Transport methods for offshore wind turbine towers

Abstract

The present invention discloses a method for transporting an offshore wind turbine tower, which relates to the technical field of offshore wind power equipment transportation, and aims to solve the technical problem that the tower is easily displaced in the current method, collides with the bulkhead or other equipment of the transport ship, and increases the risk of equipment damage, and includes the following steps: arc-shaped support tooling production. The present invention effectively improves the stability of the tower during transportation by accurately manufacturing the arc-shaped support tooling and firmly welding it to the transport ship. Compared with traditional transportation methods, it can better adapt to the complex transportation environment at sea and reduce the risk of tower displacement caused by factors such as ship shaking and wave impact. The present invention can significantly reduce the probability of equipment damage during transportation, ensure the safety of equipment transportation in offshore wind power projects, reduce maintenance costs and construction delay losses caused by equipment damage, and provide strong support for the smooth advancement of offshore wind power construction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of offshore wind power equipment transportation, and more specifically, to a method for transporting an offshore wind turbine tower. Background Art

[0002] The offshore wind turbine tower is a key structural component in the offshore wind power generation system. It is usually vertical and cylindrical, mostly made of multiple pipe sections made of thick plates of low-alloy high-strength structural steel such as Q345E. It can also be made of concrete or composite materials. It is generally a hollow structure with a conical cylinder at the top and a straight cylinder at the bottom. The height, diameter and wall thickness increase with the increase of wind turbine power. It plays a vital role. It bears the responsibility of supporting the weight of the upper structure such as wind turbine blades, hubs, and nacelles and transferring it to the foundation structure, resisting environmental loads such as strong winds, waves, currents, and earthquakes to maintain structural stability, and also provides up and down passages and power transmission channels for staff, accommodating auxiliary equipment and protecting internal equipment from corrosion and impact. The offshore wind turbine tower needs to be transported to the installation location before installation.

[0003] However, in the prior art, the original transport tooling provided by the manufacturer is usually used to transport offshore wind turbine towers. These toolings are often not optimized for the complex offshore environment. During the voyage of the ship, due to the swaying of the ship and the impact of waves, the tooling is difficult to effectively fix the tower. Its structural design may not fully consider the effect of dynamic forces at sea, causing the tower to easily move. Once the tower moves beyond the safe range, it will frequently collide with the bulkhead or other equipment of the transport ship, greatly increasing the risk of equipment damage. This not only leads to a surge in equipment maintenance costs, but also because the maintenance requires a lot of time, it will inevitably cause delays in the construction period, seriously affecting the overall progress of the offshore wind power project. In view of this, we propose a method for transporting offshore wind turbine towers. Summary of the invention

[0004] The purpose of the present invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art, adapt to actual needs, and provide a method for transporting offshore wind turbine towers to solve the technical problem that the tower is easily displaced in the current method, collides with the bulkhead or other equipment of the transport ship, and increases the risk of equipment damage.

[0005] In order to solve the above technical problems, the present invention provides the following technical solutions: a method for transporting an offshore wind turbine tower, comprising the following steps:

[0006] S1: Arc support tooling production, according to the specific size of the tower, accurately calculate and determine the position and arc radius of the arc support;

[0007] S2: The arc support fixture is welded to the transport ship, and the arc support and the deck of the transport ship are fully welded;

[0008] S3: dismantling of factory tools, dismantling of factory tools in a specific order;

[0009] S4: The tower is tied up for transportation. The tower is tied up at the corresponding position on the transport ship according to the requirements of the shipping arrangement drawing.

[0010] Preferably, in step S1, the main body of the arc support is made of a 14 mm thick steel plate, and its structural strength is reinforced by a 12 mm rib plate.

[0011] Preferably, in step S1, a rubber layer is provided on the contact surface between the arc support and the tower as a buffer to prevent damage between the tower and the arc support due to vibration and collision, thereby enhancing the friction between the two.

[0012] Preferably, in step S2, the arc support is positioned on the deck of the transport ship according to a pre-established loading layout, the arc support and the deck of the transport ship are fully welded, and the weld height is specified to be 10 mm. Full welding and appropriate weld height ensure a firm connection between the arc support and the transport ship, ensuring that the arc support will not be displaced or loosened during transportation.

[0013] Preferably, in step S3, the bolts of the upper crossbeam are first removed, and then a suitable lifting device is installed on the upper part. When the crane is ready for lifting, the bottom bolts are loosened and completely removed, and the removed tooling is left in the port for possible subsequent use or corresponding processing.

[0014] Preferably, in step S4, the tower is accurately placed at a corresponding position on the transport ship according to the requirements of the shipping layout, and lashing straps are installed through the mounting points on the arc-shaped supports to further fix the tower to prevent the tower from shaking during transportation.

