of the wind, this angle (A) is proportional to the horizontal displacement of the platform and is hardly sensitive to the vertical movement of the platform. same

This angle causes the weight (Q) of the nacelle (14) to have an axial component opposite to the wind thrust on the blades, which is proportional to the rotated angle, which in turn is proportional to the horizontal movement of the platform, which at its It is proportional to the force exerted by the wind. If these proportionality constants are properly synchronized, it can be achieved that the axial component of the weight of the nacelle exactly cancels the force of the wind, regardless of the wind speed (this is true until the cable of the line is disengaged). leeward anchoring.

In this way, the bending moment at the base of the tower can be completely canceled due to the wind. The forces and moments due to the waves would still remain, but they are minor forces and moments. Consequently:

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It could lighten the tower (15), giving less thickness to its structural elements.

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The forces acting on the gondola's load bearings are reduced.

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It reduces the loads on the anchoring and the structure of the platform, it could be lighter (and cheap to build).

Modifications to the proposed system (marine leisure)

In platforms dedicated to marine leisure, the external agent that has more influence on the comfort of passengers, is the effect of the waves. With the proposed system, the movements of rotation of the platform are annulled, the vertical movement has little influence (especially if a semi-submersible platform is used), but there remains the effect of the horizontal movement of the waves, which with severe seas can generate accelerations important (up to 1.5 m / s2).

In some applications, a divergent anchoring system may be used, which produces a pitch opposite to the horizontal movement. This pitch can generate a longitudinal acceleration that opposes the acceleration of horizontal movement, so that the resultant is less than if the platform moves without nodding, this would improve the comfort of the people on board.

A terrestrial analogy of this horizontal movement and reverse pitch, would be the movement of a swing or a hammock, has large movements and turns, but does not have the psychological sensation that there are accelerations. In fact, the accelerations are kept perpendicular to the surface of the deck of the platform (perpendicular to the surface of the seat, in the case of the swing).

The operating scheme would be similar to that of figure 6, but with an angle (A) of divergence somewhat greater than that of the figure shown.

A difficulty that appears is that the cancellation of longitudinal accelerations can only be achieved for a relatively small range of waves, for example if this cancellation can be achieved for waves between 8s and 10s, it is then necessary to tune these periods with the periods of the most likely waves, this tuning depends on:

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The geometry of the platform and its stability and inertia.

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The geometry of the anchoring lines and their elastic characteristics.

The anchor cable

The anchorage cable is quite long, measures at least the draft in the area of operation, plus the length of the arms (usually between 30 and 40m), plus twice the height between the pulleys and the sea surface, more than twice the maximum vertical travel of the platform (height of the tide + maximum wave height), plus 20% of the sea draft in the installation area and the margin that is considered convenient.

Of this length, there is a part that does not suffer wear of any kind, but another part is subjected to friction, bending (in the pulleys) and fatigue phenomena.

Therefore, the cable can be physically divided into two parts, so that in case of wear only one of the parts has to be replaced, the upper one, which is the one that wears out the most.

In fact, as seen in Figure 21, the detachable part can be formed by several independent cables (24) of smaller cross section than the main cable (8), which are joined to the main anchoring section by means of parts called concentrators of anchor cables (23).

The length of the demountable cables must be such that, with the largest foreseeable movements of the platform, the concentrators never come close to the outer pulleys, if they are touched, a major fault may occur. Each removable cable has its corresponding inner and outer pulleys.

The material of the cable can be any that is suitable for cables, among others:

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Braided metallic cable: there is no possibility of twisting, because the tension of the lines according to the edges of a vertical prism prevent the yaw rotation of the platform.

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Synthetic or textile cable

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Link chains: this is ideal for the intermediate section (and the upper part of the other two sections) of the wind turbine support platforms, since it allows the use of toothed pulleys (in the buffer lines) and they have relatively small turning radii.

Its drawback is that it is noisier, for leisure facilities it is less recommendable and should be very well insulated acoustically.

In the marine leisure platforms, the intermediate section and the upper part of the other two sections should be of textile material, because with waves, it is moving continuously and it would have a quieter behavior than if it is chain with links (which could originate noise problems in the structure).

Special applications

For some applications in which the pitch movement is irrelevant, this anchoring system can be used to cancel only the roll movement. In this case, only two anchoring lines are used, oriented approximately perpendicular to the platform plane. The anchor ring is transformed into an anchor beam

or even in two independent pesos.

Large platform

On large platforms or where there are only 3 anchoring lines, the forces that appear on the cables can be quite high. In that case, you can unfold the line in two, three or more parallel lines of smaller dimension, in that case:

•

The pulleys are double, triple or more sheaves

•

The cables run parallel throughout their travel

•

The joints to the counterweight and anchor ring are very close to each other

One of them, with a smaller cable diameter, can be used as a buffer line

Transport and installation (only for marine wind turbines)

One of the advantages of this system is the ease of transportation, installation and removal of platforms equipped with this anchoring system. It also has an additional advantage, if a storm of an unexpected intensity drags the platform and the anchoring blocks, the platform remains operational in its new position, as if it were in that place intentionally.

The system has several configurations, each of them designed for the transport / installation phase in which it is located, the stability characteristics and its dynamic performance are different in each phase, but they are perfectly acceptable.

The installation process is slightly different, depending on the type of platform on which it operates (wind turbine support / maritime leisure) due to the nature and geometry of the platform, but the similarities are much greater. In order not to unnecessarily lengthen the explanations, only support for wind turbines is described, in the other case (maritime leisure) you just have to suppress some steps.

The platforms in which this anchoring system is installed, are floating structures and therefore the stability and buoyancy characteristics are very important, in all phases of installation and operation of the same, as well as in the maneuvers of transition between some phases and others To guarantee stability and buoyancy, both the platform and the central counterweight and the anchor weights have ballast tanks that can be filled or emptied according to the needs of each case.

For this reason, several Standard Configurations have been defined, which define how the platform should be and the rest of the elements of the system. In figures 7 to 10 you can see the layout of all the elements in each configuration. Procedures have also been defined (maneuvers) that allow you to move from one configuration to another in a safe way.

