WO2011121627A1

WO2011121627A1 - Supporting structure submerged

Info

Publication number: WO2011121627A1
Application number: PCT/IT2011/000095
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mariano Martellucci
Original assignee: Mariano Martellucci
Priority date: 2010-03-31
Filing date: 2011-03-30
Publication date: 2011-10-06
Also published as: ITLT20100004A1

Abstract

Supporting structure submerged capable of supporting a structure and/or equipment independently from its mass, having the attitude control of the vertical axis compared to the horizontal plane, the attitude control on the depth, non-rotation around the vertical axis, high resistance to the fluid-dynamics turbulent phenomena, high coefficient of unsinkability and the anti-roll over. Composed by a cylindrical part ((T3 or T1),T) under water level (I), by a spherical part (S) sliding along the vertical axis of the cylindrical part ((T3 or T1),T) and by a spherical ballast part (P) below the cylindrical part ((T3 or T1),T). All fixed to the seabed (H) by means of a fastening system and /or anchor ((C,F or C,L,C1,F or T1,B, L,B1,T) and D,F).

Description

SUPPORTING STRUCTURE SUBMERGED

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to the construction of a supporting structure submerged in accordance with the characteristics set forth in the part characterized by claim 1.

STATE OF TECHNOLOGY

In the sector of "OFF-SHORE" marine industrial activities, there is a necessity to install structures and/or equipment that do not suffer fluctuations with regard to sea waves and are as stable as possible, like platforms for the extraction of Petrol, Gas and other natural resources in general, but also for Wind Turbines in the production of electrical energy from wind sources, etc. In the previous technique used, with the exception of certain platforms for extraction, has been necessary to carry out installations for marine structures that do not suffer of the fluctuations of waves and that respond to technical requisites with regards to functionality, with a direct fixture to the seabed and at a depths that generally do not surpass 30m. This solution has brought on the realization of industrial sites relatively close to the coasts with a relevant environmental impact and a consequent strong limitation even in terms of use of natural resources in rapport to the extension of the sea surface which is available.

The wind resources are one of natural resources considered highly exploitable in the sea. The exploitation of Wind energy has had an enormous development in the world over the years. Such activity has allowed for the establishment of real "wind farms" consistent in high numbers of wind turbines deposed along the ridges of the mountains. Inevitably the adaptable sites have begun to be scarce and, consequently, the machine cut has been slowly increased up to reaching impressive dimensions (height of the towers and rotor diameters in the order of 100 meters). Such a phenomenon has created a notable environmental impact especially from a landscape point of view.

in the past years the production policy for wind energy has placed its attention to the realization of off-shore wind farms, since these present more efficiency from the point of view of exploitation of wind potential and are characterized by environmental and by visible impact which is generally inferior with respect to the plants installed on the ground.

The major difficulty in the realization of installations of this type is the simultaneous presence of optimal climatic conditions, both geomorphological of the continental platform that make construction of these parks attractive from an economic point of view. In this sense, the most appropriate areas to install such facilities appear to be shallow seas characterized by easy access for maintenance vehicles and located in areas where the performance of other human activities such as fishing and navigation, are not disturbed or penalized by the presence of towers from wind turbines and other ancillary facilities. One solution is that which entails the construction of wind farms in the sea where there shouldn't be any impact on the population. Without a doubt the installation done distantly from the coast is an optimal solution in terms of impact that production renders the use of Off-Shore structures adapted to this purpose necessary.

The form of the platform and/or main structures, depends on various factors, such as those led by violence in the existent actions of the sea ( tides, surface currents and in depth, wind actions, as well as eventual seismic activity in the area, etc.).

PURPOSE OF THE INVENTIO

The purpose of the present invention is to solve the problems listed above, providing a supporting structure submerged which acts as the foundation and/or safe fixation and stable of structures and/or equipment.

CONCEPT OF THE INVENTION

The purpose is reached with the characteristics of claim 1. The successive claims are advantageous solutions.

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

The solution proposed, according to the present invention, has both advantages from an environmental perspective, for the minor impact of the materials and both in terms of security, for its mechanical and hydrodynamic properties, and in detail:

• permit installation of structures such as wind turbines etc.. in deep waters than the 30m.

