Wind turbine installation system

Abstract

A wind turbine installation system is disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a wind turbine installation system may be provided comprising: a carrier on which wind turbine components are loaded; a hull having a docking space into which the carrier enters; a plurality of legs coupled to the hull so as to be movable in the vertical direction and fixed to the seabed; and a crane coupled to the hull and lifting the wind turbine components loaded on the carrier. The carrier is detachably coupled to the hull so as to be jacked up together with the hull in accordance with the vertical movement of the plurality of legs.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a wind turbine installation system. Background Technology

[0002] With the recent rapid growth of the offshore wind power market, the demand for wind turbine installation vessels is increasing.

[0003] Wind turbine installation vessels load wind turbine components manufactured on land, transport them to the sea for assembly, and typically load the components onto a deck.

[0004] However, in line with the trend toward larger wind turbines, there is a problem where a heavy load is placed on the jacking system that lifts the hull of the wind turbine installation vessel due to the increase in the size and payload of the vessel.

[0005] Accordingly, although technology was developed to operate a separate transport vessel in addition to the wind turbine installation vessel to receive and install wind turbine components from an external source, there was a problem in that the transport vessel was not jacked up and fixed together with the hull of the installation vessel; therefore, depending on the marine environment, there was a possibility of the transport vessel colliding with the installation vessel, and the installation work could become impossible due to the swaying of the transport vessel. Prior art literature

[0006] Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2020-0057537 (May 26, 2020, Floating structure for installing a wind turbine, wind turbine installation system including the same, and wind turbine installation method) The problem to be solved

[0007] An embodiment of the present invention provides a wind turbine installation system in which an installation line can install wind turbine components supplied from the outside. means of solving the problem

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, a wind turbine installation system may be provided comprising: a carrier on which wind turbine components are loaded; a hull having a docking space into which the carrier enters; a plurality of legs coupled to the hull so as to be movable in the vertical direction and fixed to the seabed; and a crane coupled to the hull and lifting the wind turbine components loaded on the carrier. The carrier enters the docking space and is detachably coupled to the hull. The installation system switches to a jack-up mode while the carrier is coupled to the hull, thereby fixing the plurality of legs to the seabed and lifting the hull and the carrier above the sea surface. The installation system performs a wind turbine installation operation by lifting the wind turbine components loaded on the carrier by the crane while the hull and the carrier are coupled to each other and lifted above the sea surface.

[0009] The hull comprises a first block including a bow, a second block connected to the first block and positioned on the port side, and a third block connected to the first block and positioned on the starboard side, and the docking space may be formed between the second block and the third block.

[0010] The above-mentioned carrier can enter the docking space through an opening formed in the stern of the hull.

[0011] The above installation vessel includes a plurality of jacking modules that are coupled to the hull and each raise and lower the plurality of legs, and the plurality of jacking modules are arranged in two rows on the port and starboard sides of the hull, and the crane may be installed on the jacking module furthest from the stern of the hull among the plurality of jacking modules.

[0012] The hull is provided with a pair of guide rails formed on the mutually facing sides of the second block and the third block, and a pair of guide bars may be formed on both sides of the carrier to be slidably coupled to the pair of guide rails.

[0013] A pair of first connecting parts are formed in the bow of the above-mentioned carrier, and the above-mentioned installation line may include a pair of guide parts that are detachably coupled to the pair of first connecting parts and guide the carrier to the docking space.

[0014] The guide section may include: a bogie traveling in a first horizontal direction along the guide rail; a connecting bar having a telescopic structure that is rotatably coupled to the bogie around a second horizontal axis perpendicular to the first horizontal direction and is adjustable in length; and a second connecting section formed at the end of the connecting bar and detachably coupled to the first connecting section. Effects of the invention

[0015] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the installation vessel can install wind turbine components supplied from the outside via a transport vessel, thereby maintaining the displacement of the installation vessel at an appropriate level. This can provide a solution for entering offshore wind power markets, such as the United States, which impose restrictions on the displacement of wind turbine installation vessels.

[0016] In addition, by configuring the transport vessel to be jacked up together with the hull of the installation vessel, the problem of wind turbine installation work becoming impossible depending on the marine environment can be improved.

[0017] Meanwhile, the problem of the jacking system of the wind turbine installation vessel being overloaded as the carrier vessel is jacked up together with the hull of the installation vessel can be improved by adjusting the size or load capacity of the carrier vessel, and the problem of the reduction in the number of wind turbines installed per operation of the installation vessel that may result from this can be resolved by operating multiple carrier vessels or multiple times. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0018] FIG. 1 is a drawing illustrating a wind turbine installation system according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a plan view of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a drawing illustrating the guide portion of FIG. 2, and FIGS. 4 to 7 are drawings for explaining an example of operation of the wind turbine installation system of FIG. 1. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0019] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0020] Unless explicitly defined otherwise, the terms used in the embodiments of the present invention may be interpreted in a sense that is generally understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains, and are intended merely to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0021] In this specification, the singular form shall be deemed to include the plural form unless otherwise specifically stated.

[0022] In addition, if it is stated that a part "includes" a certain component, it means that the part may include additional components.

