Rotating nozzles and use of the same, detachable fluidisation devices, and methods to placing a tubular fundation in an underwater bed

Abstract

This invention relates to a detachable fluidizing device for use in a vertically positioned tubular pile having a pile axis. The device comprises a central element and radially extending fixing members. The radially extending fixing members may have a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position, the central element is radially fixed to the interior of the tubular pile during use, and the second position allows the fluidizing device to move axially along the length of the tubular pile. The central element has a rotating lower end at its lower end, which is equipped with horizontally extending arms. Each of the arms is equipped with a high-pressure water injection nozzle and a mechanical cutting element extending from the arm in the direction of rotation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a detachable fluidizing device for a vertically positioned tubular pile, comprising a central element and a radially extending fixing member. The radially extending fixing member may have a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position, the central element is radially fixed to the interior of the tubular pile during use, and the second position allows the fluidizing device to move axially along the length of the tubular pile. Prior Technology

[0002] This device is described in WO2020 / 207903. A detachable fluidization device for a tubular pile comprises a central element connected to an actuator that extends radially and is of variable length. The actuator has a clamping element connected at its radial end, the clamping element being equipped with a clamp adapted to clamp the clamp to the lower end of the tubular pile. The clamping element is equipped with a member for discharging fluid from the lower end of the tubular housing in one direction having downward and upward directional components. The device is further equipped with a member for discharging fluid into the internal space of the tubular housing of the tubular pile, and the clamping element is further equipped with a rotating eccentric block as a vibrating member.

[0003] FR2418301 describes a method in which a pile is driven into the soil by means of an external vibratory platform fixed to the pile. When the pile reaches a higher resistance layer, a auger hole is inserted into the pile. Soil on the pile is actively removed.

[0004] WO03 / 085208 describes a telescopic orifice head for installing connecting tubular elements. The tubular elements can be connected to form a so-called deep wall. The orifice head is equipped with a rotary excavation member having a diameter larger than that of the tubular pile. Soil entering the pipe can be flushed with water at a pressure slightly higher than that of the surrounding water.

[0005] NL2006722 describes a method for driving a hollow pile into the ground using a hole and a vibration system. The vibration system is installed at the top of the pile. A hole is drilled in the ground at the center of the hollow pile. A rotary drilling rig is driven into the hole from the top of the pile using a drill string that extends downwards to the hole.

[0006] As is well known, as described in WO03 / 100178, a vibratory hammer can drive piles into the seabed. In this method, a tubular pile, a so-called monopile, is driven into the seabed using a vibratory configuration clamped to the top of the pile. The vibratory configuration can weigh 40 to 50 tons and can be one of the configurations described in US5653556. One disadvantage of a vibratory hammer is that it generates too much noise for marine life, and the metal pile can be damaged by the strain of the vibratory hammer.

[0007] One drawback of prior art devices is that the penetration speed is not high enough, especially when penetrating a denser underwater bed and / or when the diameter of the tubular base (such as the base used for wind turbines) is greater than, for example, 1 meter.

[0008] The purpose of this invention is to provide a detachable fluidization device for a vertically positioned tubular foundation pile, which does not have the disadvantages of prior art designs. Summary of the Invention

[0009] This objective is achieved by the following detachable fluidization device. The detachable fluidization device for a vertically positioned tubular foundation pile with a pile axis consists of a central element and a radially extending fixing member. The radially extending fixing member may have a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position, the central element is radially fixed to the interior of the tubular pile during use, and in the second position, the fluidizing device is allowed to move axially along the length of the tubular pile. When the detachable fluidizing device is in its operating orientation, the central element has a rotating lower end at its lower end. In use, the rotating lower end can rotate along the pile axis in a rotational direction, and the rotating lower end is equipped with horizontal extension arms, each of which is equipped with a high-pressure water injection nozzle and a mechanical cutting element extending from the arm in the rotational direction.

[0010] The applicant discovered that by providing a rotating lower end with one or more mechanical cutting elements and a high-pressure water nozzle, a spray gun can be provided, which can be used in one of a vibratory hammers, where strain can be reduced by 70% compared to using only one vibratory hammer. This is also a measure to reduce noise. Simple Explanation of the Diagram

[0011] Figure 1 illustrates a detachable fluidizing device (1) according to the present invention.

[0012] Figure 2 shows the arm (8) of Figure 1 in detail, as can be seen from one of the angles below.

