Assembly support device of offshore wind power generation facility

Abstract

To provide an assembly support device which is connected to a crane ship to be used to support offshore assembly of a windmill facility and a spur type floating body.SOLUTION: An assembly support device 30 includes: a semi-submersible floating body 33 which is formed including a plurality of columns 31, 31 ... to serve as floating bodies, and connection materials 32, 32 ... which connect the columns 31, 31 ... with each other; and a holding device 35 which is provided forming vertical two tiers coaxially arranged in a vertical direction at a side part of the semi-submersible floating body 33. A holding device 37 provided at the upper tier side is a tower side holding device which holds a lower end of a tower 6 of a windmill facility 2 in a state that the lower end may move in the vertical direction. A holding device 38 provided at the lower tier side is a floating body side holding device which holds an upper end of a spur type floating body 4 floating on the ocean in a state that the upper end may move in the vertical direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an assembly support device for offshore wind power generation equipment that is connected to the side of a crane ship when the wind turbine equipment, consisting of an assembled tower, nacelle and blades, is transported hoisted by the crane ship to an offshore assembly site, and is used to support the lower end of the tower of the wind turbine equipment and to assist in connecting the equipment to a spar-type floating body floated on the ocean at the assembly site. [Background technology]

[0002] Traditionally, hydroelectric, thermal and nuclear power generation have been the main power generation methods used, but in recent years, wind power generation, which uses natural wind to generate electricity, has been attracting attention from the perspective of the environment and the effective use of natural energy. Wind power generation facilities can be installed on land or on water (mainly offshore), but in Japan, which has mountainous terrain behind its coasts, there are few plains in coastal areas where stable winds can be expected. On the other hand, Japan is surrounded by sea on all sides, and has the advantage that winds suitable for generating electricity can be easily obtained on the sea and there are fewer restrictions on installation. For this reason, many different types of offshore wind power generation facilities and floating structures have been proposed in recent years.

[0003] The floating structure can be broadly classified into a barge type float, which floats on the water surface, a semi-submersible type, in which the lower part of the float is submerged below the water surface to float in a semi-submerged state, and a spar type, which floats in an upright position like a fishing float.

[0004] With regard to the spar-type float, the applicant has proposed in Patent Document 1 listed below an offshore wind power generation facility consisting of a float, mooring lines, a tower, and a nacelle and multiple wind turbine blades installed at the top of the tower, wherein the float is an offshore wind power generation facility with a spar-type floating structure consisting of a lower concrete floating structure part (hereinafter referred to as the concrete floating structure part) in which concrete precast cylindrical bodies are stacked vertically in multiple tiers and each precast cylindrical body is fastened and integrated with PC steel members, and an upper steel floating structure part (hereinafter referred to as the steel floating structure part) connected to the upper side of this lower concrete floating structure part (hereinafter referred to as the steel floating structure part).

[0005] In the method of constructing the float of the spar-type offshore wind power generation facility, as shown in Fig. 19, the steel floating part is divided into steel rings of a predetermined weight at a shipyard, and then these steel rings are connected by welding to complete the steel floating part. Then, the steel floating part is loaded onto a barge and transported to the on-site fabrication yard, where it is unloaded (landed) at a quay using a large crane ship of 1300t class. Meanwhile, the concrete floating part is manufactured in a concrete manufacturer's factory in a state where each ring is divided into several parts in the circumferential direction for the convenience of truck transportation, and these divided rings are transported by truck to the on-site fabrication yard, where they are connected in the circumferential direction, and then each ring is connected in the longitudinal direction using PC steel to complete the concrete floating part. Finally, the steel floating part and the concrete floating part are connected using a large crane ship of 1300t class to complete the float. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5274329 [Patent Document 2] JP 2012-201219 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] When assembling floating offshore wind power generation equipment at sea, it is desirable to do so in a bay with calm waves when connecting the wind turbine equipment such as the tower, nacelle, and blades with the spar-type float floating on the ocean. However, while the draft (the part below the water surface) of the spar-type float is generally deep, at over 70 meters, the water depth in a bay is generally shallower than this, making construction in a bay difficult and assemblies must be carried out in the deep open ocean.

