Pile turning device and method

Abstract

In a first aspect, the carriage of the apparatus for turning over a pile is provided with movable fender pads at respective lateral sides of the carriage. The fender pads together with base supports form an inward facing surface of the carriage against which the pile rests during turning over, the inward facing surface of the carriage defining an inner space for the pile inside the carriage, the radial movement of the supported pile being limited to the inner space. Each fender pad is controllably movable into a tilted fender position by one or more fender pad actuators, in which fender position the fender pad is tilted at an acute angle relative to the median plane towards the base supports. In a second aspect, the pile end support structure has left and right connector beams hinged at their upper ends to the carriage and a pile support beam hinged at both ends to the lower ends of the connector beams. When the pivot structure is in a vertical position together with the pile, the connector hinge axes and the support hinge axes are horizontal.

Description

[0001] The installation process of offshore piles typically involves transporting the piles horizontally to the offshore installation location, then flipping the piles to a vertical orientation, and then lowering the vertically oriented piles to the seabed for installation, for example, by driving the piles into the seabed using a pile drive mechanism. For example, a pile is a monopile used as the foundation for an offshore wind turbine.

[0002] To complete the installation of piles, it is known to use a vessel equipped with a crane for handling the piles, a dedicated tilting device, and a dedicated pile retainer device, distinct from the tilting device. Here, the tilting device is used only during the tilting process, where the upper end of the pile is lifted by the vessel's crane. Here, the pile retainer device—also referred to in the art as a pile clamp—is used only to guide the tilted pile as it is vertically lowered toward the seabed and subsequently driven into the seabed. These devices can be arranged at different locations on the vessel, for example, side-by-side. It is known to use a crane and a dedicated tilting device to tilt the piles, and then use the crane to transfer the tilted piles to the vessel's dedicated pile retainer device, which is then used to vertically guide the piles toward the seabed and into the seabed. In another known arrangement, the tilting device is positioned adjacent to the dedicated pile retainer device, such that the tilted piles can be engaged by the pile retainer device without the need for transfer by means of a crane.

[0003] It is also known to use vessels equipped with integrated tilting and retaining devices to complete the installation of piles. Here, the piles are tilted using a crane and the integrated device, and then vertically lowered to the seabed while being guided by the integrated device. In this known method, it is also unnecessary to transfer the tilted piles to a remotely positioned dedicated pile retainer device.

[0004] To accomplish the flipping, a special flipping device is known to be used, which supports the pile at its bottom section while rotating it from a horizontal orientation to a vertical orientation. This is achieved by lifting the upper end of the pile with the aid of a crane.

[0005] Known tilting devices and integrated tilting and holding devices typically include a support assembly and a pivoting structure. The support assembly is configured to be installed on or on the deck of a vessel. The pivoting structure has a bracket hinged to the support assembly about a horizontal hinge axis. The pivoting structure is configured to support the pile in its supported position such that the central longitudinal axis of the pile lies on the vertical central plane of the pivoting structure. The central plane of the pivoting structure extends in a laterally centered fore-and-aft plane. When the support assembly is installed on the vessel deck, the tilting device enables the pivoting structure, together with the pile in the supported position, to pivot about the horizontal hinge axis from a horizontal loading position to a vertical position by lifting the upper end of the pile using a crane on the vessel. In the horizontal loading position and the vertical position, the pile axis of the supported pile is horizontal and vertical, respectively.

[0006] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a flipping device and method.

[0007] The overturning device according to the invention is of the type used only for overturning. After overturning, the pile is moved forward through the opening of the bracket by means of a crane and removed from the bracket, and while being suspended from the crane, it is placed in a special pile retainer, also known in the art as a pile gripper, for lowering the pile toward the seabed.

[0008] The pivoting structure of the tilting device includes a bracket. This bracket is used to laterally support the pile at least at the rear portion of its circumference. For example, viewed from a side view, the pile is located within the bracket, for example, entirely within the bracket, with at least a large portion of its diameter inside. In practical embodiments, the tilting device is configured to support a series of piles of different diameters. For example, as observed in a side view, the smallest pile is completely within the outline of the bracket, and the largest pile is located within the outline with a large portion of its diameter inside. The bracket provides at least forward support to the pile by means of a central base support.

[0009] The pivoting structure also includes a foot support structure. The foot support structure includes at least one connector member connected to the bracket, which extends downward from the bracket toward the foot of the pile when viewed in a vertical position. At least one connector member has a lower end supporting a foot support member for upward support of the pile at the foot of the pile in a non-horizontal orientation. In an embodiment, the pivoting structure includes two connector members, typically in the form of two connector beams, supporting a foot support member, typically in the form of a transverse pile support beam, extending between their lower ends. The two connector members are connected to the bracket at their upper ends. This arrangement is more suitable for the currently envisioned large and heavy monopiles.

[0010] The use of the tilting device involves positioning it in a state in which it can receive the pile in a horizontally oriented support position, and then engaging and positioning the pile to be tilted into the tilting device, i.e., with the pile to be tilted abutting its rearward surface against the base support and its foot end longitudinally against the foot support member. This positioning is typically accomplished by operating a crane, with the pile suspended horizontally by the crane during loading. Tilting is performed by lifting the upper end of the pile using the crane, wherein the bottom section of the pile is supported forward by the base support and upward by the foot end support in a non-horizontal orientation, so that the tilting device also enters its vertical position.

[0011] Due to the enormous size and weight of monopiles, and given the need to avoid damage to the monopiles and / or the equipment involved in the process of flipping them on a ship, handling monopiles is a delicate task.

[0012] This invention is envisioned for use with monopiles used to support wind turbines; however, it is also applicable to other similar piles for offshore structures within the same size range.

[0013] A first aspect of the present invention aims to reduce and / or mitigate the risk of any damage during the flipping process. Furthermore, a flipping device according to claim 1 is also provided.

[0014] This invention is based on the understanding that precise control of the pile's position and / or movement is crucial during the loading of the pile into the device, the flipping of the pile, and the removal of the flipped pile from the device. Unwanted and unintended movement can lead to unwanted contact between a very heavy pile and the flipping device. For example, a single pile can weigh over 1000 tons, or even over 2000 tons. This can result in an impact between the pile and the device, potentially damaging both. As piles tend to become larger and heavier, any impact on the pile typically becomes progressively more severe, for example, because the pile wall thickness becomes relatively smaller to keep the total weight of the pile within acceptable limits. Furthermore, larger single piles have a larger outer surface area and are more susceptible to wind and other conditions. This means the wall may become relatively more vulnerable to damage from any impact.

[0015] The flipping device of the present invention has movable protective pads at corresponding lateral sides of the bracket. These protective pads, together with the base support, form an inward surface of the bracket, which defines an internal space for the pile within the bracket, restricting the radial movement of the supported pile. Each protective pad is controllably moved to a series of inclined protective positions by means of one or more protective pad actuators. In each protective position, the protective pad extends at an acute angle relative to the intermediate plane. In each protective position, the protective pad is inclined toward the base support, thus causing the width of the internal space to decrease rearward and the protective pad to extend more laterally inward toward the base support.

[0016] Therefore, each protective pad extends to form a groove for the pile to slide from the receiving opening toward the base when in the tilted protective position, i.e., toward the pile axis when in the supported position. The protective pads are configured for controlled loading, flipping, and any removal of the flipped pile from the flipping device.

[0017] The device is envisioned as being connected to a control unit that controls the actuation of the protective pad actuator.

[0018] In one embodiment, there are two protective pads, one on each side of the bracket. Other embodiments are also contemplated, such as an embodiment with four protective pads, two on each side of the bracket.

[0019] During pile loading, the pivot structure of the device is in its horizontal loading position. The loading process is typically performed by suspending the pile horizontally on the ship's crane, actuating the crane to vertically align the central longitudinal pile axis with the mid-plane of the pivot structure and align the bottom end with the pile foot support, and lowering the pile into the bracket until the pile is supported from below by the base support and the bottom end longitudinally abuts against the pile foot support.

[0020] Ideally, during this loading process, the pile will only move backward—that is, downward along the horizontal position of the pivot structure—so that its axis lies in the midplane of the bracket. However, in practice, when the pile is suspended from a crane, it may be affected by wind and / or sea conditions, and therefore may sway during loading. This can result in excessive impact of the pile on the sides of the bracket, potentially damaging both the pile and the bracket, and may also disrupt controlled positioning through rebound.

[0021] The protective pads of this invention can be used to guide the pile during the loading process, reducing both the probability and magnitude of lateral deviation of the pile axis relative to the intermediate plane of the bracket, and thus preventing any impact, as these restrict the internal movement space of the pile, causing the internal movement space to converge toward the point where the pile is to be supported on the base. In addition to guiding toward the support position through their convergent configuration, the protective pads can also be actuated in a controllable manner at different angles relative to the intermediate plane. This allows the protective pads to be set at angles suitable for different pile diameters; for example, a smaller angle can be used for piles with larger diameters to reduce the convergence rate, i.e., to form a less steep groove, and to provide a larger internal space for the bracket.

[0022] Furthermore, the controlled actuation of the protective pad provides the possibility of configuring and / or controlling each actuator in the actuator assembly such that these actuators (in part) move with excessive lateral movement of the monopile, thereby buffering / damping any impact by engaging the monopile in a controlled manner along the movement and increasing the resistance provided to it in the opposite direction, and subsequently pushing the monopile back toward the intermediate frame in a controlled manner. This can reduce the impact and rebound of the pile. For example, for this purpose, the actuators can be implemented using hydraulic damping devices, such as throttle valves used to dampen the flow of hydraulic fluid or other damping devices.

[0023] During the pile flipping process after loading is complete, the angle of the protective pad can be reduced to (near) zero using a protective pad actuator, allowing the protective pad to support the pile laterally and reducing lateral movement of the individual pile. Therefore, during this stage, the protective pad can extend parallel to the intermediate plane. This allows the pile to be laterally engaged by the protective pad at opposite positions in diameter, with the center of the protective pad in the pile plane tangent to the circumference in the forward direction.

