Transport equipment

Abstract

The present invention describes a transport device (1) for the transport of heavy structures (P, 20, 21, 22, 23), the transport device (1) comprising: a shape-adjustable adapter (10) configured to adjust between an initial shape (S0) and a matching shape (S1); and actuators (14, 15, 17, 18) configured to cause the shape of the shape-adjustable adapter (10) to change to its initial shape (S0) to facilitate positioning of the adapter (10) relative to the structure (P, 20, 21, 22, 23); and to cause the shape of the shape-adjustable adapter (10) to change to its matching shape (S1) to engage the shape-adjustable adapter (10) with the surface (201) of the structure (P, 20, 21, 22, 23). The present invention also describes a method for securing a frustoconical structure (P, 20, 21, 22, 23) during transport.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention describes a transport device and a method for securing a structure during transport. Background Art

[0002] For large tubular structures, such as towers or tower sections, which are manufactured at one location and installed at another location, it is necessary to transport the structure safely. It is known from the prior art to transport wind turbine tower sections (or entire towers) horizontally. However, transporting such tubular structures vertically may be preferred. Especially in the case of structures transported by a sea vessel, the advantage is the optimized use of the limited available space on the deck.

[0003] It has been widely implemented to manufacture such towers or tower sections with upper and lower flanges so that the tower can be bolted to a support structure, and / or so that tower sections can be bolted to another tower section. One way to transport such a tubular structure in a vertical orientation is to bolt its lower flange to a support fixture, such as a support fixture bolted to the deck of a ship that is used to transport the tower to its destination. For towers with a diameter of about several meters, this may require hundreds of fasteners. When preparing a wind farm for installation, it may be necessary to transport multiple such towers or tower sections, and it is time-consuming and thus expensive in terms of securing all the towers to their respective support fixtures.

[0004] In addition, the tower may not always include flanges or flange sections. Instead, tower sections can be joined by a sliding joint without any fasteners, and wherein the connection is maintained substantially by friction. Similarly, the lower end of the tower can be connected to the support structure by a sliding joint instead of bolting it to the support structure. The sliding joint can be relatively easy to implement and may be significantly less expensive since there is no need to provide flanges, through holes, bushings, fasteners, etc. However, the absence of any flanges causes problems during transport because the tubular structure without flanges no longer has any part that can be bolted to a support fixture. In order to secure such a structure during long-distance transport, it may be necessary to provide temporary flanges to transfer rigidity to the structure and secure the structure to the transport device. These measures add to the overall transport cost.

[0005] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an improved and more economical device for transporting such non-flanged tubular structures. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This object is achieved by the transport device according to claim 1 and by the method for securing a heavy frustoconical structure during transport according to claim 12.

[0007] The claimed transport device is suitable for transporting heavy hollow structures, such as wind turbine towers, wind turbine tower segments, etc. The claimed transport device can support or fix the structure during transportation from one location to another, or can be used as a tool for a lifting device to lift the structure from one site to another.

[0008] According to the present invention, the transport device includes: a shape-adjustable adapter configured to adjust between an initial shape and a mating shape; and an actuator configured to cause the shape of the shape-adjustable adapter to change to its initial shape to facilitate positioning of the adapter relative to the structure, and to cause the shape of the shape-adjustable adapter to change to its mating shape to engage the surface of the structure with the shape-adjustable adapter.

[0009] Once the shape-adjustable adapter of the transport device has been actuated to assume its mating shape, the transport device effectively engages with the structure such that the transport device and the structure can be treated as a single entity. Since the transport device is a means for facilitating the transportation of the structure, it can be regarded as a tool, and the terms "transport device" and "transport tool" may be used interchangeably hereinafter.

[0010] The transport tool of the present invention can be used in various transportation modes for heavy loads, including in-site transportation (e.g., within a manufacturing location, such as within a steel mill); overland transportation from one location to another (e.g., from a steel mill to a dock area); and marine transportation (e.g., from a dock area to an offshore installation site).

[0011] One advantage of the inventive transport tool according to the present invention is that it can be fixed to the structure without any fasteners. This is in favorable contrast to the prior art methods, in which tower segments have to be bolted to the support fixtures of a transport ship or the lifting fittings of a crane.

