Outer sleeve type semi-rigid connection joint suitable for offshore floating structures

Abstract

An outer sleeve type semi-rigid connecting joint suitable for being used between offshore floating structures is characterized by comprising a semi-rigid connecting piece and a connecting and fixing component. The semi-rigid connecting piece is connected with the connecting and fixing component through an elastic buffer material; the connecting and fixing component is fixed on an offshore floating structure; the semi-rigid connecting pieces are connected through supporting components. The invention has the advantages that: the fabricated structure is adopted, so that the efficiency is higher when construction and installation are carried out on the sea surface, and meanwhile, future maintenance and replacement are also facilitated; the joint can bear stress in three directions at the same time, the stress in each direction is controllable, and each part of the joint can be designed and improved to meet different sea conditions; the elastic buffer materials are arranged among the components, a certain damping effect can be achieved when the elastic buffer materials are subjected to the action of wave force, and the situation that the platform structure is damaged due to the fact that the motion amplitude response is too large is avoided.

Description

(1) Technical Field:

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of marine new energy, and particularly relates to an outer sleeve type semi-rigid connection node applicable between marine floating structures. (2) Background Art:

[0002] The ocean covers 71% of the earth's area and contains abundant clean and environment-friendly energy. Therefore, developing a floating structure capable of obtaining clean energy can facilitate the exploitation of clean resources more conveniently. The floating photovoltaic power generation system (FPV), also known as floating body photovoltaics, is a photovoltaic power generation system that uses floating bodies to install photovoltaic arrays, including floating body structures, photovoltaic modules, inverters, mooring systems, anchoring systems, submarine cables, etc. It is a type of marine structure that has received extensive attention from scientific researchers and engineering technicians at present.

[0003] Floating photovoltaics usually require multiple photovoltaic sub-arrays and multiple photovoltaic platforms, and the connection nodes between the structures of each photovoltaic platform are the key to the coordinated operation between different photovoltaic platforms. At present, marine floating structures can be roughly divided into three categories: modular marine platforms, floating breakwaters, and floating marine photovoltaic platforms. The connection structures of these platforms can usually be divided into rigid connections, flexible connections, and hinged connections.

[0004] In a complex marine environment, the floating structures are subjected to large wind, wave, and current loads, and the movement differences of different platform structures in each degree of freedom are relatively significant. Although a rigid connection can better withstand tensile and compressive loads, for the loads in the heave and sway directions, since the rigid connection restricts the relative translation and rotation between the platform structures, it will cause an increase in the force on the connection node. Moreover, a rigid connection usually needs to connect the node and the platform by means of welding, etc., which is difficult for offshore operations, and it is not convenient to replace or repair in case of damage. At the same time, it may also cause damage to the platform structure itself. A flexible connection selects only tensile materials for connection. Although its construction, replacement, and repair are relatively convenient, it cannot solve the collision problem between different floating body structures; although a hinged connection has great advantages in terms of tensile and compressive loads and releasing the rotational freedom of the angle, its production cost is high, it is difficult for offshore construction, and it is difficult to repair and replace in case of damage.

[0005] The structural size of the offshore floating photovoltaic platform is relatively small, and the node size also needs to be reduced accordingly. At the same time, to avoid damage to the platform caused by excessive wave forces, the platform is usually required to have good wave-following performance. For the currently relatively mature onshore floating photovoltaic connection nodes, since the photovoltaic is located in lakes, reservoirs, coal mine landfills, etc., these water environments are characterized by short wavelengths, slow wave speeds, slow periods, and shallow water depths. The loads applied to the structures are also much smaller than those in the ocean. Therefore, the forces on their connection nodes are relatively low. Currently, the mature connection forms include integrally formed connectors. On the one hand, the bearing capacity of such nodes is limited and it is difficult to bear the large loads of sea waves, surges, and swells. On the other hand, due to their integrally formed characteristics, the entire floating body needs to be replaced after damage. For offshore operations, maintenance is difficult and costly.

[0006] In summary, the characteristics of the connection nodes between various floating structures mentioned above cannot be directly applied to the connection between the structures of small-scale offshore floating platforms in terms of size, wave-following performance, economy, and maintenance convenience. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop an outer-sleeve semi-rigid connection node suitable for the offshore environment, which is easy to construct and replace, to meet the connection requirements between offshore structures. (III) Summary of the Invention:

[0007] The purpose of the present invention is to provide an outer-sleeve semi-rigid connection node suitable for offshore floating structures, which can solve the problems that existing rigid nodes have poor motion response, flexible nodes have weak compressive capacity, and hinged nodes have too large sizes, and none of them can be directly applied to the connection between the structures of offshore floating platforms. At the same time, it can solve the problems that existing nodes are not easy to install, replace, and maintain during offshore operations.