[0024] As the pile approaches vertical orientation during overturning, the support of a single pile becomes less stable. This is because the reaction force of the pile acting on the bracket, particularly at the base, is caused by the weight of the pile, which is then vertically oriented. As the pile gets closer to vertical, the radial component of the reaction force at the base becomes relatively small. Furthermore, in the approaching vertical phase, the pile is subjected to increasing forces, such as wind loads or lateral forces from the crane and yaw tension, which can cause the pile to shift or tilt relative to the base, resulting in uneven load distribution at the contact interface. In the case of large pile offsets, the pile may rebound as its axis deviates from the center. By guiding the pile towards the base support, buffering as described above, and pushing the pile back to a support position where its axis is in the mid-plane, the protective pad can reduce or prevent displacement, impact, and eccentric rebound through controlled actuation of its actuator. The protective pads can be individually controlled so that the movement of the left and right components can be corrected separately by the left and right protective pads. Combinations are also possible, for example, in which the protective pads are positioned at different angles so that they are all tangent to the pile in an eccentric position, thereby reducing the difference in angles to move the pile back to the center position. A variety of other applications will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0025] After flipping, the pile is transferred from the flipping device to a dedicated pile holder using the ship's crane. This holder is designed to control the pile's position and verticality during descent to the seabed and subsequent installation. The most common procedure in this case is to move the vertically flipped monopile forward from the bracket via a receiving opening on the front side of the bracket using the crane. Ideally, during this departure, the pile will only move forward, and its axis will remain in the midplane. However, in practice, there is again a risk of deviation from this path during departure, which could lead to unintended contact between the pile and the bracket in both lateral and rearward directions: the pile may sway in the lateral direction. When the monopile leaves the flipping device, it is no longer engaged by the bracket and foot support members to restrict its movement, as there is a gap between the monopile and the bracket and foot support members to allow for removal, and therefore it can sway freely. A protective pad can now be used in the same manner as described for the loading process to reduce the risk and consequences of the pile axis moving laterally out of the midplane. The protective pad can be used, as previously described, to cushion impacts in order to protect both the pile and the flipping device.

[0026] To aid in and control the pile's departure movement and reduce the risk of any unexpected deviations, the protective pad actuator can also be used to guide the pile's forward movement by gradually increasing the angle with the center plane to maintain circumferential contact with the pile. As a result, the protective pad follows the pile's departure movement, and thus remains active for a portion of the departure movement to keep the pile centered. In embodiments, through controlled operation of the protective pad actuator, the protective pad can even facilitate departure movement by increasing the angle to apply thrust in the forward direction.

[0027] During loading, the control of the protective pad actuator facilitates the attainment of the loading position of the pile. The protective pad can initially be set at a large, for example, maximum angle relative to the intermediate plane to capture the lowered pile, and then controlled to gradually decrease the angle as the pile approaches the base support, thereby guiding the pile toward the support position and reducing the risk of, for example, lateral deviation from the intended path.

[0028] In the embodiments, each protective pad is pivotable about a corresponding pivot axis that extends parallel to the pile axis and preferably extends in front of the pile axis. The corresponding protective pad actuator is a pivot actuator for controlling the pivoting of the protective pad about the corresponding pivot axis to its protective position.

[0029] The pivoting motion of the retaining pad facilitates robustness, predictability, and simple control over its angle. The pivot's position in front of the pile axis allows for a small angle sufficient to perform its protective function, contributing to robustness and effectiveness. Furthermore, the pile can engage further forward from the base support, which is advantageous during the rearward movement of the buffer pile, during the rearward movement of the guide pile—e.g., during loading—or during the forward movement of the guide or pushing pile—e.g., during departure. Moreover, a pivot further forward, particularly in front of the pile axis, can result in a more advantageous angular position where the retaining pad is tangent to the pile circumference. This provides a greater range of motion, useful for buffering the pile's impact and pushing it back, as the retaining pad can contact the pile for a larger portion of its movement.

[0030] In the example, the protective pad pivot actuator is a linear actuator, with one end of each linear actuator fixed to a section of the associated protective pad located behind the pivot axis, such as a rearward end, and the other end of the linear actuator fixed to a fixed external portion of the bracket, such as a side section of the bracket. This example provides a simple and robust solution for providing pivoting. When the protective pad needs to increase its angle with the midplane to cushion impact and thus decelerate the pile, and / or decrease its angle again to push the pile back along its central longitudinal axis toward the longitudinal axis of the pivoting structure, the linear actuator can do so by operating along its working axis—providing the necessary force in a predictable and easily controllable manner by extending and retracting.

[0031] In this embodiment, the protective pad is not only capable of pivoting forward and backward relative to the base, but also of translating forward and backward relative to the base. The corresponding movement actuators of the bracket include both pivoting and translating actuators for the controlled movement of the protective pad. This allows for a more rearward position of the protective pad in the inclined protective position relative to the lateral protective position, facilitating the adjustability of the protective pad's function to different pile diameters and conditions. In this embodiment, the protective pad can be moved laterally to increase or decrease the lateral distance to the pile, for example, laterally engaging the pile more inward or outward.

[0032] Depending on the strength requirements, the pile foot end support structure can be rigid, wherein the pile foot support member remains engaged with the pile foot end at least in the vertical position and cannot be released from the pile foot end. This engagement prevents the pile from moving downward when the pivot structure is in a non-horizontal position, particularly in the vertical position.

[0033] In the actual implementation, the bracket is U-shaped. The legs of the "U-shaped element" extend away from the hinge axis. The bracket has a base section and left and right side sections extending from the base at corresponding lateral sides of the bracket. The side sections may extend forward beyond the pile axis and into ends away from the horizontal hinge axis. The ends of the side sections define, between them, a receiving opening for receiving the pile into the bracket in a rearward direction. Through this same opening, once the pile is flipped, the pile also leaves the bracket, and the pile is moved by a crane to a distantly positioned pile gripper. The flipping device is configured such that, in the horizontal loading position of the pivot structure, the receiving opening of the bracket is oriented upwards for loading a horizontally oriented pile into the bracket from above downwards, such that the pile abuts against the base and the foot end of the pile faces the foot support member, wherein each movable protective pad in the movable protective pad is connected to a corresponding side section of the bracket to extend inwardly from the corresponding side member. In this embodiment, the pile can thus be moved into and out of the bracket in the rearward and forward directions through the front receiving opening, and the protective pad can be advantageously used to guide and / or correct these forward and rearward movements.

[0034] In the example, each pad actuator in the pad actuator operates between the associated pad and the corresponding side segment of the bracket. Given that the angle with the intermediate plane is acute—and the side segments are also forward-oriented—this means that a minimum angle with the side members can be anticipated, allowing for efficient actuation by placing the actuator between the pad and the side members, which contributes to simplicity and robustness. Placing the actuator, particularly a linear actuator, between the side segment and the pad provides advantageous alignment of the actuator with the anticipated force from the pile.

[0035] In one embodiment, the protective pad extends from the proximal end of the protective pad located behind the pile axis in the supported position to the distal end located in front of the pile axis in both the lateral protective position and the inclined protective position.

[0036] Each protective pad can be moved to a rest position by a protective pad actuator, in which the protective pad extends parallel to the intermediate plane. This can be useful for saving energy and / or, for example, for providing a path for a monopile to be loaded into and unloaded from the carrier. The movement of one or more protective pads, such as all of the protective pads, or for example, two protective pads, from the rest position to the protected position can be actuated to correct excessive movement of the pile or to help control the intended movement of the pile, particularly the loading and unloading movements as described above.

[0037] Typical dimensions of monopiles to be flipped and installed at sea have a diameter of 8 to 11 meters at the foot end. In the near future, the diameter could reach up to 15 meters. Lengths range from 55 to 95 meters, and may reach 130 meters or even longer in the near future. The device is envisioned for monopiles in this order of magnitude. Examples of currently available monopiles have the following foot end diameters and lengths: 8 × 55 m, 10.4 × 85 m, 10 × 92 m, and 11 × 95 m.

[0038] In one embodiment, the base support includes one or more, for example two or four pile support devices arranged and configured to engage with the rearwardly oriented lateral central circumferential portion of the supported pile via their contact surfaces, such that the pile rests against the pile support device in a rearward direction when the pile is loaded and during overturning.

[0039] In the examples, the inward surfaces of these devices are curved.

[0040] In the example, the base support includes four pile support devices arranged in a square.

[0041] In the example, the rearward end of the protective pad can be aligned with the pile support device so as to tangentially abut against the pile support device.

[0042] In the example, the pile support device consists of multiple pile support devices located on different lateral sides of the intermediate plane. The pile support devices are mounted to the remainder of the base in a manner that allows them to pivot about a pivot axis parallel to the axis of the pile in the supported position. This is to enable the contact surface of the pile support device to be tangent to the circumference of the supported piles, which have different diameters and therefore different curvatures, by means of a corresponding pile support device actuator, for example, operating between the pile support device and the base section.

[0043] In this embodiment, the pile foot end support structure of the device includes a left connector member and a right connector member, both of which are in the form of connector beams. These connector beams extend parallel to and are laterally spaced from the intermediate plane at corresponding lateral portions of the internal space of the bracket. The lower ends of the connector beams support pile foot support members, which extend laterally between the lower ends of the connector beams, so that the bottom end of the pile in the supported position can be supported upwards on the pile foot support members between the connector beams.

[0044] In this embodiment, the pile foot end support structure is adjustable according to the length of the pile. To this end, translational capability of the connector member relative to the bracket, and therefore translational capability relative to the pile foot support member supported by the connector beam, parallel to the axis of the pile in the supported position, is provided, wherein the connector member can be releasably attached to the bracket at multiple longitudinally spaced locations along the connector member. Alternatively, adjustability can be provided by the pile foot support member being able to translate longitudinally relative to the connector member and being releasably attached to the connector member at multiple longitudinally spaced locations along the connector member.

[0045] In the storage position, the pivot structure is in a horizontally loaded position, and the connector component is translated to the maximum possible position relative to the bracket as observed in the vertical position, so that the connector component is attached to the bracket at the position closest to the pile foot support.

[0046] In one embodiment, the device further includes at least one articulated actuator, which operates between the supporting structure and the pivoting structure, and is configured to controllably pivot the pivoting structure about a horizontal articulation axis relative to the supporting structure. It is conceivable that the at least one articulated actuator is capable of pivoting only the pivoting structure—therefore having a stroke adapted to the weight of the pivoting structure rather than additionally to the weight of the pile. The pile is conceived to be vertically supported during tilting by a lifting device, such as a crane, wherein the lifting action of the crane achieves the tilting of the pile itself. The articulated actuator supports tilting only to the extent that it enables the pivoting structure to pivot about the articulation axis during tilting.

[0047] Furthermore, the first aspect of the invention relates to a method for flipping a pile, such as a monopile, to be installed in the seabed, wherein a flipping device according to the first aspect of the invention is used.

[0048] A first aspect of the invention relates to a method for flipping a pile, such as a monopile, to be installed into the seabed, wherein the flipping device according to the invention is used on a ship, and the method includes the following subsequent steps:

[0049] 1) With the pivot structure in a horizontal loading position and the protective pad in a protective position, load the piles into the pivot structure.

[0050] 2) The pile is flipped by using a crane to lift the upper part of the pile.

[0051] 3) With the pivot structure in a vertical position, the flipped piles are removed from the pivot structure by means of a crane, for example, the suspended piles are then moved into the pile holders of the ship.

[0052] Suitable embodiments are described in sub-claims 17 to 20.