[0012] The method of the present invention for fixing a structure, especially a structure having a frustoconical slip joint interface, during transportation includes at least the following steps: providing such a transport device; controlling the actuator to cause the shape of the shape-adjustable adapter to change to its initial shape; positioning the adapter relative to the structure; and by controlling the actuator, causing the shape of the shape-adjustable adapter to change to its mating shape to engage the shape-adjustable adapter with the structure.

[0013] Since the transport tool can be fixed to the load or structure in a direct manner, the method of the present invention can significantly reduce the costs associated with transporting any heavy and bulky structure, such as wind turbine tower segments, wind turbine transition pieces, wind turbine base parts, etc., and can make such transportation procedures simpler and cheaper.

[0014] Particularly advantageous embodiments and features of the present invention are given by the dependent claims, as disclosed in the following description. Features from different claim categories may be combined as appropriate to give further embodiments not described herein.

[0015] In the following, without in any way limiting the present invention, it may be assumed that the structure being transported is a wind turbine component, such as a hollow wind turbine tower or tower section. For clarity, the structure being transported may hereinafter be referred to as the "payload". It may also be assumed that the payload is not equipped with a flange for bolting it to some other structure. Instead, it may be assumed that the payload is flange - less and is shaped to mate with another structure through a sliding joint. As used in the context of the present invention, the term "sliding joint" should be understood as a flange - less and fastener - free joint between a first structure and a second structure, where each structure includes a substantially tubular or cylindrical interface portion, and where one of the interface portions is shaped to fit exactly into the other interface portion. For example, a wind turbine transition piece mounted on an offshore foundation may be configured to have a frustoconical interface portion extending upward. The first interface portion is sized such that its outer surface fits substantially exactly within a complementary frustoconical interface portion at the lower end of the wind turbine tower. To mount the tower on the transition piece, it is only necessary to lower it into place such that the complementary interface portions form a sliding joint. The weight of the tower is sufficient to ensure a secure connection. The term "frustoconical" is used in its accepted sense, i.e., having the shape of a frustum of a cone.

[0016] The shape - adjustable adapter may be understood as a substantially cylindrical body of variable diameter that will fit onto the payload during transportation or will fit within the payload during transportation. Preferably, the shape - adjustable adapter has a substantially circular cross - section between a "fixed" end and a variable end. The diameter at the fixed end will remain constant. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the diameter at the variable end of the shape - adjustable adapter is greater in the mated state than in the initial state. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the diameter at the variable end is less in the mated state than in the initial state.

[0017] The shape-adjustable adapter can be implemented in any suitable manner. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the shape-adjustable adapter is made by coupling a plurality of plates together. These plates may all have the same form, such as a curved trapezoid. When in a relaxed or initial state, these plates are retracted so that the adapter has an overall cylindrical shape with substantially the same diameter at both ends. So that its shape can be changed, the adapter also includes an actuator-controlled mechanism, which is configured to cause the shape of the shape-adjustable adapter to change between an initial shape and a matching shape. For the implementation of a "coupling plate", such a mechanism is preferably implemented to spread these plates at the variable end. Such a mechanism can be implemented using any suitable device to move the coupling plate of the adapter between its initial shape and its matching shape. Preferably, the actuator-controlled mechanism applies sufficient force during the transportation of the structure to keep the adapter in its matching shape. In this way, the transport vehicle is engaged with the load only by friction during transportation, so that no fasteners of any kind are required to connect the transport vehicle to the load.

[0018] When the adapter is in its mating shape, its mating surface is pressed against the complementary surface of the structure. This alone may be sufficient to ensure that the structure does not slide or move relative to the adapter during the transport procedure. However, in a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the shape-adjustable adapter comprises a high friction mating surface, i.e. a surface that is positioned against a surface of the structure.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the shape-adjustable adapter comprises an inflatable hood which is implemented to assume an initial shape when deflated and to assume a matching shape when inflated. The inflatable hood may be supported by a rigid body. For example, if the adapter is to be placed in a load during transport, the inflatable hood may be arranged around a steel body having a substantially cylindrical form. Preferably, the inflatable hood comprises a plurality of inflatable bodies, such as inflatable bladders, arranged in an annular manner. Alternatively, the inflatable hood may be implemented as one or more appropriately formed dunnage bags. Of course, it is also possible to combine the "inflatable hood" device with the aforementioned "connecting plate" device.