Manufacturing and assembly

Basically, the system consists of four elements:

•

Anchoring ring: in general it will be constructed of reinforced concrete, although it can be made of any other material

•

Counterweight: built of ballasting steel with rebar or concrete

•

Platform: with the rest of the elements of the anchoring system (arms, pulleys ...). Normally it is built of steel, although it could also be made of concrete or mixed steel / concrete construction

•

Wind turbine and its tower: they are commercial models, subcontracted

All these elements (except the wind turbine), in the condition of ballast have little draft, so they can be built in dry dock and transferred afloat to a dock of the port for final assembly, could also be built in steps and throw them out conventional way, reorganizing them later, so that they occupy their correct positions.

Once built and afloat (in ballast), they are joined together in their proper positions, the tower, wind turbine and shovels are installed by means of a crane from the dock.

Transportation Configuration

After completing the assembly of the platform in the port, it is ready to be moved to its place of operation, its appearance is somewhat similar to that of Figure 7 (the details will depend on the concrete form of the platform):

All the elements of the platform are installed in their respective positions, the cables are stowed on the cover. All the floating elements (platform, counterweight and anchoring ring) are with empty ballast tanks, which means that:

•

The anchor ring (4) has positive buoyancy, but with a very small freeboard

•

The counterweight (1) has slightly positive buoyancy, but hangs from the central section of the anchoring cable, located in the central well (16), or from a disposable auxiliary cable

•

The anchoring cable (18) is collected on the roof and the whole cable is maintained at a voltage of the order of 5% to 10% of the nominal.

•

Platform (10) protrudes above sea level (19) more than usual during normal operation.

In this condition, the platform is very stable, due to the great inertia of the flotation provided by the anchoring ring (4), the tension of the anchoring cable in the anchoring section

(8) transmits this stability to the rest of the platform.

Once the armament afloat of the platform is completed, it can be moved to its place of operation, using a conventional tugboat.

Although it would not be strictly necessary, if the platform is to be moved by areas where bad sea is expected, temporary transport moorings (20) can be added, which fasten the anchoring ring to the deck of the platform and prevent relative movements platform ring. These ties can be disposed radially or in a zigzag fashion along the entire periphery of the ring. After the transfer, they are completely deleted and can be used for the transfer of the next platform. If it is considered convenient, the central counterweight can also be fastened in a similar way, during the transfer.

Auxiliary chains for fixing the counterweight (21) are also installed, which are only used during the next phase and then released from the counterweight, hanging on the platform (they could be removed completely, but does not compensate for the effort).

First Installation Setup

Once the platform has been moved to its place of installation, it is ready to start the process of anchoring it. In this configuration, its main elements are arranged in the following way, as can be seen in figure # 8:

-

The ballast tanks of the anchor ring (4) are empty. The anchor ring floats by itself and is attached to the platform by a tensioned cable, which hangs from each of the outer pulleys (3) of the anchoring lines. Provisional transport moorings have been removed from the mooring ring (20)

-

The ballast tanks of the central counterweight (1) are partially full, with slightly negative buoyancy. The central counterweight does not float by itself and is attached to the platform by means of the auxiliary chains of counterweight fastening (21) which in this condition are tensed by the apparent weight of the central counterweight.

-

Most of the anchoring cable of each anchoring line is slack and is collected on the deck of the platform

Second Installation Configuration

Once the central counterweight has been positioned to provide the platform with the stability it needs, it is ready to begin submerging the anchor ring and supporting it on the seabed. In this condition, its main elements are arranged in the following way, as can be seen in Figure 9:

-

The ballast tanks of the anchoring ring (4) are partially full, with a slightly negative buoyancy. The anchor ring does not float by itself and is attached to the platform by the bottom sections of the anchorage cable, which are slightly stretched and hanging from the outer pulleys (3) of each anchoring line.

-

The ballast tanks of the central counterweight (1) are completely full, with negative buoyancy. The central counterweight does not float by itself and is attached to the platform by means of the auxiliary chains of counterweight support (21) which in this condition are very tense due to the apparent weight of the central counterweight.

-

An important part of the anchoring cable of each anchoring line is slack and is collected on the deck of the platform. The bottom sections (8) of the anchoring cables hold the anchoring ring (4) while it is lowering to the bottom of the sea.

Operation Configuration

It is the usual state of the platform during normal use. Its main elements are arranged in the following way, as you can see in figure # 10:

-

The ballast tanks of the anchor ring (4) are completely flooded, with a very high apparent weight. The anchoring ring rests on the bottom of the sea and is attached to the platform by the bottom sections of the anchoring cable (8), which are fully tensioned and hanging from the outer pulleys (3) of each anchoring line.

-

The auxiliary support chains for the counterweight (21) have been permanently removed.

-

The ballast tanks of the central counterweight (1) are completely flooded, with a fairly high apparent weight. The central counterweight hangs from the middle section of the anchoring cable (6) of all the anchoring lines.

-

All the anchor cable is extended and is subjected to a tension equal to the apparent weight of the central counterweight (divided by the number of cables).

Installation Maneuver (1st Part)

It is the process by which the transport condition is passed (figure 7) to the first installation condition (figure 8). When the platform is located on the point where it is going to be installed, a series of steps are carried out, to guarantee that the platform always has all the stability it needs:

•

The temporary transport moorings are removed (20)

•

One of the ballast tanks of the counterweight is filled, so that it has a slightly negative buoyancy, so that it tends to sink spontaneously.

•

The counterweight is lowered slowly, until the auxiliary chains of counterweight support (21) are tensioned. The anchorage cable that was stowed on deck (18), is deployed and occupying its position in the central section (6) of the anchoring line.

•

Flood all the ballast tanks of the counterweight, so that it acquires all its apparent weight. As a result of this, the hull of the platform is submerged a little.

As a result of this maneuver (the counterweight is placed far below the center of the platform), the stability increases significantly and the set: (Wind turbine + Platform) - Counterweight form a stable enough set (figure 8).

From this moment on, the stability provided by the inertia of the flotation of the anchoring ring is no longer needed.

Installation Maneuver (2nd Part)

It is the process by which one passes from the first installation condition (Figure 8) to the second installation condition (Figure 9). Since the stability provided by the ring is no longer needed, it can now be submerged without endangering the platform, for which the following steps are carried out:

•

Some ballast tanks are filled with the anchor ring, until it begins to submerge, with a slightly negative buoyancy

•

The anchored anchor cable is unrolled on the deck, so that the anchor ring (4) goes down to the seabed. In Figure 9 you can see an image corresponding to an intermediate position of this phase.

Installation Maneuver (Part 3)

It is the process by which the second installation condition is passed (Figure 9) to the operative condition (Figure 10).

