An Offshore Wind Power Integral Installation Device and Method Utilizing a Mat-Supported Installation Vessel

Abstract

The present invention provides an offshore wind power integral installation device and method using a mat - installation ship. The device includes a cylindrical foundation, above which an installation ship is floatingly arranged. A cylindrical body cable buckle is arranged on the cylindrical foundation, and a hull cable buckle is arranged on the installation ship. The installation ship is connected to the cylindrical foundation through an upward - pulling cable passing through the cylindrical body cable buckle and the hull cable buckle. A mat is arranged below the cylindrical foundation, and at least two winches are fixedly arranged on the mat. The winches are connected to the cylindrical foundation through a downward - pulling cable passing through the cylindrical body cable buckle. A transition section is fixedly arranged above the cylindrical foundation, and a tower barrel is fixedly arranged above the transition section. An anchor cable is connected to the installation ship, and a ship anchor is connected to the anchor cable. The present invention enables the downward pulling forces at the force - receiving points in all directions of the cylindrical foundation to be balanced, controllable, and adjustable during the sinking process, maintaining the stability of the whole machine during the sinking process.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of offshore wind power, and more specifically, to an offshore wind power integral installation device and method using a mat - installation vessel. Background Art

[0002] Offshore wind power has advantages such as low turbulence intensity, excellent wind resources, no occupation of arable land, and proximity to the developed coastal areas of our country, and has developed rapidly in recent years. Recently, a number of offshore wind farms have been successively built or are under construction in the eastern sea areas of our country, and the installed capacity has been continuously increasing. Therefore, fast, efficient construction, building, and construction methods are the key factors to help future offshore wind power enter a high - speed development stage.

[0003] The composite cylindrical foundation structure is an offshore wind power foundation structure form that has developed and been applied relatively fast in recent years. Compared with the traditional pile foundation structure, the cylindrical foundation is constructed by the negative pressure sinking method. The foundation structure has strong anti - overturning ability and has the "one - step" installation function for the whole machine. The so - called "one - step" installation means that the foundation structure, tower barrel, and machine head can be pre - installed on the shore, and then, the whole is towed to the installation site and sunk as a whole.

[0004] At present, the cylindrical foundation and its "one - step" installation technology are just in the initial stage. Due to the requirement of "one - step" installation for the whole - machine towing and sinking of the foundation, tower barrel, and machine head, the center of gravity is relatively high, and the requirements for the sinking speed, tilt angle, and attitude control during the sinking process are very high. The tilt angle generally should not exceed 0.5%. Compared with the shallow - sea environment, the wind and waves are greater and the sea current speed is faster in the deep - sea environment.

[0005] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a technical solution in the prior art that can improve the cylindrical foundation structure in the deep - sea environment in a "one - step" installation manner. Summary of the Invention

[0006] Aiming at the deficiencies of the above - mentioned prior art, the present invention provides a safe, fast, efficient, and economical offshore wind power integral installation device and method using a mat - installation vessel.

[0007] To achieve the above object, the present invention is realized through the following technical solutions:

[0008] An offshore wind power integral installation device using a mat - installation vessel, comprising a cylindrical foundation. An installation vessel is floatingly arranged above the cylindrical foundation. A cylindrical body cable buckle is arranged on the cylindrical foundation, and a hull cable buckle is arranged on the installation vessel. The installation vessel is connected to the cylindrical foundation through an upward - pulling cable passing through the cylindrical body cable buckle and the hull cable buckle. An exhaust valve and a drainage valve are arranged on the cylindrical foundation. The exhaust valve is connected to an air - extraction pump, and the drainage valve is connected to a water - extraction pump. A mat is arranged below the cylindrical foundation. An airbag, an inflation device, an exhaust device, a water - filling device and a drainage device are arranged inside the mat. At least two winches are fixedly arranged on the mat. The winches are connected to the cylindrical foundation through a downward - pulling cable passing through the cylindrical body cable buckle. A transition section is fixedly arranged above the cylindrical foundation, and a tower barrel is fixedly arranged above the transition section. An anchor cable is connected to the installation vessel, and a ship anchor is connected to the anchor cable.

