Launching device for offshore wind turbines

Abstract

To provide a launching device for offshore wind turbines that enables smooth launching of the offshore wind turbines without the mobilization of a super-large barge.SOLUTION: The present invention relates to a launching device for offshore wind turbines, which comprises: a first floating body placed at a point in front of a coastal structure; a second floating body placed at another point in front of the coastal structure, arranged to face the first floating body with a space in between; a connecting member extending between the first floating body and the second floating body; an extension member extending offshore from the middle of one end and the other end of the connecting member; and a third floating body slidably coupled to the extension member and moving in the offshore and inshore directions.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a launching device, and more particularly to a launching device for an offshore wind turbine that can easily launch an offshore wind turbine without mobilizing an ultra-large virgin ship by individually supporting multiple points of the triangular floating structure that constitutes the offshore wind turbine through multiple small floating bodies. [Background technology]

[0002] As environmental pollution caused by the use of fossil fuels becomes more serious, environmentally friendly renewable energy sources are attracting attention.

[0003] Environmentally friendly renewable energy has the advantages of being clean, inexhaustible, non-polluting and renewable, and its scope of application is gradually expanding.

[0004] On the other hand, one of the environmentally friendly renewable energies is wind energy that uses wind turbines.

[0005] In this case, the wind power generator has a turbine mounted on a vertical tower, and the turbine rotates due to the wind, thereby generating electricity.

[0006] However, the turbines that make up wind power generators are quite large, so they require a relatively large installation space, which creates a problem of limitations on where they can be installed.

[0007] Additionally, wind turbines generate a lot of noise when they rotate, which has caused complaints from nearby residents.

[0008] To solve these problems, the use of "offshore wind turbines" such as those described in Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2023-0026975 has recently increased.

[0009] Offshore wind turbines are installed in the ocean, away from residential areas, making it easy to secure space and eliminating complaints about noise.

[0010] However, there was a problem with installing offshore wind turbines: the launching process was not easy.

[0011] In other words, offshore wind turbines manufactured on land, especially the floating structures that support the towers, are generally several tens of meters in width and length, and launching them requires an ultra-large virgin ship, which poses the problem of the effort and cost involved in preparing the ultra-large virgin ship.

[0012] For the above reasons, attempts have been made in the relevant field to develop launching equipment that would enable the smooth launching of offshore wind turbines without the need for ultra-large virgin ships, but to date no satisfactory results have been achieved. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0013] [Patent Document 1] Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 10-2023-0026975 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0014] The present invention has been proposed to solve the problems of the prior art as described above, and aims to provide a launching device for an offshore wind turbine generator that enables the smooth launching of an offshore wind turbine generator without the need for the mobilization of an ultra-large virgin ship. [Means for solving the problem]

[0015] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides

[0016] We propose a launching device for an offshore wind turbine generator, comprising: a first floating body positioned at a point in front of a coastal structure; a second floating body positioned at another point in front of the coastal structure and facing the first floating body with a gap between them; a connecting member extending between the first floating body and the second floating body; an extension member extending from the middle between one end and the other end of the connecting member toward the outside of the harbor; and a third floating body slidably connected to the extension member and moving toward the outside of the harbor and toward the inside of the harbor.

[0017] The first, second and third floats each include a water storage section having an inlet and an outlet that are intermittently opened and closed.

[0018] The first, second and third floating bodies may include rollers that protrude from the upper surfaces thereof by being raised by the lifting module.

[0019] The first and second floating bodies can be moved along the length of the connecting member to adjust the distance between them.

[0020] The extension member includes a hook portion formed to protrude upward from the tip.

[0021] The extension member includes a protrusion that is raised by a lifting module and inserted into a point on the third floating body.

[0022] The third float includes a stopper formed to protrude upward from the top surface.

[0023] The present invention may further include a pair of support members hingedly connected between the first and third floating bodies and between the second and third floating bodies, respectively.

[0024] The support member is formed in multiple stages, and the length can be changed by extending or retracting at least one stage. [Effects of the Invention]