[0020] Regardless of whether the transport tool is implemented using a coupling plate, an inflatable chamber or other mechanism, it can be implemented to cover an advantageously large range between its initial shape and its mating shape. In this way, the tool can be used to secure different types of loads with different sizes.

[0021] Once when the adapter is fitted to the load, and also when the adapter is released from the load, the shape of the adapter will be adjusted. To this end, the actuator mechanism of the vehicle preferably includes means for receiving commands from a control device such as a remote control unit, a handheld controller, etc. In this way, a technician can control the engagement / release procedure from a distance.

[0022] As described above, the transport means can be used to support or fix a load during transportation from one location to another. For example, the transport device can preferably be implemented as a fixing device on the deck of a transport ship for transporting a wind turbine structure as a load to an offshore installation site.

[0023] Similarly, the transport means can be used as a tool for a lifting device to lift a load from one location to another. For example, the transport device can preferably be implemented as a lifting fitting that can be suspended from a heavy lifting device such as a crane.

[0024] A load such as a wind turbine tower can have a mass of 200 - 1000 tons. A load having such a high weight is regarded as a "heavy structure" in the context of the present invention. If such a heavy tower section is held by the transport means during shipping, it may be difficult to lift the tower section off the transport means again when the ship arrives at its destination. This is because the weight of the tower section may cause a kind of "contact bond" between the mating surfaces. The contact bond can be so significant as to prevent the crane from lifting the load off the transport means. To prevent this problem from occurring at the destination, the transport means preferably includes a release device. In a preferred embodiment, the release device is implemented as an arrangement of hydraulic pistons that apply an upward force to the lower surface or edge of the load, such that they are used to push the load upward while, for example, the crane also lifts the load from the transport means. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, it is to be understood that the drawings are designed solely for the purpose of illustration and not as a definition of the limits of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 1 and Figure 2 is a simplified schematic view showing an embodiment of the transport means 1 of the present invention in its initial state and its mating state;

[0027] Figure 3 and Figure 4 is a simplified schematic view showing another embodiment of the transport means 1 of the present invention in its initial state and its mating state;

[0028] Figure 5 shows a load lifted using an embodiment of the transport means of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 6 is a simplified schematic view of a partially assembled wind turbine.

[0030] In the drawings, the same reference numerals throughout denote the same objects. Objects in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. Detailed Description

[0031] Figure 1 and Figure 2 FIG. shows a simplified schematic view of an embodiment in which the transport vehicle 1 of the present invention is in its initial state S0 (initial shape) and its mating state S1 (mating shape). For illustrative purposes, the figure also shows the lower end of an exemplary load P, which in this case is a hollow tubular structure, such as a wind turbine tower section 20. At its destination, the hollow tubular structure 20 will be installed on a support or base (not shown) by means of a sliding joint, and the interface portion 20 of the hollow tubular structure 20 thus has no flanges or similar connection interfaces. Instead, in this embodiment, the surface 201 in the interface portion 20 of the hollow tubular structure 20 is substantially smooth and has the shape of a frustum of a cone.

[0032] In this embodiment, the transport vehicle 1 is implemented as a fixture 1 mounted on the deck 30 of a transport ship for transporting the load P to its target destination, and the shape-adjustable adapter 10 of the transport vehicle 1 is implemented as an annular inflatable element 10 (which can be implemented as one or more inflatable belts or inflatable covers 13), and includes pressurized air assemblies 14, 15 as actuators to cause a shape change of the inflatable element 10. It should be assumed that the pressurized air assemblies 14, 15 can be controlled by a person skilled in the art to fill the inflatable element 10 with pressurized air when needed and empty the inflatable element 10 when needed. A person skilled in the art will be familiar with such systems and no detailed explanation is required herein. The inflatable element 10 has an annular form and is arranged around an internal rigid body 12. In this embodiment, the rigid body 12 has an annular pedestal portion 120 whose diameter is at least as large as the outer diameter D of the structure 20 2out so that the lower surface of the structure 20 can be placed on the pedestal 120.

[0033] Figure 1 FIG. shows the transport vehicle 1 of the present invention in its initial shape S0 before engagement with the load P, which can be lowered into place by a crane (not shown). When correctly positioned, the load P and the transport vehicle 1 are substantially concentric about the longitudinal axis 2A of the load P, but high precision is not required at this stage because the load P remains suspended from the crane and the subsequent step of actuating the shape-adjustable adapter 10 will bring the load P into alignment with the tool 1.

