阅读说明：本技术 用于浮动结构的调谐质量阻尼器 (Tuned mass damper for floating structures ) 是由 C·K·艾伦 A·M·维塞利 A·J·古皮 H·J·达格尔 J·林德纳 J·S·汤森 R 于 2019-11-04 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种与浮动海上风力涡轮机(FOWT)平台组合的调谐质量阻尼器(TMD)系统,包括驳船类型FOWT平台,该驳船类型FOWT平台有船体,该船体有安装于其上的风力涡轮机塔架。TMD系统安装在船体中,并且有：第一TMD,该第一TMD设置成以第一频率操作；以及第二TMD,该第二TMD以与第一频率不同的第二频率操作。(A Tuned Mass Damper (TMD) system in combination with a Floating Offshore Wind Turbine (FOWT) platform includes a barge-type FOWT platform having a hull with a wind turbine tower mounted thereon. The TMD system is installed in a ship body, and has: a first TMD configured to operate at a first frequency; and a second TMD operating at a second frequency different from the first frequency.)

1. A Tuned Mass Damper (TMD) system in combination with a Floating Offshore Wind Turbine (FOWT) platform, comprising:

a barge-type FOWT platform having a hull configured to have a wind turbine tower mounted thereon;

the method is characterized in that:

a TMD system is installed in a hull, the TMD system having:

a first TMD configured to operate at a first frequency; and

a second TMD configured to operate at a second frequency different from the first frequency.

2. The TMD system in combination with a FOWT platform of claim 1, wherein: the first TMD includes a first water ballast chamber defining a mass of the first TMD, and the second TMD includes a second water ballast chamber defining a mass of the second TMD.

3. The TMD system in combination with the FOWT platform of claim 2, wherein: at least one of the first TMD and the second TMD is configured to mitigate at least one of heave motion, roll motion, turbine resonance loading, and wave environment loading of a barge-type FOWT platform.

4. The TMD system in combination with the FOWT platform of claim 2, wherein: at least one of the first TMD and the second TMD is configured to enable the FOWT platform to operate efficiently with rigid body heave and roll natural frequencies within its predetermined wave energy range.

5. A Tuned Mass Damper (TMD) system in combination with a Floating Offshore Wind Turbine (FOWT) platform, comprising:

a FOWT platform having a center and at least three legs extending radially from the center and configured to have a wind turbine tower mounted thereon;

the method is characterized in that:

a TMD system, a portion of the TMD system mounted in each leg, each leg having:

a first TMD at an outboard end of each leg and configured to operate at a first frequency; and

a second TMD at an inboard end of each leg and configured to operate at a second frequency different from the first frequency.

6. The TMD system in combination with the FOWT platform of claim 5, wherein: the first TMD includes a first water ballast chamber defining a mass of the first TMD, and the second TMD includes a second water ballast chamber defining a mass of the second TMD.

7. The TMD system in combination with the FOWT platform of claim 6, wherein: at least one of the first TMD and the second TMD is configured to mitigate at least one of heave motion, roll motion, turbine resonance loading, and wave environment loading of the FOWT platform.

8. The TMD system in combination with the FOWT platform of claim 6, wherein: at least one of the first TMD and the second TMD is configured to enable the FOWT platform to operate efficiently with rigid body heave and roll natural frequencies within its predetermined wave energy range.

9. The TMD system in combination with the FOWT platform of claim 5, wherein: the FOWT platform is a barge-type platform having a hull that includes a central base and four legs attached to the central base and defining a cross-shape.

10. The TMD system in combination with the FOWT platform of claim 9, wherein: at least one of the first TMD and the second TMD is configured to mitigate at least one of heave motion, roll motion, turbine resonance loading, and wave environment loading of the FOWT platform.

11. The TMD system in combination with the FOWT platform of claim 10, wherein: at least one of the first TMD and the second TMD is configured to enable the FOWT platform to operate efficiently with rigid body heave and roll natural frequencies within its predetermined wave energy range.

