Offshore wind power foundation structure scouring real-time monitoring system and method
By linking the scale device with the hydrostatic pressure system and combining it with the automatic reset capability of the hydraulic system, the problems of accuracy and real-time performance in monitoring the scour of offshore wind power foundations have been solved, enabling high-precision, long-term scour monitoring and supporting remote risk early warning.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202511478949.7
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-10-16
- Publication Date
- 2026-02-27
AI Technical Summary
Existing offshore wind power foundation scour monitoring technologies suffer from insufficient monitoring accuracy, poor real-time performance, significant susceptibility to environmental influences, complex equipment and difficult maintenance, and the monitoring location is prone to shifting or being buried.
It employs a scale device, constraint limit device, hydrostatic pressure system, hydraulic system and control system. It uses the hydrostatic pressure principle to link with the scale device to monitor the scouring depth in real time. Combined with the hydraulic system, it realizes the automatic reset and extrication of the scale device. It uses a non-electronic exposed component design to adapt to complex marine environments.
It enables high-precision, long-term continuous monitoring of offshore wind power foundations, has strong anti-interference capabilities, automatic reset capabilities, reduces construction and operation and maintenance costs, and supports remote monitoring and risk early warning.
Smart Images
Figure CN121575801A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to the technical field of offshore wind power foundations, and in particular to a real-time monitoring system and method for scour of offshore wind power foundation structures. Background Technology
[0002] With the rapid development of offshore wind power, offshore fixed foundations are gradually moving from nearshore to deep-sea areas. Due to the complex marine environment, offshore wind power infrastructure faces severe scouring during long-term operation. Scouring is caused by the movement of substrate material due to water flow, leading to foundation exposure, decreased stability, and even catastrophic consequences such as structural overturning. Therefore, real-time monitoring of the scouring process around the foundation has become a crucial aspect of ensuring structural safety.
[0003] Current mainstream scour monitoring technologies include sonar scanning, multibeam echo sounding, underwater photography, TDR sensing, and vibration detection. While each method has its advantages and disadvantages, they generally suffer from the following problems: 1) Insufficient monitoring accuracy or real-time performance: For example, periodic artificial sonar measurements struggle to acquire continuous high-frequency data, failing to reflect rapid scouring processes over short periods. 2) High susceptibility to environmental influences: Seabed conditions often include strong siltation, wave disturbances, and biological attachment, leading to significant signal attenuation in optical / acoustic equipment. 3) Complex equipment and difficult maintenance: Traditional methods often rely on large measurement platforms or expensive precision instruments, unsuitable for long-term deployment or high-density point deployment. 4) Monitoring locations are prone to shifting or burial: Sensors may experience data distortion or loss due to settling or burial by silt during use.
[0004] Therefore, the industry urgently needs a scour monitoring device that is simple in structure, has strong anti-interference capabilities, automatic calibration and reset capabilities, and can work continuously online to meet the long-term, high-precision monitoring needs of basic scour in complex marine environments. Summary of the Invention
[0005] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and provide a real-time monitoring system for scour of offshore wind power foundations. This system can monitor the scour of wind power foundations in real time, effectively ensuring the safety of offshore wind power foundations and meeting the long-term, high-precision scour monitoring requirements of wind power foundations in complex marine environments.
[0006] Another objective of this invention is to provide a method for real-time monitoring of scour of offshore wind power foundation structures.