The installation can be made with the "Supporting structure submerged" in state of emersion, permitting to work above the water surface for then proceed to placing the structure at the depth designated by means of the rooms and/or watertight compartments floodable (G);

• the control filling and emptying of water in the rooms and/or watertight compartments (G figure 3 and 8) allow, at the structure to be supported, an adjustment of trim of its axis vertical respect to the horizontal plane, the thrust regulation of supporting and/or emersion and shifting of the barycenter (M);

• the spherical form of the particular (S Figure 3 and 8) ensures the maximum resolution for the turbulent fluid dynamics effects arising from any direction, the maximum thrust of emersion in terms volumetric and the maximum structural robustness, as well as the cylindrical parts ((T3 or T1) and T Figure 3 and 8);

· the details (T3 or T1), are an extension of the particular (T), forming with the latter, a single cylindrical body on which the spherical part (S), by means of appropriate mechanical jacks, can be moved by changing the height of the point of barycenter ( ). When moving, we also get the change in length of the particular (T), which, with the particular (P), generates an increase or a diminishing effect of pendulum (shown later);

• the independent multiple watertight chambers (G) (Figure 3 and 8), makes it practically unsinkable;

· in case of rupture of the cables of fixing and/or anchorage from the seabed ((C or C1) and D Figure 3 and 4 or (B or B1) and D Figure 8 and 9), we loses control of stabilization along the vertical axis and then horizontal, losing the set depth and causing the surfacing of the structure. At this point, the counterbalance (particular P Figure 3 and 8), appropriately sized, creates a pendulum effect which tends, at any fluctuation of the wave and/or wind, to bring the angle, between the vertical axis of the emerged structure and the gravitational axis, both passing through the point of barycenter of the frame object of the present invention, at 0 °, preventing the overturning of the structure above it. In fact, in the case of the aero generator, it will remain in an upright position;

• the particular Fixing (C,L,C1, Figure 2,3 and 5), guarantees the oscillatory stabilization of the vertical axis compared to the horizontal plane. If the vertical axis, of the structure emerged, it must be perpendicular to the horizontal plane, their angle must be maintained at 90 °. Guarantees the trim of depth, and prevents the effect of rotation around the vertical axis;

• the particular fixing (B,L,B1 Figure 7, 8 and 10), guarantees the oscillatory stabilization of the vertical axis compared to the horizontal plane. If the vertical axis, of the structure emerged, it must be perpendicular to the horizontal plane, their angle must be maintained at 90 °. Guarantees the trim of depth, and prevents the effect of rotation around the vertical axis;

• the particular fixing ( D figure 4 and 9), guarantees the maximum stabilization on the trim of depth and contribute at the stabilization respect to the horizontal plane;

• the submerged structure, guarantees no exposure to wave action and the erosion protection of the materials due to salt and oxygen.

LIST OF FIGURES WITH BRIEF DESCRIPTION

The invention will now be described in more detail with the help of the following drawings:

• the figure 1 is a schematic representation of the first type of supporting structure submerged, concerning the present invention, with a wind turbine at demonstration title;

• the figure 2 is a schematic representation of multiple submerged structures showing the first type of structure with the first fixing system and/or anchorage, concerning the present invention, with a wind turbine at demonstration title;

• the figure 3 is a detail view of figure 1 and 2;

• the figure 4 is a detail view of figure 1 and 2; the figure 5 is a detail view of Figure 2;

the figure 6 is a schematic representation of the second type of submerged structure, concerning the present invention, with a wind turbine at demonstration title;

the figure 7 is a schematic representation of multiple submerged structures, highlighting the second type of structure with the second fixing system and/or anchorage, concerning the present invention, with a wind turbine at demonstration title;

the figure 8 is a detail view of Figure 7;

the figure 9 is a detail view of Figure 6 and 7;

the figure 10 is a detail view of Figure 7;

the figure 11 is a schematic top view of a group of structures submerged, concerning the present invention, connected together by fixing systems and/or anchorage.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following description will be illustrated, in detail, the supporting submerged structures with their different fixing systems and/or anchorage.

- The figures 1,2,3,4 and 5, shows the first type of supporting submerged structure with the first fixing system and/or anchorage (C,L,C1 and D), object of the present invention. The body of the submerged structure is formed by a sphere (S), by a cylindrical part (T,T3) and by a Spherical counterweight (P).

• The cylindrical structure (T3), is part of the coupling of the future structure of sustain and is an extension of the particular (T), forming with the latter, a single cylindrical body on which the spherical part (S), by means of appropriate mechanical jacks, can be moved by changing the height of the point of barycenter (M). When moving, we also get the change in length of the particular (T), which, with the particular (P), generates an increase or a diminishing effect of pendulum (shown later).

• The spherical structure (S) contains within it, multiple rooms and/or watertight compartments (G), enabling, by means their single flooding or emptying of water, the change the point of barycenter ( ) according to the need trim of the structure emerged to be supported and, at the same time, ensuring, in case of rupture and / or perforation of a single room or compartment, the not flooding of the other (principle of unsinkability). The diameter varies according to the structure emerged to be supported.

• The cylindrical structure (T,T3), is slaved, in addition to hook of the structure to be supported and at scrolling of the spherical structure (S), at the connection and/or sustenance of the spherical counterweight (P).

