Wind turbine installation vessel

Abstract

The present invention provides a wind turbine installation vessel comprising: a hull; a pair of accommodations provided on both edges of a deck, divided by the center of the deck at the bow side of the hull; a first leg installed to be vertically movable relative to the hull by penetrating both sides of the deck at the stern side of the hull; and a second leg installed to be vertically movable relative to the hull by penetrating the pair of accommodations at the bow side of the hull.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vessel for installing a wind turbine, and more specifically, to a vessel for installing a wind turbine capable of significantly expanding the loading space on the deck where components of an offshore wind turbine are loaded. Background Technology

[0002] With the recent increase in demand for eco-friendly energy development, power generation utilizing wind turbines is gaining worldwide attention.

[0003] Installing such wind turbines requires stringent environmental conditions. For example, the location where the wind turbine is installed must be one where a wind speed above a certain level is guaranteed to obtain meaningful rotation of the blades, and where pollution caused by noise generated during the operation of the wind turbine is not an issue. Even if these environmental conditions are satisfied, a very large area of ​​space is required to install the wind turbine.

[0004] Accordingly, there is a growing interest in offshore wind turbines that are relatively free from the aforementioned constraints.

[0005] Such offshore wind turbines are generally installed by dividing components into several units, manufacturing them on land, and then transporting the assembled units to the sea for assembly; they are primarily composed of three units: blades, nacelles, and towers.

[0006] Meanwhile, a vessel that transports offshore wind turbine units manufactured on land to the sea and installs the offshore wind turbines is generally called a Wind Turbine Installation Vessel (WTIV).

[0007] FIGS. 1 and FIGS. 2 illustrate a ship (10) equipped with a wind turbine according to the prior art, as shown in a side view and a top view, respectively.

[0008] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a wind turbine installed on a vessel (10) is provided with a living quarters (12) on the bow side of the hull (11), and a plurality of legs (13) are installed on a deck behind the living quarters (12) so as to be able to move up and down through the deck.

[0009] Additionally, the hull (11) is provided with a loading space on the upper deck where components of an offshore wind turbine can be loaded, and a crane (14) for installing the offshore wind turbine is provided, and a jack-up device (not shown) for raising and lowering the leg (13) is provided inside the hull.

[0010] The offshore wind turbine installation vessel (10) operates with components of the offshore wind turbine, such as blades, nacelles, and towers, loaded on the deck of the hull (11), and when installing the offshore wind turbine, the legs (13) provided to be vertically movable on the hull (11) are lowered and fixed to the seabed, and then the hull (11) is lifted along the legs (13) so that the hull (11) can be spaced a certain distance from the sea surface.

[0011] Additionally, when the hull (11) reaches a certain position, the movement of the hull (11) is stopped and the work of installing an offshore wind turbine is performed, and when the installation is completed, the process proceeds in the reverse order of the above sequence to move to the next installation position.

[0012] Recently, the size of components for offshore wind turbines has been increasing to expand their power generation capacity; therefore, structural improvements to vessels are necessary to efficiently load these components onto ships with limited loading space.

[0013] However, in the case of a conventional wind turbine installation vessel (10), the accommodation area (12) occupies most of the area in the bow section, and since multiple legs (13) are arranged behind the accommodation area (12), there is a limit to increasing the loading area. Furthermore, if the size of the hull (11) is increased to increase the loading area, a problem arises in that design changes are required for the crane (14), legs (13), and jack-up device (not shown). Prior art literature

[0014] Registered Patent No. 10-1973080 (Registration Date: April 22, 2019) "Vessel for Installing Offshore Wind Turbines" The problem to be solved

[0015] The present invention aims to provide a wind turbine installation vessel, specifically one that improves the arrangement structure of the accommodation area and the legs provided in the hull, thereby stably reinforcing the structure of the legs and effectively expanding the loading area of ​​the hull.

[0016] The technical problems to be solved by the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and other technical problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs from the description below. means of solving the problem

[0017] To solve the problem described above, the present invention provides a wind turbine installation vessel comprising: a hull; a pair of accommodations provided on both edges of a deck, divided by the center of the deck at the bow side of the hull; a first leg installed to be vertically movable relative to the hull by penetrating both sides of the deck at the stern side of the hull; and a second leg installed to be vertically movable relative to the hull by penetrating the pair of accommodations at the bow side of the hull.

