Automatic installation device for suction bucket used in offshore wind power construction and installation method for tension leg platform

Abstract

The present invention belongs to the field of offshore wind power, and discloses an automatic installation device for suction buckets used in offshore wind power construction and an installation method for a tension leg platform, including a storage mechanism, a grasping mechanism, and a rotating and moving mechanism. The storage mechanism stores a plurality of suction buckets at annular intervals. The grasping mechanism grasps the suction buckets, and the rotating and moving mechanism drives the grasping mechanism to move and rotate, so that the grasping mechanism can successively grasp the suction buckets on the storage mechanism to the corresponding anchoring positions on the seabed. The present invention proposes an automatic installation device for suction buckets, which simplifies the installation of suction buckets through mechanized and automated processes and improves efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of offshore wind power, and specifically to an automatic installation device for suction cylinders used in offshore wind power construction and an installation method for a tension leg platform. Background Technique

[0002] At present, most of the designs of offshore wind power platforms adopt the structure of a tension leg platform (TLP). This structure is widely used in the field of offshore wind power due to its good underwater stability and the ability to adapt to the deep-sea environment. Generally, multiple tendons are connected to the periphery of the bottom of the tension leg platform, the lower ends of the tendons are connected to suction cylinders, and the suction cylinders are anchored to the seabed. In the prior art, the installation of the suction cylinders of the tension leg platform is rather cumbersome, and it is difficult to recover the suction cylinders. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of the present invention is to provide an automatic installation device for suction cylinders used in offshore wind power construction and an installation method for a tension leg platform, so as to solve the problems raised in the above background technique.

[0004] To achieve the above purpose, the present invention provides the following technical solutions:

[0005] An automatic installation device for suction cylinders used in offshore wind power construction, comprising:

[0006] A storage mechanism that stores multiple suction cylinders at annular intervals;

[0007] A grasping mechanism that grasps the suction cylinders;

[0008] A rotary moving mechanism that drives the grasping mechanism to move and rotate, enabling the grasping mechanism to successively grasp the suction cylinders on the storage mechanism to the corresponding anchoring positions on the seabed.

[0009] Further, the grasping mechanism includes a grasping telescopic device and a suction cup connected to the grasping telescopic device. The grasping telescopic device drives the suction cup to lift and lower, and the suction cup grasps the suction cylinder by adsorption.

[0010] Further, the grasping mechanism includes multiple suction cups.

[0011] Further, the rotary moving mechanism includes a rotary component and a transverse moving component. The rotary component is arranged on the storage mechanism, the transverse moving component is arranged on the rotary component. The rotary component drives the transverse moving component to rotate in a circle, and the grasping mechanism is arranged on the transverse moving component. The transverse moving component drives the grasping mechanism to move transversely along the radial direction of the circle.

[0012] Further, the rotating component includes an automatic turntable disposed on the storage mechanism and a cantilever connected to the automatic turntable. The automatic turntable drives the cantilever to rotate in a circle, the grasping mechanism is slidably engaged with the cantilever in the radial direction of the circle, the transverse movement component is disposed on the cantilever, and the transverse movement component drives the grasping mechanism to move along the cantilever.

[0013] Further, a guiding port is provided at one end of the cantilever facing away from the automatic turntable, and the guiding port corresponds to the anchoring position of the suction cylinder on the seabed. The guiding port provides guidance for the suction cylinder to insert into the seabed.

[0014] Further, the cantilever includes a lower cantilever segment, an upper cantilever segment located at the upper end of the lower cantilever segment, and a middle cantilever segment connecting the lower cantilever segment and the upper cantilever segment. The grasping mechanism is slidably engaged with the upper cantilever segment, and the guiding port is provided on the lower cantilever segment.

[0015] Further, a plurality of telescopic support feet are provided at the bottom of the storage mechanism.

[0016] The present invention also provides a method for installing a tension leg platform, including:

[0017] Step 1, use the above-mentioned automatic installation device for suction cylinders in offshore wind power construction to grab multiple suction cylinders one by one to the corresponding anchoring positions on the seabed, and use a suction pump to complete the anchoring of the suction cylinders;

[0018] Step 2, recover the automatic installation device for suction cylinders in offshore wind power construction, and move the tension leg platform to the sea surface above the suction cylinders;

[0019] Step 3, connect the tension leg platform and the suction cylinders through tendons.

