Novel offshore power transformation platform

Abstract

The utility model relates to a novel offshore power transformation platform which comprises an underwater foundation fixed on a seabed and an upper module arranged over the underwater foundation, a plurality of pile legs in butt joint with the underwater foundation are arranged on the outer surface of the upper module in the vertical direction, and the upper module is of a watertight barge structure. The upper module is of a steel box type structure with a sealed cavity defined by side walls and the bottom, and the buoyancy of the sealed cavity supports the upper module to float on the sea surface. According to the utility model, the upper module is arranged into the steel box type structure with the sealed cavity defined by the side walls and the bottom, so that the upper module can float on the sea surface, the whole upper module floats on the water surface after being constructed and is towed and transported by the tugs, the offshore heavy hoisting and floating operation is avoided, and the whole process does not need ultra-large marine engineering ship machine equipment; and the requirements on construction ship equipment are reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of offshore power substation technology, specifically to a novel offshore power substation platform. Background Technology

[0002] In marine clean energy development projects such as offshore wind power, in order to transmit the generated electricity to land over long distances with low loss via submarine cables, it is necessary to set up an offshore substation platform to collect the power output of each generator set, increase the transmission voltage, and centrally send high-voltage power to land.

[0003] In existing technologies, offshore substation platforms generally consist of two parts: a jacket foundation and a superstructure. Based on the existing offshore substation platform structure, the superstructure is typically constructed and assembled on land near the shore, while the jacket foundation is simultaneously installed in a designated sea area. After completion, the superstructure is transported by a large deck barge to the vicinity of the jacket foundation, awaiting a suitable environmental window for installation. For step-up substations with an installed capacity of less than 1GW, the total weight of the superstructure is generally no more than 5,000 tons, and it is often lifted to the jacket foundation using a super-large floating crane method for installation. For step-up substations with an installed capacity of more than 1GW and offshore converter stations, the superstructure can weigh over 20,000 tons, exceeding the limits of offshore lifting capacity; therefore, a floating installation method is often used. However, the current number of single offshore structures weighing thousands to tens of thousands of tons is approaching the limits of offshore hoisting and floating construction equipment. As offshore wind power accelerates its development towards deep sea and large scale, there will be very few ships and equipment suitable for the installation of offshore substation platforms weighing tens of thousands of tons in the future. It may even require a lot of resources and time to customize special construction ships and equipment, which consumes a lot of manpower and material resources.

[0004] To address the aforementioned problems, this utility model proposes a novel offshore power substation platform. Utility Model Content

[0005] The purpose of this utility model is to overcome the shortcomings of the existing technology, adapt to the needs of reality, and provide a new type of offshore power substation platform to solve the above-mentioned technical problems.

[0006] To achieve the objectives of this utility model, a novel technical solution for an offshore power substation platform is provided:

[0007] A novel offshore power substation platform includes an underwater foundation fixed to the seabed and an upper module positioned directly above the underwater foundation. The outer surface of the upper module has multiple pile legs arranged vertically to connect with the underwater foundation. The upper module is a watertight barge structure, which is a steel box-shaped structure with a sealed cavity formed by the side walls and bottom. The buoyancy of the sealed cavity supports the upper module to float on the sea surface.

[0008] Furthermore, the upper module has an equipment compartment for placing power equipment inside, and the lower deck of the upper module has multiple watertight compartments, including ballast water tanks, fuel oil tanks, lubricating oil tanks, spare parts compartments and living quarters.

[0009] Furthermore, the underwater foundation includes a jacket and piles connected to the bottom of the jacket. The jacket is fixedly connected to the seabed through the piles, and an underwater coupling connector that docks with the pile legs is fixedly connected to the top of the jacket.

[0010] Furthermore, the underwater coupling connector is a steel flared component, and the interior of the underwater coupling connector is provided with cushioning material arranged in a ring along the inner wall.

[0011] Furthermore, the pile leg is a steel cylindrical structure, and a hollow connecting body with an upward opening is fixedly connected to the surface of the upper block. A top cover is detachably connected to the top of the connecting body, and the pile leg passes through the connecting body and the top cover. The pile leg is connected to the outer surface of the upper block through the connecting body.

