Jacket structure

Abstract

To enable sufficient strength to be secured against overturning moment, torsional moment, axial force, etc., applied to a jacket structure and foundation piles that support an offshore wind turbine.SOLUTION: A jacket structure 100 comprises a plurality of legs 20, and a connection member 42 that connects a plurality of piles to one of the plurality of legs 20. The connection member 42 comprises a plurality of sleeves 41 provided on one of the plurality of legs 20. Each of the plurality of sleeves 41 comprises a transition piece 10 into which a pile corresponding to one of the plurality of legs 20 among the plurality of piles is inserted, and on which an offshore wind turbine is installed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a jacket structure. [Background technology]

[0002] In order to place wind turbines and other devices used for wind power generation offshore (offshore wind turbines), a foundation structure (jacket structure) may be connected to foundation piles driven into the seabed or the like. Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for avoiding the occurrence of resonance in an underwater structure. Specifically, it discloses an underwater structure in which a support member is filled with a filler in order to freely determine the natural period. Patent Document 2 discloses a joint structure in which the position where grout is filled between a steel pipe pile and an externally inserted steel pipe is limited in order to facilitate the removal work of the pile structure. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2011 / 068152 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-7728 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When an offshore wind turbine is exposed to wind, a large overturning moment acts on the jacket structure that supports the offshore wind turbine. This can cause a large axial pull-out force to act on the foundation piles that support the jacket structure. Therefore, a method for ensuring this pull-out support force is a challenge. An offshore wind turbine may change direction on the jacket structure depending on the wind direction. In other words, its relative position with the jacket structure fluctuates. Therefore, in addition to the overturning moment mentioned above, a torsional moment and axial force may occur on the jacket structure and foundation piles. In this way, various types of loads act on the jacket structure in various directions. Therefore, a challenge is to design a structure that can resist a variety of loads.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and aims to provide a jacket structure that can ensure sufficient strength against overturning moments, torsional moments, axial forces, etc. applied to the jacket structure and foundation piles that support an offshore wind turbine. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention proposes the following means. The jacket structure of the present invention comprises a plurality of legs and a connecting member that connects a plurality of piles to one of the plurality of legs, the connecting member comprising a plurality of sleeves provided on one of the plurality of legs, each of the plurality of sleeves comprising a transition piece into which a pile corresponding to one of the plurality of legs is inserted and on which an offshore wind turbine is installed. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a jacket structure that can ensure sufficient strength against overturning moments, torsional moments, axial forces, and the like applied to the jacket structure and foundation piles that support an offshore wind turbine. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the jacket structure according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a front view of the jacket structure shown in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the jacket structure shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of part IV shown in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. [Figure 6] This is a modified example in which the number of sleeves in the joining member is three. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a side view of the VII direction shown in FIG. 5. [Figure 8] This is a modified example in which the legs of the joining member are not provided with bent portions. [Figure 9] FIG. 6 is a side view taken in the direction IX shown in FIG. 5. [Figure 10] This is a first modified example in which a beam member is provided between the sleeves. [Figure 11] This is a modified example in which a beam member is provided between the sleeves. [Figure 12] This is a modified example in which the upper plate member is inclined. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] A joining member 40 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The connecting members 40 are members that connect the jacket structure 100 and piles 200 shown in Figures 1 and 2. For example, an offshore wind turbine 300 is installed on the jacket structure 100 as shown in Figure 2. In this case, the jacket structure 100 is placed offshore. The piles 200 are driven into the ground on the seabed.

[0010] The jacket structure 100 includes a transition piece 10 , a leg 20 , a brace 30 , and a connecting member 40 . The transition piece 10 is disposed at the upper end of the jacket structure 100, and is the part to which the lower end of the offshore wind turbine 300 is connected. As shown in Fig. 3, the transition piece 10 has a cross shape in a plan view. Legs 20 are disposed at each outer end of the cross shape of the transition piece 10.