12. The TMD system in combination with the FOWT platform of claim 6, wherein each first TMD further comprises:

a first pressure chamber within each leg, the first pressure chamber connected to a source of pressurized air and having an air pressure greater than atmospheric pressure;

a first damper tube having a closed first end attached to the upper end of the first water ballast chamber and an open second end, the first damper tube extending toward the floor of the first water ballast chamber such that the second end is spaced a distance from the floor of the first ballast chamber; and

a first connecting tube extending between the first pressure chamber and the upper portion of the first damper tube, the first connecting tube being configured for passage of pressurized air therethrough.

13. The TMD system in combination with the FOWT platform of claim 12, wherein: each second TMD further comprises:

a second pressure chamber within each leg, the second pressure chamber being connected to a source of pressurized air and having an air pressure greater than the air pressure within the first pressure chamber;

a second damper tube having a closed first end attached to the upper end of the second water ballast chamber and an open second end, the second damper tube extending toward the floor of the second water ballast chamber such that the second end is spaced a distance from the floor of the second ballast chamber; and

a second connecting tube extending between the second pressure chamber and the upper portion of the second damper tube, the second connecting tube being configured for the pressurized air to flow through the second connecting tube.

14. The TMD system in combination with the FOWT platform of claim 13, wherein: the first and second connecting tubes include adjustable orifices, and the inner diameters of the adjustable orifices are adjustable for actively controlling the flow of pressurized air from the first and second pressure chambers, respectively.

15. The TMD system in combination with the FOWT platform of claim 14, wherein: the TMD system further comprises:

a controller attached to the FOWT platform;

a sea state sensor mounted on the FOWT platform and operatively connected to the controller;

a position sensor connected to each of said adjustable orifices in the first and second connecting tubes and operatively connected to the controller; and

a pressure sensor connected to each of the first and second pressure chambers and operatively connected to the controller;

wherein the controller is configured to actively control the operating frequency of the first TMD and the second TMD based on input from the sea state sensor.

16. The TMD system in combination with the FOWT platform of claim 15, wherein: the active control of the operating frequency of the first TMD and the second TMD includes at least one of: changing the stiffness of the first TMD and the second TMD by changing air pressure in the first pressure chamber and the second pressure chamber; and changing the damping frequency of the first TMD and the second TMD by changing the size of the adjustable holes in the first connecting tube and the second connecting tube, thereby changing the air flow through the first connecting tube and the second connecting tube.

17. The TMD system in combination with the FOWT platform of claim 14, wherein: the first pressure chamber is provided as a low frequency pressure chamber and the second pressure chamber is provided as a high frequency pressure chamber.

18. The TMD system in combination with the FOWT platform of claim 17, wherein: the first TMD is configured to at least one of mitigate list and reduce rotational movement of the hull.

19. The TMD system in combination with the FOWT platform of claim 18, wherein: the second TMD is provided for mitigating up and down vertical movement of the hull.

20. A Tuned Mass Damper (TMD) system for use in a Floating Offshore Wind Turbine (FOWT) platform, comprising:

a buoyant base having a tower extending outwardly and upwardly from the buoyant base, the tower configured to have a wind turbine mounted thereon;

the method is characterized in that:

the TMD is mounted in the base and includes:

a pressure chamber formed within the base, the pressure chamber being connected to a source of pressurized air, the pressure chamber having an air pressure greater than atmospheric pressure;

an orifice damper formed in the pressure chamber; and

a flexible impermeable membrane mounted between the pressure chamber and a body of water in which the FOWT platform is deployed, the water pushing against the membrane defining the mass of the TMD.

21. The TMD system in combination with the FOWT platform of claim 20, wherein: the FOWT platform is a mast type FOWT platform.

