IP Library Granted Patent US 9,499,241
Granted Patent B2
US 9,499,241 · App. 14/314,998 · Granted Nov 22, 2016

Floating offshore structures

Inventors: Jaume Betran Palomas (Sant Cugal del Vallès, ES); Roger Bergua (Barcelona, ES)
Assignee: ALSTOM RENEWABLE TECHNOLOGIES
B63B35/44B63B1/048B63B1/107B63B21/50B63B21/502B63B2035/442B63B2035/446Y02E10/727
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,499,241
App. No.
14/314,998
Granted
Nov 22, 2016
Kind
B2
Abstract

A floating offshore structure comprises a buoyancy structure arranged such that in use it remains below the sea level and a tower, wherein the buoyancy structure is attached to a tower by a connecting structure, the connecting structure comprising one or more openings arranged such that in use they remain below the sea level, and the one or more openings being dimensioned such that sea water can flow into and out of the connecting structure with variations of the sea level.

Claims (11)

1. A floating offshore structure, comprising:

a buoyancy structure arranged such that the buoyancy structure remains below sea level;

a wind turbine comprising a tower;

wherein the buoyancy structure is attached to the tower by a connecting structure capable of holding sea water, the connecting structure comprising one or more openings arranged such that the one or more openings remain below the sea level, wherein the one or more openings allow sea water to flow in and out of the connecting structure so that water level inside the connecting structure corresponds to the sea level;

wherein sea water flows into and out of the connecting structure with variations of the sea level; and

wherein the connecting structure further comprises one or more orifices arranged such that the one or more orifices remain above the sea level, the orifices being configured to enhance the flow of sea water in and out of the connecting structure and permit the flow of air out of the connecting structure, so that no air providing buoyancy remains inside the connecting structure when the sea level rises.

2. The floating offshore structure of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of radially outwardly extending braces and a mooring line attached to each of the braces at one end and to a seabed at another end.

3. The floating offshore structure of claim 2 , wherein the braces are arranged such that the braces remain above the sea level.

4. The floating offshore structure of claim 2 , wherein the braces are arranged such that the braces remain below the sea level and form part of the buoyancy structure.

5. The floating offshore structure of claim 2 , wherein the braces extend radially outwards from a wind turbine transition piece that is arranged between the connecting structure and the tower.

6. The floating offshore structure of claim 2 , wherein the braces are at least three in number.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 4, 2017
From: GE RENEWABLE TECHNOLOGIES
To: GE RENEWABLE TECHNOLOGIES WIND B.V.
Reel/Frame 044117/0056 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Sep 2, 2017
From: ALSTOM RENEWABLE TECHNOLOGIES
To: GE RENEWABLE TECHNOLOGIES
Reel/Frame 043749/0761 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 30, 2014
From: BETRAN PALOMAS, JAUME; BERGUA, ROGER
To: ALSTOM RENEWABLE TECHNOLOGIES
Reel/Frame 033216/0071 →
Priority Claims (1)
EP 13382251 · Jun 27, 2013 · regional
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20150000583A1 · Jan 1, 2015