Connecting device, connecting method, offshore foundation and operation and maintenance platform

Abstract

The invention relates to a connecting device, a connecting method, an offshore foundation and an operation and maintenance platform. The connecting device comprises a mounting assembly and an embedded part, the embedded part is connected to the operation and maintenance platform through the mounting assembly, the operation and maintenance platform and the offshore foundation are connected in the mode that the embedded part is embedded in the offshore foundation, and the inner side face or the outer side face of the embedded part abuts against the offshore foundation to form counter-acting force so as to resist transverse loads generated by the wave action. The operation and maintenance platform can be stably connected with the offshore foundation, so that the efficiency and safety of operation and maintenance work are improved. Moreover, the at least two embedding pieces are movably connected with the translation mechanism, so that after the operation and maintenance platform is close to the offshore foundation, the distance between the two embedding pieces can be adjusted according to the size of the offshore foundation, such as the distance between adjacent stand columns, and the operation and maintenance platform is matched with the offshore foundations with multiple sizes and scales for operation and maintenance work; and at least two positions between the operation and maintenance platform and the offshore foundation are embedded, so that the operation and maintenance platform is effectively prevented from swinging and shaking under the action of waves.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of offshore foundation operation and maintenance, and in particular to a connection device and method, an offshore foundation and an operation and maintenance platform. Background Art

[0002] At present, during the installation and operation and maintenance of offshore floating wind turbines, the operation and maintenance platform needs to be moored to the side of the floating foundation, and then the required components are transferred to the foundation for replacement and maintenance. Due to the action of waves, there is relative movement between the operation and maintenance platform and the offshore foundation, resulting in low efficiency of operation and maintenance. Especially when replacing large components, there may even be certain safety risks in the operation and maintenance process. The window period with good sea conditions has a random appearance time, which limits the implementation of periodic operation and maintenance tasks and cannot adapt to operation and maintenance tasks in emergency situations.

[0003] In the related technologies, due to the large variety of offshore foundation structures, when the wind turbine and tower on the foundation are a certain distance away from the outer edge, the direct berthing operation and maintenance solution makes it more difficult to safely and efficiently transport large components to the wind turbine foundation, which further increases the difficulty of the operation and maintenance process. This not only limits the range of types of operation and maintenance platforms applied to the foundation to a certain extent, but also limits the development of offshore foundation types.

[0004] Therefore, it is necessary to develop a new connection device and connection method, offshore foundation and operation and maintenance platform to improve some of the above-mentioned problems existing in related technologies. Summary of the invention

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide a connection device and a connection method, an offshore foundation and an operation and maintenance platform, which can enable the operation and maintenance platform to be stably connected to the offshore foundation under certain wind and wave conditions to improve the efficiency and safety of the operation and maintenance work.

[0006] The purpose of the present invention can be achieved by the following technical solutions:

[0007] The connection device provided by the present invention comprises: a mounting assembly and an engaging member; the mounting assembly is used to connect the operation and maintenance platform; the engaging member is arranged on the mounting assembly and is used to be engaged with the offshore foundation to resist the lateral load of waves.

[0008] Optionally, the connecting device further comprises a supporting member, wherein the supporting member is respectively connected to the mounting component and the end of the engaging member away from the mounting component.

[0009] Optionally, a plurality of the supporting members are arranged around the engaging member.

[0010] Optionally, the engaging member may be movably disposed on the mounting assembly.

[0011] Optionally, the connecting device further comprises a translation mechanism connecting the mounting assembly and the engaging member, wherein the translation mechanism is arranged in a horizontal direction to drive the engaging member to translate.

[0012] Optionally, at least two of the engaging parts are connected to the translation mechanism.

[0013] Optionally, the connecting device further comprises a lifting mechanism, which is arranged on the mounting assembly and is used to drive the engaging member to move in a vertical direction.

[0014] Optionally, the engaging member includes a columnar protrusion or groove, the cross-sectional shape of the protrusion or groove may be circular or polygonal, and the end of the protrusion or groove is conical.

