Templates

Abstract

A template (1) for use in installing a plurality of foundation elements, in particular anchor piles, relative to one another in an underwater ground structure comprises a frame (2) and a plurality of guides (5) for guiding each foundation element as it is driven into the seabed, the guides being connected to the frame (2) at an angular distance from one another about a centre line of the frame (2) and translatable relative to the frame (2) such that the distance between each guide (5) and the centre line is adjustable between a first operating state and a second operating state, the distance between each guide (5) and the centre line of the frame (2) being greater in the second operating state than in the first operating state.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a template for use in installing a number of foundation elements, in particular anchor piles, relative to one another in an underwater ground structure, the template comprising a frame and a number of guides for guiding the respective foundation elements as they are driven into the seabed, the guides being connected to the frame at an angular distance from one another around a centre line of the frame. [Background technology]

[0002] Such a template is known from US Pat. No. 5,399,633. The known template is suitable for installing anchor piles in a predefined configuration, with the template fixed to the seabed. After installing the anchor piles, the template is lifted over the ends of the installed piles protruding upwards from the seabed and moved to the next installation site, so that the template can be reused for installing further foundation elements elsewhere. The installed anchor piles can receive a jacket, for example a tripod jacket, as a base for a wind turbine. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] European Patent Application Publication No. 2402511 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved template. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] This object is achieved by a template according to the invention, in which the guides are translatable relative to the frame such that the distance between each guide and the center line is adjustable between a first operating state and a second operating state, the distance between each guide and the center line of the frame being greater in the second operating state than in the first operating state.

[0006] An advantage of the template according to the invention is that the footprint of the guide can be adjusted without performing time-consuming operations that change the structure of the template. Because the guide is translatable relative to the frame, it is possible to create a robust bond, e.g. a slidable connection, between the guide and the frame.

[0007] In the first and second operating conditions, the guides may be positioned at equal angular distances from each other.

[0008] In one particular embodiment, in the first and second operating states the guide is arranged rotationally symmetrically about the centerline of the frame, meaning that the footprint in both the first and second operating states has a similar shape, but the footprint of the guide in the second operating state covers a larger area.

[0009] Each of the guides may be translatable relative to the frame by an angular displacement about the centerline along a path that is off a circle about the centerline of the frame, meaning that each of the guides may be translated along a path that is radially transverse to the centerline.

[0010] The path may be linear.

[0011] In one practical embodiment, each of the guides is translatable along cooperating guide rails that are mounted to the frame.

[0012] The guide rails may be arranged to form at least a portion of each substantially straight side of a regular polygon, e.g., an equilateral triangle, square, or the like.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the guide rails are part of each side of the frame, as the sides of the frame can provide a rigid support for the guide rails.

[0014] Each of the guide rails may extend only between the corner and the center of the corresponding side. Applying the guide rails along the remainder of the side would have the same effect of changing the footprint of the guide. It is also possible to apply the guide rails at a distance from the center of the corresponding side, since the change in distance between the centerline of the frame and the guides near the center is relatively small.

[0015] The frame may form an equilateral triangle when viewed from above, nevertheless the frame may have another shape when viewed from above, for example a rectangle, a square or another polygon.

[0016] The frame may extend in a major plane and its centre line may extend perpendicular to the major plane.

[0017] The guides may have respective centerlines parallel to a centerline of the frame.

[0018] The template may be provided with at least an actuator, such as a hydraulic cylinder, rack and pinion, etc., for displacing at least one of the guides relative to the frame.

[0019] In one embodiment, each of the guides includes a sleeve and a foot, where under operating conditions the foot rests on the seabed to support the sleeve, and the foot and sleeve are movable relative to each other at least in a direction parallel to the centerline to level the frame relative to the seabed when the foot rests on the seabed. The sleeve is suitable for guiding the foundation element. The foot and corresponding sleeve of each guide can be moved relative to each other to level the frame relative to the seabed to create a vertical centerline under operating conditions, for example when the seabed is uneven. The foot and sleeve can be movable relative to each other through a linear actuator, for example a hydraulic cylinder. The foot can include a plate-like body to provide adequate stability when placed on the seabed.

[0020] In one particular embodiment, the foot and sleeve are tiltable relative to one another so that the foot of each guide can precisely conform to an uneven seabed. This embodiment may have at least two actuators movably coupling the sleeve and foot to one another, for example at least two hydraulic actuators that are independently controllable from one another.

