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 pair of first floating bodies 10 placed in front of a coastal structure and facing each other with a space in between; a connecting member 30 extending between one of the first floating bodies and the other; a pair of extension members 40 extending outward from one point and another point of the connecting member through one of the first floating bodies and the other; and a pair of second floating bodies 20 placed in front of the first floating bodies with a space in between, slidably coupled to the extension members, and moving in the outward and inward directions.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

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 the need for a super-large barge by individually supporting multiple points of a rectangular 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, wind energy, which uses wind power, is one of the environmentally friendly renewable energies.

[0005] In this case, the wind power generator has a turbine attached to a vertical tower, and electricity can be generated by the turbine rotating due to the wind.

[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 require an ultra-large barge to launch them, which poses the problem of the effort and cost involved in preparing the ultra-large barge.

[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 super-large barges, 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 a super-large barge. [Means for solving the problem]

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

[0016] A pair of first floating bodies positioned facing each other at a distance in front of the coastal structure;

[0017] We propose a launching device for an offshore wind turbine generator, which comprises: a connecting member extending between one of the first floating bodies and another of the first floating bodies; a pair of extension members extending from one point and another point of the connecting member through one of the first floating bodies and another of the first floating bodies toward the outside of the harbor; and a pair of second floating bodies arranged facing each other with a gap in front of the first floating bodies, slidably connected to the extension members, and movable toward the outside of the harbor and toward the inside of the harbor.

[0018] The first and second floats each include a water storage section having an inlet and an outlet that are intermittently opened and closed.

[0019] The first and second floating bodies may each include a roller protruding from the upper surface thereof by being raised by a lifting module.

[0020] The extension members each include a hook portion formed to protrude upward from a tip end thereof.

[0021] The extension members each include a protrusion that is lifted by a lifting module and inserted into a point on the second floating body.

[0022] The second floats each include a stopper formed to protrude upward from the top surface. [Effects of the Invention]

[0023] The launching device for an offshore wind turbine according to the present invention comprises a pair of first floating bodies arranged at a distance in front of a coastal structure, and a second floating body arranged at a distance in front of the first floating body and slidably connected to an extension member. As a result, the lower ends of both front ends of the rectangular floating structure of the offshore wind turbine that enters from the coastal structure are supported by the second floating body, and the lower ends of both rear ends of the rectangular floating structure of the offshore wind turbine are supported by the first floating body. Therefore, the support of the first and second floating bodies allows the offshore wind turbine to be launched without the need for a large barge, thereby reducing the effort and cost associated with mobilizing a large barge. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0024] [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] 1 is an exemplary view showing the slide of the second floating body in the launching device for an offshore wind turbine generator according to the present invention; [Figure 4] 1 is an exemplary view showing a state in which an offshore wind turbine is supported by a first floating body and a second floating body in a launching device for an offshore wind turbine according to the present invention. [Figure 5] 3 is an exemplary view showing roller rotation of the first and second floating bodies in the launching device for an offshore wind turbine generator according to the present invention; FIG. [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 second 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 the second floating body through the protrusion of the extension member in the launching device for the offshore wind turbine generator according to the present invention; FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 1, a 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 (30), and an extension member (40).

[0027] The first floating bodies (10) of the present invention are provided as a pair and are arranged facing each other with a gap in between in front of the coastal structure (100).

[0028] At this time, each of the first floating bodies (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.

[0029] In addition, each of the first floating bodies (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.

[0030] Here, the lifting module (12a) may be of any general structure and type as long as it allows the roller (12) 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.

[0031] The connecting member (30) of the present invention continues between any one of the first floating bodies (10) and another one.

[0032] Such a connecting member (30) serves to support one of the first floating bodies (10) and the other, thereby suppressing unintended flow in front of the coastal structure (100), and does not have any special function, so a detailed description of the connecting member (30) will be omitted.

[0033] However, it is preferable that the connecting member 30 be formed in multiple stages.

[0034] The connecting member (30) is formed in a multi-stage type, and its length can be changed by moving in and out at least one stage, thereby adjusting the distance between any one of the first floating bodies (10) and any other one of the extension members (40).

[0035] The extension members (40) of the present invention are provided as a pair and extend outward from one point and the other point of the connecting member (30) through one of the first floats (10) and the other.

[0036] At this time, the extension member (40) includes a hook portion (41) formed by protruding upward from the tip, and when the second float (20) described later slides outward from the extension member (40), it comes into contact with the hook portion (41) and its movement is blocked.

[0037] In addition, the extension member (40) is raised by the lifting module (42a) and includes a protrusion (42) that is inserted into a point on the second floating body (20), and the second floating body (20) can be fixed to a point on the extension member (40) by inserting the protrusion (42).

[0038] Here, the lifting module (42a) may be of any general structure and type as long as it allows the protrusion (42) to be raised and lowered. One example of such a module is a cylinder (not shown in the drawings) in which a rod (not shown in the drawings) moves in and out using hydraulic or high-pressure action.

[0039] On the other hand, the extension member 40 can be formed in multiple stages.

[0040] Since the extension member (40) is formed in a multi-stage type, the length can be changed by moving in and out at least one stage, thereby adjusting the sliding width of the second floating body (20), i.e., the maximum sliding distance of the second floating body (20) toward the outside of the port.

[0041] The second floating body (20) of the present invention is provided as a pair, arranged facing each other with a gap in front of the first floating body (10), slidably connected to the extension member (40), and moves in and out of the harbor.

[0042] 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.

[0043] In addition, the second floating body (20) includes rollers (22) that protrude from the upper surface as it is raised by the lifting module (22a), and when the offshore wind turbine (200) enters the upper surface, the rollers (22) rotate, allowing the offshore wind turbine (200) to move smoothly.

