A Fine-tunable Floating Wind Power Mooring Tensioner

Abstract

The present invention discloses an adjustable floating wind power mooring tensioner, which relates to the technical field of floating wind power mooring connection. One end of the bracket is connected to the base through a rotating head, and the other end is connected to the chain stop module through a connecting component. When the chain moves from the chain guide block to the chain sprocket, it can pass freely. When moving in the reverse direction, it is automatically locked under the action of the chain stop module to achieve rough adjustment and pre-tensioning of the chain. A tensioning oil cylinder and a fixing nut are connected to the connecting component. The chain length is finely adjusted by driving the chain stop module and the chain to move through the tensioning oil cylinder, so as to achieve fine adjustment of the length and tension of the mooring anchor leg. A locking nut is arranged at the end of the tensioning oil cylinder, and the length of the mooring anchor leg is locked by adjusting the fixing nut and the locking nut. The present invention simultaneously has the functions of rotating in two directions and finely adjusting the chain size, realizes high-precision adjustment of the pre-tension of the mooring system, improves the installation efficiency, and reduces the risk of the anchor leg breaking.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of floating wind power mooring connection, and in particular to a fine-adjustable floating wind power mooring tensioner. Background Art

[0002] Mooring chain is an important equipment for offshore floating mooring and positioning. Among them, steel chain has become an indispensable component in the mooring system due to its excellent load-bearing capacity, fatigue resistance and wear resistance. The upper end of the mooring chain is generally connected to the platform through an anchor windlass and a chain stopper, which is used to adjust the length of the mooring chain to achieve the set tension. During use, the chain will produce a certain angle of deflection, which will bring non-axial force to the joint between the chain and the platform (usually the connecting shackle), affecting its service life. Therefore, in the offshore industry, a tensioner with a universal joint is usually used to offset the deflection of the chain so that it can meet the needs of long-term mooring. On the other hand, the existing tensioner uses a sprocket with a chain stopper module to adjust the length and tension, but the adjustment length is at least one chain link each time. When the nominal diameter of the chain link is large, such as a 200mm chain link, the adjustment length reaches 800mm at a time. For some mooring systems that are sensitive to length, there are problems such as low adjustment accuracy and uneven tension, which may cause the mooring force to be concentrated on a specific anchor leg, exceeding the design load and causing breakage. Summary of the invention

[0003] The purpose of the present invention is to solve the above technical problems and provide a fine-tunable floating wind power mooring tensioner to achieve high-precision adjustment of the pre-tension of the mooring system.

[0004] In order to achieve the above technical objectives and meet the above technical requirements, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is: a fine-adjustable floating wind power mooring tensioner, including a base and a bracket, one end of the bracket is connected to the base through a rotating head, and the other end is connected to the chain stop module through a connecting assembly, a chain guide block is arranged at the bottom of the chain stop module, the chain passes through the chain guide block, the chain stop module, and the middle part of the bracket and is led out from the side of the guide chain wheel, when the chain moves from the chain guide block to the guide chain wheel, it can pass freely, and when it moves in the reverse direction, it is automatically locked under the action of the chain stop module, so as to realize the coarse adjustment pre-tensioning of the chain, the connecting assembly is connected with a tensioning cylinder and a fixing nut, wherein the tensioning cylinder includes an upper tensioning cylinder and a lower tensioning cylinder, and the fixing nut includes an upper fixing nut and a lower fixing nut, the tensioning cylinder drives the chain stop module and the chain to move to fine-tune the chain length, thereby realizing the fine adjustment of the length and tension of the mooring anchor leg, and a locking nut is arranged at the end of the tensioning cylinder, and the locking of the mooring anchor leg length is realized by adjusting the fixing nut and the locking nut.

