Submersible modular barge for building and / or launching floating structures

Abstract

The invention relates to a modular barge (1) comprising at least three hollow, watertight-walled floating modules (2), mechanical connection means (4) between the modules (2) and a working deck (3). Advantageously, the modules (2) may be of the ballastable type, comprising at least one ballast hole (5) that enables the flow of water between the interior of the modules (2) and the mass of water in which the barge (1) floats, at least one interconnecting air hole (6) that connects the interiors of two adjacent modules (2) and at least one regulating hole (7) that enables air to be introduced or extracted from the interior of the modules (2). Furthermore, the barge comprises means for regulating the air pressure (8) contained inside the modules (2), enabling the water level (9) inside the modules (2) to be regulated (and therefore the draught of the barge (1)) as a result of an increase or decrease of the air pressure inside the modules (2).

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates mainly to a modular and submersible barge specifically designed for building or assembling floating structures and launching them, as well as their method of use. The main sector of application of the invention is, therefore, the civil construction industry, in conjunction with the renewable or green energy industry, more specifically offshore wind energy.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The rapid growth of offshore wind turbines is leading to an ensuing growth in the substructures that support them, whether fixed to the seabed or floating, which poses major new technical challenges for their construction and launch in the case of temporary or permanently floating structures, even more so considering the number of these units and the production speed that the sector aspires to achieve.

[0003] To overcome this technological challenge, it is worth considering reproducing known techniques for the industrial and serial production of large temporary floating caissons, typically used for the construction of ports in deep and exposed coastal waters, and widely used in certain markets such as Spain or Japan. These caissons are serially manufactured with great speed and cost efficiency on floating caisson dikes: large floating platforms that enable concrete caissons to be built on their deck and can be submerged so that, once the construction of the caisson is completed, it can be floated.

[0004] However, to date it has not been possible to implement or even consider the use of caisson dikes in the deployment of floating offshore wind energy facilities, since floating platforms for offshore wind turbines generally have a width that far exceeds the capacity of any existing caisson dike. Semi-submersible platforms, which are the most commonly considered type of floating platform for supporting offshore wind turbines, have dimensions in the range of 70-80 m for 8-10 MW wind turbines, increasing to around 100 m for new generation wind turbines with powers of 15 MW or higher. Existing caisson dikes generally only support platforms with widths less than 30-40 m.

[0005] Building a caisson dike with a qualitatively increased width compared to the prior art would involve a very high level of investment that would severely penalise the economic competitiveness of that possible construction technique. Given that existing caisson dikes are insufficiently wide for the manufacture of offshore wind energy platforms, it is of great interest to be able to generate moderately priced alternative means that could be adapted to platforms of any size. One could consider using modular barges or pontoons which, thanks to this modularity, can be configured with virtually any geometry. But these types of modular barges, which exist in the art, are not capable of submerging like a floating dock and their submersible use has never been considered before.

[0006] The reason why the possible submersible use of modular barges has never been considered is that, precisely because of their modularity, they are made up of a very high number of watertight compartments, which entails high operational complexity for a ballast and water transfer system that makes it possible to regulate the buoyancy of such a high number of compartments. Similarly, implementing a water transfer system on a conventional modular barge also requires installing multiple pipes, valves and equipment on the barge deck, increasing its cost and drastically reducing its usefulness for platform manufacturing by occupying at least part of this workspace with the various control elements needed to regulate the system's buoyancy.

[0007] Thus, and in order to clarify the technical starting point, the main difficulties present in the prior art can be broken down as follows: 1.- The construction of floating wind turbine platforms has strict requirements in terms of the dimensions and characteristics of their components, which hinder both the implementation of offshore wind farms and the use of methods proven in other naval sectors. Technologies and methods are required that can move components with certain dimensions for which there is currently no standardisation or established methodology for their assembly. 2.- Building floating elements (caissons) on submersible barges has proven to be an effective technique in other sectors, but this construction strategy has not been possible to date in the offshore wind energy sector because the width of the floating platforms that will have to be manufactured far exceeds the capacity of existing caisson dikes and submersible platforms. 3. Modular barges made up of a large number of road-transportable and interconnected modules could, due to their modularity, provide sufficient width. But to date they have never been endowed with submersible capability and their high number of modules and compartments makes it impractical to equip them with conventional water ballast transfer systems, an essential element in any submersible element.

[0008] The present invention provides a novel modular barge that overcomes these limitations of the art and which makes enables, for the first time, the submersible use of modular barges, paving the way for the efficient industrialised construction of floating platforms for offshore wind power generation.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] To overcome the limitations of the prior art described above, the present invention aims to achieve and establish a novel solution that enables the serial production of large-scale floating platforms that generates high efficiency and economy, with qualitatively fewer port infrastructure requirements. This is an unprecedented solution based on a technology and type of means that are unparalleled in the prior art.

[0010] More specifically, a first object of the invention relates to a submersible modular barge or pontoon for building and / or launching a floating marine structure comprising: at least three floating modules comprising an upper watertight wall, a lower watertight wall and a plurality of side watertight walls that define a closed and essentially hollow internal volume. The modules are preferably parallelepipeds with flat, horizontal, rectangular upper and lower faces, and four vertical side faces, but can adopt other geometries without departing from the scope of the present invention; mechanical connection means adapted to connect two or more floating modules together, such that said modules are joined together by mechanical connection means to operate the barge, but can be disconnected and transported separately from one location to another where the barge is to be operated. The mechanical connection means materialize a structural connection between different modules which ensures that, once joined, they behave in a way sufficiently equivalent to a monolithic body or hull. Mechanical connection means may employ various systems known in the art, such as screws, pins, hooks, etc. The connection between modules is preferably such that the upper faces of the different modules are at the same level; and a work deck. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the work surface is entirely formed by the upper faces of different modules, which are essentially flat and horizontal. However, the deck can also be partially formed from elements other than the modules without departing from the scope of the invention. There are also embodiments according to the present invention in which the work surface is not formed directly by the upper faces of the modules, but by elements that rest at least partly on the modules, such that the work surface is at a higher level than the surface of the modules.