[0008] The specific assembly procedure is as follows: the spar-type float is transported in a horizontal position by a semi-submersible spud barge to the assembly site, and then it is floated in a vertical position; the wind turbine equipment consisting of the assembled tower, nacelle and blades is transported to the assembly site in a hoisted position by a crane barge, and then the wind turbine equipment 71 is connected to the spar-type float 72, as shown in Figure 20 (see Patent Document 2).

[0009] At this time, it is desirable to prevent the wind turbine equipment 71 from being shaken when the wind turbine equipment 71 is transported in a suspended state by the crane ship 70 to the assembly site. Furthermore, since assembly in the open sea is strongly affected by waves and wind, it is necessary to connect the spar-type floating body 72 and the wind turbine equipment 71 in a state where the stability of both is ensured.

[0010] Therefore, the main object of the present invention is to provide an assembly support device for offshore wind power generation equipment that is connected to the side of a crane ship to support the lower end of the tower of the wind turbine equipment when the wind turbine equipment, consisting of the tower, nacelle and blades, is transported while being suspended by the crane ship to an assembly site offshore, and is used to assist in connection to a spar-type floating body floating on the sea at the assembly site. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention according to claim 1 provides an assembly support device for offshore wind power generation equipment, which is connected to the side of a crane ship to support the lower end of the tower of the wind turbine equipment when the wind turbine equipment, which is an assembled tower, nacelle, and blades, is transported in a suspended state by a crane ship to an assembly site on the sea, and is used to assist in connection to a spar-type floating body floated on the sea at the assembly site, The assembly support device for the offshore wind power generation facility includes a semi-submersible float including a plurality of columns serving as buoyant bodies and connecting members connecting the columns to each other, and a holding device provided in two stages, upper and lower, coaxially in the vertical direction on the side of the semi-submersible float, There is provided an assembly support device for offshore wind power generation equipment, characterized in that the gripping device provided on the upper side is a tower-side gripping device that grips the lower end of the tower of the wind turbine equipment in a state in which it can move in the vertical direction, and the gripping device provided on the lower side is a float-side gripping device that grips the upper end of a spar-type float floating on the ocean in a state in which it can move in the vertical direction.

[0012] In the invention described in claim 1, an assembly support device for offshore wind power generation equipment is used that includes a semi-submersible float including multiple columns serving as buoyant bodies and connectors connecting the columns to each other, and a pair of gripping devices arranged vertically coaxially on the side of the semi-submersible float in two tiers, upper and lower. Here, the gripping device arranged on the upper tier is a tower-side gripping device that grips the lower end of the tower of the wind turbine equipment in a state in which it can move up and down, and the gripping device arranged on the lower tier is a float-side gripping device that grips the upper end of a spar-type float floating on the ocean in a state in which it can move up and down.

[0013] Therefore, when the wind turbine equipment assembled with the tower, nacelle and blades is transported to an offshore assembly site while being suspended by a crane ship, the lower end of the tower of the wind turbine equipment is gripped by the gripping device provided on the upper side, so that the wind turbine equipment can be safely transported to the assembly site while preventing the swinging of the wind turbine equipment. Also, the upper end of the spar-type floater floating on the sea can be stably supported by the gripping device provided on the lower side at the offshore assembly site. Since the gripping device provided on the upper side and the gripping device provided on the lower side are provided in two levels, upper and lower, coaxially in the vertical direction, when the wind turbine equipment and the spar-type floater are gripped and the wind turbine equipment is slowly lowered, it can be precisely aligned with the connecting joint of the floater, and the connection work can be efficiently performed in a short time.

[0014] In addition, when the wind turbine equipment is lowered, or when the offshore wind power generation equipment descends under its own weight after the crane ship is released from its suspension after connection, the gripping devices are designed to hold the equipment in a state in which they can move in the vertical direction, and can guide the descent of the tower and offshore wind power generation equipment while maintaining their gripping state.

[0015] The present invention relates to claim 2, and there is provided an assembly support device for offshore wind power generation equipment as described in claim 1, in which the gripping parts of the gripping device, which are provided in two levels, upper and lower, enable the insertion and removal of a tower or spar-type float by an opening and closing mechanism that allows a part of the gripping parts to rotate freely around a vertical axis.