[0007] The objective of this invention is achieved through the following technical solution: A real-time monitoring system for scour of offshore wind turbine foundations includes a scale device, a constraint limiting device, a hydrostatic pressure system, a hydraulic system, and a control system. The scale device is movably mounted on the lower outer side of the wind turbine foundation via the constraint limiting device, with its bottom in contact with the mud surface. The constraint limiting device ensures the scale device remains vertical. The hydrostatic pressure system includes a water tank, a sealed water pipe, a water pressure sensor, and a water level sensor. The bottom end of the sealed water pipe is sealed to the top end of the scale device, and its top end is connected to the water tank. The water tank is located on a platform inside the wind turbine foundation. The water pressure sensor is located at the connection between the sealed water pipe and the scale device for real-time monitoring of the water pressure in the sealed water pipe. An overflow port is located at a preset height on the upper part of the sealed water pipe to maintain the free liquid level within the sealed water pipe at the preset height. A water level sensor is installed on the inner wall of the sealed water pipe, located below the overflow outlet, to monitor the free liquid level inside the sealed water pipe in real time. The hydraulic system is connected to a scale device to drive the scale device upward so that its bottom detaches from the soil below and remains in contact with the mud surface. The control system is communicatively connected to the water pressure sensor, water level sensor, water storage tank, and hydraulic system to control the actions of the water storage tank and hydraulic system to calibrate the scale device, obtain the initial nominal value of the water pressure sensor, calculate the original mud surface elevation before flushing based on the initial nominal value, calculate the mud surface elevation after flushing based on the real-time monitoring data of the water level sensor, and then calculate the real-time flushing depth based on the original mud surface elevation before flushing and the mud surface elevation after flushing. When the real-time flushing depth exceeds a preset safety threshold, an alarm signal is issued to realize remote monitoring and risk warning of the wind power foundation.
[0008] Furthermore, the scale device includes a bottom cone, a middle upright, and a top cone that are detachably connected in sequence.
[0009] Furthermore, the bottom cone has an overall structure that is larger at the bottom and smaller at the top, and it is detachably connected to the middle upright. The middle upright is a circular tube structure. The top cone has an overall structure that is smaller at the bottom and larger at the top, with a hollow sealed cavity at the top and a smooth transition between its lower part and the middle upright.
[0010] Furthermore, the lower part of the sealed water pipe is a deformable section that can move freely as the scale device moves up and down, while the upper part is a rigid section that does not change position as the deformable section moves.
[0011] Furthermore, the hydraulic system includes a hydraulic station and hydraulic pipelines. The hydraulic station is set on a platform inside the wind power foundation. The top of the hydraulic pipeline is connected to the hydraulic station, and its bottom is connected to the bottom surface of the hollow sealed cavity of the top cone of the scale device. The scale device is driven by the hydraulic station to rise with the hydraulic pipeline so that the scale device can get out of trouble and fall back to the bottom.
[0012] Furthermore, there are two constraint limiting devices arranged side by side, one end of which is fixed to the lower outer surface of the wind turbine foundation and located at a set height above the mud surface. The other end forms an annular structure for limiting the ruler device. The inner diameter of the annular structure is larger than the outer diameter of the middle upright of the ruler device. The two constraint limiting devices ensure that the ruler device is always in a vertical state.
[0013] Furthermore, before the wind power foundation is constructed, the constraint limiting device is fixed to the lower outer surface of the wind power foundation by welding, or after the wind power foundation is constructed, the constraint limiting device is fixed to the lower outer surface of the wind power foundation by strong magnets.
[0014] Furthermore, the control system includes a sensor signal acquisition module, an actuator drive module, and a logic judgment module. The sensor signal acquisition module continuously receives the free liquid level height signal from the water level sensor. If the free liquid level height is lower than a preset height, the control system triggers the opening of the water outlet valve of the water storage tank. When the free liquid level rises back to the overflow port height and liquid flows out, the control system immediately closes the water outlet valve to achieve a constant free liquid level height. The actuator drive module controls the hydraulic system to apply pressure to drive the scale device to rise slowly. When the real-time monitoring data of the water pressure sensor equals the initial nominal value... The system determines that the top of the measuring device has returned to its original mud surface position, then controls the hydraulic system to stop pressurizing and slowly depressurize, completing the freeing and re-sinking of the measuring device. The logic judgment module is used to calculate the original mud surface elevation before scouring based on the initial nominal value, calculate the mud surface elevation after scouring based on the real-time monitoring data of the water level sensor, and then calculate the real-time scouring depth based on the original mud surface elevation before scouring and the mud surface elevation after scouring. When the real-time scouring depth is greater than the preset safety threshold, an alarm signal is output to the wind power foundation control platform or maintenance terminal through the communication module to realize remote monitoring and risk warning of the wind power foundation.