[0011] Advantageously, the barge is also characterised in that: one or more floating modules are of the ballastable type and comprise a ballast hole, preferably located on the lower face of said module, which connects the interior volume of said floating module or modules with a mass of water in which the barge is located, said ballast hole being adapted to enable the free flow of water between said interior volume and said mass of water. Although the lower ballast hole is preferably located on the lower face, it could also be located at any other point on the module's contour that is below the inner ballast water level; the floating modules comprise at least one interconnecting air hole adapted to create a watertight connection between the interior volumes of two adjacent floating modules, said interconnecting air hole preferably being located on a side or upper face of said module above the internal ballast water level; at least one of the floating modules comprises a regulating hole, located above the ballast water level, adapted to introduce or extract air from the internal volume of said floating module; and the barge further comprises air pressure regulating means (which may comprise elements such as air compressors, valves, manifolds, pneumatic hoses and other elements known in the art and commonly used in pneumatic systems) connected to at least one regulating hole so that, when acting on said air pressure regulating means: the air pressure contained in the internal volume of one or more floating modules is increased, thus reducing the water level contained in said internal volume and therefore increasing the draught of the barge; or the air pressure contained in the interior volume of one or more floating modules is reduced, thus increasing the water level contained in said internal volume and therefore reducing the draught of the barge.

[0012] The barge described, due to its preferably containerisable modules, provides exceptional mobilisation and demobilisation efficiency to different projects and geographical locations.

[0013] Added to this improvement is the fact that the draught (height) of the barge according to the present invention can be very small, preferably around half that of the large monolithic semi-submersible barges currently on the market, which may enable its use in shallow ports such as those that characterise many international markets.

[0014] The present invention enables the construction or assembly of large platforms directly on a modular barge of adjustable and sufficient width and equipped with the ability to submerge to leave the platform afloat.

[0015] Any modular barge used to date lacks the ability to submerge since, precisely because of their modularity, these types of barges are made up of a very high number of watertight compartments (an 80 m wide barge would use hundreds of compartments) and a conventional ballast and water transfer system is not operationally and economically viable for such a high number of independent compartments. Implementing a water transfer system on a conventional modular barge would also require installing multiple pipes, valves and equipment on the barge deck, drastically reducing its usefulness for platform manufacturing.

[0016] The present invention overcomes these limitations of the prior art through a barge ballasting system based exclusively on air control, completely avoiding the transfer of water between modules and giving the modular barge the ability to submerge with a simple, operational, cost-effective system that will not require any equipment on the deck of the barge that would reduce its operability as a work and construction area.

[0017] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the barge comprises at least one grouping of modules in which the interior volumes of all the modules that make up said grouping are interconnected with each other through interconnecting air holes, such that the interior volumes of the modules of said grouping are joined together generating a single grouped, interconnected and watertight interior volume, enabling air to flow freely between different modules of the grouping without escaping from said grouped interior volume. At least one module of said grouping of modules comprises a regulating hole, which is located above the ballast water level and through which air can be introduced or extracted from the interior volume of said module and therefore from the grouped interior volume of the grouping to which said module belongs.

[0018] Although the air cannot escape from this grouped interior volume, it can do so through the regulating holes if intentionally desired. There may also be a minimal escape of air due to unwanted leaks, which can be compensated for by introducing air through the air pressure regulating means. Although a perfect seal is preferred, the invention will also work with imperfect seals and a limited level of air leakage.

[0019] A certain upper hole of a module can be multi-purpose and used as an upper interconnecting air hole in a certain barge configuration, or as an upper regulating hole in another configuration.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, each module has two holes located on its side and / or top faces. In at least one module of the grouping, and preferably in an edge module, one of the side / top holes will be designated to act as a regulating hole, and will therefore be the hole through which air will enter or exit the grouped interior volume. In most of the modules that form part of the grouping, both holes will be used as upper interconnecting air holes and will connect the volume of each module to that of the adjacent modules. There may be edge modules of the grouping, such as those that border modules of another grouping, wherein one upper hole is used as an interconnecting hole while the other hole is left closed.

[0021] Within the scope of the present invention, regulating the air pressure in one of the modules of a grouping of modules makes it possible to adjust the internal air pressure in all the modules of said grouping, thus regulating the internal ballast level of the modules of said grouping. The internal air pressure in the different modules of a grouping can be regulated by adjusting the pressure in only one module of the grouping, or it can naturally also be done by adjusting the pressure in more than one module of the grouping. In an even more preferred embodiment, the ballast level of all the modules of the grouping is regulated simultaneously, but there may also be a certain number of non-ballastable modules in the grouping or modules whose ballast level is regulated independently of other modules in the grouping.

[0022] At certain times and under certain circumstances, the air pressure and / or ballast water level in different modules of the same grouping may not be the same, since the regulation applied occurs at different speeds in the different modules of the grouping depending on different aspects, such as the area of the upper or lower holes.