[0005] Preferably, the connecting assembly includes a connecting rod A, a connecting rod B, a connecting rod C, and a connecting rod D. The connecting rod A passes through the chain stop module, the bracket, and is connected to the upper tensioning cylinder. The connecting rod B passes through the chain stop module and the bracket and is provided with an upper fixing nut. The connecting rod C passes through the chain stop module, the bracket, and is connected to the lower tensioning cylinder. The connecting rod D passes through the chain stop module and the bracket and is provided with a lower fixing nut.

[0006] Preferably, the upper tensioning cylinder and the lower tensioning cylinder are respectively arranged diagonally on both sides of the center line of the bracket, and the upper fixing nut and the lower fixing nut are respectively arranged diagonally on both sides of the center line of the bracket.

[0007] Preferably, the rotating head is integrally cast or forged, with connecting shafts at both ends. Self-lubricating bearings are arranged on the connecting shafts. The rotating head is respectively connected to the base and the bracket through the self-lubricating bearings, enabling the tensioner to rotate and tighten the chain in both horizontal and vertical directions.

[0008] Preferably, one end of the rotating head is a hollow dumbbell-shaped structure, and the other end is provided with a shaft hole. The rotating head is respectively connected to the base and the bracket through a pin shaft and a bearing, enabling the tensioner to rotate and tighten the chain in both horizontal and vertical directions.

[0009] Preferably, the chain stop module includes a support block. A cross-shaped chain guiding hole is arranged in the center of the support block, and connecting rod mounting holes are arranged at the four corners. A chain stop assembly is arranged on one side of the support block, and a trumpet-shaped chain guiding block is arranged on the other side. A trumpet-shaped chain guiding hole is arranged in the chain guiding block.

[0010] Preferably, the chain stop assembly includes chain stop blocks A, B, C, and D arranged evenly. The transverse chain links are locked by the opposite chain stop blocks A and C, and the vertical chain links are locked by the opposite chain stop blocks B and D.

[0011] Preferably, arc-shaped grooves corresponding to the outer circle of the chain link are respectively arranged in the middle of the sides of the chain stop blocks A, B, C, and D close to the chain link. During mooring adjustment, when the transverse chain link falls into the arc-shaped groove, the chain stop blocks A and C automatically reset and lock under the action of their own weight, spring force, or hydraulic drive. When the vertical chain link falls into the arc-shaped groove, the chain stop blocks B and D automatically reset and lock under the action of their own weight, spring force, or hydraulic drive.

[0012] Compared with the traditional structure, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: The structure is reasonably designed. Through the chain stop module and the tensioning cylinder, two-step adjustment of the chain length, namely rough adjustment and fine adjustment, is realized, enabling the tensioner to simultaneously have the functions of rotating in two directions and fine-tuning the chain size, achieving high-precision adjustment of the pre-tension of the mooring system, improving the installation efficiency, solving the problems of too low adjustment accuracy and unbalanced tension in the mooring system, reducing the risk of the anchor leg breaking, and having high practical value. It can be used for size and tension adjustment of catenary, semi-tensioned or tensioned mooring systems. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of the present invention;

[0014] Figure 2 is a schematic structural diagram of the chain stop module of the present invention;

[0015] Figure 3 is a diagram of the chain locking state of the present invention;

[0016] In the figure: 1. Base, 2. Rotating head, 3. Bracket, 4. Guide sprocket, 5. Connecting component, 51. Connecting rod A, 52. Connecting rod B, 53. Connecting rod C, 54. Connecting rod D, 6. Chain stop module, 61. Support block, 62. Chain stop block A, 63. Chain stop block B, 64. Chain stop block C, 65. Chain stop block D, 651. Arc groove, 7. Chain guide block, 8. Fixed nut, 9. Tensioning cylinder, 10. Locking nut, 11. Chain, 111. Horizontal link, 112. Vertical link. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] The present invention will be further described below.

