Production installation for producing a floatable foundation for an offshore structure

Abstract

The invention relates to a production installation (100) for producing a floatable foundation for an offshore structure, in particular an offshore wind turbine, comprising a first floating dock (102, 202) which is designed to produce a first floating body (238, 338, 438) of the floatable foundation, at least one second floating dock (104) which is designed to produce a second foating body (374, 474) of the floatable foundation, and at least one connection-producing assembly (106, 306) which is designed to arrange at least one connecting element (360, 460) between the produced first floating body (238, 338, 438) and the produced second floating body (374, 474).

Description

[0001] Production plant for producing a floating foundation for an offshore structure

[0002] The application relates to a production facility for producing a floating foundation for an offshore structure, in particular an offshore wind turbine. Furthermore, the application relates to a method, in particular a manufacturing method, and a use.

[0003] Nowadays, electrical energy is increasingly generated from so-called renewable energy sources. For example, solar radiation can be converted into electrical energy using a photovoltaic system, and the kinetic energy of wind can be converted into electrical energy using a wind turbine. In particular, wind farms with multiple wind turbines and / or photovoltaic farms with multiple photovoltaic systems are increasingly being built.

[0004] The construction of wind farms and / or photovoltaic parks is increasingly taking place in offshore areas, such as the sea. In addition to the sometimes limited space available for installing such a park in onshore areas, a particular advantage of offshore wind farms is that the wind conditions (average wind speed and wind frequency) are better in offshore areas than in onshore areas. The improved wind conditions, in turn, can increase the energy yield of a wind farm.

[0005] Typically, an offshore wind farm comprises a multitude of offshore structures, such as a large number of offshore wind turbines and at least one offshore substation, through which the offshore wind farm is electrically connected, for example, to an onshore substation or another offshore substation. An onshore substation, in turn, can be connected to a public power grid, in particular to feed the generated electrical power into this grid. Power cables in the form of submarine cables are laid to transmit electrical energy between two offshore structures or between an offshore structure and an onshore structure.

[0006] While it has previously been common practice, particularly for offshore wind farms, to anchor them on or in the underwater bed, in particular the seabed, using a non-floating foundation or foundation structure (e.g. monopile, tripod, gravity or jacket foundations), there are increasing considerations to install floating offshore structures, such as floating offshore wind turbines, in order to install offshore wind farms in offshore areas with a great water depth, for example more than 70 m.

[0007] A buoyant or floating offshore structure has at least one buoyant foundation with at least one floating body. The buoyant foundation is usually formed by the at least one floating body. The offshore device to be supported is installed on the buoyant foundation, such as the wind turbine (comprising tower, nacelle, rotor, generator, etc.), the substation (comprising at least one transformer), etc. For (permanent) stationary operation of an offshore structure, it is attached to the underwater bed by at least one anchoring arrangement, comprising at least one anchor chain and / or anchor line and at least one anchor anchored in the underwater bed (e.g., weight anchor, torpedo anchor, etc.). The at least one anchoring arrangement is thus particularly designed to attach the offshore structure to the underwater bed.

[0008] However, the construction of floating offshore structures is very laborious and complex. This begins with the construction of the floating foundation with at least one floating body, particularly due to the required (large) dimensions and (heavy) weight of such a foundation. A floating foundation is usually made of a mineral construction material (e.g., concrete) and / or steel.

[0009] Currently, the state of the art involves constructing a buoyant foundation from a mineral building material on land or onshore. This is already very time-consuming. After the foundation has been constructed on land, it is then necessary to launch the manufactured foundation into the water. Dry docks, semi-submersible vessels and / or slipways are used for this purpose. However, such a launching process is not only complex but also has the disadvantage that damage to the foundation can occur when the manufactured buoyant foundation is launched. Furthermore, the load cases during construction and transport as well as during launching must be taken into account in the design. This also generally leads to increased effort and thus to higher production costs.

[0010] To solve the problems of launching the foundation constructed on land, it is planned, in accordance with the (internal) state of the art, to construct a buoyant foundation in the water. It is generally known from the state of the art to construct caissons using floating docks. To construct a caisson (e.g. for a breakwater during the construction of port facilities), the so-called slipforming method or slipforming is generally used in a floating dock. In the slipforming method, the slipforming is pushed forward in line with the progress of construction on the structure (continuously and relative to the structure) and supported on the already constructed concrete section or on a guide wall of the floating dock. In particular, the concreting process is not interrupted.In order to construct a floating foundation for an offshore wind turbine (which can typically have a rotor diameter of 150 m or more) in a floating dock according to the state of the art, and in particular using the slip-forming method, the floating foundation must be as compact as possible (i.e., particularly with small horizontal dimensions). One example of such a foundation is the so-called crown-spar foundation. However, this approach has several disadvantages:

[0011] First of all, even a one-piece, compact foundation requires a very large floating dock, which currently does not exist anywhere in the world. Furthermore, due to the comparatively limited horizontal extent, such a foundation has limited stability, which must be compensated for by a greater draft (especially between 12 and 25 m) (i.e., a greater vertical extension) and more ballast. This leads to a higher foundation weight and a higher material requirement, which is associated with correspondingly higher costs. Furthermore, the aforementioned draft prevents production in ports with shallower water depths, making such production hardly feasible in most ports at present.