[0011] A plurality of legs 20 are provided along the vertical direction of the jacket structure 100. In this embodiment, the vertical direction refers to the direction perpendicular to the sea surface on which the offshore wind turbine 300 is installed. The legs 20 are made of, for example, steel pipes. In this embodiment, four legs 20 are provided. A transition piece 10 is connected to the upper end of each leg 20. A connecting member 40 is connected to the lower end of each leg 20. The detailed shape of the legs 20 will be described later together with the structure of the connecting member 40.

[0012] The braces 30 are components that connect the multiple legs 20 provided in the transition piece 10 and reinforce the jacket structure 100. The braces 30 are made of, for example, steel pipes. In this embodiment, the braces 30 are configured in an X-shape between the legs 20. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the X-shape is provided in two stages in the vertical direction of the jacket structure 100. In this case, the X-shaped brace 30 that is connected to the transition piece 10 and closer to the seabed than the transition piece 10 is referred to as a first brace structure 31. Furthermore, the X-shaped brace 30 that is connected to the first brace structure 31 and closer to the seabed ground than the first brace structure 31 is referred to as a second brace structure 32.

[0013] The connecting members 40 connect the jacket structure 100 to the plurality of piles 200. As shown in FIG. 4, the connecting members 40 are provided at the lower ends of the legs 20. The connecting members 40 include a sleeve 41 and a connecting member 42. A plurality of sleeves 41 are provided for one of the plurality of legs 20 of the jacket structure 100. The plurality of sleeves 41 include straight portions 41s extending along the vertical direction. A pile 200 is inserted into each of the plurality of sleeves 41, thereby connecting the jacket structure 100 and the pile 200. As shown in FIG. 5, there are two or more sleeves 41. Alternatively, there may be three or more sleeves 41, as shown in FIG. 6. Each of the multiple sleeves 41 is arranged so that the distance from the tower of the offshore wind turbine 300, more specifically the distance from the center line of the tower of the offshore wind turbine 300, when viewed along the vertical direction is greater than the distance from the tower of the offshore wind turbine 300 to one of the multiple legs 20. In other words, the sleeves 41 are arranged on the jacket structure 100 outside the legs 20.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 7 , the leg 20 includes a leg straight portion 20s (straight portion) extending vertically parallel to the sleeve 41 at its lower end, which is joined to the joining member 40. In this case, a bent portion is provided near the lower end of the leg 20. In this embodiment, the bent portion is disposed at a position corresponding to the upper end of each of the multiple sleeves 41 when viewed horizontally. Alternatively, the bent portion may not be disposed at a position corresponding to the upper end. Here, the upper end of the sleeve 41 is located at a position other than the connection portion with the connecting member 42. Furthermore, if the bent portion of the leg 20 is located near the connection portion with the connecting member 42, the load and moment applied to the connecting member 42 may be concentrated at the bent portion. In other words, by providing the bent portion at a position other than the connection portion with the connecting member 42, the above-mentioned stress concentration is avoided and the strength of the leg 20 is ensured.

[0015] Alternatively, as shown in Fig. 8, one of the legs 20 may not include a straight portion 41s extending along the vertical direction, and may be inclined inside the connecting member 42. The inside of the connecting member 42 refers to the region where the sleeve 41 and the leg 20 are connected by the connecting member 42, which will be described later. In this case, the lower end of one of the legs 20 may be disposed between the lower ends of two of the multiple sleeves 41, as shown in Fig. 9.

[0016] The connecting member 42 connects one of the legs 20 to the plurality of sleeves 41 provided for one of the legs 20. That is, the one of the legs 20 and the plurality of sleeves 41 are connected by the connecting member 42. 4, the connecting member 42 includes a plate member and a rib 42R. The plate member connects the gaps between one of the legs 20 and the multiple sleeves 41 in a planar manner. The plate member includes an upper plate member 42a, a lower plate member 42b, and a web 42c. The upper plate members 42a are provided in the horizontal direction above each of the multiple sleeves 41. In this embodiment, the horizontal direction is a direction parallel to the sea surface on which the offshore wind turbine 300 is located. The lower plate members 42b are provided below the plurality of sleeves 41 in the horizontal direction. The web 42c is provided vertically between one of the legs 20 and the plurality of sleeves 41.