22. A Tuned Mass Damper (TMD) system in combination with a Floating Offshore Wind Turbine (FOWT) platform, comprising:

a semi-submersible FOWT platform having a center, at least three legs extending radially from the center, a central column, and an outer column at a distal end of each of the at least three legs, and configured with a wind turbine tower mounted on the central column;

the method is characterized in that:

the TMD system is installed in a FOWT platform and includes: a horizontally oriented first TMD mounted in each leg; and a vertically mounted second TMD mounted in each column;

wherein the first TMD in each leg comprises a first water ballast chamber defining a mass of the first TMD and the second TMD in each column comprises a second water ballast chamber defining a mass of the second TMD; and

the first TMD and the second TMD may each be configured to operate at different frequencies.

23. The TMD system in combination with the FOWT platform of claim 21, wherein: at least one of the first TMD and the second TMD is configured to mitigate at least one of heave motion, roll motion, turbine resonance loading, and wave environment loading of the FOWT platform; and at least one of the first TMD and the second TMD is configured to enable the FOWT platform to operate efficiently with rigid body heave and roll natural frequencies within its predetermined wave energy range.

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to floating platforms. In particular, the present invention relates to an improved Floating Offshore Wind Turbine (FOWT) platform having an improved tuned mass damper system to reduce motion and loads caused by wind, water flow and wave loads during operation.

Background

Wind turbines for converting wind energy into electrical energy are known and provide an alternative source of energy for electric utility companies. On land, a large group of wind turbines (typically hundreds of numbered wind turbines) may be arranged together in one geographical area. These large groups of wind turbines can generate undesirably high levels of noise and may be aesthetically displeasing. These land-based wind turbines may not achieve optimal airflow due to obstacles such as hills, forests, and buildings.

Groups of wind turbines may also be located offshore, but near shore and at a location on the foundation where the water depth allows for fixed attachment of the wind turbines to the seabed. On the ocean, the air flow to the wind turbine is not disturbed by the presence of various obstacles (such as hills, forests and buildings), resulting in higher average wind speeds and greater power. The foundations required to attach wind turbines to the seabed at these near-shore locations are relatively expensive and can only be achieved at relatively shallow depths (e.g. up to a depth of about 45 metres).

The united states national renewable energy laboratory has determined that wind leaving the united states coastline over water at a depth of 30 meters or more has an energy capacity of about 3200 TWh/year. This corresponds to about 90% of the total U.S. energy usage of about 3500 TWh/year. Most offshore wind resources are located between 37 and 93 kilometers offshore, where water depths exceed 60 meters. In such deep waters, a fixed foundation for the wind turbine is likely to be economically unfeasible. This limitation has led to the development of floating platforms for wind turbines. Known floating wind turbine platforms may utilize mooring cables to anchor to the seabed and provide some stability to the tower and turbine against external loads from wind, waves and currents and loads associated with the power of the wind turbine mounted thereon. However, floating wind turbine platforms and the towers and turbines mounted thereon may still be subject to undesirable instability conditions due to external loads from wind, waves and currents.

Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a FOWT platform with an improved tuned mass damper system to reduce motion and loads due to wind, water current, and wave loads during operation.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention relates to an improved Tuned Mass Damper (TMD) system in combination with a Floating Offshore Wind Turbine (FOWT) platform for reducing motion and loads during operation of the FOWT platform. The improved TMD system in combination with a FOWT platform includes a barge-type FOWT platform having a hull configured to have a wind turbine tower mounted thereon. The TMD system is mounted in a ship hull and has a first TMD for operating at a first frequency and a second TMD for operating at a second frequency different from the first frequency.

A second embodiment of a TMD system in combination with a FOWT platform comprises a FOWT platform having a center and at least three legs extending radially from the center and having a wind turbine tower mounted thereon. A TMD system is provided, a portion of which is mounted in each leg. Each support leg has: a first TMD at an outboard end of each leg configured to operate at a first frequency; and a second TMD at an inboard end of each leg configured to operate at a second frequency different from the first frequency.