[0021] Each of the guides and the frame may be lockable relative to one another through a locking system.

[0022] In one embodiment, each of the guides is provided with a slider for sliding along the corresponding guide rail, and the locking system is provided on the slider and the guide rail. It is also conceivable that the locking system is located on the guide rail and the guide at a distance from the slider.

[0023] The locking system may include a movable pin that fits into a hole in at least one of the guide and the frame to easily lock the frame and guide together.

[0024] The invention will now be described with reference to the highly schematic drawings, which show, by way of example, one embodiment of the invention. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0025] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a template in accordance with the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a smaller scale plan view of the embodiment as shown in FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is similar to FIG. 2, but shows a different state of the template. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a smaller scale side view of the embodiment as shown in FIG. 1. [Diagram 5] 5 is an enlarged view of a portion of the embodiment as shown in FIG. 4, indicated by V in FIG. 4. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0026] Figures 1 to 4 show an embodiment of a template 1 according to the invention. The template 1 is suitable for use in installing a number of foundation elements (not shown) relative to one another in an underwater ground structure with the template 1 fixed to the seabed. The foundation elements may be anchor piles for receiving a jacket, e.g. a tripod jacket, as a base for a wind turbine. After the anchor piles have been installed, the template 1 can be lifted and moved to the next installation site over the ends of the installed anchor piles protruding upwards from the seabed, so that the template 1 can be reused for installing further foundation elements elsewhere.

[0027] The template 1 comprises a frame 2, which in the present case is a three-dimensional truss, although the template 1 can have another mechanical structure. When viewed from above, the frame 2 has the contour of an equilateral triangle with three substantially straight sides 3. A lifting element 4 is fixed to the upper side of the frame 2 and serves to hoist the template 1 by means of a crane (not shown). The lifting element 4 is arranged on a center line CL of the frame 2. The frame 2 extends in a main plane, which is normally horizontal under operating conditions, and the center line CL extends perpendicular to the main plane.

[0028] The template 1 also includes three guides 5 for guiding the respective foundation elements as they are driven into the seabed. Each of the guides 5 includes a sleeve 6 having a flared upper portion 7 that facilitates the insertion of the foundation elements into the sleeve 6. A foot 8 is attached to the lower end of the sleeve 6 and is movable relative to the sleeve 6 by a hydraulic cylinder 9. The movable foot 8 of each sleeve 6 provides an opportunity to level the frame 2 with respect to the seabed when the frame 2 including the sleeve 6 is placed on the seabed. In the embodiment as shown in Figures 1 to 4, the sleeves 6 have parallel centerlines extending parallel to the centerline CL of the frame 2 and are arranged at an angular distance from each other about the centerline CL of the frame 2. Each of the sleeves 6 is movably attached to one of the corresponding sides 3 of the frame 2 through a pair of guide rails 10 extending parallel to each other at different height levels along the corresponding sides 3.

[0029] FIG. 2 shows a first operating state in which the guides 5 are in their respective first positions along the corresponding pairs of guide rails 10, and FIG. 3 shows a second operating state in which the guides 5 are in their respective second positions along the corresponding pairs of guide rails 10. FIGS. 2 and 3 show that in the second operating state the guides 5 are arranged closer to the corners of the frame 2 than in the first operating state. As a result, the distance between the center line CL of the frame 2 and each of the center lines of the respective sleeves 6 in the first operating state is smaller than in the second operating state, but the center lines of the sleeves 6 are arranged at equiangular positions relative to each other around the center line CL of the frame 2 in both the first operating state and the second operating state. Furthermore, in both the first operating state and the second operating state the guides 5 are arranged rotationally symmetrically around the center line CL of the frame 2.

[0030] The guides 5 are displaceable along their respective pairs of guide rails 10 by an actuator (not shown), such as a hydraulic cylinder.

[0031] Figure 5 shows the mechanical connection between one of the guides 5 and one of the guide rails 10. It can be seen that the guide 5 is provided with a slider or pawl 11 which can engage and slide along the guide rail 10. Figure 5 also shows a locking pin 12 for locking the guide 5 and the frame 2 relative to each other. In an alternative embodiment, the guide 5 and the frame 2 can be locked to each other through a clamp or the like.