[0012] The application is therefore based on the object of creating a possibility in which the aforementioned disadvantages are at least partially reduced and in which, in particular, a more efficient production of floating foundations is possible.

[0013] According to a first aspect of the application, the problem is solved by a production plant according to claim 1 for producing a floating foundation of an offshore structure, in particular an offshore wind turbine. The production plant comprises a first floating dock. The first floating dock is configured to produce a first floating body of the floating foundation. The production plant comprises at least one second floating dock. The second floating dock is configured to produce a second floating body of the floating foundation. The production plant comprises at least one connection arrangement configured to arrange at least one connecting element between the produced first floating body and the produced second floating body.

[0014] By providing, in contrast to the prior art, a production facility with at least two floating docks for the parallel production of two floating bodies of a (single) buoyant foundation, the disadvantages of the prior art are at least partially reduced. The production facility according to the application allows for modular manufacture or production of a buoyant foundation in water and thus, in particular, more efficient production of buoyant foundations. In particular, a buoyant foundation can be produced in a significantly shorter period of time (e.g., between 3 and 7 days, preferably between 3 and 4 days). The effort and risks of launching a buoyant foundation manufactured on land are eliminated. Furthermore, the required material requirements and the minimum draft of the buoyant foundation can be reduced, and, in particular, the shape of the foundation can be hydrodynamically improved.Due to the reduced draft, the production plant can be used in a majority of ports worldwide.

[0015] The production facility according to the application can preferably be located in a port (or a similar coastal location). The production facility serves to produce a floating foundation for an offshore structure. The offshore structure can preferably be an offshore wind turbine, comprising the floating foundation and a wind turbine arranged thereon (comprising tower, nacelle, rotor, generator, etc.). In variants of the application, the floating foundation can be configured to support a substation with at least one electrical transformer, a photovoltaic system, or a hydrogen production device, in particular a water electrolysis device.

[0016] The buoyant foundation (or one that floats during operation) that can be produced by the production facility according to the application can be a so-called barge foundation, semi-submersible foundation, spar foundation, and / or tension leg platform (TLP) foundation. It is understood that other types of buoyant foundations can also be produced with other variants of the application.

[0017] The production facility according to the application comprises at least two floating docks, which can, for example, be arranged adjacent to one another. A floating dock is fundamentally a production or assembly arrangement for producing an object in water. Preferably, a floating dock can comprise a particularly submersible pontoon or a submersible assembly support plate. The (possibly buoyant) pontoon is movable, in particular, in the vertical direction. In addition, the floating dock can also be movable in at least one horizontal direction. For example, a pontoon can be guided by two opposing lateral guide walls. At least one assembly device can be arranged on at least one of these guide walls and / or on an assembly ceiling arranged on the guide walls. The at least one assembly device can be configured to produce the floating body.Alternatively or additionally, a pontoon can be held by steel cables and, in particular, lowered into the water. The structure's own weight and the multitude of cables keep it stable. In this case, the at least one mounting device can be arranged on the harbor quay and / or a watercraft.

[0018] The first floating dock is designed to produce a first floating body of the floating foundation, and the second floating dock is designed to produce a second floating body of the floating foundation. The first floating dock and the second floating dock can be identically constructed. The floating foundation produced by the production plant according to the application comprises at least two floating bodies, which are manufactured in a modular manner. The at least two floating bodies can be identically constructed (same dimensions and external shape).

[0019] A floating body or buoyancy body according to the application is independently buoyant, in particular due to its buoyancy through displacement according to the Archimedes principle. A present floating body is preferably a hollow body, the cavity of which is filled, in particular, with air (alternatively, a cavity can also be filled with a light solid or another gaseous substance). It is also conceivable that a manufactured floating body is initially not buoyant, but can be kept afloat by at least one buoyancy aid element that can be temporarily arranged on the floating body. Only after a connection has been established between the at least two floating bodies to form the buoyant foundation can the manufactured foundation then be buoyant and, in particular, comprise or form at least one floating body.

[0020] Preferably, a floating body according to the application can comprise a floating body base plate, a floating body wall section arranged thereon with at least one surrounding wall and a ceiling section arranged on the floating body wall section.

[0021] In variants of the invention, the floating body wall section can have a wall with at least one opening, in or behind which, for example, a (second) sealing element, such as a bulkhead (e.g. made of steel or concrete) can be inserted (permanently or temporarily). For example, a sealing element can be removed again after the foundation has been produced and used for the production of the next foundation. The concrete wall and the at least one sealing element can be designed (together) to run all the way around. The ceiling section can also be formed by a prefabricated prefabricated component which can be placed on the floating body wall section and, in particular, can be fastened thereto. The placing and fastening of the ceiling prefabricated component can take place in the floating dock or outside the floating dock.

[0022] Preferably, the floating body can have a cylindrical outer shape (and inner shape) or a cuboid outer shape (and inner shape). In other variants of the application, a floating body with a different outer shape (and inner shape) can also be produced, such as a pyramid shape or the like.