[0008] To achieve the above purpose, the present invention provides the following technical solutions: An outer-sleeve semi-rigid connection node suitable for offshore floating structures includes a semi-rigid connector and a connection fixing member; the semi-rigid connector is connected to the connection fixing member through an elastic buffer material; the connection fixing member is fixed on the offshore floating structure; the semi-rigid connectors are connected through a support member.

[0009] The semi-rigid connector is formed by sleeving an outer rigid sleeve and an inner elastic sleeve; the semi-rigid connector is sleeved outside the connection fixing member, and the inner elastic sleeve and the connection fixing member are filled and bonded with an elastic buffer material.

[0010] The connection fixing member includes a fixing pipe and a sealing plate at the top of the fixing pipe; after the top sealing plate is welded to the bolt, the sealing plate is fixed to the fixing pipe by welding.

[0011] Holes for passing bolts are opened on the sealing plate.

[0012] The semi-rigid connecting member is sleeved outside the fixed pipe, and the space between the inner elastic sleeve and the fixed pipe is filled and bonded with elastic buffer material.

[0013] The elastic buffer material has both strength and elasticity, and also plays a role in bonding.

[0014] The fixed pipe is fixedly connected to the offshore floating structure.

[0015] The fixed pipe is fixedly connected to the fixing member of the offshore floating structure.

[0016] The fixing members are divided into T-shaped fixing members and L-shaped fixing members.

[0017] The T-shaped fixing members and L-shaped fixing members are located at the edge of the offshore floating structure and serve as the outer frame of the offshore floating structure.

[0018] The fixed pipe is fixed to the T-shaped fixing member by welding.

[0019] After the semi-rigid connecting member is sleeved on the connecting and fixing member, an anti-detachment member is installed on the upper part of the connecting and fixing member.

[0020] A gap is left between the semi-rigid connecting member and the anti-detachment member.

[0021] The anti-detachment member is fixedly connected to the sealing plate of the connecting and fixing member.

[0022] The anti-detachment member is fixedly connected to the sealing plate by bolts, nuts and spring washers.

[0023] The anti-detachment member includes an outer rigid anti-detachment cover and an inner elastic anti-detachment cover that are mutually attached.

[0024] Holes for passing bolts are formed in the outer rigid anti-detachment cover and the inner elastic anti-detachment cover.

[0025] The support member includes an inclined support member and a horizontal support member; the two semi-rigid connecting members respectively installed on the offshore floating structures arranged side by side are connected by the horizontal support member; the two semi-rigid connecting members respectively installed on the offshore floating structures arranged diagonally are connected by the inclined support member.

[0026] Advantages of the present invention:

[0027] (1) An outer-sleeve type semi-rigid connection node between offshore floating structures adopts an assembled structure, which has higher efficiency during construction and installation on the sea surface, and is also convenient for future maintenance and replacement;

[0028] (2) An outer-sleeve semi-rigid connection joint between offshore floating structures can bear forces in three directions simultaneously, and the forces in each direction are controllable. Moreover, the design of each part of the joint can be improved to meet different sea conditions.

[0029] (3) An outer-sleeve semi-rigid connection joint between offshore floating structures is provided with elastic buffer materials between its components, which can play a certain damping effect when subjected to wave forces, avoiding damage to the platform structure caused by excessive movement amplitude response. (IV) BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:

[0030] Figure 1 An isometric view of the first connection method of an outer-sleeve semi-rigid connection joint applicable to offshore floating structures of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 2 A top view schematic diagram of the first connection method of an outer-sleeve semi-rigid connection joint applicable to offshore floating structures of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 3 A front view schematic diagram of the first connection method of an outer-sleeve semi-rigid connection joint applicable to offshore floating structures of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 4 A side view schematic diagram of the first connection method of an outer-sleeve semi-rigid connection joint applicable to offshore floating structures of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 5 A sectional view schematic diagram of an outer-sleeve semi-rigid connection joint applicable to offshore floating structures of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the second connection method of an outer-sleeve semi-rigid connection joint applicable to offshore floating structures of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 7 A top view schematic diagram of the second connection method of an outer-sleeve semi-rigid connection joint applicable to offshore floating structures of the present invention;

[0037] Figure 8 A top view schematic diagram of the semi-rigid connector 3 of an outer-sleeve semi-rigid connection joint applicable to offshore floating structures of the present invention;

[0038] Figure 9 For Figure 8 The A-A sectional view schematic diagram;