[0018] Referring to the attached Figure 1 , a fine-tunable floating wind power mooring tensioner includes a base 1 and a bracket 3. The bracket 3 transmits the tensile load and provides support for the guide sprocket 4. One end of the bracket 3 is connected to the base 1 through a rotating head 2, and the other end is connected to a chain stop module 6 through a connecting component 5. A chain guide block 7 is provided at the bottom of the chain stop module 6. The chain 11 passes through the chain guide block 7, the chain stop module 6, and the middle of the bracket 3 and is led out from the side of the guide sprocket 4. When the chain 11 moves from the chain guide block 7 to the guide sprocket 4, it can pass freely. When moving in the reverse direction, it is automatically locked under the action of the chain stop module 6 to achieve rough adjustment and pre-tensioning of the chain 11. A tensioning cylinder 9 and a fixed nut 8 are connected to the connecting component 5. Among them, the tensioning cylinder 9 includes an upper tensioning cylinder and a lower tensioning cylinder, and the fixed nut 8 includes an upper fixed nut and a lower fixed nut. The tensioning cylinder 9 drives the chain stop module 6 and the chain 11 to move to finely adjust the length of the chain 11, thereby realizing fine adjustment of the length and tension of the mooring anchor leg. A locking nut 10 is provided at the end of the tensioning cylinder 9. The length of the mooring anchor leg is locked by adjusting the fixed nut 8 and the locking nut 10.

[0019] The connecting component 5 includes a connecting rod A51, a connecting rod B52, a connecting rod C53, and a connecting rod D54. The connecting rod A51 passes through the chain stop module 6 and the bracket 3 and is connected to the upper tensioning oil cylinder. The connecting rod B52 passes through the chain stop module 6 and the bracket 3 and is provided with an upper fixing nut. The connecting rod C53 passes through the chain stop module 6 and the bracket 3 and is connected to the lower tensioning oil cylinder. The connecting rod D54 passes through the chain stop module 6 and the bracket 3 and is provided with a lower fixing nut. The connecting rods are transition devices between the bracket 3 and the chain stop module 6 and provide structural support for the tensioning oil cylinder 9 and the fixing nut 8.

[0020] The upper tensioning oil cylinder and the lower tensioning oil cylinder are respectively arranged diagonally on both sides of the center line of the bracket 3. The upper fixing nut and the lower fixing nut are respectively arranged diagonally on both sides of the center line of the bracket 3.

[0021] In one embodiment, the rotating head 2 is integrally cast or forged with connecting shafts at both ends. Self-lubricating bearings are pre-installed on the connecting shafts. The rotating head 2 is respectively connected to the base 1 and the bracket 3 through the self-lubricating bearings. The self-lubricating bearings will play the role of wear resistance and reducing the friction coefficient, enabling the tensioner to have the function of rotating and tightening the chain 11 in both horizontal and vertical directions.

[0022] In another embodiment, one end of the rotating head 2 is a hollow dumbbell-shaped structure, and the other end is provided with a shaft hole. The rotating head 2 is respectively connected to the base 1 and the bracket 3 through a pin shaft and a bearing, enabling the tensioner to have the function of rotating and tightening the chain 11 in both horizontal and vertical directions.

[0023] As Figure 2 shown, the chain stop module 6 includes a support block 61. A cross-shaped chain guiding hole is provided in the center of the support block 61, and connecting rod mounting holes are provided at the four corners. A chain stop assembly is provided on one side of the support block 61, and a chain guiding block 7 is provided on the other side. A trumpet-shaped chain guiding hole is provided in the chain guiding block 7. The chain stop assembly includes evenly arranged chain stop blocks A62, B63, C64, and D65. The transverse chain links 111 are locked by the opposite chain stop blocks A62 and C64, and the vertical chain links 112 are locked by the opposite chain stop blocks B63 and D65.