[0015] The method for connecting the operation and maintenance platform and the offshore foundation provided by the present invention comprises the following steps:

[0016] Adjust the ballast of the operation and maintenance platform to increase the height of the fittings;

[0017] Moving the engaging member to above the location to be engaged on the offshore foundation;

[0018] The ballast of the operation and maintenance platform is adjusted so that the engaging member is engaged with the offshore foundation.

[0019] The offshore foundation provided by the present invention comprises: a column and an embedded piece; the embedded piece is arranged on the column and is used to be embedded with the embedding piece.

[0020] Optionally, at least two of the engaged parts are respectively arranged on adjacent columns.

[0021] The operation and maintenance platform provided by the present invention includes the above-mentioned connecting device.

[0022] Compared with the related art, the connection device and connection method, offshore foundation and operation and maintenance platform provided by the present invention have the following beneficial effects:

[0023] 1. The present invention connects the engaging part to the operation and maintenance platform by installing a component, and connects the operation and maintenance platform and the offshore foundation by engaging the engaging part in the offshore foundation. The inner side or outer side of the engaging part abuts against the offshore foundation to form a reaction force to counteract the lateral load generated by the wave action, so that the operation and maintenance platform can be firmly connected to the offshore foundation to improve the efficiency and safety of the operation and maintenance work.

[0024] 2. The present invention arranges the support rod on the installation assembly and connects the support rod to the end of the fitting away from the installation assembly. When the fitting is subjected to the lateral load of the waves, it can provide effective support for the fitting, which is beneficial to improving the connection reliability between the operation and maintenance platform and the offshore foundation.

[0025] 3. The present invention flexibly connects at least two engaging parts to the translation mechanism, so that the operation and maintenance platform and the offshore foundation are engaged at least at two positions, effectively preventing the operation and maintenance platform from swinging when affected by waves. In addition, the two engaging parts can be movably arranged to adjust the distance between the two engaging parts according to the size of the offshore foundation, such as the spacing between adjacent columns, after the operation and maintenance platform approaches the offshore foundation, so as to match offshore foundations of various sizes for operation and maintenance work.

[0026] 4. The present invention adjusts the height of the embedded component relative to the horizontal plane through a lifting mechanism, which facilitates the embedding of the embedded component into the offshore foundation.

[0027] 5. The present invention forms a columnar protrusion or groove through a fitting, and provides a conical structure at the end of the protrusion or groove to improve the fault tolerance and convenience of fitting. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] Figure 1 This is a structural schematic diagram of connecting the operation and maintenance platform and the offshore foundation through a connecting device in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 2 for Figure 1 The structural left view of the operation and maintenance platform and offshore foundation is shown;

[0030] Figure 3 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure at the location of the connecting device shown.

[0031] Reference numerals:

[0032] 1. Operation and maintenance platform; 101. Upper deck; 2. Offshore foundation; 201. Column; 3. Connecting device; 301. Fitting part; 4. Supporting part; 5. Fitted part; 6. Track; 7. Crane. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] The present invention is described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. This embodiment is implemented based on the technical solution of the present invention, and provides a detailed implementation method and specific operation process, but the protection scope of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.

[0034] Figure 1 This is a structural schematic diagram of connecting the operation and maintenance platform and the offshore foundation through a connecting device in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 for Figure 1 The structural left view of the operation and maintenance platform and offshore foundation is shown.

[0035] The embodiment of the present invention provides a connection device, referring to Figure 1 and Figure 2The connecting device 3 includes: a mounting assembly and a fitting 301; the mounting assembly is used to connect the operation and maintenance platform 1; the fitting 301 is arranged on the mounting assembly and is used to be fitted in the offshore foundation 2 to resist the lateral load of waves.

[0036] In some specific embodiments of the present invention, the engaging member 301 is arranged along the vertical direction.

[0037] In some specific embodiments, referring to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The embedding member 301 is moved to above the location to be embedded in the offshore foundation 2, and the embedding member 301 is embedded in the offshore foundation 2 from top to bottom by lowering the height of the embedding member 301.