[0012] Furthermore, the outer surface of the upper block is provided with a plurality of hydraulic lifting components that are connected one-to-one with the pile legs. The hydraulic lifting components drive the pile legs to move in the vertical direction so that a relative displacement is generated between the pile legs and the upper block.

[0013] Furthermore, the hydraulic lifting assembly includes two steel strand jacks and corresponding steel strand bodies disposed within the steel strand jacks. A pile fixing frame is fixedly connected to the inner bottom wall of the connecting body. The steel strand jacks are fixedly connected to the upper surface of the pile fixing frame. The pile legs penetrate the pile fixing frame, and the top and bottom ends of the steel strand bodies are fixedly connected to the pile legs through connectors.

[0014] Furthermore, the connector is a connecting plate, which is fixedly connected to the surface of the steel strand body and fixedly connected to the end of the pile leg.

[0015] This utility model also provides an installation method for an offshore substation platform, which includes the following steps for installing any of the above-mentioned offshore substation platforms:

[0016] Step 1: Construct and assemble the upper module on land;

[0017] Step two: The upper module floating on the sea surface is towed by a tugboat to the target location;

[0018] Step 3: Precisely position the pipe frame pre-installed on the seabed, and start the hydraulic lifting assembly to lower the pile legs in sequence until the bottom of each pile leg is in contact and fixed with the underwater coupling connector;

[0019] Step 4: Temporarily lock the pile legs and increase the drainage of the upper block by injecting water into the ballast water tank to increase the load on the jacket structure;

[0020] Step 5: Release the pile leg lock and start the hydraulic lifting assembly to press down all the pile legs simultaneously, so that the upper block gradually rises above the water surface. At the same time, drain the ballast water until the upper block is lifted to the specified height, then lock the pile legs.

[0021] Step 6: Dismantle the hydraulic lifting unit.

[0022] Beneficial effects:

[0023] 1. In this utility model, the upper module is set as a steel box structure with the side walls and bottom enclosing a sealed cavity, so that the upper module can float on the sea surface. After the entire upper module is completed, it floats on the water and is transported by tugboat, avoiding heavy lifting and floating operations at sea. The entire process does not require ultra-large marine engineering equipment, reducing the requirements for construction vessel equipment.

[0024] 2. In this utility model, by setting up a hydraulic lifting component, the pile legs are initially positioned so that they are at a higher position than the upper block, thus avoiding collisions between the pile legs and seabed obstacles. At the same time, during platform installation, the hydraulic lifting component drives the pile legs to descend and contact and fix them with the underwater coupler. Finally, as the hydraulic lifting component presses down on all the pile legs, the position of the upper block is raised. Compared with the existing technology of using the tidal method or ballast method to connect the pile legs, this method has the effect of quick installation. Attached Figure Description

[0025] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 2 This utility model Figure 1 Enlarged structural diagram at point A;

[0027] Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the underwater foundation of this utility model;

[0028] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view (three-dimensional structural diagram of the hydraulic lifting assembly) of the connector of this utility model;

[0029] Figure 5 This utility model Figure 4 A magnified structural diagram at point B in the middle.

[0030] The attached figures are labeled as follows:

[0031] 1. Underwater foundation; 11. Jacket; 12. Pile foundation; 13. Underwater coupling connector; 2. Upper module; 3. Pile leg; 4. Connector; 41. Top cover; 5. Hydraulic lifting assembly; 51. Steel strand jack; 52. Steel strand body; 53. Pile fixing frame; 6. Connecting plate. Detailed Implementation

[0032] The following is in conjunction with the appendix Figure 1-5 The present invention will be further illustrated by the following embodiments:

[0033] like Figure 1-5 As shown, a novel offshore substation platform includes an underwater foundation 1 fixed on the seabed and an upper block 2 positioned directly above the underwater foundation 1. The outer surface of the upper block 2 is provided with multiple pile legs 3 that connect with the underwater foundation 1 in the vertical direction. The upper block 2 is a watertight barge structure, which is a steel box-shaped structure with a sealed cavity formed by the side walls and bottom. The buoyancy of the sealed cavity can support the upper block 2 to float on the sea surface. Under normal operating conditions, the upper module 2 is suspended above the sea surface. The air gap height is determined by ensuring that the platform is completely free from the influence of waves during operation. Its structure is similar to that of a barge, providing sufficient buoyancy, stability, and watertight wave resistance during the platform's floating towing process. The upper module 2 is designed as a steel box-shaped structure with its side walls and bottom enclosing a sealed cavity, allowing it to float on the sea surface. After the entire upper module 2 is completed, it floats on the water and is transported by tugboat, avoiding heavy-lift floating operations at sea. The entire process does not require ultra-large marine engineering equipment, reducing the requirements for construction vessel equipment. All joints of the upper module 2 are watertight welded, and the through parts are sealed with watertight stuffing boxes.