[0034] In Figure 1In this case, the inflatable element 10 is empty or deflated, such that it is smaller than the shape defined by the interface portion 20 that can lower the load P in place. Here, the load P can be a tower section weighing 100 - 400 tons or more. Once the load P has been properly positioned, for example, placed on the pedestal 120, the pressurized air assemblies 14, 15 are operated to pump air (or any other suitable gas) into the inflatable element 10 through a hose or pipe, which can pass through the rigid body as shown here. The inflatable belt 10 is filled with air to an appropriate pressure such that the entire inflatable belt 10 presses against the inner surface 201 of the load P. When this step is completed, the crane can be separated from the load P.

[0035] Figure 2 The transport means 1 is shown in its mating shape S1, which shows how the means 1 engages with the load P. During transportation, the adapter 10 ensures that the load P is held firmly. The combined effect of the weight of the load P and the pressure within the inflatable cavity 10 is sufficient to prevent the load P from sliding relative to the adapter 10. When the ship has reached its destination, the load P can be lifted off the transport means 1. To release the load P from the transport means 1, the adapter 10 is placed in its release or initial state S1 by actuating the pressurized air assemblies 14, 15 to release air from the inflatable belt 10. Figure 2 Another aspect of the invention is shown and shows a plurality of hydraulic cylinders 11, which are operable to apply an upward force to the base of the load P. This can be helpful if the load P is very heavy. The release device 11 can be incorporated into the body 120 of the transport means 1 as shown here, or can be implemented as a separate element.

[0036] In the above embodiment, the material from which the inflatable belt 10 is made can have a high coefficient of friction such that relative sliding of the load 20 with respect to the adapter 10 is effectively prevented. In this way, the shape - adjustable adapter 10 has a high - friction surface 101, which is arranged to be positioned against the surface 201 of the structure P. Alternatively, a sheet of material having a high - friction surface (e.g., a rubber sheet) can be draped over the inflatable belt 10 in its deflated state before the load P is positioned. Then, when the inflatable belt 10 is inflated to be pressurized, this high - friction sheet prevents the load P from sliding relative to the transport means 1. Such an implementation can also allow the above - described embodiment of the transport means 1 to be used for loads having a straight - cylindrical form. When fully inflated, the inflatable belt 10 with its high - friction outer surface 101 can be sufficient to secure the load P during transportation.

[0037] The transport device 1 can be implemented as a lifting fitting of the lifting device 4. Figure 3 And Figure 4FIG. 0 shows a simplified schematic view of an embodiment of a transport tool 1 according to the present invention, which can be used as a lifting fitting of a crane (not shown) to transport a load P from one location (e.g., the deck of a ship) to another location (e.g., an offshore installation site). The tool 1 can be suspended, for example, from a hook 40. Figure 3 The transport tool 1 is shown in its initial shape S0, while Figure 4 FIG. 4 shows the tool 1 in its mating shape S1. For illustrative purposes, the figure also shows the upper end of an exemplary load P, which in this case is a wind turbine tower section 20, shaped to receive the lower end of another wind turbine tower section by means of a sliding joint as described above. To this end, the interface portion 200 of the tower section 20 has the shape of a frustum of a cone.

[0038] Figure 3 FIG. 8 shows the transport tool 1 according to the present invention in its initial shape S0 before engaging with the load P. In this embodiment of the tool 1, the shape-adjustable adapter 10 is implemented as a set of overlapping plates 16, which can be wound up and unwound to change the shape of the adapter between a substantially cylindrical ( Figure 3 , initial shape S0) and a frustum-conical ( Figure 4 , mating shape S1). The plates 16 can be connected by hydraulic couplings 17 (simply shown by double-headed arrows here) or using any other suitable construction mode. The actuator 18, which is a drive motor 18 in this case, can be remotely controlled, for example, by a handheld device 19 operated by a technician on a transport ship, to actuate the couplings 17 as required. To effect a change between the initial shape S0 and the mating shape S1, the actuator responds to instructions received from a controller, such as instructions from a handheld remote control device operated by a technician.