[0015] Furthermore, the logic judgment module performs the following operations: Calculate the distance L3 from the preset height of the free liquid surface in the sealed water pipe to the top of the scale device based on the initial nominal value P0. L3 = P0 / p / g Where p is the water density in the sealed water pipe, and g is the gravitational acceleration of the sealed water pipe; Calculate the original mud surface elevation H1 before flushing based on the distance L3 from the preset height of the free liquid surface to the top of the scale device. H1 = H0 - L3 - L0 Where L0 is the length of the scale device, and H0 is the preset elevation of the free liquid surface of the sealed water pipe; The free liquid level in the sealed water pipe is maintained at a preset height. As the scale device descends with the deepening of the flushing pit, the elevation H2 of the mud surface after flushing is calculated based on the real-time monitoring data from the water level sensor. H2 = H0 - P1 / p / g - L0, P1 represents the real-time monitoring data from the water level sensor. The real-time scour depth H3 is calculated based on the original mud surface elevation before scour and the mud surface elevation after scour. H3 = H1 - H2 An alarm signal is issued when the real-time scouring depth exceeds a preset safety threshold, enabling remote monitoring and risk warning of wind power foundations.
[0016] Another objective of this invention is achieved through the following technical solution: A method for real-time monitoring of scour of offshore wind power foundation structures, implemented based on the aforementioned real-time monitoring system for scour of offshore wind power foundation structures, includes, S1. Before calibrating the water pressure sensor, make the bottom of the scale device stand on the original mud surface before flushing, and the overflow port of the sealed water pipe be at the preset height position. Release the water tank through the control system, and stop releasing water when the free liquid level in the sealed water pipe reaches the overflow port, i.e., the preset height position. S2. Apply pressure to the measuring device through the hydraulic system to detach the measuring device from the mud surface, and then release the hydraulic pressure to allow the measuring device to fall to the ground. S3. Repeat step S2 multiple times. Once the water pressure sensor data is stable, record the current water pressure sensor data as the initial nominal value P0 into the control system to complete the calibration. S4. Calculate the distance L3 from the preset height of the free liquid surface in the sealed water pipe to the top of the scale device based on the initial nominal value P0. L3 = P0 / p / g Where p is the water density in the sealed water pipe, and g is the gravitational acceleration of the sealed water pipe; S5. Calculate the original mud surface elevation H1 before flushing based on the distance L3 from the preset height of the free liquid surface to the top of the scale device. H1 = H0 - L3 - L0 Where L0 is the length of the scale device, and H0 is the preset elevation of the free liquid surface of the sealed water pipe; S6. Maintain the free liquid level in the sealed water pipe at a preset height. As the scale device descends with the deepening of the flushing pit, calculate the mud surface elevation H2 after flushing based on the real-time monitoring data from the water level sensor. H2 = H0 - P1 / p / g - L0, P1 represents the real-time monitoring data from the water level sensor. S7. Calculate the real-time scouring depth H3 based on the original mud surface elevation before scouring and the mud surface elevation after scouring. H3 = H1 - H2 S8. When the real-time scouring depth exceeds the preset safety threshold, an alarm signal is issued to realize remote monitoring and risk warning of wind power foundations.
[0017] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages and beneficial effects: 1. High-precision scour measurement that achieves physical quantity conversion: This invention uses the hydrostatic pressure principle and a scale device to calculate the scour depth in real time. It is more reliable than traditional sonar and optical monitoring systems, and is not affected by seabed sediment turbidity, and has strong anti-interference ability.
[0018] 2. Automatic reset and extrication capabilities: This invention uses a hydraulic system to prevent the scale device from being buried by soil, solving the measurement distortion problem of traditional sensors under deep burial or subsidence conditions, and effectively improving monitoring accuracy.
[0019] 3. Enhanced adaptability to marine environments: This invention adopts a purely mechanical structure and non-exposed electronic components to avoid performance degradation caused by seawater corrosion, electromagnetic interference, or biological adhesion.
[0020] 4. Facilitates rapid deployment and maintenance: This invention adopts a detachable modular design, which is suitable for new or existing foundations, reducing construction and operation and maintenance costs.
[0021] 5. Support for long-term online monitoring and early warning: This invention is integrated with the platform control system to realize real-time assessment and early warning of the structural health of offshore wind power foundations.