[0013] Figure 3 shows the radial extension end (11) of one of the arms (8) in Figure 2. Figure 2 shows three of the seven rotating high-pressure water nozzles (8a) arranged in a single row along the arm (8), as seen from one of the angles below.

[0014] Figure 4 shows the two arms (8) without the cover plate (12), which allows the internal space (14) of the arms (8) to be viewed from one of the angles above.

[0015] Figure 5 is a three-dimensional cross-sectional view of the second nozzle (8a) in Figure 3.

[0016] Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional view of one of the first nozzles (8a) when counted from the radial extension end (11) of the arm (8) from the side.

[0017] Figure 7 shows a horizontal cross-section BB', as shown in Figure 6.

[0018] Figure 8 shows an assembly (41) of a vibratory hammer (42) and a detachable fluidizing device (1) in Figure 1, which is located on and in a pile (43) having a pile shaft (40) placed in an underwater bed (44) having a sand layer (45) and a clay layer (46).

[0019] Figure 9 shows the pileless combination in more detail (41).

[0020] Figure 10 illustrates the average permeability of a tested 2m inner diameter pile according to the present invention.

[0021] Figure 11 illustrates the average rejection depth for one of the tested 2m inner diameter foundation piles according to the present invention.

[0022] Figure 12 illustrates the average strain used for one of the tested 2m inner diameter foundation piles according to the present invention.

[0023] Figure 13 illustrates the average energy consumption for a tested 2m inner diameter foundation pile according to the present invention. Implementation

[0024] The invention will be described in more detail below. The terms horizontal, vertical, above, and below are used to describe the normal use of the invention, but are not intended to limit the invention to these directions.

[0025] The high-pressure water injection nozzle is preferably a rotary nozzle. The rotary nozzle is preferably positioned at an angle between 0 and 90 degrees, more preferably at an angle between 30 and 60 degrees to the vertical.

[0026] The high-pressure water nozzles are preferably positioned in a single row along one of the rotating arms extending from the central element.

[0027] The two arms extend more preferably from the central element.

[0028] Preferably, the mechanical cutting element consists of teeth positioned on one side of the arm. These teeth are positioned on the side of the arm in the direction of rotation so that they cut the soil as the arm rotates.

[0029] The radially extending fixing member can be described as in WO2020 / 207903 mentioned above. Preferably, the arm is moved from a first position to a second position by hydraulic means. The fixing member is equipped with wheels to guide the detachable fluidizing device axially and vertically upward in the tubular foundation pile.

[0030] High-pressure water nozzles are suitably connected to pumps via high-pressure water pipes. These pumps are preferably positioned outside the pile, for example, on a floating platform. Therefore, the high-pressure pipes have a length at least one-third the length of the pile, or even two or three times the length of the pile.

[0031] The rotary nozzle preferably comprises a non-rotating fixed component and a rotary nozzle head within a nozzle head chamber. -The rotating nozzle head has an upper end and a lower end. -The nozzle head chamber has a wall defining the chamber and an opening at its lower end, the opening having a side surface, and the wall of the nozzle head chamber has one or more openings for discharging water into the nozzle head chamber. -The lower end of the rotating nozzle head is located in the opening of the nozzle head chamber, so that the sleeve opening between the rotating nozzle head and the side of the nozzle head chamber opening remains unchanged. -The non-rotating component is equipped with a pressurized water inlet and a conduit for supplying pressurized water to one of the pressurized water inlets at the upper end of the rotary nozzle head. The water inlet is fluidly connected to one or more nozzle outlets at the lower end of the rotary nozzle head, which eject a jet during use. -The rotary nozzle head is further equipped with a horizontal water wheel with a vertical rotation axis at its upper end. Functionally, the water wheel is aligned with one or more openings for spraying water into the nozzle head chamber, causing the rotary nozzle head to rotate.

[0032] The pressurized water used for jetting water into one or more nozzle head chambers and the pressurized water supplied to the non-rotating components may suitably originate from the same source. Preferably, the arm has a common or separate manifold for pressurized water. This manifold is fluidly connected to one or more openings in the wall of the nozzle head chamber and to the inlet for pressurized water in the non-rotating components. A sleeve opening between the rotating nozzle head and the side opening of the nozzle head chamber allows water supplied to the nozzle head chamber to drain from the nozzle head chamber. This water flow prevents soil buildup at the rotating nozzle head and provides water lubrication for the rotating nozzle head within the nozzle head chamber.

[0033] This invention also relates to the rotary nozzle described above (alone or as part of a soil moving device) and its use in soil moving.