[0039] Operate the crane to lower the transport tool 1 into the interior of the tower section 20, as shown by the downward-pointing arrow in Figure 3 . Figure 4 FIG. 19 shows an enlarged view of the transport tool 1 in its mating shape S1, which illustrates how the tool 1 engages with the load P. During the lifting sequence, the adapter 10 ensures that the load P is held firmly. The transport tool 1 is implemented such that the adapter 10 exerts a sufficient force F on the surface of the load P to prevent the load P from sliding relative to the adapter 10. When the tower section 20 has been lowered into place at its destination, the transport tool 1 is released. To this end, the adapter 10 is placed in its released or initial state S0, as shown in Figure 3 , and can be easily lifted out of the tower section 20.

[0040] In the above embodiment, the adjustable plates 16 can also be coated with a material having a high coefficient of friction, so as to effectively prevent the load 20 from sliding relative to the adapter 10.

[0041] In Figure 3 the embodiment described in Figure 4 the shape-adjustable adapter 10 has a substantially circular cross-section between a fixed end (in this case the upper end) and a variable end (in this case the lower end), and the diameter at the variable end is greater in the mating state S1 than in the initial state S0.

[0042] Figure 1 And Figure 2 the embodiment described in Figure 3 of course can be implemented together with Figure 4 the embodiment of, i.e., one instance of the transport means 1 can be used to keep the load P in place during shipping, and another instance of the transport means 1 can be used to lift the load P from the ship to its final destination. Figure 5 is a highly simplified schematic diagram for illustrating the installation procedure, and shows the transition piece 21 of the offshore wind turbine base 22, and the tower 20 (or tower section) lifted from the ship 3 towards the transition piece 21. This figure shows that another tower 20 is still in place on another instance of the transport means 1, which is installed as a fixture on the deck of the installation ship 3. For illustrative purposes, the interface portion 200 of the tower 20 and the transition piece 21 is shown in cross-section.

[0043] Figure 6 is a simplified schematic diagram of a partially assembled wind turbine 2. This figure shows the offshore base 22, the transition piece 21, the tower 20 and the nacelle 23. In this figure, the nacelle 23 is being lowered by a crane (not shown) onto the upper end of the tower 20. The transition piece 21 is connected to the tower 20 by a sliding joint. The transition piece 21 can be lowered into place at the installation site by using an instance of the transport means of the present invention, for example, as explained in Figure 3 and Figure 4 above. The tower 20 can be transported to the installation site as a single unit (or in two sections as shown here) by using an instance of the transport means of the present invention, for example, as explained in Figure 1 and Figure 2 above, and can be lowered into place on the transition piece 21 by using an instance of the transport means of the present invention, for example, as explained in Figure 3 and Figure 4 above. Similarly, the nacelle 23 can be transported to the installation site by using an instance of the transport means of the present invention, as explained in Figure 1 and Figure 2 above, for example, transported on the same ship 3 used to transport the tower 20, and can be lowered into place on the tower 20, as explained in Figure 3 and Figure 4 above. This figure illustrates various applications of the transport means 1 of the present invention in the transportation and assembly of large structures from different parts each having specific transportation requirements.

[0044] The transport means is particularly suitable for use with any structure having a sliding joint interface. The above embodiment shows an interface portion having an integral frustoconical shape. This is not strictly necessary, and the load or structure may have an integral straight cylindrical form, but have a raised ring around its exterior (or interior) of the cylinder, which has an inclined outer face, i.e., a conical contact face, the upper diameter of the conical contact face being less than its lower diameter (or vice versa). The transport means of the present invention can also engage with such a structure, since a shape-adjusting adapter can be pressed against the conical contact face of the raised ring. In addition, the transport means is not limited to use with loads having a substantially circular cross-section, and can of course be used with any load shape. With appropriate design and construction, the transport means of the present invention can be used in combination with loads having a non-circular cross-section, such as loads having an irregular or regular polygonal cross-section.

[0045] Although the present invention has been disclosed in the form of preferred embodiments and variations thereon, it will be understood that many additional modifications and variations can be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, although the above load has a hollow frustoconical sliding joint interface portion, the transport means can be used to engage with non-hollow loads by constructing the transport means to engage with the outer surface of the load. The transport means of the present invention can be configured to adjust to accommodate various load shapes, thereby contributing to a significant reduction in cost, since the multi-functional tool can be used in place of a variety of different-sized installation tools between different projects.