[0020] Further, Step 1 further includes: installing a plurality of tendon balancing devices at the bottom of the tension leg platform;

[0021] In Step 3, the tension leg platform is connected to the tendon through the tendon balancing device;

[0022] The tendon balancing device includes a telescopic component and a driving component. The telescopic component includes a telescopic fixed part and a telescopic movable part that are telescopically slidably engaged. The telescopic fixed part is connected to the tension leg platform, the telescopic movable part is connected to the tendon, and the driving component drives the telescopic movable part to expand and contract relative to the telescopic fixed part.

[0023] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0024] 1) Suction cylinder automatic installation device: An automatic installation device for suction cylinders is proposed, which simplifies the installation of suction cylinders through mechanized and automated processes and improves efficiency.

[0025] 2) Installation method without personnel entering the water: Different from traditional anchoring systems, the suction caisson of the present invention does not require personnel to enter the water for installation, greatly enhancing the safety of the installation process.

[0026] 3) Improve installation efficiency: The automated anchoring installation process significantly reduces manual operation time, improves the overall working efficiency, and meets the operation requirements in harsh marine environments.

[0027] 4) Dynamic balance adjustment system: The tension leg platform dynamically adjusts the force on the tendon, adjusts the force state of the platform in real time, and solves the problems of tilt and vibration caused by environmental factors such as wind, waves, and currents.

[0028] 5) Strongly adaptable design: The present invention can be adjusted according to different marine environmental conditions, enhancing the adaptability and stability of the platform and improving the overall performance. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0029] Figure 1 It is one of the structural schematic diagrams of an automatic installation device for a suction caisson used in offshore wind power construction of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 2 It is another structural schematic diagram of an automatic installation device for a suction caisson used in offshore wind power construction of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 3 It is a flow chart of an installation method for a tension leg platform of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 4 It is a structural schematic diagram when a tension leg platform of the present invention is connected to a tendon balance device, a tendon, and a suction caisson.

[0033] Figure 5 It is a structural schematic diagram of the tendon balance device of the present invention.

[0034] In the figure:

[0035] Tension leg platform 1;

[0036] Tendon balance device 2, telescopic fixing part 200, telescopic movable part 201, gear 202, housing 203, motor 204, worm gear 205, worm 206;

[0037] Tendon 3;

[0038] Suction caisson 4, suction pump 400, suction caisson adsorption part 401;

[0039] Suction cylinder automatic installation device 5, storage mechanism 500, fixed cylinder 5000, grasping mechanism 501, grasping telescopic device 5010, suction cup 5011, transverse movement seat 5012, rotary movement mechanism 502, automatic turntable 5020, cantilever 5021, lower segment of cantilever 50210, middle segment of cantilever 50211, upper segment of cantilever 50212, guiding port 50213, transverse movement component 5022, towing rope 50220, pulley 50221, telescopic support leg 503. Detailed implementation manners

[0040] Next, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all the embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0041] Please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 A suction cylinder automatic installation device for offshore wind power construction, including a storage mechanism 500, a grasping mechanism 501 and a rotary movement mechanism 502. The storage mechanism 500 stores a plurality of suction cylinders 4 at annular intervals. The grasping mechanism 501 grasps the suction cylinders 4, and the rotary movement mechanism 502 drives the grasping mechanism 501 to move and rotate, so that the grasping mechanism 501 can successively grasp the suction cylinders 4 on the storage mechanism 500 to the corresponding anchoring positions on the seabed.

[0042] Continue to refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 In an embodiment of the present invention, the storage mechanism 500 is a disc, on which a plurality of installation positions are evenly distributed in a ring. Each installation position can place a suction cylinder 4, and the installation position is a hole position. The lower end of the suction cylinder 4 is inserted into the hole position. A number of telescopic support legs 503 are evenly distributed in a ring at the bottom of the disc. The main body of the telescopic support leg 503 is a telescopic hydraulic rod, and the bottom is a circular footrest. By the telescoping of the telescopic support legs 503 at different positions, the disc can adapt to different topographies of the seabed and ensure the stability of the disc.

[0043] Continue to refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 In an embodiment of the present invention, the rotary movement mechanism 502 includes a rotary component and a transverse movement component 5022. The rotary component is arranged on the storage mechanism 500, the transverse movement component 5022 is arranged on the rotary component, the rotary component drives the transverse movement component 5022 to rotate in a circle, the grasping mechanism 501 is arranged on the transverse movement component 5022, and the transverse movement component 5022 drives the grasping mechanism 501 to move transversely along the radial direction of the circle.

