An adaptive biomimetic repair device for scour prevention of offshore wind turbine foundations

Abstract

This utility model discloses an adaptive bionic repair device for offshore wind power foundation scour protection, comprising a support frame module, elastic connectors, and multiple bionic grass modules. The support frame module includes an inner connecting frame assembly, an outer enclosing frame assembly, and multiple support plates connecting the enclosing frame assembly and the connecting frame assembly. This utility model utilizes multiple bionic grass components connected by springs. The elastic design of the springs allows the bionic grass blades in the components to absorb and disperse external impacts, avoiding the limitations of rigid materials being easily damaged. Simultaneously, in the event of strong currents or waves, the springs can use restoring force to adjust each bionic grass component back to its initial position, providing dynamic adjustment and extending the device's service life.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the technical field of anti-scour devices, specifically relating to an adaptive bionic repair device for anti-scour of offshore wind power foundations. Background Technology

[0002] Offshore wind turbine foundations, especially monopile foundations, face severe marine erosion problems. Due to the complex topography of the seabed and long-term exposure to the erosive effects of ocean currents, waves, and tides, the seabed soil around the foundation is gradually eroded, forming scour pits. This leads to reduced foundation stability and may even endanger the safety of the entire wind turbine.

[0003] Currently, the main methods for preventing scour of offshore wind turbine foundations include dumping boulders, laying sandbags, or covering them with sand layers. However, these traditional scour prevention methods have the following shortcomings: traditional protective measures such as dumping boulders and sandbags can only fill and repair existing scour pits and cannot adapt to changes in different seabed topography, thus having limited effectiveness; the repaired area may still face the risk of secondary scour in the future, especially under strong currents or complex ocean conditions, where this risk is more significant. Utility Model Content

[0004] To overcome the shortcomings of existing technologies, this utility model provides an adaptive bionic repair device for offshore wind power foundation scour prevention, which solves the technical problem that existing offshore wind power foundation scour methods are difficult to adapt to different seabed topography.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the specific technical solution of this utility model is as follows:

[0006] An adaptive biomimetic repair device for scour prevention of offshore wind power foundations includes a support frame module, elastic connectors, and multiple biomimetic grass modules. The support frame module includes an inner connecting frame assembly, an outer enclosing frame assembly, and multiple support plates connecting the enclosing frame assembly and the connecting frame assembly.

[0007] The biomimetic grass module includes multiple biomimetic grass components distributed among the various support plates. The biomimetic grass components are connected to each other and to the enclosing frame components via elastic connectors.

[0008] Furthermore, the connecting frame assembly includes multiple arc-shaped covering plates. These arc-shaped covering plates are arranged in an enclosing pattern, forming a ring-shaped structure that cooperates with the wind turbine monopile foundation. Each arc-shaped covering plate has a slot that mates with a support frame. The inner end of each support frame is inserted and fixed into the corresponding slot.

[0009] Furthermore, each of the arc-shaped covering plates has a connecting frame on its adjacent side edges. The adjacent connecting frames are fixed together by bolts.

[0010] Furthermore, the enclosing frame assembly includes multiple hinge plates arranged in an enclosing shape. A locking structure is provided between adjacent hinge plates to secure them together. Each hinge plate has a slot that mates with the outer end of the support frame. The outer end of the support frame is engaged and fixed with the corresponding slot.

[0011] Furthermore, the elastic connector is a spring. Multiple hanging components that cooperate with the springs are fixed on each hinge plate and support frame. One end of the spring located at the edge of the bionic grass module is connected and fixed to the hanging component, and the other end is connected to the corresponding bionic grass component.

[0012] Furthermore, the biomimetic grass component includes biomimetic grass, a counterweight, and hooks. The biomimetic grass is planted on the counterweight. The counterweight is equipped with multiple hooks for connecting to a spring.

[0013] Furthermore, the locking structure includes locking hooks respectively disposed on the two hinge plates. The locking hooks are made of plastic.

[0014] Furthermore, the support frame has multiple vertically arranged sliding grooves. Hangers mounted on the support frame are slidably connected within these grooves. An optical sensor is located at the top of each groove.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages:

[0016] 1. This utility model incorporates multiple biomimetic grass components connected by springs. The elastic design of the springs allows the biomimetic grass blades within the components to absorb and disperse external impacts, avoiding the limitations of hard materials being easily damaged. Simultaneously, in the event of strong water flow or waves, the springs can use restoring force to adjust each biomimetic grass component back to its initial position, achieving dynamic adjustment and extending the device's service life.