[0038] In some other specific embodiments, the embedding member 301 is moved to below the location to be embedded in the offshore foundation 2, and the embedding member 301 is embedded in the offshore foundation 2 from bottom to top by raising the height of the embedding member 301.

[0039] Specifically, refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The connecting device 3 is arranged on the lower side of the upper deck 101 of the operation and maintenance platform 1, that is, on the side facing the horizontal plane. When the operation and maintenance platform 1 moves to the vicinity of the offshore foundation 2, the fitting 301 is raised and moved to above the column 201 on one side of the offshore foundation 2. By lowering the fitting 301, the fitting 301 is fitted into the column 201 of the offshore foundation 2.

[0040] Specifically, refer to Figure 1 and Figure 3 A fitted part 5 is provided on the top of the column 201 of the offshore foundation 2, and the fitting part 301 and the fitted part 5 are fitted with each other.

[0041] In some specific embodiments, the operation and maintenance platform 1 may be a ship type, a semi-submersible platform type, or a self-elevating platform type, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0042] In some specific embodiments, the mounting assembly may include fasteners such as bolts, screws, nuts, rivets, etc., through which the fitting 301 is connected to the upper deck 101, the interior, the underside of the hull, or the outside of the hull of the operation and maintenance platform 1.

[0043] In some specific embodiments, the installation component is disposed at an installation position on the operation and maintenance platform 1 and is connected to an end of the fitting 301 close to the installation position.

[0044] In some specific embodiments, the installation position on the operation and maintenance platform 1 can be the upper deck 101, the interior, the underside of the hull, or the outside of the hull of the operation and maintenance platform 1.

[0045] In some specific embodiments, by engaging the engaging component 301 with the offshore foundation 2, for example, the engaging component 301 includes a protruding portion embedded in the offshore foundation 2, or the engaging component 301 includes a groove portion embedded in the offshore foundation 2, so that the inner side or outer side of the engaging portion abuts against the offshore foundation 2, thereby forming a reaction force to counteract the lateral load generated by the wave action, thereby achieving the specific horizontal direction between the operation and maintenance platform 1 and the offshore foundation 2.

[0046] In some specific embodiments, after the engaging component 301 is engaged with the offshore foundation 2, the engaging component 301 also includes a top surface or a bottom surface, which abuts against the offshore foundation 2 from below or above, thereby forming a reaction force to counteract the longitudinal load generated by the wave action, thereby maintaining the longitudinal height difference between the operation and maintenance platform 1 and the offshore foundation 2.

[0047] Figure 3 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure at the location of the connecting device shown.

[0048] In some embodiments of the present invention, referring to Figure 3 The connecting device 3 also includes a supporting member 4, and the supporting member 4 is respectively connected to the installation component (not marked in the figure) and the end of the engaging member 301 away from the installation component.

[0049] In some specific embodiments, referring to Figure 3 The support member 4 may be a columnar part, and the support member 4 includes two ends, one end of which is connected to the mounting assembly, and the other end is connected to an end of the engaging member 301 away from the mounting assembly.

[0050] In some specific embodiments, referring to Figure 3 The support member 4 is a linear columnar part, and the support member 4 is inclined to the surface of the installation position on the operation and maintenance platform 1.

[0051] In some embodiments of the present invention, referring to Figure 3 , the plurality of support members 4 are arranged around the engaging member 301 .

[0052] In some specific embodiments, referring to Figure 3 The fitting part 301 is a cylindrical part, and the part to be fitted of the offshore foundation 2 is embedded in the cylindrical inner space of the fitting part 301 .

[0053] In some specific embodiments, referring to Figure 3The cross-sectional shape of the embedding member 301 is annular, and the connection positions between the plurality of support members 4 and the embedding member 301 surround the end side surface of the embedding member 301 .

[0054] In some embodiments of the present invention, referring to Figure 2 and Figure 3 The connecting device 3 also includes an embedded part 5, and the embedded part 5 is arranged on the column 201 of the offshore foundation 2.