A third embodiment of a TMD system configured for use in a FOWT platform comprises: a buoyant base having a tower extending outwardly and upwardly therefrom, the tower configured to have a wind turbine mounted thereon; and a TMD mounted in the base. The base includes a pressure chamber formed therein that is connected to a source of pressurized air and has an air pressure greater than atmospheric pressure. The pore damper is formed in a pressure chamber, a flexible impermeable membrane is mounted between the pressure chamber and a body of water in which the FOWT platform is deployed, and water pressing against the membrane defines the mass of the TMD.

A fourth embodiment of a TMD system in combination with a FOWT platform comprises a semi-submersible FOWT platform having a center, at least three legs extending radially from the center, a center column, and an outer column at a distal end of each of the at least three legs, having a wind turbine tower mounted on the center column, and a TMD system mounted in the FOWT platform. The TMD system includes a horizontally oriented first TMD mounted in each leg and a vertically mounted second TMD mounted in each column. The first TMD in each leg comprises a first water ballast chamber defining a mass of the first TMD, and the second TMD in each column comprises a second water ballast chamber defining a mass of the second TMD. The first and second TMDs may each be configured to operate at different frequencies.

Various aspects of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, when read in light of the accompanying drawings.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a FOWT platform having a wind turbine mounted thereon and an improved Tuned Mass Damper (TMD) system in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of a portion of the FOWT platform shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an alternative cross-sectional view of the FOWT platform shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is a top view of a semi-submersible FOWT platform with an improved TMD system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of fig. 4.

FIG. 6 is a top view of an extended leg FOWT platform with an improved TMD system according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 of fig. 6.

FIG. 8 is a top view of a mast FOWT platform with an improved TMD system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 8-8 of fig. 9.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the improved TMD system shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of the improved TMD system shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a fourth embodiment of the improved TMD system shown in FIGS. 8 and 9.

Detailed Description

The invention will be described below with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof. This invention may, however, be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein nor construed as limited to any specific order. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

The embodiments of the invention disclosed below generally provide improvements to various types of Floating Offshore Wind Turbine (FOWT) platforms, such as barge-type platforms, submersible or semi-submersible type platforms, spar buoy type platforms, and extension leg type platforms. The present invention includes a FOWT platform with an improved tuned mass damper system to reduce motion and loads during operation.

The term "parallel" as used herein is defined as in a plane substantially parallel to the horizontal plane. The term "vertical" is defined as substantially perpendicular to the horizontal plane.

Referring to the drawings and in particular to fig. 1-3, a first embodiment of a FOWT platform 10 having an improved Tuned Mass Damper (TMD) system 34 is shown deployed in a body of water BW and anchored to the seabed (not shown). The illustrated FOWT platform 10 is one embodiment of a barge-type platform and includes a foundation or hull 12 that supports a tower 14. The tower 14 supports a wind turbine 16. The hull 12 is semi-submerged and is constructed and arranged to float and be semi-submerged in the body of water BW. Thus, when the hull 12 is floating in the body of water BW, a portion of the hull 12 will be above the water surface. As shown, a portion of the hull 12 is below the waterline WL. As used herein, the waterline WL is defined as the approximate line where the surface of the water meets the FOWT platform 10. Conventional mooring lines (not shown) may be attached to the FOWT platform 10 and also to anchors (not shown) in the seabed (not shown) to limit the movement of the FOWT platform 10 on the body of water BW.

As shown in the exemplary embodiment, the hull 12 is formed from four hull legs 18 that extend radially outward from a center foundation (keystone)20 and provide buoyancy. Thus, the hull 12 is substantially cruciform. An inner or center post 22 is mounted on the center foundation 20 and provides a platform on which the tower 14 is mounted. Alternatively, the hull 12 may include three hull legs 18 or more than four hull legs 18. In the illustrated embodiment, the length of the hull legs 18 is in the range of about 10m to about 75m, depending on the size of the commercial wind turbine being installed.