[0022] In summary, this invention can significantly improve the monitoring accuracy and response speed of the scouring process in offshore wind power projects, and provide reliable data support for basic stability assessment and operation and maintenance strategies. Attached Figure Description
[0023] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the monitoring system of the present invention. Figure 1 .
[0024] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the monitoring system of the present invention. Figure 2 .
[0025] Figure 3 for Figure 2 A magnified view of a portion of point A in the middle.
[0026] Figure 4 for Figure 2 A magnified view of a section at point B in the middle.
[0027] Figure 5 for Figure 2A magnified view of a section at point C.
[0028] Figure 6 for Figure 4 A magnified view of a section at point D.
[0029] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the scale device descending as the scour pit deepens.
[0030] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram illustrating how a hydraulic system is used to free the scale device and allow it to return to the bottom.
[0031] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the monitoring system of the present invention. Detailed Implementation
[0032] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are some embodiments of the present invention, but not all embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.
[0033] Example 1: like Figures 1 to 6As shown, this embodiment provides a real-time monitoring system for scour of offshore wind power foundation structures, including a scale device 1, a hydrostatic pressure system 2, a hydraulic system 3, a control system (not shown in the figure), and a constraint limiting device 5. The scale device 1 is movably mounted on the lower outer side of the wind power foundation 4 via the constraint limiting device 5, and its bottom is in contact with the mud surface. The constraint limiting device 5 ensures that the scale device 1 is always in a vertical state, avoiding displacement caused by fluid disturbance or external force, and ensuring monitoring accuracy. The hydrostatic pressure system 2 includes a water storage tank 201, a sealed water pipe 202, a water pressure sensor 203, and a water level sensor 204. The sealed water pipe 202... The bottom end of the sealed water pipe 202 is sealed to the top end of the scale device 1, and its top end is connected to the water storage tank 201. The lower part of the sealed water pipe 202 is a deformable section, which can move freely with the up and down movement of the scale device 1. The upper part is a rigid section, which does not change position with the movement of the deformable section. The water storage tank 201 is set on the platform 401 inside the wind power foundation 4. The water pressure sensor 203 is set at the connection between the sealed water pipe 202 and the scale device 1 to monitor the water pressure of the sealed water pipe 202 in real time. The upper part of the sealed water pipe 202 is provided with an overflow port 2021 at a preset height position. The water pressure of the sealed water pipe 202 is released through the overflow port 2021. The height of the free liquid level 2022 inside the sealed water pipe 202 is maintained at a preset height. A water level sensor 204 is installed on the inner wall of the sealed water pipe 202 and below the overflow port 2021 to monitor the height of the free liquid level 2022 inside the sealed water pipe 202 in real time. When the height of the free liquid level 2022 is lower than the preset height, the control system controls the water storage tank 201 to discharge water to raise the height of the free liquid level 2022. The hydraulic system 3 is connected to the scale device 1 to drive the scale device 1 to move upward so that its bottom is detached from the soil below and keeps in contact with the mud surface, so as to realize the reset or displacement correction of the scale device 1. The control system is connected to the water... The pressure sensor 203, water level sensor 204, water storage tank 201, and hydraulic system 3 are connected for communication. The system controls the movement of water storage tank 201 and hydraulic system 3 to calibrate the scale device 1 to obtain the initial nominal value of the water pressure sensor 203. The system calculates the original mud surface elevation before scouring based on the initial nominal value, and calculates the mud surface elevation after scouring based on the real-time monitoring data of water level sensor 204. The system then calculates the real-time scouring depth based on the original mud surface elevation before scouring and the mud surface elevation after scouring. When the real-time scouring depth exceeds the preset safety threshold, an alarm signal is issued to realize remote monitoring and risk warning of the wind power foundation.
[0034] The scale device 1 is made of lightweight, high-strength, and corrosion-resistant material, featuring light weight and strong corrosion resistance. The entire device is detachable, comprising a bottom cone 101, a middle upright 102, and a top cone 103, which are detachably connected in sequence. The bottom cone 101 has a bottom-larger-top-smaller structure and is detachably connected to the middle upright 102. The middle upright 102 is a cylindrical structure. The top cone 103 has a bottom-smaller-top-larger structure, with a hollow sealed cavity at the top and a smooth transition between its lower part and the middle upright 102. The hollow sealed cavity structure has high strength and minimal deformation underwater.