[0009] The cylindrical body cable buckle is arranged at the outer edge of the top cover of the cylindrical foundation.

[0010] The hull cable buckle is arranged on the outer side of the bottom of the installation vessel.

[0011] The transition section is fixedly connected to the tower barrel through a flange plate.

[0012] The transition section is a steel reinforcement cage.

[0013] The mat is a reinforced concrete structure with a hollow interior and a horizontal cross - section in the shape of a C or U.

[0014] A groove with a horizontal cross - section in the shape of a C or U is arranged on the installation vessel.

[0015] Four winches are fixedly arranged on the mat.

[0016] The present invention also provides the following technical solutions.

[0017] An offshore wind power integral installation method using a mat - installation vessel, comprising the following steps:

[0018] (1) Assemble the transition section, flange plate and tower barrel from bottom to top above the cylindrical foundation. Fix one end of the downward - pulling cable on the winch, sink the mat to the seabed. The downward - pulling cable and the upward - pulling cable float with the buoyancy of the sea water. Tow the cylindrical foundation to the designated sinking location through the installation vessel. Lower the anchor cable and the ship anchor from the anchor pulling point of the installation vessel to anchor the ship anchor on the seabed to ensure the stability of the installation vessel.

[0019] (2) Slip the downward pulling cable over the cable buckle on the outer edge of the top cover of the cylindrical foundation, and connect the end of the downward pulling cable to the winch. At the same time, slip one end of the upward pulling cable over the cable buckle on the outer edge of the top cover of the cylindrical foundation, and the other end over the cable buckle on the outer side of the bottom of the installation vessel.

[0020] (3) Start the winch. The winch pulls down the cylindrical foundation through the downward pulling cable, and drives the cylindrical foundation, the transition section, the flange plate, and the tower barrel to sink together. During the sinking process, the air pump connected by the valve on the cylindrical foundation is used to pump air to adjust the air pressure and its distribution inside the cylindrical foundation. When the cylindrical foundation tilts, tighten the upward pulling cable to ensure the stability of the position of the cylindrical foundation.

[0021] (4) After the cylindrical foundation sinks to the designated mud surface, open the cable buckle on the outer edge of the top cover of the cylindrical foundation, untie the downward pulling cable and the upward pulling cable, and the downward pulling cable and the upward pulling cable float. At the same time, the water pump connected by the valve on the cylindrical foundation pumps water, creating a negative pressure inside the cylindrical foundation, so that it continues to sink below the mud surface. Until the cylindrical foundation sinks to the target depth below the mud surface, sail the installation vessel away.

[0022] (5) Inflate the sinking mat with an inflation device and discharge the water body inside the sinking mat through a drainage device to make the sinking mat float.

[0023] (6) The tugboat tows the sinking mat away.

[0024] The beneficial effects of the present invention compared with the prior art are as follows:

[0025] 1. A sinking mat that can be inflated, deflated, filled with water, and drained is provided. The gravity of the sinking mat provides the uplift force during the sinking process, and then the winch is used to control the downward pulling process, making the downward pulling forces at the stress points in all directions of the cylindrical foundation during the sinking process balanced, controllable, and adjustable, avoiding the risk of excessive inclination caused by uneven forces during the sinking process, and greatly maintaining the stability of the whole machine during the sinking process.

[0026] 2. The installation vessel, in cooperation with the upward pulling cable, can provide a restoring force for the cylindrical foundation during sinking and swaying. When the whole machine sinks and the inclination angle is too large, the upward pulling cable is tightened to straighten the structure of the whole machine, thereby further improving the stability during the sinking process.

[0027] 3. The downward pulling cable and the upward pulling cable can be flexibly fastened or disassembled on the cable buckle, and the operation process is very simple.

[0028] 4. The sinking mat can be inflated to drain water and float, and deflated to flush water and sink, with the function of being reusable, improving the utilization efficiency of the device.

[0029] 5. The design and manufacture of components such as the mattress and cables are simple, with low costs and are easy to fabricate. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of an offshore wind power integral installation device using a mattress - installation ship.

[0031] Figure 2 is Figure 1 the top view.

[0032] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of step (1) of an offshore wind power integral installation method using a mattress - installation ship.