Although the hull 12 of the barge-type FOWT platform 10 is cross-shaped, it should be understood that the improved TMD system 34 can be used with barge-type platforms having other hull shapes, including but not limited to hulls having rectangular, square, circular, oval, and other geometries.

In the embodiment shown herein, wind turbine 16 is a horizontal axis wind turbine. Alternatively, the wind turbine may be a conventional vertical axis wind turbine (not shown). The size of the turbine 16 will vary depending on the wind conditions and the desired power output at the location where the FOWT platform 10 is anchored. For example, the turbine 16 may have an output of about 10 MW. Alternatively, the turbine 16 may have an output in the range from about 1MW to about 20 MW.

The wind turbine 16 may be conventional and may include a rotatable hub 24. At least one rotor blade 26 is coupled to hub 24 and extends outwardly from hub 24. The hub 24 is rotatably coupled to a generator (not shown). The generator may be coupled to an electrical grid (not shown) via a transformer (not shown) and a submarine cable (not shown). In the illustrated embodiment, the hub 24 has three rotor blades 26. In other embodiments, the hub 24 may have more or less than three rotor blades 26.

As shown in fig. 2 and 3, the center base 20 includes an upper wall 20A and a lower wall 20B that define an upper surface, and also defines a center cavity 28, the center cavity 28 having four radially outwardly extending center base legs 30. Each leg 30 includes an end wall 30A, the end wall 30A defining a substantially vertical connecting surface 32 to which four hull legs 18 are to be attached. Alternatively, the center base 20 may include three center base legs 30 or more than four center base legs 30, corresponding to the number of hull legs 18.

The conventional TMD is a mechanism integrated with a dynamic body using an internal or external mass, and is connected with the dynamic body through a spring and a damper. Dampers are used to reduce unwanted responses in dynamic bodies by placing the dampers to respond out of phase and at the same frequency as the unwanted response, a process commonly referred to as tuned mass damping. The natural frequency of the TMD can be tuned by selecting a combination of mass and connection stiffness between the damper and the dynamic body. The phase of the damper can be tuned by adjusting the damping in the connection between the mass damper and the dynamic body. Preferably, the embodiments of the TMD described and illustrated herein use existing water within a water ballast chamber in the hull (e.g., in the hull legs 18) or water outside the hull legs 18 as mass, pressurized air as a spring, and orifices for adjusting damping.

The modified TMD system 34 shown in fig. 1-3 includes: a first or low frequency TMD36 and a second or high frequency TMD 38. A low frequency TMD36 is formed at the outboard end of each hull leg 18 and comprises a first water ballast chamber 40, the first water ballast chamber 40 having a centrally located longitudinally extending first damper tube 42, the first damper tube 42 extending from the upper end of the first water ballast chamber 40 towards the lower end of the first water ballast chamber 40 but terminating above the floor of the first water ballast chamber 40. The first damper tube 42 may have a diameter in the range of about 1m to about 20m and has a closed first end 42A (an upper end when viewing fig. 2 and 3) and an open second end 42B (a lower end when viewing fig. 2 and 3). The low frequency pressure chambers 44 are located in the hull legs 18. In the illustrated embodiment, the low frequency pressure chamber 44 is located adjacent the first water ballast chamber 40. Alternatively, the low frequency pressure chambers 44 may be located at other suitable locations in the hull legs 18. A first connecting tube 46 extends between the low frequency pressure chamber 44 and an upper portion of the first damper tube 42.

