Integral installation system and method for offshore wind turbines for various platforms

Abstract

This invention proposes an integrated wind turbine installation system and method for various offshore wind turbine platforms, including an installation vessel, an offshore wind turbine support unit, a wind turbine body, a wind turbine platform, and a control unit. The offshore wind turbine support unit is installed on the top surface of the installation vessel. The wind turbine body is detachably connected to the offshore wind turbine support unit. The wind turbine platform is configured with the wind turbine body to support the offshore wind turbine body. This invention can simultaneously meet the requirements of precision, safety, economy, and universal adaptability for the installation of ultra-large offshore wind turbines.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the technical field of offshore wind turbine installation, and specifically to an integrated wind turbine installation system and method for various offshore wind turbine platforms. Background Technology

[0002] As offshore wind power rapidly develops towards deeper waters and larger capacities, the requirements for the size, weight, and installation precision of ultra-large wind turbine units have increased significantly, placing stringent demands on the operational efficiency, environmental adaptability, and safety of offshore installation equipment.

[0003] The current mainstream split-type installation process for wind turbines requires the high-altitude hoisting of components such as towers, nacelles, and blades section by section at sea. This process has inherent drawbacks, such as a narrow window for offshore operations, complicated procedures, high safety risks, and difficulty in adapting hoisting capacity to ultra-large units.

[0004] Integrated wind turbine installation technology allows for complete assembly and commissioning of the entire unit onshore, followed by one-time transport to the installation site for docking. This significantly reduces offshore operations and represents a core direction for industry development. However, existing integrated installation devices still face several bottlenecks: solutions relying on heavy lifting equipment are costly, pose significant risks during docking due to unit swaying, and have poor water depth adaptability; floating installation solutions lack versatility across foundation types, and their docking accuracy and adaptability to sea conditions are insufficient; and the supporting tooling lacks integrated buffering, positioning, and locking functions, resulting in inadequate reliability during transportation and docking. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an integrated wind turbine installation system and method for various offshore wind turbine platforms, which is applicable to wind turbines of various diameters and various wind turbine platforms, simplifies the installation process and improves installation efficiency.

[0006] The embodiments of this application are implemented as follows: This application provides a wind turbine overall installation system for various offshore wind turbine platforms. The system includes an installation vessel, an offshore wind turbine support unit, a wind turbine body, a wind turbine platform, and a control unit. The offshore wind turbine support unit is installed on the top surface of the installation vessel. The wind turbine body is detachably connected to the offshore wind turbine support unit. The wind turbine platform is configured with the wind turbine body to support the offshore wind turbine body. The ship is equipped with a dynamic positioning device. The offshore wind turbine support unit includes a fixed frame and a movable frame. The movable frame is installed on the fixed frame, and the position of the movable frame is adjusted to configure and connect it with the wind turbine body. The wind turbine platform is secured by anchor chains or tension cables and is fixedly connected to the wind turbine body. The control unit is connected to the dynamic positioning device and the moving frame respectively, and controls the positioning and installation of the fan body.

[0007] In some alternative implementations, the fixed frame is a frame structure formed by splicing vertical struts, horizontal struts, and diagonal struts.

[0008] In some alternative implementations, the wind turbine body includes a tower and a wind turbine generator, with symmetrical positioning pins on both sides of the bottom of the tower and a positioning hole at the center of the front of the middle section of the tower.

[0009] In some alternative implementations, the movable frame includes an upper vertical adjustment frame, a lower vertical adjustment frame, and a lower lateral adjustment frame. The upper vertical adjustment frame has a connecting pin at its end that is configured with the positioning hole. The lower lateral adjustment frame is connected to the lower vertical adjustment frame, and the lower lateral adjustment frame has a connecting hole at its end that is configured with the positioning pin.