[0053] In a second aspect, the invention provides a flipping device according to claims 21 and 22, and a method according to claim 30.

[0054] In existing overturning devices, the connector beam of the pile end support structure is rigidly connected to the bracket, and the pile support beam is rigidly connected to the two connector beams.

[0055] Due to the enormous size and weight of monopiles, handling them on ships is a delicate task, especially considering the need to avoid damage to the monopiles and / or equipment involved in the process. Typical monopil dimensions are 8 to 11 meters in diameter at the foot end. Diameters up to 15 meters are envisioned in the future. Currently, monopil lengths typically range from 55 to 95 meters, with future envisioned lengths of 130 meters or even longer. Examples of currently available monopiles have the following foot end diameters and lengths: 8 × 55 m, 10.4 × 85 m, 10 × 92 m, and 11 × 95 m. The weight of a monopile can exceed 1000 tons, for example, over 2000 tons. Weights are expected to be 3000 tons or even more.

[0056] During the overturning process, the (mono) pile may exhibit some swaying, for example due to ship motion—such as ship motion caused by sea conditions, crane motion and / or crane deflection / vibration, and / or environmental forces acting on the pile, such as wind or possible currents / waves when the overturned pile extends partly into the sea. This swaying, combined with the size and weight of the (mono) pile, can result in interaction forces between the pile and the installation, within the installation, and / or with the ship's hull, even if small. As the (mono) pile becomes larger and heavier, these forces can cause damage, for example, to the pile itself, or to the bottom end of the pile.

[0057] A second aspect of the invention aims to reduce and / or mitigate the risk of any damage during the flipping process.

[0058] A second aspect of the invention provides a dedicated flipping device according to claim 21. The invention also provides an integrated flipping and holding device according to claim 22. Suitable embodiments are included in claims 23 to 29.

[0059] In a particularly preferred embodiment as claimed in claims 13 and 14, the overturning device also achieves a synergistic effect of the two aspects according to the first aspect of the invention, thereby reducing and / or mitigating the risk of any damage during the entire overturning process—that is, during the loading of the pile into the device, the overturning of the pile, and the arbitrary removal of the overturned pile from the device.

[0060] A second aspect of the invention reduces the forces acting on the pile end support structure and the interaction forces with the (bottom) end of the (single) pile by hingedly connecting the left and right connector beams to the bracket and by hingedly connecting the pile support beam to the left and right connector beams. This reduces the risk of damage. This allows the pile end structure to sway relative to the bracket, for example, between 0.5 and 5 degrees to either side. Thus, the pile end structure can sway with the pile during and after the flipping is complete. This reduces or limits any forces between the pile and the pile end structure and / or within the device, particularly compared to prior art methods where the connector beams are rigidly connected to the bracket and the support beam is rigidly connected to the connector beams, for example, when the bracket is hingedly connected to the support assembly.

[0061] In the integrated assembly, preferably, the left and right connector beams are each hinged to the bracket at their upper ends about left and right tilt axes, respectively, which are parallel to the horizontal hinge axis. One or more tilt actuators are provided between the bracket and the connector beams, and these actuators are configured to tilt the pile end support structure about the left and right tilt axes between an operating position for supporting the pile in a non-horizontal orientation of the pivoting structure along with the pile, and a non-operating position allowing the pile to be lowered to the seabed using a crane. In an alternative design, the support beam can be released from one of the connector beams to, for example, pivot downwards to the non-operating position. In yet another alternative design, the support beam consists of two half-support beam sections, each hinged to a corresponding connector beam, and is provided with releasable couplings for engaging the half in the operating position and releasing the half for movement to the non-operating position. During the descent phase, the (single) pile is guided by a plurality of pile engagement devices distributed circumferentially around the annular device, for example, each pile engagement device includes one or more pile guide rollers capable of being radially positioned relative to the annular device.

[0062] In one embodiment, the pile end support structure further includes foot support members configured to support the bottom end of the pile when it is not horizontal during pile flipping and when it has already been flipped. The foot support members are hinged about a hinge axis parallel to the central plane of the pivot structure to, for example, the center of a pile support beam, thus forming a seesaw supporting the bottom end of the pile. In a practical embodiment, the hinge axis of the pile end support structure ensures that the pile support beam remains horizontal even during swaying. If the flipped pile were to stand upright on the support beam and subsequently sway, the pile would effectively be supported at only one location on the pile support beam, concentrating forces at a single point, for example, causing localized overload of the pile. By hingedly connecting the foot support members to, for example, the center of the pile support beam, it allows the bottom end of the pile to always be supported at two or more locations, even during swaying.

[0063] In one embodiment, the pile end support structure has two pile clamping devices, which are positioned, for example, near or on the two outer ends of the foot support member. The pile clamping devices are configured to clamp the wall of the bottom end of the pile at two locations, for example, opposite in diameter to each other. This ensures that the bottom of the pile remains in place relative to the pile end support structure.

[0064] In this embodiment, the pile clamping device is an actuated pile clamping device, such as a hydraulically actuated pile clamping device, which can move from an unactuated position to an actuated position in which the bottom end of the pile is clamped.

[0065] In one embodiment, the left and right connector beams are each connected to an alignment actuator, such as a hydraulic cylinder. Because the left and right connector beams are hinged to the bracket about a hinge axis, the connector beams can become non-linear with the center plane of the pivoting structure. However, this makes loading the pile into the device difficult. The alignment actuator is configured, for example, to keep the pile end support structure linear with the center plane of the pivoting structure only during the loading of a generally horizontally oriented pile into the device. The alignment actuator cannot prevent swaying motion as discussed; in one embodiment, the alignment actuator is configured and operates as a damper. More preferably, the alignment actuator is activated only before and / or during the loading of the pile into the device, and not during the flipping phase.

[0066] In a practical implementation, the bracket is U-shaped and hinged to the support assembly about a horizontal hinge axis. Legs of the "U-shape" extend away from this hinge axis. The bracket has a base section and left and right side sections extending from the base at corresponding lateral sides of the bracket. These side sections may extend beyond the pile axis and into ends away from the horizontal hinge axis. The ends of the side sections define receiving openings between them for receiving the pile into the bracket, for example, when the pile is lowered into the bracket while suspended horizontally on a crane of the vessel, or when lowered into the bracket by some other loading method.

[0067] In a dedicated flipping device implementation, once flipping is complete, the pile will also be dislodged laterally from the bracket via the same receiving opening, and a crane will be used to move the pile to a distantly positioned pile holding device—also known as a pile gripper.

[0068] A device with a U-shaped bracket can be configured such that, in the horizontal loading position of the pivot structure, the receiving opening of the bracket is oriented upward for loading a horizontally oriented pile into the bracket from above.

[0069] In another embodiment, the (mono)pile is moved horizontally into a bracket or annular device including the bracket. For example, on ships, there is a skid device that allows the (mono)pile to be moved horizontally into the bracket or annular device of the apparatus.

[0070] In implementations, the bracket includes one or more, for example two or four, pile support devices arranged and configured to engage with the lateral central circumferential portion of the supported pile via their contact surfaces, the pile resting against the pile support devices during loading and during overturning. In the example, the inward surfaces of these devices are curved. In addition to one or more pile engagement devices on the annular assembly of the integrated device—for example, these pile engagement devices having controllable actuators, such as hydraulic actuators, to allow the application of controlled compressive forces on the pile and / or to achieve controlled positioning of the pile—one or more pile support devices may also be provided.

[0071] In this embodiment, the pile support device comprises multiple pile support devices located on different lateral sides of the central plane, mounted to the remainder of the base in a manner capable of pivoting about a pivot axis parallel to the axis of the pile in the supported position. This is to allow the contact surface of the pile support device to be tangent to the circumference of the supported piles, which have different diameters and therefore different curvatures, by pivoting the pile support device about its pivot axis. The pile support device is controllably pivotable about its pivot axis by means of, for example, a corresponding pile support device actuator operating between the pile support device and the base section. In the example, the base section includes four pile support devices arranged in a square.

[0072] In one embodiment, the device further includes at least one articulated actuator, which operates between the support assembly and the pivoting structure and is configured to controllably pivot the pivoting structure about a horizontal articulated axis relative to the support assembly. It is conceivable that the at least one articulated actuator is capable of pivoting only the pivoting structure—therefore having a stroke that accommodates the weight of the pivoting structure rather than additionally the weight of the pile. Tilting is accomplished by the lifting action of a crane.

[0073] In embodiments, as known in the art, the support assembly of the integrated device includes one or more horizontal hull mounting tracks, such as X-shaped tracks extending horizontally along the longitudinal direction of the hull, mounted on the hull of a vessel, for example, on the deck of the vessel. A subframe is movable on the one or more hull mounting tracks. One or more subframe mounting tracks, such as Y-shaped tracks extending horizontally along the transverse direction of the hull, are mounted on the subframe and perpendicular to the hull mounting tracks. The support frame is movable on the subframe mounting tracks. A controllable motion actuator of the support assembly is configured to move the subframe on the hull mounting tracks and to move the support frame on the subframe mounting tracks.

[0074] In one embodiment, the device is provided with one or more load sensors that sense one or more loads applied to the device by the (single) pile. For example, one or more load sensors are configured to sense whether the bottom of the pile contacts the pile foot support during loading, for example to avoid a gap that could cause the pile to slide into contact with the pile foot support during the overturning process. For example, strain gauges are provided at one or more locations on the device.

[0075] In one implementation, one or more sensors are provided to measure the actual swaying motion of the pile end support structure, for example, to allow monitoring of swaying during overturning, using the measurement results, for example, in consideration of crane control. For instance, one or more angle measuring sensors are provided to measure the sway.

[0076] In implementation, for example, an alarm routine is provided when the sensed actual sway exceeds a predetermined threshold.

[0077] The present invention also relates to a method for installing piles, such as monopiles, into the seabed, wherein an apparatus according to a second aspect of the invention is used.

[0078] A second aspect of the invention also relates to a method for overturning a pile, such as a monopile, to be installed into the seabed, wherein a dedicated overturning device according to at least claim 21 is used on a vessel equipped with a crane, the method comprising the following steps:

[0079] 1) Load the piles while the pivot structure is in a horizontal loading position.

[0080] 2) The pile is flipped by using a crane to lift the upper part of the pile.

[0081] 3) With the pivot structure and piles in a vertical position, the piles to be flipped are removed from the pivot structure by means of a crane, and then the suspended piles are moved to the pile holding device of the ship.

[0082] The present invention also relates to a method for installing piles, such as monopiles, into the seabed, wherein an integrated tilting and holding device according to at least claim 22 is used on a vessel equipped with a crane, the method comprising the following steps:

[0083] 1) Load the pile with the pivot structure in the horizontal loading position and the pile end support structure in its operating position.

