Wind turbine installation vessel

Abstract

A wind turbine installation vessel is disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a wind turbine installation vessel may be provided comprising: a hull; a plurality of legs coupled to the hull so as to be movable in an up-and-down direction and fixed to the seabed; a platform coupled to the deck of the hull and disposed between a pair of legs among the plurality of legs, and having a plurality of insertion holes on its upper surface into which the ends of wind turbine components are inserted; a plurality of first jigs each interposed between a plurality of wind turbine components inserted into each of the plurality of insertion holes to maintain a spacing distance between the wind turbine components; and a pair of second jigs each interposed between a pair of legs and a pair of wind turbine components inserted into an insertion hole disposed closest to each of the pair of legs to maintain a spacing distance between the legs and the wind turbine components.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a wind turbine installation vessel. Background Technology

[0002] With the recent rapid growth of the offshore wind power market, the demand for wind turbine installation vessels is increasing.

[0003] Wind turbine installation vessels load wind turbine components manufactured on land, transport them to the sea for assembly, and typically load the components onto a deck.

[0004] Such a wind turbine installation vessel is more economical the greater the number of wind turbines that can be installed per voyage, that is, the more wind turbine components can be loaded. However, due to the nature of the operation, it is operated in sailing mode and jack-up mode, so the loading space on the deck is inevitably limited due to the area where the legs penetrate the hull. Therefore, a means to efficiently load wind turbine components onto the deck is required. Prior art literature

[0005] Republic of Korea Published Patent Application No. 10-2020-0045897 (May 6, 2020, Ship equipped with wind turbine) The problem to be solved

[0006] An embodiment of the present invention provides a wind turbine installation line capable of efficiently loading wind turbine components. means of solving the problem

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, the invention comprises: a hull; a plurality of legs movably coupled to the hull in an up-and-down direction and fixed to the seabed; a platform coupled to the deck of the hull and disposed between a pair of the plurality of legs, having a plurality of insertion holes on its upper surface into which the ends of wind turbine components are inserted; a plurality of first jigs each interposed between a plurality of wind turbine components inserted into each of the plurality of insertion holes to maintain a spacing distance between the wind turbine components; and a pair of second jigs each interposed between a pair of legs and a pair of wind turbine components inserted into an insertion hole disposed closest to each of the pair of legs to maintain a spacing distance between the legs and the wind turbine components, wherein the plurality of insertion holes are arranged in a line between the pair of legs, and the second jigs include a movable trolley that travels up-and-down along the legs; and a second horizontal bar coupled to the movable trolley and extending toward the wind turbine components. A wind turbine installation line may be provided, comprising a second pressure plate coupled to the end of the second horizontal bar and in close contact with a wind turbine component, wherein the leg comprises a current extending in an upward and downward direction and a rack gear formed on the current, and the movable carriage comprises a pinion gear meshing with the rack gear and a motor rotating the pinion gear, and the second jig further comprises a second clamping device that detachably restrains the movable carriage to the current, and the second clamping device comprises a pair of second grippers each rotatably coupled to the movable carriage and, depending on the rotation angle, wrap around the outer surface of the current to restrain the movable carriage to the current.

[0008] The above wind turbine components may include a tower or blades.

[0009] A plurality of clamping devices may be arranged within the platform to each secure and fix the ends of a plurality of wind turbine components inserted into each of the plurality of insertion holes.

[0010] The plurality of insertion holes mentioned above can be arranged in a row between the pair of legs.

[0011] The first jig may include a first horizontal bar; and a pair of first pressure plates coupled to both ends of the first horizontal bar and in close contact with a wind turbine component.

[0012] The second jig may include a movable carriage that travels up and down along the leg; a second horizontal bar coupled to the movable carriage and extending toward a wind turbine component; and a second pressure plate coupled to the end of the second horizontal bar and in close contact with the wind turbine component.