[0046] The transport means of the present invention can be used to install various different types of components, such as bases (single-pile bases, transition pieces, gravity bases, tripod tubular bases, pipe rack bases, floating bases); towers having various diameters; and any other components or loads that require transportation as explained above.

[0047] For clarity, it is to be understood that the use of "a", "an" or "one" throughout this application does not exclude a plurality, and "comprising" does not exclude other steps or elements.

Claims

1. A transport device (1) for the transport of a heavy structure (P, 20, 21, 22, 23) of a wind turbine, the transport device (1) comprising: - An adaptor (10) with adjustable shape, implemented to adjust between an initial shape (S0) and a matching shape (S1); And - Actuators (14, 15, 17, 18) configured to cause the shape of the shape-adjustable adaptor (10) to change to its initial shape (S0) to facilitate the positioning of the adaptor (10) relative to the structure (P, 20, 21, 22, 23); And to cause the shape of the shape-adjustable adaptor (10) to change to its matching shape (S1) to engage the shape-adjustable adaptor (10) with the surface (201) of the structure (P, 20, 21, 22, 23); Wherein the transport device further comprises a release device (11) implemented to assist in releasing the structure (P, 20, 21, 22, 23) from the transport device (1).

2. The transportation device according to claim 1, wherein, The shape-adjustable adaptor (10) has a substantially circular cross-section between a fixed end and a variable end, and wherein the diameter at the variable end is greater in the matching state (S1) than in the initial state (S0) or wherein the diameter at the variable end is smaller in the matching state than in the initial state.

3. The transportation device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein, The shape-adjustable adaptor (10) includes a high-friction surface (101) arranged to be positioned against the surface (201) of the structure (P, 20, 21, 22, 23).

4. The transportation device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The shape-adjustable adaptor (10) includes a plurality of plates (16) joined together, and wherein the transport device (1) further comprises an actuator-controlled mechanism for moving the joined plates (16) between the initial shape (S0) and the matching shape (S1).

5. The transportation device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The shape-adjustable adaptor (10) includes an inflatable cover (13) implemented to assume the initial shape (S0) when deflated and to assume the matching shape (S1) when inflated.

6. The transport device according to claim 1 or 2, an actuator-controlled mechanism configured to cause the change in the shape of the shape-adjustable adaptor (10) between the initial shape (S0) and the matching shape (S1).

7. The transportation device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The transport device (1) is implemented as a lifting fitting of a lifting device (4).

8. The transportation device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The transport device (1) is implemented as a fixing device mounted on the deck (30) of a transport ship (3).

9. The transport device according to claim 1 or 2, the shape-adjustable adaptor (10) being configured to be assembled on the heavy structure (P, 20, 21, 22, 23) or being configured to be assembled within the heavy structure (P, 20, 21, 22, 23).

10. The transportation device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The transport device (1) is implemented for the transport of a frustoconical structure (P, 20, 21, 22, 23), and wherein the mating shape (S1) of the shape-adjustable adapter (10) is substantially frustoconical.

11. The transportation device according to claim 10, wherein, The shape-adjustable adapter (10) in its initial state (S0) is smaller than the internal volume of the frustoconical structure (P).

12. A method for fixing a structure (P, 20, 21, 22, 23) during transport, the method comprising at least the following steps: - providing a transport device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11; - controlling the actuators (14, 15, 17, 18) to cause a shape change of the shape-adjustable adapter (10) into its initial shape (S0); - positioning the adapter (10) relative to the structure (P, 20, 21, 22, 23); and - engaging the shape-adjustable adapter (10) with the structure (P, 20, 21, 22, 23) by controlling the actuators (14, 15, 17, 18) to cause a shape change of the shape-adjustable adapter (10) into its mating shape (S1).

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein, The step of providing the transport device (1) includes the step of mounting the transport device (1) as a fixing device onto the deck (30) of a transport ship (3).

14. The method according to claim 12 or claim 13, wherein, The step of providing the transport device (1) includes the step of suspending the transport device (1) from a lifting assembly (4).

15. The method according to claim 12 or 13, including the step of: controlling the actuators (14, 15, 17, 18) to cause a shape change of the shape-adjustable adapter (10) into its initial shape (S0) to release the shape-adjustable adapter (10) from the structure.

16. The method according to claim 12 or 13, wherein, The structure is a frustoconical structure.

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