•

When the ring is placed on the bottom, the filling valves of all the ballast tanks are opened and the ring acquires all the apparent weight that it needs so that external agents can not drag the platform.

Now the platform is in its final position, but you have to make a series of adjustments to make it fully operational:

•

The first thing is to adjust the length of all the anchor cables, so that the platform is in a level position (to correct the unevenness of the seabed)

•

The outer pulley (3) is blocked, so that the stability of the platform depends on the anchoring ring and not on the central counterweight (1)

•

The counterweight is lifted slightly, to loosen the auxiliary chains of counterweight support (21) and the chain of subjection of the counterweight is released, if desired they are also released from the hull of the platform and removed definitively (although they will be necessary again if it is thought to move the platform to another place)

•

The counterweight is lowered until the anchor cable is fully tensioned.

•

The anchor cable brakes, which had been used to gently lower the center ring, are released. As a consequence, the cable of the anchoring line is tightened in the anchoring section and the setting of the platform increases again until the nominal value of the project is acquired.

•

All the auxiliary elements used during the installation are dismantled and removed, the electric cables for extracting electrical energy from the wind turbines are connected. The platform remains operative, as can be seen in figure 10.

Uninstallation and transfer to another position

The same steps are followed, but in reverse order.

There is one thing that has to be done additionally since it concerns a process that is thermodynamically irreversible (the filling of the tanks of lasts is automatic when the corresponding valves are opened, but can not be emptied automatically), the emptying of the tanks of ballast for the counterweight and the anchor ring to re-float, this process is irrelevant to this invention and can be done by any conventional procedure:

•

Drained by injecting compressed air (keep in mind that the ring is tens of atmospheres of pressure)

•

Drained by hydraulic pumps located in the anchoring ring.

It starts from the platform in the Operation Condition characterized because · The ballast tanks of the anchoring ring (4) are completely flooded, with a very high apparent weight. The anchoring ring rests on the bottom of the sea and is attached to the platform by the bottom sections of the anchoring cable (8), which are fully tensioned and hanging from the outer pulleys (3) of each anchoring line. The ballast tanks of the central counterweight (1) are completely flooded, with a fairly high apparent weight. The central counterweight hangs from the middle section of the anchoring cable (6) of all the anchoring lines. All the anchoring cable is extended and is subject to a tension equal to the apparent weight of the central counterweight (divided by the number of cables).

With these considerations, the uninstallation sequence involves the following steps:

•

The position of the central counterweight (1) is blocked by auxiliary cables.

•

The ballast tanks of the anchor ring are partially emptied by pumps,

or using compressed air, a small amount of ballast is left so that the buoyancy of the ring is slightly negative.

•

The anchoring cables (9) are collected simultaneously from all the anchoring lines, until the counterweight reaches the sea surface.

•

Attach the anchor ring (4) to the platform using auxiliary cables and finish emptying the ballast tanks of the anchor ring.

•

The ballast tanks of the central counterweight (1) are partially emptied, leaving a small amount of ballast, so that the buoyancy of the counterweight is slightly negative.

•

The central counterweight is raised (lifted) until it reaches the surface, either by means of the central sections (6), or by means of auxiliary chains (21).

•

The central counterweight (1) is fastened to the main platform and its ballast tanks are finished emptying. The platform is now in the transfer configuration, ready to be moved to any other place or location.

Description of the drawings

To complete the description that is being made, and in order to help a better understanding of the characteristics of the proposed funding system, 28 plans (or figures), distributed in 12 pages, which include:

-

Schemes of operation of the proposed anchoring system

-

Schemes 20 or 30, of platforms in which this system has been installed

-

Views of several examples of the preferred embodiments or the claims.

Some of the figures are described very briefly, as they have already been described previously, or will be described more extensively in the section of preferred embodiments:

In these figures of illustrative and non-limiting nature, the following has been represented:

Figure number 1.-Basic diagram of the blocking anchoring lines (those that prevent the platform's movement of rotation). An installation of this type consists of a platform (10) floating in the sea, equipped with 2 or more lines (the minimum is 2 when you only want to cancel the turning movement in one direction, such as pitch. 3 when you want to simultaneously cancel the pitch and balance), each of which, at least, are composed of: An inner pulley (2) and an outer pulley (3), which support an anchorage cable composed of three sections , a bottom section (8) that reaches an anchoring weight (4) resting on the seabed (5), another central section (6) that reaches a length adjustment section of the line (9) subject to the central counterweight (1) and an intermediate section (7) that joins the other two sections. The central counterweight is shared by all the lines of anchoring

Figure number 2.-Basic diagram of a damping anchoring line, which in addition to the elements of figure 1 includes two pulleys (11) interspersed in the intermediate section (now named with reference (13) as their functions are different) and geared to each other, they drag an electric generator that has a double mission, generate energy from the movement of the waves and introduce a damping in the dynamic equations of the platform. In installations in which the use of energy is irrelevant, the engine is replaced by a hydraulic pump that dissipates the energy and produces the same damping effect on the line.

Figure number 3.-Outline of the geometric principle that regulates the lengths of each section of the anchoring lines and justifies that the platform always moves parallel to the initial position of the same.

Figure number 4.-Diagram of the dynamic principle, with the forces acting on the anchoring cables when the platform is subjected to a force (Fx) and a bending moment (Mf) originated by external agents (wind, waves or sea currents) ). The sum of the voltages in all the lines is always constant (equal to the apparent weight of the central counterweight (1)), the difference between the voltages of the lines is proportional to the applied bending moment and the horizontal force (FH) that is capable of supporting the platform is proportional to the sine of the angle (A) of the anchoring lines with the vertical. When one of the lines is loosened, the platform loses horizontality (movements of pitch or balance appear)

Figure number 5.-Scheme of some of the auxiliary elements to the proposed anchoring system. As novelties with respect to the previous figures, the arms (17) that hold the pulleys are included: inside (2) and outside (3), the support pulleys of the intermediate section (12), a cross section of an annular platform (10) support of wind turbines and part of the tower (15) of the wind turbine. You can also see the central well (16) where the pendulum is housed (counterweight + central sections of the lines). It is the cover figure of this patent application.

Figure number 6.-Scheme of operation of the anchoring system when diverging lines are used, in which the bottom sections (8) do not descend vertical to the bottom, but their drawing forms an angle (A) with the vertical When the platform moves horizontally, it inclines towards windward, in first approach it is as if it revolved around the point of intersection of the two bottom sections.