[0035] Water pressure sensor 203 and water level sensor 204 have a waterproof rating of IP68 or higher, and the sensor signals are transmitted through signal lines integrated inside the sealed water pipe 202.
[0036] The hydraulic system 3 includes a hydraulic station 301 and a hydraulic pipeline 302. The hydraulic station 301 is installed on the platform 401 inside the wind power foundation 4. The top of the hydraulic pipeline 302 is connected to the hydraulic station 301, and its bottom is connected to the bottom surface of the hollow sealed cavity of the top cone 103. The connection area is 303. The hydraulic station 301 drives the scale device 1 to rise with the hydraulic pipeline 302 so that the scale device 1 can get out of trouble and fall back to the bottom.
[0037] The constraint limiting device 5 is made of high-strength corrosion-resistant material. There are two of them, arranged side by side, one above the other. One end of the constraint limiting device 5 is fixed to the lower outer surface of the wind turbine foundation 4 and located at a set height above the mud surface. The other end forms an annular structure for limiting the ruler device 1. The inner diameter of the annular structure is larger than the outer diameter of the middle upright 102 of the ruler device 1. The two constraint limiting devices 5 ensure that the ruler device 1 is always in a vertical state. Before the construction of the wind turbine foundation 4, the constraint limiting device 5 can be fixed to the lower outer surface of the wind turbine foundation 4 by welding, or after the construction of the wind turbine foundation 4, the constraint limiting device 5 can be fixed to the lower outer surface of the wind turbine foundation 4 by strong magnets.
[0038] The control system includes a sensor signal acquisition module, an actuator drive module, and a logic judgment module. The sensor signal acquisition module continuously receives the free liquid level height signal from the water level sensor 204. If the free liquid level height is lower than the preset height, the control system triggers the opening of the outlet valve of the water storage tank 201. When the free liquid level rises back to the overflow port 2021 and liquid flows out, the control system immediately closes the outlet valve to achieve a constant free liquid level height. The actuator drive module periodically or based on abnormal water pressure data triggers the hydraulic system 3 to operate. The hydraulic system 3 applies pressure to drive the scale device 1 to rise slowly. When the real-time monitoring data of the water pressure sensor 203 is equal to or close to the initial nominal value, it is determined that the top of the scale device 1 has returned to the original mud surface 6 position, and then the hydraulic system is controlled. 3. Stop pressurizing and slowly depressurize to complete the freeing and re-sinking of the scale device 1; the logic judgment module is used to calculate the original mud surface elevation before scouring based on the initial nominal value, calculate the mud surface elevation after scouring based on the real-time monitoring data of the water level sensor 204, and then calculate the real-time scouring depth based on the original mud surface elevation before scouring and the mud surface elevation after scouring. When the real-time scouring depth is greater than the preset safety threshold, the communication module outputs an alarm signal to the wind power foundation 4 control platform or maintenance terminal to realize remote monitoring and risk warning of the wind power foundation 4; the communication module supports industrial communication protocols such as MODBUS, CAN or Ethernet, and can upload the collected data to the wind power foundation 4 control platform in real time for long-term trend analysis and structural safety assessment, and supports local data caching and fault diagnosis.
[0039] The logic judgment module performs the following operations: Calculate the distance L3 from the preset height of the free liquid surface in the sealed water pipe to the top of the scale device based on the initial nominal value P0. L3 = P0 / p / g Where p is the water density in the sealed water pipe, and g is the gravitational acceleration of the sealed water pipe; Calculate the original mud surface elevation H1 before flushing based on the distance L3 from the preset height of the free liquid surface to the top of the scale device. H1 = H0 - L3 - L0 Where L0 is the length of the scale device, and H0 is the preset elevation of the free liquid surface of the sealed water pipe; The free liquid level in the sealed water pipe is maintained at a preset height. As the scale device descends with the deepening of the flushing pit, the elevation H2 of the mud surface after flushing is calculated based on the real-time monitoring data from the water level sensor. H2 = H0 - P1 / p / g - L0, P1 represents the real-time monitoring data from the water level sensor. The real-time scour depth H3 is calculated based on the original mud surface elevation before scour and the mud surface elevation after scour. H3 = H1 - H2 An alarm signal is issued when the real-time scouring depth exceeds a preset safety threshold, enabling remote monitoring and risk warning of wind power foundations.