[0084] 2) The pile is flipped by using a crane to lift the upper part of the pile.

[0085] 3) With the pivot structure and pile in a vertical position, tilt the pile end support structure to a non-operating position.

[0086] 4) While the pile is vertically guided by the pile joint device of the integrated device's ring-shaped device, the pile is lowered to the seabed.

[0087] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a vessel provided with a tilting device as described herein according to a first and / or second aspect of the invention, for example, wherein the tilting device is configured such that its hinge axis is along the edge of the vessel and the bracket extends outside the profile of the vessel in a vertical position.

[0088] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a bracket for a flipping device according to a first aspect of the invention. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a pivoting structure according to the first and / or second aspects of the invention.

[0089] In the following description, the invention will be explained with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate a first and second aspect of the invention. The drawings show an embodiment of a ship according to the invention, an embodiment of a tilting device according to both the first and second aspects of the invention, and an embodiment of an integrated tilting and holding device according to the second aspect only. Specifically:

[0090] Figure 1 The vessel is shown in a side view, having a device mounted to the vessel and supporting a first monopile in a horizontal orientation.

[0091] Figure 2 Both a side view and a top view of the vessel are shown, which has a device installed on the vessel and supporting the same monopile in a horizontal orientation.

[0092] Figure 3 The ship is shown in a side view, where the apparatus is now supporting the same monopile in a vertical orientation.

[0093] Figure 4 The vessel is shown in a side view, where the apparatus is now supporting a smaller, second monopile that is vertically oriented.

[0094] Figures 5a to 5c The same device is shown installed on a vessel with a first monopile.

[0095] Figures 6a to 6d The same installation is shown on the ship—both with and without the second monopile.

[0096] Figure 7 The side view shows the vessel without any piles, with the equipment to be installed on the vessel in its storage position.

[0097] Figure 8 A schematic isometric view of an integrated flipping and holding device according to a second aspect of the invention is shown.

[0098] Figure 9 A schematic diagram of the pile-supported beam and foot support components is shown.

[0099] Figures 10a to 10c A schematic front view of a pile supported by a pile tip support structure is shown, wherein the pile tip support structure is shown in both neutral and deflected positions.

[0100] Figures 11 to 12 The top and side views of the vessel are shown, respectively, showing the vessel without any piles and with the first monopile supported, along with the dedicated overturning device.

[0101] In the accompanying drawings, the lateral direction is indicated by arrows 1 and 2, which represent the left and right sides of the device, respectively. Arrows 3 and 4 indicate the forward and backward directions, i.e., up and down when in the horizontal position, respectively. The longitudinal direction, i.e., up and down when in the vertical position, is indicated by arrows 5 and 6, respectively.

[0102] Throughout this disclosure, the lateral direction is intended to indicate a direction parallel to the horizontal hinge axis of the pivoting structure. When the device is considered from the front, the right-hand direction faces the right-hand side, and in the same view, the left-hand direction faces the left-hand side.

[0103] The forward direction is intended to indicate the direction from the horizontal hinge axis toward the pile axis, and the backward direction is the opposite direction.

[0104] The intermediate plane is the vertical plane that passes through the longitudinal axis of the pile when it is in its loaded position.

[0105] The transverse plane is the plane perpendicular to the pile axis.

[0106] The radial direction is defined relative to the central longitudinal pile axis in the pile's loading position.

[0107] The terms “bottom,” “top,” “lower,” and “upper” related to piles should be considered when the pile is in a vertical orientation, i.e., the orientation in which the pile will be installed into the seabed after being flipped.

[0108] The flipping device 100 is a dedicated flipping device, which is used in... Figure 1 It is shown as being mounted to the deck 11 of the vessel 10 at the edge 13 of the deck 11 via a mounting device 129.

[0109] Mounting device 129 can take various forms known in the art, such as a fixed connector or a connector that provides mobility in a horizontal plane, such as an XY frame, for adjusting the horizontal position of the device on deck 11. Therefore, mounting device 129 is illustrated simply by means of cloud-like shapes to represent different possible implementations.

[0110] The overturning device 100 is configured for use when overturning the monopiles 20, 30 to be installed into the seabed. The piles 20, 30 will be lowered to the seabed, for example, guided by the pile retainer 15 of the vessel 10. Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figures 5a to 5b as well as Figure 9 The diagram shows the overturning device when supporting the first monopile 20, and... Figure 3 as well as Figures 6a to 6c The diagram shows a tipping device when supporting a smaller second monopile 30. The monopile 20 has a minimum diameter D that can still be handled by the device 100. 20 Furthermore, the single pile 30 has a maximum diameter D that can still be handled by the device 100. 30 Since the bottom section is placed in the pile turning device 100, the diameter of this section is related to the design of the device 100.

[0111] The single piles 20 and 30 shown have top sections 25 and 35, transition sections 26 and 36, and bottom sections 27 and 37, respectively. The top sections 25 and 35 have a minimum diameter that remains constant in height, the transition sections 26 and 36 have a diameter that increases downwards, and the bottom sections 27 and 37 have a diameter that increases along the length L of the single pile.20 L 30 Maximum diameter D 20 D 30 As can be seen from the accompanying drawings, other types of cylindrical piles can also be handled by the overturning device 100.

[0112] The overturning device 100 includes a support assembly 110 and a pivoting structure 120. The support assembly 110 is mounted on the deck 11 of the vessel 10 via a mounting device 129. Furthermore, the overturning device 100 includes the pivoting structure 120, as detailed below. Figures 1 to 4 as well as Figure 7 The pivot structure 120 is hinged to the support assembly 110 about the horizontal hinge axis 121, see [reference]. Figure 2 and Figure 7 Furthermore, the pivot structure 120 is configured to support piles, such as in Figures 1 to 4 , Figure 5b , Figure 6b as well as Figure 9 The image shows piles 20 and 30 in a supported position, wherein the corresponding central longitudinal pile axes 22 and 32 of piles 20 and 30 are located on the vertical intermediate plane 122 of the pivot structure 120, which is rearward to forward and laterally centered.

[0113] The middle plane 122 is in Figure 2 , Figures 5a to 5b as well as Figures 6a to 6c The instructions are in accordance with the central government.

[0114] With the support assembly 110 installed on the ship's deck 11, the upper ends 23, 33 of each pile 20, 30 are lifted by means of the ship's crane. The tilting device 100 allows the pivoting structure 120 and the corresponding piles 20, 30 in the supported position to rotate around the horizontal hinge axis 121. Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 5b , Figure 6c and Figure 9 The horizontal loading position shown pivots to Figure 3 and Figure 4 In the vertical position shown, in the horizontal loading position and the vertical position, the pile axis 20, 30 of each of the supported piles 20, 30 is horizontal and vertical, respectively.

[0115] In the horizontal loading position, the monopiles 20 and 30 are initially supported on the upper end support 12 installed to the deck. It is conceivable that, see [reference needed] Figure 8 and Figure 9 When the crane 16 is operated to lift the upper ends 23, 33, this causes the pile to pivot toward the vertical position.

[0116] The pivot structure 120 includes a bracket 130 for lateral support of the pile in the supported position, which in Figures 5a to 5b as well as Figures 6a to 6c The details are most clearly shown for piles 20 and 30. Furthermore, the bracket provides at least forward (i.e., oriented according to arrow 3) support to the pile in its supported position via a central base support 134 in a non-vertical orientation of the pile. This can be achieved from... Figure 5b and Figure 6c It is confirmed that in the non-vertical position of the pile, the pile will exert a force with a rearward (i.e., oriented according to arrow 4) component on the central base support 134 due to its weight. This rearward component decreases as the piles 20 and 30 become more vertical until they finally reach the vertical position. This rearward component is offset by the lateral base support 134 to support the pile at the circumference of the bottom sections 27 and 37 during overturning. The bracket 130 has U-shaped structural portions 131, 132, and 133 fixed relative to the intermediate plane 122, as detailed in the following figures. Figures 5a to 5b as well as Figures 6a to 6c The fixing portion 131 has a base segment 132, a left side segment 133, and a right side segment 134, which extend from the base segment 132 at the corresponding lateral sides of the bracket 130.

[0117] Furthermore, the pivot structure 120 includes a pile foot end support structure 140, which includes two connector members 141 and 142 in the form of a left connector beam 141 and a right connector beam 142, wherein the pile is in the supported position. Figure 3 and Figure 4 Viewed from a vertical position, the two connector members 141, 142 extend downward (i.e., oriented according to arrow 6) from the bracket 130 toward the foot ends 24, 34 of the supported piles 20, 30, parallel to the central plane 122 of the pivot structure 120, and are laterally spaced relative to the central plane 122 of the pivot structure 120. The pile foot end support structure 140 has a lower end supporting a pile foot support member 143, which, in the illustrated embodiment, takes the form of a pile foot support beam 143 extending laterally between the lower ends of the left connector beam 141 and the right connector beam 142. The pile foot support beam 143 is capable of supporting the piles 20, 30 upward at the foot ends 24, 34 of the piles 20, 30 in a non-horizontal orientation. This can be seen from... Figure 5b and Figure 6c Confirmation: In a non-horizontal position, the pile will exert a downward force on the foot support 143 due to its weight. This component will increase as the pile becomes more vertical. The foot support 143 is located at or in front of the pile axis 22, 23, or ahead of the pile axis 22, 23, at a distance from the pile diameter D. 20 To D30 The piles extend within a suitable range and, due to the cylindrical shape of piles 20 and 30, are located in front of the centers of gravity 21 and 31 of piles 20 and 30. This is preferable for reducing the chance of a single pile unduly tilting forward, for example, due to undesirable movement under the influence of wind.

[0118] Now refer to Figures 5a to 5b as well as Figures 6a to 6c The bracket 130 includes movable protective pads 151, 152 at corresponding lateral sides. The protective pads 151, 152 together with the base support 134 form the inward surfaces of the bracket 130, which define an internal space for the piles 20, 30 within the bracket 130, and the radial movement of the supported piles 20, 30 is restricted within this internal space.

[0119] Protective pads 151 and 152 are connected to the corresponding side sections 131 and 132 of the U-shaped portions 131, 132 and 133 of the bracket 130, for example, so that each protective pad can be moved in a controlled manner to multiple tilting protective positions by means of protective pad actuators 153 and 154.

[0120] Protective pads 151 and 152 are both in Figure 5a as well as Figures 6b to 6c The figures are shown in the protective position. In these positions, the protective pads 151 and 152 each extend at an acute angle ϴ relative to the intermediate plane 122. As shown in the referenced figures, in the protective position, both protective pads 151 and 152 reduce the width of the internal space in the rearward direction 4: the protective pads 151 and 152 each slope laterally inward in the direction from the pile axes 22 and 32 toward the base support 134.