[0034] The present invention relates in particular to a combination of a vibratory hammer and a detachable fluidizing device according to the invention, wherein the vibratory hammer is connected to the detachable fluidizing device by a cable of variable length.

[0035] A preferred combination further includes a frame connected to a vibratory hammer and a winch equipped with a guide member for high-pressure water pipes and a variable-length cable.

[0036] This invention also relates to the following method for placing a vertically positioned tubular base in an underwater bed. One of the combinations according to this invention is used. The vibratory hammer is positioned at the upper end of the tubular base, and a detachable fluidizing device is lowered to the lower end of the base. At this lower end, the detachable fluidizing device is radially fixed to the inner wall of the tubular base. Among them, the vibratory hammer vibrates the tubular base, and Pressurized water is supplied to a detachable fluidizing device, which rotates at the lower end and sprays water from the injection nozzle, thereby cutting the soil in the underwater bed by mechanical cutting elements. The lower end is rotated by a hydraulic or electric motor.

[0037] Preferably, the water pressure supplied to the water injection nozzle is at least 5 bar, and more preferably between 20 and 500 bar.

[0038] Preferably, the lower end rotates at a speed between 1 and 120 revolutions per minute (rpm), and more preferably between 5 and 60 rpm.

[0039] The method is particularly suitable for placing tubular bases with an inner diameter between 1 and 20 m.

[0040] The method is applicable to underwater riverbeds, which include a layer of sand, silt, soft clay, very hard clay or Boom clay or any combination thereof.

[0041] The invention will be illustrated by the following figures.

[0042] Figure 1 illustrates a detachable fluidizing device (1) according to the present invention. A radially extending fixing member (2) is connected to a central element (3). The fixing member is a main bundle (4), which is equipped with wheels (5) connected to the central element (3) by arms (6). A first position is shown, wherein the central element (3) is radially fixed to the interior of a tubular foundation pile during use. The central element (3) has a rotatable lower end (7) rotatable along a central axis (7a). The rotatable lower end (7) is equipped with two arms (8). On each arm (8), there are cutting teeth (9) extending from the arm (8) in the rotational direction (10).

[0043] Figure 2 shows in detail the arm (8) of Figure 1, visible from below. It shows the seven rotating high-pressure water nozzles (8a) arranged in a row on each arm (8) positioned in a row. In addition, it shows the lower end component (7) and the lower end of a main bundle (4) and the part of one arm (6) connected to the main bundle (4).

[0044] Figure 3 shows the radial extension end (11) of one of the arms (8) of Figure 2, where Figure 2 shows three of the seven rotating high-pressure water nozzles (8a) arranged in a row along the arm (8), as viewed from a lower angle. A top cover (12) and a bottom plate (13) define one of the internal spaces (14) of the arm (8).

[0045] Figure 4 shows the two arms (8) without the cover plate (12), which allows a view of the internal space (14) of the arms (8) from an upward angle. One of the non-rotating fixed parts (15) of each nozzle (8a) is visible, as well as various pipes (16) for supplying pressurized water to the various nozzles (8a). The pipes (16) are fluidly connected to a supply pipe (17) that extends upward in the rotating lower end (7) of the central element (3).

[0046] Figure 5 is a three-dimensional cross-sectional view of the second nozzle (8a) in Figure 3. This view shows the internal space (14) of the arm (8). A structural element (18) extending from the central axis (7a) to the radial extension end (11) is equipped with a supply pipe (17) for supplying pressurized water to the pipe (16). This channel (17) fluidly connects the supply pipe (16) of Figure 4 to a single rotating high-pressure water injection nozzle (8a). The rotating nozzle (8a) consists of a non-rotating fixed part (15) and a rotating nozzle head (19) within a nozzle head chamber (20). The non-rotating fixed part (15) is fixed to the arm (8) within the internal space (14). The rotating nozzle head (19) has an upper end (21) and a lower end (22). The nozzle head chamber (20) has a wall (23) defining the chamber (20) and an opening (24) located at its lower end. Two manifold passages (25a, 25b) for pressurized water are shown. As illustrated in Figures 6 and 7, water is injected into the nozzle head chamber (20) from a conduit channel. Pressurized water is supplied to the non-rotating stationary component (15) via a conduit (16). Water flows downward through an axial channel (26) of the conduit, which serves as a pressurized water channel, to a pin (27) fluidly connected to an outlet at the upper end (21) of the rotary nozzle head (19). The pin (27) is positioned in a pin opening at the upper end (21) of the rotary nozzle head (19) such that the rotary nozzle head (19) can rotate about the pin (27).