[0023] It is advantageous for each grouping to comprise a plurality of modules, which enables the joint and simultaneous control and regulation of many modules, but it is also possible to consider groupings that comprise a single module without departing from the scope of the present invention. In that case, the ballast module would have at least one lower ballast hole and at least one upper regulating hole, but would not require upper interconnecting air holes.

[0024] By allowing air to escape through at least one upper regulating hole, water ballast is drawn into the interior volume of the modules through the lower ballast holes, thereby enabling the draft of the barge to be increased, lowering the level of its working deck until it is completely submerged. This will enable the launch of floating structures located on the working deck of the barge.

[0025] Similarly, by introducing air through the regulating holes, ballast water is expelled from inside the modules through the lower ballast holes, thereby enabling the draft of the barge to be reduced, raising the level of its working deck, until it emerges again for other operations or for the construction or assembly of a new floating structure.

[0026] The preferred application of the barge according to the present invention involves submerging the deck of the barge in order to float elements located on said deck. The barge according to the present invention can also be used for other applications that do not involve submerging the deck, but do require ballasting the modules, for example, to adapt to different load conditions or other circumstances, without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0027] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the barge comprises stabilisation means that increase the stability of the barge when the working deck is submerged and the waterline of the barge is reduced and / or eliminated. Various stabilisation methods known in the art can be used for this purpose, such as stability columns that remain partially emerged when the deck is submerged, dolphins, spuds or piles, etc.

[0028] If the barge is not self-stabilising in a submerged condition and until its working deck emerges, the assistance of a crane can be used for its emergence or immersion process, suspending part of the weight of the barge from the dock from a high point with respect to the working deck, thus increasing the stability of the barge until it generates a sufficient flotation plane to be self-stabilising.

[0029] In another preferred embodiment, the stabilization means comprise at least one essentially vertical pile, the lower end of which rests or is driven into the seabed during at least part of the operation of the barge, the upper end of which remains above the level of the water mass in which the barge operates. This type of pile preferably has lifting means that enable the pile to be raised or lowered with respect to the level of the barge.

[0030] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, said pile passes through guiding elements comprised in the barge such that the horizontal displacements of said barge are prevented or limited, as are the relative heeling or rolling movements between said barge and said pile. Therefore, the use of said piles offers the advantage of being able to operate the barge without having to moor it to the dock, which facilitates its operation and, in particular, its compatibility with tidal races. In an even more preferred embodiment, the barge has special modules that comprise this type of guidance elements for the piles or spuds. Free-standing piles can also be used, which are connected to the barge via a system of cables or winches.

[0031] The stabilisation means may also comprise column-type elements, essentially vertical in configuration, whose lower end is fixed to the hull of said barge and whose height above the working deck is sufficient so that the upper end of said columns always remains above the water level, even if said working deck is temporarily submerged. The inertia of the flotation area provided by these columns when the working deck is submerged is sufficient for the barge to be self-stabilising.

[0032] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the plan dimension of the barge, i.e. its length and / or its beam, can be adapted for different applications of said barge by adding or removing modules, connecting or disconnecting them from each other using mechanical connection means.

[0033] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, at least part of the modules adopt a geometry in terms of width and / or length analogous to the standardised geometry for container-type elements. Adopting a geometry analogous to that of a standard container simplifies and economises the transport of the modules from one location to another where the barge is to be used. In particular, the preferred plan dimensions are 40 feet long (12.2 m) and 8 feet wide (2.4 m). The height may vary as it is less relevant to transport costs and will usually be between 2.4 and 3 m, preferably maintaining a height compatible with road transport clearances, although greater heights may be used in those cases where it is expected that the modules will generally be transported by sea.

[0034] In another preferred embodiment, at least some of the ballastable modules comprise watertight sealing means for the ballast holes and / or the interconnecting air holes and / or the regulating holes, wherein said sealing means are removable or deactivatable to enable the multi-purpose use of the module as both a ballastable and non-ballastable module. The closing means can be adjustable and can be used to prevent or limit the flow of air or water in different stages of the assembly, operation or disassembly of the barge.

[0035] In another preferred embodiment, the barge comprises at least one air pressure sensor contained within the interior volume of each module or grouping of modules, although preferably there will be air pressure sensors in each module with a regulating hole and at least in the modules furthest from these. In addition, the barge can incorporate draft sensors and ballast level sensors inside the modules.

[0036] In another preferred embodiment, the air pressure regulating means comprise air compressors and air hoses that connect said compressors to the regulating holes of the different modules or different groupings of modules comprised in said barge. These compressors can be located on the dock next to where the barge is expected to operate, making them more accessible and preventing them from taking up space or interfering with activities to be carried out on the barge's working deck. However, these regulating means could also be located on the barge itself, for example on the working deck or even inside a module.

[0037] In another embodiment of the invention, two interconnecting air holes of adjacent modules are connected by means of an interconnecting air pipe that connects, through said holes, the interior volume of both modules while maintaining a seal with the exterior. These interconnecting air holes can be located on the uppermost part of the side faces, enabling the interconnecting air pipe to be outside the working deck. In this case it may be necessary to access the interior of the modules to install these interconnecting air pipes, to which end the modules will have manholes, which can be sealed and are preferably located on the upper face of the module. The interconnecting air holes may also be located on the upper face of the modules, preferably on their edge so that the holes of adjacent modules are closer together. In this case, the interconnecting air pipes can be located on the work deck and will preferably be of a flat and robust configuration to minimise any interference they may cause to the work to be carried out on the deck. In this case, the interconnecting air pipes can be advantageously installed from the work deck without having to access the interior of the modules.

