Covers for component openings of components, especially covers for component openings of offshore structures

Abstract

The mechanism (1) comprises a hollow part (2) with a part opening (3), a cover (4) closing said part opening (3) and a fan (5) for ventilating an interior space (6) of said part (2) and pivotally fastened to said cover (4). The part opening (3) of the part (2) can be closed by the cover (4), whereby the interior space (6) of the part (2) is protected from external influences. The development of mould in the interior space (6) of the part (2) can be prevented by the fan (5). The interior space (6) of the part (2) is particularly well accessible due to the fan (5) being pivotally held in the cover (4).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for assembling offshore structures, in particular a method for assembling offshore wind farms. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a mechanism having hollow parts with part openings, in particular open-topped piles, which are closed by covers to protect the parts from external influences during each assembly stage. [Background technology]

[0002] Offshore wind farms typically have hollow piles as their foundations. To assemble an offshore wind farm, the piles are first anchored to the seabed. Then, the tower structure is erected on the piles. In practice, several months can pass between these two stages. Therefore, it is customary for open-topped piles to be closed with a cover until the tower structure is erected. In this way, the internal space of the pile is protected from external influences. The cover is removed just before the tower structure is erected.

[0003] Simple waterproofing sheets (planes) fastened to the piles by tension straps are known as covers that fulfill the above-mentioned purpose. However, these types of covers are often difficult to install, especially in the case of strong winds. Furthermore, these covers completely enclose the piles, which can result in the risk of mold growing in the interior space of the piles. Furthermore, access to the interior space of the piles is made even more difficult with known covers, making internal assembly work, for example, more difficult. In particular, so-called cable routing is made even more difficult with these types of covers.

[0004] In other fields of application, it may also be necessary to close part openings in hollow parts, and mold growth and poor access are known problems here as well.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to advance the prior art by providing a cover for a component opening in a hollow component that prevents mold growth and provides easy access. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] These objects are achieved by the arrangements and methods according to the independent claims. Further advantageous refinements are defined in the dependent claims. The features described in the claims and in the description can be combined with one another in any technically significant and desired manner.

[0007] According to the present invention, a hollow part having a part opening; a cover that closes the component opening; and a fan for ventilating the interior space of the component through a ventilation opening in the cover and pivotally fastened to the cover; A mechanism is proposed comprising:

[0008] The mechanism may be an intermediate product from which a construction can be obtained. In this case, the cover can temporarily close the component opening of the component. The cover can be removed when the component opening of the component is closed for a longer period in some other way, for example by fastening a mounting to the component. Thus, the cover can serve to close the component opening of the component during the construction process, thereby protecting the interior space from external influences. This is particularly advantageous when electrical devices are installed in the interior space.

[0009] The structure may in particular be an offshore wind farm. In this case, the cover may serve to protect the component pile, which is fixed to the seabed and has an open top, from external influences until a tower structure is installed on the pile. Once the tower structure is installed, the component opening on the upper side of the pile is permanently closed by the tower structure, so that the cover is no longer needed. The cover may also be intended for one-time use. In this case, the cover is discarded when the tower structure is installed. However, it is also conceivable that the cover can be reused in whole or in part. However, as an alternative, the cover may also be used in intermediate products for any other structure to temporarily close component openings during the construction process.

[0010] Alternatively, the system may be a completed building. In this case, the cover may permanently or temporarily close the component opening. For example, the system may be a biogas silo. The silo may be of cylindrical construction and may have a component opening at its top that is permanently closed by a cover. In this case, the cover serves as the roof of the silo. However, it is also conceivable that in any building, the lateral component openings may be permanently or temporarily closed by a cover.

[0011] The mechanism comprises a hollow part. Part is to be understood as meaning a part of a structure. The hollow part is preferably round in cross section, in particular circular in cross section. The part may in particular be of tubular construction. The part is preferably cylindrical. The part preferably has a circumferential shell wall. In this case, the part is preferably open on both end sides. In this case, the part opening, closed by a cover, is formed on one of the two open end sides. The part opening preferably extends over the entire end side of the part. It is also conceivable that the part opening is arranged laterally on the part, in particular in the shell wall.

