Preventing scouring device of marine structure foundation having artificial seaweeds mat for preventing scouring

KR103004818B1Active Publication Date: 2026-08-12KOREA INSTITUTE OF OCEAN SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
KR · KR
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2024-09-09
Publication Date
2026-08-12

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Abstract

A scour prevention device for a marine structure foundation having an artificial seaweed mat is disclosed. The scour prevention device for a marine structure foundation having an artificial seaweed mat according to the present invention is characterized by comprising: a mounting member configured to be mounted or detachably coupled to the marine structure foundation, which is configured to wrap around the upper end of the marine structure foundation including a suction bucket; a support member radially coupled to the mounting member, which includes a support frame having a rod structure having a predetermined length and a folding means for connecting each end of each support frame to the mounting member so as to be horizontally unfolded and folded downward; and a mat having artificial seagrass or artificial seaweed, which is coupled by connecting each of the support frames to be settled on the surrounding seabed of the marine structure foundation to prevent scour around the marine structure foundation.
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Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a scour prevention device for the foundation of a marine structure having an artificial seaweed mat, and more specifically, to a scour prevention device for the foundation of a marine structure having an artificial seaweed mat composed of a foldable structure and a detachable artificial seaweed mat, which is installed on suction foundations or large-diameter piles used as foundations for marine structures such as offshore wind turbine foundations and bridge pier foundations, thereby reducing ground scour by slowing down the water velocity around the foundation of the marine structure and also serving as a habitat for marine organisms. Background Technology

[0002] As foundations for offshore structures, large-diameter piles or offshore structure foundations are constructed on the seabed and used to support or anchor fixed and floating offshore structures, such as oil drilling platforms and offshore wind power structures.

[0003] Meanwhile, the erosion of the surrounding ground of the foundation of the aforementioned marine structure due to tides or ocean currents is called scour. Typically, a downward current swirls through the riverbed portion of the foundation of the marine structure, and due to the force of the vortex, the riverbed portion around the foundation of the marine structure is locally scoured, which causes damage to the suction foundation.

[0004] That is, as illustrated in Fig. 1, scour refers to the phenomenon in which soil is lost as the seabed is eroded by currents. Among the vortices generated around the lower part of the foundation of an offshore structure, the vortex generated by the downflow in front of the foundation is called a horseshoe vortex, and the vortex generated behind the foundation is called a wake vortex. Since these downflows and vortices occur repeatedly and continuously, they cause a scour phenomenon in which the seabed around the lower part of the foundation of an offshore structure is gradually eroded by a force exceeding the limiting resistance.

[0005] Since ground that has been eroded by such scour cannot be restored, when scour occurs on the seabed where the foundation of an offshore structure is constructed on the ground, there is a problem of reduced fixing and bearing capacity of the foundation of the offshore structure.

[0006] Conventionally, rubble stone construction methods have been widely used to prevent scouring by laying a large amount of rubble stones on the riverbed, for example, around the foundations of marine structures, in order to reduce localized scouring. However, this method entailed inconveniences, such as incurring excessive costs in areas with high current velocities, requiring a large installation area and thick layering, as well as mobilizing heavy equipment for installation. Furthermore, there were problems such as the loss of the installed rubble stones due to the rapid velocity of downstream currents.

[0007] In addition, the pile method for weakening the vortex motion that causes scour by dispersing the flow approaching the foundation of an offshore structure by setting up many small piles immediately upstream of the foundation of an offshore structure involves setting up and driving multiple piles on a caisson with a large cross-sectional area. Since the caisson suppresses the pressure of the downflow that directly collides with the sediment particles immediately upstream of the suction foundation, it can somewhat reduce scour. However, according to experiments, there were technical difficulties in installing the foundation of the offshore structure because conditions such as the diameter of the caisson having to be much larger than the diameter of the foundation of the offshore structure must be met.

[0008] As a prior art for solving these problems, Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2012-0005445 (Publication Date: January 16, 2012) discloses a scour prevention system. The scour prevention system according to the prior art installs an array of interconnected sedimentary elements in the seabed area surrounding a wind turbine monopile.