[0034] The interior of the upper module 2 contains equipment compartments for housing power transmission equipment. The bottom deck of the upper module 2 has multiple watertight compartments, including ballast water tanks, fuel oil tanks, lubricating oil tanks, spare parts compartments, and living quarters. By setting up ballast water tanks, water can be injected during platform installation to increase the platform's displacement, thereby continuously increasing the load on the underwater foundation 1 and ensuring its stable and reliable standing on the seabed under heavy load conditions. The buoyancy design of the sealed cavity must meet the requirement that, in the event of damage to any compartment, the remaining buoyancy can support the upper module 2 to float.

[0035] The underwater foundation 1 includes a jacket 11 and pile foundations 12 connected to the bottom of the jacket 11. The jacket 11 is fixedly connected to the seabed through the pile foundations 12. The top of the jacket 11 is fixedly connected to an underwater coupling connector 13 that mates with the pile legs 3. The jacket 11, as the foundation structure, is completely submerged in water, and its bottom is fixed to the seabed through pile foundations 12 in the form of suction cylinders or pipe piles.

[0036] The underwater coupling connector 13 is a steel flared component, and its interior is equipped with cushioning material. The cushioning material is an elastic filling layer resistant to seawater corrosion, distributed in a ring along the inner wall of the coupling connector, used to compensate for docking errors during construction and installation, and to assist in the precise positioning and docking grouting of the pile legs 3.

[0037] The pile leg 3 is a steel cylindrical structure. The upper block 2 has a hollow connecting body 4 with an open top fixedly connected to its surface. The top of the connecting body 4 is detachably connected to a top cover 41. The pile leg 3 passes through the connecting body 4 and the top cover 41. The pile leg 3 can move freely in the vertical direction within the connecting body 4. The pile leg 3 is connected to the outer surface of the upper block 2 through the connecting body 4.

[0038] The outer surface of the upper block 2 is equipped with multiple hydraulic lifting components 5, each corresponding to a leg 3. The hydraulic lifting components 5 drive the legs 3 to move vertically, creating a relative displacement between the legs 3 and the upper block 2. By setting up the hydraulic lifting components 5, the legs 3 are initially positioned higher than the upper block 2, preventing collisions with seabed obstacles. During platform installation, the hydraulic lifting components 5 drive the legs 3 to descend and contact and fix them with the underwater coupler. Finally, as the hydraulic lifting components 5 press down on all the legs 3, the position of the upper block 2 is raised.

[0039] The hydraulic lifting assembly 5 includes two steel strand jacks 51 and corresponding steel strand bodies 52 installed inside the steel strand jacks 51. A pile fixing frame 53 is fixedly connected to the inner bottom wall of the connecting body 4. The steel strand jacks 51 are fixedly connected to the upper surface of the pile fixing frame 53. The pile leg 3 passes through the pile fixing frame 53. A through hole with an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the pile leg 3 is opened on the upper surface of the pile fixing frame 53. The pile leg 3 passes through the through hole and the top and bottom ends of the steel strand body 52 are fixedly connected to the pile leg 3 through connectors. Among them, the steel strand jack 51 is an existing technology. It is a mechanical device that uses high-strength steel strand as a load-bearing medium and is driven by a hydraulic system to achieve large-tonnage, high-precision lifting or traction. The steel strand body 52 passes through the center of the corresponding steel strand jack 51. Each steel strand jack 51 can lift the steel strand body 52 in one direction. Therefore, the steel strand jacks 51 of each set of hydraulic lifting components 5 are placed in pairs, thereby controlling the lowering or lifting of the pile leg 3 in both directions.

[0040] The connector is a connecting plate 6, which is fixedly connected to the surface of the steel strand body 52, and the connecting plate 6 is fixedly connected to the end of the pile leg 3.

