Patent ID: 8689721
Filing Date: 2014-04-08
Classification: B23P,B63B,F03D,F05B,Y02E,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method of vertically assembling, vertically towing and installing a floating system, comprising a plurality of vertically extending slender columns, each column being buoyant; a ballast tank coupled to the bottom end, which is the submerged end, of each of the columns; a top deck having a plurality of through-bores approximate its periphery; a wind turbine assembly, comprising a tower, a nacelle and rotor blades, supported by said top deck; a temporary stability tank or a plurality of temporary stability tanks coupled to said top deck; a locking and release system linking each said temporary stability tank to said top deck; the method comprising: Step I: putting said ballast tank on the water and setting said top deck on the top of said ballast tank at a quayside; coupling each of said temporary stability tanks to a side of said top deck in a horizontal arrangement using temporary sea-fastenings and said locking and release system; Step II: extending each of said columns upward through each of said through-bores of said top deck; coupling the bottom end of each of said columns to said ballast tank Step III: coupling the bottom end of said tower of said wind turbine assembly to said top deck; coupling said nacelle and rotor blades to the top end of said tower of said wind turbine assembly in upright position; Step IV: coupling said top deck using temporary sea-fastenings to each of said columns, whereby said wind turbine assembly, said top deck, said columns, said ballast tank, said temporary stability tanks, and said locking and release system form a sea-towing assembly; inputting a quantity of solid ballast material to said ballast tank.