Patented Technology
USA & Europe
Patents filed and approved in the USA and Europe.
8 applications to date
Four patents approved and four pending.
4 patent families
A strong patent portfolio
To safeguard the future development of its concept, SeaTwirl has several patents protecting a broad range of aspects.
As a technology-driven company, it is important for SeaTwirl to continually develop its patent strategy. Through our eight patent applications (four approved and four pending), we strengthen our patent portfolio and expand our potential markets.
Four patent families
SeaTwirl’s patents are divided into four categories covering a wide range of competitive advantages.
Patented simplicity
Our patented technology aims to reduce the major cost that service and maintenance entail for offshore wind power. SeaTwirl’s pending patents covers technology that puts simplicity at the forefront by developing simple, robust and cost-effective solutions.
Approved patents to date
US and European patent for dynamic wind turbine
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and the European Patent Office (EPO) have granted the wind power company SeaTwirl a patent for a dynamic turbine.
The dynamic turbine can fold its blades to become flat, thus enabling it to withstand much higher wind speeds. This makes it possible to construct the turbine with less material and placing it where there is risk of hurricanes, cyclones or typhoons, which opens up whole new markets. A regular turbine dimensioned to withstand such extreme winds would be a lot more expensive to build.
“It is important that we as a technology driven company continuously develop our patent strategy. This grant strengthens our patent portfolio and opens up new potential markets. In many places around the world, there is risk of typhoons, cyclones or hurricanes. This patent enables construction of turbines with less material but that are still able to withstand strong winds. In a future where extreme weather is a more common occurrence, we are very happy with being granted this patent”, says Gabriel Strängberg, CEO of SeaTwirl.
Swedish patent for a divisable wind turbine
The Swedish Patent and Registration Office has granted the wind power company SeaTwirl a patent for a divisible wind turbine.
The turbine is divisible above and below the unit that houses the generator and bearings, which makes that unit replaceable by boat close to sea level. This facilitates and lowers the cost for installation and maintenance, as well as minimizes downtime.
“Simplicity is the key offshore and this is an example of how SeaTwirl develops a simple, robust and thereby cost effective solution. With this patent we can facilitate installation and provide a level of substitutability that is beyond what is possible with today’s technical solutions. Service and maintenance is a big cost for offshore wind power and this patent can lower that cost”, says Gabriel Strängberg, CEO of SeaTwirl.
US patent for a storage solution for kinetic energy that can optimize the rotational speed of a wind turbine
A problem with wind power is the voltage fluctuations that comes from variations in the windspeed. The granted patent is for a solution to store kinetic energy in a sort of fly wheel that can be used to optimize the rotational speed of the turbine and thus stabilize the voltage.
The solution works by water filling up a torus, that the wings are mounted on, when the wind is strong and empties out to a cavity in the central pillar when the wind is less strong. It’s the same principle as a figure skater who pulls her arms towards her body to spin faster when making a pirouette. By moving mass towards the centre, the rotational speed can be maintained with less wind and thus be optimized to reduce voltage fluctuations.
“The patent is part of our strategic work to build a broad patent portfolio. By protecting technical solutions that optimizes operations and reduces the stress on the power grid, we can strengthen our market position”, says Gabriel Strängberg, CEO of SeaTwirl.