[0015] Preferably, in step S4, a limit block is welded at the center line of the bottom of the tower end face, a 200x200x20mm steel plate is used as the limit block, and the welding length is 180mm. The limit block is used to limit the displacement of the tower during transportation.

[0016] Preferably, in step S4, a dragon whisker chain is used to connect the top of the tower to the lifting lug on the deck of the transport ship, and the MSL of the dragon whisker chain is 20T, so as to ensure the overall stability of the tower during transportation.

[0017] Preferably, quality control is performed after the completion of step S4, and the quality control includes establishing a complete quality control system composed of construction teams, construction workers, quality inspectors and project managers, which checks the quality of the entire construction process layer by layer to ensure that each link can meet the corresponding quality requirements.

[0018] Preferably, the quality control also includes implementing a strict process quality inspection system, strengthening the three-level inspection system, the construction team first conducts self-inspection, the construction workers conduct re-inspection, the quality inspectors conduct final inspection, and strictly implements the process handover record and acceptance system to ensure that each process can meet the expected quality standards.

[0019] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0020] 1. The present invention effectively improves the stability of the tower during transportation by accurately manufacturing the arc-shaped support tooling and firmly welding it to the transport ship. Compared with traditional transportation methods, it can better adapt to the complex transportation environment at sea and reduce the risk of tower displacement caused by factors such as ship shaking and wave impact. The present invention can significantly reduce the probability of equipment damage during transportation, ensure the safety of equipment transportation in offshore wind power projects, reduce the maintenance cost and construction delay losses caused by equipment damage, and provide strong support for the smooth advancement of offshore wind power construction.

[0021] 2. The present invention ensures the reliability and efficiency of the transportation method through a strict quality control system and process inspection system. Every link from the production of arc-shaped supports to the binding and transportation of towers is strictly checked, making the construction process standardized and orderly, greatly improving the construction efficiency. This method can shorten the construction period, reduce the idle time of manpower and machinery, thereby reducing the overall construction cost and enhancing the market competitiveness of enterprises in the field of offshore wind power. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Figure 1 It is the arrangement diagram of the arc support of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 2 A drawing is made for the arc support of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 3 This is a layout diagram of the wind turbine installed on a ship according to the present invention;

[0025] Figure 4 This is the tower lashing arrangement diagram of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] Embodiment 1, as Figures 1 to 4 As shown, the present invention relates to a method for transporting an offshore wind turbine tower, comprising the following steps:

[0027] S1: Arc support tooling production, according to the specific size of the tower, accurately calculate and determine the position and arc radius of the arc support. For example, for the second section of the tower, its size is Φ6476mm*5575mm, and the two arc supports are positioned 1m away from the end face of the tower. Through the corresponding geometric calculation, the arc radius of the arc support is approximately 2740mm and 2334mm respectively.

[0028] The main body of the arc support is made of 14mm thick steel plate, which is reinforced with 12mm rib plates to enhance its structural strength so that it can withstand the weight of the tower and various forces during transportation.

[0029] The steel plate can also be subjected to surface treatment, such as shot peening and coating with anti-corrosion paint, to improve its corrosion resistance and extend its service life.

[0030] A rubber layer is provided on the contact surface between the arc-shaped support and the tower as a buffer to prevent damage between the tower and the arc-shaped support due to vibration, collision, etc., while enhancing the friction between the two to further ensure the stability of the tower.

[0031] For the connection parts of the arc support, a strengthening structure can be designed, such as reinforcing ribs and stiffening ribs, to further enhance its bearing capacity and stability. In addition, at the connection parts with the deck of the transport ship, an adjustment margin can be reserved so that fine-tuning can be performed according to the actual situation of the transport ship during actual installation.

[0032] S2: The arc support fixture is welded to the transport ship, and the arc support is accurately positioned on the deck of the transport ship according to the pre-established loading layout.

[0033] The arc support is fully welded to the deck of the transport ship, and the weld height is specified to be 10mm. Full welding and appropriate weld height ensure a firm connection between the arc support and the transport ship, ensuring that the arc support will not be displaced or loosened during transportation, providing stable support for the tower.

[0034] Before full welding, the welding parts of the deck and arc support of the transport ship are pre-treated, including grinding, rust removal, cleaning, etc., to ensure the welding quality. Non-destructive testing technology, such as ultrasonic testing and magnetic particle testing, can be used to test the welding parts to ensure that the welding quality meets the requirements.

[0035] Considering the complexity of the offshore environment, special protection can be provided to the welding area, such as adding sealants or protective coatings to prevent seawater from corroding the welds and affecting their connection strength.

[0036] In order to ensure the firm connection between the arc support and the transport ship, auxiliary connection parts such as bolt connection or riveting can be added on the basis of full welding to form multiple connections and enhance the reliability of the connection. At the same time, in the full welding process, a suitable welding sequence is adopted, such as segmented welding, symmetrical welding, etc., to reduce welding deformation.