[0010] In some optional embodiments, the upper vertical adjustment frame includes an upper vertical sleeve fitted with the vertical support rod. The upper vertical sleeves are connected by an upper horizontal connecting rod. The upper vertical sleeve is connected to an outwardly extending upper cantilever connecting frame. The connecting pin is installed at the end of the upper cantilever connecting frame. The upper vertical sleeve located in the middle has a connecting lug on its outer wall, which is connected to the upper vertical adjustment drive fixed to the fixed frame, thereby driving the upper vertical sleeve, the upper horizontal connecting rod, the upper cantilever connecting frame and the connecting pin to move up and down along the vertical support rod.

[0011] In some optional embodiments, the lower vertical adjustment frame includes a lower vertical sleeve fitted with the vertical support rod. The lower vertical sleeves are connected to each other by a lower horizontal connecting rod. The outer wall of the lower vertical sleeve is provided with a connecting lug, which is connected to the lower vertical adjustment drive fixed on the installation vessel, so as to drive the lower vertical sleeve and the lower horizontal connecting rod to move up and down along the vertical support rod.

[0012] In some optional embodiments, the lower lateral adjustment frame includes two sets of symmetrically arranged lateral sleeves, which are respectively fitted onto the lower lateral connecting rod. Each set of lateral sleeves is connected to the other through a lateral cantilever connecting frame. The connecting hole is installed at the end of the lateral cantilever connecting frame. A lateral adjustment drive is installed on the lower vertical sleeve corresponding to the two sets of lateral sleeves, and is respectively connected to the corresponding lateral cantilever connecting frame, driving the lateral sleeves and lateral cantilever connecting frames to move left and right along the lower lateral connecting rod.

[0013] In some alternative implementations, an elastic telescopic rod is provided between the connecting pin and the end of the upper cantilever connecting frame, which drives the connecting pin to move back and forth.

[0014] In some alternative implementations, the installation vessel includes an installation vessel with grooves and an installation vessel without grooves, the grooves being used to accommodate the wind turbine body; the wind turbine platform is divided into a fixed wind turbine platform and a floating wind turbine platform.

[0015] The method of using an integrated wind turbine installation system for various offshore wind turbine platforms is characterized by including the following: After the installation vessel arrives at the designated installation location, the distance and angle between the wind turbine body and the wind turbine platform are adjusted using a dynamic positioning device. Then, the positions of the upper and lower vertical adjustment frames are adjusted to achieve docking between the wind turbine body and the wind turbine platform. After the load of the wind turbine body is completely transferred to the wind turbine platform, the lower lateral adjustment frame is adjusted to separate the positioning pin at the bottom of the tower from the connecting hole. At the same time, the upper vertical adjustment frame is adjusted to separate the positioning hole of the tower from the connecting pin. Finally, the dynamic positioning device is adjusted to allow the installation vessel to back up, and the entire offshore wind turbine installation process is completed.

[0016] The beneficial effects of this application are as follows: This application provides an integrated wind turbine installation system and method for various offshore wind turbine platforms. The lower lateral adjustment mechanism and elastic telescopic rod can be adjusted according to the diameter of the tower, thereby adapting to various wind turbines. The outward extension distance and vertical adjustment space of the integrated offshore wind turbine installation system can adapt to the installation of wind turbine platforms at long distances, short distances, high and low sides. The upper vertical adjustment mechanism, lower vertical adjustment mechanism, and lower lateral adjustment mechanism can quickly adjust the wind turbine position to achieve load transfer. The entire installation process is simple and greatly reduces construction time. The control unit controls the dynamic positioning device and the position adjustment device respectively, and they are coupled together. According to the software algorithm, the response amplitude of the installation system is always kept within a safe range during the installation process, realizing automated control and remote control. Attached Figure Description

