A quick unhooking device for towing floating wind turbines

Abstract

This utility model belongs to the field of offshore wind power and discloses a quick unhooking device for towing floating wind turbines. It includes a housing, a piston, and an oil tank. The housing and piston are respectively used to connect to corresponding cables. The housing has an inner cavity with an opening on one side. The piston slides and inserts into the inner cavity. Multiple first separation plates are spaced apart on the inner wall of the inner cavity opposite the piston. Multiple second separation plates are spaced apart on the outer wall of the piston facing the inner cavity. The first and second separation plates are staggered, forming a serpentine channel. The serpentine channel is connected to the oil tank via a liquid inlet pipe. A seawater interface is provided on one side of the liquid inlet pipe, and a water inlet valve is installed on the seawater interface. The dual buffering principle of this utility model not only effectively copes with high-frequency, low-amplitude vibrations but also stores energy through the oil compression effect when facing strong impacts, significantly reducing the impact peak value, minimizing damage to connecting parts, and improving system stability.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of offshore wind power, specifically a quick unhooking device for towing floating wind turbines. Background Technology

[0002] Floating wind turbines face various risks and challenges during towing, including capsizing risk, connector failure, structural damage, poor maneuverability, and the impact of the marine environment. The capsizing risk primarily stems from the turbine's low stability on the water surface, making it prone to capsizing in strong winds or waves. Connector failure, caused by overload or fatigue, can lead to breakage and detachment of the connection between the turbine and the tugboat. The turbine may also suffer impacts or shocks during towing, resulting in structural damage that could affect subsequent installation and use. Furthermore, the large size of floating wind turbines makes them difficult to maneuver and adjust course during towing. Tides and ocean currents, among other marine environmental factors, can further affect the stability and safety of towing operations.

[0003] To address these issues, several technical challenges need to be studied in depth. First, in-depth stability analysis is required to ensure the dynamic stability of the wind turbine under various marine conditions, guaranteeing safety during towing. Second, an efficient and safe towing system needs to be developed, and the design of connecting components needs to be improved. Simultaneously, real-time monitoring technology should be introduced to monitor the wind turbine's status in real time, promptly identifying and addressing potential problems. Through in-depth research and solutions to these technical challenges, the risks associated with towing floating wind turbines can be effectively reduced, improving overall safety and reliability. This application presents a rapid tow hook connection device capable of handling unexpected towing events. During towing, it avoids the problems of excessive rigidity in connecting components and increased wind turbine capsizing angles caused by sudden changes in ocean currents or the towing vessel's speed, ensuring stability and safety throughout the entire towing process. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a quick unhooking device for towing floating wind turbines, so as to solve the problems mentioned in the background art.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides the following technical solution:

[0006] A quick unhooking device for towing a floating wind turbine includes a housing, a piston, and an oil tank. The housing and piston are respectively used to connect to corresponding cables. The housing has an inner cavity with an opening on one side. The piston is slidably inserted into the inner cavity. Multiple first separation plates are spaced apart on the inner wall of the inner cavity opposite to the piston. Multiple second separation plates are spaced apart on the outer wall of the piston facing the inner cavity. The first and second separation plates are staggered, forming a serpentine channel. The serpentine channel is connected to the oil tank through a liquid inlet pipe. A seawater interface is provided on one side of the liquid inlet pipe, and a water inlet valve is provided on the seawater interface.

[0007] Furthermore, an oil control valve is installed on the portion of the inlet pipe located between the oil tank and the seawater interface.

[0008] Furthermore, the housing is provided with a first connector for connecting to the cable.

[0009] Furthermore, the piston is provided with a second connector for connecting to the cable.

[0010] Furthermore, the piston includes a piston body and a cover disposed on one side of the piston body. The piston body is slidably inserted into the inner cavity of the housing, and the cover is used to cover the inner cavity of the housing.

[0011] Furthermore, the piston has a piston cavity, and the liquid inlet pipe passes through the piston cavity. The portion of the liquid inlet pipe located in the piston cavity is configured as a spiral tube structure.