If the platform is a support of marine wind turbines, with a tower (15) and a wind turbine gondola (14), it can be achieved that the axial component of the weight of the nacelle (due to the inclination of the tower) compensates exactly the thrust of the wind on the blades, so that the bending moment is annulled in the entire tower of the wind turbine (and therefore the moments of bending transmitted by the tower to the platform).

Figure number 7.- Support platform for wind turbines in the transport condition, at the exit of the shipyard, with all its elements installed. The most important are: the platform itself (10) with the hole that makes up the central well (16), the tower of the wind turbine (15), the arms (17) that hold the outer pulleys (3) and the central ones (2) ), the support pulleys of the intermediate section (12), the anchoring ring (4), the central counterweight (1), the entire anchorage cable, most of which is gathered on deck (18), the temporary transport moorings ( 20) that hold together the platform and the anchoring ring and the auxiliary chains (21) for fastening the counterweight, which are installed but are not operative, since the counterweight hangs from the central sections of the anchoring lines. The platform floats in its highest position with respect to the surface of the sea (19), since all ballast tanks of the platform, the ring and the counterweight are empty

Figure number 8.-Same as the previous one, but when the platform is in its place of destination, ready to start the installation, the difference with the previous one is that the central counterweight has been lowered until it is hung by the auxiliary chains (21 ) to hold the counterweight. The anchor cable has been stretched a little (the amount of cable stowed on the deck has decreased).

The platform has increased its stability due to the presence of the counterweight, whose ballast tanks are totally flooded. The hull of the platform has increased in draft (it has sunk a bit) to compensate for the extra weight of the central counterweight.

Figure number 9.-Identical to the previous one, but some tanks of the central ring have flooded, so that it has a slightly negative buoyancy and sinks (retained by the anchorage cable in its bottom section) until it is in the background Marine. The anchoring rope gradually unfolds during the immersion process of the central ring.

Figure number 10.-Represents the platform installed and prepared to operate normally, the anchor ring is supported on the seabed, with all its ballast tanks flooded, to act as the 'anchor' of the platform, the counterweight hangs freely of the inner pulleys, the platform has sunk a bit more (until reaching its draft draft).

Figure number 11.- Represents a 3D view of an annular support platform of a marine wind turbine, equipped with the proposed anchoring system, with three double anchoring lines sectioned by the planes of symmetry of two of its lines. The platform consists of three arms arranged in a star shape whose center is the axis of symmetry of the platform. From each arm hang the central (2) and outer (3) pulleys. The arm is supported on the outer edge of the platform by two inclined columns. Each arm has two anchoring cables (with their corresponding pulleys) whose central sections

(6) and anchoring (8) reach the central counterweight and the anchoring ring respectively (not shown as they are outside the image). The tower of the wind turbine (15) is supported on the upper part of the platform.

Figure number 12.- Represents the platform of figure 11, seen as a whole, when it is in the operating condition, ie with the anchoring ring (4) resting on the seabed, the counterweight (1) in its position nominal and the platform (10) in the vertical of the anchoring ring), is equivalent to the project condition without wind or waves. The 'horizontal' line that runs along the platform, more or less halfway up its hull, corresponds to the waterline.

Figure number 13.-Idem that figure 13, but corresponding to the condition of transfer, with the anchoring ring and the central counterweight floating next to the hull of the platform.

Figure number 14.-It corresponds to the plan view of the complete platform (including the wind turbine), this view is independent of the vertical position of the mobile weights, is valid for figures 12 and 13.

Figure number 15.-It is the 3D view of the aforementioned platform, in its version of four arms, cut in half (by the axis of two opposite arms), each arm has a double line with two twin anchoring lines.

Figure number 16.-It is the 3D view of the aforementioned platform, in its version of five arms, otherwise it is identical to the platform of figure 15,

Figure number 17.-Plan view of the platform of figure 15,

Figure number 18.-Plan view of the platform of figure 16,

Figure number 19.-It is a variant of the ring platform of figure 11, but with a different helmet, called tubular. The whole ring that forms the main part of the hull is totally submerged, on that ring there is a tower that continues beyond the line of the flotation (22), the tower is hollow and tight, with the central well inside and an adequate thickness to have the dynamic characteristics in desired waves. Although the annular and tubular platforms appear to be very similar, their hydrodynamic characteristics are very different. The latter moves less, but weight control during manufacturing is more critical.

Figure number 20.-It is a sectional profile view of the tubular platform of the previous figure. In this the position of the waterline (22) is better appreciated.

Figure number 21.-It is a scheme of an anchoring system composed of three bifurcated anchoring lines, each of them has a main section (8) of a single cable and three parallel detachable cables (24) with their corresponding pulleys , attached to the main cable through the anchor cable concentrator (23). The main cables extend to the bottom where they join the anchoring ring (4), which is common for the three lines of anchoring (there is only one ring, with three attachment points for the three lines of anchoring).

Figure number 22.-It is a 3D view of a platform for marine leisure, in which the first inter-bridge and the entire superstructure have been removed. It is equipped with the proposed anchoring system, configured as a hexagonal semi-submersible platform. It consists of a submerged hexagonal hull (28) with a central hollow (equivalent to the central shaft)

(16)

of the support platforms of wind turbines) on which 6 columns support

(29)

of union between the hull and the deck between the platform.

Just above the bottom of the bridge (26) are the inner pulleys (2) and outer pulleys (3) and the entire intermediate section (7) of the anchoring cable, with several pulleys (12) supporting the intermediate section. The project float (22) is marked as a horizontal line near the central part (in height) of the hull-to-bridge joint columns.

On the three sides of the hexagon where there is no anchoring line, some wharves (25) for yachts or smaller vessels have been arranged, which can be accessed by means of some descent ramps (27) from the ground floor of the entrepuente main, these jetties are very close to the surface of the sea (22). The larger vessels are accessed directly from the open deck.

It should be noted that the anchoring ring (4) is not circular as in the previous figures, but is triangular flattened at the vertices. This model would also be valid for wind turbine platforms, provided that its central hull fits in the hollow of the triangular ring, since both are in the plane of the flotation during the transport phase

Figure number 23.-It corresponds to a sectioned view, in which ⅓ has been removed from the platform to see the route of the anchoring cables. It also includes the main bridge of the platform that has an almost circular floor. Three buildings with accommodation and leisure and recreation facilities have been placed on the bridge (only two buildings can be seen in the image, the other has been removed with the cutting of the platform).