[0012] An opening in a component is referred to as a component opening, the term component opening merely serving as a distinguishing term from other openings described herein, particularly ventilation openings.

[0013] The component opening preferably has a cross-sectional area of ​​1 to 100 mm. 2 In particular, the range is 10-50m. 2 The component opening is preferably circular in cross section, in particular with a diameter in the range of 1 to 10 mm.

[0014] Furthermore, the mechanism has a cover, and the component opening is closed by the cover. This should be understood to mean that the cover covers the component opening, thereby protecting the internal space from external influences. The external influences include weather influences such as rain and snow. Furthermore, objects falling from birds are also taken into consideration. In the case of an offshore wind power plant, the intrusion of seawater in the event of strong wave swells also applies. The cover is sometimes called a shroud.

[0015] The cover does not need to close the component opening in an airtight manner. Rather, the cover allows ventilation of the interior space of the component to prevent mold growth therein. For this purpose, the mechanism has a fan mounted on the cover. Via the fan, air is preferably guided from the area around the mechanism through the ventilation opening in the cover to the interior space of the component. It is also conceivable that air is guided from the interior space of the component through the ventilation opening in the cover to the area around the mechanism via the fan. The following describes an example in which air is drawn into the interior space of the component using a fan. The same also applies, as appropriate, to the reverse case. The ventilation opening preferably has a diameter in the range of 20 to 200 cm.

[0016] To equalize the pressure in the interior space of the component, the cover preferably has one or more pressure equalization openings through which air can escape from the interior space of the component when the fan blows air into the interior space of the component. The pressure equalization openings are preferably positioned so that water cannot enter the interior space of the component from the outside through the pressure equalization openings. The cross sections of the ventilation openings preferably total less than 10% of the surface area of ​​the cover.

[0017] The air can be drawn directly into the entire interior space of the component using a fan. Alternatively, a ventilation hose can be connected to the ventilation openings on the inside of the cover. The ventilation hose can be used to guide the air to the desired location within the interior space of the component. The ventilation hose preferably has a plastic shell wall with an integrated wire spiral that defines the shape of the shell wall.

[0018] The fan is pivotally supported on the cover. This can be achieved, for example, by the fan being supported on the cover via one or more hinges. The fan can pivot between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the fan covers the ventilation opening of the cover, allowing the fan to blow air through the ventilation opening. This is the operating position in which the fan can be used to ventilate the interior space of the component. In the second position, the fan is pivoted away from the ventilation opening, thus opening the ventilation opening. In this way, the ventilation opening can be used as access to the interior space of the component. In this respect, the above-described mechanism allows particularly easy access to the interior space of the component. In particular, a separate access opening for this purpose is not required in the cover. However, the cover may have one or more access openings in addition to the ventilation opening. However, the pivotable fan facilitates access to the interior space of the component, since access would be impossible at the ventilation opening without the pivotable fan. If a ventilation hose is attached to the ventilation opening, the ventilation hose can be detached when the fan is pivoted from the operating position to the second position. This means that even with the ventilation hose, the interior space of the pile is accessible through the ventilation openings.

[0019] To make the fan accessible, for example to allow the fan to pivot, the mechanism can preferably have a staircase. The staircase is preferably located on the outside of the cover and preferably extends between the edge of the component opening and the fan. When the fan is pivoted away, the ventilation opening can be used as access to the interior space of the component via the staircase.

[0020] In one preferred embodiment of the mechanism, the component is a substructure for an offshore structure, fixed to the seabed.

[0021] In this embodiment, the component serves as a foundation for an offshore structure, in particular for an offshore wind farm. To do this, the component is fixed at one end to the seabed. At the other end, the component preferably protrudes above the water at normal water levels. However, this does not exclude situations in which the water may completely engulf the component, for example in strong sea swells.