[0121] In the illustrated embodiment, protective pads 151 and 152 are each pivotable about corresponding pivot axes 157 and 158, which extend parallel to and in front of pile axes 22 and 32.

[0122] The protective pad actuators 153 and 154 of the bracket 130 are pivot actuators for controllably pivoting the protective pad about a corresponding pivot axis to the protective position of the protective pad.

[0123] Protective pads 151 and 152 can be moved from the protective position to a stationary position along the side sections 132 and 133 and parallel to the intermediate plane 122 by the operation of protective pad actuators 153 and 154. Therefore, the angle ϴ then decreases to zero.

[0124] exist Figure 5b In the diagram, the first single pile 20 is shown in the supported position, while the protective pads 151 and 152 are in the stationary position. Figure 6aThe stationary position is also shown.

[0125] Preferably, in both the lateral protection position and the inclined protection position, the protective pads 151 and 152 extend from the proximal ends 155 and 156 behind the pile axes 22 and 32 in the supported position to the distal ends 137 and 138 in front of the pile axes 22 and 32. That is, when the pile is in the supported position, i.e., the pile rests rearward against the base support member 134 and downward against the foot support member 143, taking into account the vertical position.

[0126] In the illustrated embodiment, the protective pad actuators 151 and 152 are linear actuators that are connected to corresponding side sections 132 and 133 of the bracket 130 at the bottom end of the linear actuator behind the pivot axes 157 and 158, and are connected to the protective pads 151 and 152 near the proximal ends 155 and 156 of the linear actuators on the rod side. Figure 5a The middle is through the curved arrow and through from Figures 6a to 6b The extension, as shown, causes the protective pad to move from its resting position parallel to the intermediate plane 122 to a protective position at angles ϴ1 and ϴ2 to the intermediate plane 122. The smaller angle ϴ1... Figure 5a The protective position is suitable for using the overturning device on piles with larger diameters, such as monopile 20. It has a large angle ϴ2. Figures 6b to 6c The protective position is suitable for using the overturning device on piles with smaller diameters. Figure 5c and Figure 6d In the protective positions, the protective pads 151 and 152 have an angle ϴ3 with the intermediate plane 122, which is even greater.

[0127] As in Figures 5a to 5c , Figures 6a to 6d As most clearly shown, the outward portion of the bracket 130 has a base section 131 extending along the horizontal hinge axis 121, and a left side section 132 and a right side section 133 extending forward from the base beyond the pile axis and into the ends 137, 138 away from the horizontal hinge axis at the respective lateral sides, the distal ends 137, 138 defining between them a receiving opening 139 for receiving the pile into the bracket in a rearward direction.

[0128] In the horizontal loading position of the pivot structure 120, the receiving opening 139 of the bracket 130 is oriented upwards for loading horizontally oriented piles 20, 30 from above into the bracket such that they abut downwards against the base support member 134, wherein the foot ends 24, 34 of the piles 20, 30 are close to or located at and facing the foot support member 143 to reach the support position. See also Figures 1 to 2 , Figure 5b , Figure 6c Each of the movable protective pads 151, 152 is connected to a corresponding side section 132, 133 of the bracket 130, extending inward from the corresponding side section 132, 133.

[0129] In both the lateral protection position and the inclined protection position, the protective pads 151 and 152 extend from the proximal ends 155 and 156 of the protective pads located behind the pile axes 22 and 32 in the supported position to the distal ends 137 and 138 in front of the pile axes 22 and 32.

[0130] The base support includes one or more pile support devices 134 arranged and configured to engage, via their contact surfaces 135, the rearwardly oriented, laterally central circumferential portions 25, 35 of the supported piles 20, 30, which rest rearwardly against the pile support devices during loading and during overturning, see references to the larger diameter monopile 20 and the smaller diameter monopile 30 respectively. Figure 5b and Figure 6c .

[0131] The pile support device 134 consists of four pile support devices arranged in a square, with two longitudinally spaced devices extending laterally on opposite sides of the central plane 122 and being laterally spaced apart. The pile support devices are mounted to the base 131 of the outward-facing portion of the bracket in a manner capable of pivoting about a pivot axis parallel to the pile axes 22, 32 in the supported position. (As can be seen by comparison...) Figure 5b and Figure 6c It can be confirmed that this pivotability allows the contact surface 135 of the pile support device 134 to interact with surfaces of different diameters D. 20 D 30 Therefore, the supported piles 20 and 30 with different curvatures are tangent to each other on different circumferences. The pile support device 134 can be controllably pivoted about the pivot axis 137 of the pile support device 134 by means of a corresponding pile support device actuator 136 operating between the pile support device 134 and the base segment 131 which is stationary relative to the central plane 122. In this case, the pile support device actuator 136 is a cylinder.

[0132] The pile foot end support structure 140 includes a left connector member 141 and a right connector member 142, both in the form of connector beams. The connector beams 141 and 142 extend parallel to the central plane 122 at their respective lateral portions within the bracket's interior space and are laterally spaced relative to the central plane 122. The lower ends of both connector beams 141 and 142 support the pile foot support member 143, which extends laterally between the lower ends of the connector beams 141 and 142, such that the bottom ends 24 and 34 of the piles 20 and 30 in the supported position can be supported upwards on the pile foot support member between the connector beams 141 and 142.

[0133] The pile foot end support structure 140 is capable of translational relative to the bracket 130 and therefore relative to the pile foot support member 143 supported by the connector member 142, parallel to the pile axis in the supported position, according to the length L of the piles 20 and 30. 20 L 30 Adjustment is performed. Connector components 141, 142 can be releasably attached to the bracket 130 at multiple longitudinally spaced locations along the connector components 141, 142. By comparison... Figure 3 and Figure 4 As can be seen, for the longer first monopile 20, the connector component is attached to the bracket 130 at a higher position (when viewed in the vertical orientation), and for the shorter second monopile 30, the connector component is attached to the bracket 130 at a lower position.

[0134] The device 100 also includes at least one articulated actuator 123 that operates between the support structure 110 and the pivot structure 120, see [link to previous section] Figure 7 The articulated actuator 123 is configured to control the pivoting of the pivoting structure 120 about the horizontal articulation axis 121 relative to the support structure 110, for example designed to handle only the weight of the pivoting structure 120, specifically for returning the empty device 100 to the loading position. The actuator 123 is preferably not designed to support the piles 20, 30 during tilting, which is achieved by means of a crane lifting the upper ends 23, 33 of the piles 20, 30.

[0135] During the overturning of a marine pile, the protective mat can assist in controlling the pile in at least four of the following situations:

[0136] 1) The overturning device 100 is in its horizontal loading position, and the single piles 20 and 30 are lowered into the bracket 130;

[0137] 2) When the overturning device 100 is almost at the end of the overturning process, it is in a near-vertical position, and the single piles 20 and 30 are improperly escaped from the bracket 130 and are about to swing back into the bracket;

[0138] 3) The overturning device 100 is in its vertical position, and after the single piles 20 and 30 are overturned, they are moved forward out of the bracket 130 by means of a crane.

[0139] 4) The overturning device 100 is in its vertical position, and the single piles 20 and 30 have just been moved forward out of the bracket 130 by means of a crane after being overturned, but are about to swing back inappropriately toward the bracket.

[0140] In case 1, Figures 5a to 5c , Figures 6a to 6d This will be observed from the side of ship 10. Figure 9 In the magnified view, by keeping the protective pad actuators 153 and 154 extended, the protective pads 151 and 152 can already guide the mandrels 20 and 30 toward the support position via their grooves. When the mandrels 20 and 30 are inappropriately displaced relative to the intermediate plane 122 during descent, they can contact one of the protective pads 151 and 152 and slide downwards along that pad toward the base support 134, or bounce back toward the intermediate plane upon impact. Because descent is a slow, asymptotic movement of the mandrels 20 supported from above, the impact is generally minimal, and the rebound onto the protective pads results in a minor correction of the position of the mandrels 20. Therefore, the protective pads 151 and 152 can remain in the same position during this process. However, in the event of faster / greater inappropriate movement, for example, caused by wind, one of the actuators 151, 152 can be operated to brake and correct the movement by first moving the associated protective pads 151, 152 together with the piles 20, 30, i.e., moving towards the same side relative to the intermediate plane 122, while providing increasing resistance, and then moving in the direction towards the intermediate plane 122 to similarly push the single pile 20 towards the intermediate plane 122. The fact that the protective pads 151, 152 can move to multiple protective positions at multiple angles relative to the intermediate plane allows the chute to adjust according to the relative size of the single pile 20. Figure 5a and with a smaller single pile 30 Figures 6b to 6c The different pile diameters are adjusted. In the example, when necessary, such as in strong winds or other disturbances to the pile's positioning, the protective pads 151, 152 can even be used to capture the pile during its downward movement by first increasing the angle to a larger angle ϴ3 to capture the pile, and then gradually decreasing the angle again to move it toward the base support 134 along with the backward-moving pile until the pile reaches its support position, for example until the protective pads 151, 152 are adjusted as follows: Figure 5a (At angle ϴ1) and Figure 6b Align it with the base support 134 as shown at angle ϴ2.

[0141] In case 2, where, Figures 5a to 5c , Figures 6a to 6d Therefore, this will be a near-top view of the vessel 10, with the monopiles 20 and 30 almost entirely losing rearward support from the base support due to their almost completely upright position. When a pile, for example, tilts improperly under the influence of external conditions and moves forward out of the bracket, the piles 20 and 30, still held at their top by the crane, may fall back towards the bracket, for example, due to the suspension cable pulling them back. Protective pads 151 and 152 can be used to cushion any impact by first moving the protective pads 151 and 152 into a protective position through controlled operation of one or more of the protective pad actuators, and for example, pushing the piles 20 and 30 rearward towards the support position along with their axis 22, for example, to center the piles 20 and 30. In the case of a larger deviation of the monopile, actuators 153 and 154 can be operated accordingly to move the protective pads 153 and 154 as follows: Figure 5c and Figure 6d The protective pad is placed at a large angle ϴ3 to capture the pile as it moves backward, and then the pile is slowed down by controllingly reducing the angle to ϴ1, ϴ2 and increasing the resistance—thus cushioning the backward movement—so that the protective pad moves with the backward-moving pile until the pile returns to its support position.

[0142] In case 3, therefore Figures 5a to 5c , Figures 6a to 6d This will be a top view; the protective pad actuators 153 and 154 can be operated in a controllable manner by correspondingly increasing the angle ϴ, for example, increasing to Figure 5c and Figure 6d The angle ϴ3 shown is used to move the protective pads 151, 152 together with the pile, thereby maintaining circumferential contact with the pile as the pile moves forward out of the bracket 130. The effect is that the pile remains centered with minimal lateral movement, directly corrected, and the protective pads 151, 152 maintain their grooved shape. In embodiments, the protective pads 151, 152 can even be used to facilitate controlled forward movement of the pile by applying a forward thrust to the pile through corresponding operation of the protective pad actuators 153, 154.