[0055] In some specific embodiments, referring to Figure 2 and Figure 3 The embedded part 5 is arranged on the top of the column 201 of the offshore foundation 2.

[0056] In some specific embodiments, the embedded part 5 includes a columnar protrusion, and the embedded part 301 includes a columnar groove. The embedded part 301 is moved to the top of any of the columns 201 of the offshore foundation 2. By lowering the height of the embedded part 301, the embedded part 301 is sleeved on the embedded part 5 to achieve mutual embedding.

[0057] In some embodiments of the present invention, the engaging member 301 can be movably disposed on the mounting assembly.

[0058] In some specific embodiments, the engaging member 301 is movably arranged with the mounting assembly through a mechanical mechanism, so that the engaging member 301 can move freely at the installation position of the operation and maintenance platform 1, such as translational movement or lifting movement, so that the engaging member 301 can be flexibly moved to above the position to be engaged with the offshore foundation 2.

[0059] In some embodiments of the present invention, referring to Figure 3 The connecting device 3 also includes a translation mechanism, connecting the installation assembly and the embedding member 301, wherein the translation mechanism is arranged in a horizontal direction to drive the embedding member 301 to translate.

[0060] In some specific embodiments, the translation mechanism may be a sliding type or a roller type, etc., and the present invention is not limited to this.

[0061] In some specific embodiments, referring to Figure 3 The track 6 of the translation mechanism is arranged in a straight line at the lower edge of the upper deck 101 of the operation and maintenance platform 1, and the engaging member 301 moves in a straight line along the edge of the upper deck 101 of the operation and maintenance platform 1.

[0062] In some embodiments of the present invention, at least two of the engaging members 301 are connected to the translation mechanism.

[0063] In some specific embodiments, the two engaging members 301 are respectively disposed on a track 6 of the translation mechanism.

[0064] Exemplarily, when the operation and maintenance platform 1 moves to the vicinity of the offshore foundation 2, the distance between the two engaging parts 301 is adjusted according to the distance between adjacent columns 201 of the offshore foundation 2, so that the engaging parts 301 are respectively engaged and connected with the columns 201 in a one-to-one correspondence.

[0065] In some embodiments of the present invention, the connecting device 3 further includes a lifting mechanism, which is disposed on the mounting assembly and is used to drive the engaging member 301 to move in a vertical direction.

[0066] In some specific embodiments, the operation and maintenance platform 1, the installation assembly, the translation mechanism and the fitting 301 are connected in sequence.

[0067] In some other specific embodiments, the operation and maintenance platform 1, the installation assembly, the lifting mechanism and the fitting 301 are connected in sequence.

[0068] In some other specific embodiments, the operation and maintenance platform 1, the installation assembly, the translation mechanism, the lifting mechanism and the fitting 301 are connected in sequence.

[0069] In some specific embodiments, the lifting mechanism may be a mechanical mechanism with hydraulic, pneumatic or electrical power sources, and the implementation methods thereof are well known to those skilled in the art, so they will not be described in detail here.

[0070] In some embodiments of the present invention, the engaging member 301 includes a columnar protrusion or groove, the cross-sectional shape of the protrusion or groove may be circular or polygonal, and the end of the protrusion or groove is conical.

[0071] In some specific embodiments, the engaging member 301 may be a columnar protrusion, the cross-sectional shape of the protrusion may be circular or polygonal, and the end of the protrusion may have a conical structure to facilitate embedding in the offshore foundation 2 .

[0072] In other specific embodiments, referring to Figure 2 and Figure 3 The engaging member 301 may be a columnar groove, the cross-sectional shape of the groove may be circular or polygonal, and the end of the groove may have a conical structure so as to be easily embedded in the offshore foundation 2.

[0073] In some specific embodiments, referring to Figure 2 and Figure 3The embedded part 5 can be a protrusion or a groove matching the embedding part 301. The embedded part 5 is arranged on the column 201 of the offshore foundation 2, and the embedding part 301 and the embedded part 5 are embedded with each other.

