Offshore Joint Sealing Solution for Durable Wind Structures
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Summary
Problems
Conventional grouting mortars in offshore wind energy installations fail to withstand operational loads, leading to joint instability and seawater ingress due to tilting or subsiding of transition pieces relative to monopiles, which compromises the structural integrity and durability of the assembly.
Innovation solutions
A seal arrangement featuring a tapered seal unit, fixed between the monopile and transition piece, utilizing a hollow truncated cone geometry and elastic sealing elements to absorb loads and maintain a stable joint without grouting mortar or mechanical fasteners, allowing for easy assembly and durability under operational conditions.
TRIZ Analysis
Specific contradictions:
General conflict description:
Principle concept:
If conventional grouting mortar is used to fill the annular gap between monopile and transition piece, then the joint is initially stable, but the grouting mortar breaks under operational loads over time, leading to joint instability and seawater ingress
Why choose this principle:
A seal unit is installed in the annular gap between the monopile and transition piece before the transition piece is lowered into position. This preliminary sealing action prevents seawater ingress from the outset and distributes operational loads evenly across the joint, eliminating the need for grouting mortar that would otherwise fail under repeated loading cycles
Principle concept:
If conventional grouting mortar is used to fill the annular gap between monopile and transition piece, then the joint is initially stable, but the grouting mortar breaks under operational loads over time, leading to joint instability and seawater ingress
Why choose this principle:
The seal unit is designed with specific material properties (elastomeric or foam material with appropriate durometer) and geometric parameters (thickness, compression set) that enable it to withstand operational loads while maintaining sealing functionality. The seal unit compresses under the weight of the transition piece to achieve optimal sealing contact and load distribution
Application Domain
Data Source
AI summary:
A seal arrangement featuring a tapered seal unit, fixed between the monopile and transition piece, utilizing a hollow truncated cone geometry and elastic sealing elements to absorb loads and maintain a stable joint without grouting mortar or mechanical fasteners, allowing for easy assembly and durability under operational conditions.
Abstract
Seal arrangement for a joint of two joint elements, in particular realized as a monopile and a transition piece, of an offshore structure, preferably an offshore wind energy installation, in particular a substructure thereof, in which, for the purpose of producing a stable joint, an upper joint element and a lower joint element are inserted into each other in a clamping manner by means of at least one seal unit, comprising one of the joint elements and the at least one seal unit fixed to the joint element, in such a manner that the seal unit, in a joining position, is arranged between an inner joint surface of one joint element and an outer joint surface of the other joint element, at least one seal unit having at least one elastic sealing element, which extends in the circumferential direction around the entire circumference and the thickness (D) of which is greater than the thickness (D′) of an adjoining seal unit region and method for producing a seal arrangement.