[0033] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of step (2) of an offshore wind power integral installation method using a mattress - installation ship.

[0034] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of step (3) of an offshore wind power integral installation method using a mattress - installation ship.

[0035] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of step (4) of an offshore wind power integral installation method using a mattress - installation ship.

[0036] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of step (5) of an offshore wind power integral installation method using a mattress - installation ship.

[0037] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of step (6) of an offshore wind power integral installation method using a mattress - installation ship.

[0038] Reference Numerals: 1 - mattress, 2 - winch, 3 - installation ship, 41 - cylinder cable buckle, 42 - hull cable buckle, 5 - anchor pulling point, 6 - lower pulling cable, 7 - upper pulling cable, 8 - anchor cable, 9 - ship anchor, 10 - cylindrical foundation, 11 - transition section, 12 - flange, 13 - tower barrel, 14 - seabed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0039] As Figure 1-2The offshore wind power integral installation device using a mat - installation vessel as shown includes a cylindrical foundation 10. An installation vessel 3 is floatingly arranged above the cylindrical foundation 10. A cylindrical body cable buckle 41 is arranged on the cylindrical foundation 10, and a hull cable buckle 42 is arranged on the outer side of the bottom of the installation vessel 3. The installation vessel 3 is connected to the cylindrical foundation 10 through an upper pulling cable 7 passing through the cylindrical body cable buckle 41 and the hull cable buckle 42. An exhaust valve and a drain valve are arranged on the cylindrical foundation 10. The exhaust valve is connected to an air extraction pump, and the drain valve is connected to a water extraction pump. A mat 1 is arranged below the cylindrical foundation 10. An airbag, an inflation device, an exhaust device, a water filling device, and a drainage device are arranged inside the mat 1. At least two winches 2 are fixedly arranged on the mat 1. In this embodiment, four winches are fixedly arranged on the mat 1. In this embodiment, there are four groups of cylindrical body cable buckles 41 in total, and there are also four groups of hull cable buckles 42 in total. They are respectively arranged in a radial form on the outer edge of the top cover of the cylindrical foundation 10 and the outer side of the bottom of the installation vessel 3. Each group of cylindrical body cable buckle 41 and hull cable buckle 42 corresponds to one winch 2. Each winch 2 is connected to the cylindrical foundation 10 through a lower pulling cable 6 passing through the cylindrical body cable buckle 41. In other embodiments of the present invention, the number of winches 2 can also be six, eight or more, and all the winches 2 are evenly arranged on the top of the mat 1. A waterproof protective shell is arranged on the outer shell of each winch 2. A transition section 11 is fixedly arranged above the cylindrical foundation 10. The transition section 11 is a steel reinforcement cage and is fixedly connected to the tower barrel 13 through a flange 12. A wind turbine is installed on the tower barrel 13. A mooring cable 8 is connected to the installation vessel 3, and an anchor 9 is connected to the mooring cable 8. The mat 1 is a reinforced concrete structure with a hollow interior and a horizontal cross - sectional shape of C - type or U - type. In this embodiment, the horizontal cross - sectional shape of the mat 1 is C - type, with an outer diameter of 100 m and a height of 5 m. A groove with a horizontal cross - sectional shape of C - type or U - type is arranged on the installation vessel 3. In this embodiment, the horizontal cross - sectional shape of the groove on the installation vessel 3 is U - type, and the U - type groove can hold the transition section 11. In this embodiment, the diameter of the cylindrical foundation 10 is 30 m and the height is 10 m, and the height of the transition section 11 is 30 m.