[0040] Example 2: like Figures 7 to 9 As shown, this embodiment provides a method for real-time monitoring of scour of offshore wind power foundation structures, implemented based on the real-time monitoring system for scour of offshore wind power foundation structures described in Embodiment 1, including: S1. Before calibrating the water pressure sensor, make the bottom of the scale device 1 located at the original mud surface 6 before flushing, and the overflow port of the sealed water pipe located at the preset height position. Release the water storage tank through the control system, and stop releasing water when the free liquid level in the sealed water pipe reaches the overflow port, i.e., the preset height position. S2. Apply pressure to the measuring device through the hydraulic system to detach the measuring device from the mud surface, and then release the hydraulic pressure to allow the measuring device to fall to the ground. S3. Repeat step S2 multiple times. Once the water pressure sensor data is stable, record the current water pressure sensor data as the initial nominal value P0 into the control system to complete the calibration. S4. Calculate the distance L3 from the preset height of the free liquid surface in the sealed water pipe to the top of the scale device based on the initial nominal value P0. L3 = P0 / p / g Where p is the water density in the sealed water pipe, and g is the gravitational acceleration of the sealed water pipe; S5. Calculate the original mud surface elevation H1 before flushing based on the distance L3 from the preset height of the free liquid surface to the top of the scale device. H1 = H0 - L3 - L0 Where L0 is the length of the scale device, and H0 is the preset elevation of the free liquid surface of the sealed water pipe; S6. Maintain the free liquid level of the sealed water pipe at a preset height. The control system monitors the water level sensor data near the overflow port in real time. When the free liquid level drops, it controls the water storage tank to release water. When water flows out of the overflow port, it closes the water storage tank, thereby keeping the free liquid level constant near the overflow port. As the scale device descends with the deepening of the scour pit, the elevation H2 of the mud surface after scour is calculated based on the real-time monitoring data from the water level sensor. H2 = H0 - P1 / p / g - L0, P1 represents the real-time monitoring data from the water level sensor. S7. Calculate the real-time scouring depth H3 based on the original mud surface elevation before scouring and the mud surface elevation after scouring. H3 = H1 - H2 S8. When the real-time scouring depth exceeds the preset safety threshold, an alarm signal is issued to realize remote monitoring and risk warning of wind power foundations.
[0041] In addition, in actual monitoring, if the scale device is buried in the mud underwater, the scour depth measurement data is not the true data. Therefore, it is necessary to use a hydraulic station to gradually and slowly apply a certain amount of hydraulic pressure to the hydraulic pipeline, so that the water pressure sensor reading increases slowly until it reaches the initial nominal value. Then, stop pressurizing and slowly release the hydraulic pressure. When there is no hydraulic pressure, the scale device will stand upright on the mud surface after scour.
[0042] The minimum hydraulic pressure provided by the hydraulic station = underwater gravity of the scale device + downward pressure generated by the water pressure of the sealed water pipe acting on the scale device + friction force of sand acting on the scale device. Assuming the liquid medium of the hydrostatic system is fresh water with a density of 1000 kg / m^3, the underwater buoyancy of the scale device is designed to be 10 kg, the radius of the hydraulic pipeline connection area 303 is 4 cm, the distance L3 from the preset height of the free liquid surface of the sealed water pipe to the top of the scale device is 35 m, and the radius of the connection area between the sealed water pipe and the top of the scale device is 1 cm, then the minimum hydraulic pressure required is 10 * 9.81 + 10^3 * 9.81 * 35 * 3.14 * 0.01^2 = 206 N, which corresponds to a hydraulic pressure of approximately 41 kPa (= 206 / (3.14 * 0.04^2) Pa).
[0043] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any equivalent substitutions or modifications made by those skilled in the art within the scope disclosed in the present invention, based on the technical solution and inventive concept of the present invention, shall fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.