Similarly, a high frequency TMD 38 is formed at the inboard end of each hull leg 18 and includes a second water ballast chamber 48, the second water ballast chamber 48 having a centrally located longitudinally extending second damper tube 50, the second damper tube 50 extending from the upper end of the second water ballast chamber 48 towards the lower end of the second water ballast chamber 48 but terminating above the floor of the second water ballast chamber 48. The diameter of the second damper tube 50 may be significantly larger than the diameter of the first damper tube 42, for example in the range of about 1m to about 20m, with a closed first end 50A (the upper end when viewing fig. 2 and 3) and an open second end 50B (the lower end when viewing fig. 2 and 3). High frequency pressure chambers 52 are also located in the hull legs 18. In the illustrated embodiment, high frequency pressure chamber 52 is located adjacent to second water ballast chamber 48 and below first water ballast chamber 40. Alternatively, the high frequency pressure chambers 52 may be located at other suitable locations in the hull legs 18. A second connection pipe 54 extends between the high-frequency pressure chamber 52 and the upper portion of the second damper tube 50.

A vent tube 56 is mounted on the upper outer surface of each hull leg 18. Each breather tube 56 has a plurality of connecting breather tubes 58, the plurality of connecting breather tubes 58 connecting each of the first and second water chambers 40, 48, and each breather tube 56 terminating at its open end within the center post 22. In the illustrated embodiment, two connecting breather tubes 58 are connected to and communicate with each of the first and second water chambers 40, 48. The inboard end of the breather tube 56 is connected to a central breather hub 60 within the center post 22. A vent tube 56 and a connecting vent tube 58 vent each of the first and second water chambers 40, 48 to atmosphere.

The air pressure within the low frequency pressure chamber 44 and the high frequency pressure chamber 52 may be in the range of about 1.0psi to about 50.0psi, but preferably the air pressure within the high frequency pressure chamber 52 is greater than the air pressure within the low frequency pressure chamber 44. The air pressure in each of the low frequency pressure chambers 44 and the high frequency pressure chambers 52 is customizable and can be set and changed by an air compressor (not shown) within the FOWT platform 10.

The first and second water chambers 40, 48 may be in fluid communication with a ballast pump (not shown) or other means for pumping or moving water, thereby enabling the first and second water chambers 40, 48 to be filled with water, and the amount of water therein may be varied as desired.

The first and second connecting tubes 46 and 54 may be provided with adjustable apertures, schematically indicated at 47 and 55, respectively, in each of the first and second connecting tubes 46 and 54. The inner diameters of the adjustable orifices 47 and 55 can be adjusted as needed, i.e., made larger or smaller, for actively controlling the flow of pressurized air from the low frequency pressure chamber 44 to the first damper tube 42 and from the high frequency pressure chamber 52 to the second damper tube 50. The adjustable apertures 47 and 55 may be adjusted manually or remotely. Therefore, a desired frequency can be maintained within the low frequency TMD36 and the high frequency TMD 38. For example, the frequency within the low frequency pressure chamber 44 and the high frequency pressure chamber 52 is preferably in the range of about 0.03Hz to about 0.33 Hz. Preferably, the frequency of the high frequency TMD 38 is greater than the frequency of the low frequency TMD 36. Accordingly, the damping characteristics of the high and low frequency TMDs 38 and 36 may be controlled and adjusted by varying the rate of airflow through the second and first connecting tubes 54 and 46, respectively.

More specifically, the TMDs 36 and 38 may each be actively controlled to mitigate adverse effects of FOWT platform motion and loading during operation due to wind, water current, and wave loads over a range of frequencies.

For example, the TMD system 34 can be provided with a controller that is mounted in any suitable location in the FOWT platform 10. Preferably, a controller that is a component of the wind turbine 16 is used as the TMD 34 controller. However, it should be understood that the controller for controlling the operation of TMD system 34 may be independent of the wind turbine 16 controller.

Referring again to fig. 3, the adjustable orifices 47 and 55 can be equipped with a sensor, such as a position sensor, configured to sense the size of the orifices 47 and 55 during operation and communicate the sensed position to the controller. Alternatively, other types of sensors may be used, including but not limited to fluid flow sensors, to measure fluid flow through the apertures 47 and 55 during operation and communicate the sensed fluid flow to the controller. The low frequency pressure chamber 44 and the high frequency pressure chamber 52 may each be equipped with a pressure sensor arranged to sense the pressure of the air in the pressure chambers 44 and 52 during operation and to communicate the sensed pressure to the controller.