[0047] The non-rotating component is equipped with a pressurized water inlet (not shown) and is fluidly connected to one of the pressurized water inlets at the upper end of the rotating nozzle head. This water inlet is fluidly connected to two nozzle outlets (28) at the lower end (22) of the rotating nozzle head (19), which discharges a jet during use.

[0048] Since the upper end (21) of the rotary nozzle head (19) has a diameter larger than that of the opening (24), the rotary nozzle head (19) is further contained within the chamber (20). The lower end (22) of the rotary nozzle head (19) exists within the opening of the nozzle head chamber, such that a sleeve opening between the rotary nozzle head and the side of the opening (24) of the nozzle head chamber (20) remains unchanged. Water can flow out of the nozzle head chamber (20) through this sleeve opening. The two nozzle outlets (28) for discharging a water jet are angled at 45 degrees to the vertical direction so that, in use, the water jet is discharged at a 45-degree angle to the vertical direction. Preferably, this angle is between 30 and 60 degrees.

[0049] Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional view of one of the first nozzles (8a) when counted from the radial extension end (11) of the arm (8). As indicated in Figure 7, the cross-section is at AA'. The interior of the nozzle head chamber (20) is shown, in which there is a horizontal waterwheel (29) having a vertical axis of rotation as part of the rotating nozzle head (19). The wall (30) of the nozzle head chamber (20) has two openings (31) for discharging water jets into the nozzle head chamber (20). As shown in Figure 7, the direction of these water jets is tangential to the waterwheel (29). Water supplied to these two openings (31) is supplied from manifold channels (25a, 25b).

[0050] Figure 7 shows a horizontal cross section BB', as shown in Figure 6. A horizontal water impeller (29) is positioned in the nozzle head chamber (20) and two openings (31) for discharging a water jet from the nozzle head chamber and the two openings in a tangential direction relative to the water impeller (29) during use. In this way, functionally, the water impeller (29) is aligned with one or more openings to discharge a water jet into the nozzle head chamber, causing the rotating nozzle head (19) to rotate.

[0051] Figure 8 shows an assembly (41) of a vibratory hammer (42) and a detachable fluidizing device (1) from Figure 1, positioned on and within a pile (43) having a pile shaft (40) placed in an underwater bed (44) containing a sand layer (45) and a clay layer (46). The vibratory hammer (42) is connected to the detachable fluidizing device (1) via a variable-length cable (47). The vibratory hammer (42) is positioned at the upper end (48) of a tubular base (43), and the detachable fluidizing device (1) is lowered to the lower end (49) of the base (43). At this lower end (49), the detachable fluidizing device (1) is radially fixed to the inner wall of the tubular base (43). The vibratory hammer vibrates the tubular base (43). Pressurized water is supplied to the detachable fluidization device (1), causing the rotating lower end (7) to rotate and water jets out from the water injection nozzle (8a), and causing the soil (45) of the underwater bed to be cut by the mechanical cutting teeth (9).

[0052] Figure 9 shows the pileless assembly (41) in more detail. The assembly (41) has a frame (50) connected to a vibratory hammer (42) and is equipped with a guide member (51) for a high-pressure water pipe (52) and a winch (53) for a variable-length cable (47).

[0053] As shown in Figure 3, the present invention has been tested on a foundation pile with an inner diameter of 2m. It has been found that, compared with using only a vibratory hammer, using a combination significantly increases the average penetration velocity (Figure 10) and average rejection depth (Figure 11), reduces the average strain (Figure 12), and requires less energy (Figure 13).

[0054] 1: Detachable fluidization unit 2: Radially extending fixed members 3: Central Component 4: Main bundle 5: Wheels 6: Arm 7: Rotate the lower end 8: Arm 8a: High-pressure water injection nozzle / water injection nozzle 9: Cutting teeth 10: Rotation direction 11: Radial extension end 12: Top cover plate 13: Bottom Version 14: Internal space of the arm 15: Non-rotating fixed components 16: Pipeline 17: Passage 18: Structural Components 19: Rotate the nozzle head 20: Nozzle head chamber 21: Top 22: Lower end 23: wall 24: Opening 25a: Manifold Access 25b: Manifold access 26: Axial channel 27: Sales 28: Nozzle outlet 29: Horizontal water turbine / water turbine 30: The wall of the nozzle head chamber 31: Two openings 40: Pile Axis 41: Combination 42: Vibratory hammer 43: Foundation piles / bases / tubular bases 44: Underwater bed 45: Sand layer 46: Clay layer 47: Variable length cable 48: Upper end of tubular base 49: Lower end of the base 50: Framework 51: Guiding components 52: High-pressure water pipeline 53: Winch AA': Cross-section BB': Horizontal section