[0018] Additionally, a wind turbine installation vessel is provided in which a receiving section through which a second leg passes is formed in the living section, and a guide structure is formed in the receiving section to support the side of the second leg and guide the lifting and lowering of the second leg.

[0019] Additionally, the present invention provides a wind turbine installation vessel further comprising a soundproofing member configured to surround the perimeter of the second leg on the inner side of the accommodation area, thereby blocking noise generated during the lifting and lowering of the second leg from entering the interior of the accommodation area.

[0020] Additionally, the soundproofing member provides a wind turbine installation vessel comprising an aluminum panel with a hollow interior, a sound-absorbing material provided inside the aluminum panel, and a spring member that elastically fixes the aluminum panel to the inner wall of the accommodation area.

[0021] In addition, a vessel for installing a wind turbine is provided, wherein a loading space for loading components constituting an offshore wind turbine is formed on the deck of the hull, and the loading space is extended and formed between a pair of accommodations. Effects of the invention

[0022] A wind turbine installation vessel according to an embodiment of the present invention has a hull accommodation area divided into a pair on both sides of the bow deck and a bow leg installed to penetrate the accommodation area, thereby significantly expanding the loading area in the center of the deck and expanding the loading area between the bow leg and the stern leg, so that loading efficiency can be effectively increased.

[0023] In addition, by opening the center of the bow of the vessel through the divided accommodation structure, the vessel can receive less wind resistance during operation, thereby improving fuel efficiency, and as the longitudinal area of ​​the center of the deck is expanded, long components such as wind towers and blades can be easily loaded.

[0024] The effects obtainable from the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and other unmentioned effects will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0025] FIGS. 1 and FIGS. 2 illustrate a ship equipped with a wind turbine according to the prior art, as a side view and a top view, respectively. FIGS. 3 and FIGS. 4 illustrate a wind turbine installation vessel according to one embodiment of the present invention, respectively, as a side view and a top view. FIG. 5 illustrates a structure in which a leg is installed in the accommodation area of ​​a ship according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 illustrates the configuration of a soundproofing member installed in a residential area according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 illustrates a state in which cargo is loaded on a wind turbine installation vessel according to one embodiment of the present invention. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0026] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0027] The detailed description disclosed below, together with the attached drawings, is intended to describe exemplary embodiments of the present invention and is not intended to represent the only embodiment in which the present invention can be practiced.

[0028] In order to clearly explain the invention in the drawings, parts unrelated to the explanation may be omitted, and the same reference numerals may be used for identical or similar components throughout the specification.

[0029] In embodiments of the present invention, expressions such as “or”, “at least one”, etc. may represent one of the words listed together or a combination of two or more.

[0030] FIGS. 3 and FIGS. 4 illustrate a wind turbine installed on a vessel (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention, respectively, as a side view and a top view, and FIG. 5 illustrates a structure in which a leg (140) is installed in the accommodation area (120) of a vessel according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] The Wind Turbine Installation Vessel (WTIV) according to the present embodiment is a vessel that loads a plurality of components constituting an offshore wind turbine, moves to an installation location at sea, and performs the work of installing an offshore wind turbine after fixing the hull through legs. By improving the arrangement structure of the wheelhouse and legs provided on the hull, the structure of the legs can be stably reinforced and the loading area of ​​the hull can be effectively expanded.

[0032] Referring to FIGS. 3 to 5, a wind turbine installation vessel (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a hull (110), a pair of accommodation areas (120), a first leg (130), and a second leg (140).

[0033] The hull (110) may be provided with a loading space on the upper deck where multiple components constituting an offshore wind turbine may be loaded, and a crane (150) for installing the offshore wind turbine may be provided.

[0034] Additionally, the hull (110) may be equipped with a first leg (130) and a second leg (140) described later, and in this embodiment, a pair of first legs (130) are installed on the stern deck and a pair of second legs (140) are installed on the bow deck.