[0017] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, the accompanying drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. It should be understood that the following drawings only show some embodiments of this application and should not be regarded as a limitation of the scope. For those skilled in the art, other related drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0018] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the installation of a semi-submersible floating fan on an H-type catamaran barge according to an embodiment of this application; Figure 2A side view of the H-type catamaran barge with a fan installed according to an embodiment of this application; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the upper vertical adjustment frame in an embodiment of this application; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the lower vertical adjustment frame in an embodiment of this application; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the lower lateral adjustment frame in an embodiment of this application; Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the wind turbine body according to an embodiment of this application; Figure 7 This is an overall schematic diagram of a fixed fan mounted on the side of an H-type catamaran barge, according to an embodiment of this application. Figure 8 This is an overall schematic diagram of the H-type catamaran barge with a type II semi-submersible floating wind turbine installed laterally, according to an embodiment of this application. Figure 9 A schematic diagram of the installation of a TLP floating wind turbine on an H-type catamaran barge according to an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0019] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this application clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments. The components of the embodiments of this application described and shown in the accompanying drawings can generally be arranged and designed in various different configurations.

[0020] Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of this application provided in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed application, but merely to illustrate selected embodiments of the application. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this application without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0021] It should be noted that similar labels and letters in the following figures indicate similar items. Therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it does not need to be further defined and explained in subsequent figures.

[0022] The features and performance of this application will be further described in detail below with reference to the embodiments.

[0023] like Figures 1-2As shown, this application provides an integrated wind turbine installation system for various offshore wind turbine platforms, including an installation vessel 1, an offshore wind turbine support unit 2, a wind turbine body 3, a wind turbine platform 4, and a control unit. The offshore wind turbine support unit is installed on the top surface of the installation vessel, the wind turbine body is detachably connected to the offshore wind turbine support unit, the wind turbine platform is configured with the wind turbine body, and the offshore wind turbine body is supported.

[0024] Furthermore, the installation vessel is equipped with a dynamic positioning device 11, which can quickly adjust the position of the installation vessel and move it to the installation position.

[0025] The offshore wind turbine support unit includes a fixed frame 21 and a movable frame 22. The movable frame is installed on the fixed frame, and the position of the movable frame is adjusted to configure and connect it with the wind turbine body.

[0026] The wind turbine platform is secured by anchor chains 5 or tension cables 6 and is fixedly connected to the wind turbine body. The wind turbine body includes a tower 31 and a wind turbine generator 32. Positioning pins 33 are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the bottom of the tower, and a positioning hole 34 is located at the center of the front of the tower (see...). Figure 6 ).

[0027] The control unit is connected to the dynamic positioning device and the moving frame respectively to control the positioning and installation of the fan body.

[0028] Furthermore, the fixed frame is formed by splicing vertical struts 211, horizontal struts 212 and diagonal struts 213 to form a frame structure.

[0029] The movable frame includes an upper vertical adjustment frame 221, a lower vertical adjustment frame 222, and a lower lateral adjustment frame 223. The upper vertical adjustment frame has a connecting pin 224 at its end that is configured with a positioning hole. The lower lateral adjustment frame is connected to the lower vertical adjustment frame, and the lower lateral adjustment frame has a connecting hole 225 at its end that is configured with a positioning pin.

[0030] Example 1 like Figure 3 As shown, the upper vertical adjustment frame includes an upper vertical sleeve 2211, which is sleeved with a vertical support rod. The upper vertical sleeves are connected to each other by an upper horizontal connecting rod 2212. The upper vertical sleeve is connected to an outwardly extending upper cantilever connecting frame 2213. A connecting pin is installed at the end of the upper cantilever connecting frame. The upper vertical sleeve located in the middle has a connecting lug on its outer wall, which is connected to an upper vertical adjustment drive 2214 fixed on a fixed frame, which drives the upper vertical sleeve, upper horizontal connecting rod, upper cantilever connecting frame and connecting pin to move up and down along the vertical support rod.

[0031] like Figure 4As shown, the lower vertical adjustment frame includes a lower vertical sleeve 2221, which is sleeved with a vertical support rod. The lower vertical sleeves are connected to each other by a lower horizontal connecting rod 2222. The outer wall of the lower vertical sleeve is provided with a connecting lug, which is connected to the lower vertical adjustment drive 2223 fixed on the installation vessel, so as to drive the lower vertical sleeve and the lower horizontal connecting rod to move up and down along the vertical support rod.