[0013] The above leg is equipped with a rack gear to be raised and lowered relative to the hull in a rack and pinion manner, and the above movable carriage may be equipped with a pinion gear that meshes with the rack gear and a motor that rotates the pinion gear. Effects of the invention

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present invention, wind turbine components, such as a tower or blade, can be stacked in an upright position, thereby reducing the possibility of tipping over. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0015] FIGS. 1 and 2 are drawings of a wind turbine installation line according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a plan view of FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is a drawing illustrating the jack-up mode of FIG. 1, and FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the platform of FIG. 2, and FIG. 6 is an example of the operation of the clamping device of FIG. 5, and FIG. 7 is a drawing of the first jig of FIG. 2, and FIG. 8 is a drawing of the second jig of FIG. 2, and Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view taken by cutting along I-I in Figure 8. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0016] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0017] Unless explicitly defined otherwise, the terms used in the embodiments of the present invention may be interpreted in a sense that is generally understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains, and are intended merely to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0018] In this specification, the singular form shall be deemed to include the plural form unless otherwise specifically stated.

[0019] In addition, if it is stated that a part "includes" a certain component, it means that the part may include additional components.

[0020] In addition, when a component is described as "up," it refers to the area above or below the component, and does not necessarily mean that it is located on the upper side relative to the direction of gravity.

[0021] In addition, where it is stated that a component is "connected" or "combined" to another component, this may include not only cases where the component is directly connected or combined to the other component, but also cases where the component is indirectly connected or combined through another component.

[0022] In addition, terms such as "first," "second," etc., may be used to describe a component; however, these terms are intended merely to distinguish the component from other components and are not intended to limit the essence, order, or sequence of the component.

[0023] FIGS. 1 and FIGS. 2 are drawings of a wind turbine installation line according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a plan view of FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is a drawing illustrating the jack-up mode of FIG. 1.

[0024] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, a wind turbine installation vessel (10) according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a hull (100), a plurality of legs (210, 220), a platform (300), a plurality of first jigs (410) and a pair of second jigs (420).

[0025] The hull (100) may be equipped with a propulsion device to enable the wind turbine installation vessel (10) to move to the sea area where the wind turbine is to be installed, but is not necessarily limited thereto.

[0026] Each of the multiple legs (210, 220) can be connected to the hull (100) so as to be movable in the vertical direction (Z direction), and can be raised and lowered by a plurality of jacking modules (not shown) mounted on the hull (100).

[0027] To this end, a through hole in which a plurality of legs (210, 220) are disposed may be formed in the hull (100).

[0028] Accordingly, the wind turbine installation vessel (10) can operate in a sailing mode with multiple legs (210, 220) lifted (see FIG. 1 and FIG. 2), and can perform wind turbine installation work in a jack-up mode with the hull (100) lifted after the multiple legs (210, 220) are lowered and fixed to the seabed (see FIG. 4).

[0029] The leg (210, 220) may be a truss structure with a triangular cross-section, but is not necessarily limited to this.

[0030] The legs (210, 220) may be distributed on the port and starboard sides of the hull (100) so that the hull (100) can be stably supported during the jack-up mode. For example, a pair of first legs (210) may be placed on the port side of the hull (100), and a pair of second legs (220) may be placed on the starboard side of the hull (100).

[0031] The platform (300) can be attached to the deck (110) of the hull (100) as a configuration capable of loading a long tower (T) and / or blade (B) among the wind turbine components in an upright state.

[0032] Additionally, the platform (300) may be positioned between a pair of legs among the plurality of legs (210, 220), for example, between a pair of first legs (210) or between a pair of second legs (220). Thus, the tower (T) and / or blade (B) may be loaded on the port or starboard side of the loadable space on the deck (110), and the remaining loadable space may be utilized as a loadable space for other wind turbine components, for example, a nacelle. Additionally, the first jig (410) and the second jig (420) may be positioned to extend in the longitudinal direction (X direction) of the hull (100) to further reduce the possibility of the tower (T) and / or blade (B) tipping over during the operation of the wind turbine installation vessel (10). Here, the longitudinal direction (X direction) of the hull (100) may refer to the direction connecting the bow and the stern of the hull (100).