[0032] In the embodiment as shown in Figures 1 to 4, the guides 5 are displaceable relative to the frame 2 along paths which are linear and extend parallel to the respective guide rails 10. More generally, each of the guides 5 is translatable relative to the frame 2 by an angular displacement about the centre line CL of the frame 2 along paths which deviate from a circle about the centre line CL of the frame 2. The paths must deviate from a circle about the centre line CL of the frame 2 to allow adjustment of the distance between the centre line CL of the frame 2 and the guides 5.

[0033] The length of each guide rail 10 along a corresponding side 3 is shorter than the corresponding side between the adjacent corners of the equilateral triangle. Each of the guide rails 10 extends from a position away from the corner of the triangle and the center of the corresponding side 3 such that its length is less than half the length of the side 3.

[0034] Although frame 2 forms an equilateral triangle in its main plane, alternative embodiments forming regular polygons in its main plane are contemplated, for example a square frame including four straight sides on which respective guide rails are provided, which can produce a similar effect of varying the distance between the centre line of the frame and the guides.

[0035] The invention is not limited to the embodiments shown in the drawings and described above, which can be modified in different ways within the scope of the claims and their technical equivalents, for example it is also conceivable that the guide is translatable in the radial direction of the centerline. [Explanation of symbols]

[0036] 1 Templates 2 Frames 3 sides 4 Lifting elements 5 Guide 6 Sleeve 7 Flared Top 8 Foot 9 Hydraulic Cylinders 10 Guide rail 11 Slider or tab 12 Lock pin CL center line

Claims

1. 1. A template (1) for use in installing a plurality of foundation elements, in particular anchor piles, relative to one another in an underwater ground structure, the template (1) comprising a frame (2) and a plurality of guides (5) for guiding each foundation element when driving the foundation element into a seabed, the guides (5) being connected to the frame (2) at an angular distance from one another about a center line (CL) of the frame (2) and translatable relative to the frame (2) such that a distance between each of the guides (5) and the center line (CL) is adjustable between a first operating state and a second operating state, the distance between each of the guides (5) and the center line (CL) of the frame (2) being greater in the second operating state than in the first operating state.

2. 2. The template (1) according to claim 1, wherein in the first and in the second operating state the guides (5) are arranged at equiangular distances from each other.

3. 3. The template (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein in the first operating state and in the second operating state, the guides (5) are arranged rotationally symmetrically about the center line (CL) of the frame (2).

4. 4. The template (1) according to claim 1, wherein each of the guides (5) is translatable relative to the frame (2) by an angular displacement about the center line (CL) along a path that deviates from a circle centered on the center line (CL) of the frame (2).

5. The template (1) according to claim 4, wherein the path is linear.

6. 6. The template (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the guides (5) is translatable along a cooperating guide rail (10) mounted on the frame (2).

7. The template (1) according to claim 6, dependent on claim 5, wherein the guide rails (10) are arranged to form at least a part of each side (3) of a regular polygon.

8. The template (1) according to claim 7, wherein the guide rails (10) are part of each substantially straight side of the frame (2).

9. 9. The template (1) according to claim 8, wherein each of the guide rails (10) extends only between a corner and a center of the corresponding side (3).

10. The template (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the frame (2) forms an equilateral triangle when viewed from above.

11. The template (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the frame (2) extends in a main plane and its centre line (CL) extends perpendicular to said main plane.

12. The template (1) according to claim 11, wherein the guides (5) have respective centre lines parallel to the centre line (CL) of the frame (2).

13. The template (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the template (1) is provided with at least one actuator for displacing at least one of the guides (5) relative to the frame (2).

14. 14. The template (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein each of the guides (5) comprises a sleeve (6) and a foot (8), wherein under operating conditions, the foot (8) rests on the seabed to support the sleeve (6), and the foot (8) and the sleeve (6) are movable relative to each other at least in a direction parallel to the center line (CL) to level the frame (2) relative to the seabed when the foot (8) rests on the seabed.

15. The template (1) according to claim 14, wherein the foot (8) and the sleeve (6) are tiltable relative to each other.

16. The template (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the guides (5) and the frame (2) are lockable relative to each other through a locking system (12).

17. The template (1) according to claim 16, dependent on claim 6, wherein each of the guides (5) is provided with a slider (11) for sliding along the guide rail (10), and the locking system (12) is provided on the slider (11) and on the guide rail (10).

Images