[0017] As shown in Fig. 7, one upper plate member 42a and one lower plate member 42b are provided in the horizontal direction in the joining member 40. In contrast, one web 42c is provided between each leg 20 and each sleeve 41 in the joining member 40. Here, as shown in Fig. 5, when the joining member 40 is viewed vertically, the legs 20 and the two sleeves 41 correspond to the vertices of a triangle. Alternatively, when three sleeves 41 are provided, as shown in Fig. 6, the webs correspond to the vertices of a quadrangle.

[0018] That is, the plate member connects the one or more sleeves 41 of the leg 20 so that each of the one or more sleeves 41 corresponds to a vertex of a polygon when viewed vertically. The polygon is a triangle or a rectangle. Furthermore, the multiple webs 42c are arranged to form a polygon when viewed vertically. This arrangement gives the joining member 40 an integrated structure. Note that an integrated structure refers to a structure in which the relative movement between the one or more sleeves 41 of the leg 20 is restricted in both the horizontal and vertical directions.

[0019] The rib 42R connects the leg straight portion 20s of one of the legs 20 to the connecting member 42. As shown in FIG. 4, the rib 42R is a triangular plate that connects the leg straight portion 20s to the upper plate member 42a. In this case, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the side of the triangular shape of the rib 42R that contacts the upper plate member 42a is arranged along the web 42c located below the upper plate member 42a. This allows the rib 42R to reinforce the joining member 40 synergistically with the web 42c, making the reinforcement effect more pronounced.

[0020] 10, the connecting member 42 may include a beam member 42d instead of a plate member. The beam member 42d may be, for example, a steel pipe beam. That is, a steel pipe may be disposed between the leg 20 and a plurality of sleeves 41 to form a truss structure, and the connecting member 40 may have an integrated structure.

[0021] 11, the web 42c may be reinforced by attaching a plate-shaped second rib 42e to the web 42c, or a T-shaped rib 42f, which is made by combining plate-shaped members into a T-shaped cross section. When attaching the second rib 42e, it is preferable to attach it perpendicular to the web 42c. When attaching the T-shaped rib 42f, it is preferable to attach it so that the part of the T-shaped cross section that corresponds to the horizontal bar of the T is parallel to the web 42c, i.e., the part that corresponds to the vertical bar of the T is perpendicular to the web 42c.

[0022] 12, the size of the rib 42R connecting the leg 20 and the upper plate member 42a may be increased by attaching the upper plate member 42a at an angle. This embodiment is suitable when the load applied to the joining member 40 is large and the size of the rib 42R needs to be increased.

[0023] As described above, the connecting member 40 according to this embodiment includes a plurality of sleeves 41 provided on one of the plurality of legs 20, and a pile 200 corresponding to one of the legs 20 among the plurality of piles 200 is inserted into each of the plurality of sleeves 41. This allows a plurality of piles 200 to be provided on one of the plurality of legs 20. This increases the bearing capacity.

[0024] Furthermore, one of the multiple legs 20 included in the jacket structure 100 is connected to the multiple sleeves 41 provided on that one leg by a connecting member 42. In other words, the connecting member 42 connects adjacent legs 20 and sleeves to each other. This results in the entire structure of the joining member 40 being an integrated structure. This allows for a structure that has high resistance to loads of various types and directions, including torsional moments.

[0025] Furthermore, the connecting member 42 includes a plate member. That is, the connecting portion of the adjacent leg 20 and sleeve 41 is configured in a planar shape. Therefore, the load and moment applied to the connecting member 42 are appropriately distributed in the planar shape. This allows for greater resistance to external loads.