[0016] The invention described in claim 2 above shows a first structural example for enabling the tower or spar-type float to be inserted and removed from the holding device provided in two stages, upper and lower. Specifically, the holding part of the holding device has an opening and closing mechanism that allows a part of the holding part to rotate freely around a vertical axis, thereby enabling the tower or spar-type float to be inserted and removed.

[0017] The present invention relates to claim 3, and there is provided an assembly support device for offshore wind power generation equipment as described in claim 1, in which the gripping parts of the gripping device provided in two levels, upper and lower, have a half-split structure, and each half-split gripping part is capable of sliding freely in opposite directions by an opening and closing mechanism, enabling the insertion and removal of a tower or spar-type float.

[0018] The invention described in claim 3 above shows a second structural example for enabling the tower or spar-type float to be inserted and removed from the holding device provided in two stages, upper and lower. Specifically, the holding part of the holding device has a halved structure, and each half of the holding part is made to have an opening and closing mechanism that allows it to slide freely in the facing direction, thereby enabling the tower or spar-type float to be inserted and removed.

[0019] The present invention as claimed in claim 4 provides an assembly support device for offshore wind power generation equipment as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, in which rollers that are rotatable around a horizontal axis are arranged at predetermined intervals on the inner circumference of the gripping portion of the gripping device provided in two levels, one above the other, to grip the tower or float in a state in which it can be moved in the vertical direction.

[0020] The invention described in claim 4 shows an example of a structure for holding a tower or a spar-type float in a state in which it can be moved in the vertical direction by the holding device provided in two stages, upper and lower. Specifically, rollers that can rotate around a horizontal axis are arranged at a predetermined interval on the inner circumference of the holding part of the holding device, so that the tower or the float can be held in a state in which it can be moved in the vertical direction. Effect of the Invention

[0021] As described above in detail, according to the present invention, when a wind turbine equipment consisting of an assembled tower, nacelle and blades is transported suspended by a crane ship to an assembly site on the sea, the crane ship can be connected to the side of the crane ship to support the lower end of the tower of the wind turbine equipment, and by assisting in the connection to a spar-type floating body floating on the sea at the assembly site, the connection work can be carried out efficiently, safely and in a short time. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an overall view of a spar-type floating offshore wind power generation facility 1. [Diagram 2] FIG. [Diagram 3] 1 shows a precast cylindrical body 15, in which (A) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view, (B) is a plan view (viewed in the direction of the arrow BB), and (C) is a bottom view (viewed in the direction of the arrow CC). [Figure 4] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing how precast cylindrical bodies 15 are fastened together. [Diagram 5] 1 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view showing the boundary between a concrete floating body portion 4A and a steel floating body portion 4B. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a floating construction method for a spar-type offshore wind power generation facility. [Figure 7] 1A and 1B are views showing a state in which the offshore wind power generation equipment assembly support device according to the present invention is connected to a crane ship, in which (A) is a side view and (B) is a horizontal cross section (view taken along the arrows along line BB). [Figure 8] 1A and 1B are a side view and a bottom view, respectively, showing an offshore wind power generation facility assembly support device according to the present invention. [Figure 9] 1A and 1B show a gripping device according to a first structural example, in which (A) is a closed state diagram and (B) is an open state diagram. [Figure 10] 5A and 5B show a gripping device according to a second structural example, in which (A) is a closed state diagram and (B) is an open state diagram. [Figure 11] This is the transportation procedure for the spar-type floating body 4 (part 1). [Figure 12] This is the transportation procedure for the spar-type floating body 4 (part 2). [Figure 13] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing how to float off the spar-type floating body 4 at the assembly site. [Figure 14] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the spar-type floating body 4 in an installed state (upright state) at the assembly site. [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the procedure for transporting the wind turbine equipment 2 using a large crane ship 10. [Figure 16] This is a diagram (part 1) of the connection procedure to the spar-type floating body 4 at the assembly site. [Figure 17]This is a diagram (part 2) of the connection procedure to the spar-type floating body 4 at the assembly site. [Figure 18] This is a diagram (part 3) showing the connection procedure to the spar-type floating body 4 at the assembly site. [Figure 19] FIG. 1 is a flow diagram showing a method for constructing a spar-type floating body. [Figure 20] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the procedure for the integrated construction of the tower, nacelle and blades using a large crane ship 70. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0024] [Spar-type floating offshore wind turbine 1] First, a spar-type offshore wind power generation facility 1 to which the present invention is applied will be described in detail with reference to Figs. 1 to 5.