[0044] Here, the lifting module (22a) may be of any general structure and type as long as it is capable of raising and lowering the roller (22). 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.

[0045] Furthermore, the second floating body (20) includes a stopper (23) formed by protruding upward from the upper surface, and the tip of the offshore wind turbine (200) entering the upper surface comes into contact with the stopper (23), so that the second floating body (20) can move out of the port by the extension member (40) in accordance with the movement out of the port of the offshore wind turbine (200).

[0046] 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.

[0047] 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 rectangular in shape, is moved outside the port using a skid system (110) installed on a coastal structure (100) such as a quay before being launched.

[0048] At this time, as shown in Figure 2, a pair of first floating bodies (10) are arranged facing each other with a gap in front of the coastal structure (100), and a pair of second floating bodies (20) are arranged facing each other with a gap in front of the first floating bodies (10). The skid system (110) moves the offshore wind power generator (200) out of the port, and both ends of the rectangular floating structure (210) pass the first floating bodies (10) and can land on the second floating bodies (20).

[0049] Here, the first floating body (10) and the second floating body (20) each include rollers (12, 22) that protrude from the upper surface by being raised by the lifting module (12a, 22a), and as shown in Figure 5, the rotation of the rollers (12, 22) allows the tip of the floating structure (210) to smoothly enter the upper surface.

[0050] In addition, each of the second floating bodies (20) includes a stopper (23) 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 (23), thereby preventing the tip of the floating structure (210) from falling off the second floating body (20).

[0051] Furthermore, the second floating body (20) is slidably connected to an extension member (40) that extends from one point and another point of the connecting member (30) that extends between one of the first floating bodies (10) and the other through the first floating body (10) toward the outside of the port. As shown in Figure 3, when the tip of the floating structure (210) is hooked onto the stopper (23), the offshore wind turbine (200) moves further toward the outside of the port, and the second floating body (20) moves toward the outside of the port via the extension member (40). As shown in Figure 4, each end of the floating structure (210) can be anchored in one of the first fluids (10) and the other.

[0052] Therefore, by supporting the floating structure (210) at multiple points by the first floating body (10) and the second floating body (20), and by filling the water storage sections (11) provided on each of the first floating body (10) and the second floating body (20) with water in the above-mentioned state, the first floating body (10) and the second floating body (20) will sink underwater, allowing the offshore wind turbine (200) to be launched stably without the need to mobilize an ultra-large barge, thereby reducing the effort and cost associated with mobilizing an ultra-large barge.

[0053] However, if the second floating body (20) separates from the extension member (40), the support at the tip of the floating structure (210) may become unstable, which may make it difficult to launch the offshore wind turbine (200).

[0054] However, the extension member (40) of the present invention includes a hanging portion (41) formed by protruding upward from the tip, and as shown in Figure 6, the second floating body (20) sliding from the extension member (40) comes into contact with the hanging portion (41), thereby preventing the second floating body (20) from falling off the extension member (40), and therefore the tip of the floating structure (210) can be stably supported by the second floating body (20).

[0055] Furthermore, the extension member (40) includes a protrusion (42) that is raised by the lifting module (42a) and inserted into a point on the second floating body (20). As shown in Figure 8, the second floating body (20) is fixed to a point on the extension member (40) by inserting the protrusion (42). This prevents the second floating body (20) from moving unintentionally, i.e., moving toward the outside or inside of the port, and further stably supports the tip of the floating structure (210) by the second floating body (20).

[0056] Meanwhile, in the present invention, the connecting member (30) is formed in a multi-stage type, and the length is variable by extending or retracting at least one stage, thereby allowing the distance between any one of the first floating bodies (10) and the distance between any one of the extension members (40) to be adjusted. Therefore, by adjusting the distance between the first floating bodies (10) and the distance between the extension members (40) according to the size of the floating structure (210), it can be used to launch offshore wind turbines (200) of various specifications.

[0057] In addition, in the present invention, the extension member (40) is formed in a multi-stage type, and its length can be changed by moving in and out at least one stage, thereby allowing the sliding width of the second floating body (20) to be adjusted.Therefore, by adjusting the sliding width of the second floating body (20), i.e., the maximum sliding distance of the second floating body (20) toward the outside of the port, in accordance with the size of the floating structure (210), it can be used to launch offshore wind turbines (200) of various specifications.

[0058] The present invention described above is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, but can be modified within the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims, and such modifications are included within the scope of protection of the invention as set forth in the following claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0059] 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 23: Stopper 30: Connecting member 40: Extension member 41: Hanging part 42: Protrusion 42a: Lifting module 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 pair of first floating bodies positioned facing each other at a distance in front of the coastal structure; a connecting member between any one of the first floating bodies and another one of the first floating bodies; a pair of extension members extending from one point and another point of the connecting member through one of the first floating bodies and another of the first floating bodies toward the outside of the port; and A launching device for an offshore wind turbine generator, comprising: a pair of second floating bodies arranged facing each other with a gap in front of the first floating body, slidably connected to the extension member, and movable toward the outward and inward directions of the harbor.

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

3. The launching device for an offshore wind turbine generator according to claim 1, characterized in that each of the first and second floating bodies includes a roller protruding from its upper surface when raised by a lifting module.

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

5. The launching device for an offshore wind turbine generator according to claim 1, characterized in that each of the extension members includes a protrusion that is inserted into a point of the second floating body by being raised by a lifting module.

6. The launching device for an offshore wind turbine generator according to claim 1, wherein each of the second floating bodies includes a stopper formed by protruding upward from an upper surface thereof.

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