[0074] In some embodiments of the present invention, a crane 7 is further provided on one side of the operation and maintenance platform 1 .

[0075] The embodiment of the present invention provides a method for connecting an operation and maintenance platform 1 and an offshore foundation 2, comprising the following steps:

[0076] S01: adjusting the ballast of the operation and maintenance platform 1 to increase the height of the fitting 301;

[0077] S02: moving the fitting member 301 to above the position to be fitted on the offshore foundation 2;

[0078] S03: Adjust the ballast of the operation and maintenance platform 1 so that the engaging member 301 is engaged with the offshore foundation 2.

[0079] In some specific embodiments, the ballast of the operation and maintenance platform 1 can be adjusted by changing the amount of water in the ballast tank.

[0080] In some other specific embodiments, the height of the engaging member 301 can be adjusted with the assistance of the lifting mechanism.

[0081] In some specific embodiments, the engaging member 301 is moved to above the position to be engaged on the offshore foundation 2, which can be achieved by towing the operation and maintenance platform 1 or by self-propulsion.

[0082] It should be noted that the steps and principles of the method for connecting the operation and maintenance platform 1 and the offshore foundation 2 provided in the embodiment of the present invention correspond one to one with the structure and principle of the above-mentioned connecting device 3, so they will not be repeated here.

[0083] The offshore foundation 2 provided by the embodiment of the present invention comprises: a column 201 and an embedded component 5 ; the embedded component 5 is arranged on the column 201 for being embedded with the embedded component 301 .

[0084] The operation and maintenance platform 1 provided in the embodiment of the present invention includes the above-mentioned connecting device 3.

[0085] The preferred specific embodiments of the present invention are described in detail above. It should be understood that a person skilled in the art can make many modifications and changes based on the concept of the present invention without creative work. Therefore, any technical solution that can be obtained by a person skilled in the art through logical analysis, reasoning or limited experiments based on the concept of the present invention on the basis of the prior art should be within the scope of protection determined by the claims.

Claims

1. A connection device, characterized in that: include: Install components for connecting to the operation and maintenance platform (1); The engaging member (301) is arranged on the installation assembly and is used to be engaged with the offshore foundation (2) to resist the lateral load of waves.

2. The connection device according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also comprises a support member (4), wherein the support member (4) is respectively connected to the mounting assembly and an end of the engaging member (301) away from the mounting assembly.

3. The connection device according to claim 2, characterized in that: A plurality of the supporting members (4) are arranged around the engaging member (301).

4. The connection device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The engaging member (301) can be movably arranged on the mounting assembly.

5. The connection device according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also comprises a translation mechanism, connecting the installation assembly and the engaging member (301), wherein the translation mechanism is arranged in a horizontal direction and is used to drive the engaging member (301) to translate.

6. The connection device according to claim 5, characterized in that: At least two of the engaging parts (301) are connected to the translation mechanism.

7. The connection device according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also comprises a lifting mechanism, which is arranged on the installation assembly and is used to drive the engaging member (301) to move in a vertical direction.

8. The connection device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The engaging part (301) comprises a columnar protrusion or a groove, the cross-sectional shape of the protrusion or the groove may be circular or polygonal, and the end of the protrusion or the groove is conical.

9. A method for connecting an operation and maintenance platform to an offshore foundation, characterized in that: The steps include: Adjusting the ballast of the operation and maintenance platform (1) to increase the height of the engaging member (301); Moving the engaging member (301) to a position above the location to be engaged on the offshore foundation (2); The ballast of the operation and maintenance platform (1) is adjusted so that the engaging member (301) is engaged with the offshore foundation (2).

10. An offshore foundation, characterized in that: include: Column (201); The engaged piece (5) is arranged on the upright column (201) and is used for being engaged with the engaging piece (301).

11. The offshore foundation according to claim 10, wherein at least two of the embedded parts (5) are respectively arranged on adjacent columns (201).

12. An operation and maintenance platform, characterized in that: Comprising a connecting device (3) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8.

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