[0012] Furthermore, it also includes a first displacement sensor disposed on the housing and a second displacement sensor disposed on the piston.

[0013] Furthermore, the fuel tank is mounted on the tank body.

[0014] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this utility model are:

[0015] 1) High-efficiency shock mitigation: The device's dual buffering principle can not only effectively cope with high-frequency, small-amplitude vibrations, but also store energy through the oil compression effect when facing strong impacts, significantly reducing the peak impact value, reducing damage to connecting parts, and improving system stability.

[0016] 2) Emergency safety unhooking: In critical situations, the device can quickly unhook to prevent the connection between the floating wind turbine and the tugboat from failing due to strong impacts or changes in the external environment, greatly reducing the risk of accidents.

[0017] 3) Precise adjustment and feedback control: The displacement sensor and oil control valve in the device can adjust the internal pressure and flow in real time to ensure that the device can provide the best buffering effect under different load and impact conditions, further improving the safety and reliability of towing.

[0018] 4) High structural stability: The spiral tube structure and the design of the separation plate provide additional structural support and buffer, which makes the device stable under stress and effectively prevents structural damage.

[0019] 5) The device has a simple structure, is recyclable, and reduces production and maintenance costs. It also has good versatility in the towing field, making it easy to promote and apply. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of this utility model.

[0021] Figure 2 This is a top view of the structure of the present invention in use.

[0022] In the diagram: 1. Floating blower for towing quick unhooking device; 2. Floating blower; 3. Towing vessel; 4. Auxiliary towing vessel; 5. Towing cable; 6. Box body; 7. First separation plate; 8. Spiral tube structure; 9. Second displacement sensor; 10. Box cover; 11. Seawater interface; 12. Oil tank; 13. First connector; 14. First displacement sensor; 15. Second connector; 16. Piston body; 17. Piston inner cavity; 18. Water inlet valve; 19. Oil control valve; 20. Serpentine channel; 21. Second separation plate; 22. Liquid inlet pipe. Detailed Implementation

[0023] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0024] Please see Figures 1-2A quick unhooking device for towing a floating wind turbine includes a housing 6, a piston, and an oil tank 12. The housing 6 and the piston are respectively used to connect to corresponding cables. The housing 6 has an inner cavity with an opening on one side. The piston is slidably inserted into the inner cavity. Multiple first separation plates 7 are spaced apart on the inner wall of the inner cavity opposite to the piston. Multiple second separation plates 21 are spaced apart on the outer wall of the piston facing the inner cavity. The first separation plates 7 and second separation plates 21 are staggered. Adjacent first separation plates 7 and second separation plates 21 are separated by a single plate. The plates 21 partially overlap but maintain a certain distance, thus forming a serpentine channel 20 between the first separation plate 7 and the second separation plate 21. The serpentine channel 20 is connected to the oil tank 12 through the liquid inlet pipe 22. The liquid inlet pipe 22 can be made of 316L stainless steel. The oil tank 12 is set on the tank body 6. A seawater interface 11 is set on one side of the liquid inlet pipe 22. A water inlet valve 18 is set on the seawater interface 11. The water inlet valve 18 only controls whether seawater can enter the liquid inlet pipe 22 and does not affect the flow of oil in the liquid inlet pipe 22.

[0025] The inner walls of the inner cavity of the box are sealed to the two sides of the first separation plate 7. The inner cavity of the box is used to connect the inner wall of the first separation plate 7 to the first separation plate 7 and seal it. The inner walls of the inner cavity of the box are sealed to the two sides of the second separation plate 21. The piston is used to connect the outer wall of the second separation plate 21 and seal it to the second separation plate 21. In this way, the oil can only flow along the serpentine channel 20.

[0026] The piston slides into the inner cavity of the housing, similar to a syringe, providing a sealing effect and preventing the oil inside the housing from leaking out.