[0044] Further refer to Figure 1 andFigure 2 , in an embodiment of the present invention, the rotating assembly includes an automatic turntable 5020 disposed on the storage mechanism 500 and a cantilever 5021 connected to the automatic turntable 5020. The outer main body of the automatic turntable 5020 is an annular internal gear, and the internal structure of the automatic turntable 5020 is a gearbox, including structures such as an external gear and a motor. The internal gear is sleeved on a disc, the external gear and the motor are disposed inside the disc, the external gear is located in the internal gear and meshes with the internal gear, and the motor drives the external gear to rotate, and the external gear drives the internal gear to rotate, thereby realizing the rotation function of the rotating assembly. This is a well-known technology and will not be elaborated here. The cantilever 5021 is fixed to one side of the internal gear, and when the internal gear rotates, it drives the cantilever 5021 to rotate in a circle. The grasping mechanism 501 is slidably engaged with the cantilever 5021 along the radial direction of the circumference, and a transverse movement assembly 5022 is disposed on the cantilever 5021, and the transverse movement assembly 5022 drives the grasping mechanism 501 to move along the cantilever 5021.

[0045] Specifically, the cantilever 5021 includes a lower cantilever segment 50210, an upper cantilever segment 50212 located at the upper end of the lower cantilever segment 50210, and a middle cantilever segment 50211 connecting the lower cantilever segment 50210 and the upper cantilever segment 50212. The grasping mechanism 501 is slidably engaged with the upper cantilever segment 50212, and a guiding port 50213 is disposed on the lower cantilever segment 50210. A guiding port 50213 is disposed at one end of the lower cantilever segment 50210 facing away from the automatic turntable 5020, and the guiding port 50213 corresponds to the anchoring position of the suction cylinder 4 on the seabed, and the guiding port 50213 provides guidance for the suction cylinder 4 to insert into the seabed.

[0046] Continue to refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , in an embodiment of the present invention, the grasping mechanism 501 includes a transverse movement seat 5012 slidably mounted on the upper cantilever segment 50212, a grasping telescopic device 5010 disposed on the transverse movement seat 5012, and a suction cup 5011 connected to the grasping telescopic device 5010. The grasping telescopic device 5010 drives the suction cup 5011 to lift and lower, and the suction cup 5011 adsorbs and grasps the suction cylinder 4. Among them, the grasping telescopic device 5010 is a telescopic hydraulic rod, and the suction cup 5011 is an underwater vacuum suction cup. The underwater vacuum suction cup is used in cooperation with a high-pressure pump, and the principle is similar to that of the suction cylinder. This is a well-known technology and will not be elaborated here. The grasping mechanism 501 of the present invention includes a plurality of suction cups 5011. The present invention can drive a plurality of suction cups 5011 to lift and lower together through one grasping telescopic device 5010, or can also drive a plurality of suction cups 5011 to lift and lower together through a plurality of grasping telescopic devices 5010 corresponding to each other.

[0047] Continue to refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2, in an embodiment of the present invention, the transverse movement component 5022 is preferably a winch, and its towing rope 50220 is connected to the transverse movement seat 5012. The grasping mechanism 501 is driven to move transversely by the towing rope 50220. A corresponding pulley 50221 is also installed on the upper section 50212 of the cantilever to guide the towing rope 50220.

[0048] In another embodiment of the present invention, the transverse movement component 5022 can also adopt a mechanism such as a hydraulically actuated telescopic rod for lateral movement.

[0049] Please refer to FIG. 3. The present invention also provides a method for installing a tension leg platform, including:

[0050] Step 1, install a plurality of tendon balancing devices 2 at the bottom of the tension leg platform 1. Use the automatic suction bucket installation device 5 for offshore wind power construction as described above to grasp each of the plurality of suction buckets 4 one by one to the corresponding anchoring positions on the seabed, and complete the anchoring of the suction buckets 4 using a suction pump. The specific process is as follows:

[0051] Install and fix the tendon balancing device 2 to the tension leg platform 1 at the dock, and then tow it to the designated position by a tugboat.