Claims

1. A rotary nozzle comprising a non-rotating fixed component and a rotary nozzle head within a nozzle head chamber, wherein the rotary nozzle head has an upper end and a lower end, wherein the nozzle head chamber has a wall defining the chamber and an opening located at its lower end, the opening having side surfaces, and the wall of the nozzle head chamber having one or more openings for discharging a water jet into the nozzle head chamber, wherein the lower end of the rotary nozzle head is located within the opening of the nozzle head chamber such that a sleeve opening between the rotary nozzle head and the side surfaces of the opening of the nozzle head chamber remains unchanged. The non-rotating fixed component is equipped with a pressurized water inlet and a conduit for conveying pressurized water to one of the pressurized water inlets at the upper end of the rotary nozzle head. The pressurized water inlet is fluidly connected to one or more nozzle outlets at the lower end of the rotary nozzle head. The one or more nozzle outlets eject a jet during use. The rotary nozzle head is further equipped with a horizontal water wheel with a vertical rotation shaft at its upper end. The water wheel is functionally aligned with the one or more openings to discharge a water jet into the nozzle head chamber, causing the rotary nozzle head to rotate.

2. The rotary nozzle of claim 1, wherein the conduit for conveying pressurized water has an axial channel having a pin, the pin being fluidly connected to an outlet at the upper end of the rotary nozzle head, and wherein the pin is located in a pin opening at the upper end of the rotary nozzle head, such that the rotary nozzle head can rotate about the pin.

3. A rotary nozzle as claimed in any of claims 1 to 2, wherein the nozzle outlet is positioned at an angle between 30 and 60 degrees to the vertical.

4. The use of a rotary nozzle as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 in soil movement.

5. A detachable fluidization device for use in a vertically positioned tubular pile having a pile axis, the detachable fluidization device comprising a central element and radially extending fixing members, wherein the radially extending fixing members may have a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position, the central element is radially fixed to the interior of the tubular pile during use, and the second position allows the detachable fluidization device to move axially along the length of the tubular pile, wherein the central element has a rotating lower end at its lower end, wherein when the detachable fluidization device is in its use orientation, the rotating lower end during use can rotate in a rotation direction of the pile axis, wherein the rotating lower end is equipped with horizontally extending arms, each of the arms being equipped with a high-pressure water injection nozzle and a mechanical cutting element extending from the arm in the rotation direction, and wherein the high-pressure water injection nozzles are rotating nozzles as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3.

6. The detachable fluidizing device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the high-pressure water nozzles are positioned in a single row along the arm extending from the central element.

7. The detachable fluidizing device as claimed in any of claims 5 to 6, wherein the rotating lower end is equipped with two arms.

8. A detachable fluidizing device as claimed in any of claims 5 to 6, wherein, in the direction of rotation, the mechanical cutting elements are positioned via teeth on one side of the arm.

9. A detachable fluidizing device as claimed in any of claims 5 to 6, wherein the radially extending fixed members are moved from a first position to a second position by means of a hydraulic component.

10. A method for placing a tubular base in an underwater bed, comprising using a combination of a vibratory hammer and a detachable fluidizing device as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 9, wherein the vibratory hammer is connected to the detachable fluidizing device by a cable of variable length, and wherein the vibratory hammer is positioned at the upper end of the tubular base, and the detachable fluidizing device is lowered to the lower end of the base, at the lower end being radially fixed to the inner walls of the tubular base, wherein the vibratory hammer vibrates the tubular base, and wherein pressurized water is supplied to the detachable fluidizing device, causing the rotating lower end to rotate and water jets to be discharged from the water injection nozzle, and causing the soil of the underwater bed to be cut by the mechanical cutting element.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the water pressure supplied to the water injection nozzles is at least 5 bar.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the water pressure supplied to the water injection nozzles is between 20 bar and 500 bar.

13. The method of any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the lower end of the rotation rotates at a speed between 5 and 60 rpm.

14. The method of any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the inner diameter of the tubular base is between 1 and 20 m.

15. The method of any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the underwater bed comprises a layer of sand, silt, soft clay, very hard clay or Boom clay or any combination thereof mentioned above.

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