[0032] like Figure 5 As shown, the lower lateral adjustment frame includes two sets of symmetrically arranged lateral sleeves 2231, which are respectively sleeved with the lower lateral connecting rod. Each set of lateral sleeves is connected to each other through a lateral cantilever connecting frame 2232. The connecting hole is installed at the end of the lateral cantilever connecting frame. A lateral adjustment drive 2233 is installed on the lower vertical sleeve corresponding to the two sets of lateral sleeves, and is respectively connected to the corresponding lateral cantilever connecting frame, which drives the lateral sleeves and the lateral cantilever connecting frame to move left and right along the lower lateral connecting rod.

[0033] The usage method of the above-mentioned wind turbine overall installation system includes the following: After the installation vessel arrives at the designated installation location, the distance and angle between the wind turbine body and the wind turbine platform are adjusted using a dynamic positioning device. Then, the positions of the upper and lower vertical adjustment frames are adjusted to achieve docking between the wind turbine body and the wind turbine platform. After the load of the wind turbine body is completely transferred to the wind turbine platform, the lower lateral adjustment frame is adjusted to separate the positioning pin at the bottom of the tower from the connecting hole. At the same time, the upper vertical adjustment frame is adjusted to separate the positioning hole of the tower from the connecting pin. Finally, the dynamic positioning device is adjusted to allow the installation vessel to back up, and the entire offshore wind turbine installation process is completed.

[0034] The upper vertical adjustment drive, lower vertical adjustment drive, and lateral adjustment drive can all be hydraulic cylinders. Throughout the process, the hydraulic cylinders and the power positioning device are intelligently controlled by the control unit and can be remotely controlled. The various systems are coupled and influence each other. According to the software algorithm, the system's response amplitude is always kept within a safe range during the installation process.

[0035] Example 1 In this embodiment, an elastic telescopic rod 2215 (see [reference needed]) is provided between the connecting pin and the end of the upper cantilever connecting frame. Figure 3 This causes the connecting pin to extend and retract, adjusting the elongation to match different tower diameters.

[0036] Example 2 In this embodiment, the installation vessels are classified into two types according to their hull shapes: one type has grooves, such as H-type catamaran barges and U-type vessels, where the grooves are used for locking and limiting the wind turbine body; the other type does not have grooves, such as T-type barges and flat barges. The process of installing the entire wind turbine is the same for different installation vessels. The difference lies in the position where the wind turbine installation system is fixed to the installation vessel. The extension distance and vertical adjustment space of the wind turbine installation system are large enough to adapt to the installation of wind turbine platforms at long distances, short distances, high and low sides.

[0037] Wind turbine platforms are divided into fixed wind turbine platforms and floating wind turbine platforms. Fixed wind turbine platforms include jacketed wind turbine platforms (see...). Figure 7 ), the floating wind turbine platform includes a type of semi-submersible wind turbine platform (see Figure 1 Type II semi-submersible wind turbine platform (see) Figure 8 ) and TLP wind turbine platform (see Figure 9 ).

Claims

1. A wind turbine integrated installation system for various offshore wind turbine platforms, characterized in that, The system includes an installation vessel, an offshore wind turbine support unit, a wind turbine body, a wind turbine platform, and a control unit. The offshore wind turbine support unit is installed on the top surface of the installation vessel. The wind turbine body is detachably connected to the offshore wind turbine support unit. The wind turbine platform is configured with the wind turbine body to support the offshore wind turbine body. The ship is equipped with a dynamic positioning device. The offshore wind turbine support unit includes a fixed frame and a movable frame. The movable frame is installed on the fixed frame, and the position of the movable frame is adjusted to configure and connect it with the wind turbine body. The wind turbine platform is secured by anchor chains or tension cables and is fixedly connected to the wind turbine body. The control unit is connected to the dynamic positioning device and the moving frame respectively, and controls the positioning and installation of the fan body.