[0052] Automatic suction bucket installation device for offshore wind power construction: First, select the corresponding number of suction buckets 4 according to the number of tendons 3 required, and place the suction buckets 4 at the installation positions of the automatic suction bucket installation device 5 for offshore wind power construction. Subsequently, the automatic turntable 5020 rotates to drive the cantilever 5021 to rotate to a position corresponding to any one of the suction buckets 4, that is, the suction cup 5011 is above the suction bucket 4. Then, the entire automatic suction bucket installation device 5 for offshore wind power construction is hoisted underwater by a large installation ship on the sea surface. The telescopic support feet 503 are activated to adapt to the seabed for landing, and the position of the automatic suction bucket installation device 5 for offshore wind power construction is adjusted so that the guiding port 50213 is directly opposite the suction bucket anchoring position. The grasping telescopic device 5010 extends and the suction cup 5011 is activated to adsorb the suction bucket 4. The upper end of the suction bucket 4 has a corresponding suction bucket adsorption part 401 that cooperates with the suction cup 5011, and the suction bucket adsorption part 401 is an upwardly convex adsorption plane. Then, the transverse movement component works to drive the grasping mechanism 501 and the suction bucket 4 to move above the suction bucket anchoring position. The grasping mechanism 501 releases the suction bucket 4, and the suction bucket 4 falls into the seabed through the guiding port 50213. The suction pump 400 of the suction bucket 4 works, and the suction bucket 4 slowly descends until it is completely fixed in the seabed. The transverse movement component drives the grasping mechanism 501 to return to the initial point in the reverse direction, and the automatic turntable 5020 drives the cantilever 5021 to rotate above the anchoring position of the No. 2 suction bucket to repeat the above process until all the suction buckets 4 are installed. When the automatic suction bucket installation device 5 for offshore wind power construction rotates the cantilever 5021, it can not only align the guiding port 50213 with the next suction bucket anchoring position, but also align the grasping mechanism 501 with the next suction bucket 4 on the disc. There is no need to separately control the rotation of the cantilever 5021 and the rotation of the suction bucket 4 by two mechanisms, and the structure is simpler and the operation is more convenient.

[0053] Step 2: After installing the suction bucket 4, recover the automatic suction bucket installation device 5 for offshore wind power construction, and then tow the tension leg platform 1 to the sea surface above the anchoring point by a tugboat.

[0054] Step 3: Connect the tension leg platform 1 to the tendon 3 through the tendon balancing device 2.

[0055] Among them, an introduction is made to the overall structure composed of the tension leg platform 1, the tendon 3, and the suction bucket 4: A number of tendons 3 are distributed around the lower end of the tension leg platform 1. The number of tendons 3 is the same as that of the suction buckets 4. The lower ends of the tendons 3 are connected to the suction buckets 4, and the suction buckets 4 are inserted into the seabed to play an anchoring role. The tension leg platform 1 and the tendon 3 are connected through the tendon balancing device 2. The tendon balancing device 2 includes a telescopic component and a driving component. The telescopic component includes a telescopically fixedly part 200 and a telescopically movable part 201 that are telescopically slidably engaged. The telescopically fixedly part 200 is connected to the tension leg platform 1, and the telescopically movable part 201 is connected to the tendon 3. The driving component drives the telescopically movable part 201 to telescopically move relative to the telescopically fixedly part 200, thereby adjusting the tension of the tendon 3.

[0056] Continue to refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5 In an embodiment of the present invention, the telescopic movable part 201 is of a strip structure, on which there is a rack, and the telescopic fixed part 200 and the telescopic movable part 201 are in up-and-down telescopic sliding fit.

[0057] Continue to refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5 In an embodiment of the present invention, the driving component meshes with the toothed plate through the gear 202. The driving component drives the gear 202 to rotate, and then drives the toothed plate to move through the gear 202.

[0058] Specifically, the driving component includes a housing 203 and an electric worm and worm gear mechanism. The housing 203 is sleeved on the telescopic movable part 201, and the housing 203 is fixedly connected to the telescopic fixed part 200 (not shown in the drawings). In this way, the telescopic movable part 201 can move up and down in the housing 203. The electric worm and worm gear mechanism is a well-known structure, which includes a motor 204, a worm wheel 205 and a worm 206. The worm wheel 205 and the worm 206 are rotatably installed inside the housing 203. The motor 204 is connected to the worm 206. The worm wheel 205 meshes with the worm 206. The worm wheel 205 is also connected to the axle of the gear 202. The worm and worm gear mechanism drives the gear 202 to rotate. The above driving component is waterproofed in a well-known manner.

[0059] When the tendon balance device 2 works, the telescopic movable part 201 is driven to move up and down by the worm and worm gear mechanism, and then the tension force on the tendon 3 is driven, so as to optimize the balance of the entire tension leg platform 1.