Figure number 24.-Same as figure 23, but with the entire platform unseparated, seen from above.

Figure number 25.-Idem that figure 24, but seen from below, the shape of the submerged hull with the central well and the 6 columns of cascoentrepuente union are better appreciated.

Figure number 26.-Same as Figure 23, but with a different building, consisting of two rings vertically out of phase, the outer ring is composed of 7 levels of apartments, all with exterior views, the inner ring also has 7 levels, but They start on the fourth floor, the three upper levels are apartments with exterior views and the other four have views of the inner central gallery. Part of these four levels are dedicated to restaurants, salons, common premises, etc.

Figure number 27.-Idem that figure 26, but with the complete platform without sectioning, seen from above. This platform seen from below is very similar to the previous platform, as can be seen in figure 25.

Figure number 28.-Tubular platform in the operation configuration, 3D azimuthal view, with the hull of the platform sectioned ⅓.

Elements that appear in the figures

To facilitate the interpretation of the figures, the following table is included, in which all the elements that are mentioned in them appear (ordered by reference number), their name and the number of the figure in which it appears for the first time:

1st Item Item Name of the item

1 Figure 1 Central counterweight

2 Figure 1 Inside pulley

3 Figure 1 External pulley

4 Figure 1 Anchoring weight / Anchor ring

5

Figure 1 Sea bottom

6

Figure 1 Central section of the anchorage cable

7

Figure 1 Intermediate section of the anchorage cable

8

Figure 1 Bottom section of the anchorage cable

9

Figure 1 Adjustment section of the anchoring cable

6 + 7 + 8 + 9

Anchor cable (the union of all sections)

10

Figure 1 Platform (of any type)

eleven

Figure 1 Pulleys Greasers of a damping line

12

Figure 5 Support pulley of intermediate section

13

Figure 2 Intermediate section of a buffer line

14

Figure 6 Gondola of the wind turbine

fifteen

Figure 5 Wind turbine tower

16

Figure 5 Central Well

17

Figure 5 Support arm of the anchor line

18

Figure 7 Anchoring cable, folding on deck

19

Figure 7 Level of sea surface

twenty

Figure 7 Provisional transport ties

twenty-one

Figure 7 Auxiliary support chains for counterweight

22

Figure 19 Line of project flotation, sometimes coincides with (19)

level of the sea surface

2. 3

Figure 21 Anchor cable concentrator

24

Figure 21 Section of detachable cables

25

Figure 22 Jetty for yachts / smaller vessels

26

Figure 22 Background of the main intersource

27

Figure 22 Ramp down to the pier

28

Figure 22 Lower hexagonal helmet

29

Figure 22 Columns of union helmet-entrepuente

Claims associated with each figure

To facilitate the understanding of the claims, the following table is included, which

identify each claim with one or several figures. The claims 1 to 2 correspond to the main claim of this patent application without or with wave energy utilization system.

Claims No. 2 to No. 6 refer to the anchoring lines of the anchoring system depending on their vertical orientation or slightly divergent, and depending on whether each line bifurcates into several cables or not.

Claims No. 7 to No. 10 refer to specific platforms with the system

proposed funding, as described in the section on preferred embodiments. Claim No. 11 refers to the process of using the system object of this patent, with the configuration in which a platform must be (what elements it includes and how they are located or how they are operating), in which this anchoring system has been installed, to be operative. It is important because it makes the difference between this system and others that already exist in naval technology.

Claims No. 12 and No. 13 describe the transport and installation / uninstallation sequence, which is special for platforms with this type of anchoring and is different to the sequence of installation of platforms with any other type of anchoring.

Claim Figure Characteristic element 1 Fig-01 Topology of the anchoring system / anchoring lines 2 Fig-02 Energy collection system in the intermediate section 3 Fig-01 The bottom section of the anchoring cables is vertical 4 Fig-06 The bottom section of the mooring cables is divergent 5 Fig-05 Line with simple mooring cables 6 Fig-21 Line with multiple detachable cables 7 Fig 22 a 27 Platform for marine leisure 8 Generic platform for marine wind turbines 9 Fig 11 to 18 Platform annular for support of wind turbines

marine 10 Fig 19 to 20 Tubular platform for support of wind turbines

marine 11 Fig-10 Operation configuration 12 Fig 07 to 10 Transportation and installation sequence 13 Fig 10 a 07 Uninstallation sequence

Preferred embodiments of the invention

Although the proposed anchoring system is valid for any floating platform, as indicated in chapter "field of application of the invention" is especially suitable for two specific applications, as support for marine wind turbines and as a platform for maritime leisure.

Regarding the object of the proposed patent (the funding system), the main difference between the two applications is the deck area of the platform, which means that on the platforms designed to support wind turbines, the outer pulley hangs on A radial arm, which protrudes far enough from the deck of the platform, and on platforms designed for marine leisure, causes the outer pulley to hang from a very short arm protruding from the main deck of the platform.

1 - Annular platform, support for marine wind turbines

It is a floating platform, equipped with the anchoring system proposed in this patent application, whose mission is to support a marine wind turbine. It is formed by the following elements:

Anchoring system: Composed of 3 or more radial anchoring lines (as can be seen in figures 14, 17 or 18), each of which has an anchor rope hung from an outer pulley (3) and another pulley inside (2), which in turn hang from a support arm of the anchoring lines (17). The bottom section of the anchoring cable of all the lines is attached to the anchoring ring (4) and the central section of all the lines (6) is subject to a central counterweight (1) which is common for all lines.

Platform (10): is the distinguishing element of this preferred embodiment, its hull is an approximately circular ring, with a hollow in the center, the central well (16), through which pass the central sections of the anchoring cable of all the platform anchoring lines. In its project position, this helmet is partially submerged. Above the hull they support flying buttresses that stiffen the support arms of the anchoring lines (17). On the central well there is a small superstructure, which also supports the support arms of the anchoring lines and houses the inner pulleys of all the anchoring lines.

Wind turbine: consisting of a wind turbine tower (15) that rests on the superstructure above the central well, the tower supports the wind turbine itself (14). It is a commercial component, so it is not described in more detail.

This platform has two modes of operation:

-

The transfer condition (figure 13), in which both the anchoring ring (4) and the central counterweight (1) have a slightly positive buoyancy and the anchoring cable is picked up and slightly tensioned, to give stability to the platform.