[0143] In case 4, therefore Figures 5a to 5c , Figures 6a to 6dThe view will be top-down, showing that the protective pad actuators 153 and 154 can be operated in a controllable manner, as previously described, to cause the protective pads 151 and 152 to cushion the movement of the monopiles 20 and 30 back into the bracket 130. For example, the protective pads can then even be operated to push the monopiles 20 out of the bracket 130, thereby applying some acceleration to the monopiles 20 and 30, for example, in that direction.

[0144] exist Figure 5b In the middle, single piles 20 and 30 are in the supported position, wherein the circumferential portion 25 of single piles 20 and 30 is engaged by the inner surface 135 of the base support member 134. Protective pads 151 and 152 are in their rest position. A larger diameter D is envisioned. 20 The first monopile 20 was in this position during the flipping.

[0145] exist Figure 6a In the middle, device 100 has been based on the smaller diameter D of the second monopile 30. 30 Adjustment is performed. The pile support device 134 is adjusted relative to the side sections 132, 133 and the pile support device 134 using the cylinder 136. Figures 5a to 5b The position pivots inward around axis 137 to accommodate the smaller pile diameter D. 30 Protective pads 151 and 152 remain in their stationary positions.

[0146] exist Figure 6b In the middle, protective pads 151 and 152 have been pivoted from a stationary position to a protective position at an angle ϴ2 with respect to the intermediate plane 122 by means of protective pad actuators 153 and 154. This angle ϴ2 is greater than Figure 5a Angle ϴ1 is used in the protective position for the larger diameter monopile 20. A larger angle ϴ2 causes the protective pads 151 and 152 to form grooves facing the base support 134, such that the lower ends 155 and 156 are directly located near the outer end of the base support 134. Figure 6b In the image, the smaller second monopile 30 is partially located inside the bracket. Figure 6c In the middle section, the second single pile is in the supported position, resting on the base support member 134, wherein the inner surface 135 engages with the portion 35 of the pile circumference. The protective pads 151 and 152 remain in the protective position. Figure 6c The protective position is designed to be maintained during overturning, and the protective pad restricts any lateral movement of the pile 30.

[0147] Reference Figures 10a to 10cIt shows a front view of a pile 20 supported by a pile end support structure 140, with a left connector beam 141 and a right connector beam 142 hinged at their upper ends to a bracket 130 about a left connector hinge axis 146 and a right connector hinge axis 147 parallel to the center plane 122 of the pivot structure 120, respectively. Note that even Figure 8 The integrated flipping and retaining device 300, which will be discussed later, is shown, but the design of the pile end support structure 140 is similar, so that details of this part 140 can also be found in the discussion of its construction and operating principle. Figure 8 .

[0148] The pile support beam 143 is hinged at both ends to the lower ends of the left connector member 141 and the right connector member 142, about the left support hinge axis 144 and the right support hinge axis 145, respectively. The left support hinge axis 144 and the right support hinge axis 145 are parallel to the left connector hinge axis 144 and the right connector hinge axis 145.

[0149] When the pivot structure 120 is in a vertical position together with the piles 20 and 30, the connector hinge axes 146 and 147 and the support hinge axes 144 and 145 are horizontal.

[0150] In the illustrated embodiment, the pile foot support structure 140 further includes a foot support member 148, which supports the bottom ends of the piles 20 and 30 in a non-horizontal orientation.

[0151] The foot support member 148 is pivotally hinged to the central portion of the pile support beam 143 via the hinge member 149, such that the bottom ends of the piles 20 and 30 are always supported by the foot support member 143 at two or more locations during the pile's rotation.

[0152] Figure 10b The pile 20 and pile end support structure 140 are shown in a neutral position. In the neutral position, the pile axis 21 and the vertical center plane 122 of the pivot structure 120 are aligned. The left connector beam 141 and the right connector beam 142 extend vertically downward from the bracket 130, and the foot support member 148 is in a horizontal position.

[0153] Figure 10a and Figure 10cThe image shows pile 20 and pile end support structure 140 in a deflected position due to the swaying of pile 20. In the deflected position, the pile axis 21 is angled relative to the vertical center plane 122 of the pivot structure 120, here by approximately 5 degrees. Since connector beams 141, 142 are hinged to bracket 130 about corresponding connector hinge axes 146, 147, the left connector beam 141 and the right connector beam 142 extend downward at the same angle as the pile axis 22 relative to the vertical center plane 122.

[0154] Because the pile support beam 143 is hinged to the left connector beam 141 and the right connector beam 142, the pile support beam 143 remains in a horizontal position. The foot support member 148 is inclined relative to the pile support beam 143. The hinged connection 149 between the pile support beam 143 and the foot support member 143 allows the foot support member 148 to be inclined relative to the horizontal pile support beam 143, thereby allowing the foot support member 148 to always support the pile foot end 24 in two positions during overturning.

[0155] like Figure 9 As shown, the foot support member 148 may have two pile clamping devices 160 arranged near the two outer ends of the foot support member 148. The pile clamping devices 160 are configured to clamp the wall of the bottom end 24 of the pile 20, such that the bottom end 24 of the pile 20 is fixed to the foot support member 148.

[0156] The pile clamping device 160 is an actuated pile clamping device, such as a hydraulically actuated or electrically actuated pile clamping device. The pile clamping device can move from an unacted position to an actuated position, in which the clamping device secures the bottom end 24 of the pile 20. Figure 4 As shown, the pile clamping device 160 includes a fixed clamping member 161 and an actuating clamping member 162 that can move relative to the fixed clamping member 161.

[0157] In an embodiment not shown, the left connector beam 141 and the right connector beam 142 are each connected to an alignment actuator, such as a hydraulic cylinder. The alignment actuator is configured to hold the pile foot end support structure 140 in a straight line with the center plane 122 of the pivot structure 120 during the loading of the horizontally oriented pile 20 onto the tilting device 100.

[0158] from Figure 11 and Figure 12 It can be confirmed that the device 100 is installed on the deck 11 of the vessel 10 such that, in the vertical position, the bracket, and in particular the entire pivot structure, is located outside the vessel profile. Figure 7The illustration shows the device 100 in its storage position, in which the pivot structure is in its horizontally loaded position and located inside the ship's profile. Connector components 141, 142 are attached to the bracket 130 at the position closest to the pile foot support 143.

[0159] Figure 11 The device 100 is shown located on the vessel 10, with the horizontal hinge axis along the edge 13 of the vessel at its long side. After overturning, the overturned pile is transferred to a pile retainer 15, which is configured to retain the pile during descent toward the seabed and during installation into the seabed. For this purpose, the pile retainer has a pile support device with horizontal shaft rollers. The deck support 12 is arranged in line with the base support 134 of the overturning device 100 to support the single pile in its supported position after loading and before overturning by means of lifting the upper ends 23, 33 with a crane 16.

[0160] exist Figure 12 As shown, two second monopiles 30 are located in the storage support 14, and one second monopile 30 is in a supported position for flipping.

[0161] At the inclined protective position of the protective pad ( Figure 5a , Figure 5c , Figures 6b to 6d In the case of the protective pad, the rearward portion extending from the pile axis 22, 32 is tangent to a portion of the circumference of the supported piles 20, 30.

[0162] In one embodiment (not shown), the rearward and forward mobility of the protective pads 151 and 152 relative to the base 131 allows for adjustments based on different pile diameters D. 20 D 30 The internal space of the bracket 130 is adjusted, and the bracket includes a first translation actuator for controlled rearward movement 4 and forward movement 3 of the protective pad relative to the base.

[0163] In the embodiment (not shown), the lateral mobility of the protective pads 151, 15 relative to the base 131 allows for adjustments based on different pile diameters D. 20 D 30 The internal space of the bracket 130 is adjusted, for example, to be more inward to accommodate smaller piles. The bracket includes a second translation actuator for controlled lateral inward and lateral outward movement of the protective pad relative to the base.

[0164] Figure 8 An example of an integrated flipping and holding device 300 according to the present invention is shown.

[0165] The device 300 is configured to be installed on the deck 10 of the vessel 1 or to be installed on the deck 10 of the vessel 1, and is used in conjunction with the vessel's crane during the overturning of the pile 200, such as a monopile. After overturning, the pile is lowered to the seabed by means of the crane while being guided by the device 300.

[0166] The device 300 includes a support assembly 310 configured to be installed on the deck of a ship or configured to be installed on the deck of a ship.

[0167] In an embodiment of device 300, support assembly 310 is a motion-compensating support assembly, as is known in the art, which is configured to provide motion compensation in a horizontal plane, for example, in two orthogonal directions, such as in the X and Y directions.

[0168] The device 300 includes a pivot structure 320 that is hinged to a support assembly 310 about a horizontal hinge axis 121 and configured to support the pile 20 such that the central longitudinal pile axis 21 of the pile 20 is located on the vertical central plane of the pivot structure. This allows the device 300 to pivot the pivot structure and the pile together about the horizontal hinge axis from a horizontal loading position to a vertical position by lifting the upper end of the pile with the aid of a crane on the ship. The inverted pile is lowered to the seabed while being guided by the device 300.

[0169] The pivoting structure 320 includes an annular device comprising a bracket 330 hinged to the support assembly 310 about a horizontal hinge axis 121. The annular device also includes one or more movable clamping elements, such as two semi-circular clamping elements 331, 332, each movable between a closed position and an open position.

[0170] As is known in the art, and not shown here, the annular device is provided with a plurality of pile engagement devices distributed around the circumference of the annular device and configured to guide the pile during its descent to the seabed. For example, each pile engagement device includes one or more pile guide rollers capable of radial positioning relative to the annular device.

[0171] The pivot structure 320 also includes a pile end support structure, which is designated by the same reference numeral 140 as in the figures discussed above due to its similar design.

[0172] The pile end support structure of the integrated device 300 includes a left connector beam 141 and a right connector beam 142, which extend parallel to the central plane and are laterally spaced relative to the central plane. Each connector beam is hinged at its upper end to a bracket 330 about a left first connector hinge axis 146 and a right first connector hinge axis 147, which are parallel to the central plane of the pivot structure.

[0173] The pile end support structure of the integrated device 300 also includes a pile support beam 143, which extends laterally between the lower ends of the left connector beam 141 and the right connector beam 142, so that the bottom end of the pile 20 can be supported in a non-horizontal orientation of the pivot structure 320 together with the pile. The pile support beam is hinged at both ends to the lower ends of the left and right connector beams about left support hinge axes 144 and 145, which are parallel to the left connector hinge axis 146 and the right connector hinge axis 147, respectively.

[0174] In the integrated device 300, when the pivot structure 320 is in a vertical position together with the pile 20, the first connector hinge axes 146, 147 and the support hinge axes 144, 145 are horizontal.