[0038] In another embodiment of the invention, the interconnecting pipe or pipes permit at least two configurations: an open configuration that enables free airflow between the interior volumes of both modules and a closed configuration that prevents airflow between the interior volumes of both modules. Preferably, the interconnecting air pipe can be operated from the work deck to switch from an open configuration to a closed configuration and vice versa.

[0039] A second object of the invention relates to a method for building and / or launching a floating marine structure, which comprises the operation of a barge as described in the previous embodiments. This method advantageously comprises performing the following steps in any technically feasible order: a) transporting a plurality of floating modules, separately, to the construction and / or launch site of the marine structure. In a preferred embodiment, the modules are container-sized and can be transported dry, although the modules may also be transported afloat; b) connecting at least part of the floating modules to each other using mechanical connection means. This connection can be made either dry or after the modules have been floated. In a preferred embodiment, a plurality of modules are connected dry until their weight reaches the capacity of the crane to be used to float them and, after the crane has floated them, they are all joined together. The mechanical connection means are preferably such that they can be applied acting only from the upper face of the modules and / or the working deck, which facilitates their application when the modules are afloat and with their lower face submerged; c) setting the plurality of floating modules. Cranes will preferably be used for this purpose, given the lightness of the modules, but various other technically known methods such as slipways, syncholifts, dry or floating docks, etc., may also be used. The barge will preferably be positioned next to a dock that can support the work to be carried out thereon, said dock preferably being located in the sheltered waters of a port or similar facility; d) acting on the air pressure regulating means to maintain sufficient air pressure in the interior volume of the floating modules to prevent or limit the entry of water into said interior volume while keeping the working deck above water; e) building, assembling and / or launching a marine structure on the working deck of the barge while said deck remains above water; f) acting on the air pressure regulating means to allow air to escape from the interior volume of at least part of the floating modules, causing an increase in the water level in said interior volume and thereby increasing the draught of the barge until the working deck is submerged sufficiently for the marine structure located on said working deck to float on its own and become vertically separated from said working deck; g) moving said marine structure horizontally and while afloat until it is outside a substantially vertical projection of the barge; and h) acting on the air pressure regulating means to introduce air into the interior volume of at least part of the floating modules, reducing the water level in said interior volume and thereby reducing the draught of the barge until the working deck emerges.

[0040] In another embodiment of the invention, the method for building and / or launching a floating marine structure comprises the operation of a barge comprising interconnecting air pipes. In this regard, steps c)-h) of the previously described method are carried out as disclosed, while steps a)-b) comprise the following respective sub-steps: a1) enabling a dry assembly area for subgroups formed by a plurality of modules in the vicinity of a dock; a2) providing a crane in said dry assembly area and / or said dock; b1) dry-connecting, using mechanical connection means, a part of the floating modules to form a first assembly subgroup, wherein the weight of said assembly subgroup is such that it can be handled by said crane; b2) arranging in a closed configuration at least part of the interconnecting air pipes comprised in said assembly subgroup; b3) using the crane to lift said assembly subgroup and set it afloat; b4) repeating steps b1)-b3) to assemble and float at least a second assembly subgroup; b5) connecting two assembly subgroups afloat by mechanical connection means; b6) providing interconnecting air pipes between at least two adjacent modules, each of which belongs to a different assembly subgroup; b7) changing at least some of the aerial interconnecting pipes comprised in said assembly subgroups from closed configuration to open configuration;

[0041] In another embodiment of the invention, the method described above further comprises, after step e) and before step g), performing the step: e1) acting on the air pressure regulating means by increasing the draught of the barge until the barge is supported, in a submerged condition, on support points and / or suspended from support points.

[0042] The seabed itself, piles (either with a support element on their shaft or by means of a hanging element on their head), or other elements known in the art can act as support points.

[0043] Lastly, in another preferred embodiment at least part of the seabed located in the vertical projection of the barge acts as a support point during step e1), and, additionally, step h) comprises the following substeps: h1) reducing the water level of the interior volume in a first portion of the barge, such that said first portion is refloated until it partially emerges, while a second portion of the barge remains submerged and supported on the seabed, so that the barge tilts with respect to the horizontal; and h2) reducing the water level of the interior volume in said second portion of the barge until said second portion is refloated and emerges, such that the entire working deck emerges and regains a substantially horizontal configuration. DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0044] The foregoing and other features and advantages will be more fully understood from the detailed description of the invention, as well as from the examples of preferred embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 schematically shows a barge according to an embodiment of the invention formed by a plurality of modules, and additionally shows, for clarification purposes, a view of an individual module; Figure 2 shows a plan view of the barge according to an embodiment of the invention, already afloat and located next to a dock for operation; Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of a plurality of the modules that make up the barge according to an embodiment of the invention, showing its interior volume with water ballast; Figure 4 shows two cross-sectional views of a ballast hole located on the lower face of a module, one view with the hole open and another with the inclusion of closing means that enable the hole to be temporarily closed, according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 5 shows two sections of an embodiment of the interconnecting holes in two adjacent modules, in this case located on the side faces of the modules; Figure 6 shows the plan view and two sections of another embodiment of the interconnecting holes in two adjacent modules, in this case located on the upper face of the module, and the interconnecting pipe that enables the watertight connection between the interior volumes of both modules; Figure 7 shows five sequential diagrams describing the method for using the barge according to the present invention; and Figure 8 shows an overview of the operation of two barges according to the present invention located next to a dock. NUMERICAL REFERENCES OF THE DRAWINGS

[0045] In order to help better understand the technical features of the invention, the aforementioned figures are accompanied by a series of numerical references where, for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, the following is represented: (1)Barge(2)Module(3)Work deck(4)Mechanical connection means(5)Ballast holes(6)Interconnecting air holes(7)Regulating holes(8)Air pressure regulating means(9)Water / ballast level in an interior volume(10)Dock(11)Stabilising means(12)Piles(13)Grouping of modules(14)Interconnecting air pipes(15)Air compressor(16)Air or pneumatic hose(17)External water level(18)Hole closing means(19)Sealing profiles(20)Marine structure(21)Support points(22)Seabed DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0046] A detailed description of the invention is provided below with reference to a preferred embodiment thereof based on Figures 1-8 of this document. Said embodiment is provided for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention.