[0037] S3: Remove the manufacturer's tooling in a specific order.

[0038] Remove the factory tooling in a specific order, first remove the bolts of the upper crossbeam, and then install the appropriate lifting equipment on top.

[0039] When the crane is ready for lifting, the bottom bolts are loosened and completely removed. The removed tooling is left at the port for possible subsequent use or corresponding disposal, which can avoid the tooling from interfering with subsequent lifting work.

[0040] When removing the factory tooling, safety operating procedures should be established to ensure the safety of construction workers. When removing the upper beam bolts and bottom bolts, use special tools such as torque wrenches to ensure that no additional damage is caused to the tower and tooling during the bolt removal process.

[0041] Carry out detailed inspection and record of the dismantled tooling, including the integrity and wear of the tooling, to provide data support for subsequent use or disposal.

[0042] To prevent the tooling from accidentally falling during the dismantling process, a protective net or buffer device can be set up to avoid damage to the transport ship or personnel.

[0043] S4: The tower is tied up for transportation. The tower is tied up at the corresponding position on the transport ship according to the requirements of the shipping arrangement drawing.

[0044] Place the tower accurately at the corresponding position on the transport ship according to the requirements of the shipping layout.

[0045] Install tie straps through the mounting points on the arc support to further secure the tower and prevent it from shaking during transportation.

[0046] A limit block is welded at the center line of the bottom of the tower end face. A 200x200x20mm steel plate is used as the limit block with a welding length of 180mm. The limit block is used to limit the displacement of the tower during transportation.

[0047] The top of the tower is connected to the lifting lug on the deck of the transport ship by a dragon whisker chain. The MSL of the dragon whisker chain is 20T, which ensures the overall stability of the tower during transportation.

[0048] In addition to installing lashing straps through the installation points on the arc support, different types of lashing methods can be set according to the different positions and force characteristics of the tower. For example, high-strength steel cables can be used for auxiliary lashing at the top and bottom of the tower to form multiple lashing points, further improving the stability of the tower.

[0049] When welding the limit block at the center line of the bottom of the tower end face, the welding position should be accurately measured and marked, and professional welding equipment and high-quality welding materials should be used to ensure the welding quality of the limit block. At the same time, the mechanical properties of the limit block should be tested to ensure that it can withstand the expected load.

[0050] When the top of the tower is connected to the lifting lug on the deck of the transport ship by using a dragon whisker chain, a buffer device, such as a rubber buffer, can be added to the connection between the dragon whisker chain, the tower and the lifting lug to reduce the impact force during transportation.

[0051] During the tower binding and transportation process, sensors are installed to monitor the tower's position, vibration and stress in real time. The data is transmitted to the monitoring center through the data acquisition system. Once an abnormality occurs, timely measures are taken to adjust and handle it.

[0052] Quality Control:

[0053] A complete quality control system has been established, consisting of construction teams, construction workers, quality inspectors and project managers, to strictly control the quality of the entire construction process and ensure that each link meets the corresponding quality requirements.

[0054] Implement a strict process quality inspection system and strengthen the three-level inspection system. The construction team will first conduct self-inspection, the construction workers will conduct re-inspection, and the quality inspectors will conduct final inspection. Strictly implement the process handover record and acceptance system to ensure that each process can meet the expected quality standards.

[0055] Manage the qualifications of construction workers, firmly establish the concept of "lifelong quality system", and workers in special trades must be certified to work to ensure that construction workers have the corresponding skill level.

[0056] Conduct review of construction drawings, organize relevant personnel to conduct detailed review and discussion of construction drawings, clarify technical requirements and quality standards, and provide detailed technical instructions to construction personnel to ensure that they accurately grasp the key points of construction.

[0057] Technical personnel are arranged to stay in the factory to supervise the manufacturing process of components such as arc supports to ensure that the manufactured components meet the design requirements.

[0058] All materials entering the construction site must be inspected. All incoming materials must have a product certificate or quality certification. The materials will be inspected and accepted together with the supervisor and the owner to avoid the use of unqualified materials in the construction process, thereby ensuring the quality and reliability of the implementation of the entire transportation method.

[0059] When establishing a quality control system, information management methods can be introduced, such as using quality management software to record and analyze various data during the construction process in real time, so as to realize the informatization and intelligence of quality control.

[0060] When it comes to the training and assessment of construction personnel, we should not only focus on their skill level, but also strengthen their understanding and mastery of quality standards and safety regulations related to offshore wind turbine tower transportation, conduct regular assessments and training, and update their knowledge and skills.

[0061] When implementing the process quality inspection system, in addition to the three-level inspection system, an external third-party supervision agency can be introduced to conduct independent inspections and evaluations of key processes to improve the fairness and authority of quality inspections.