[0023] The at least two floating docks of the production plant can preferably be operated in such a way that the first floating body and the second floating body are produced essentially (in time) in parallel.

[0024] In addition to the at least two floating docks, the production facility according to the application has at least one connection-making arrangement. The connection-making arrangement is configured to connect or couple the at least two floating bodies to one another, in particular to form the buoyant foundation. In particular, the coupling of the at least two produced floating bodies takes place by arranging at least one connecting element between the floating bodies. Connecting or coupling a first floating body and a second floating body by the connection-making arrangement particularly comprises assisting in establishing the connection. This can, for example, comprise positioning and holding the first floating body aligned with the second floating body such that a connection of the said floating bodies can take place.

[0025] In particular, the connection-making arrangement can at least assist in (permanently) connecting a first end of the connecting element to the first floating body, i.e., in fastening it to the first floating body, and in (permanently) connecting a further end of the connecting element to the second floating body, i.e., in fastening it to the second floating body.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the at least one connecting element can be formed from a metallic material (preferably steel) and / or a mineral building material (e.g., concrete). The at least one connecting element can be prefabricated (and in particular, "wet-assembled"). The at least one connecting element can, for example, be lifted in one piece into the water or onto the at least two floating bodies by the connection-making arrangement.

[0027] Preferably, the at least one connection-making arrangement can be arranged adjacent to the at least two floating docks. Adjacent means, in particular, that the at least one connection-making arrangement is arranged in the same harbor as the at least two floating docks. The at least one connection-making arrangement can be located near the shore, on the waterside of a quay, a harbor, a jack-up vessel, in a protected location, or the like. In particular, the connection-making arrangement can also be formed by at least one watercraft. A floating body manufactured by a floating dock can, for example, be towed to the connection-making arrangement. The production facility can, for example, comprise at least one tugboat for maneuvering the floating body.

[0028] According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the production plant according to the application, the first floating dock can be configured to carry out slipform production for the (continuous) manufacture of the first floating body from a mineral building material. Alternatively, or preferably additionally, the second floating dock can be configured to carry out slipform production for the (continuous) manufacture of the second floating body from a mineral building material.

[0029] To carry out slipform production, a floating dock (as an assembly device) can comprise at least one slipform and in particular at least one construction material pump (preferably at least two construction material pumps). The slipform is in particular configured to move relative to the construction of the floating body in accordance with the progress of construction on the floating body. In particular, the slipform can be arranged in a stationary manner (essentially in the vertical direction), while the construction moves vertically in accordance with the progress of the construction of the floating body. In particular, the relative movement between the already manufactured part of the floating body and the slipform can occur by lowering the pontoon. In particular, the already manufactured part of the floating body gradually sinks into the water.

[0030] The at least one building material pump is designed, in particular, to convey the mineral building material. Preferably, the delivered building material can be pressed into a pipeline by the pump to convey the building material to the desired destination, i.e., in particular, to the slipform.

[0031] According to one embodiment of the production plant according to the application, the mineral building material can contain at least some cement. The mineral building material is preferably concrete, which is mixed from cement, gravel, sand, and water and, in particular, hardens after pouring. For good load-bearing capacity, it has been found that the water-cement ratio (w / c) of the mineral building material can be less than 0.45, in particular less than 0.35, and particularly preferably less than 0.3. The mineral building material can preferably have a strength class of at least C 40 / 50, preferably C 70 / 85, particularly preferably C 100 / 115 according to EN 206 and EN 1992.

[0032] Sufficient long-term stability of the floating foundation over the service life of an offshore structure, especially an offshore wind turbine, especially in permanent contact with seawater, can be achieved by ensuring that the mineral building material has a pore content (air voids) of less than 5%, preferably less than 3%, especially less than 2%. The total porosity, measured using mercury pressure porosity, should be P28d < 12 vol% after 28 days and Pwd < 10 vol% after 90 days.

[0033] Particularly in the case of permanent contact with seawater, a sufficient service life can be achieved if the mineral building material has a porosity of P28d < 12 vol% in a mercury pressure porosimetric measurement, as already described. P28d is a measurement over 28 days. The porosity is preferably less than 10 vol%. For Pw, i.e., a measurement over 90 days, the porosity is preferably < 10 vol%, in particular < 8 vol%.

[0034] A sufficient load-bearing capacity of the foundation can be achieved in particular by ensuring that the mineral building material has a cement content of at least 350 kg / m 3 , preferably at least 450 kg / m 3 , particularly preferably at least 650 kg / m 3 has.

[0035] Furthermore, a wall or facing can be mechanically prestressed. This prestressing can suppress cracks and thus keep the surfaces largely free of tensile stress. This is particularly advantageous under fluctuating torque loads. The prestressing force is preferably 5%, in particular more than 15%, greater than the compressive strength of a wall of the foundation. The prestressing force is preferably applied longitudinally. For even greater stability, particularly under dynamic environmental conditions, according to a further embodiment, the mineral building material can be (metallically) reinforced. The metallic reinforcement is in particular steel reinforcement. The reinforcement can be provided by fibers or reinforcing iron. Fiber reinforcement can also be achieved using carbon fiber, glass fiber, or metal fiber.