2. The wind turbine integrated installation system for various offshore wind turbine platforms as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The fixed frame is a frame structure formed by splicing vertical struts, horizontal struts and diagonal struts.

3. The wind turbine integrated installation system for various offshore wind turbine platforms as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The wind turbine body includes a tower and a wind turbine generator. The tower has symmetrical positioning pins on both sides of its bottom and a positioning hole in the center of the front of the tower.

4. The integrated wind turbine installation system for various offshore wind turbine platforms as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The movable frame includes an upper vertical adjustment frame, a lower vertical adjustment frame, and a lower lateral adjustment frame. The upper vertical adjustment frame has a connecting pin at its end that is configured with the positioning hole. The lower lateral adjustment frame is connected to the lower vertical adjustment frame, and the lower lateral adjustment frame has a connecting hole at its end that is configured with the positioning pin.

5. The wind turbine integrated installation system for various offshore wind turbine platforms as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The upper vertical adjustment frame includes an upper vertical sleeve that is fitted onto the vertical support rod. The upper vertical sleeves are connected to each other by an upper horizontal connecting rod. The upper vertical sleeve is connected to an outwardly extending upper cantilever connecting frame. The connecting pin is installed at the end of the upper cantilever connecting frame. The upper vertical sleeve located in the middle has a connecting lug on its outer wall, which is connected to the upper vertical adjustment drive fixed on the fixed frame, thereby driving the upper vertical sleeve, the upper horizontal connecting rod, the upper cantilever connecting frame, and the connecting pin to move up and down along the vertical support rod.

6. The integrated wind turbine installation system for various offshore wind turbine platforms according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that, The lower vertical adjustment frame includes a lower vertical sleeve that is fitted onto the vertical support rod. The lower vertical sleeves are connected by a lower horizontal connecting rod. The outer wall of the lower vertical sleeve is provided with a connecting lug that is connected to the lower vertical adjustment drive fixed on the installation vessel, thereby driving the lower vertical sleeve and the lower horizontal connecting rod to move up and down along the vertical support rod.

7. The wind turbine integrated installation system for various offshore wind turbine platforms as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The lower lateral adjustment frame includes two sets of symmetrically arranged lateral sleeves, which are respectively fitted onto the lower lateral connecting rod. Each set of lateral sleeves is connected to the other through a lateral cantilever connecting frame. The connecting hole is installed at the end of the lateral cantilever connecting frame. A lateral adjustment drive is installed on the lower vertical sleeve corresponding to the two sets of lateral sleeves, and is respectively connected to the corresponding lateral cantilever connecting frame, driving the lateral sleeves and lateral cantilever connecting frames to move left and right along the lower lateral connecting rod.

8. The integrated wind turbine installation system for various offshore wind turbine platforms as described in claim 5, characterized in that, An elastic telescopic rod is provided between the connecting pin and the end of the upper cantilever connecting frame, which drives the connecting pin to move back and forth.

9. The integrated wind turbine installation system for various offshore wind turbine platforms according to claim 6, characterized in that, The installation vessel includes installation vessels with grooves and installation vessels without grooves, the grooves being used to accommodate the wind turbine body; the wind turbine platform is divided into fixed wind turbine platform and floating wind turbine platform.

10. The method of using the integrated wind turbine installation system for various offshore wind turbine platforms as described in claim 4, 8, or 9, characterized in that, Includes the following: After the installation vessel arrives at the designated installation location, the distance and angle between the wind turbine body and the wind turbine platform are adjusted using a dynamic positioning device. Then, the positions of the upper and lower vertical adjustment frames are adjusted to achieve docking between the wind turbine body and the wind turbine platform. After the load of the wind turbine body is completely transferred to the wind turbine platform, the lower lateral adjustment frame is adjusted to separate the positioning pin at the bottom of the tower from the connecting hole. At the same time, the upper vertical adjustment frame is adjusted to separate the positioning hole of the tower from the connecting pin. Finally, the dynamic positioning device is adjusted to allow the installation vessel to back up, and the entire offshore wind turbine installation process is completed.

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