Claims
1. A real-time monitoring system for scour of offshore wind power foundations, characterized in that: The system includes a scale device, a constraint limiting device, a hydrostatic pressure system, a hydraulic system, and a control system. The scale device is movably mounted on the lower outer side of the wind turbine foundation via the constraint limiting device, with its bottom in contact with the mud surface. The constraint limiting device ensures that the scale device is always in a vertical position. The hydrostatic pressure system includes a water storage tank, a sealed water pipe, a water pressure sensor, and a water level sensor. The bottom end of the sealed water pipe is sealed to the top end of the scale device, and its top end is connected to the water storage tank, which is located on a platform inside the wind turbine foundation. The water pressure sensor is located at the connection between the sealed water pipe and the scale device to monitor the water pressure in the sealed water pipe in real time. An overflow port is located at a preset height on the upper part of the sealed water pipe to maintain the free liquid level in the sealed water pipe at a preset height. The inner wall of the sealed water pipe is located... A water level sensor is installed below the overflow outlet to monitor the free liquid level inside the sealed water pipe in real time. The hydraulic system is connected to the scale device to drive the scale device to move upward so that its bottom detaches from the soil below and keeps it in contact with the mud surface. The control system is communicatively connected to the water pressure sensor, water level sensor, water storage tank, and hydraulic system to control the actions of the water storage tank and hydraulic system to calibrate the scale device, obtain the initial nominal value of the water pressure sensor, calculate the original mud surface elevation before flushing based on the initial nominal value, calculate the mud surface elevation after flushing based on the real-time monitoring data of the water level sensor, and then calculate the real-time flushing depth based on the original mud surface elevation before flushing and the mud surface elevation after flushing. When the real-time flushing depth exceeds a preset safety threshold, an alarm signal is issued to realize remote monitoring and risk warning of the wind power foundation.
2. The real-time monitoring system for scour of offshore wind power foundations according to claim 1, characterized in that: The scale device includes a bottom cone, a middle upright, and a top cone that are detachably connected in sequence.
3. The real-time monitoring system for scour of offshore wind power foundations according to claim 2, characterized in that: The bottom cone has a structure that is larger at the bottom and smaller at the top. It is detachably connected to the middle upright. The middle upright is a cylindrical structure. The top cone has a structure that is smaller at the bottom and larger at the top. Its upper part is a hollow sealed cavity, and its lower part smoothly transitions to the middle upright.
4. The real-time monitoring system for scour of offshore wind power foundations according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lower part of the sealed water pipe is a deformable section that can move freely as the scale device moves up and down, while the upper part is a rigid section that does not change position as the deformable section moves.
5. The real-time monitoring system for scour of offshore wind power foundations according to claim 1, characterized in that: The hydraulic system includes a hydraulic station and hydraulic pipelines. The hydraulic station is set on a platform inside the wind power foundation. The top of the hydraulic pipeline is connected to the hydraulic station, and its bottom is connected to the bottom surface of the hollow sealed cavity of the top cone of the scale device. The scale device is driven by the hydraulic station to rise with the hydraulic pipeline so that the scale device can get out of trouble and fall back to the bottom.
6. The real-time monitoring system for scour of offshore wind power foundations according to claim 1, characterized in that: There are two constraint limiting devices, arranged side by side, one end of which is fixed to the lower outer surface of the wind power foundation and located at a set height above the mud surface. The other end forms an annular structure for limiting the ruler device. The inner diameter of the annular structure is larger than the outer diameter of the middle upright of the ruler device. The two constraint limiting devices ensure that the ruler device is always in a vertical state.
7. The real-time monitoring system for scour of offshore wind power foundations according to claim 6, characterized in that: Before the construction of the wind power foundation, the restraint and limiting device is fixed to the lower outer surface of the wind power foundation by welding, or after the construction of the wind power foundation, the restraint and limiting device is fixed to the lower outer surface of the wind power foundation by strong magnets.