[0036] The reinforcement can be formed in such a way that it has at least 26 mm, preferably at least 40 mm concrete cover at 90% of the measuring points, preferably at 98% of the measuring points.

[0037] The mineral building material may be reinforced with ferritic stainless steel reinforcing steel. The reinforcement may not exceed a chromium content of 18 mass%. The reinforcement may contain molybdenum components.

[0038] The mineral building material can be reinforced with austenitic stainless steel reinforcing steel. The reinforcement can contain at least 5% by mass, in particular between 5% and 14% by mass, nickel and / or between 12% and 22% by mass, in particular between 15% and 20% by mass, chromium.

[0039] The mineral building material can be reinforced with ferritic-austenitic stainless steel reinforcing steel. The reinforcement can contain at least 18 mass%, in particular between 15 mass% and 20 mass% chromium, and 2 mass% and 8 mass% nickel, and optionally molybdenum.

[0040] According to a further preferred embodiment of the production plant according to the application, the first floating dock can be configured to produce, in a first sub-step, a first floating body base plate (also referred to as a heave plate) having a first base cross-sectional area that is at least larger than a first wall cross-sectional area of ​​a first floating body wall section arranged on the first floating body base plate. The second floating dock can be configured to produce, in a first sub-step, a second floating body base plate (also referred to as a heave plate) having a second base cross-sectional area that is at least larger than a second wall cross-sectional area of ​​a second floating body wall section arranged on the second floating body base plate.

[0041] To increase the stability in water of a manufactured buoyant foundation, this embodiment proposes producing a floating body with a (as wide as possible) floating body base plate. In particular, the floating body base plate can first be produced from a mineral building material on the pontoon of a floating dock. The floating body base plate can preferably have an outer shape (e.g., circular, rectangular, square, etc.) that corresponds in particular to the outer shape (e.g., circular, rectangular, square, etc.) of the wall cross-sectional area of ​​the floating body wall section.

[0042] According to a further embodiment of the production plant according to the application, the first floating dock can be configured to produce, in a second sub-step (following the first sub-step), the first floating body wall section arranged on the first floating body base plate. The second floating dock can be configured in a corresponding manner. In particular, the at least one circumferential wall of the floating body wall section can be manufactured (continuously) in the second sub-step by carrying out the described slipform production.

[0043] The first floating dock can further be configured to produce, in a third sub-step, a first deck section arranged on the first floating body wall section. The second floating dock can be configured similarly. A floating body with a hollow space can be produced efficiently. According to a preferred embodiment of the production plant according to the application, the first (in particular each) floor cross-sectional area can be at least 50% larger than the first (in particular each) wall cross-sectional area, preferably by at least 80%, particularly preferably by at least 120% (and at most 300%). The floating body floor plate can preferably extend to the outer edge of the pontoon.In particular, it has been recognized that the larger the bottom cross-sectional area (preferably between 120 and 300%) compared to the wall cross-sectional area, i.e. the bottom area enclosed by at least one wall, the greater the stability of the manufactured foundation during operation of the offshore structure. In particular, this makes it possible to achieve stability of the floating foundation with reduced material requirements (compared to the prior art) and, in particular, with a shallower draft. In particular, the production according to the application allows the production of heave plates that are larger (in particular at least 20% larger (e.g., between 20 and 80% larger)) than heave plates manufactured onshore. The reason for this is, in particular, that the launching of onshore manufactured heave plates sets limits with regard to the size of the heave plates.Thus, the production plant according to the application can be used for the parallel production of a plurality of such elements with a corresponding cross-sectional area ratio.

[0044] According to a further embodiment of the production plant according to the application, the production plant can comprise at least a third floating dock. The third floating dock can be formed corresponding to the first and / or second floating dock. The third floating dock can be configured to produce a third floating body of the buoyant foundation. The third floating body can be formed like the first and / or second floating body. In particular, the third floating body can be produced by the third floating dock in parallel. Preferably, the at least one connection production arrangement can be configured to arrange at least one further connecting element between the manufactured third floating body and the manufactured first floating body and / or to arrange at least one further connecting element between the manufactured third floating body and the manufactured second floating body.The arrangement of the at least one additional connecting element can be carried out by the connection-making arrangement in a manner analogous to the arrangement of the first connecting element between the first and second floating bodies. A buoyant foundation with at least three floating bodies can be produced in a particularly efficient manner.

[0045] Particularly preferably, the production facility can comprise between three and five floating docks, configured for the essentially parallel production of three to five floating bodies. In particular, the number of floating docks in a production facility can be determined by the number of floating bodies of the buoyant foundation to be produced. The buoyant foundation can preferably comprise between three and five floating bodies, each floating body being connected or coupled to at least one other floating body via at least one connecting element.