It contains within it, multiple rooms and/or watertight compartments (G), enabling, by means their single flooding or emptying of water, the change the point of barycenter (M) according to the need trim of the structure emerged to be supported and, at the same time, ensuring, in case of rupture and/or perforation of a single room or compartment, the not flooding of the other (principle of unsinkability). Its length varies according at the force (pendulum effect), related with the weight the spherical counterweight (P), necessary to guarantee the upright position originary of the structure to be sustained (A), preventing its rollover in case of rupture of the fixing and/or anchorages (C,C1 ,D or B,B1 ,D).

• The counterweight spherical (P), is slaved, by means of its mass appropriately sized, at guarantee the upright position originary of the structure to be sustained (A), preventing its rollover in case of rupture of the Fixing and/or anchorages (C,C1,D and B,B1 ,D). The diameter varies according to the structure emerged to be supported.

• The first system of fixing and/or anchorage is composed by cables (C,C1) which connect the sphere (S), by means of the particular (L fig. 5), to the points of attachment (F) on the seabed (H), and by cables (D) which connecting the spherical counterweight (P) at the points of attachment (F) on the seabed (H).

The cables (C,C1), beyond assuring a point of anchorage to the seabed, serve to guarantee the oscillatory stabilization of the vertical axis respect to the horizontal plane. If the vertical axis of the emerged structure must be perpendicular to the horizontal plane, their angle will be maintained at 90°. Moreover, they guarantee the trim of depth and prevent the effect of rotation around the vertical axis.

The particular (L) is enslaved to the greater safety, beyond to avoid the rupture of the cables due to abrasion. It is used for the multiple installations (fig. 5).

The cables (D), beyond assuring a point of anchorage (F) at the seabed (H), serve to guarantee the maximum stabilization on trie trim of depth and contribute to the oscillatory stabilization of the vertical axis respect the horizontal plane.

- The figures 6,7,8,9 and 10 show the second type of "Supporting submerged structure" with the second fixing system and / or anchorage (B,L,B1 and D), object of the present invention . The body of the submerged structure is formed by a sphere (S), by a cylindrical structure (T,T1) and by a spherical counterweight (particular P).

· The cylindrical structure (T1), has the same technical specifications of the particular (T3) described above, with the only difference of the attachment points of cables (B).

• The spherical structure (S), has the same technical characteristics of the first type described above.

• The cylindrical structure (T,T1) has the same technical characteristics of the particular (T,T3) described above, with the only difference the attachment points of cables (B1).

• The counterweight spherical (P) has the same technical characteristic's of the first type described above. • The second system of fixing and/or anchorage, is usable only in case of multiple installations of "Supporting submerged structure". The system consists of cables (B,B1) which connect the cylindrical part (T1) of the first "Supporting submerged structure", by means of the particular (L fig. 10), to the cylindrical structure (T) of the second "Supporting submerged structure" and by cables (D) which connect the counterweight spherical (P) to the points of attachment (F) on the seabed (H).

The cables (B,B1), serve to guarantee the oscillatory stabilization of the vertical axis respect to the horizontal plane. If the vertical axis of the emerged structure must be perpendicular to the horizontal plane, their angle will be maintained at 90°. Moreover, they guarantee the trim of depth and prevent the effect of rotation around the vertical axis.

The particular (L) is enslaved to the greater safety, beyond to avoid the rupture of the cables due to abrasion. It is used for the multiple installations (fig. 10).

The cables (D), beyond assuring a point of anchorage (F) at the seabed (H), serve to guarantee the maximum stabilization on the trim of depth and contribute to the oscillatory stabilization of the vertical axis respect the horizontal plane.

The 11 figure is a schematic top view, of a group of structures submerged of the first type and second type, object of the present invention, connected together by means of systems of fixing and/or anchorage ((C,F or C,L,C1,F, or T1,B,L,B1,T) and D,F of the Figures 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9 and 10).

The description of the present invention was made with reference to an form of realization and functionality of the same one and that the invention is not limited at the description above, but includes all those alterations, modifications and variations in accordance with the attached claims. It is understood that the term "cable" and/or "cables " as used throughout the description should be understood in its broadest sense and may also include other flexible connections, such as chains, ropes, etc..

It specifies that the wind turbine shown in the invention, is only indicative and is enslaved to show a type of use of the present invention which may be used to support of many structures and/or equipment.

Claims

1. Supporting structure submerged capable of supporting a structure and/or equipment independently from its mass, having the attitude control of the vertical axis compared to the horizontal plane, the attitude control on the depth, non-rotation around the vertical axis, high resistance to the fluid-dynamics turbulent phenomena, high coefficient of unsinkability and the anti roll over.