[0035] Such a hull (110) can be operated in a transit mode for moving on the sea and a jackup mode for raising and lowering the first and second legs (130, 140) to fix the hull (110) to the seabed.

[0036] Accommodation areas (120) are provided on the bow side of the vessel. In the case of the vessel of the present embodiment, accommodation areas (120) may be provided as a pair and placed on each side of the bow deck.

[0037] That is, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a pair of accommodations (120) can be provided on both edges of the deck, separated by the center of the deck at the bow side of the hull (110).

[0038] At this time, a pair of accommodation units (120) are spaced apart from each other on the deck on the player side, so that the space between the pair of accommodation units (120) can be used as a space for loading cargo.

[0039] Accordingly, the longitudinal (hull length direction) area of ​​the center of the deck can be expanded compared to existing vessels, and long components of the offshore wind turbine, such as wind towers and blades, can be easily loaded in the center of the deck.

[0040] The first leg (130) is provided as a pair and can be installed so as to be able to move up and down relative to the hull (110) by penetrating both sides of the deck at the stern side of the hull (110).

[0041] A second leg (140) is also provided in pairs, and the second leg (140) can be installed to move up and down relative to the hull (110) by penetrating each of the pair of accommodations (120) on the bow side of the hull (110).

[0042] Specifically, in this embodiment, in order to increase the loading area on the upper deck, the position of a pair of first legs (130) is moved toward the stern compared to the existing one and placed on both edges of the stern deck, and the position of a pair of second legs (140) is also moved toward the bow and placed in the accommodation area (120) provided on both edges of the bow deck.

[0043] Accordingly, the loading space at the edge of the deck formed between the first leg (130) and the second leg (140) in the hull (110) can be further expanded, and furthermore, the living quarters (120) located at the bow side can be divided and arranged on both sides with the center of the deck in between, so that the loading space at the center of the deck can also be further expanded, thereby increasing the loading efficiency of cargo.

[0044] Additionally, a support member (111) that supports the first leg (130) may be provided in the part where the first leg (130) is installed on the stern side deck.

[0045] Additionally, as the second leg (140) is installed to penetrate the living quarters (120), the second leg (140) can be supported by the living quarters (120) without a separate support member.

[0046] Specifically, referring to FIG. 5, a receiving portion (121) is formed in the living area (120) that penetrates in the vertical direction, so that a second leg (140) can be installed vertically on the living area (120) through the receiving portion (121), and the side of the second leg (140) can be supported through the inner wall of the receiving portion (121).

[0047] Additionally, a guide structure (not shown) that supports the side of the second leg (140) and guides the up-and-down movement of the second leg (140) may be formed on the inner wall of the receiving portion (121).

[0048] Additionally, the receiving portion (121) may be equipped with a soundproofing member (160) to block noise caused by the movement of the second leg (140) from entering the indoor space of the residence (120).

[0049] Such a soundproof member (160) can be provided in a form that surrounds the perimeter of the second leg (140) in the receiving portion (121).

[0050] FIG. 6 illustrates the configuration of a soundproofing member (160) installed in a residential area (120) according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0051] Referring to FIG. 6, as an example, the soundproofing member (160) may include an aluminum panel (161) with a hollow interior, a sound-absorbing material (162) provided inside the aluminum panel (161), and a spring member (163) that elastically fixes the aluminum panel (161) to the inner wall of the receiving portion (121).

[0052] A soundproof member (160) of this configuration is installed on the inner wall of the receiving section (121) within the living area (120) and is provided to surround the outer surface of the second leg (140) that penetrates the receiving section (121) of the living area (120), and can absorb noise generated when the second leg (140) moves up and down, while effectively blocking the noise from entering the interior of the living area (120).

[0053] Meanwhile, a jack-up device (not shown) capable of raising and lowering the first leg (130) and the second leg (140) respectively may be provided within the hull (110).

[0054] In the sailing mode of the vessel, the first and second legs (130, 140) installed on the hull (110) can be positioned in a state moved upward on the hull (110) to reduce resistance caused by seawater, and in the jack-up mode, the first and second legs (130, 140) can be lowered below the sea surface and fixed to the seabed by the operation of the jack-up device, and the hull (110) can be raised from the sea surface.