[0046] Furthermore, according to a further embodiment of the production plant according to the application, the manufactured first floating body can have a draft of at least less than 15 m, preferably at least less than 12 m. In particular, a floating dock can be configured to produce a floating body with a draft of at least less than 15 m, preferably at least less than 12 m. For example, the manufactured floating body can have a draft between 8 m and 15 m.

[0047] According to a further embodiment of the production plant according to the application, the manufactured buoyant foundation can have a (maximum) horizontal extension of at least 70 m, preferably of at least 80 m (e.g., between 70 m and 120 m). In particular, it has been determined that the production plant according to the application, due to the modular (parallel) production of the floating bodies and subsequent coupling by the connection-making arrangement, enables the production of a buoyant foundation that, in particular, has a shallow draft and, at the same time, a (maximum) horizontal extension of at least 70 m, so that a buoyant foundation with improved stability properties can be provided. A (maximum) horizontal extension means, in particular, the distance in a horizontal plane between the two opposite, farthest points of the manufactured buoyant foundation.

[0048] According to a further preferred embodiment of the production plant according to the application, the production plant can comprise at least one fastening system. In particular, the connection-establishing arrangement can comprise the fastening system. The fastening system can be configured to fasten the manufactured first floating body in a first fastening position and to fasten the manufactured second floating body in a second fastening position. After fastening the first floating body in the first fastening position and the second floating body in the second fastening position, the connection-establishing arrangement can be configured to arrange the at least one connecting element between the fastened first floating body and the fastened second floating body.

[0049] The fastening system is arranged and / or configured such that the first floating body and the second floating body are positioned relative to one another in a predefined manner, in particular anchored in the water. For example, the fastening system can establish a predefined distance between at least the first floating body and the second floating body, which distance is (essentially) maintained when the floating bodies are in the fastened state. Alternatively, or preferably additionally, the fastening system can align at least the first floating body and the second floating body relative to one another in a predefined manner, wherein the alignment is (essentially) maintained when the floating bodies are in the fastened state.After appropriate positioning and fastening, the at least one connecting element can be attached to the first attached floating body and the second attached floating body in a particularly simple manner. Preferably, each additional floating body produced (such as a third floating body, fourth floating body, etc.) can be positioned and fastened in a similar manner using the fastening system. The production of the foundation is further improved.

[0050] In particular, the fastening system can be configured to limit the movement of a respective floating body in the fastened position or to maintain a predefined mounting position. Preferably, the fastening system can comprise at least one anchor arrangement for each floating body, configured to fasten the respective floating body in the respective fastening position. In particular, the respective floating body can be anchored, preferably by a plurality of anchor assemblies. Preferably, an anchor arrangement can comprise an anchor and an anchor connection (for example, an anchor cable and / or an anchor chain). The anchor can be arranged, for example, in the underwater bed, on the quay, or on a ship. The respective floating body can be connected to the anchor by means of the anchor connection and, in particular, fastened thereto. Preferably, the anchor connection can be tensioned between the anchor and the floating body.For example, the fastening system can include at least one winch for bracing. A particularly stable fastening position can be provided. This can further facilitate the installation of a connecting element. Alternatively or in addition to a fastening system, the floating bodies can be lowered to the underwater bottom surface, particularly at a predefined position, e.g., with the aid of a connection arrangement in the form of pre-installed positioning aids. This approach may be preferred, particularly in ports with shallow water.

[0051] According to a further embodiment of the production plant according to the application, the at least one connecting element can be selected from the group: concrete connecting part, steel connecting part, tensioning connection, in particular in the form of a cable tensioning connection, such as a steel cable, and / or a first and / or second sealing element.

[0052] In particular, two or more connecting elements can be provided between two floating bodies. For example, two or more concrete connecting parts and / or two or more steel connecting parts and / or two or more bracing connections can be provided. In particular, at least two different connecting elements can be combined with one another. For example, as the first connecting element, at least one bracing connection in the form of a steel cable can be guided through at least one further connecting element in the form of a concrete connecting part. In addition, a sealed coupling section can be provided via sealing elements, in which a negative pressure can be generated.

[0053] According to a further preferred embodiment of the production plant according to the application, the connection-making arrangement can be configured to fasten at least one bracing connection between the manufactured first floating body and the manufactured second floating body connected to the first floating body (e.g., via the at least one connecting element). By coupling the first floating body to the second floating body by means of at least one connecting element in the form of a bracing connection (e.g., a taut cable (e.g., made of metal, such as steel), a particularly secure and stable coupling between the at least two floating bodies can be provided. In particular, all of the floating bodies connected to one another via at least one connecting element in the form of a concrete and / or steel connecting part can additionally be coupled or bracing one another via at least one bracing connection.

[0054] According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the production plant according to the application, the connection-making arrangement can be configured for (tensioned) fastening of the at least one tensioning connection between a first fastening point located in an interior (e.g., a first foot region or head region) of the manufactured first floating body and a second fastening point located in an interior (e.g., second foot region or head region) of the manufactured second floating body, if at least one end of a connecting element is fastened to a floating body in a head region. In particular, if the connecting element is arranged between the respective foot regions of two floating bodies, the first fastening point can preferably be located in the head region of the first floating body and the further fastening point in the head region of the second floating body.It goes without saying that combinations are conceivable for variants of the application.