Further, the hull 12 may include an array of sensors arranged to sense changes in sea conditions and communicate the sensed changes in sea conditions to the controller. Examples of sea state sensors that may be provided on the hull 12 include, but are not limited to, accelerometers, inclinometers and other angular position sensors, and load sensors. Data from the sea state change sensor array is communicated to a controller. An algorithm within the controller analyzes the received data and then: (1) the stiffness of the TMDs 36 and 38 is varied by varying the air pressure in the pressure chambers 44 and 52, respectively, and/or (2) the damping frequency of the TMDs 36 and 38 is varied by varying the size of the apertures 47 and 55, respectively (and thus the air flow through the first and second connecting tubes 46 and 54).

In operation, the low frequency TMD36 and the high frequency TMD 38 can each be tuned according to the geometry of the FOWT hull and the appropriate frequency that is desired to be mitigated. Preferably, the TMD system 34 of the FOWT platform 10 can be used to mitigate motion at two or more frequencies. As best shown in fig. 3, a desired air pressure may be established in the low frequency pressure chamber 44 of the low frequency TMD 36. The desired air pressure will be communicated to the first damper tube 42 through the first connecting tube 46 and thus determine the water level within the first damper tube 42. The water in the first damper tube 42 pushes against the pressurized air in the first damper tube 42 and thus acts like a spring. Because the low frequency TMD36 is formed at the outboard end of each hull leg 18 and is vertically oriented, it provides greater leverage and more effectively mitigates heeling or reduces rotational movement of the hull 12.

Similarly, a desired air pressure may be established in the high frequency pressure chamber 52 of the high frequency TMD 38. The desired air pressure will be communicated to the second damper tube 50 through the second connection tube 54 and thus determine the water level within the second damper tube 50. The water in the second damper tube 50 pushes against the pressurized air in the second damper tube 50 and thus acts like a spring. Since the high frequency TMD 38 is formed at the inboard end of each hull leg 18 and is vertically oriented, it more effectively mitigates up and down motion, i.e., vertical motion of the hull 12.

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate a semi-submersible FOWT platform 62 having a second embodiment of a modified TMD system (schematically shown at 70). The semi-submersible FOWT platform 62 includes three buoyant beams 64, a vertical outer column 66 at the outboard end of each beam 64, and a vertical central column 68 at the center of the FOWT platform 62. The upper beam 65 may extend between an upper end of the central column 68 and an upper end of each outer column 66. As shown in fig. 5, the TMD system 70 includes a water chamber 72 and a pressure chamber with an orifice damper 74. In the illustrated embodiment, each beam 64 has a horizontally oriented TMD system 70 therein, and each column 66 and 68 has a vertically oriented TMD system 70 therein.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show an extended leg FOWT platform 76 (schematically represented at 84) having a third embodiment of a modified TMD system. The tension leg FOWT platform 76 includes three buoyant beams 80 and a vertical center column 78 at the center of the FOWT platform 76. A flexible and water-impermeable membrane 82 is formed in the lower surface of each beam 80 and is in contact with the water 86 in which the tension leg FOWT platform 76 is deployed. As shown in FIG. 7, TMD system 84 includes a diaphragm 82 and a pressure chamber with an orifice damper 84. Instead of a water chamber, water 86 acting on the diaphragm 82 acts as a mass for the TMD 84. The diaphragm 82 is movable in response to air pressure in the pressure chamber 84. In the illustrated embodiment, each beam 80 has a vertically oriented TMD system 84 therein.

FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate a mast type FOWT platform 86 having a fourth embodiment of a modified TMD system (schematically illustrated at 94). The mast type FOWT platform 86 includes a base 90 and a vertical mast 92 extending outwardly and upwardly from the base 90. As shown in fig. 9, TMD system 94 is substantially identical to TMD system 70 and includes a water chamber 96 and a pressure chamber having an orifice damper 98. In the illustrated embodiment, the TMD system 94 is oriented horizontally within the base 90.

