Patent ID: 11885093
Assignee: CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY
Field: Engines, pumps, turbines (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC E  F  Y | IPC E  F

Claim 0:
1. A method of installing a hybrid foundation for an offshore wind turbine comprising:
providing an elongated monopile extending from a first end to a distal second along an axis, the first end configured to be inserted into a sea floor and the second end configured to receive and/or support a tower structure,
providing a friction wheel having an outer annular surface and an inner annular surface that defines an opening through which the monopile extends, the friction wheel extending transverse to the axis and being configured to increase a lateral load bearing capacity of the monopile upon insertion into the sea floor,
providing an annular suction bucket that extends from the friction wheel towards the first end of the monopile, the suction bucket configured to be driven into the sea floor by pressure differentiation within the suction bucket during installation of the hybrid foundation,
installing the friction wheel and suction bucket in the sea floor, and
inserting the elongated monopile through the opening into the sea floor.