[0062] The process handover record and acceptance system should be detailed, including the detailed parameters, quality indicators, time nodes and other information of each process, to form a complete quality file for easy traceability and query later.

[0063] For the handling of quality issues, a comprehensive emergency plan is established. Once a quality problem occurs, the root cause can be quickly located, effective solutions can be taken, and the problem can be summarized and feedback provided to avoid similar problems from happening again.

[0064] Carry out simulation test of the transportation process before transportation:

[0065] Before the formal transportation, physical models or computer simulations are used to simulate the tower transportation process under different sea conditions and transportation conditions, evaluate the reliability and safety of the transportation plan, and optimize the transportation method based on the simulation results.

[0066] Consider environmental factors during transportation and develop plans to deal with severe weather, such as storms, waves, etc., including temporary reinforcement measures for the tower and wind-proof operations for transport ships.

[0067] During the entire transportation process, strengthen communication and coordination with ports, maritime and other relevant departments to ensure that the transportation process complies with various laws and regulations and ensure the legality and smoothness of transportation.

[0068] Regularly perform maintenance and upkeep on transportation equipment and tools, such as cranes, transport ships, lashing tools, etc., establish equipment maintenance files, record maintenance time, maintenance content and equipment status, and ensure that the equipment is in good working condition.

[0069] The embodiments of the present invention disclose preferred embodiments, but are not limited thereto. A person skilled in the art can easily understand the spirit of the present invention based on the above embodiments and make different extensions and changes. However, as long as they do not deviate from the spirit of the present invention, they are all within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for transporting an offshore wind turbine tower, characterized in that: The following steps are involved: S1: Arc support tooling production, according to the specific size of the tower, accurately calculate and determine the position and arc radius of the arc support; S2: The arc support fixture is welded to the transport ship, and the arc support and the deck of the transport ship are fully welded; S3: dismantling of factory tools, dismantling of factory tools in a specific order; S4: The tower is tied up for transportation. The tower is tied up at the corresponding position on the transport ship according to the requirements of the shipping arrangement drawing.

2. A method for transporting an offshore wind turbine tower according to claim 1, characterized in that: In step S1, the main body of the arc support is made of a 14 mm thick steel plate, and its structural strength is reinforced by a 12 mm rib plate.

3. A method for transporting an offshore wind turbine tower according to claim 2, characterized in that: In the step S1, a rubber layer is provided on the contact surface between the arc support and the tower as a buffer to prevent damage between the tower and the arc support due to vibration and collision, and to enhance the friction between the two.

4. A method for transporting an offshore wind turbine tower according to claim 3, characterized in that: In step S2, the arc support is positioned on the deck of the transport ship according to the pre-established loading layout, the arc support and the deck of the transport ship are fully welded, and the weld height is specified to be 10 mm. Full welding and appropriate weld height ensure a firm connection between the arc support and the transport ship, ensuring that the arc support will not be displaced or loosened during transportation.

5. A method for transporting an offshore wind turbine tower according to claim 4, characterized in that: In step S3, the bolts of the upper crossbeam are first removed, and then a suitable lifting device is installed on the upper part. When the crane is ready for lifting, the bottom bolts are loosened and completely removed. The removed tooling is left in the port for possible subsequent use or corresponding processing.

6. A method for transporting an offshore wind turbine tower according to claim 5, characterized in that: In step S4, the tower is accurately placed at the corresponding position on the transport ship according to the requirements of the shipping layout, and lashing straps are installed through the mounting points on the arc-shaped support to further fix the tower to prevent the tower from shaking during transportation.

7. A method for transporting an offshore wind turbine tower according to claim 6, characterized in that: In step S4, a limit block is welded at the center line of the bottom of the tower end face, a 200x200x20mm steel plate is used as the limit block, and the welding length is 180mm. The limit block is used to limit the displacement of the tower during transportation.

8. A method for transporting an offshore wind turbine tower according to claim 7, characterized in that: In step S4, the top of the tower is connected to the lifting lug on the deck of the transport ship by using a dragon whisker chain, and the MSL of the dragon whisker chain is 20T, so as to ensure the overall stability of the tower during transportation.

9. A method for transporting an offshore wind turbine tower according to claim 8, characterized in that: After the step S4 is completed, quality control is performed. The quality control includes establishing a complete quality control system, which is composed of construction teams, construction workers, quality inspectors and project managers, to check the quality of the entire construction process layer by layer to ensure that each link can meet the corresponding quality requirements.

10. A method for transporting an offshore wind turbine tower according to claim 9, characterized in that: The quality control also includes implementing a strict process quality inspection system, strengthening the three-level inspection system, with the construction team conducting self-inspection first, the construction workers conducting re-inspection, and the quality inspectors conducting final inspection. The process handover record and acceptance system are strictly implemented to ensure that each process can meet the expected quality standards.

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