[0039] Figure 10Front view schematic diagram of the anti - detachment component 4 of an outer - sleeve semi - rigid connection node applicable to offshore floating structures of the present invention;

[0040] Figure 11 is Figure 10 A - A sectional view schematic diagram of;

[0041] Figure 12 Front view schematic diagram of the connection and fixing component 8 of an outer - sleeve semi - rigid connection node applicable to offshore floating structures of the present invention;

[0042] Figure 13 is Figure 12 A - A sectional view schematic diagram of;

[0043] Figure 14 Axonometric view schematic diagram of the T - shaped fixing part;

[0044] Figure 15 Axonometric view schematic diagram of the L - shaped fixing part;

[0045] Figure 16 Top view schematic diagram of the L - shaped fixing part.

[0046] In the figure: 1 is the T - shaped fixing part, 2 is the L - shaped fixing part, 3 is the semi - rigid connecting piece, 3 - 1 is the outer rigid sleeve, 3 - 2 is the inner elastic sleeve, 3 - 3 is the inclined support member, 3 - 4 is the elastic buffer material, 3 - 5 is the horizontal support member, 4 is the anti - detachment component, 4 - 1 is the outer rigid anti - detachment cover, 4 - 2 is the inner elastic anti - detachment cover, 5 is the bolt, 6 is the nut, 7 is the spring washer, 8 is the connection and fixing component, 8 - 1 is the fixing pipe, 8 - 2 is the sealing plate. (V) Specific implementation manner:

[0047] Example: As Figures 1 to 13 shown, an outer - sleeve semi - rigid connection node applicable to offshore floating structures includes a semi - rigid connecting piece 3 and a connection and fixing component 8; the semi - rigid connecting piece 3 is connected to the connection and fixing component 8 through an elastic buffer material 3 - 4; the connection and fixing component 8 is fixed on the offshore floating structure; the semi - rigid connecting pieces 3 are connected through support components.

[0048] The semi - rigid connecting piece 3 is formed by sleeving an outer rigid sleeve 3 - 1 and an inner elastic sleeve 3 - 2; the semi - rigid connecting piece 3 is sleeved outside the connection and fixing component 8, and the inner elastic sleeve 3 - 2 and the connection and fixing component 8 are filled and bonded with an elastic buffer material 3 - 4.

[0049] The connection and fixing component 8 includes a fixing pipe 8 - 1 and a sealing plate 8 - 2 at the top of the fixing pipe 8 - 1; after the top sealing plate 8 - 2 is welded to the bolt 5, the sealing plate 8 - 2 is fixed to the fixing pipe 8 - 1 by welding.

[0050] The sealing plate 8-2 is provided with holes through which the bolts 5 pass.

[0051] The semi-rigid connecting member 3 is sleeved outside the fixed pipe 8-1, and the inner elastic sleeve 3-2 and the fixed pipe 8-1 are filled and bonded with an elastic buffer material 3-4.

[0052] The elastic buffer material 3-4 has both strength and elasticity, and also plays a role in bonding.

[0053] The fixed pipe 8-1 is fixedly connected to the offshore floating structure.

[0054] The fixed pipe 8-1 is fixedly connected to the fixing member of the offshore floating structure.

[0055] The fixing members are divided into a T-shaped fixing member 1 and an L-shaped fixing member 2. (See Figures 14 to 16 )

[0056] The T-shaped fixing member 1 and the L-shaped fixing member 2 are located at the edge of the offshore floating structure and serve as the outer frame of the offshore floating structure.

[0057] The fixed pipe 8-1 is fixed to the T-shaped fixing member 1 by welding.

[0058] After the semi-rigid connecting member 3 is sleeved on the connecting and fixing member 8, an anti-detachment member 4 is installed on the upper part of the connecting and fixing member 8.

[0059] A gap is left between the semi-rigid connecting member 3 and the anti-detachment member 4.

[0060] The anti-detachment member 4 is fixedly connected to the sealing plate 8-2 of the connecting and fixing member 8.

[0061] The anti-detachment member 4 is fixedly connected to the sealing plate 8-2 by bolts 5, nuts 6 and spring washers 7.

[0062] The anti-detachment member 4 includes an outer rigid anti-detachment cover 4-1 and an inner elastic anti-detachment cover 4-2 that are mutually attached.

[0063] The outer rigid anti-detachment cover 4-1 and the inner elastic anti-detachment cover 4-2 are provided with holes through which the bolts 5 pass.