[0047] Figure 1 shows a three-dimensional schematic view of a barge (1) according to an embodiment of the invention configured from two columns and nine rows of floating modules (2) with geometry analogous to that of a container, i.e. in the form of a parallelepiped with one upper face, one bottom face and four side faces. These faces define, in a watertight manner, an interior volume in each module. For illustrative purposes, the representation of a module (2) is also included in an independent view where these features can be observed. The upper face of the floating modules (2) forms the working deck (3) of the barge (1). The floating modules (2) are structurally connected by mechanical connection means (4) located at the different interfaces between modules (2).

[0048] Figure 2 shows a plan view of a barge (1) according to another embodiment of the invention, in this case formed from four columns and 18 rows of floating modules (2) of geometry analogous to that of a container, with a total of 72 modules (2). These modules comprise a ballast hole (5) (not shown in the figure because it is located on the lower face of the modules (2)) that enables free flow of water between the interior volume of the module and the mass of water in which the barge floats, one or more interconnecting air holes (6) that connect the interior volumes of adjacent modules, enabling the free flow of air between these interior volumes, and one or more regulating holes (7). Additionally, the barge (1) has air pressure regulating means (8), connected to some of the regulating holes (7), which make it possible to regulate the amount or pressure of air within the interior volumes, thereby also controlling the amount or level of water (9) contained in the interior volumes. Therefore, by increasing the air pressure, water is displaced from the interior volumes (i.e. the water level (9) contained in said interior volumes decreases), reducing the draught of the barge (1). Similarly, reducing the air pressure has the opposite effect: it increases the water level (9) contained in the interior volumes and submerges the barge (1). Thus, the buoyancy and draught of the barge (1) are controlled by regulating the pressure of the air contained in the interior volumes of the modules (2) that conform it.

[0049] In Figure 2, the barge (1) is located next to a dock (10) to support the work to be carried out thereon and has stabilising means (11) which in this case comprise four piles (12) located at each corner of the barge (1). In this case, these piles (12) pass through specially adapted modules (2) that incorporate elements that house and guide the piles (12). These piles (12) make it possible to fix the plan position of the barge (1) and also enable it to be guided during its submerged descent and ascent in case the barge (1) is not self-stabilising when submerged, after losing its flotation plane.

[0050] In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 2, the modules (2) that make up the barge (1) are organised into four groups (13), each corresponding to a quadrant of the barge (1) and therefore each grouping (13) comprising 18 modules (2). For greater clarity, the interfaces between modules (2) of different groupings are shown with increased thickness for illustrative purposes only. The interior volume of the modules comprised in one of said groupings is interconnected by means of the interconnecting air holes (6) of the modules (2) corresponding to said grouping (13) thanks to interconnecting air pipes (14). The grouped volumes of each of the four groupings (13) are independent of each other. Having different independent groupings (13) makes it possible to ensure the stability of the barge (1) by preventing a certain inclination of the barge (1) from producing an unwanted airflow between different groupings (13), which could lead to an increase in said inclination. It also makes it possible to regulate the water level (9) contained in each grouped interior volume independently, thereby enabling the ballast distribution to be adapted to different load conditions, target inclinations of the barge (1) or other circumstances.

[0051] In this preferred embodiment, two modules (2) in each grouping (13) have regulating holes (7) connected with air pressure regulating means (8). In this case, said means (8) comprise two air compressors (15) which are located on the dock (10) for easier accessibility. These compressors are connected to the various regulating ports (7) via pneumatic hoses (16). The regulating holes (7) are conveniently located on the outer edges of the outer modules (2) of each grouping (13), enabling said hoses (16) to run around the perimeter of the barge (1), thereby minimising their interference with the work to be carried out on the deck (3) of the barge (1).

[0052] Within the modules (2) of a grouping it is possible to include modules (2) that do not have a ballast hole (5) or that keep it closed. Maintaining a certain number of modules (2) without ballast or with constant ballast may be convenient for keeping the equilibrium draught stable without having to adjust the amount of air inside. It is preferable that said modules (2) without ballast or without variation in the amount of ballast are interconnected with ballastable modules (2) through the interconnecting air holes (6), which will make it possible to increase the internal air pressure when the barge is submerged (1) and thus limit the net pressures (difference between external pressure and internal pressure) that the walls of these modules (2) must withstand. However, it is also possible to use non-ballastable modules with no connection to other modules without departing from the scope of the invention. When using non-ballastable modules or modules without ballast level adjustment capability, it is preferable that the maximum buoyancy force they can generate is less than the submerged weight of the barge itself, to facilitate its immersion.

[0053] Figure 3 shows a partial sectional view of some of the modules (2) of the previous embodiment. In this case, three modules are shown (2). The three modules (2) belong to the same grouping (13) and their respective interior volumes are therefore interconnected through the interconnecting air holes (6) with their corresponding interconnecting air pipes (14). The interior volume of the modules (2) is connected to the mass of water in which the barge (1) floats through the ballast holes (5). The water level (9) or internal ballast is lower than the external water level (17) due to the compressed air pressure that is maintained in the interior volume of the modules (2). The walls of the modules (2) and the connections in their interconnecting air and regulating holes (6,7) provide a sufficient level of watertightness for air outflow and therefore maintain said internal pressure.