[0040] As Figure 3-8 shown, the offshore wind power integral installation method using the above - mentioned device with a mat - installation vessel includes the following steps:

[0041] (1) Assemble the transition section 1, flange 12, and tower barrel 13 in sequence from bottom to top above the cylindrical foundation 10. Fix one end of the lower pulling cable 6 on the winch 2. Sink the mat 1 to the seabed 14. The lower pulling cable 6 and the upper pulling cable 7 float with the buoyancy of the sea water. Tow the cylindrical foundation 10 to the designated sinking location through the installation vessel 3. Lower the mooring cable 8 and the anchor 9 from the anchor pulling point 5 of the installation vessel 3 to anchor the anchor 9 on the seabed 14 to ensure the stability of the installation vessel 3;

[0042] (2) Slip the lower guy wire 6 over the cylinder cable fastener 41 on the outer edge of the top cover of the cylindrical foundation 10, and connect the end of the lower guy wire 6 to the winch 2; at the same time, slip one end of the upper guy wire 7 over the cylinder cable fastener 41 on the outer edge of the top cover of the cylindrical foundation 10, and the other end over the hull cable fastener 42 on the outside of the bottom of the installation vessel 3;

[0043] (3) Start the winch 2. The winch 2 pulls down the cylindrical foundation 10 through the lower guy wire 6. The lower guy wire 6 is tensioned, and the winch 2 drags the lower guy wire 6 to make the cylindrical foundation 10 sink, driving the cylindrical foundation 10, the transition section 11, the flange 12, and the tower barrel 13 to sink together. During the sinking process, air is pumped out through the air extraction pump connected to the exhaust valve on the cylindrical foundation 10 to adjust the air pressure and air pressure distribution inside the cylindrical foundation 10 to ensure the safety and stability of the sinking process; during the sinking process, the upper guy wire 7 is slack. When the cylindrical foundation 10 tilts, especially when the tilt angle of the cylindrical foundation 10 is too large, the upper guy wire 7 will be tensioned, thus pulling back the whole machine structure to ensure the stability of the position of the cylindrical foundation 10; the anchor cable 8 is installed on the anchor pulling point 5 outside the installation vessel 3, and the end of the anchor cable 9 is a ship anchor 9. The ship anchor 9 hooks the seabed 14, which also ensures the stability of the installation vessel 3 during the sinking process. When the whole machine sinks at too large an inclination angle, causing the upper guy wire 7 to be tensioned, it provides tension for the upper guy wire 7 to ensure the stability of the position of the cylindrical foundation 10;

[0044] (4) After the cylindrical foundation 10 sinks to the designated mud surface, open the cylinder cable fastener 41 on the outer edge of the top cover of the cylindrical foundation 10, unfasten the lower guy wire 6 and the upper guy wire 7, and the lower guy wire 6 and the upper guy wire 7 float; at the same time, the water pump connected to the drain valve on the cylindrical foundation 10 pumps water, creating a negative pressure inside the cylindrical foundation 10, so that it continues to sink below the mud surface; until the cylindrical foundation 10 sinks to the target depth below the mud surface, sail the installation vessel 3 away;

[0045] (5) Inflate the sinking mat 1 through the inflation equipment and discharge the water body inside the sinking mat 1 through the exhaust equipment to make the sinking mat 1 float;

[0046] (6) The tugboat tow the sinking mat 1 away.

[0047] The inflation equipment inside the sinking mat 1 uses an electronic air pump, and the exhaust equipment uses an electronic air extraction pump to pump gas into or out of the sinking mat 1 according to on-site needs. The water filling equipment inside the sinking mat 1 uses a water supply pump, and the drainage equipment uses a water pump. According to the needs during the sinking or floating process of the sinking mat 1, water can be supplied to and drained from the sediment in a timely manner. Install a fan on the tower barrel 13, and the fan can sink together with components such as the tower barrel 13 and the cylindrical foundation 10.

[0048] After the above six steps are completed, the above method can be repeated at the next installation position to install the next fan.