[0033] In the following description, the platform (300) is described as being positioned between a pair of second legs (220) for convenience of explanation.

[0034] Meanwhile, a plurality of insertion holes (310) can be formed on the upper surface of the platform (300) into which the ends of the tower (T) or blade (B) can be inserted, respectively.

[0035] A plurality of insertion holes (310) may be arranged in a line between a pair of second legs (220). Preferably, the plurality of insertion holes (310) may be arranged in a line connecting a pair of chord members (220a) to which a second jig (420) is coupled at a pair of second legs (220). Accordingly, a plurality of first jigs (410) and a pair of second jigs (420) supporting the sides of a plurality of wind turbine components coupled to each of the plurality of insertion holes (310) may also be arranged in a line extending in the same direction at the same height, for example, in the longitudinal direction (X direction) of the hull (100), thereby further reducing the possibility of the tower (T) and / or blade (B) tipping over during the operation of the wind turbine installation vessel (10).

[0036] The first jig (410) is interposed between each of the multiple wind turbine components inserted into each of the multiple insertion holes (310) to maintain a constant distance between the wind turbine components.

[0037] The second jig (420) is interposed between the second leg (220) and the wind turbine component inserted into the insertion hole (310) closest to the second leg (220), thereby maintaining a constant separation distance between the second leg (220) and the wind turbine component.

[0038] Meanwhile, the first jig (410) can be installed using a main crane or an auxiliary crane mounted on the hull (100), and the second jig (420) can be installed in the same way as the first jig (410).

[0039] However, it is not necessarily limited to this, and the second jig (420) may be equipped with its own driving means to travel along the second leg (220) as described below, so that it can be installed without the help of a main crane or an auxiliary crane.

[0040] Therefore, the second jig (420) can be lowered to the deck (110) and then separated from the second leg (220), even in situations where crane operation is restricted due to interference with the leg before jacking up.

[0041] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the platform of FIG. 2, and FIG. 6 is an example of the operation of the clamping device of FIG. 5.

[0042] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, a plurality of first clamping devices (320) may be arranged within the platform (300).

[0043] The first clamping device (320) can secure the ends of wind turbine components, such as a tower (T) and a blade (B), respectively, inserted into a plurality of insertion holes (310). Specifically, the first clamping device (320) may include a pair of first grippers (321) that move in the longitudinal direction (X direction) of the hull (100) to secure the ends of the wind turbine components, and a guide rail (323) that guides the movement of the first grippers (321). The pair of first grippers (321) may move, for example, according to a remote signal, to restrain the wind turbine components or release the restrained state of the wind turbine components.

[0044] Figure 7 is a drawing of the first jig of Figure 2.

[0045] Referring to FIG. 7, the first jig (410) may include a first horizontal bar (411) and a pair of first pressure plates (413).

[0046] The first horizontal bar (411) can be extended in the longitudinal direction (X direction) of the hull (100).

[0047] A pair of first pressure plates (413) may be attached to each end of the first horizontal bar (411) and may be in close contact with the wind turbine components, and a shock absorber may be placed on the contact surface of the first pressure plates (413).

[0048] Meanwhile, the first jig (410) may be structured to be adjustable in length so that the first pressure plate (413) can be in close contact with the wind turbine component. For example, the first pressure plate (413) may be screw-coupled to the end of the first horizontal bar (411) so as to have displacement in the longitudinal direction of the first horizontal bar (411).

[0049] FIG. 8 is a drawing of the second jig of FIG. 2, and FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken by cutting along I-I of FIG. 8.

[0050] Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, the second jig (420) may include a movable carriage (421), a second horizontal bar (423), and a second pressure plate (425).

[0051] The movable carriage (421) can travel up and down along the second leg (220) (Z direction).

[0052] To this end, the second leg (220) may be equipped with a rack gear (220b), and the movable carriage (421) may be equipped with a pinion gear (421a) that meshes with the rack gear (220b), and a motor (421b) mounted on the movable carriage (421) to rotate the pinion gear (421a). Here, the rack gear (220b) may be formed on the current (220a) of the second leg (220) and may form a rack and pinion structure of a jacking module that raises and lowers the second leg (220) relative to the hull (100).