[0026] Furthermore, the plate member connects one of the legs 20 and the multiple sleeves 41 so that each of the legs 20 and the multiple sleeves 41 corresponds to a vertex of a polygon when viewed vertically. In other words, one of the legs 20 and the multiple sleeves 41 are arranged and connected in a polygonal shape. This allows the load and moment applied to the jacket structure 100 to be evenly distributed to the multiple sleeves 41. This prevents the load and moment from concentrating on any one of the multiple sleeves 41.

[0027] The polygon is a triangle or a quadrangle. That is, one leg 20 and a plurality of sleeves 41 form a triangle or a quadrangle. By appropriately selecting the number of sleeves 41 in accordance with the load and moment applied to the jacket structure 100, the number of piles 200 supporting one leg 20 can be selected. Therefore, the jacket structure 100 can be supported more reliably.

[0028] The plate members include upper plate members 42a provided above each of the plurality of sleeves 41 and lower plate members 42b provided below each of the plurality of sleeves 41. In other words, each of the legs 20 and each of the plurality of sleeves 41 are connected at two locations, the upper and lower. This improves the connection strength between the leg 20 and the sleeve 41.

[0029] Furthermore, the connecting member 42 includes a beam member 42d, which further improves the connection strength between the leg 20 and the sleeve 41.

[0030] Furthermore, the connecting member 42 includes a web 42c that connects the one leg 20 and the plurality of sleeves 41. This makes it possible to further improve the strength of the connection between the leg 20 and the sleeve 41.

[0031] Furthermore, the plurality of webs 42c are arranged in a polygonal shape when viewed in the vertical direction, which allows the webs 42c to form an integrated structure of the joining member 40. This further improves the strength of the joining member 40.

[0032] Furthermore, one of the legs 20 and each of the multiple sleeves 41 include a straight section 41s extending vertically. The legs 20 and the sleeves 41 are parallel to the vertical direction at the straight sections 41s, so that the joining member 40 can have a vertically symmetrical structure. This allows loads and moments to be distributed evenly, resulting in a stable structure.

[0033] In addition, a rib 42R is further provided for connecting one straight portion 41s of the leg 20 to the connecting member 42. This improves the connection strength between the connecting member 42 and the leg 20. This further improves the strength against loads and moments.

[0034] Furthermore, the connecting member 42 includes a plate member, and the rib 42R is provided on the plate member, which improves the connection strength between the connecting member 42 and the leg 20. This further improves the strength against loads and moments.

[0035] Furthermore, the multiple sleeves 41 include straight portions 41s extending along the vertical direction, and one of the legs 20 is inclined. In other words, the multiple sleeves 41 are parallel to the vertical direction, while one of the legs 20 is inclined. In other words, the leg 20 included in the jacket structure 100 does not have a bent portion at its lower end, for example, to provide the straight portion 41s parallel to the sleeve 41. This allows the shape of the leg 20 to be simplified.

[0036] Furthermore, one of the legs 20 does not include a straight portion 41s extending along the vertical direction. In other words, the leg 20 included in the jacket structure 100 does not have a bent portion for providing, for example, a straight portion 41s parallel to the sleeve 41 at its lower end. This allows the shape of the leg 20 to be simplified.

[0037] Furthermore, the lower end of one of the legs 20 is disposed between the lower ends of two of the multiple sleeves 41. In other words, the lower end of the sleeve 41 and the lower end of one of the legs 20 are positioned on a straight line. This improves the strength of the portion where the respective lower ends are positioned on a straight line.

[0038] Furthermore, the bent portions correspond to the upper ends of the multiple sleeves 41 when viewed horizontally. This facilitates design and dimensional control. Here, the upper ends of the sleeves 41 are located at locations other than the connection portions with the connecting members 42. Furthermore, if the bent portions of the legs 20 are located near the connection portions with the connecting members 42, the loads and moments applied to the connecting members 42 may be concentrated at the bent portions. In other words, by providing the bent portions at locations other than the connection portions with the connecting members 42, the above-mentioned stress concentration can be avoided and the strength of the legs 20 can be ensured.