[0017] 2. This invention provides intelligent support for the adaptive adjustment of the bionic grass module by incorporating optical sensors. During use, the optical sensors monitor the silt cover in real time. When the optical sensors detect that the bionic grass is buried by silt, the system sends feedback information to the staff on shore, enabling them to make timely adjustments and preventing the device from being in a malfunctioning state for an extended period, which could cause erosion damage to the wind turbine monopile foundation. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of this utility model;

[0019] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the connecting frame assembly in this utility model. Figure 1 (Enlarged view of part A in the middle)

[0020] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the connecting frame assembly in this utility model. Figure 1 (Enlarged view of part B in the middle section)

[0021] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the locking structure in this utility model;

[0022] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram showing the arrangement of the various biomimetic grass components in this utility model;

[0023] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the biomimetic grass component in this utility model.

[0024] Reference numerals in the attached diagram: 1. Wind turbine monopile foundation; 2. Bionic grass module; 3. Elastic connector; 4. Support plate frame; 5. Connecting frame assembly; 6. Counterweight block; 7. Enclosing frame assembly; 8. Initial frame; 9. Intermediate frame; 10. Top cap frame; 11. Hook; 12. Locking hook; 13. Hanging component; 14. Slot; 15. Slide groove; 16. Bionic grass. Detailed Implementation

[0025] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the terms "one end", "the other end", "outer side", "upper side", "inner side", "horizontal", "coaxial", "center", "end", "length", "outer end", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model.

[0026] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0027] like Figure 1 As shown, an adaptive biomimetic repair device for scour protection of offshore wind turbine foundations includes a support frame module, multiple elastic connectors 3, and multiple biomimetic grass modules 2. The support frame module includes an inner connecting frame assembly 5, an outer enclosing frame assembly 7, and multiple support plates 4 connecting the enclosing frame assembly 7 and the connecting frame assembly 5. Each support plate 4 is evenly distributed circumferentially along the axis of the inner frame assembly, and an installation area is formed between adjacent support plates 4. Each biomimetic grass module 2 is installed within its respective installation area via elastic connectors 3, enabling it to adhere closely to the seabed mud surface when submerged and provide scour protection for the wind turbine monopile foundation 1.

[0028] like Figure 1 and 2As shown, the connecting frame assembly 5 includes multiple arc-shaped covering plates. These arc-shaped covering plates are arranged in an enclosing shape, forming a ring-shaped structure that mates with the wind turbine monopile foundation 1, allowing them to be fitted onto the outer ring of the wind turbine monopile foundation 1 during installation. Connecting frames are provided on the adjacent side edges of each arc-shaped covering plate. Adjacent connecting frames are fixed together with bolts. Slots that mate with the support frame 4 are formed on the outer surface of each arc-shaped covering plate. The inner ends of each support frame 4 are inserted and fixed into the corresponding slots.

[0029] like Figure 1 and 3 As shown, the enclosing frame assembly 7 includes multiple hinge plates arranged in an enclosing shape. A locking structure is provided between adjacent hinge plates to secure them together. Each hinge plate has an inner surface with a groove 14 that mates with the outer end of the support frame 4. The outer end of the support frame 4 is engaged and fixed with the corresponding groove 14.

[0030] Furthermore, such as Figure 4 As shown, the locking structure includes locking hooks 12 respectively disposed on two hinge plates. The locking hooks 12 are made of plastic, so that when the two locking hooks 12 are installed, the outer ends of the two locking hooks 12 can undergo elastic deformation and return to their original shape when separated, thereby realizing the interlocking between the two locking hooks 12.

[0031] In some embodiments, a gap is left between the two locking hooks 12 after they are fastened, so that the two locking hooks 12 can swing relative to each other when subjected to the impact of ocean currents, thus avoiding impact damage caused by rigid connection.

[0032] In this embodiment, each hinge plate is located in the initial frame 8, the top frame 10, and multiple intermediate frames 9. The intermediate frames 9 are sequentially spliced ​​onto both sides of the initial frame 8. The two ends of the top frame 10 are connected to two intermediate frames 9 located at the tail ends, forming an enclosing circular structure.

[0033] like Figure 5 As shown, the bionic grass module 2 includes multiple bionic grass components evenly distributed in each installation area. The bionic grass components are connected to each other, as well as to each hinge plate and support frame 4, via elastic connectors 3.

[0034] In this embodiment, the elastic connector 3 is a spring. Multiple hanging parts 13 that cooperate with the springs are fixed on each hinge plate and support frame 4. One end of the spring located on both sides is connected and fixed to the hanging part 13, and the other end is connected to the corresponding bionic grass component.

[0035] like Figure 6As shown, the biomimetic grass component includes biomimetic grass 16, counterweights 6, and hooks 11. The biomimetic grass 16 is planted on the counterweights 6. The counterweights 6 are equipped with multiple hooks 11 for connection to springs. In use, when workers lower each counterweight 6 with its biomimetic grass 16 onto the seabed, the springs adjust the counterweights 6 relative to the seabed during the sinking process, ensuring both connection and close contact between the counterweights 6 and the seabed surface.