[0064] The support member includes an inclined support member 3-3 and a horizontal support member 3-5; as Figures 1 to 4 shown, two offshore floating structures are arranged side by side, and the two semi-rigid connecting members 3 installed on the side-by-side offshore floating structures are connected by a horizontal support member 3-5; as Figure 6 、 Figure 7As shown, four offshore floating structures are interconnected, and two semi-rigid connectors 3 installed on the diagonally arranged offshore floating structures are connected by diagonal braces 3-3 to enhance the strength and stability of the semi-rigid connectors 3.

[0065] The size of the transverse connecting steel pipes in the diagonal braces 3-3 and the horizontal braces 3-5 can be reasonably designed and determined according to the magnitude of the actual load; a gap is left between the semi-rigid connector 3 and the anti-detachment member 4 to meet the on-site installation requirements;

[0066] The edge structural members 1 of the offshore floating structure, the edge structural members 2 of the offshore floating structure, the outer rigid sleeves 3-1, the diagonal braces 3-3, the horizontal braces 3-5, the outer rigid anti-detachment covers 4-1, the fixed pipes 8-1, and the sealing plates 8-2 are all made of Q355 steel; the bolts 5, nuts 6, and spring washers 7 are all made of carbon steel or stainless steel or 45# steel; the inner elastic sleeves 3-2, the elastic buffer materials 3-4, and the inner elastic anti-detachment covers 4-2 are all made of elastic materials. The elastic material is made of corrosion-resistant polyurea.

[0067] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, the present invention is not limited to the above specific embodiments. The above embodiments are merely illustrative and not restrictive. Under the inspiration of the present invention, those of ordinary skill in the art can also make many forms without departing from the spirit of the present invention and the scope protected by the claims. All of these fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A jacket-type semi-rigid connection node suitable for use between offshore floating structures, characterized in that It comprises a semi-rigid connector and a connecting and fixing member; the semi-rigid connector is connected to the connecting and fixing member through an elastic buffer material; the connecting and fixing member is fixed on an offshore floating structure; and the semi-rigid connectors are connected through supporting components.

2. According to claim 1, a sheath-type semi-rigid connection node suitable for use between offshore floating structures, characterized in that The semi-rigid connector is formed by sleeve-joining an outer rigid sleeve and an inner elastic sleeve; the semi-rigid connector is sleeved outside the connecting and fixing component, and the inner elastic sleeve and the connecting and fixing component are filled and bonded with elastic buffer material.

3. According to claim 1, a sheath-type semi-rigid connection node suitable for use between offshore floating structures, characterized in that The connecting and fixing component includes a fixing pipe and a sealing plate on the top of the fixing pipe; after the top sealing plate is welded to the bolts, the sealing plate is fixed to the fixing pipe by welding; the sealing plate is provided with holes for passing the bolts.

4. According to claim 1, a sheath-type semi-rigid connection node suitable for use between offshore floating structures, characterized in that The semi-rigid connecting piece is sleeved outside the fixing tube, and the inner elastic sleeve and the fixing tube are filled and bonded with elastic buffer material.

5. A jacket-type semi-rigid connection node suitable for use between offshore floating structures according to claim 4, characterized in that The fixed pipe is fixedly connected to the offshore floating structure.

6. A jacket-type semi-rigid connection node suitable for use between offshore floating structures according to claim 4, characterized in that The fixed pipe is fixedly connected to a fixing piece of the offshore floating structure.

7. A jacket-type semi-rigid connection node suitable for use between offshore floating structures according to claim 6, characterized in that The fixings are divided into T-shaped fixings and L-shaped fixings; the T-shaped fixings and L-shaped fixings are located at the edge of the offshore floating structure and serve as the outer frame of the offshore floating structure; the fixing pipes are fixed to the T-shaped fixings by welding.

8. A jacket-type semi-rigid connection node suitable for use between offshore floating structures according to claim 2 or 4, characterized in that After the semi-rigid connecting piece is sleeved on the connecting and fixing component, an anti-falling component is installed on the upper part of the connecting and fixing component.

9. A jacket-type semi-rigid connection node suitable for use between offshore floating structures according to claim 8, characterized in that A gap is left between the semi-rigid connector and the anti-drop component; the anti-drop component is fixedly connected to a sealing plate connected to the fixing component; the anti-drop component comprises an outer rigid anti-drop cover and an inner elastic anti-drop cover which fit each other.

10. A jacket-type semi-rigid connection node suitable for use between offshore floating structures according to claim 1, characterized in that The support components include oblique supports and horizontal supports; two semi-rigid connectors installed on offshore floating structures arranged side by side are connected via a horizontal support; two semi-rigid connectors installed on offshore floating structures arranged diagonally are connected via an oblique support.

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