[0175] In the integrated device 300, the left and right connector beams are also each hinged at their upper ends to the bracket 330 about a left tilt axis 335 and a right tilt axis 336, respectively, parallel to the horizontal hinge axis 321. Furthermore, not shown, one or more tilt actuators are provided between the bracket 330 and the connector beams. These tilt actuators are configured to tilt the pile end support structure about the left tilt axis 335 and the right tilt axis 336 between an operating position (as shown) for supporting the pile in a non-horizontal orientation of the pivot structure 320 along with the pile, and a non-operating position that allows the use of a crane to lower the inverted pile to the seabed. In an embodiment, the tilt actuators are configured to lock and thereby prevent such tilting. For example, after the overturning is complete, the crane lifts the pile away from the foot support 160, allowing the pile end support structure of the integrated device 300 to tilt away from the operating position, for example, tilted to a horizontal non-operating position. The crane is then used to lower the pile in a controlled manner toward the seabed, whereby the pile is guided by a ring-shaped device and its pile engagement mechanism. For example, motion-compensated support assemblies are used to control the position and / or tilt of the pile during descent, preferably also during the subsequent pile driving phase.

Claims

1. A tilting device (100) configured to be installed on the deck (11) of a vessel (10) or configured to be installed on the deck (11) of a vessel (10), and for use in conjunction with a crane of the vessel in the tilting of piles, such as monopiles (20, 30), which, after tilting, are removed from the tilting device by means of the crane for descent to the seabed, for example, descent to the seabed guided by a pile retainer of the vessel, wherein, The flipping device (100) includes: - A support assembly (110), the support assembly (110) being configured to be installed on the deck of a ship or configured to be installed on the deck of a ship. - A pivot structure (120) hinged to the support assembly about a horizontal hinge axis (121) and configured to support the pile with the central longitudinal pile axis (22, 32) of the pile located in the center of the pivot structure and on a vertical intermediate plane (122). This allows the tilting device (100) to lift the upper end (23, 33) of the pile by means of a crane of the vessel, thereby pivoting the pivot structure (120) together with the pile about the horizontal hinge axis (121) from a horizontal loading position (Figs. 1 to 2, Figs. 7 to 9) to a vertical position (Figs. 3, 4), where the pile axis is horizontal and vertical respectively, and the tilted pile is removed from the tilting device by means of a crane. The pivoting structure (120) includes: - A bracket (130), which provides at least forward (3) support for the pile by means of a central base support (134), - A pile foot end support structure (140) comprising at least one connector member (141, 42) extending from the bracket (130) toward the pile foot support member (143) for supporting the pile upward at the foot end of the pile in a non-horizontal orientation. The bracket (130) is provided with movable protective pads (151, 152) at corresponding lateral sides. The protective pads (151, 152) together with the base support (134) form the inward surface of the bracket, thereby defining an internal space for the pile inside the bracket (130). The radial movement of the supported pile (20, 30) is restricted within the internal space. Each protective pad can be controllably moved to an inclined protective position (Figs. 5a, 5c, 6b to 6d) by one or more protective pad actuators (153, 154) of the bracket (130). In the protective position, when viewed in the direction along the pile axis (22, 32), the protective pad is inclined toward the base support (134) at an acute angle (ϴ1, ϴ2, ϴ3) relative to the intermediate plane (122).

2. The apparatus (100) according to claim 1, wherein, Both of the protective pads (151, 152) are pivotable about their respective pivot axes (157, 158), which extend parallel to and preferably in front of the pile axes (22, 32), and wherein the corresponding protective pad actuators (153, 154) are pivot actuators for controlling the protective pads to pivot about their respective pivot axes in a controlled manner to the protective pads in the protective position.

3. The apparatus (100) according to claim 2, wherein, The protective pivot actuators (153, 154) are linear actuators, each having a portion of the associated protective pad (151, 152) remote from the pivot axis (157, 158), for example, a portion located behind the pivot axis (157, 158), for example, an end fixed to a rearward end (155, 156), and the other end of the linear actuator is fixed to the fixed external portion (131, 132, 133) of the bracket.

4. The apparatus according to any one or more of the preceding claims, wherein, The pile foot end support structure (140) and the pile foot support member (143) are rigid to remain engaged with the pile foot end in at least the vertical position and cannot be released from the pile foot end, thereby preventing the pile from moving downward.

5. The apparatus according to any one or more of the preceding claims, wherein, The fixing portion of the bracket (130) is U-shaped when viewed along the longitudinal direction of the pile, and has a base section (131), a left side section (132), and a right side section (133). The left and right side sections extend from the base section at their respective lateral sides of the bracket and define receiving openings (139) between the left and right side sections. For example, the side sections extend forward beyond the pile axis and into ends (137, 138) away from the horizontal hinge axis. The flipping device (100) is configured such that, in the horizontal loading position of the pivot structure, the receiving opening (139) of the bracket (130) is oriented upward for loading a horizontally oriented (Figs. 1 to 2) pile (20, 30) from above downward into the bracket to be positioned on the central base support (134) and such that the foot ends (24, 34) of the pile are close to or located at the foot support member (143), wherein each of the movable protective pads (151, 152) is connected to a corresponding side segment (132, 133) of the bracket (130) to extend inward from the corresponding side segment (132, 133).

6. The apparatus (100) according to any one or more of the preceding claims, wherein, The protective pad (151, 152) extends from the proximal end (155, 156) of the protective pad located behind the pile axis (22, 32) in the supported position to the distal end (137, 138) located in front of the pile axis (22, 32) in both the lateral protective position and the inclined protective position.

7. The apparatus according to any one or more of the preceding claims, wherein, Each protective pad (151, 152) can also be moved to a stationary position by a protective pad actuator (Fig. 5b, Fig. 6a), in which the protective pad extends parallel to the intermediate plane.

8. The apparatus (100) according to any one or more of the preceding claims, wherein, The base support (134) includes one or more, for example two or four pile support devices (134), which are arranged and configured to engage the rearwardly oriented lateral central circumferential portion (25, 35) of the supported pile (20, 30) via the contact surface (135) of the pile support device, which rests against the pile support device in a rearward direction when loaded and during overturning.

9. The apparatus (100) according to claim 8, wherein, The pile support device consists of multiple pile support devices located on opposite lateral sides of the intermediate plane (122), each pile support device being mounted to the bracket (130) in a manner capable of pivoting about a pivot axis parallel to the pile axis (22, 32), so as to allow the contact surface (135) of the pile support device (134) to have a different diameter (D) by pivoting the pile support device (134) about the pivot axis (137) of the pile support device (134). 20 D 30 ) and thus circumferentially tangent to the supported piles (20, 30) having different curvatures, wherein, for example, the pile support device (134) is capable of pivoting in a controlled manner about the pivot axis (137) of the pile support device (134) by means of a corresponding pile support device actuator (136), the pile support device actuator (136) operating, for example, between the pile support device (134) and the bracket, for example, the base section (131).

10. The apparatus according to any one or more of the preceding claims, wherein, The pile foot end support structure (140) includes a left connector member and a right connector member, both of which are in the form of connector beams (141, 142) extending parallel to the intermediate plane (122) and laterally spaced relative to the intermediate plane (122). The lower ends of the connector beams (141, 142) support the pile foot support member (143), which extends laterally between the lower ends of the connector beams (141, 142) so that the bottom ends (24, 34) of the piles (20, 30) can be supported upward on the pile foot support member (143) in a non-horizontal orientation of the piles.

11. The apparatus according to any one or more of the preceding claims, wherein, The pile foot end support structure (140) is capable of translational relative to the bracket (130) and therefore relative to the pile foot support member (143) supported by the connector member (141, 142), parallel to the axis of the pile in the supported position, according to the length (L) of the pile (20, 30). 20 L 30 The connector members (141, 142) are adjustable, wherein the connector members (141, 142) are releasably attached to the bracket (130) at a plurality of longitudinally spaced locations along the connector members (141, 142).

12. The apparatus according to any one or more of the preceding claims further includes at least one articulated actuator (123) that operates between the support structure (110) and the pivot structure (120) and is configured to pivot the pivot structure (120) in a controlled manner about the horizontal articulation axis (121) relative to the support structure (110), for example, in view of returning the pivot structure to the horizontal loading position.

13. The apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein, The connector beams (141, 142) of the pile end support structure (140) are a left connector beam (141) and a right connector beam (142), which extend parallel to the central plane (122) of the pivot structure and are laterally spaced relative to the central plane (122). The left connector beam (141) and the right connector beam (142) are each hinged at their upper ends to the bracket (130) around a left connector hinge axis (146) and a right connector hinge axis (147) parallel to the central plane (122), respectively. The pile support beam (143) extends laterally between the lower end of the left connector beam (141) and the lower end of the right connector beam (142) to allow the bottom ends of the piles (20, 30) to be supported in a non-horizontal orientation of the pivot structure (120). The pile support beam (143) is hinged at both ends to the lower ends of the left connector beam (141) and the right connector beam (142) around a left support hinge axis (144) and a right support hinge axis (145) parallel to the left connector hinge axis (146) and the right connector hinge axis (147). When the pivot structure (120) and the piles (20, 30) are in the vertical position, the connector hinge axis (146, 147) and the support hinge axis (144, 145) are horizontal.

14. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein, The pile foot support structure (140) further includes a foot support member (148) that supports the bottom end of the pile (20, 30) in a non-horizontal orientation of the pile, wherein the foot support member is hinged to the center of the pile support beam (143) about a hinge axis (149) parallel to the hinge axis (146) of the left connector and the hinge axis (147) of the right connector, such that the bottom end of the pile is always supported by the foot support member at two or more locations during the overturning of the pile.

15. A method for flipping a pile, such as a monopile (20, 30), to be installed into the seabed, wherein, Use a vessel equipped with a tipping device according to any one or more of claims 1 to 14.

16. A method for flipping a pile, such as a monopile (20, 30), to be installed into the seabed, wherein, The method, using a vessel equipped with a tilting device and a crane according to any one or more of claims 1 to 14, comprises: 1) With the pivot structure in the horizontal loading position and the protective pad in the protective position, the pile is loaded into the pivot structure. 2) The pile is flipped by lifting its upper end using the crane. 3) With the pivot structure and the pile in the vertical position, the pile to be flipped is removed from the pivot structure by means of the crane.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein, During step 1, the pile is loaded by lowering it from above through the receiving opening in front of the bracket, and wherein step 1 includes controllingly operating the protective pad actuator such that the protective pad engages with the pile at two lateral sides of the bracket in the protective pad's protected position, for example such that as the descent proceeds, the angle of the protective pad about the intermediate plane decreases to guide the pile toward the base support (134), for example such that the angle of the protective pad about the intermediate plane remains equal at both lateral sides.