[0027] Continue reading Figure 1 In one embodiment of the present invention, a first connector 13 for connecting to a cable is provided on the housing 6, and a second connector 15 for connecting to a cable is provided on the piston housing cover 10.

[0028] Continue reading Figure 1 In one embodiment of this utility model, an oil control valve 19 is provided on the portion of the inlet pipe 22 located between the oil tank 12 and the seawater interface 11. The oil control valve 19 is used to control the oil flow rate.

[0029] Continue reading Figure 1 In one embodiment of the present invention, the piston includes a piston body 16 and a cover 10 disposed on one side of the piston body 16. The area of ​​the longitudinal section of the cover 10 is larger than the area of ​​the longitudinal section of the piston body 16. The piston body 16 is slidably inserted into the inner cavity of the box, and the cover 10 is used to cover the inner cavity of the box.

[0030] Continue reading Figure 1In one embodiment of the present invention, the piston body 16 has a piston cavity 17, and the liquid inlet pipe 22 passes through the cover 10 and the piston cavity 17. The portion of the liquid inlet pipe 22 located in the piston cavity 17 is configured as a spiral tube structure 8.

[0031] Continue reading Figure 1 In one embodiment of the present invention, the present invention further includes a first displacement sensor 14 disposed on the housing 6 and a second displacement sensor 9 disposed on the piston.

[0032] It should be noted that the aforementioned water inlet valve 18 and oil control valve 19 are both solenoid valves. The first displacement sensor 14, the second displacement sensor 9, the water inlet valve 18, the oil control valve 19, the first displacement sensor 14, and the second displacement sensor 9 are all equipped with corresponding wireless transmission modules and waterproof measures are taken using known technologies. They are interconnected with the control center on the construction vessel through wireless communication technology. This is known technology and will not be elaborated upon.

[0033] like Figure 2 As shown, when this utility model is in use, it is connected between the floating wind turbine 2 and the tugboat 3 by a cable.

[0034] This invention is designed to effectively mitigate structural damage caused by rigid impacts during towing, while also featuring a rapid unhooking function to handle emergencies. The outer casing 6 of the device is connected to a first connector 13, and the interior contains evenly spaced first and second separation plates 7 and 21, which provide cushioning under stress. The outer casing cover 10 is also connected to a second connector 15. The piston body 16 of the casing cover 10 is cleverly designed, maintaining a certain gap with the inner wall of the casing 6 to allow for flexible movement during towing. Furthermore, the piston body 16 of the casing cover 10 has an inner piston cavity 17, within which a helical tube structure 8 is installed, providing additional shock absorption. The space between the casing 6 and the casing cover 10 is connected to an external oil tank 12. The viscous oil in the oil tank 12 can enter the interior of the helical tube structure 8 and the gap between the first and second separation plates 7 and 21 during device operation, further enhancing the cushioning effect. When this invention is in seawater, it is affected by the vibration of seawater, and the piston will move in the housing 6. When the piston extends out of the housing 6, a negative pressure is formed in the inner cavity of the housing and the oil in the oil tank 12 is absorbed through the liquid inlet pipe 22. When the piston retracts into the housing 6, the inner cavity of the housing will squeeze the oil back into the oil tank 12 through positive pressure.

[0035] This invention allows for dynamic adjustment of the oil inlet channel size by regulating the oil control valve 19, thereby precisely controlling the oil pressure and pressure distribution inside the device to cope with different impact intensities. The seawater interface 11 contacts external seawater, and under normal operating conditions, the inlet valve 18 remains closed. In an emergency requiring rapid disengagement to prevent accidents or minimize losses, the inlet valve 18 opens, allowing seawater to enter the system, rapidly reducing the internal pressure to near zero, ultimately achieving rapid separation of the housing 6 and the cover 10, completing the emergency disengagement.