[0025] As shown in detail in Figure 1, the spar-type offshore wind power generation facility 1 is composed of a cylindrical spar-type floating body 4, mooring lines 5, a tower 6, a nacelle 8 installed on the top of the tower 6, and a number of blades 9, 9...

[0026] As shown in FIG. 2, the spar-type float 4 comprises a concrete floating section 4A in which concrete precast cylindrical bodies 15, 15... are stacked vertically in multiple stages and each precast cylindrical body 15, 15... is fastened and integrated with PC steel members 19, and a steel floating section 4B connected to the upper side of this concrete floating section 4A.

[0027] Ballast materials such as water, gravel, fine aggregate, coarse aggregate, and metal particles can be charged or discharged into or from the hollow portion of the spar-type floating body 4, making the buoyancy (draft) adjustable. The charging / discharging of ballast materials is possible by employing the fluid transport method previously proposed by the applicant in JP 2012-201217 A.

[0028] The concrete floating section 4A is composed of concrete precast cylindrical bodies 15, 15.... As shown in Fig. 3, the precast cylindrical bodies 15 are circular cylindrical precast members having the same cross section in the axial direction, and each is manufactured using the same formwork, or a hollow precast member manufactured by centrifugal molding is used.

[0029] In addition to the reinforcing bars 20, sheaths 21, 21... for inserting the PC steel bars 19 are embedded in the wall surface at appropriate intervals in the circumferential direction. The lower ends of these sheaths 21, 21... are formed with sheath enlarged diameter sections 21a so that couplers for connecting the PC steel bars 19 can be inserted, and the upper sections are formed with box-opening sections 22 for fitting in anchor plates for fixing. In addition, a plurality of hanging fittings 23 are provided on the upper surface.

[0030] As shown in Fig. 4(A), the precast cylindrical bodies 15 are connected to each other by stacking the precast cylindrical bodies 15, 15 while inserting the PC steel members 19, 19... extending upward from the lower precast cylindrical body 15 into the sheaths 21, 21..., and then fitting the anchor plate 24 into the box-opening portion 22 and introducing tension into the PC steel members 19 with the nut member 25 to integrate them. Furthermore, grout material is injected into the sheath 21 from the grout injection hole 27. The hole 24a formed in the anchor plate 24 is a grout injection confirmation hole, and the filling of the grout material is completed when the grout material is discharged from the confirmation hole.

[0031] 4(B), couplers 26 are screwed onto the protruding parts of the prestressing steel 19 to connect the upper prestressing steel members 19, 19..., and then the prestressing steel members 19, 19... are stacked while being inserted into the sheaths 21, 21... of the upper precast tubular body 15, and the procedure of fixing the prestressing steel members 19 in place in the above manner is repeated in order to stack them up in the height direction. At this time, an adhesive 28 such as an epoxy resin-based adhesive or sealant is applied to the joint surfaces between the lower precast tubular body 15 and the upper precast tubular body 15 to ensure watertightness and to bond the mating surfaces.

[0032] The steel floating body section 4B is composed of a steel cylindrical body 17 located relatively on the lower side, and a steel cylindrical body 18 located relatively on the upper side. The lower part of the steel cylindrical body 17 on the lower side has the same outer diameter as the precast cylindrical body 15, and as shown in Figure 5, it is connected to the precast cylindrical body 15 by bolts or welding (bolt fastening is shown in the illustrated example). The upper part of the steel cylindrical body 17 forms a truncated cone shape with a gradually narrowing diameter.

[0033] The upper steel cylindrical body 18 is a cylindrical body with an outer diameter dimension that is continuous with the upper outer diameter of the lower steel cylindrical body 17, and is connected to the lower steel cylindrical body 17 by bolts or welding or the like (bolt fastening is shown in the illustrated example). These steel cylindrical bodies 17, 18 are composed of steel rings 10, 10... that are divided into predetermined weights, and the steel rings 10, 10... are integrated by welding them in the circumferential direction.