2. Supporting structure submerged according to claim 1., characterized by a cylindrical part (T3) single body with the cylindrical part (T), having in its inside, rooms and/or compartments watertight (G) floodable/drainable dislocated, according to a side view, on the various horizontal levels. Subservient to the attachment of the structure and/or equipment to be supported. Its thickness, length and number of rooms and/or compartments, depend from the mass of the structure to be supported.

3. Supporting structure submerged according to claim 1., characterized by a spherical part (S), able to slide along the vertical axis of the cylindrical part (T), having connections for the attachment of the cables (C) and having in its inside, rooms and/or compartments watertight (G) floodable/drainable dislocated, according to a side view, on the various horizontal levels and divided, according to a top view, to segments for each level. Its diameter and number of rooms and/or compartments, depend from the mass of the structure to be supported.

4. Supporting structure submerged according to claim 1., characterized by a cylindrical part (T), having in its inside, rooms and/or compartments watertight (G) floodable/drainable dislocated, according to a side view, on the various horizontal levels. Its thickness, length and number of rooms and/or compartments, depend from the mass of the structure to be supported.

5. Supporting structure submerged according to claim 1., characterized by a spherical ballast (P), having connections for the locking on of cables (D). Its diameter depend from the mass of the structure to be supported.

6. Supporting structure submerged according to claim 1., characterized by a system of attachment and/or anchor ((C,F or C,L,C1,F) and D,F) comprising one or more cables ((C or C,C1) and D), the fixing particular (L) and a point of attachment and/or anchor (F) at the seabed (H).

7. Supporting structure submerged according to claim 6., characterized by one or more cables (C) which are locked on, from one end to the spherical part (S) and the other end to the point of attachment and/or anchor (F) at the seabed (H). Their length and thickness varies according to the loads of power to sustain.

8. Supporting structure submerged according to claim 6., characterized by one or more cables (C) which are locked on, from one end to the spherical part (S) and the other end to the point of attachment particular (L). Their length and thickness varies according to the loads of power to sustain.

9. Supporting structure submerged according to claim 6., characterized by one or more cables (C1) which are locked on, from one end to the point of attachment particular (L) and the other end to the point of attachment and/or anchor (F) at the seabed (H). Their length and thickness varies according to the loads of power to sustain.

10. Supporting structure submerged according to claim 6., characterized by one or more cables (D) which are locked on, from one end to the ballast spherical (P) and the other end to the point of attachment and/or anchor (F) at the seabed (H). Their length and thickness varies according to the loads of power to sustain.

11. Supporting structure submerged according to claim 1., characterized by a cylindrical part (T1) single body with the cylindrical part (T), having connections for the attachment of the cables (B), having in its inside, rooms and/or compartments watertight (G) floodable / drainable dislocated, according to a side view, on the various horizontal levels. Its diameter and number of rooms and/or compartments, depend from the mass of the structure to be supported.

12. Supporting structure submerged according to claim 1., characterized by a spherical part (S), able to slide along the vertical axis of the cylindrical part (T), having in its inside, rooms and/or compartments watertight (G) floodable/drainable dislocated, according to a side view, on the various horizontal levels and divided, according to a top view, to segments for each level. Its diameter and number of rooms and/or compartments, depend from the mass of the structure to be supported.

13. Supporting structure submerged according to claim 1., characterized by a cylindrical part (T), having connections for the attachment of cables (B1) and having in its inside, rooms and/or compartments watertight (G) floodable/drainable dislocated, according to a side view, on the various horizontal levels. Its thickness, length and number of rooms and/or compartments, depend from the mass of the structure to be supported.

14. Supporting structure submerged according to claim 1., characterized by a system of attachment and/or anchor (B,L,B1) comprising one or more cables (B,B1 and D), the attachment particular (L) and a point of attachment and/or anchor (F) at the seabed (H).

15. Supporting structure submerged according to claim 14., characterized by one or more cables (B) which are locked on, from one end to the cylindrical part (T) and the other end to the point of attachment particular (L). Their length and thickness varies according to the loads of power to sustain.

16. Supporting structure submerged according to claim 14., characterized by one or more cables (B1) which are locked on, from one end to the point of attachment particular (L) and the other end to the to the cylindrical part (T). Their length and thickness varies according to the loads of power to sustain.

17. Supporting structure submerged according to claim 6 and 14., characterized by a particular point of attachment (L) having function of locking on the cables (C,C1 or B,B1). Its size and thickness varies according to the loads of power to sustain.

18. Supporting structure submerged according to any previous claim, characterized by materials that can be in steel, steel concrete, concrete, fibers reinforced of concrete, materials in composite or any other adequate material.

19. Supporting structure submerged according to any previous claim, characterized by the point of attachment and/or anchor (F), equivalent to the locked on point above ground and/or seabed, of a structure of fixing displaced below the seabed.

20. Supporting structure submerged according to any previous claim, characterized by multiple system installation according to fig. 11.