[0025] The launching device for an offshore wind turbine according to the present invention has a first floating body and a second floating body arranged at a distance in front of the coastal structure, and a third floating body slidably connected to an extension member, so that the lower tip of the triangular floating structure of the offshore wind turbine entering from the coastal structure is supported by the third floating body, and the lower ends on both sides of the triangular floating structure of the offshore wind turbine are supported by the first floating body and the second floating body, respectively.Therefore, thanks to the support of the first floating body, the second floating body and the third floating body, the offshore wind turbine can be launched without mobilizing a large virgin ship, thereby reducing the effort and cost associated with mobilizing a large virgin ship. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0026] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a launching device for an offshore wind turbine generator according to the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is an exemplary view showing a launching device for an offshore wind turbine according to the present invention applied to the front of a coastal structure; [Figure 3] 10 is an exemplary view showing the slide of the third floating body in the launching device for the offshore wind turbine generator according to the present invention. FIG. [Figure 4] 1 is an exemplary view showing a state in which an offshore wind turbine is supported through a first floating body, a second floating body and a third floating body in a launching device for an offshore wind turbine according to the present invention. [Figure 5] 1 is an exemplary view showing roller rotation of the first floating body, the second floating body, and the third floating body in the launching device for an offshore wind turbine generator according to the present invention. [Figure 6] 10 is an exemplary view showing the hooking of the extension member in the launching device for an offshore wind turbine generator according to the present invention; FIG. [Figure 7] 10 is an exemplary view showing the stopper engagement of the third floating body in the launching device for an offshore wind turbine generator according to the present invention. FIG. [Figure 8] 10 is an exemplary view showing the fixing of a third floating body through a protrusion of an extension member in the launching device for an offshore wind turbine generator according to the present invention. FIG. [Figure 9]1 is an exemplary view showing the adjustment of the gap between the first floating body and the second floating body in the launching device for the offshore wind turbine generator according to the present invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 1, the launching device (A) for an offshore wind turbine generator according to the present invention includes a first floating body (10), a second floating body (20), a connecting member (40), an extension member (50), and a third floating body (30).

[0029] The first floating body (10) of the present invention is placed at a point in front of the coastal structure (100).

[0030] At this time, the first floating body (10) includes a water storage section (11) having an inlet (not shown in the drawing) and an outlet (not shown in the drawing) that are opened and closed intermittently, and can be submerged by filling the water storage section (11) with water.

[0031] In addition, the first floating body (10) includes rollers (12) that protrude from the upper surface when raised by the lifting module (12a), and when the offshore wind turbine (200) enters the upper surface, the rollers (12) rotate, allowing the offshore wind turbine (200) to move smoothly.

[0032] Here, the lifting module (12a) may be of any general structure or type as long as it is capable of raising and lowering the roller (12). One example of such a module is a cylinder (not shown in the drawing) in which a rod (not shown in the drawing) moves in and out using hydraulic or high pressure.

[0033] In addition, the first floating body (10) is slidably connected to the connecting member (40) and can move along the length of the connecting member (40).

[0034] The second floating body (20) of the present invention is arranged at another point in front of the coastal structure (100) and is arranged facing the first floating body (10) with a gap therebetween.

[0035] In this case, the second floating body (20) includes a water storage section (21) having an inlet (not shown in the drawing) and an outlet (not shown in the drawing) that are opened and closed intermittently, and can be submerged by filling the water storage section (21) with water.

[0036] In addition, the second floating body (20) includes rollers (22) that protrude from the upper surface when raised by the lifting module (22a), so that when the offshore wind turbine (200) enters the upper surface, the rollers (22) rotate, allowing the offshore wind turbine (200) to move smoothly.

[0037] Here, the lifting module (22a) may be of any general structure and type as long as it allows the roller (22) to be raised and lowered. One example is a cylinder (not shown in the drawing) in which a rod (not shown in the drawing) moves in and out using hydraulic or high pressure.

[0038] In addition, the second float (20) is slidably connected to the connecting member (40) and can move along the length of the connecting member (40), thereby adjusting the distance between it and the first float (10).

[0039] The connecting member (40) of the present invention continues between the first floating body (10) and the second floating body (20).

[0040] Such a connecting member (40) supports the first floating body (10) and the second floating body (20) to suppress unintended movement of the first floating body (10) and the second floating body (20) in front of the coastal structure (100), and does not have any special function, so a detailed explanation of the connecting member (40) will be omitted.

[0041] The extension member (50) of the present invention continues from the midpoint between one end and the other end of the connecting member (40) in the outboard direction.

[0042] At this time, the extension member (50) includes a hook portion (51) formed by protruding upward from the tip, so that when the third floating body (30) described later slides out of the extension member (50) toward the outside of the harbor, it can stop its movement by coming into contact with the hook portion (51).

[0043] In addition, the extension member (50) is raised by the lifting module (52a) and includes a protrusion (52) that is inserted into a point on the third floating body (30), and the third floating body (30) can be fixed to a point on the extension member (50) by inserting this protrusion (52).

[0044] Here, the lifting module (52a) may be of any general structure and type as long as it allows the protrusion (52) to be raised and lowered. One example of such a module is a cylinder (not shown in the drawing) in which a rod (not shown in the drawing) moves in and out using hydraulic or high pressure.