18. The method of claim 16 or 17, further comprising, during step 1, step 2 or step 3, controlling the operation of one or more of the protective pad actuators to adjust the angle of the associated protective pad with respect to the intermediate plane, thereby counteracting undue movement of the pile axis away from the intermediate plane.

19. The method according to any one or more of claims 16 to 18, further comprising cushioning undue rearward movement of the pile from a position in front of the base support by controllingly operating actuators of the protective pad at two lateral sides of the bracket, such that the angle of the protective pad about the intermediate plane gradually decreases as the rearward movement proceeds, and applying a forward force to decelerate the pile. in, The buffer is provided during step 2 or step 3, in which the pile is removed by forward movement of the pile through the front receiving opening.

20. The method according to any one or more of claims 16 to 19, wherein, In step 3, the pile is removed by forward movement of the pile through the front receiving opening, and the method includes applying a forward thrust during step 3 by controllingly operating the actuator of the protective pad at both lateral sides of the bracket, so as to increase the angle of the protective pad about the intermediate plane as the forward movement proceeds, thereby guiding the forward departure movement of the pile, for example, such that the angle of the protective pad remains equal at both lateral sides.

21. A vessel comprising a tipping device according to any one or more of claims 1 to 14, wherein: - In the vertical position, when viewed in a top view, the bracket of the pivot structure, for example, the entire pivot structure, is located outside the ship's outline, and / or - In its storage location, when viewed from above, the pivot structure is positioned in a horizontal loading position, and the bracket, for example, the entire pivot structure, is located within the ship's outline, wherein, for example, the tilting device is the tilting device according to claim 11, and the connector member is attached to the bracket at the position closest to the pile foot support.

22. A flipping device (100) configured to be installed on the hull, such as the deck (10), of a vessel (1), or configured to be installed on the hull, such as the deck (10), of a vessel (1), and for use in conjunction with a crane of the vessel in the flipping of piles (20, 30), such as monopiles, which, after flipping, are lowered to the seabed while being guided by different pile retainer devices, for example, the flipped piles are removed from the flipping device by means of the crane and transferred to different pile retainer devices, wherein, The flipping device includes: - A support assembly (110), the support assembly (110) being configured to be installed on the hull of a ship, such as on a deck, or configured to be installed on the hull of a ship, such as on a deck. - A pivot structure (120) hinged to the support assembly about a horizontal hinge axis (121) and configured to support the piles (20, 30) such that the central longitudinal pile axis (201) of the piles (20, 30) lies on the vertical central plane (122) of the pivot structure, allowing the tilting device to pivot the pivot structure together with the piles about the horizontal hinge axis from a horizontal loading position to a vertical position by lifting the upper end of the piles using the crane of the vessel. The pivoting structure includes: - A bracket (130) hinged to the support assembly about the horizontal hinge axis (121). - Pile end support structure (140). The pile end support structure includes a left connector beam (141) and a right connector beam (142), which extend parallel to the central plane (122) and are laterally spaced relative to the central plane (122). The left connector beam and the right connector beam are respectively hinged at their upper ends to the bracket (130) around a left connector hinge axis (146) and a right connector hinge axis (147) parallel to the central plane of the pivot structure. The pile end support structure further includes a pile support beam (143) that extends laterally between the lower ends of the left connector beam (141) and the right connector beam (142) to support the bottom ends of the piles (20, 30) in a non-horizontal orientation of the pivot structure (120). The pile support beam is hinged at both ends to the lower ends of the left connector beam and the right connector beam around a left support hinge axis (144) and a right support hinge axis (145) parallel to the left connector hinge axis (146) and the right connector hinge axis (147). When the pivot structure (120) and the piles (20, 30) are in a vertical position, the connector hinge axis (146, 147) and the support hinge axis (144, 145) are horizontal.

23. An integrated tilting and holding device (300) configured to be installed on the hull of a vessel (10), such as on a deck (11), or configured to be installed on the hull of a vessel (10), such as on a deck (11), and for use in conjunction with a crane of the vessel in the tilting of piles (20, 30), such as monopiles, which, after tilting, are lowered to the seabed while being guided by the integrated tilting and holding device (300), wherein, The device (300) includes: - A support assembly (310), the support assembly (310) being configured to be installed on the hull of a ship, such as on a deck, or configured to be installed on the hull of a ship, such as on a deck. - A pivot structure (320) hinged to the support assembly about a horizontal hinge axis (321) and configured to support the piles (20, 30) such that the central longitudinal pile axis (22) of the piles (20, 30) lies on the vertical central plane (322) of the pivot structure, allowing the device to pivot the pivot structure and the pile together about the horizontal hinge axis from a horizontal loading position to a vertical position by lifting the upper end of the pile with the aid of the ship's crane, while the inverted pile is lowered to the seabed guided by the device (300). The pivoting structure (320) includes: - A ring-shaped device comprising a bracket (330) hinged to the support assembly about a horizontal hinge axis (321), the ring-shaped device further comprising one or more movable clamping elements (331, 332), such as two semi-circular clamping elements, each clamping element movable between a closed position and an open position, wherein the ring-shaped device is provided with a plurality of pile engagement devices distributed around the circumference of the ring-shaped device and configured to guide the piles during descent to the seabed, for example, each pile engagement device comprising one or more pile guide rollers capable of radial positioning relative to the ring-shaped device. - Pile end support structure (140). The pile end support structure includes a left connector beam (141) and a right connector beam (142), which extend parallel to the central plane and are laterally spaced relative to the central plane. Each of the left and right connector beams is hinged at its upper end to the bracket (330) around a left first connector hinge axis (146) and a right first connector hinge axis (147) that are parallel to the central plane of the pivot structure. The pile end support structure includes a pile support beam (143) that extends laterally between the lower end of the left connector beam (141) and the lower end of the right connector beam (142) to support the bottom end of the pile (20, 30) in a non-horizontal orientation of the pivot structure (320). The pile support beam is hinged at both ends to the lower ends of the left connector beam and the right connector beam around a left support hinge axis (144) and a right support hinge axis (145) parallel to the left connector hinge axis (146) and the right connector hinge axis (147). When the pivot structure (320) and the pile are in a vertical position, the first connector hinge axis (146, 147) and the support hinge axis (144, 145) are horizontal. Preferably, the left connector beam and the right connector beam are each hinged at their upper ends to the bracket (330) about a left tilt axis (335) and a right tilt axis (336) parallel to the horizontal hinge axis (321), respectively. One or more tilt actuators are provided between the bracket and the connector beams, the one or more tilt actuators being configured to tilt the pile end support structure about the left tilt axis and the right tilt structure between an operating position for supporting the pile along the pivot structure (320) and the pile in a non-operating position that allows the pile to be lowered to the seabed by a crane.

24. The apparatus according to claim 22 or 23, wherein, The pile foot support structure (140) further includes a foot support member (148) that supports the bottom end of the pile (20, 30) along a non-horizontal orientation of the pile, wherein the foot support member is hinged to the center of the pile support beam (143) about a hinge axis (149) parallel to the hinge axis (146) of the left connector and the hinge axis (147) of the right connector, such that the bottom end of the pile is always supported by the foot support member at two or more locations during the overturning of the pile.

25. The apparatus according to claim 24, wherein, The foot support member includes two pile clamping devices (160), which are preferably arranged near the two outer ends of the foot support member (148). The pile clamping devices are configured to clamp the wall at the bottom end of the pile, thereby fixing the bottom end of the pile to the foot support member.

26. The apparatus according to claim 25, wherein, The pile clamping device (160) is an actuated pile clamping device, such as a hydraulically actuated or electrically actuated pile clamping device, which is capable of moving from an unactuated position to an actuated position, in which the clamping device fixes the bottom end of the pile.

27. The apparatus according to any one or more of claims 22 to 26, wherein, A portion of the bracket is U-shaped when viewed along the longitudinal direction of the pile and has a base section (132), a left side section (133), and a right side section (134). The left side section (133) and the right side section (134) extend from the base section at corresponding lateral sides of the bracket and define receiving openings between the left side section (133) and the right side section (134), for example, wherein the side sections extend beyond the pile axis and extend into an end remote from the horizontal hinge axis (121). The flipping device is configured such that, in the horizontal loading position of the pivot structure, the receiving opening of the bracket is oriented upward for loading the horizontally oriented pile downward into the bracket to be positioned on the base section and such that the foot end of the pile is close to or located at the pile support beam or the foot support member.

28. The apparatus according to any one or more of claims 22 to 27, wherein, The base section (132) includes one or more, for example two or four pile support devices (134), which are arranged and configured to engage the circumferential portion of the supported pile (20, 30) through the contact surface (135) of the pile support device, which rests against the pile support device when loaded and during overturning.

29. The apparatus according to claim 28, wherein, Multiple pile support devices (134) are arranged on opposite lateral sides of the central plane of the pivot structure (122). Each of the multiple pile support devices is mounted to the bracket (130) in a manner that allows it to pivot about a pivot axis parallel to the pile axis, so that the contact surface of the pile support device is tangent to the circumference of the supported pile, which has a different diameter and therefore a different curvature, by pivoting the pile support device about the pivot axis of the pile support device. For example, the pile support device can pivot in a controllable manner about the pivot axis of the pile support device by means of a corresponding pile support device actuator, which operates, for example, between the pile support device and the bracket, such as the base section.

30. The apparatus according to any one or more of claims 22 to 29, further comprising at least one articulated actuator (123) that operates between the support assembly and the pivoting structure and is configured to pivot the pivoting structure in a controlled manner relative to the support structure about the horizontal articulation axis (121), for example in view of returning the pivoting structure to the horizontal loading position.

31. A vessel equipped with the apparatus according to one or more of claims 22 to 30 and a crane.

32. A method for flipping a pile, such as a monopile, to be installed into the seabed, wherein, Use the vessel as described in claim 31.

33. The method according to claim 32, wherein, Using the vessel according to at least claim 31, the method includes the following steps: 1) With the pivot structure in the horizontal loading position, the pile is loaded. 2) The pile is flipped by lifting the upper end of it with the aid of a crane. 3) With the pivot structure and the pile in the vertical position, the pile to be flipped is removed from the pivot structure by means of the crane, and then the pile to be flipped is moved into the pile holding device of the vessel.

34. The method according to claim 32, wherein, Using the apparatus according to at least claim 23 on a ship equipped with a crane, the method comprises the following steps: 1) Load the pile when the pivot structure is in the horizontal loading position and the pile end support structure is in the operating position of the pile end support structure. 2) The pile is flipped by lifting its upper end using the crane. 3) With the pivot structure and the pile in the vertical position, tilt the pile end support structure to a non-operating position. 4) While the pile is vertically guided by the pile joint device of the integrated device ring device, the pile is lowered to the seabed.

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