[0022] In addition to the components, the offshore construction preferably comprises further elements, in particular component structures. In the case of offshore wind power plants, for example, a tower structure is a component structure of this type. The tower structure can be fastened to the components directly or via intermediate elements, in particular via so-called tethers.

[0023] In this embodiment, the cover preferably serves to temporarily close the component opening of the component. Thus, the cover can serve to protect the inside of the component fixed to the seabed until the tower structure is installed. In this case, the mechanism is an intermediate product from which an offshore structure such as an offshore wind farm can be obtained. The cover is part of the mechanism, but is not part of the completed offshore structure.

[0024] In a further preferred embodiment of the mechanism, the part is a pile and the part opening is arranged on the end side of the pile.

[0025] The pile preferably has a closed shell surface. The pile is preferably open on both end sides. In this respect, a component opening, which is closed by a cover, is formed on one of the two end sides. The component opening preferably extends over the entire cross section of the pile. The component opening may also be referred to herein as a pile opening. An opening in the pile is called a pile opening. The term pile opening merely serves as a term to distinguish it from other openings described herein, in particular ventilation openings.

[0026] The pile can be configured as a foundation for offshore structures, in particular for offshore wind farms. In the case of offshore wind farms, the pile may also be called a monopile. The pile can be pressed into the seabed, for example by ramming or vibrating. Since the pile has an open bottom, material from the seabed can enter the pile. This allows the pile to be filled with material to the extent that the seabed is at the same level inside and outside the pile. The ventilated interior space of the pile in this case extends from the seabed to the component opening, which is closed by a cover.

[0027] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the fan is arranged in an operative position on the axis of the component opening.

[0028] In the operating position, the fan in this embodiment is arranged centrally with respect to the cross section of the component opening. If the component opening is arranged at the end of a component arranged as a pile, the axis of the component opening preferably coincides with the axis of the pile, which then also extends through the fan when in the operating position.

[0029] The pivotability of the fan allows the ventilation opening to be opened and used as access to the interior space of the component. The central location of the fan, and therefore the ventilation opening, contributes to easy access to the interior space. From a centrally located ventilation opening, all points in the interior space are relatively easy to reach. The axis of the ventilation opening preferably coincides with the axis of the component opening to be closed.

[0030] In a further preferred embodiment of the mechanism, the cover comprises a ring plate, and the fan is held on the ring plate.

[0031] The ring plate has an annular configuration to the extent that the ventilation opening is located in the center of the ring plate. The fan can be held on the ring plate, for example, via one or more hinges. Furthermore, the ring plate can contribute to the stability of the cover. The ring plate preferably has an outer diameter in the range of 50 to 300 cm and an inner diameter in the range of 20 to 200 cm, the inner diameter being smaller than the outer diameter in any case.

[0032] In a further preferred embodiment of the mechanism, the cover comprises a rod assembly covered with a waterproof fabric.

[0033] The rod assembly preferably includes a plurality of rods. For example, these rods can be arranged like spokes, and can all extend from the edge of the ventilation opening to the edge of the component opening. The rods are preferably fastened to the edge of the component opening, the edge of the ventilation opening, or both, by a plug-in connection. The plug-in connection is preferably fastened by a respective cotter pin. For example, each end of each rod can be inserted through a corresponding hole in the edge of the component opening and fastened by a respective cotter pin. The plug-in connection allows the cover to be easily installed and removed. The edge of the ventilation opening may be particularly formed by a ring plate. In this regard, the ring plate can function to hold the rod assembly. The rod assembly is covered with a waterproof cloth. The interior space of the component is protected by the waterproof cloth. The cover configuration including the waterproof cloth and the rod assembly allows the cover to be particularly easy and convenient to transport, install, and remove. The cover preferably has a mass in the range of 100 to 300 kg.