[0023] In addition, when a component is described as "up," it refers to the area above or below the component, and does not necessarily mean that it is located on the upper side relative to the direction of gravity.

[0024] In addition, where it is stated that a component is "connected" or "combined" to another component, this may include not only cases where the component is directly connected or combined to the other component, but also cases where the component is indirectly connected or combined through another component.

[0025] In addition, terms such as "first," "second," etc., may be used to describe a component; however, these terms are intended merely to distinguish the component from other components and are not intended to limit the essence, order, or sequence of the component.

[0026] FIG. 1 is a drawing illustrating a wind turbine installation system according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a plan view of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a drawing illustrating a guide part of FIG. 2.

[0027] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, a wind turbine installation system (10) according to one embodiment of the present invention may include an installation vessel (100) that performs wind turbine installation work, and a transport vessel (200) that transports wind turbine components, such as a tower (T), a nacelle (N), a blade (B), etc.

[0028] The installation vessel (100) may include a hull (110), a plurality of legs (120), a plurality of jacking modules (130) and a crane (140), and may further include a pair of guide sections (150).

[0029] The hull (110) may be equipped with a propulsion device so that the installation vessel (100) can move to the wind turbine installation area.

[0030] Additionally, a docking space (110a) into which a carrier (200) enters can be formed in the hull (110).

[0031] For example, the hull (110) may include a first block (111) comprising the bow of the hull (110), a second block (112) connected to the first block (111) and positioned on the port side of the hull (110), and a third block (113) connected to the first block (111) and positioned on the starboard side of the hull (110), and a docking space (110a) may be formed or positioned between the second block (112) and the third block (113). In this case, the carrier (200) may enter the docking space (110a) through an opening (110b) formed at the stern of the hull (110).

[0032] Meanwhile, a wheelhouse (W) may be installed on the upper deck of the first block (111).

[0033] A plurality of legs (120) can be coupled to the hull (110) so as to be movable in the vertical direction (Z direction), and a plurality of jacking modules (130) can be coupled to the hull (110) to raise and lower each of the plurality of legs (120).

[0034] Accordingly, after the multiple legs (120) are fixed to the seabed, the hull (110) can be jacked up, i.e., lifted, and the installation vessel (100) can be switched from sailing mode to jack-up mode.

[0035] The leg (120) may be a truss structure with a triangular cross section, but is not necessarily limited to this.

[0036] Multiple legs (120) may be arranged in two rows on the port and starboard sides of the hull (110) so that the hull (110) can be stably supported in jack-up mode, and multiple jacking modules (130) may be arranged in the same way.

[0037] The crane (140) is connected to the hull (110) and can lift wind turbine components loaded on the transport vessel (200).

[0038] For example, a crane (140) may be installed on one of the multiple jacking modules (130). Since the area of ​​the hull (110) where the jacking module (130) is installed has the best structural strength, structural damage to the hull (110) that may occur due to the lifting operation of the crane (140) can be suppressed.

[0039] In particular, the jacking module (130) on which the crane (140) is installed may be the jacking module (130) positioned furthest from the stern of the hull (110) among the plurality of jacking modules (130). In other words, the jacking module (130) on which the crane (140) is installed may be the jacking module (130) closest to the wheelhouse (W).

[0040] Therefore, when lifting by the crane (140), the possibility of interference between the tower (T), which is typically loaded on the stern side of the ship, and the crane (140) can be reduced.

[0041] A wind turbine component can be loaded onto the carrier (200), and the carrier (200) can be detachably connected to the hull (110) of the installation vessel (100) so that it can be jacked up together with the hull (110) during the jack-up mode of the installation vessel (100).

[0042] For example, the hull (110) may be provided with a pair of guide rails (114) formed on the mutually facing sides of the second block (112) and the third block (113), and a pair of guide bars (210) may be formed on both sides of the carrier (200) to be slidably coupled to the pair of guide rails (114).

[0043] The guide rail (114) and guide bar (210) can be extended in a first horizontal direction (X direction).

[0044] Meanwhile, guidance to the docking space (110a) of the transport vessel (200) can be achieved by a pair of guide parts (150).

[0045] For example, a pair of first connecting parts (220) may be formed in the bow of the carrier (200), and a pair of guide parts (150) may be detachably coupled to the pair of first connecting parts (220) to guide the carrier (200) to the docking space (110a).

[0046] The guide section (150) may include a bogie (151) that travels in a first horizontal direction along a guide rail (114), a connecting bar (152) that is coupled to the bogie (151), and a second connecting section (153) formed at the end of the connecting bar (152) and detachably coupled to a first connecting section (220).

[0047] The bogie (151) can be slidably coupled to the guide rail (114) and connected via a wire (not shown) to a winch (not shown) mounted on the hull (110) so as to move according to the winch drive.

[0048] The connecting bar (152) can be rotatably coupled to the bogie (151) around a second horizontal axis (Y direction), and the rotation of the connecting bar (152) can be achieved by a motor (not shown) mounted on the bogie (151). Meanwhile, the X direction, Y direction, and Z direction may be directions perpendicular to each other.