Referring now to FIG. 10, an example of a TMD system 70 is shown. The TMD system 70 is shown within the vertical outer column 66. It should be understood, however, that TMD system 70 may be formed in either of beam 64 and vertical central column 68. The TMD system 70 includes a ballast water chamber 100 and a pressure chamber 102. A damper tube 104 extends between the ballast water chamber 100 and the pressure chamber 102 and has an aperture formed therein defining an aperture damper 106 for controlling the amount of pressurized air within the damper tube 104. The damper tube 104 may have a diameter in the range of about 1m to about 20 m.

A vent tube 108 extends between the ballast water chamber 100 and the atmosphere outside the column 66, thereby venting the ballast water chamber 100 to atmosphere.

Referring now to FIG. 11, an example of a TMD system 84 is shown. The TMD system 84 is shown within the horizontal beam 64 of the semi-submersible FOWT platform 62. It should be understood, however, that the TMD system 84 may also be formed in the base 90 of the TMD system 94. The TMD system 84 includes a ballast water chamber 110 and a pressure chamber 112. A damper tube 114 extends between the ballast water chamber 110 and the pressure chamber 112 and has an aperture formed in a first end thereof (the rightmost end when viewing fig. 11) that defines an aperture damper 116 for controlling the amount of pressurized air within the damper tube 114. A flexible, water-impermeable membrane 118 is formed in the damper tube 114 near the second end of the damper tube 114 (the leftmost end when viewing fig. 11). The diaphragm 118 may move against the force exerted by the water in the damper tube 114 in response to the air pressure in the damper tube 114. The damper tube 114 may have a diameter in the range of about 1m to about 20 m.

Referring now to FIG. 12, an example of a TMD system 94 is shown. The TMD system 94 is shown within the beam 80 of the tension leg FOWT platform 76. The TMD system 94 includes a pressure chamber 120 having an orifice formed therein, the orifice defining an orifice damper 122 to control an amount of pressurized air within the pressure chamber 120. A flexible, water-impermeable diaphragm 124 forms one end of pressure chamber 120 and separates pressure chamber 120 from water outside beam 80. The diaphragm 124 is movable in response to air pressure in the pressure chamber 120 against the force exerted by the water in the body of water BW.

Although an extended leg FOWT platform is described herein, the TMD system 94 described herein can be configured for use with any of the embodiments of FOWT platforms described and illustrated herein.

Preferably, any of the embodiments of TMD system 34 described and illustrated herein can be used to target the design of responses and characteristics that drive the FOWT platform, including but not limited to: (1) the system roll angle, wherein the dynamic roll angle of the TMD system is a typical design driver criteria, affects not only the robustness of the structural design of the FOWT, but also the floating offshore platform as a whole. It has been shown that implementing mass damper technology (e.g., TMD system 34) into the hull of a FOWT platform will reduce dynamic heeling motions. The reduction in list motion is associated with a reduction in fatigue and ultimate loads of the various structural components in the hull 12, tower 14 and wind turbine 16 mounted thereon; (2) systematic heave motion, where using TMDs in a FOWT platform will reduce the response to heave (vertical) motion of the platform. This enables the FOWT hull to be designed independently of turbine and ambient load frequencies; (3) the turbine imposes harmonics, wherein fatigue damage due to turbine resonant loading associated with blade rotation is a major consideration in wind turbine tower design. Because this fatigue occurs at a known frequency, TMD can be used to reduce the load and thus improve fatigue performance; and (4) response due to wave environment, wherein TMD within the FOWT platform hull can be set to target the wave frequency response, such that dynamic and structural response associated with the waves can be mitigated.

The principles and mode of operation of the present invention have been explained and illustrated in its preferred embodiments. However, it must be understood that this invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and illustrated without departing from its spirit or scope.