[0034] In a further aspect of the present invention, a method for assembling an offshore wind farm is proposed.

[0035] The method comprises: a) fixing a hollow pile to the seabed, so that a component opening at an end of the pile is above the water line and is closed by a cover, and a fan for ventilating the interior space of the pile through a ventilation opening in the cover is pivotally fastened to the cover; b) removing the cover; c) Installing construction structures on the piles; Includes:

[0036] The piles of the offshore structure are parts in the sense of the mechanism described above. Preferably, at the end of step a) there is a mechanism configured as described above. The aforementioned advantages and features of the invention are in this respect applicable and transferable to the method and vice versa.

[0037] The method is used for assembling an offshore structure, which is preferably an offshore wind farm. However, it is also conceivable that the method can be used for assembling various other offshore structures having one or more piles fixed to the seabed as a foundation. For example, an offshore structure of this type can be an offshore platform. In the case of multiple piles, steps a) and b) are performed correspondingly many times.

[0038] In step a), the pile is fixed to the seabed. At the end of step a), the component opening is closed with a cover. To do this, the pile can first be fixed to the seabed, and then the cover can be attached. In that case, step a) includes closing the component opening with the cover. Closing the opening is therefore part of step a), and in this respect, part of the method. Alternatively, the pile can be fixed to the seabed with the cover already installed. In this case, a pile whose component opening is closed with the cover is used in step a). For example, a cover can be installed on the pile at a port, and then the pile with the cover can be transported to the destination. Closing the opening is not part of the method here, but instead is performed in advance before the start of the method. Furthermore, at the end of step a), a fan is pivotally held on the cover. This can be achieved by fastening the fan to the cover if the cover has already been installed on the pile. In that case, step a) includes fastening the fan to the cover. The fastening of the fan is therefore part of step a) and, in this respect, part of the method. This is possible even if the cover is fastened to the pile after the pile has been fixed to the seabed, or even if a pile is used with a pre-attached cover without a fan. Alternatively, a cover with a pre-attached fan can be used. In this case, step a) is performed with a cover to which the fan is pivotally fastened. In this respect, the pre-attached cover can be attached to the pile after the pile has been fixed to the seabed. Alternatively, a pile can be used with a pre-attached cover with an attached fan.

[0039] After step a), the interior space of the pile is protected by a cover. The pile can be kept in this state until a construction structure is fastened onto it. For this purpose, the cover is removed in step b), for example, using a crane. A waiting period is preferably present between steps a) and b). The waiting period is preferably at least one day, in particular at least one month. The pile can, for example, be winterized with the cover unit.

[0040] In step c), a construction structure is placed on the pile. The construction structure is preferably a tower structure, in particular in the case of an offshore wind farm. In the case of an offshore wind farm, the tower structure may comprise a tower, a nacelle with a generator and rotor blades attached thereto. The tower can be placed directly on the pile. Alternatively, the tower can be connected to the pile via an intermediate element, in particular via a so-called tie.

[0041] In one preferred embodiment of the method, the cover is divided in step b) and then discarded.

[0042] Dividing the cover may include, for example, cutting the tarpaulin of the cover at multiple locations, for example, by cutting the tarpaulin into several portions extending between two adjacent rods of the rod assembly, and further, dividing the cover may include disassembling the rod assembly of the cover.

[0043] By dividing the cover, the surface area of ​​the cover can be reduced, which reduces the area of ​​the cover exposed to the wind, which makes it easier to remove the cover.

[0044] The individual parts of the cover can be collected in a large bag and transported in this manner. In this embodiment, the cover is not reused but discarded. This makes it easy to separate the cover so that it can be destroyed. Furthermore, it is preferable that the cover is used only once. For example, the cover may be damaged during use, e.g., wind may cause deformation of the rod assembly. Detecting and repairing this type of damage may be cumbersome.