[0055] Preferably, the bracing connection can run within the first floating body, the connecting element, and the second floating body. In other words, after its assembly, the bracing connection can run, in particular, within the buoyant foundation between the two floating bodies. In variants of the invention, bracing can also run outside the floating bodies. After (braced) fastening of the at least one bracing connection, an assembly opening in the first floating body and / or the second floating body can be closed, in particular with a mineral building material. The at least one assembly opening in the first and / or second floating body and / or in the connecting element enables, in particular, the fastening and bracing of the at least one bracing connection within the aforementioned components.Afterwards, all assembly openings can preferably be closed with the mineral building material.

[0056] As already described, the at least one connecting element between the first floating body and the second floating body can be mounted in any desired manner. For example, the connecting element can run between a foot region of the first floating body and the foot region of the second floating body (in a horizontal plane) and, in particular, can be mounted underwater. A diagonal run from a foot region of the first floating body to a head region of the second floating body and / or from a foot region of the second floating body to a head region of the first floating body can also be provided. A connecting element can also run between the respective wall sections. Any combinations are conceivable.

[0057] According to a further embodiment of the production plant according to the application, the at least one connecting element can be a self-centering connecting element. The establishment of a floating connection can be facilitated in particular by the at least one connecting element, together with corresponding connecting element receptacles in the first and second floating bodies, having self-centering flange connections. In particular, by bracing a corresponding connecting element, the first floating element and the second floating element can be (automatically) brought into the predetermined (or desired) position relative to one another. As a result of the bracing, the floating bodies, in particular, are firmly connected to one another, so that, for example, wave movements at an installation site no longer influence the connection. Such a connection can preferably be reinforced with mortar, concrete and / or the like.

[0058] The connecting element can comprise a first end element or end piece with an at least partially tapered shape (in particular, a substantially wedge-shaped or conical shape or the like can be provided) and a second end element or end piece connected to the first end element via a leg element, with an at least partially tapered shape (in particular, a substantially wedge-shaped or conical shape or the like can be provided). In particular, the two end elements can be formed substantially identically. The leg element can in particular be formed as an (elongated) strut. A continuous (centrally arranged) opening can be provided in a respective end element, in particular in the form of a previously inserted empty pipe. A bracing cable, such as a steel cable, can be passed through a respective opening.The tensioning cable can be used in particular to tension the connecting element in order to position the first floating body and the second floating body in a predetermined manner relative to one another.

[0059] Respective connecting element receptacles can preferably be arranged in the connecting first and second floating bodies, which correspond to the connecting element or the end elements of the connecting element. In particular, the inner shape of a connecting element receptacle corresponds to the outer shape of an end element. Due to the tapered shape of an end element, self-centering of an end element in a connecting element receptacle occurs, in particular by bracing. To bracing the connecting element, a respective through-opening for the respective bracing cable (also referred to as a tendon) can be arranged in a respective connecting element receptacle. The bracing cable can be guided through the respective openings and bracing inside a respective floating body.

[0060] According to a further preferred embodiment of the production plant according to the application, the connection-making arrangement can be configured to fasten a first end of the connecting element (in particular in the form of a prefabricated concrete component) in a first head region of the manufactured first floating body and to fasten a further end of the connecting element in a second head region of the manufactured second floating body. This has the advantage that the connecting element can be fastened or mounted to the first and second floating bodies above the waterline. This significantly simplifies assembly. Preferably, only one connecting element can be arranged between the first floating body and the second floating body, which extends between the head region of the first floating body and the head region of the second floating body.This is particularly true when the first floating body and the second floating body simultaneously have a floating body base plate with a cross-sectional area that is at least 50% larger than the respective wall cross-sectional area (as described). Furthermore, in this case, the at least one bracing can preferably be attached in the respective foot areas of the floating bodies and, in particular, guided through the connecting element. A particularly stable coupling and, in particular, a particularly stable foundation can be provided.

[0061] According to a further embodiment of the production plant according to the application, the connection-making arrangement can comprise at least one crane. The crane can be arranged, in particular, on a quay (preferably adjacent to the at least two floating docks). In particular, the at least one crane can be configured to lift the at least one connecting element to the first floating body (in particular located in the fastening position) and the second floating body (in particular located in the fastening position), such that the first end of the connecting element can be fastened to the first floating body (in particular the head region) and the second end of the connecting element can be fastened to the second floating body (in particular the head region). Assembly of a connecting element can be carried out in a simple manner.

[0062] Alternatively, or preferably additionally, the connection-making arrangement can comprise at least one watercraft. The at least one watercraft (such as a tugboat) can move a manufactured floating body and, in particular, hold it in position, for example, by means of support cables. The at least two manufactured floating bodies can be brought into position with the aid of at least one vessel and then connected to one another, for example, via a bracing function.

[0063] Alternatively, or preferably additionally, the connection-establishing arrangement can comprise at least one pump. As will be described below, the connection-establishing arrangement, in particular the at least one pump, can be configured to generate a negative pressure in a formed, completely sealed coupling area, such that the first floating body and the second floating body are brought together.