[0036] In some embodiments, the support frame 4 has multiple vertically arranged sliding grooves 15. Hanging members 13 mounted on the support frame 4 are slidably connected within the sliding grooves 15. An optical sensor is mounted on the top of the sliding groove 15 to detect the sediment cover status of the seabed in real time. When sediment covers the optical sensor, the sensor sends feedback information to the personnel on shore. The personnel descend to the seabed and manually slide the hanging members 13 upwards, lifting each biomimetic grass component to re-adhere to the seabed, thus protecting the wind turbine monopile foundation 1.

[0037] The installation and use process of this utility model is as follows:

[0038] Workers sequentially assemble the connecting frame assembly 5, the enclosing frame assembly 7, and each support plate 4 on land or on a construction vessel. The various biomimetic grass components are connected by springs. Simultaneously, each biomimetic grass component is connected to its corresponding enclosing frame assembly 7 and support plate 4 using springs, thus completing the anti-erosion assembly of the device.

[0039] The construction vessel transports the device to the sea surface to be repaired. The assembled scour-resistant assembly is then hoisted onto the wind turbine monopile foundation 1 using a lifting device. Each bionic grass component sinks to the seabed mud surface under gravity, providing scour protection for the wind turbine monopile foundation 1. When the bionic grass components are subjected to strong currents or waves, the springs can use their restoring force to adjust each component back to its initial position, providing dynamic adjustment and extending the device's service life.

[0040] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this utility model, and are not intended to limit it. Although the utility model has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features therein. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model.

Claims

1. An adaptive biomimetic repair device for scour prevention of offshore wind turbine foundations, characterized in that: It includes a support frame module, multiple elastic connectors (3) and multiple biomimetic grass modules (2); the support frame module includes an inner ring connecting frame assembly (5), an outer ring enclosing frame assembly (7), and multiple support plates (4) connecting the enclosing frame assembly (7) and the connecting frame assembly (5); The bionic grass module (2) includes multiple bionic grass components distributed between each support plate frame (4); the bionic grass components are connected to each other and to the enclosing frame component (7) by elastic connectors (3).

2. The adaptive bionic repair device for scour prevention of offshore wind turbine foundations according to claim 1, characterized in that: The connecting frame assembly (5) includes multiple arc-shaped covering plates; each arc-shaped covering plate is arranged in an enclosing shape to form a ring structure that cooperates with the wind power monopile foundation (1); each arc-shaped covering plate has a slot that cooperates with the support frame (4); the inner end of each support frame (4) is inserted and fixed in the corresponding slot.

3. The adaptive bionic repair device for scour prevention of offshore wind turbine foundations according to claim 2, characterized in that: Each of the arc-shaped covering plates has a connecting frame on its adjacent side edge; the adjacent connecting frames are fixed together by bolts.

4. The adaptive bionic repair device for scour prevention of offshore wind turbine foundations according to claim 1, characterized in that: The enclosing frame assembly (7) includes multiple hinge plates arranged in an enclosing shape; a locking structure is provided between two adjacent hinge plates to realize the connection and fixation between two adjacent hinge plates; each hinge plate is provided with a slot (14) that cooperates with the outer end of the support frame (4); the outer end of the support frame (4) is engaged and fixed with the corresponding slot (14).

5. The adaptive bionic repair device for scour prevention of offshore wind turbine foundations according to claim 4, characterized in that: The elastic connector (3) is made of spring; each hinge plate and support frame (4) is fixed with multiple hanging parts (13) that cooperate with the spring; one end of the spring located at the edge of the bionic grass module (2) is connected and fixed to the hanging part (13), and the other end is connected to the corresponding bionic grass component.

6. The adaptive bionic repair device for scour prevention of offshore wind turbine foundations according to claim 5, characterized in that: The bionic grass component includes bionic grass (16), a counterweight (6), and hooks (11); the bionic grass (16) is planted on the counterweight (6); the counterweight (6) is provided with multiple hooks (11) for connecting with springs.

7. The adaptive bionic repair device for scour prevention of offshore wind turbine foundations according to claim 4, characterized in that: The locking structure includes locking hooks (12) respectively set on two hinge plates; the locking hooks (12) are made of plastic.

8. The adaptive bionic repair device for scour prevention of offshore wind turbine foundations according to claim 5, characterized in that: The support frame (4) has multiple vertically arranged sliding grooves (15); the hanging parts (13) set on the support frame (4) are slidably connected in the sliding grooves (15); the top of the sliding grooves (15) is provided with an optical sensor.

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