8. The real-time monitoring system for scour of offshore wind power foundations according to claim 1, characterized in that: The control system includes a sensor signal acquisition module, an actuator drive module, and a logic judgment module. The sensor signal acquisition module continuously receives the free liquid level signal from the water level sensor. If the free liquid level is lower than a preset height, the control system triggers the opening of the water outlet valve of the storage tank. When the free liquid level rises back to the overflow port height and liquid flows out, the control system immediately closes the outlet valve to maintain a constant free liquid level. The actuator drive module controls the hydraulic system to apply pressure to drive the scale device to rise slowly. A judgment is made when the real-time monitoring data from the water pressure sensor equals the initial nominal value. The top of the broken gauge device has returned to its original mud surface position. Subsequently, the hydraulic system is controlled to stop pressurizing and slowly depressurize, completing the extrication of the gauge device and its re-entry to the bottom. The logic judgment module is used to calculate the original mud surface elevation before scouring based on the initial nominal value, calculate the mud surface elevation after scouring based on the real-time monitoring data of the water level sensor, and then calculate the real-time scouring depth based on the original mud surface elevation before scouring and the mud surface elevation after scouring. When the real-time scouring depth is greater than the preset safety threshold, an alarm signal is output to the wind power foundation control platform or maintenance terminal through the communication module to realize remote monitoring and risk warning of the wind power foundation.
9. The real-time monitoring system for scour of offshore wind power foundations according to claim 8, characterized in that, The logic judgment module performs the following operations: Calculate the distance L3 from the preset height of the free liquid surface in the sealed water pipe to the top of the scale device based on the initial nominal value P0. L3 = P0 / p / g Where p is the water density in the sealed water pipe, and g is the gravitational acceleration of the sealed water pipe; Calculate the original mud surface elevation H1 before flushing based on the distance L3 from the preset height of the free liquid surface to the top of the scale device. H1 = H0 - L3 - L0 Where L0 is the length of the scale device, and H0 is the preset elevation of the free liquid surface of the sealed water pipe; The free liquid level in the sealed water pipe is maintained at a preset height. As the scale device descends with the deepening of the flushing pit, the elevation H2 of the mud surface after flushing is calculated based on the real-time monitoring data from the water level sensor. H2 = H0 - P1 / p / g - L0, P1 represents the real-time monitoring data from the water level sensor. The real-time scour depth H3 is calculated based on the original mud surface elevation before scour and the mud surface elevation after scour. H3 = H1 - H2 An alarm signal is issued when the real-time scouring depth exceeds a preset safety threshold, enabling remote monitoring and risk warning of wind power foundations.
10. A method for real-time monitoring of scour of offshore wind power foundation structures, characterized in that, Based on the real-time monitoring system for scour of offshore wind power foundations according to any one of claims 1 to 9, including, S1. Before calibrating the water pressure sensor, make the bottom of the scale device stand on the original mud surface before flushing, and the overflow port of the sealed water pipe be at the preset height position. Release the water tank through the control system, and stop releasing water when the free liquid level in the sealed water pipe reaches the overflow port, i.e., the preset height position. S2. Apply pressure to the measuring device through the hydraulic system to detach the measuring device from the mud surface, and then release the hydraulic pressure to allow the measuring device to fall to the ground. S3. Repeat step S2 multiple times. Once the water pressure sensor data is stable, record the current water pressure sensor data as the initial nominal value P0 into the control system to complete the calibration. S4. Calculate the distance L3 from the preset height of the free liquid surface in the sealed water pipe to the top of the scale device based on the initial nominal value P0. L3 = P0 / p / g Where p is the water density in the sealed water pipe, and g is the gravitational acceleration of the sealed water pipe; S5. Calculate the original mud surface elevation H1 before flushing based on the distance L3 from the preset height of the free liquid surface to the top of the scale device. H1 = H0 - L3 - L0 Where L0 is the length of the scale device, and H0 is the preset elevation of the free liquid surface of the sealed water pipe; S6. Maintain the free liquid level in the sealed water pipe at a preset height. As the scale device descends with the deepening of the flushing pit, calculate the mud surface elevation H2 after flushing based on the real-time monitoring data from the water level sensor. H2 = H0 - P1 / p / g - L0, P1 represents the real-time monitoring data from the water level sensor. S7. Calculate the real-time scouring depth H3 based on the original mud surface elevation before scouring and the mud surface elevation after scouring. H3 = H1 - H2 S8. When the real-time scouring depth exceeds the preset safety threshold, an alarm signal is issued to realize remote monitoring and risk warning of wind power foundations.