[0054] One of the modules (2), specifically the one located furthest to the left in the figure, uses one of its upper holes as an upper regulating hole (7), through which the inner volume of said module (2) is connected with air pressure regulating means (8). This connection is made in this case by means of an air hose (16) shown in sectional view that runs along the side of the barge (1). Air can be introduced or extracted from said module (2) through said regulating hole (7) and, therefore, since the interior volume of said module (2) is interconnected with that of the other modules (2) of the grouping (13), the amount of air in the grouped interior volume of said grouping (13) can be varied, thereby regulating the internal air pressure and consequently also the level of water (9) contained in the grouped interior volume.

[0055] Figure 3 shows an equilibrium condition in which the water level (9) in the interior volume of all the modules (2) of the grouping (13) is equal, but there will also be situations during the internal air pressure regulation process in which the ballast water level (9) may differ in different modules (2) of the grouping (13) until equilibrium is reached again.

[0056] Figure 4 shows a detailed view of a ballast hole (5), specifically illustrating an open configuration in the figure on the left and a closed configuration in the figure on the right. The closed configuration is materialised in this case through hole closing means (18) consisting of a cover screwed to the lower wall of the module (2). To facilitate this screw connection, the module wall has a thickening around the ballast hole (5). To better ensure watertightness, sealing profiles (19) may be arranged at the interface between the closing means (18) and the module wall (2). Other means or elements for improving watertightness known in the art may also be used for such purpose. The closing means (18) can enable the multi-purpose use of the module as a ballastable or non-ballastable module. Valve-type closing means (18) may also be used, such that they can be actuated remotely and the degree of aperture of said ballast hole (5) can be regulated.

[0057] The ballast hole (5) may be configured to comprise a pipe that places the water inlet point below the level of the lower wall of the module (2). This may be convenient to facilitate a complete emptying of the module (2) or to keep it empty of ballast despite small variations in the internal air pressure.

[0058] The ballast hole (5) is preferably located on the lower face of the module, but it may also be located on the lower part of the side faces provided that it is below the internal ballast water level (9).

[0059] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the ballast hole (5) is small, preferably less than 50 cm in diameter and more preferably less than 10 cm in diameter. This is convenient to prevent unforeseen or unwanted variations in internal air pressure from generating rapid variations in the water level (9) of the internal ballast of the modules (2), with the ensuing effects on the draught of the barge (1).

[0060] Figure 5 includes two detailed cross-sectional views of the interconnecting air and / or regulating holes (6,7) that are also shown in Figure 2. The view on the right shows the holes used as interconnecting air holes (6). An interconnecting air pipe (14) is used to connect the interior volumes of the two adjacent modules (2). In this case, said pipe (14) has fixed and / or threaded flanges at its ends, which make it possible to secure the pipe (14) and tighten the flanges. To better ensure watertightness, sealing profiles (19) can again be used at the interface between said pipe (14) and the wall of the modules (2).

[0061] The same hole is suitable for use both as an interconnecting air hole (6) and as an upper regulating hole (7).

[0062] The view on the left shows a closed condition of the holes, which is materialised through two hole closing means (18). The holes are finished with a flange that facilitates the application of closing means (18) if the hole is to be temporarily closed, or of an interconnecting air pipe (14) if the hole is to be used as an interconnecting air hole (6), or a connection element with the air pressure regulating means (8), if the hole is to be used as a regulating hole (7).

[0063] Figure 6 shows another embodiment of the connecting air and / or regulating holes (6,7), used in this case as upper interconnecting air holes (6). The top figure shows a plan view and the two bottom figures show sectional views. In this case, the holes are located on the upper face of the modules (2) and are positioned so that the holes of two adjacent modules (2) are conveniently close to each other. An element is used as an interconnecting air pipe (14) that can be screwed to the upper face of both modules (2) and that materialises the channel for air flow between modules (2) by means of a flat, rectangular pipe. Arranging the interconnecting holes (6) on the upper face has the advantage that the interconnecting pipe (14) and, where applicable, the closing means (18) of the holes can be installed or removed, acting exclusively from the working deck (3), without needing to access the interior of the modules (2). One possible disadvantage is that the interconnecting pipe (14) is an element located above the work deck (3), but its location can be chosen so that it does not significantly interfere with the work to be carried out on the work deck (3). The configuration shown for the interconnecting air pipe (14) makes it possible to reduce the superelevation it implies and generates a robust and walkable element aimed at minimising interference with the normal use of the work deck (3).

[0064] Advantageously, the module (2) hole configurations such as those illustrated in Figures 4-6, the barge (1) according to a preferred embodiment of the invention enable controlled operation of water level regulation (9) in the interior volumes, and therefore the amount of ballast, the draught of the barge (1), and / or its immersion or emergence process, without need for means to regulate the aperture of the holes, such as valves or similar devices, which could complicate or increase the cost of the process by requiring, for example, electrical, pneumatic or hydraulic power supplies, remote actuation or monitoring systems, etc. The invention enables the use of simple, constantly open holes without electromechanical or moving elements.

[0065] Figure 7 shows five figures illustrating a sequence of barge usage (1) for building and / or launching a marine structure (20), ordered from top to bottom. The figure above shows the starting condition of the barge (1) once assembled and launched. In this case, the barge uses piles (12) as stabilising means (11) that make it possible to maintain the barge's plan position.