[0009] However, since these scour prevention systems are configured only to interconnect sedimentary elements and lack means to fix them to the seabed, there was a problem in that the sedimentary elements could be moved by currents. Prior art literature

[0010] Republic of Korea Published Patent No. 10-2012-0005445 (Publication Date: Jan. 16, 2012) The problem to be solved

[0011] The objective of the present invention is to provide a scour prevention device for the foundation of a marine structure having an artificial seaweed mat that is installed around a suction bucket used as a foundation for marine structures, such as offshore wind turbine foundations and bridge pier foundations, and can not only reduce scour around the suction bucket but also serve as a habitat for marine organisms.

[0012] Another objective of the present invention is to provide an artificial seaweed mat for scour reduction that is configured to be foldable, allowing it to be stored and transported while remaining in a folded state before construction, and to be unfolded to perform its function after construction.

[0014] Furthermore, the problems that the present invention aims to solve are not limited to the technical problems mentioned above, and other unmentioned technical problems will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs from the description below. means of solving the problem

[0015] The above objective is achieved by a scour prevention device for a marine structure foundation having an artificial seaweed mat, characterized in that, according to the present invention, it comprises: a mounting member configured to be mounted or detachably coupled to the marine structure foundation while wrapping around the upper end of the marine structure foundation including a suction bucket; a support member radially coupled to the mounting member, comprising a support frame having a rod structure having a predetermined length and a folding means for connecting each end of each support frame to the mounting member so as to be horizontally unfolded and folded downward; and a mat having artificial seaweed or artificial seaweed, which is connected to each support frame to be settled on the surrounding seabed of the marine structure foundation to prevent scour around the marine structure foundation.

[0016] The above folding means may include: a pair of coupling brackets fixedly coupled to the outer surface of the mounting member; a rotational support shaft that is coupled through the coupling brackets and the support frame while one end of the support frame is positioned between the coupling brackets to rotately support one end of the support frame; and a stopper formed to a predetermined length, horizontally positioned between the upper ends of the coupling brackets, and having one end fixed to the upper end of the coupling brackets to prevent the support frame from rotating upward more than horizontally around the rotational support shaft.

[0017] A cushioning member may be provided on the bottom surface of the stopper to cushion the impact generated by contact with the upper surface of the support frame when the support frame rotates upward and unfolds.

[0018] Each of the above support frames may be provided with a buoyancy body to cause each of the support frames, which is folded downward, to unfold while rotating upward due to buoyancy.

[0019] Each of the above support frames is connected to one another by at least one connecting member made of a wire or chain, and the connecting member may be connected by passing through each support ring provided on the bottom surface of each of the above support frames.

[0020] The above mat may be configured to be formed integrally and disposed on the bottom surface of each of the support frames, and to be detachably coupled to each of the support frames by means of a plurality of coupling rings.

[0021] The above mat may be composed of individual mats formed with a shape similar to the shape between the two support frames, and each of the individual mats may be configured to be detachably connected to each support frame by a plurality of connecting rings while positioned on the bottom surface of each support frame.

[0022] The above mat may be formed as a chain type in which metal chains are connected in a grid shape to be settled on the seabed, or as a mesh type equipped with multiple heavy objects to be settled on the seabed, and the mat may be equipped with artificial seaweed or artificial seagrass.

[0023] The above support member may be provided with a folding holding means for maintaining the folded state of each support frame or releasing the folded state while the mounting member is mounted on the suction bucket.

[0024] The above-mentioned folding retaining means may comprise a wire for binding each of the support frames by passing through a loop provided on each of the support frames; and a connecting carabiner for connecting both ends of the wire. Effects of the invention

[0025] According to the present invention, by providing a scour prevention device on the top of a marine structure foundation, such as a suction bucket used as a foundation for marine structures like offshore wind turbine foundations and bridge pier foundations, it is possible to sufficiently reduce the flow velocity around the marine structure foundation and minimize downward vortices, thereby providing the effect of significantly reducing the scour phenomenon occurring around the marine structure foundation.

[0026] In addition, according to the present invention, the scour prevention device is detachably coupled to the top of the foundation of a marine structure including a suction bucket, and is configured to maintain a folded state particularly during storage and transportation and to unfold after the foundation of the marine structure is constructed, thereby providing convenience for storage and transportation.

[0027] In addition, according to the present invention, the mat of the scour prevention device is composed of a heavy material that does not have buoyancy, thereby providing the effect of preventing the mat from floating or being swept away by tides or ocean currents.