[0034] On the other hand, the tower 6 is made of steel, concrete or PRC (prestressed reinforced concrete), but it is preferable to use one made of steel so that the total weight is small. The outer diameter of the tower 6 and the outer diameter of the upper steel cylindrical body 18 are almost the same, and the outer shape is continuous in the vertical direction without any steps. In the illustrated example, a ladder 13 is provided on the top of the upper steel cylindrical body 18, and a walkway scaffolding 14 is provided in the circumferential direction at approximately the boundary between the tower 6 and the upper steel cylindrical body 18.

[0035] As shown in Fig. 1, the mooring point P of the mooring rope 5 to the spar-type float 4 is set below the sea surface and at a position higher than the center of gravity G of the spar-type float 4. This makes it possible to prevent a ship from coming into contact with the mooring rope 5. Also, since a resistance moment is generated around the center of gravity G of the spar-type float 4 at the mooring point P so as to prevent the spar-type float 4 from tipping over too much, the tilting attitude of the tower 6 can be appropriately maintained.

[0036] On the other hand, the nacelle 8 is a device equipped with a generator that converts the rotation of the wind turbine 7 into electricity, a controller that can automatically change the angle of the blades 9, and the like.

[0037] [Manufacturing instructions for spar-type floating body 4] As a construction method for the spar-type floating body 4, the method proposed by the present applicant in JP 2018-173011 A can be suitably adopted.

[0038] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, a steel ring connection yard A, a concrete ring production yard B, and a concrete ring connection yard C are defined and provided in the wharf yard.

[0039] In the steel ring connecting yard A, a first bridge crane 50 is installed so that it can travel in a fixed direction, rotating platforms 52, 52... are installed at appropriate intervals in the direction of travel of the first bridge crane, and a mobile tent 56 is also provided that can move in the direction of travel of the first bridge crane. In the concrete ring production yard B, a mobile tent 57 is installed, and a complete set of concrete ring manufacturing equipment is also installed. In the concrete ring connecting yard C, a second bridge crane 55 is installed so that it can travel in a fixed direction, and a mobile tent 58 is also provided that can move in the direction of travel of the second bridge crane.

[0040] The float is then manufactured in a first step, in which the steel rings 51, 51... are placed in order on the rotating platforms 52, 52... using the first bridge crane 50, and if necessary, are covered with a mobile tent 56, and the steel rings 51, 51... are connected by welding in the circumferential direction while rotating them about their axis, thereby completing the steel floating body section 53B. The steel floating body section 53B is then moved to the concrete ring connecting yard C and installed in a predetermined position, and the concrete rings 54 manufactured in the concrete ring manufacturing yard B are then carried in order to the concrete ring connecting yard C, and if necessary, are covered with a mobile tent 58, and the concrete rings 54 are connected to the steel floating body section 53B using the second bridge crane 55, and are fastened and integrated with PC steel to complete the float 53. Once the spar-type floating body 4 has been completed in this manner, as shown in the figure, it is moved sideways to a semi-submersible spud barge 58 at the quay and loaded (rolled on).

[0041] [Regarding the offshore wind power generation equipment assembly support device 30] Next, the assembly support device 30 for supporting the offshore assembly of the spar-type offshore wind power generation facility 1 will be described in detail with reference to Figs.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 7 , the assembly support device 30 is connected to the side of a crane ship 10 and is used to support the lower end of the tower of the wind turbine equipment 2 when the wind turbine equipment 2, consisting of the tower 6, nacelle 8 and blades 9, is transported hoisted by the crane ship 10 to an assembly site on the sea, and to assist in connecting the wind turbine equipment 2 to the spar-type floating body 4 floated on the sea at the assembly site.

[0043] As shown in Figure 8, the assembly support device 30 is equipped with a semi-submersible float 33 comprising a plurality of columns 31, 31... which serve as buoyant bodies and connecting members 32, 32... which connect these columns 31, 31... to each other, and a holding device 35 arranged in two upper and lower stages coaxially in the vertical direction on the side of the semi-submersible float 33.