[0064] Alternatively, or preferably additionally, the connection-making arrangement may comprise at least one bracing device configured to brace or tighten a (described) bracing connection. It is understood that further or different devices may be provided in variants of the application.

[0065] According to a further embodiment of the production plant according to the application, the connection-making arrangement (in particular the at least one crane) can be configured to install at least one part of a wind turbine (or another device to be supported by the foundation) on the manufactured buoyant foundation (in particular in a fastening state of the buoyant foundation). Preferably, the at least one crane can be configured to lift the at least one part of the wind turbine onto the manufactured buoyant foundation, such that the part of the wind turbine can be mounted on the buoyant foundation. Preferably, during the assembly of the at least one part of the wind turbine, the buoyant foundation or the at least two floating bodies can be in the fastening position by means of the described fastening system.A floating offshore wind turbine can be manufactured in an efficient and reliable manner.

[0066] According to a preferred embodiment of the production plant according to the application, the manufactured first floating body can comprise at least one first (partially sealed) coupling region. The manufactured second floating body can comprise at least one second (partially sealed) coupling region corresponding to the first (partially sealed) coupling region. The connection-establishing arrangement can be configured to arrange, in particular align, the first floating body and the second floating body with respect to one another such that the first coupling region and the second coupling region form a completely sealed coupling region. The connection-establishing arrangement can be configured to generate a negative pressure in the formed completely sealed coupling region such that the first floating body and the second floating body are brought together, in particular attracting or pressed against one another.The connection-making arrangement can be configured, in particular, for attaching a connecting element, preferably in the form of at least one bracing connection, between the joined first floating body and second floating body. The first floating body can preferably have a cubic shape, in particular a cube-like shape. It is understood that a cylindrical shape can also be provided. The manufactured first floating body can have a floating body base plate, at least one floating body wall section, and a ceiling section or a floating body ceiling plate.

[0067] Furthermore, the manufactured first floating body can have at least one first coupling section. A (first) coupling section comprises, in particular, an opening in the floating body wall section of the coupling section. In particular, a partially sealed first coupling section can be formed with a second sealing element (e.g., a bulkhead as described) that can be arranged behind the opening. The first floating body can comprise two or more corresponding coupling sections. A first coupling section is, in particular, configured to couple the first coupling section to a second coupling section of a manufactured second floating body.

[0068] The manufactured second floating body has, in particular, a cubic shape, in particular a cuboid shape. It is understood that another shape, such as a cylindrical shape, may also be provided. The manufactured second floating body may have a floating body base plate, at least one floating body wall section, and a ceiling section or a floating body ceiling plate.

[0069] Furthermore, the manufactured second floating body can have at least one second coupling section. A (second) coupling section comprises, in particular, an opening in the floating body wall section of the coupling section. In particular, a partially sealed second coupling section can be formed with a further second sealing element (e.g., a bulkhead as described) that can be arranged behind the opening. The second floating body can comprise two or more corresponding coupling sections. A second coupling section is, in particular, designed to couple the second coupling section to a first coupling section of a manufactured first floating body. In particular, an end face, in particular the shape of this end face, of the second floating body in the second coupling section can correspond to the end face, or the shape thereof, of the first floating body in the first coupling section.

[0070] Preferably, at least one first sealing element is provided. In particular, the at least one first sealing element can be arranged on the edge of an opening of the first coupling section and / or the second coupling section, in particular extending completely (essentially linearly or strip-like) around it. For example, the sealing element can be attached to the end face of the second floating body, which forms or encompasses the second coupling section. In variants of the application, a sealing element can alternatively or additionally be attached to the end face of the first floating body, which forms or encompasses the first coupling section.

[0071] In particular, by means of at least one connection-making arrangement (e.g. at least one watercraft which holds the floating bodies by means of cables (in particular steel cables) and / or at least one crane arranged on a quay which holds the floating bodies by means of cables (in particular steel cables) and / or the like), the first floating body and the second floating body can be aligned with one another, so that in particular the first coupling section and the second coupling section contact one another (directly or indirectly). Aligning the first floating body and the second floating body with one another by the connection-making arrangement comprises in particular aligning the first coupling section or the corresponding end face and the second coupling section or the corresponding end face with one another. The alignment and arrangement of the floating bodies can in particular take place completely below the waterline.In variants of the application, the alignment and arrangement of the floats can also take place only partially below the waterline. In particular, the alignment and arrangement of the floats can take place in a floating state. In further variants of the application, the alignment and arrangement of the floats can take place in a state in which at least one of the floats rests at least partially on an underwater bottom surface.

[0072] In particular, the connection-establishing arrangement is configured to arrange the first floating body and the second floating body relative to one another such that the first partially sealed coupling region and the second partially sealed coupling region form a fully sealed coupling region. A respective partially sealed coupling region can be provided in particular by means of the at least one respective second (essentially planar) sealing element (e.g., a bulkhead). The fully sealed coupling region is formed in particular by means of the first sealing element and the second sealing elements. In particular, the first floating body and the second floating body can be arranged relative to one another such that the respective end faces of the first coupling region and the second coupling region contact one another, in particular by means of the first sealing element.