[0049] The above are only the preferred embodiments of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to the above specific embodiments. For those of ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the inventive concept of the present invention, several modifications and improvements can still be made, and these all belong to the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An offshore wind power integral installation device using a mat - installation vessel, including a cylindrical foundation (10), characterized in that, Above the cylindrical foundation (10), an installation vessel (3) is floatingly arranged. A cylindrical body cable buckle (41) is arranged on the cylindrical foundation (10), and a hull cable buckle (42) is arranged on the installation vessel (3). The installation vessel (3) is connected to the cylindrical foundation (10) by an upward pulling cable (7) passing through the cylindrical body cable buckle (41) and the hull cable buckle (42). An exhaust valve and a drainage valve are arranged on the cylindrical foundation (10). The exhaust valve is connected to an air extraction pump, and the drainage valve is connected to a water extraction pump. A mattress (1) is arranged below the cylindrical foundation (10). An airbag, an inflation device, an exhaust device, a water filling device and a drainage device are arranged inside the mattress (1). At least two winches (2) are fixedly arranged on the mattress (1). The winches (2) are connected to the cylindrical foundation (10) by a downward pulling cable (6) passing through the cylindrical body cable buckle (41). A transition section (11) is fixedly arranged above the cylindrical foundation (10), and a tower barrel (13) is fixedly arranged above the transition section (11). An anchor cable (8) is connected to the installation vessel (3), and an anchor (9) is connected to the anchor cable (8); The mattress (1) is a reinforced concrete structure with a hollow interior and a horizontal cross-sectional shape of C or U; A groove with a horizontal cross-sectional shape of C or U is arranged on the installation vessel (3).

2. The overall offshore wind power installation device using a mat - installation vessel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cylindrical body cable buckle (41) is arranged at the outer edge of the top cover of the cylindrical foundation (10).

3. The offshore wind power integral installation device using a mat - installation vessel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The hull cable buckle (42) is arranged on the outer side of the bottom of the installation vessel (3).

4. The offshore wind power integral installation device using a mat - installation vessel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The transition section (11) is fixedly connected to the tower barrel (13) through a flange plate (12).

5. The overall offshore wind power installation device using a mat - installation vessel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The transition section (11) is a steel reinforcement cage.

6. The overall offshore wind power installation device using a mat - installation vessel according to claim 1, characterized in that, Four winches are fixedly arranged on the mattress (1).

7. An overall installation method for offshore wind power using a mat - installation vessel according to claim 1, characterized in that, Including the following steps: (1) Assemble the transition section (11), the flange plate (12) and the tower barrel (13) in sequence from bottom to top above the cylindrical foundation (10). Fix one end of the downward pulling cable (6) on the winch (2), and the winch (2) is arranged on the mattress (1). Sink the mattress (1) to the seabed (14). The downward pulling cable (6) and the upward pulling cable (7) float with the buoyancy of the sea water. Tow the cylindrical foundation (10) to the designated sinking location through the installation vessel (3). Lower the anchor cable (8) and the anchor (9) from the anchor pulling point (5) of the installation vessel (3) to anchor the anchor (9) on the seabed (14) to ensure the stability of the installation vessel (3); (2) Put the downward pulling cable (6) on the cylindrical body cable buckle (41) at the outer edge of the top cover of the cylindrical foundation (10), and connect the end of the downward pulling cable (6) to the winch (2); At the same time, put one end of the upward pulling cable (7) on the cylindrical body cable buckle (41) at the outer edge of the top cover of the cylindrical foundation (10), and the other end on the hull cable buckle (42) on the outer side of the bottom of the installation vessel (3); (3) Start the winch (2). The winch (2) pulls down the cylindrical foundation (10) through the lower pulling cable (6), and drives the cylindrical foundation (10), the transition section (11), the flange plate (12) and the tower barrel (13) to sink together. During the sinking process, the air pump connected to the valve on the cylindrical foundation (10) pumps air to adjust the air pressure amount and air pressure distribution inside the cylindrical foundation (10). When the cylindrical foundation (10) tilts, tighten the upper pulling cable (7) to ensure the stability of the position of the cylindrical foundation (10). (4) After the cylindrical foundation (10) sinks to the designated mud surface, open the cylindrical cable buckle (41) on the outer edge of the top cover of the cylindrical foundation (10), unfasten the lower pulling cable (6) and the upper pulling cable (7). The lower pulling cable (6) and the upper pulling cable (7) float up. At the same time, the water pump connected to the valve on the cylindrical foundation (10) pumps water, so that a negative pressure is formed inside the cylindrical foundation (10), and it continues to sink below the mud surface. Until the cylindrical foundation (10) sinks to the target depth below the mud surface, sail the installation ship (3) away. (5) Inflate the sinker (1) through the inflation device, and drain the water body in the sinker (1) through the drainage device to make the sinker (1) float up. (6) The tugboat tow the sinker (1) away.

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