[0028] In addition, according to the present invention, the mat of the scour prevention device can be connected to or separated from the support frame by means of a connecting ring, etc., thereby making it easy to install or dismantle the mat, remove it, and transport it.

[0029] In addition, according to the present invention, by installing an artificial seaweed mat around the foundation of a marine structure, it is possible to provide the effect of serving as a habitat for marine organisms. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0030] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the scour phenomenon occurring around an offshore foundation. FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a scour prevention device for a marine structure foundation having an artificial seaweed mat according to the first embodiment of the present invention, showing the scour prevention device in a folded state. FIG. 3 is a drawing illustrating a scour prevention device for a marine structure foundation having an artificial seaweed mat as shown in FIG. 2, and is a perspective view showing the scour prevention device in an unfolded state. FIGS. 4 (a) and (b) are schematic plan views illustrating various embodiments of the mat shown in FIG. 2. FIGS. 5 and 6 are drawings illustrating a scour prevention device for a marine structure foundation having an artificial seaweed mat according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and are perspective views showing the scour prevention device mounted on the marine structure foundation in a folded state and in an unfolded state. FIG. 7 is a drawing for explaining the state in which artificial seaweed is combined with the mats shown in FIGS. 2 to 6. FIGS. 8 and 9 are drawings illustrating the state in which a scour prevention device for a marine structure foundation having an artificial seaweed mat, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 6, is applied to the foundation of a marine structure. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state in which a folding holding means is provided on a support portion shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 5, and FIG. 6. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0031] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. However, in describing the present invention, descriptions of already known functions or configurations will be omitted in order to clarify the gist of the present invention.

[0032] In this specification, the terms used are for describing embodiments and are not intended to limit the invention. In this specification, the singular form includes the plural form unless specifically stated otherwise in the text. As used in this specification, 'comprises' and / or 'comprising' do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other components to the mentioned components.

[0033] In this specification, when a component is described as being "connected" to another component, it should be understood that it may be directly connected to the other component, or that there may be other components in between. On the other hand, when a component is described as being "directly connected" to another component, it should be understood that there are no other components in between.

[0034] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used in this specification (including technical and scientific terms) may be used in a meaning that is commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. Additionally, terms defined in commonly used dictionaries are not to be interpreted ideally or excessively unless explicitly and specifically defined otherwise.

[0035] Spatially relative terms such as "below," "beneath," "lower," "above," and "upper" may be used to facilitate the description of the relationship between one component and other components as illustrated in the drawings. Spatially relative terms should be understood as encompassing different orientations of components during use or operation, in addition to the orientations depicted in the drawings. For example, if a component depicted in a drawing is inverted, a component described as "below" or "beneath" of another component may be placed "above" of that other component. Therefore, the exemplary term "below" may encompass both the lower and upper directions. Components may also be oriented in other directions, and accordingly, spatially relative terms may be interpreted according to the orientation.

[0036] In this specification, the terms used are merely for describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the invention.

[0037] In this specification, singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0038] Among the attached drawings, FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a scour prevention device for a marine structure foundation having an artificial seaweed mat according to the first embodiment of the present invention, showing the scour prevention device in a folded state, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a scour prevention device for a marine structure foundation having an artificial seaweed mat shown in FIG. 2, showing the scour prevention device in an unfolded state.

[0039] As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the scour prevention device (20) for a marine structure foundation having an artificial seaweed mat according to the present invention is installed around a suction bucket (12) used as a foundation for a marine structure (10), such as a foundation for an offshore wind power plant or a bridge pier, to reduce scour around the suction bucket (12). It comprises a mounting member (30) that is detachably coupled while wrapping around the upper end of the suction bucket (12) used as a foundation for a marine structure (10), a supporting member (40) in which a plurality of supporting frames (42) are folded or unfolded by a folding means and coupled to the mounting member (30), and a mat (50) that is equipped with artificial seaweed or artificial seaweed and is coupled to the supporting member (40) to be placed on the seabed surrounding the suction bucket (12) to prevent scour.

[0040] This is explained in more detail.

[0041] The suction bucket (12) used as the foundation of the aforementioned marine structure (10) is a known technology, so a detailed description is omitted.

[0043] The mounting member (30) is configured to be mounted or detached while wrapping around the upper end of the suction bucket (12). As shown in FIG. 2, it may be made of a metal plate having a predetermined width, length, and thickness, and may have a connecting end (32) having fastening holes at both ends formed by being bent. At this time, each connecting end (32) on both sides may be connected or released from the connected state using a fastening means other than a fastening bolt.