[0024] In one embodiment, arc-shaped grooves 651 corresponding to the outer circle of the chain link are respectively provided in the middle of the sides of the chain stop block A62, chain stop block B63, chain stop block C64, and chain stop block D65 close to the chain link. During mooring adjustment, when the horizontal chain link 111 falls into the arc-shaped groove 651, the chain stop block A62 and chain stop block C64 automatically lock the horizontal chain link 111 under their own weights; when the vertical chain link 112 falls into the arc-shaped groove 651, the chain stop block B62 and chain stop block D65 automatically lock the vertical chain link 112 under their own weights.

[0025] In another embodiment, the four chain stop blocks are connected to the support block 61 through springs. During mooring adjustment, when the chain 11 moves from the chain guide block 7 to the guide sprocket 4, it can pass freely. After the horizontal chain link 111 passes through, the chain stop block A62 and chain stop block C64 automatically reset and lock under the action of the spring force; after the vertical chain link 112 passes through, the chain stop block B62 and chain stop block D65 automatically reset and lock under the action of the spring force.

[0026] In another embodiment, hydraulic cylinders and oil circuits are respectively integrated in the four chain stop blocks, and hydraulic connectors are provided at the upper ends of the chain stop blocks. During underwater operation, oil is supplied to the hydraulic cylinders in the chain stop blocks through the ROV robot, so that the chain stop blocks synchronously open outward under hydraulic drive. After the mooring adjustment is in place, the hydraulic system loses oil and pressure and automatically closes, and the chain stop blocks automatically reset and lock the chain by relying on the elasticity of the springs.

[0027] During specific implementation, the entire base 1 can be welded to the floating structure in advance. The chain 11 passes through the chain guide block 7, the chain stop module 6, and the middle of the bracket 3 and is led out from the side of the guide sprocket 4. The chain guide hole of the chain guide block 7 is used to guide the chain to pass smoothly; when the chain 11 moves from the chain guide block 7 to the guide sprocket 4, it can pass freely. After the chain 11 passes through the guide sprocket 4, the chain stop module 6 automatically locks to achieve the first-step rough adjustment; then, two tensioning cylinders are started, and the chain stop module 6 and the chain thereon are driven to move through the connecting rod A51 and the connecting rod C53 to achieve the second-step fine adjustment; after adjusting to the expected length or tension through the tensioning cylinders, two fixing nuts 8 are adjusted through the ROV manipulator or other tools to lock the length; the tensioning cylinders lose oil and pressure and close, and the locking nuts 10 are adjusted through the ROV manipulator or other tools to lock the cylinders, finally achieving the fine adjustment of the length and tension of the mooring anchor leg.

[0028] When the chain 11 needs to be loosened to re-adjust the length, a reset screw can be provided outside the chain stop block, and it can be opened by external force or by hydraulic drive, and then the chain is loosened so that the chain is detached or reinstalled for tensioning.

[0029] The above embodiments of the present invention are merely examples clearly illustrating the present invention and are not used to limit the protection scope of the present invention. All equivalent technical solutions also belong to the scope of the present invention. The patent protection scope of the present invention shall be defined by each claim.