[0055] At this time, when the vessel is raised and fixed above the sea surface by the jack-up mode, the installation of the offshore wind turbine can be performed using a crane (150).

[0056] FIG. 7 illustrates a state in which cargo is loaded on a wind turbine installation vessel (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0057] Referring to FIG. 7, in the wind turbine installation vessel (100) according to the present embodiment, the accommodation area (120) provided on the bow side of the hull (110) is divided into a pair and arranged on both edges of the bow side deck, so that a loading space can be formed in the center of the deck along the longitudinal direction of the hull (110).

[0058] Here, components (a) such as long wind towers and blades among the components of an offshore wind turbine can be easily loaded in the loading space at the center of the deck.

[0059] Additionally, among the first and second legs (130, 140) provided on the hull (110), the first leg (130) is positioned on both edges of the stern-side deck, and the second leg (140) is positioned to penetrate each of the pair of accommodation areas (120) provided on the bow-side, thereby allowing the loading space on the edge of the deck formed between the first leg (130) and the second leg (140) to be further expanded.

[0060] At this time, components (b), such as a nacelle, among the components of an offshore wind turbine can be loaded in the loading space at the edge of the deck.

[0061] In this way, the wind turbine installation vessel (100) according to the embodiment of the present invention has a living quarters (120) of the hull (110) divided into a pair on both sides of the bow deck and a bow leg (140) installed to penetrate the living quarters (120), thereby significantly expanding the loading area of ​​the central part of the deck and also expanding the loading area between the bow leg (140) and the stern leg (130), so that loading efficiency can be effectively increased.

[0062] In addition, the center of the bow of the ship is opened by the divided structure of the accommodation area (120), thereby reducing wind resistance during ship operation and improving fuel efficiency, and as the longitudinal area of ​​the center of the deck is expanded, long components such as wind towers and blades can be easily loaded.

[0063] The embodiments of the invention disclosed in this specification and drawings are provided merely as specific examples to facilitate the explanation of the technical content of the invention and to aid in understanding the invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

[0064] Accordingly, the scope of the present invention should be interpreted as including all modifications or variations derived based on the technical concept of the present invention, in addition to the embodiments disclosed herein. Explanation of the symbols

[0065] 100: Vessel with wind turbine installed 110: Hull 120 : Residential area 121 : Expropriation area 130 : 1st Leg 140 : 2nd Leg 150 : Crane 160 : Soundproofing material

Claims

Claim 1 A wind turbine installation vessel for loading a plurality of components constituting an offshore wind turbine, moving them to an installation site at sea, and assembling the plurality of components to install an offshore wind turbine, comprising: a hull having a loading space formed on a deck for loading the plurality of components; a pair of accommodations provided on both edges of the deck, divided at the bow side of the hull with the center of the deck in between; a first leg installed at the stern side of the hull, penetrating both sides of the deck and movable vertically relative to the hull; and a second leg installed at the bow side of the hull, penetrating the pair of accommodations and movable vertically relative to the hull. A wind turbine installation vessel comprising a soundproofing member provided to surround the perimeter of the second leg on the inner side of the living quarters, thereby blocking noise generated during the lifting and lowering of the second leg from entering the interior of the living quarters, the loading space formed at the edge of the deck between the first leg and the second leg is expanded, and the loading space formed at the center of the deck along the longitudinal direction of the hull is expanded by arranging the pair of living quarters spaced apart from each other. Claim 2 A wind turbine installation vessel according to claim 1, wherein a receiving portion through which the second leg passes is formed in the living portion, and a guide structure is formed in the receiving portion to support the side of the second leg and guide the lifting and lowering of the second leg. Claim 3 delete Claim 4 A wind turbine installation vessel according to claim 1, wherein the soundproofing member comprises: an aluminum panel with a hollow interior; a sound-absorbing material provided inside the aluminum panel; and a spring member elastically fixing the aluminum panel to the inner wall of the accommodation area. Claim 5 delete

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