[0066] The second figure from the top shows a condition in which the construction or assembly of a marine structure (20) on the deck (3) of the barge (1) has been completed. The weight of said marine structure (20) naturally increases the draught of the barge (1). In this condition, an internal air pressure is maintained in the ballastable modules (2) of the barge (1) that minimises the water level (9) or amount of water ballast inside, thereby increasing the load capacity of the barge without losing freeboard. In any case, the construction or assembly of the marine structure (20) can be completed after the barge (1) has been submerged.

[0067] The third figure from the top shows the start of the marine structure (20) launching operation. In this condition, the internal air pressure regulating means (8) enable the release of internal air to reduce said internal pressure, thereby causing water ballast to enter the interior of the modules (2). In this way, the barge can be gradually sunk (1). The piles (12) act as guide elements during this descent process.

[0068] The fourth figure from the top shows a condition in which the barge (1) has reached a sufficient depth for the marine structure (20) to float on its own and thus separate from the barge (1), thereby ceasing to support the weight of said marine structure (20). The barge (1) can remain submerged by using air pressure regulation to control its depth, although in a preferred embodiment it is supported or suspended from support points (21). In this case, the seabed itself (22) is used as a support point (21) for the barge (1), which enables its position to be independent of the internal air pressure control. The piles (12) act as a guide when the barge (1) is submerged and separated from the marine structure (20), a condition in which the self-stability afloat of said barge (1) will be lower or even zero, having lost its flotation plane.

[0069] Finally, the lower figure in Figure 7 shows the operation in which the marine structure (20) is moved laterally in order to remove it from the vertical projection of the barge (1). This will typically involve the use of tugboats, although other means may also be used. Once the marine structure (20) has been completely removed from the vertical projection of the barge (1), the internal air pressure regulating means (8) will be used to introduce air into the ballastable modules (2). This will enable ballast water to be expelled from inside the modules (2) and thus refloat the barge (1) again in order to restart the cycle if wanting to build and float another marine structure (20).

[0070] Figure 8 shows an overview of the use of two barges (1) according to the present invention. Each of the two barges (1) shows different stages of the process of building marine structures (20) on the deck of said barges (1), prior to sinking the barges (1) to set said structures (20) afloat. The barges (1) are conveniently located next to a dock (10) to facilitate said work, using piles (12) to maintain their plan position.

Claims

1. A submersible modular barge (1) for building and / or launching a floating marine structure (20) comprising: - at least three floating modules (2) comprising an upper watertight wall, a lower watertight wall and a plurality of side watertight walls that define a closed and essentially hollow interior volume; - mechanical connection means (4) adapted to connect two or more floating modules (2) to each other; and - a working deck (3); and characterised in that: - one or more floating modules (2) are of a ballastable type and comprise a ballast hole (5) connecting the inner volume of said floating module or modules (2) with a mass of water in which the barge (1) is located, wherein said ballast hole (5) is adapted to enable the free flow of water between said inner volume and said mass of water; - the floating modules (2) comprise at least one interconnecting air hole (6) adapted to create a watertight connection between the interior volumes of two adjacent floating modules (2); - at least one of the floating modules (2) comprises a regulating hole (7) adapted to introduce or extract air from the interior volume of said floating module (2); and - the barge (1) further comprises air pressure regulating means (8) connected to at least one regulating hole (7) such that, when actuating said air pressure regulating means (8): - the air pressure contained in the interior volume of one or more floating modules (2) can be increased, thereby reducing the water level (9) contained in said interior volume and therefore increasing the draught of the barge (1); or - the air pressure contained in the interior volume of one or more floating modules (2) can be decreased, thereby increasing the water level (9) contained in said interior volume and therefore reducing the draught of the barge (1).

2. A barge (1), according to the preceding claim, wherein said barge (1) comprises at least one grouping (13) of floating modules (2) in which the interior volumes of all the modules (2) that make up said grouping (13) are interconnected with each other through interconnecting air holes (6), such that the interior volumes of the modules (2) of said grouping (13) are joined together generating a single grouped, interconnected and watertight interior volume, enabling the free flow of air between different modules (2) of the grouping (13) without escaping from said grouped interior volume, such that the regulation of the air pressure in one of the modules (2) of a grouping (13) enables adjustment of the internal air pressure in all the modules (2) of said grouping (13), regulating the water level (9) contained in the interior volume of the modules (2) of said grouping (13).

3. The barge (1), according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the length and / or beam of said barge (1) are adjustable by connecting or disconnecting floating modules (2).

4. The barge (1), according to any of the preceding claims, which further comprises stabilising means (11) adapted to increase the stability of said modular barge (1) when the working deck (3) is submerged and / or the waterline of the barge is reduced and / or eliminated.

5. The barge (1), according to the preceding claim, wherein the stabilising means (11) comprise at least two column-type elements, of essentially vertical configuration, the lower end of which is fixed to the hull of the barge (1), and wherein the height of said columns above the working deck (3) is sufficient so that the upper end of said columns always remains above the outer waterline (17).

6. The barge (1), according to claim 4, wherein the barge (1) further comprises guiding elements and wherein the stabilising means (11) comprise at least one pile (12) of substantially vertical configuration, the lower end of which rests on or is fixed to the seabed (22) during at least part of the operation of the barge (1), the upper end of which remains above the water level (17) in which the barge is located, and wherein said pile (12) passes through the guiding elements such that: - the horizontal movements of the barge (1) are impeded or limited; and - relative heeling or rolling movements between the barge (1) and the pile (12) are prevented or limited.