[0053] Additionally, the movable carriage (421) may be equipped with a second clamping device (421c) that restrains the movable carriage (421) to the second leg (220). For example, the second clamping device (421c) may include a pair of second grippers (421d) that are rotatably coupled to the movable carriage (421) and restrain the movable carriage (421) to the current (220a), but is not necessarily limited thereto.

[0054] The second horizontal bar (423) can be connected to the movable carriage (421) and extended toward the wind turbine components.

[0055] For example, the second horizontal bar (423) can be extended in the longitudinal direction (X direction) of the hull (100).

[0056] The second pressure plate (425) can be attached to one end of the second horizontal bar (423) and can be in close contact with the wind turbine component, and a shock absorber may be placed on the contact surface of the second pressure plate (425).

[0057] Meanwhile, the second jig (420) may be structured to be adjustable in length so that the second pressure plate (425) can be in close contact with the wind turbine component. For example, the second pressure plate (425) may be screw-coupled to the end of the second horizontal bar (423) so as to have displacement in the longitudinal direction of the second horizontal bar (423).

[0058] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to preferred embodiments, this is merely illustrative and does not limit the invention. A person skilled in the art may modify and change the embodiments in various ways by adding, changing, deleting, or adding components without departing from the technical spirit of the invention as described in the claims, and such modifications and changes are also to be considered to be included within the scope of the rights of the present invention. Explanation of the symbols

[0059] 10: Wind turbine installation vessel 100: Hull 110: Deck 210: 1st Leg 220: 2nd Leg 220a: Current 220b: Rack gear 300: Platform 310: Insertion hole 320: First clamping device 321: 1st Gripper 323: Guide Rail 410: 1st Jig 411: 1st Horizontal Bar 413: 1st pressure plate 420: 2nd jig 421: Mobile bogie 421a: Pinion gear 421b: Motor 421c: Second clamping device 421d: 2nd gripper 423: 2nd horizontal bar 425: Second pressure plate

Claims

Claim 1 A hull; a plurality of legs coupled to the hull so as to be movable in the vertical direction and fixed to the seabed; a platform coupled to the deck of the hull and positioned between a pair of the plurality of legs, and having a plurality of insertion holes on its upper surface into which the ends of wind turbine components are inserted; a plurality of first jigs each interposed between a plurality of wind turbine components inserted into each of the plurality of insertion holes to maintain a spacing distance between the wind turbine components; and a pair of second jigs each interposed between a pair of legs and a pair of wind turbine components inserted into an insertion hole positioned closest to each of the pair of legs to maintain a spacing distance between the legs and the wind turbine components, wherein the plurality of insertion holes are arranged in a line between the pair of legs, and the second jigs include a movable carriage that travels in the vertical direction along the legs; and a second horizontal bar coupled to the movable carriage and extending toward the wind turbine components. A wind turbine installation line comprising a second pressure plate coupled to the end of the second horizontal bar and in close contact with a wind turbine component, wherein the leg comprises a current extending in an upward and downward direction and a rack gear formed on the current, and the movable carriage comprises a pinion gear meshing with the rack gear and a motor rotating the pinion gear, and the second jig further comprises a second clamping device that detachably restrains the movable carriage to the current, and the second clamping device comprises a pair of second grippers each rotatably coupled to the movable carriage and, depending on the rotation angle, wrap around the outer surface of the current to restrain the movable carriage to the current. Claim 2 In paragraph 1, the wind turbine component is a wind turbine installation vessel including a tower or blade. Claim 3 A wind turbine installation line according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of clamping devices are arranged within the platform to each secure and fix the ends of a plurality of wind turbine components inserted into a plurality of insertion holes. Claim 4 delete Claim 5 In claim 1, the first jig comprises a first horizontal bar; and a pair of first pressure plates coupled to both ends of the first horizontal bar and in close contact with a wind turbine component, forming a wind turbine installation line. Claim 6 delete Claim 7 delete

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