-

The operating condition (figure 12), in which the anchoring ring (4) is supported on the seabed, with the ballast tanks flooded (to achieve a high apparent weight), the central counterweight (whose ballast tanks are also they are totally flooded) hangs from the central sections of all the lines of anchoring (with the same tension in all the cables).

2 - Tubular platform, support for marine wind turbines

It is a floating platform, almost identical to the annular platform described in the previous section (especially in terms of the anchoring system and operating modes)), which only differs from the previous one in the shape of its hull (figures 19 and 20) . Your helmet is made up of:

-

A ring with a vertical axis (lower part) and a rectangular cross section with a chamfer. The diameter of the central hollow is between 20% and 50% of the diameter of the platform. In the project condition, this ring is completely submerged.

-

A vertical shaft tube (upper part) located directly above the submerged anterior ring, whose inner face is an extension of the inner face of the submerged ring. The difference between the outer radius and the inside of the vertical tube is between 15% and 35% of the outer radius of the hull of the platform.

In the project condition, this tube is partially submerged and the flotation line intersects the tube at about half its height. Equal displacement, the draft of a tubular platform is greater than that of an annular platform. The project float (22) is in an intermediate position of the tower, as shown in figure 20.

Although at first sight it is very similar to the preferred embodiment No. 1, the hydrodynamic behavior of the two platforms is very different due to the difference in the area of the flotation of both cases (the flotation surface of the tubular platform is one third to one middle of the floating surface of the annular platform).

In addition to the geometry of the platform, a tubular platform had more draft than another annular platform of the same displacement and this improves the hydrodynamic behavior in waves.

3 -Platform for leisure, with three independent buildings

It is a floating platform, dedicated to maritime leisure activities. The characteristic of this realization is that it needs a lot of habitable surface. Basically, it is composed of the anchoring system proposed in this patent application, a submerged watertight hull and another upper hull (or inter-bridge, located entirely above the waterline), joined by six columns. There are three buildings of spiral shape and of variable height on the deck (figures 22 to 25). Its main elements are:

Anchoring system (figure 22): it is composed of three radial anchoring lines, with the central well in the center of the platform. The intermediate section of the anchor cables

(7) is supported on one or more support pulleys of the intermediate section (12), this entire section is inserted in the main deck of the platform (figure 23). The outer pulleys (3) hang from a small overhang, which moves the anchoring section away from the walls of the superstructure. The anchoring ring (4) has the shape of an equilateral triangle chamfered at the vertices.

Submerged hull (figure 25): it is composed of a totally submerged hexagonal ring (28), with a hole in the center (corresponding to the central well) through which the central sections of the cables of all the anchoring lines pass. that hold the central counterweight (1). This ring gives the platform almost all the buoyancy it needs, on this ring there are six vertical pentagonal columns (29) that transmit the hydrostatic thrust to the upper deck. The flotation line

(22) is approximately halfway up the columns.

Upper steerage (figures 22 and 23): with a six-pointed chamfered star shape. It is supported by the columns that join it to the submerged hull, in the upper part it has some cantilevers, which give the deck of the platform an approximately circular aspect. In three of the points of the star are the outer pulleys of the anchoring lines, from the other three points there are hanging runways (25) that serve as a pier for yachts or other small boats, which are accessed through ramps down to the pier (27) that go to the central body of the entrepuente. The entire intermediate section of the anchoring cable (7) of all the anchoring lines is in this span.

Buildings on deck (figures 23 and 24): The platform is completed with three buildings of spiral shape and variable height located on the deck of the platform. These buildings could have another form of that represented in the figures (the form is irrelevant for this preferred embodiment, the important thing is that there are several buildings located on the roof, with accommodation, entertainment, restaurants ...). The shape of the buildings represented in the figures has been chosen for aesthetic reasons, they can have any other geometry.

4 - Circular platform for leisure, with a circular central building

This preferred embodiment is virtually identical to the previous one, changing the group of buildings on deck by a single circular central building, which covers most of the deck of the platform (Figure 27).

The building is a circular ring with rooms facing outwards or inwards, separated by a corridor in the middle line of the ring (figure 26). The interior rooms have a balcony that is projected on a large hall in the center of the building, which is accessed from the deck through six large doors. The first level of the building is dedicated to shops and places of leisure, the rest are accommodations for the guests of the platform. The interior rooms are vertically displaced, so that they begin on the fourth floor and protrude above the outer rooms three levels.

Index of figures

In the following table, the titles of each figure have been summarized, to facilitate the quick identification of them.

Denomination of the figure

Figure 1 Locking anchoring lines

Figure 2 Dampening anchoring lines

Figure 3 Operating principle

Figure 4 Forces on the anchoring system

Figure 5 Auxiliary elements

Figure 6 Divergent anchoring lines

Figure 7

Transportation Condition

Figure 8

First phase of the installation

Figure 9

Second phase of the installation

Figure 10

Platform installed

Figure 11

Wind turbine support platform (helmet and arms)

Figure 12

Operating Condition (annular platform)

Figure 13

Transfer condition (ring platform)

Figure 14

Plan view (ring platform)

Figure 15

Ring platform (helmet and 4 arms)

Figure 16

Annular platform (helmet and 5 arms)

Figure 17

Plan view (4 arms), (annular platform)

Figure 18

Plan view (5 arms), (annular platform)

Figure 19

Tubular platform (3 arms)

Figure 20

Tubular Platform (Profile)

Figure 21

Bifurcated anchoring line (3 detachable cables • 1 main cable)

Figure 22

Platform for leisure, suppressed entrepuente and superstructure

Figure 23

Platform for leisure with the proposed funding system

Figure 24

Platform for complete leisure, top 3D view

Figure 25

Platform for complete leisure, bottom 3D view

Figure 26

Circular platform for leisure, 3D section view ⅓

Figure 27

Circular platform for leisure, top 3D view

Figure 28

Tubular platform complete wind turbine support, sectioned ⅓

Claims (13)

1. Anchoring system for floating marine platforms, characterized in that it consists of three or more anchoring lines, arranged radially around a common point of the platform, each of which includes the following elements:

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An inner pulley (2) located in the upper part of the anchor line, and another outer pulley (3), located in the upper part of the anchor line, at the end of the line furthest from the common point. The inner and outer pulleys can be single (with a single sheave) or multiple (with several overlapping parallel sheaves).