[0060] It should be noted that all the electronic control structures entering the water in the present invention are waterproofed in a well-known manner.

[0061] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, for those of ordinary skill in the art, it can be understood that various changes, modifications, substitutions and variations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principle and spirit of the present invention. The scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An automatic installation device for suction cylinders for offshore wind power construction, characterized in that: include: A storage mechanism (500), wherein the storage mechanism (500) stores a plurality of suction cylinders (4) at annular intervals; A grabbing mechanism (501), wherein the grabbing mechanism (501) grabs the suction cylinder (4); A rotating movement mechanism (502) drives the grasping mechanism (501) to move and rotate, so that the grasping mechanism (501) can grasp the suction cylinders (4) on the storage mechanism (500) one by one to the corresponding anchoring positions on the seabed. The rotating movement mechanism (502) includes a rotating component and a transverse movement component (5022). The rotating component is arranged on the storage mechanism (500), and the transverse movement component (5022) is arranged on the rotating component. The rotating component drives the transverse movement component (5022) to rotate in a circle. The grasping mechanism (501) is arranged on the transverse movement component (5022). The transverse movement component (5022) drives the grasping mechanism (501) to transversely move along the radial direction of the circle. The rotating component includes a rotating component arranged on the storage mechanism The invention relates to a structure (500) comprising an automatic turntable (5020) and a cantilever (5021) connected to the automatic turntable (5020), wherein the automatic turntable (5020) drives the cantilever (5021) to rotate in a circle, and the grabbing mechanism (501) and the cantilever (5021) are in radial sliding cooperation along the circle, and the transverse movement component (5022) is arranged on the cantilever (5021), and the transverse movement component (5022) drives the grabbing mechanism (501) to move along the cantilever (5021), and a guide opening (50213) is provided at one end of the cantilever (5021) facing away from the automatic turntable (5020), wherein the guide opening (50213) corresponds to the anchoring position of the suction cylinder (4) on the seabed, and the guide opening (50213) provides guidance for the suction cylinder (4) to be inserted into the seabed.

2. The automatic installation device for suction cylinders for offshore wind power construction according to claim 1, characterized in that: The grabbing mechanism (501) comprises a grabbing telescopic device (5010) and a suction cup (5011) connected to the grabbing telescopic device (5010), wherein the grabbing telescopic device (5010) drives the suction cup (5011) to rise and fall, and the suction cup (5011) grabs the suction cylinder (4) by adsorption.

3. The automatic installation device for suction cylinders for offshore wind power construction according to claim 2, characterized in that: The gripping mechanism (501) comprises a plurality of suction cups (5011).

4. The automatic installation device for suction cylinders for offshore wind power construction according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cantilever (5021) comprises a cantilever lower section (50210), a cantilever upper section (50212) located at the upper end of the cantilever lower section (50210), and a cantilever middle section (50211) connecting the cantilever lower section (50210) and the cantilever upper section (50212); the gripping mechanism (501) is slidably engaged with the cantilever upper section (50212); and the guide opening (50213) is provided on the cantilever lower section (50210).

5. The automatic installation device for suction cylinders for offshore wind power construction according to claim 1, characterized in that: A plurality of telescopic legs (503) are provided at the bottom of the storage mechanism (500).

6. A method for installing a tension leg platform, characterized in that: include: Step 1: using the automatic suction cylinder installation device (5) for offshore wind power construction as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, a plurality of suction cylinders (4) are grabbed one by one to corresponding anchoring positions on the seabed, and the suction cylinders (4) are anchored using a suction pump (400); Step 2: Recover the automatic installation device (5) for the suction cylinder used for offshore wind power construction, and move the tension leg platform (1) to the sea surface above the suction cylinder (4); Step 3: Connect the tension leg platform (1) and the suction cylinder (4) via the tendon (3).

7. A tension leg platform installation method according to claim 6, characterized in that: The step 1 further comprises: installing a plurality of tendon balancing devices (2) at the bottom of the tension leg platform (1); In step 3, the tension leg platform (1) is connected to the tendon (3) via the tendon balancing device (2); The tendon balancing device (2) comprises a telescopic assembly and a driving assembly, wherein the telescopic assembly comprises a telescopic fixed portion (200) and a telescopic movable portion (201) that are telescopically slidably matched, the telescopic fixed portion (200) being connected to the tension leg platform (1), the telescopic movable portion (201) being connected to the tendon (3), and the driving assembly driving the telescopic movable portion (201) to telescope relative to the telescopic fixed portion (200).

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