[0044] Accordingly, the upper part of the suction bucket (12) is wrapped and joined with the mounting member (30), and the fastening bolt passes through the fastening hole and is fastened with a nut, thereby firmly joining the two connecting ends (32), and through this process, the mounting member (30) can be mounted on the suction bucket (12). Of course, by loosening the fastening bolt to release the binding force, the two connecting ends (32) can be separated and the mounting member (30) can be removed from the suction bucket (12). Additionally, after loosening the binding force of the fastening bolt, the mounting member (30) can be moved up and down relative to the suction bucket (12) to set its position, and then the fastening bolt can be tightened to fix the position.

[0045] In this way, since the mounting member (30) can be mounted or removed from the suction bucket (12), the scour prevention device (20) can be selectively mounted or removed from the suction bucket (12) and its position can be adjusted. For example, when it is necessary to remove the suction bucket (12) after its use as a foundation for an offshore structure has ended, the scour prevention device (20) can be easily removed from the suction bucket (12) simply by releasing the binding force of the mounting member (30), thereby enabling easy removal of the suction bucket (52).

[0046] Additionally, the height of the scour prevention device (20) can be adjusted by allowing the mounting member (30) to be mounted on or removed from the suction bucket (12). That is, when the upper end of the suction bucket (12) maintains a predetermined distance from the seabed, the height of the scour prevention device (20) can be adjusted by loosening the binding force of the connecting end (32) of the mounting member (30), moving it downward, and fixing it.

[0047] Meanwhile, although not shown in the drawing, the mounting member (30) may be attached to the upper surface of the suction bucket (12) instead of being attached to the upper outer surface of the suction bucket (12). That is, by using brackets with a "┗" shape, the mounting member (30) can be attached to the upper surface of the suction bucket (12) by attaching the vertical end of the bracket to the mounting member (30) and the horizontal end to the upper surface of the suction bucket (12).

[0049] The support member (40) is configured to support and unfold or fold the mat (50) and comprises each support frame (42) having a rod structure with a predetermined length, and a folding means (44) for connecting each end of each support frame (42) to the mounting member (30) so that it is horizontally unfolded and folded downward. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, these support members (40) are each radially connected to the outer surface of the mounting member (30).

[0050] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the support frames (42) have a rod structure having a predetermined length, more specifically a square pipe structure, and one end is connected to the outer surface of the mounting member (30) by a folding means (44) so ​​as to be folded downward or unfolded upward horizontally.

[0051] The folding means (44) comprises a pair of coupling brackets (44A) that are fixedly coupled radially to the outer surface of the mounting member (30) while maintaining a distance from each other, a rotational support shaft (44B) that is coupled by penetrating the coupling bracket (44A) and the end of the support frame (42) while the end of the support frame (42) is positioned between the coupling brackets (44A) to rotately support the end of the support frame (44A), and a stopper (44C) formed with a predetermined length, horizontally positioned between the upper ends of the coupling brackets (44A), and fixed to the upper end of the coupling brackets (44A) to prevent the support frame (42) from rotating upward more than horizontally around the rotational support shaft (44B).

[0052] Each connecting bracket (44A) is fixedly connected to the mounting member (30) by welding or a bolt fastening structure.

[0053] One end of the stopper (44C) is connected to the upper end of the connecting bracket (44A) by welding or a bolt fastening structure. On the bottom surface of the stopper (44C), a cushioning member (44C-1) is provided to cushion the impact caused by contact with the upper surface of the support frame (42) when the support frame (42), which was folded vertically downward, rotates upward and unfolds horizontally.

[0054] The cushioning member (44C-1) may be made of an elastic rubber material, a synthetic resin material, a coil spring, etc., and is composed of at least one or more and is attached to the bottom surface of the spotter (44C) by means of a screw or bolt. When the support frame (42), which is folded vertically downward relative to the mounting member (30), is unfolded horizontally upward by means of this cushioning member (44C-1), even if it comes into contact with the stopper (44C), the cushioning member (44C-1) cushions the impact, so noise and damage caused by contact can be prevented.

[0055] Meanwhile, each support frame (42) installed radially around the mounting member (30) is connected to each other by at least one connecting member (46) made of a wire or chain. This is to connect each support frame (42) so that folding and unfolding occur simultaneously when the frames are folded and unfolded based on the folding means (44).