[0049] Additionally, the connecting bar (152) may be formed with a telescopic structure that allows for length adjustment, and the length adjustment of the connecting bar (152) may be achieved by a pneumatic or hydraulic system (not shown).

[0050] Accordingly, the second connecting part (153) can be moved to a position where it can be coupled to the first connecting part (220) by rotating and / or adjusting the length of the connecting bar (152). Meanwhile, after the second connecting part (153) is coupled to the first connecting part (220), the transport ship (200) can enter the docking space (110a) by moving the trolley (151), and the coupling between the guide rail (114) and the guide bar (210) can be achieved.

[0051] The second connecting part (153) may be formed in a ring shape so as to be coupled to the first connecting part (220) which has a groove shape, but is not necessarily limited thereto, and the first connecting part (220) and the second connecting part (153) may have other known separable coupling structures.

[0052] FIGS. 4 to 7 are drawings for explaining an example of operation of the wind turbine installation system of FIG. 1.

[0053] Referring to FIG. 4, when a transport ship (200) approaches an installation ship (100), the second connecting part (153) of the installation ship (100) is connected to the first connecting part (220) of the transport ship (200), and then the trolley (151) moves along the guide rail (114), thereby allowing the transport ship (200) to enter the docking space (110a) of the installation ship (100).

[0054] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, as the transport vessel (200) enters the docking space (110a) by means of a pair of guide parts (150), the guide bar (210) of the transport vessel (200) is coupled to the guide rail (114) of the installation vessel (100) and slides in a first horizontal direction, thereby enabling coupling between the installation vessel (100) and the transport vessel (200).

[0055] Referring to FIG. 7, the installation vessel (100) can be switched to a jack-up mode while combined with the transport vessel (200), and the wind turbine components loaded on the transport vessel (200) can be lifted by a crane (140) to perform the wind turbine installation work.

[0056] Meanwhile, the hull (110) of the installation vessel (100) can descend to the sea level after consuming all the wind turbine components loaded on the transport vessel (200), and the transport vessel (200) can be separated from the docking space (110a) by a tugboat approaching from the stern side of the installation vessel (100), and the docking, jacking up, and wind turbine installation work of another waiting transport vessel (200) can be carried out continuously.

[0057] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to preferred embodiments, this is merely illustrative and does not limit the invention. A person skilled in the art may modify and change the embodiments in various ways by adding, changing, deleting, or adding components without departing from the technical spirit of the invention as described in the claims, and such modifications and changes are also to be considered to be included within the scope of the rights of the present invention. Explanation of the symbols

[0058] 10: Wind turbine installation system 100: Installation vessel 110: Hull 110a: Docking space 110b: Opening 111: 1st block 112: Block 2 113: Block 3 114: Guide rail 120: Leg 130: Jacking Module 140: Crane 150: Guide section 151: Bogie 152: Connecting bar 153: Second connecting part 200: Carrier 210: Guide bar 220: First connection

Claims

Claim 1 A wind turbine installation system comprising: a carrier on which wind turbine components are loaded; a hull having a docking space into which the carrier enters; a plurality of legs coupled to the hull so as to be movable in the vertical direction and fixed to the seabed; and a crane coupled to the hull and lifting the wind turbine components loaded on the carrier. The carrier enters the docking space and is detachably coupled to the hull. The installation system switches to a jack-up mode while the carrier is coupled to the hull, thereby fixing the plurality of legs to the seabed and lifting the hull and the carrier above the sea surface. The installation system performs a wind turbine installation operation by lifting the wind turbine components loaded on the carrier by the crane while the hull and the carrier are coupled and lifted above the sea surface. Claim 2 In claim 1, the hull comprises a first block including a bow, a second block connected to the first block and positioned on the port side, and a third block connected to the first block and positioned on the starboard side, and the docking space is formed between the second block and the third block, forming a wind turbine installation system. Claim 3 In paragraph 2, the above-mentioned carrier is a wind turbine installation system that enters the docking space through an opening formed in the stern of the hull. Claim 4 A wind turbine installation system according to paragraph 3, wherein the installation vessel comprises a plurality of jacking modules coupled to the hull and each of which raises and lowers the plurality of legs, the plurality of jacking modules are arranged in two rows divided on the port and starboard sides of the hull, and the crane is installed on the jacking module furthest from the stern of the hull among the plurality of jacking modules. Claim 5 A wind turbine installation system according to paragraph 2, wherein the hull is provided with a pair of guide rails formed on mutually facing sides of the second block and the third block, and a pair of guide bars formed on both sides of the carrier that are slidably coupled to the pair of guide rails. Claim 6 A wind turbine installation system according to claim 5, wherein a pair of first connecting parts are formed in the bow of the carrier, and the installation vessel is detachably coupled to the pair of first connecting parts and includes a pair of guide parts that guide the carrier to the docking space. Claim 7 A wind turbine installation system according to claim 6, wherein the guide member comprises: a bogie traveling in a first horizontal direction along the guide rail; a connecting bar having a telescopic structure that is rotatably coupled to the bogie around a second horizontal axis perpendicular to the first horizontal direction and is adjustable in length; and a second connecting member formed at the end of the connecting bar and detachably coupled to the first connecting member.

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