[0044] The semi-submersible float 33 comprises the multiple columns 31, 31..., eight in the illustrated example, which serve as buoyant bodies. These columns 31, 31... are cylindrical hollow structures, and the semi-submersible float 33 is constructed by arranging these columns 31, 31... in a well-balanced manner and connecting each of these columns 31, 31... with connecting members 32, 2....

[0045] A deck 34 is provided on the upper surface of the semi-submersible float 33, and the gripping device 35 is provided on the upper surface of this deck 34, and a notched insertion / removal portion 36 is provided on the deck 34 to insert and remove the lower end of the tower 6 and the upper part of the float 4 into and from the gripping device 35.

[0046] Among the gripping devices 35, the gripping device 37 provided on the upper side is a tower-side gripping device 37 that grips the lower end of the tower 6 of the offshore wind turbine 2 in a state in which it can move up and down, and the gripping device 38 provided on the lower side is a float-side gripping device 38 that grips the upper end of the spar-type float 4 floating on the ocean in a state in which it can move up and down. As shown in FIG. 9(A), the tower-side gripping device 37 and the float-side gripping device 38 have a part 39 (tip-side arm part) of the gripping part that can rotate around a vertical axis 40 and are driven to open and close by a connected jack device 41, so that the gripping part 42 is opened as shown in FIG. 9(B), allowing the tower 6 or the spar-type float 4 to be inserted and removed. Reference numeral 44 denotes a hydraulic unit for driving the jack device 41.

[0047] Rollers 43, 43... that can rotate around a horizontal axis are arranged at a predetermined interval on the inner periphery of the gripping part 42 of the gripping device 37, so that the tower 6 or the floating body 4 can be gripped in a state in which it can move up and down. It is preferable that the rollers 43 are supported via a shock absorber (oil damper) in consideration of damage when they come into contact with the tower 6 or the floating body 4. It is also preferable that a large number of rubber rollers 45, 45... are arranged at a predetermined interval in the notched insertion / removal part 36 of the deck 34 in consideration of damage when the rollers 45 come into contact with the tower 6 or the floating body 4. It is also preferable that the rollers 45 are supported via a shock absorber (oil damper) in consideration of damage when they come into contact with the tower 6 or the floating body 4.

[0048] The tower side holding device 37 and the float side holding device 38 enable the tower 6 or the spar type float 4 to be inserted and removed by an opening and closing mechanism in which a part of the holding part 42 is freely rotatable around a vertical axis. However, as shown in Figure 10, the holding part 42 of the holding device 37 may have a half-split structure, and each half-split holding part 42A, 42B may be freely slid in opposite directions by a jack device 41 to enable the tower 6 or the spar type float 4 to be inserted and removed by an opening and closing mechanism.

[0049] The assembly support device 30 has a connecting portion 46 for connecting to the crane ship 10 on its side (the end opposite to the gripping device 35), and is always used in a connected and integrated state with the crane ship 10.

[0050] [Assembly of offshore wind power generation facility 1] (Transportation and installation of spar-type floating body 4) The spar-type float 4 is assembled in the quay yard according to the manufacturing method described above, and then, as shown in Figure 11, it is moved sideways onto the semi-submersible spud barge 58 at the quay and loaded (rolled on).

[0051] The semi-submersible spud barge 58 is a barge whose draft can be adjusted to a semi-submerged state by adjusting the ballast water. Cargo is rolled on (loaded) onto the barge while adjusting the ballast water, and then the cargo can be floated offshore by adjusting the ballast water to make it semi-submerged.

[0052] Therefore, as shown in Fig. 12, once the spar-type float 4 has been transported to the assembly site by a towing vessel 59, it is surfaced and launched in a semi-submerged state as shown in Fig. 13. Then, once the spar-type float 4 has been placed in a vertical position by injecting ballast water into the spar-type float 4, mooring ropes 5 are attached to ensure the stability of the spar-type float 4.

[0053] (Transportation and connection of wind turbine equipment 2) Next, the wind turbine equipment 2 assembled at, for example, a wharf yard is transported to an offshore assembly site by a crane ship 10. As shown in Fig. 15, the wind turbine equipment 2 is suspended by a lifting device provided on the crane ship 10, and the lower end of the tower 6 is gripped by the tower-side gripping device 37 located on the upper side of the gripping devices 35 of the assembly support device 30, thereby ensuring stability of the wind turbine equipment 2 in the suspended state, and the equipment is towed by a towing ship 59 and transported to the assembly site of the offshore wind power generation facility 1.