[0056] The connecting member (46) can connect each support frame (42) by passing through each support ring (42A) provided on the bottom surface of each support frame (42). At this time, each support ring (42A) and the connecting member (46) may be connected by a carabiner or a shackle.

[0057] Meanwhile, the support member (40) may be provided with a folding holding means (48) for maintaining the folded state of each support frame (42) or releasing the folded state while the mounting member (30) is mounted on the suction bucket (12), as shown in FIG. 9.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 10, the folding holding means (48) comprises a wire (48A) for binding each support frame (42) by passing through a loop (42B) provided at the end of each support frame (42), and a connecting carabiner (48B) for connecting both ends of the wire (48A).

[0059] The folding maintenance means (48) of this structure can maintain the folded state of each support frame (42) by connecting and binding both ends of the wire (48A) with a connecting carabiner (48B) after the wire (48A) passes through each ring (42B), and by maintaining the folded state of each support frame (42), the storage and transportation of the scour prevention device (20) can be easily accomplished. Furthermore, by releasing the connection of the connecting carabiner (48B) that has the mounting member (30) mounted on the suction bucket (12) for the installation of the scour prevention device (20), each support frame (42) can be unfolded in an upward horizontal direction.

[0061] The mat (50) is installed between each support frame (42) to be placed on the seabed surrounding the foundation of the marine structure (10), that is, the suction bucket (12), to prevent scour around the suction bucket (12).

[0062] As shown in (a) of FIGS. 2 to 4, the mat (50) is formed as an integral mat (50A) in the shape of a donut and can be detachably connected to each support frame (42) by a plurality of connecting rings (54) made of carabiners or shackles while placed on the bottom surface of each support frame (42). To this end, a plurality of mat connecting rings (42C) are provided on the bottom surface of each support frame (42). Accordingly, while the mat (50) is placed on the bottom surface of each support frame (42), the integral mat (50) can be mounted on the bottom surface of each support frame (42) as the connecting rings (52) connect the mat connecting rings (42C) with the integral chain (52). Then, the integral mat (50) can be removed from each support frame (42) by releasing the connection of the connecting rings (54).

[0063] Meanwhile, the mat (50) may be composed of a single mat (50B) formed in the same shape as the shape between two support frames (42), as shown in (b) of FIGS. 2 to 4. Each single mat (50B) is disposed on the bottom surface of each support frame (42) and is detachably connected to mat connecting rings (42C) provided on the bottom surface of each support frame (42) by means of a plurality of connecting rings (54).

[0064] In this way, the integrated mat (50A) and the individual mat (50B) can be connected to or separated from the bottom surface of each support frame (42) by each connecting ring (54), thereby allowing the mat (50) to be separated from the support member (40) for transport or storage, and the dismantling of the scour prevention device (20) can be done easily and quickly, so that the dismantling workability can be significantly improved.

[0065] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the aforementioned mat (50) is formed as a chain type in which metal chains (52) are connected in a grid shape to be settled on the seabed by weight, or as a net-shaped mesh type equipped with multiple weights to be settled on the seabed by weight. In this embodiment, the description is based on the chain type in which chains (52) are connected in a grid shape.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 7, the mat (50) is provided with artificial seaweed (56) or artificial seagrass. The artificial seaweed (56) or artificial seagrass is made of synthetic resin (plastic) and each end is fixed to the mat (50). The artificial seaweed (56) or artificial seagrass can reduce the flow of tides or ocean currents and serve as a habitat for marine life.

[0067] Configuring the mat (50) in this way, either as a heavy chain type or as a mesh type equipped with a heavy object, is intended to prevent the mat (50) from floating up due to buoyancy when it is placed on the seabed and becoming separated from the seabed or from being moved by currents or ocean currents.

[0069] The process of mounting and using the scour prevention device (20) for the foundation of a marine structure having an artificial seaweed mat according to the present invention, configured as described above, on a suction bucket (12) is explained.

[0070] As shown in FIG. 2, each support frame (42) is stored or transported in a state where it is folded downward vertically with respect to the rotational support axis (44B).