7. The barge (1), according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least part of the floating modules (2) comprise a geometry equivalent to that of a standardised container.

8. The barge (1), according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least part of the floating modules (2) comprise watertight closing means (18) for the ballast holes (5) and / or the interconnecting air holes (6) and / or the regulating holes (7), and wherein said closing means (18) are removable or deactivatable to enable the multi-purpose use of the module (2) as both a ballastable and non-ballastable module (2).

9. The barge (1), according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises at least one air pressure sensor contained in the interior volume of each module (2) and / or of each grouping (13) of modules (2).

10. The barge (1), according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the air pressure regulating means (8) comprise air compressors (15) and air hoses (16) adapted to connect said air compressors (15) to the regulating hole(s) (7).

11. The barge (1), according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least two interconnecting holes (6) of adjacent modules (2) are connected to each other by means of an interconnecting pipe (14) that connects, through said holes (6), the interior volume of both modules in a watertight manner, and wherein said interconnecting pipe (14) may have at least two configurations: - an open configuration that enables free airflow between the interior volumes of both modules (2); or - a closed configuration that prevents airflow between the interior volumes of both modules (2).

12. A method for building and / or launching a floating marine structure (20) comprising the operation of a barge (1), according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises, in any technically possible order, carrying out the following steps: a) transporting a plurality of floating modules (2), separately, to the construction and / or launch site of the marine structure (20); b) connecting at least part of the floating modules (2) to each other using the mechanical connection means (4); c) setting the plurality of floating modules (2) afloat; d) actuating the air pressure regulating means (8) to maintain sufficient air pressure in the interior volume of the floating modules (2) to prevent or limit the entry of water into said interior volume by keeping the working deck (3) above water; e) building, assembling and / or launching a marine structure (20) on the working deck (3) of the barge (1) while said deck (3) is above water; f) actuating the air pressure regulating means (8) to enable air to escape from the interior volume of at least part of the floating modules (2), causing an increase in the water level (9) in said interior volume and thereby increasing the draught of the barge (1) until the working deck (3) is submerged sufficiently so that the marine structure (20) located on said working deck (3) floats on its own and separates vertically from said working deck (3); g) horizontally displacing and afloat said marine structure (20) until it is outside a substantially vertical projection of the barge (1); and h) actuating the air pressure regulating means (8) to introduce air into the interior volume of at least part of the floating modules (2) by reducing the water level (9) in said interior volume, thereby reducing the draught of the barge (1) until the working deck (3) emerges.

13. The method for building and / or launching a floating marine structure comprising the operation of a barge (1), according to claim 11, and characterised in that it comprises, in any technically possible order, carrying out the following steps: a') transporting a plurality of floating modules (2), separately, to the construction and / or launch site of the marine structure; a1) enabling a dry assembly area for subgroups formed by a plurality of modules (2) in the vicinity of a dock; a2) providing a crane in said dry assembly area and / or said dock; b1) dry connecting, using mechanical connection means (4), part of the floating modules (2) to form a first assembly subgroup, wherein the weight of said assembly subgroup is such that it can be handled by said crane; b2) arranging in a closed configuration at least part of the interconnecting air pipes (14) comprised in said assembly subgroup; b3) using the crane to lift said assembly subgroup and set it afloat; b4) repeating steps b1)-b3) to assemble and float at least a second assembly subgroup; b5) connecting two assembly subgroups afloat through mechanical connection means (4); b6) providing interconnecting air pipes (14) between at least two adjacent modules (2), each of which belongs to a different assembly subgroup; b7) changing at least some of the interconnecting air pipes (14) comprised in said closed configuration assembly subgroups to an open configuration; c') setting the plurality of floating modules (2) afloat; d') actuating the air pressure regulating means (8) to maintain sufficient air pressure in the interior volume of the floating modules (2) to prevent or limit the entry of water into said interior volume by keeping the working deck (3) above water; e') building, assembling and / or launching a marine structure (20) on the working deck (3) of the barge (1) while said deck (3) is above water; f') actuating the air pressure regulating means (8) to enable air to escape from the interior volume of at least part of the floating modules (2), causing an increase in the water level (9) in said interior volume and thereby increasing the draught of the barge (1) until the working deck (3) is submerged sufficiently so that the marine structure (20) located on said working deck (3) floats on its own and separates vertically from said working deck (3); g') moving horizontally and afloat said marine structure (20) until it is outside a substantially vertical projection of the barge (1); and h') actuating the air pressure regulating means (8) to introduce air into the interior volume of at least part of the floating modules (2) by reducing the water level (9) in said interior volume, thereby reducing the draught of the barge (1) until the working deck (3) emerges.

14. The method, according to any of claims 12 to13, wherein the following step is carried out after step e) / e') and prior to step g) / g'): e1) actuating the air pressure regulating means (8) by increasing the draught of the barge (1) until said barge (1) is supported, in a submerged condition, on support points (21) and / or suspended from support points (21).

15. The method, according to the preceding claim, wherein at least part of the seabed (22) located in a substantially vertical projection of the barge (1) acts as a support point (21) during step e1), and wherein step h) / h') comprises the following substeps: h1) reducing the water level (9) of the interior volume in a first portion of the barge, such that said first portion is refloated until it partially emerges, while a second portion of the barge (1) remains submerged and supported on the seabed (22), so that the barge (1) tilts with respect to the horizontal; and h2) reducing the water level of the interior volume in said second portion of the barge (1) until said second portion is refloated and emerges, so that the entire working deck (3) emerges and regains a substantially horizontal configuration.

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