-

A central counterweight (1) common to all the mooring lines, located below the intersection point of all the mooring lines, with several ballast tanks, such that, when the ballast tanks of the central counterweight are empty, it has a buoyancy small positive (less than 20% of the total volume of the counterweight) and when all the ballast tanks of the center counterweight are flooded, it has a large apparent weight (greater than 5% of the total displacement of the platform)

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An anchoring ring (4) common to all the anchoring lines, or several anchoring weights (one for each anchoring line), with several ballast tanks such that, when the ballast tanks of the anchoring ring are empty, it has a small positive buoyancy (less than 20% of the total volume of the mooring ring) and when the ballast tanks of the mooring ring are totally flooded, it has a very large apparent weight (greater than 15% of the total displacement of the platform). In the operating condition, the mooring ring rests on the seabed (5) and performs the functions of the anchor of a conventional ship, preventing the wind, sea currents or waves from dragging the platform.

-

An anchoring cable, which joins the central counterweight with the anchoring ring (or with each of the anchoring weights) and which is supported by the inner and outer pulleys of each line, divided into virtually three zones or sections: the section center of the mooring cable (6), which goes from the central counterweight to the inner pulley of that line, the intermediate section of the mooring cable (7), between the inner pulley and the outer pulley and the bottom section of the cable anchor (8), which goes from the outer pulley to the anchor ring.

As auxiliary elements, each funding line may also include the following elements:

-

One or more support pulleys of the intermediate section (12) sandwiched between the inner pulley and the outer pulley, on which the intermediate section of the anchoring cable rests.

-

A section for adjusting the length of the anchor cable (9), sandwiched between the central section and the central counterweight, with a tensioner to equalize the total lengths of the anchoring cables of all the lines.

-

An anchor line support arm (17), supported on the deck or on the platform superstructure, from which hang: the outer pulley, the inner pulley and the intermediate section support pulleys, if any.

-

Auxiliary chains to hold the counterweight (21), which join the central counterweight (1) with the bottom of the platform hull (10) and which when tensioned, provide the platform with all the stability it needs during installation operations in its destination place.

It also includes other auxiliary elements, common to the conventional anchoring system and that help the platform installation / uninstallation maneuver in its place of operation, such as winches, windlasses, bitts or other typical elements of any traditional anchoring system.

2.

Anchoring system for floating marine platforms, with all the characteristics of claim No. 1, characterized in that one or more pulleys (11) are interspersed in the intermediate section of the anchoring cable, geared with a conventional energy capture system, activated by the rotation of said pulleys.

3.

Anchoring system for floating marine platforms, with all the characteristics of claims No. 1 or No. 2, which is further characterized in that in the project position, at rest and with calm sea, the bottom section (8) of the cable anchoring is vertical.

Four.

Anchoring system for floating marine platforms, with all the characteristics of claims No. 1 or No. 2, which is further characterized in that the bottom section is slightly divergent, that is, the anchoring point of the anchoring cable in the anchoring ring ( 4), is more horizontally separated from the central counterweight (1), than the outer pulley (3).

5.

Anchoring system for floating marine platforms, with all the characteristics of claims No. 3 or No. 4, which is also characterized in that the anchoring cables are continuous, from the central counterweight (1) to the anchoring weight (4).

6.

Anchoring system for floating marine platforms, with all the characteristics of claims No. 3 or No. 4, which is also characterized in that the anchoring cable forks in its bottom section into two or more detachable cables (24) through a mooring cable concentrator (23) These detachable cables pass through the external pulleys (3), the inner pulleys (2) and are attached to the central counterweight (1), the pulleys from which they hang are multiple, with so many sheaves as detachable cables.

7.

Platform for maritime leisure equipped with the anchoring system described in claims No. 5 or No. 6, with three radial anchoring lines distributed every 120º and also containing the following elements, arranged as indicated below:

-

A submerged hull formed by a totally submerged hexagonal ring (28), with a hole in the center (corresponding to the central well), through which the central sections of the cables of all the mooring lines that hold the central counterweight (1 ).

-

Six pentagonal columns (29) that join the submerged hull with the upper tweendeck. The waterline (22) of the project condition is approximately halfway up the columns.

-

An upper mezzanine in the shape of a six-pointed star, with cantilevers on the upper part, which give the deck an approximately circular appearance and with a central hollow aligned with the central hollow of the submerged hull.

-

On three alternate points of the star are the outer pulleys (3) of the anchoring system, which hang from cantilevers that replace the support arm of the bottom line (17). The inner pulleys (2) of the anchoring system hang from the inner edge of the central hole. The intermediate section of the anchoring cable runs through the tween-deck and also hangs from several supporting pulleys of the intermediate section (12).

-

At the other three points of the star there are walkways (25), with piers for yachts or other small vessels, which are accessed through ramps down to the pier (27) that reach the central body of the tween-bridge .

On the deck of the upper tweendeck, there are one or more buildings, which can be dedicated to accommodation for guests, shops, recreational or restaurant venues or entertainment of any kind. 8. Platform to support marine wind turbines equipped with the anchoring system described in claims No. 5 or No. 6, which contains at least the following elements:

-

A partially submerged hull (10) with any geometry.

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A support tower (15) for a marine wind turbine, located just above the hull of the platform.

-

A complete marinized wind turbine (14), whose nacelle is installed on top of the corresponding tower.

-

A central counterweight (1), located on the axis of symmetry of the platform, whose diameter is less than the diameter of the central well and its height is slightly less than the height of the platform hull. Inside it are a series of ballast tanks, which meet the following restrictions: With all ballast tanks empty, the central counterweight has slightly positive buoyancy (floats). With one or more tanks flooded, the buoyancy of the central counterweight is slightly negative (sinks) With all ballast tanks flooded, the apparent weight of the central counterweight is large (at least 10% of the total weight of the platform ).

-

An anchoring ring (4), in the shape of a ring of revolution, whose inner diameter is greater than the diameter of the platform hull and its outer radius is slightly less than the distance from the axis of symmetry to the vertical of the outer pulleys. Inside it is a series of ballast tanks, which meet the following restrictions: With all ballast tanks empty, the mooring ring has a slightly positive buoyancy (floats). With one or more of the tanks flooded, the buoyancy of the mooring ring is slightly negative (it sinks, with a small apparent weight). With all ballast tanks flooded, the apparent weight of the mooring ring is very large (at least 30% of the total weight of the platform).