[0071] At this time, each support frame (42) is provided with a folding maintenance means (48), so that each support frame (42) can maintain a stable folded state. In addition, by providing the folding maintenance means (48), each support frame (42) maintains a state of being folded downward vertically with respect to the rotational support axis (44B), making transportation easy and making it easy to attach the mounting member (30) to the top of the suction bucket (12).

[0072] In order to mount the scour prevention device (20) on the top of the suction bucket (12), the top of the suction bucket (12) that has been installed by penetrating into the seabed is wrapped with a mounting member (30), and then the connecting ends (32) on both sides are fastened together.

[0073] At this time, when the seabed and the top of the suction bucket (12) are maintained at a considerable distance, the mounting member (30) is attached to the top of the suction bucket (12) while maintaining the connection of the folding maintenance means (48), and then the connection force of the folding maintenance means (48) is released so that each support frame (42) and the mat (50) are spread out horizontally, and the mounting member (30) is moved downward so that when the mat (50) settles on the seabed, the mounting member (30) is secured to complete the mounting.

[0074] That is, when the upper end of the suction bucket (12) inserted into the seabed is exposed to the upper seabed at a height equal to or shorter than the height of the mounting member (30), the binding force of the folding maintenance means (48) is released so that the mounting member (30) is mounted on the suction bucket (12) while the support frames (42) are spread out horizontally. Then, when the upper end of the suction bucket (12) exposed to the upper seabed is higher than the length of the support frames (42), the binding force of the folding maintenance means (48) is maintained so that the mounting member (30) is attached to the upper end of the suction bucket (12) while each support frame (42) is folded, and then the binding force of the folding maintenance means (48) is released so that each support frame (42) is spread out horizontally, and the entire scour prevention device (20) is moved downward to fix the mounting member (30). Through this process, the mat (50) is settled on the seabed.

[0075] When the mat (50) is placed on the seabed, the mat (50) is configured as a metal chain, so that it remains stably placed on the seabed even if currents or tides occur.

[0076] When the installation of the scour prevention device (20) is completed through the above-described process and the donut-shaped mat (50) is placed on the seabed around the suction bucket (12), as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, even if a tide or ocean current occurs around the suction bucket (12), which is the foundation of the marine structure (10), the velocity of the current around the suction bucket (12) of the marine structure (10) can be significantly reduced, and thus the phenomenon of the seabed around the marine structure (10) being swept away, i.e., the scour phenomenon, can be prevented or reduced.

[0078] Among the attached drawings, FIGS. 5 and 6 are drawings illustrating a scour prevention device for a marine structure foundation having an artificial seaweed mat according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and are perspective views showing the scour prevention device mounted on the marine structure foundation in a folded state and in an unfolded state.

[0079] As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the scour prevention device (20) for the foundation of a marine structure having an artificial seaweed mat according to the second embodiment of the present invention is the same as the first embodiment described above, except that each support frame (42) is provided with a buoyancy body (60) to cause each support frame (42), which is folded downward, to rotate upward and unfold due to buoyancy.

[0080] The buoyancy body (60) is formed with a length equal to or shorter than the length of the support frame (42), and its circumference is not larger than that of the support frame (42). The buoyancy body (60) may be composed of a hollow tube and may be integrally connected to the upper surface of the support frame (42) by welding or bolts, or it may be connected to the support frame (42) by connecting a ring (62) provided on the lower surface of the buoyancy body (60) and a ring (42C) provided on the upper surface of the support frame (42) with a carabiner (64), etc.

[0081] In this way, since each support frame (42) is equipped with a buoyancy body (60), the support frames (42) are folded and held in place by a folding holding means (48). When the mounting member (30) is attached to the top of the suction bucket (12) and the folding holding means (48) is released, each support frame (42) rotates upward by the buoyancy of the buoyancy body (60) and unfolds horizontally. Therefore, it is not necessary to perform the task of unfolding each support frame (42) upward after mounting the mounting member (30) to the suction bucket (12).

[0082] At this time, when the installation of the scour prevention device (20) is completed, the buoyancy bodies (60) can be separated and removed from each support frame (42). This is to prevent the mat (50) from lifting off the seabed due to the buoyancy of the buoyancy bodies (60).

[0083] Additionally, the scour prevention device (20) may be installed with the mat (50) connected to each support frame (42), or it may be connected to each support frame (42) after the installation of the mounting member (30) and the support frames (42) is completed.

[0084] As described above, by providing a buoyancy body (60) on the support frame (42), the work of unfolding the support frames (42) in a folded state to a horizontal position can be easily performed.