[0036] To further enhance control and feedback, a first displacement sensor 14 and a second displacement sensor 9 are installed at both ends of the device, one on one side of the housing 6 and the other on one side of the cover 10. When the connecting device is subjected to external tension, a relative displacement will occur between the housing 6 and the cover 10. The displacement sensors detect these displacement signals and feed them back to the control system. The system can then adjust the valve opening of the oil control valve 19 in real time based on the displacement signals. Through precise adjustment of the oil flow and internal pressure, the device can effectively mitigate the damage to the connecting parts caused by rigid impacts and prevent dangerous situations such as capsizing of the floating blower during towing.

[0037] The buffering principle of this invention consists of two key parts, which reduce rigid impacts and store energy through physical friction and oil compression effects, respectively. The first part's buffering mechanism relies on the friction between the separator plate and the viscous oil, as well as between the inner wall of the spiral tube structure and the viscous oil. During operation, the flowing viscous oil generates significant frictional forces at the separator plate and the inner wall of the spiral tube. This friction creates a viscous damping effect, effectively absorbing and weakening the rigid impact energy transmitted to the device during towing. This damping effect is particularly suitable for handling high-frequency, small-amplitude vibrations and impacts, reducing energy while ensuring the stability of the connection between the wind turbine and the tugboat.

[0038] The second part of the buffering principle relies on the regulating function of the oil control valve. By changing the opening of the control valve, the flow rate of the viscous oil is adjusted, thereby regulating the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the device. Because oil has a certain degree of compressibility, when the control valve regulates the flow of oil into the system, the oil is compressed under higher pressure, generating compressive stiffness. This not only serves as energy storage but also provides the system with significant buffering stiffness. When encountering strong impacts, the compressed oil can absorb some energy, preventing the instantaneous transmission of the impact force, thus significantly reducing the peak impact and mitigating the stress on the connecting parts. Overall, the synergistic effect of these two buffering principles not only effectively absorbs high-frequency vibrations and instantaneous impacts but also stores energy through the compression effect of the oil, reducing the peak impact and protecting the stability and safety of the device and towing system.

[0039] Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A quick unhooking device for towing a floating wind turbine, characterized in that, The system includes a housing (6), a piston, and an oil tank (12). The housing (6) and the piston are respectively used to connect to the corresponding cables. The housing (6) has an inner cavity with an opening on one side. The piston is slidably inserted into the inner cavity. Multiple first separation plates (7) are spaced apart on the inner wall of the inner cavity opposite to the piston. Multiple second separation plates (21) are spaced apart on the outer wall of the piston facing the inner cavity. The first separation plates (7) and the second separation plates (21) are staggered to form a serpentine channel (20). The serpentine channel (20) is connected to the oil tank (12) through a liquid inlet pipe (22). A seawater interface (11) is provided on one side of the liquid inlet pipe (22). A water inlet valve (18) is provided on the seawater interface (11).

2. The quick unhooking device for towing a floating wind turbine according to claim 1, characterized in that, An oil control valve (19) is installed on the portion of the inlet pipe (22) located between the oil tank (12) and the seawater interface (11).

3. The quick unhooking device for towing a floating wind turbine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The housing (6) is provided with a first connector (13) for connecting to the cable.

4. The quick unhooking device for towing a floating wind turbine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The piston is provided with a second connector (15) for connection with the cable.

5. A quick unhooking device for towing a floating wind turbine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The piston includes a piston body (16) and a cover (10) disposed on one side of the piston body (16). The piston body (16) is slidably inserted into the inner cavity of the box, and the cover (10) is used to cover the inner cavity of the box.

6. A quick unhooking device for towing a floating wind turbine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The piston has a piston cavity (17), and the liquid inlet pipe (22) passes through the piston cavity (17). The portion of the liquid inlet pipe (22) located in the piston cavity (17) is configured as a spiral tube structure (8).

7. A quick unhooking device for towing a floating wind turbine according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a first displacement sensor (14) disposed on the housing (6) and a second displacement sensor (9) disposed on the piston.

8. A quick unhooking device for towing a floating wind turbine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The oil tank (12) is mounted on the tank body (6).

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