[0039] Furthermore, each of the multiple sleeves 41 is positioned such that, when viewed in the vertical direction, the distance from the tower of the offshore wind turbine 300, more specifically the distance from the center line of the tower of the offshore wind turbine, is greater than the distance from the tower of the offshore wind turbine 300 to one of the legs 20. In other words, the sleeves 41 are positioned outside the legs 20 in the jacket structure 100. This allows the positions of the piles 200 connected to the sleeves 41 to be positioned away from the center of the jacket structure 100. This makes it possible to further improve the resistance to force moments centered on the jacket structure 100. In other words, it is possible to increase the resistance moment to overturning moments, torsional moments, and the like around the seabed surface.

[0040] In addition, there are two or more sleeves 41. In this way, by arranging the sleeves 41 symmetrically with respect to the leg 20, it is possible to distribute the load evenly. Therefore, it is possible to increase the resistance force more efficiently.

[0041] Furthermore, there are three or more sleeves 41. This allows the load to be distributed to three or more piles 200. This makes it possible to further increase the resistance force.

[0042] The jacket structure 100 also includes a plurality of sleeves 41 provided on one of the plurality of legs 20, and a pile 200 is inserted into each of the plurality of sleeves 41. By providing a plurality of piles 200 on one of the legs 20, the jacket structure 100 can have a large bearing capacity.

[0043] The offshore wind turbine 300 also includes a plurality of sleeves 41 provided on one of the plurality of legs 20, and a corresponding pile 200 is inserted into each of the plurality of sleeves 41. By providing a plurality of piles 200 for one of the legs 20, the offshore wind turbine 300 can have a large bearing capacity.

[0044] The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the plate member does not necessarily have to be flat. In other words, as long as one leg 20 is connected to multiple sleeves 41 and sufficient strength is ensured, holes may be provided in the plate member to reduce weight and material. In this embodiment, the jacket structure 100 has four legs 20, but the number is not limited to four and may be, for example, three, or five or more. In this embodiment, the jacket structure 100 is described as being installed on the sea, but this is not limiting, and it may be installed on land, for example.

[0045] In addition, within the scope of the spirit of the present invention, the components in the above-described embodiments may be replaced with well-known components as appropriate, and the above-described modifications may be combined as appropriate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0046] 20 Legs 40 Joint material 41 Sleeve 41s Straight section 42 Connecting member 42a Upper plate member 42b Lower plate member 42c Web 42R Rib 100 Jacket structure 200 stakes 300 Offshore Wind Turbines

Claims

1. Multiple legs and a connecting member for connecting a plurality of piles to one of the plurality of legs; the joining member includes a plurality of sleeves provided on one of the plurality of legs; a peg corresponding to one of the legs among the plurality of pegs is inserted into each of the plurality of sleeves; A jacket structure comprising a transition piece on which an offshore wind turbine is installed.

2. The transition piece does not overlap with the connecting member when viewed along the vertical direction. The jacket structure according to claim 1 .

3. The transition piece has a shape that protrudes outward from the transition piece when viewed along the vertical direction, When viewed along the vertical direction, the joining member is disposed on an extension line of a direction in which a portion of the transition piece that protrudes outward protrudes.

3. The jacket structure according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The transition piece is cross-shaped when viewed along the vertical direction. The jacket structure according to claim 3 .

5. The leg is disposed on a portion of the transition piece that protrudes outward, The joining member is disposed at a tip end of the leg extending from a portion of the transition piece that protrudes outward, as viewed in the vertical direction.

5. The jacket structure according to claim 3 or 4.

6. The jacket structure according to claim 3 , wherein the number of portions of the transition piece that protrude outward is the same as the number of the joining members.

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