[0045] In a further preferred embodiment of the method, between steps a) and b), a winch device is installed on the outside of the cover, on the edge of the part opening of the pile, and the fan is pivoted away from the operating position, so that the winch device can access the interior space of the pile through the ventilation opening in the cover.

[0046] The interior space of the pile is particularly well accessible due to the pivotable fan. In this embodiment, this situation is utilized by a winch device. A winch device should be understood to mean a device that, in addition to a winch, also has fastening means by which the winch can be fastened to the pile. The winch device is installed on the edge of the part opening of the pile, i.e., on the end side of the pile above the water line. At normal water levels, the winch device is located out of the water. The fastening means preferably comprises a frame with three or more legs fastened to the edge of the part opening.

[0047] The winch device allows loads to be moved, in particular upwards or downwards, within the interior space of the pile. With the help of the winch device, for example, a medium voltage circuit can be installed within the pile. The winch device is preferably removed again before step b).

[0048] In a further preferred embodiment of the method, a winch device is used to retract the cable between steps a) and b).

[0049] The electricity generated by an offshore wind farm can be transmitted via a cable laid on the seabed. This cable is connected during the assembly of the offshore wind farm. For this purpose, the cable may be guided through a hole in the pile shell wall, which is below the waterline. The cable can then be pulled up and connected into the pile. This process is called pulling in the cable. In this embodiment, a winch device is used for this purpose. In this respect, the advantages explained above can be realized when pulling in the cable. In particular, there is no need to remove the cover to pull in the cable. Instead, the fan can be pivoted away. By locating the ventilation opening in the center, the cable can be pulled up and connected in the center of the pile. This is advantageous because it makes it possible to keep the cable away from the pile shell wall.

[0050] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the drawings, which show particularly preferred exemplary embodiments, to which the invention is not limited, and the drawings and the proportions shown therein are merely schematic. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0051] [Figure 1] Figures 1a to 1c show three stages of a method for assembling an offshore wind farm according to the present invention. [Figure 2a] 1b shows a partial side view of the mechanism in FIG. 1a. [Figure 2b] 2b shows a plan view of the part shown in FIG. 2a. [Figure 3a] 1b shows a partial side view of the mechanism in FIG. 1a in another state; [Figure 3b] 3b shows a plan view of the part shown in FIG. 3a. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0052] FIG. 1 shows a method for assembling an offshore wind farm as an offshore structure 7. FIG. 1a shows step a), in which a hollow pile 8 is fixed to the seabed 13 so that a component opening 3 (shown in FIG. 1b) on an end side 9 of the pile 8 is above the water line 14. The pile 8 is a component 2. The component opening 3 is closed by a cover 4, and a fan 5 for ventilating an internal space 6 of the pile 8 is pivotally fastened to the cover 4. The internal space 6 of the pile 8 is protected by the cover 4. At the end of step a), the mechanism 1 is in the state shown in FIG. 1a. The mechanism 1 comprises the pile 8, the cover 4, and the fan 5.

[0053] Figure 1b shows step b), in which the cover 4 is removed, to do so the cover 4 can be split and then discarded.

[0054] FIG. 1c shows step c), in which the tower structure is installed on the pile 8 as a construction structure 15, thereby turning the mechanism 1 into an offshore structure 7. The pre-existing part opening 3 is permanently closed by the tower structure. The pile 8 is the foundation for the offshore structure 7 and is fixed to the seabed 13.

[0055] FIG. 2a shows an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 1a. The pile 8 is shown as part 2, and its end side 9 is located above the water line 14. The pile 8 has a part opening 3 (shown in FIGS. 1b and 2b) at the end side 9, which is closed by a cover 4. The cover 4 has a rod assembly 12 covered by a waterproof cloth 11. By way of example, only one waterproof cloth section is shown with reference number 11, and only one rod is shown with reference number 12. The fan 5 is arranged on the axis A of the part opening 3, which is also the axis of the part 2. The cover 4 has a ring plate 10, which has a ventilation opening 17 in its center. The interior space 6 of the pile 8 can be ventilated by the fan 5 through the ventilation opening 17 in the cover 4. This is possible because the fan 5 is in the operating position shown in FIG. 2a.