[0045] The third floating body (30) of the present invention is slidably coupled to the extension member (50) and moves in the outward and inward directions.

[0046] In this case, the third floating body (30) includes a water storage section (31) having an inlet (not shown in the drawing) and an outlet (not shown in the drawing) that are opened and closed intermittently, and can be submerged by filling the water storage section (31) with water.

[0047] In addition, the third floating body (30) includes rollers (32) that protrude from the upper surface when raised by the lifting module (32a), and when the offshore wind turbine (200) enters the upper surface, the rollers (32) rotate, allowing the offshore wind turbine (200) to move smoothly.

[0048] Here, the lifting module (32a) may be of any general structure and type as long as it allows the roller (32) to be raised and lowered. One example of such a module is a cylinder (not shown in the drawing) in which a rod (not shown in the drawing) moves in and out using hydraulic or high pressure.

[0049] In addition, the third floating body (30) includes a stopper (33) formed by protruding upward from the upper surface, and when the tip of the offshore wind turbine (200) entering the upper surface comes into contact with the stopper (33), the extension member (50) can move the third floating body (30) out of the port in accordance with the movement of the offshore wind turbine (200) out of the port.

[0050] The launching device (A) for an offshore wind turbine generator according to the present invention may further include a support member (60).

[0051] The support member (60) of the present invention is hingedly connected between the first floating body (10) and the third floating body (30), and between the second floating body (20) and the second floating body (20), thereby being able to support the third floating body (30).

[0052] At this time, the support member (60) is formed in multiple stages, and by moving in and out at least one stage, the length becomes variable, and interference when the third float body (30) slides can be prevented.

[0053] The launching of the offshore wind power generator 200 through the launching device for offshore wind power generator A according to the present invention will be described in detail as follows.

[0054] An offshore wind turbine (200) manufactured on land, particularly an offshore wind turbine (200) having a floating structure (210) supporting a tower (220) that is roughly triangular in shape, is moved out of the harbor by a skid system (110) installed on a coastal structure (100) such as a quay before being launched.

[0055] At this time, as shown in Figure 2, the first floating body (10) and the second floating body (20) are placed at a distance from each other at one point and another point in front of the coastal structure (100), and the third floating body (30) is placed between the first floating body (10) and the second floating body (20). The tip of the triangular floating structure (210) of the offshore wind turbine (200), which moves toward the outward direction of the port by the skid system (110), can be anchored on the third floating body (30).

[0056] Here, the third floating body (30) includes a roller (32) that protrudes from the upper surface by being raised by the lifting module (32a), and as shown in Figure 5, the roller (12) rotates, allowing the tip of the floating structure (210) to smoothly enter the upper surface.

[0057] In addition, the third floating body (30) includes a stopper (33) formed by protruding upward from the upper surface, and as shown in Figure 7, the tip of the floating structure (210) entering the upper surface comes into contact with the stopper (33), thereby preventing the tip of the floating structure (210) from detaching from the third floating body (30).

[0058] Meanwhile, the third floating body 30 is slidably connected to an extension member 50 extending from the midpoint between one end and the other end of the connecting member 40 extending between the first floating body 10 and the second floating body 20 toward the outward direction, and as shown in Figure 3, when the leading end of the floating structure 210 is hooked onto the stopper 33, the offshore wind turbine 200 moves further toward the outward direction, allowing the third floating body 30 to move toward the outward direction via the extension member 50. In this way, as shown in Figure 4, both ends of the floating structure 210 can be anchored to the first floating body 10 and the second floating body 20, respectively.

[0059] Therefore, by supporting the floating structure (210) at multiple points by the first floating body (10), the second floating body (20), and the third floating body (30), the water storage sections (11) provided in each of the first floating body (10), the second floating body (20), and the third floating body (30) are filled with water in the above-mentioned state, and each of the first floating body (10), the second floating body (20), and the third floating body (30) is submerged in water, thereby enabling the launching of the offshore wind turbine (200) to be carried out stably without the mobilization of an ultra-large virgin ship, thereby reducing the effort and cost associated with the mobilization of an ultra-large virgin ship.

[0060] At this time, the first floating body (10) and the second floating body (20) include rollers (12, 22) that protrude from the upper surface as they are raised by the lifting modules (12a, 22a), and the rotation of the rollers (12, 22) allows the end of the floating structure (210) to smoothly enter the upper surface.

[0061] However, if the third floating body (30) separates from the extension member (50), the support at the tip of the floating structure (210) becomes unstable, which may cause difficulties in launching the offshore wind turbine (200).