[0054] When the assembly site is reached, as shown in Fig. 16, the float-side gripping device 38 on the lower side advances toward the spar-type float 4 with the gripping part 42 in an open state, and when the upper end of the spar-type float 4 is inserted into the gripping part 42, the gripping part 42 is closed to grip the upper end of the spar-type float 4. In this gripping state, the tower 6 of the wind turbine equipment 2 and the spar-type float 4 are aligned in the vertical direction, and from this state, as shown in Fig. 17, the wind turbine equipment 2 is slowly lowered to connect the lower end of the tower 6 and the upper end of the spar-type float 4. At this time, since the tower-side gripping device 37 is gripping in a state in which it can move in the vertical direction, it is possible to guide the descent of the tower 6 while still gripping. Furthermore, when the connection between the tower 6 and the spar-type float 4 is completed and the suspension of the wind turbine equipment 2 is released, the offshore wind power generation equipment 1 moves downward due to its own weight, but since the upper tower side holding device 37 and the lower float side holding device 38 both hold the tower 6 and the spar-type float 4 respectively in a state where they can move vertically, it is possible to guide the descent of the offshore wind power generation equipment 1 while maintaining their holding state.

[0055] Once the connection work between the spar-type floating body and the wind turbine equipment 2 has been completed, the gripping portions 42 of the upper tower side gripping device 37 and the lower float side gripping device 38 are released, and the crane ship 10 together with the assembly support device 30 is retreated so as to be detached from the offshore wind power generation equipment 1. [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] 1...Spar-type offshore wind power generation equipment, 2...Wind turbine equipment, 4...Spar-type float, 4A...Concrete float section, 4B...Steel float section, 5...Mooring line, 6...Tower, 7...Wind turbine, 8...Nacelle, 9...Blade, 11...Concrete ring unit, 15-16...Precast cylindrical body (concrete ring), 19...PC steel, 30...Assembly support device, 31...Column, 32...Connecting material, 33...Semisubmersible float, 34...Deck, 35...Gripping device, 37...Tower side gripping device, 38...Float side gripping device, 42...Gripping section, 58...Semisubmersible spud barge, 59...Towboat

Claims

1. An assembly support device for offshore wind power generation equipment is connected to the side of a crane ship to support the lower end of the tower of the wind turbine equipment when the wind turbine equipment, which is an assembled tower, nacelle, and blades, is transported in a suspended state by the crane ship to an assembly site on the sea, and is used to assist in connecting the wind turbine equipment to a spar-type floating body floating on the sea at the assembly site, The assembly support device for the offshore wind power generation facility includes a semi-submersible float including a plurality of columns serving as buoyant bodies and connecting members connecting the columns to each other, and a holding device provided in two stages, upper and lower, coaxially in the vertical direction on the side of the semi-submersible float, An assembly support device for offshore wind power generation equipment, characterized in that the gripping device provided on the upper side is a tower-side gripping device that grips the lower end of the tower of the wind turbine equipment in a state in which it can move in the vertical direction, and the gripping device provided on the lower side is a float-side gripping device that grips the upper end of a spar-type float floating on the ocean in a state in which it can move in the vertical direction.

2. The assembly support device for offshore wind power generation equipment as described in claim 1, wherein the gripping portions of the gripping devices provided in two upper and lower stages enable the insertion and removal of a tower or spar-type float by an opening and closing mechanism in which a part of the gripping portion is freely rotatable around a vertical axis.

3. The assembly support device for offshore wind power generation equipment as described in claim 1, wherein the gripping portions of the gripping devices provided in two upper and lower stages have a half-split structure, and each half-split gripping portion is capable of sliding freely in opposite directions to enable the insertion and removal of a tower or a spar-type float by an opening and closing mechanism.

4. An assembly support device for offshore wind power generation equipment as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, in which rollers that are rotatable around a horizontal axis are arranged at predetermined intervals on the inner circumference of the gripping portion of the gripping device provided in two upper and lower stages, thereby gripping the tower or float in a state in which it can be moved in the vertical direction.

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