[0041] This utility model also provides an installation method for an offshore power substation, which includes the following steps:

[0042] Step 1: Construct and assemble the upper block 2 on land;

[0043] Step 2: The upper module 2, which is floating on the sea surface, is towed by a tugboat to the target location;

[0044] Step 3: Precisely position the pipe frame 11 pre-installed on the seabed, start the hydraulic lifting assembly 5 to lower the pile legs 3 in sequence until the bottom of each pile leg 3 is in contact and fixed with the underwater coupling connector 13;

[0045] Step 4: Lock the pile leg 3 by reversible means such as hydraulic pins and increase the drainage of the upper block 2 by injecting water into the ballast water tank to increase the load of the jacket 11.

[0046] Step 5: Release the locking of the pile legs 3 and start the hydraulic lifting assembly 5 to press down all the pile legs 3 simultaneously, so that the upper block 2 gradually rises above the water surface. At the same time, drain the ballast water until the upper block 2 is lifted to the specified height. Then, lock the pile legs 3 by welding, pins or other means.

[0047] Step 6: Dismantle the hydraulic lifting unit.

[0048] The embodiments disclosed herein are preferred embodiments, but are not limited thereto. Those skilled in the art can readily grasp the spirit of this utility model based on the above embodiments and make different extensions and variations. However, as long as they do not depart from the spirit of this utility model, they are all within the protection scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. A new offshore substation platform comprising an underwater foundation (1) fixed to the seabed and an upper block (2) arranged directly above the underwater foundation (1), the outer surface of the upper block (2) being provided with a plurality of legs (3) in vertical direction which are docked to the underwater foundation (1), characterized in that, The upper block (2) is a watertight barge structure, which is a steel box structure with a sealed cavity enclosed by side walls and a bottom, and the buoyancy of the sealed cavity supports the upper block (2) to float on the sea surface.

2. A novel offshore substation platform as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The inside of the upper block (2) is provided with a device cabin for placing power transformation equipment, and the bottom deck of the upper block (2) is internally provided with a plurality of watertight cabins, including a ballast water cabin, a fuel cabin, an oil cabin, a spare part cabin and a living cabin.

3. A novel offshore substation platform as claimed in claim 1, wherein: The underwater foundation (1) comprises a jacket (11) and a pile foundation (12) connected at the bottom of the jacket (11), the jacket (11) is fixedly connected to the seabed through the pile foundation (12), and the top end of the jacket (11) is fixedly connected with an underwater coupling connector (13) for butt joint with the pile leg (3).

4. A novel offshore substation platform as claimed in claim 3, wherein: The underwater coupling connector (13) is a steel horn-shaped part, and the inside of the underwater coupling connector (13) is annularly distributed with a buffer material along the inner wall.

5. A novel offshore substation platform as claimed in claim 1, wherein: The pile leg (3) is a steel cylindrical structure, the surface of the upper block (2) is fixedly connected with a connecting body (4) in the form of an open-top hollow, and the top of the connecting body (4) is detachably connected with a top cover (41), the pile leg (3) penetrates through the connecting body (4) and the top cover (41), and the pile leg (3) is connected to the outer surface of the upper block (2) through the connecting body (4).

6. A novel offshore substation platform as claimed in claim 5, characterized by: The outer surface of the upper block (2) is provided with a plurality of hydraulic lifting assemblies (5) corresponding to the pile legs (3) one by one, the hydraulic lifting assemblies (5) drive the pile legs (3) to move in the vertical direction to generate relative displacement between the pile legs (3) and the upper block (2).

7. A novel offshore substation platform as claimed in claim 6, characterized by: The hydraulic lifting assembly (5) comprises two steel strand jacks (51) and a steel strand body (52) correspondingly arranged in the steel strand jacks (51), the inner bottom wall of the connecting body (4) is fixedly connected with a pile fixing frame (53), the steel strand jacks (51) are fixedly connected to the upper surface of the pile fixing frame (53), the pile leg (3) penetrates through the pile fixing frame (53), and the top end and the bottom end of the steel strand body (52) are fixedly connected with the pile leg (3) through connecting pieces.

8. A novel offshore substation platform as claimed in claim 7, characterized by: The connecting piece is a connecting plate (6), the connecting plate (6) is fixedly connected to the surface of the steel strand body (52), and the connecting plate (6) is fixedly connected with the end of the pile leg (3).

Images