[0062] However, the extension member (50) of the present invention includes a hook (51) formed by protruding upward from the tip, and as shown in Figure 6, the third floating body (30) sliding from the extension member (50) comes into contact with the hook (51), thereby preventing the third floating body (30) from separating from the extension member (50), and therefore the tip of the floating structure (210) can be stably supported by the third floating body (30).

[0063] Furthermore, the extension member (50) includes a protrusion (52) that is raised by the lifting module (52a) and inserted into a point on the third floating body (30). As shown in FIG. 8, the third floating body (30) is fixed to a point on the extension member (50) by inserting the protrusion (52), thereby blocking unintended movement of the third floating body (30), specifically, movement toward the outside or inside of the harbor, and the third floating body (30) can stably support the tip of the floating structure (210).

[0064] In addition, the present invention may further include a pair of support members (60) hingedly connected between the first floating body (10) and the third floating body (30) and between the second floating body (20) and the second floating body (20), respectively. Since the third floating body (30) located on the extension member (50) is supported by the support members (60), unintended movement of the third floating body (30), such as tilting to one side, is suppressed, and the tip of the floating structure (210) can be stably supported by the third floating body (30).

[0065] Here, the support member (60) is formed in multiple stages, and the length is variable by moving in and out at least one stage, thereby preventing interference by the support member (60) when the third float (30) slides on the extension member (50).

[0066] In other words, when the third floating body (30) moves outward from the harbor, at least one stage of the support member (60) is pulled out, thereby extending its length, and when the third floating body (30) moves inward from the harbor, at least one stage of the support member (60) is retracted, thereby shortening its length, thereby enabling the third floating body (30) to slide smoothly using the extension member (50).

[0067] On the other hand, in the present invention, the first floating body (10) and the second floating body (20) are slidably connected to the connecting member (40) and can move along the length of the connecting member (40) as shown in Figure 9, so that the distance between the first floating body (10) and the second floating body (20) can be adjusted according to the size of the offshore wind turbine (200), and the present invention can be applied to the launching of offshore wind turbines (200) of various sizes.

[0068] In addition, in the present invention, the third floating body (30) can be repositioned between the first floating body (10) and the second floating body (20) by moving inward after the offshore wind turbine (200) is launched, and can be reused when another offshore wind turbine (200) is launched.

[0069] The present invention described above is not limited to the above examples, and can be modified within the scope of the invention as defined in the claims, and such modifications will be included in the scope of protection of the present invention based on the following claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0070] 10: First floating body 11: Water storage section 12: Roller 12a: Lifting module 20: Second floating body 21: Water storage section 22: Roller 22a: Lifting module 30: Third floating body 31: Water storage section 32: Roller 32a: Lifting module 33: Stopper 40: Connecting member 50: Extension member 51: Hanging part 52: Protrusion 52a: Lifting module 60: Support member 100: Coastal structures 110: Skid system 200: Offshore wind turbine 210: Floating Structures 220: Tower A: Launching device for offshore wind turbines

Claims

1. A first floating body to be positioned at a point in front of the coastal structure; a second floating body located at another point in front of the coastal structure and facing the first floating body with a gap between them; a connecting member extending between the first floating body and the second floating body; an extension member extending from the middle of one end and the other end of the connecting member toward the outside of the port; and A launching device for an offshore wind turbine generator, comprising: a third floating body slidably connected to the extension member and movable in and out of the harbor.

2. The launching device for an offshore wind turbine generator as described in claim 1, characterized in that the first floating body, the second floating body and the third floating body include a water storage section having an inlet and an outlet that are opened and closed intermittently.

3. The launching device for an offshore wind turbine generator as described in claim 1, characterized in that the first floating body, the second floating body and the third floating body include rollers that protrude from their upper surfaces when raised by a lifting module.

4. 2. A launching device for an offshore wind turbine generator as described in claim 1, characterized in that the first floating body and the second floating body are moved along the longitudinal direction of the connecting member to adjust the distance between one of them and the other.

5. The launching device for an offshore wind turbine generator according to claim 1, wherein the extension member includes a hook portion formed to protrude upward from a tip end thereof.

6. The launching device for an offshore wind turbine generator according to claim 1, wherein the extension member includes a protrusion that is raised by a lifting module and inserted into a point of the third floating body.

7. The launching device for an offshore wind turbine generator according to claim 1, wherein the third floating body includes a stopper formed by protruding upward from an upper surface thereof.

8. 2. The launching device for an offshore wind turbine generator according to claim 1, further comprising: a pair of support members hingedly connected between the first floating body and the third floating body, and between the second floating body and the second floating body, respectively.

9. 9. The launching device for an offshore wind turbine generator according to claim 8, wherein the support member is formed in multiple stages, and the length thereof can be changed by extending or retracting at least one stage.

Images