[0056] Figure 2b shows a plan view of the part shown in Figure 2a. The cover 4 with the tarpaulin 11 and the rod assembly 12 can be seen. Again, by way of example, only one tarpaulin section is shown with the reference number 11 and only one rod with the reference number 12. A ventilation opening 17 is provided in the center of the ring plate 10. Furthermore, a fitting opening 3 is shown, which extends over the entire end side 9 of the pile 8, i.e. over the entire circle indicated with the reference number 3 in Figure 2b.

[0057] JPEG0007792429000001.jpg62164

[0058] Figure 3b shows a plan view of the part shown in Figure 2a.

[0059] The component opening 3 of the component 2 can be closed by a cover 4, whereby the interior space 6 of the component 2 is protected from external influences. The development of mold in the interior space 6 of the component 2 can be prevented by a fan 5. The interior space 6 of the component 2 is made particularly well accessible by the fact that the fan 5 is pivotally held in the cover 4. [Explanation of symbols]

[0060] 1 Mechanism 2 parts 3 Part opening 4 Cover 5 Fans 6. Interior space 7 Offshore structures 8 Pile 9 End side 10 ring plates 11 Waterproof cloth 12 Rod assembly 13 Undersea 14 Water line 15 Construction structures 16 Winch device 17 Ventilation openings 18 Rope 19 Hook A-axis

Claims

1. Mechanism (1), A hollow component (2) for an offshore structure (7) having a component opening (3), The part (2) is a pile (8), and the part opening (3) is arranged on an end side (9) of the pile (8), a hollow part (2); A cover (4), a cover (4) thereby closing the component opening (3); A fan (5), for ventilating the interior space (6) of the component (2) through ventilation openings (17) in the cover (4), a fan (5) pivotally fastened to the cover (4); Equipped with The fan (5) is pivotable between a first position and a second position, in which the fan (5) covers the ventilation opening (17) and in which the fan (5) is pivoted away from the ventilation opening (17). Mechanism (1).

2. A mechanism (1) according to claim 1, the component (2) is a substructure fixed to the seabed (13), Mechanism (1).

3. A mechanism (1) according to claim 1 or 2, The fan (5) is arranged in an operating position on the axis (A) of the component opening (3). Mechanism (1).

4. A mechanism (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The cover (4) has a ring plate (10), The fan (5) is held on the ring plate (10), The edge of the ventilation opening (17) is formed by the ring plate. Mechanism (1).

5. A mechanism (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The cover (4) has a rod assembly (12) covered with a waterproof fabric (11). Mechanism (1).

6. A method for assembling an offshore structure (7), comprising the steps of: a) fixing a hollow pile (8) to the seabed (13), This fixation allows The part opening (3) at the end side (9) of the pile (8) is above the water line (14), and The component opening (3) is closed by a cover (4), and a fan (5) for ventilating the interior space (6) of the pile (8) through a ventilation opening (17) in the cover (4) is pivotally fastened to the cover (4), the fan (5) being pivotable between a first position and a second position, in which the fan (5) covers the ventilation opening (17) and in which the fan (5) is pivoted away from the ventilation opening (17) in the first position; To fixate and b) removing said cover (4); c) placing a construction structure (15) on said pile (6); Including, method.

7. 7. The method of claim 6, The cover (4) is divided in step b) and then discarded. method.

8. 8. The method of claim 6 or 7, Between steps a) and b), a winch device (16) is installed on the edge of the part opening (3) of the pile (8) outside the cover (4); The fan (5) pivots away from an operating position; This allows the winch device (16) to access the interior space (6) of the pile (8) through the ventilation opening (17) in the cover (4). method.

9. 9. The method of claim 8, The winch device (16) is used to pull in the cable between steps a) and b). method.

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