US 11,885,093 B2
Method of installing a hybrid foundation for offshore wind turbines
Xiangwu Zeng, Solon, OH (US); Xuefei Wang, Cleveland Heights, OH (US); Xu Yang, Tianjin (CN); and Xinyao Li, Cleveland, OH (US)
Assigned to CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY, Cleveland, OH (US)
Filed by CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY, Cleveland, OH (US)
Filed on Sep. 13, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/943,975.
Application 17/943,975 is a continuation of application No. 17/282,890, granted, now 11,441,289, previously published as PCT/US2019/055030, filed on Oct. 7, 2019.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/741,872, filed on Oct. 5, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2023/0175228 A1, Jun. 8, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. E02D 27/52 (2006.01); E02D 27/42 (2006.01); F03D 13/20 (2016.01); F03D 13/25 (2016.01)
CPC E02D 27/425 (2013.01) [E02D 27/525 (2013.01); F03D 13/22 (2016.05); F03D 13/25 (2016.05)] 15 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
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.