Claims

1. A finely adjustable floating wind power mooring tensioner, comprising a base (1) and a bracket (3), wherein one end of the bracket (3) is connected to the base (1) via a rotating head (2), and is characterized in that: The other end of the bracket (3) is connected to the chain stop module (6) through a connecting assembly (5). A chain guide block (7) is provided at the bottom of the chain stop module (6). The chain (11) passes through the chain guide block (7), the chain stop module (6), and the middle of the bracket (3) and is led out from the side of the guide sprocket (4). When the chain (11) moves from the chain guide block (7) to the guide sprocket (4), it can pass freely. When moving in the reverse direction, it is automatically locked under the action of the chain stop module (6), so as to achieve coarse adjustment pre-tensioning of the chain (11). A tensioning cylinder (9) and a fixing nut (8) are connected to the connecting assembly (5), wherein the tensioning cylinder (9) includes an upper tensioning cylinder and a lower tensioning cylinder, and the fixing nut (8) includes an upper fixing nut and a lower fixing nut. The tightening cylinder and the lower tensioning cylinder are respectively located on both sides of the center line of the bracket (3) and are arranged diagonally. The upper fixing nut and the lower fixing nut are respectively located on both sides of the center line of the bracket (3) and are arranged diagonally. The tensioning cylinder (9) drives the chain stop module (6) and the chain (11) to move and finely adjust the length of the chain (11), thereby achieving fine adjustment of the length and tension of the mooring anchor leg. A locking nut (10) is provided at the end of the tensioning cylinder (9). The length of the mooring anchor leg is locked by adjusting the fixing nut (8) and the locking nut (10). The chain length is adjusted in two steps, namely, coarse adjustment and fine adjustment, by the chain stop module (6) and the tensioning cylinder (9), so that the tensioner has the functions of rotating in two directions and fine adjustment of the chain size at the same time. The connecting assembly (5) comprises a connecting rod A (51), a connecting rod B (52), a connecting rod C (53), and a connecting rod D (54); the connecting rod A (51) passes through the chain stop module (6) and the bracket (3) to be connected to the upper tensioning cylinder; the connecting rod B (52) passes through the chain stop module (6) and the bracket (3) to be provided with an upper fixing nut; the connecting rod C (53) passes through the chain stop module (6) and the bracket (3) to be connected to the lower tensioning cylinder; the connecting rod D (54) passes through the chain stop module (6) and the bracket (3) to be provided with a lower fixing nut; The chain stop module (6) comprises a support block (61), a chain stop assembly being arranged on one side of the support block (61), and a trumpet-shaped chain guide block (7) being arranged on the other side, wherein a trumpet-shaped chain guide hole is arranged in the chain guide block (7), and during mooring adjustment, the chain stop assembly automatically resets the locking chain (11) under the action of its own weight or spring force.

2. The finely adjustable floating wind power mooring tensioner according to claim 1, characterized in that: The rotating head (2) is integrally cast or forged, and has connecting shafts at both ends. The connecting shafts are provided with self-lubricating bearings. The rotating head (2) is connected to the base (1) and the bracket (3) respectively via the self-lubricating bearings, so that the tensioner has the function of rotating and tightening the chain (11) in both horizontal and vertical directions.

3. The finely adjustable floating wind power mooring tensioner according to claim 1, characterized in that: One end of the rotating head (2) is a hollow dumbbell-shaped structure, and the other end is provided with an axial hole. The rotating head (2) is connected to the base (1) and the bracket (3) via a pin and a bearing, respectively, so that the tensioner has the function of rotating and tightening the chain (11) in both horizontal and vertical directions.

4. The finely adjustable floating wind power mooring tensioner according to claim 1, characterized in that: The support block (61) is provided with a cross-shaped chain guide hole at the center, and connecting rod mounting holes are provided at the four corners.

5. The finely adjustable floating wind power mooring tensioner according to claim 1, characterized in that: The chain stop assembly comprises a chain stop block A (62), a chain stop block B (63), a chain stop block C (64), and a chain stop block D (65) which are evenly arranged. The horizontal chain ring (111) is locked by the relative chain stop block A (62) and the chain stop block C (64), and the vertical chain ring (112) is locked by the relative chain stop block B (63) and the chain stop block D (65).

6. The finely adjustable floating wind power mooring tensioner according to claim 5, characterized in that: The chain stopper blocks A (62), B (63), C (64) and D (65) are respectively provided with arc grooves (651) corresponding to the outer circles of the chain rings at the middle of the sides close to the chain rings. During mooring adjustment, when the transverse chain ring (111) falls into the arc grooves (651), the chain stopper blocks A (62) and C (64) are automatically reset and locked under the action of their own weight, spring force or hydraulic drive; when the vertical chain ring (112) falls into the arc grooves (651), the chain stopper blocks B (63) and D (65) are automatically reset and locked under the action of their own weight, spring force or hydraulic drive.

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