[0086] Although specific embodiments of the present invention have been described and illustrated above, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the described embodiments and can be modified and varied in various ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, such modifications or variations should not be understood individually from the technical spirit or perspective of the present invention, and the modified embodiments should be considered to fall within the scope of the claims of the present invention. Explanation of the symbols

[0087] 10: Offshore structure 12: Suction bucket 20 : Scour prevention device 30 : Mounting member 32 : Connecting part 40 : Support part 42 : Support frame 44 : Folding mechanism 44A: Connecting bracket 44B: Rotating support shaft 44C : Stopper 44C-1 : Cushioning member 46 : Connecting member 48 : Folding retaining means 48A: Wire 48B: Connecting carabiner 50: Mat 50A: Integrated Mat 50B : Single Mat 52 : Chain 54 : Connecting ring

Claims

Claim 1 A scour prevention device for a marine structure foundation having an artificial seaweed mat, characterized by comprising: a mounting member configured to be mounted or detachably coupled to the marine structure foundation while wrapping around the upper part of the marine structure foundation including a suction bucket; a support member radially coupled to the mounting member, comprising a support frame having a rod structure having a predetermined length and a folding means for connecting each end of each support frame to the mounting member so as to be horizontally unfolded and folded downward; and a mat having artificial seaweed or artificial seaweed, which is connected to each support frame to be settled on the surrounding seabed of the marine structure foundation to prevent scour around the marine structure foundation. Claim 2 A scour prevention device for a marine structure foundation having an artificial seaweed mat according to claim 1, wherein the folding means comprises: a pair of coupling brackets fixedly coupled to the outer surface of the mounting member; a rotational support shaft coupled through the coupling bracket and the support frame while one end of the support frame is positioned between the coupling brackets to rotately support one end of the support frame; and a stopper formed to a predetermined length, horizontally disposed between the upper ends of the coupling brackets, and having one end fixed to the upper end of the coupling brackets to prevent the support frame from rotating upward above the horizontal around the rotational support shaft. Claim 3 A scour prevention device for a marine structure foundation having an artificial seaweed mat, characterized in that, in paragraph 2, a cushioning member is provided on the bottom surface of the stopper to cushion the impact generated by contact with the upper surface of the support frame when the support frame rotates upward and unfolds. Claim 4 A scour prevention device for a marine structure foundation having an artificial seaweed mat, characterized in that, in claim 1, each of the support frames is provided with a buoyancy body to cause each of the support frames, which is in a downwardly folded state, to unfold while rotating upward by buoyancy. Claim 5 A scour prevention device for a marine structure foundation having an artificial seaweed mat, wherein, in claim 1, each of the support frames is connected to one another by at least one connecting member made of a wire or chain, and the connecting member passes through each support ring provided on the bottom surface of each of the support frames. Claim 6 A scour prevention device for a marine structure foundation having an artificial seaweed mat according to claim 1, characterized in that the mat is formed integrally and is detachably coupled to each of the support frames by means of a plurality of coupling rings while being disposed on the bottom surface of each of the support frames. Claim 7 A scour prevention device for a marine structure foundation having an artificial seaweed mat according to claim 1, wherein the mat is composed of individual mats formed in a shape similar to the shape between two support frames, and each of the individual mats is detachably connected to each support frame by a plurality of connecting rings while being placed on the bottom surface of each support frame. Claim 8 A scour prevention device for a marine structure foundation having an artificial seaweed mat, wherein, in claim 6 or 7, the mat is formed as a chain type in which metal chains are connected in a grid shape to be settled on the seabed, or as a net-type mesh type equipped with a plurality of heavy objects to be settled on the seabed, and the mat is provided with artificial seaweed or artificial seagrass. Claim 9 A scour prevention device for a marine structure foundation having an artificial seaweed mat, characterized in that, in paragraph 4, the support member is provided with a folding maintenance means for maintaining the folded state of each support frame or releasing the folded state while the mounting member is mounted on the suction bucket. Claim 10 A scour prevention device for a marine structure foundation having an artificial seaweed mat, characterized in that, in claim 9, the folding maintenance means comprises: a wire for binding each of the support frames by passing through a loop provided on each of the support frames; and a connecting carabiner for connecting both ends of the wire.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • Anti-scour system

    KR1020120005445A