-

3 or more support arms of the anchoring lines (17), arranged radially around the axis of revolution of the platform hull, approximately horizontal, each of which is supported by the central superstructure and by two inclined columns, which are rest on the deck or on the side of the central hull. Each arm and its supporting columns form a tripod, which protrudes from the side of the central hull at least 20% of the radius of the platform.

-

From the ends of each support arm of the anchoring lines hang: An inner pulley (2) on the inner part and an outer pulley (3) on the opposite end. These pulleys can be single (one sheave) or multiple (several overlapping sheaves).

-

The anchor cable hangs from the two inner and outer pulleys of each arm The central section of the anchor cable (6) hangs from the inner pulley, passes through the central well

(16) and clamped on the central counterweight (1). The bottom section of the mooring cable (8) hangs from the outer pulley and is held in the mooring ring (4). The mooring cable can be simple (a single cable) or multiple (several cables). 9. Annular platform to support marine wind turbines as described in claim 8, characterized by the shape of its hull and by the presence of a superstructure:

-

The hull (10) is shaped like a ring with a vertical axis and a chamfered rectangular cross section, with a cylindrical central well (16) that occupies and forms the inner hollow of the ring over its entire height. The diameter of the central well is between 20% and 40% of the diameter of the platform. In the design condition, the hull's waterline is at an intermediate position in its height, closer to the deck than to the bottom of the ring. The draft of the hull is less than half its diameter.

-

The central superstructure is cylindrical-frustoconical in shape, located on the hull deck, just above the central shaft. And it supports the tower (15) that supports the wind turbine and provides protection for the inner pulleys.

10. Tubular platform to support marine wind turbines as described in claim No. 8, characterized by the shape and depth of the platform hull. The platform hull (10) is made up of two parts:

-

A ring with a vertical axis (lower part) and a chamfered rectangular cross section. The diameter of the central hole is between 20% and 50% of the diameter of the platform. In project condition, this ring is fully submerged.

-

A tube with a vertical axis (upper part) located directly on the previous submerged ring, the inner face of which is an extension of the inner face of the submerged ring. The difference between the outer and inner radius of the vertical tube is between 15% and 35% of the outer radius of the platform hull.

In the design condition, this tube is partially submerged and the waterline intersects the tube at approximately half its height. For equal displacement, the draft of a tubular platform is greater than that of an annular platform. 11. Construction, transportation and installation sequence for a floating marine platform with the anchoring system described in claims No. 5 or No. 6, establishing a procedure with stages, to achieve the final operational configuration, and which involves the following steps:

-

All the elements that make up the platform next to the port are built, thrown (thrown into the water) and assembled on the platform, to put it in transport condition (all ballast tanks of all empty elements and the central counterweight and the bottom ring attached by cables to the main body of the platform).

-

With the help of a tugboat, the complete platform is moved to the place where it is to be permanently installed.

-

The central section of the anchoring cable (6) of each anchoring line is attached to the central counterweight (1).

-

One or more of the ballast tanks of the central counterweight (1) are filled, until it has a slightly negative buoyancy.

-

The auxiliary tensioned cable, which retained the central counterweight (1) during the transfer, is gradually lengthened (released) until the auxiliary counterweight holding chains (21) are tightened. The platform remains in the First Installation Configuration (central counterweight extended and blocked, with its ballast tanks partially filled and the mooring ring with its empty tanks).

-

The central counterweight ballast tanks are then completely flooded with sludge.

-

The bottom section of the anchoring cable (8) of each anchoring line is attached to the anchoring ring (4) and the cable is tensioned using an auxiliary winch.

-

One or more ballast tanks of the mooring ring (4) are filled, until it has a slightly negative buoyancy.

-

The anchoring cable of all the anchoring lines is gradually and simultaneously extended until it rests firmly on the seabed. During this process, the platform is in the Second Installation Configuration (fully filled counterweight ballast tanks and partially filled mooring ring tanks).

-

When the mooring ring is resting on the seabed, the lengths of the cables of all the mooring lines are adjusted (adjusting the length of the adjustment section of the mooring cable (9)), until the cables of all the lines anchor have the same tension.

-

All ballast tanks of the mooring ring (or mooring weights if they were independent) are completely flooded.

-

The auxiliary chains holding the counterweight (21) are removed.

At the end of these steps, the platform is in the Operation configuration, characterized by:

-

The ballast tanks of the mooring ring (4) are totally flooded, with a very high apparent weight. The mooring ring rests on the seabed and is connected to the platform by means of the bottom sections of the mooring cable (8), which are fully tensioned and which hang from the outer pulleys (3) of each anchor line.

-

The ballast tanks of the central counterweight (1) are totally flooded, with a fairly high apparent weight. The central counterweight hangs from the central section of the mooring cable (6) of all the mooring lines.

-

The entire mooring cable is extended and is subjected to a tension equal to the apparent weight of the central counterweight (divided by the number of cables).

12. Uninstallation sequence for a floating marine platform with the anchoring system described in claims No. 5 or No. 6, based on the Operation Condition characterized in that: The ballast tanks of the anchoring ring (4) are totally flooded, with a very high apparent weight. The mooring ring rests on the seabed and is connected to the platform by means of the bottom sections of the mooring cable (8), which are fully tensioned and which hang from the outer pulleys (3) of each anchor line. The ballast tanks of the central counterweight (1) are totally flooded, with a fairly high apparent weight. The central counterweight hangs from the central section of the mooring cable (6) of all the mooring lines. The entire mooring cable is extended and is subjected to a tension equal to the apparent weight of the central counterweight (divided by the number of cables). The uninstall sequence involves the following steps:

-

The position of the central counterweight (1) is blocked by means of auxiliary cables.

-

The ballast tanks of the mooring ring are partially emptied by means of pumps, or using compressed air, a small amount of ballast is left so that the buoyancy of the ring is slightly negative.

-

The mooring cables (9) are collected simultaneously from all the mooring lines, until the counterweight reaches the sea surface.

-

The anchoring ring (4) is fastened to the platform using auxiliary cables and the ballast tanks of the anchoring ring are finished emptying.

-

The ballast tanks of the central counterweight (1) are partially emptied, leaving a small amount of ballast, so that the buoyancy of the counterweight is slightly negative.

-

The central counterweight is hoisted (raised) until it reaches the surface, either by means of the central sections (6), or by means of auxiliary chains (21).

-

The central counterweight (1) is attached to the main platform and its ballast tanks are finished emptying. The platform is now in the move configuration, ready to be moved to any other location or site.

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