[0073] The connection-establishing arrangement (in particular at least one pump of the connection-establishing arrangement) can be configured to generate a negative pressure in the formed, completely sealed coupling area, such that the first floating body and the second floating body are brought together, in particular pressed against one another. By generating the negative pressure, the water contained in the completely sealed coupling area can be pumped out.

[0074] Preferably, the connection-making arrangement can be designed to attach a connecting element in the form of a bracing connection between the joined first floating body and second floating body, as has already been described in particular.

[0075] Similarly, any number of floating bodies can be coupled together to form a floating foundation.

[0076] A further aspect of the application is a method for producing a floating foundation for an offshore structure, in particular an offshore wind turbine. In particular, the method serves to produce a previously described floating foundation, in particular for a previously described offshore wind turbine. The method comprises:

[0077] Producing, by means of a first floating dock, a first floating body of the floating foundation,

[0078] Producing, by at least one second floating dock, a second floating body of the floating foundation, and arranging, by at least one connection-making arrangement, at least one connecting element between the manufactured first floating body and the manufactured second floating body.

[0079] Preferably, a production plant as described above can be operated according to the method according to the application.

[0080] According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the method according to the application, at least the first floating body and the second floating body can be manufactured essentially (in time) in parallel. Preferably, all floating bodies of a floating foundation can be manufactured essentially in parallel by a corresponding plurality of floating docks. According to a further preferred embodiment of the method according to the application, the method can further comprise (as already described in particular):

[0081] Producing the first floating body with at least one first coupling area,

[0082] Producing the second floating body with at least one second coupling region corresponding to the first coupling region, arranging the first floating body and the second floating body relative to one another such that the first coupling region and the second coupling region form a completely sealed coupling region, generating a negative pressure in the formed completely sealed coupling region such that the first floating body and the second floating body are brought together, and in particular attaching a connecting element in the form of a tensioning connection between the brought together first floating body and second floating body.

[0083] Yet another aspect of the application is a use of a first floating dock and a second floating dock (in particular of a previously described production plant) for the substantially parallel production of a first floating body of a floating foundation and of a second floating body of the floating foundation that can be connected to the first floating body via at least one connecting element.

[0084] A further aspect of the application is a floating foundation manufactured according to the method described above and in particular by means of the production plant described above.

[0085] The features of the production facilities, processes, uses, and floating foundations can be freely combined with one another. In particular, features of the description and / or the dependent claims may be independently inventive, even if they completely or partially circumvent features of the independent claims, either alone or freely combined with one another.

[0086] There are now numerous possibilities for designing and further developing the production plant, the process, the use, and the floating foundation according to the application. Reference is made, on the one hand, to the claims subordinate to the independent patent claims and, on the other hand, to the description of exemplary embodiments in conjunction with the drawing. The drawing shows:

[0087] Fig. 1 is a schematic view of an embodiment of a production plant according to the present application,

[0088] Fig. 2 is a schematic view of an embodiment of a floating dock of a production plant according to the present application,

[0089] Fig. 3a is a schematic view of an embodiment of a connection manufacturing arrangement of a production plant according to the present application, in particular in a first assembly phase,

[0090] Fig. 3b is a schematic view of the embodiment of the connection arrangement according to Figure 3b, in particular in a further assembly phase,

[0091] Fig. 4a is a schematic view of an embodiment of a floating foundation produced by means of a production plant according to the present application, Fig. 4b is a schematic view of another embodiment of a floating foundation produced by means of a production plant according to the present application,

[0092] Fig. 4c is a schematic view of another embodiment of a floating foundation produced by means of a production plant according to the present application,

[0093] Fig. 4d is a schematic view of another embodiment of a floating foundation produced by means of a production plant according to the present application,

[0094] Fig. 5 is a diagram of an embodiment of a method according to the present application,

[0095] Fig. 6a is a schematic view of an embodiment of a first floating body produced by the method according to the application,

[0096] Fig. 6b is a schematic view of an embodiment of a second floating body produced by the method according to the application,

[0097] Fig. 6c is a schematic view of the floats according to Fig. 6a and 6b at a first mounting time,

[0098] Fig. 6d is a schematic view of the floating bodies according to Figs. 6a and 6b at a further assembly time, Fig. 6e is a schematic view of a foundation produced by the method according to the application, comprising at least the first and second floating bodies according to Figs. 6a and 6b,

[0099] Fig. 7a is a schematic side view of an embodiment of a connecting element according to the application,

[0100] Fig. 7b is a schematic plan view of the embodiment of the connecting element according to Fig. 7a,

[0101] Fig. 7c is a schematic side view of an embodiment of connecting element receptacles corresponding to the connecting element according to Fig. 7a, 7b and arranged in an embodiment of floating bodies according to the application,

[0102] Fig. 7d is a schematic plan view of the embodiment of the connection receptacles according to Fig. 7c,

[0103] Fig. 7e is a schematic side view of the embodiment of the connecting element according to Fig. 7a in a connected state in which the connecting element is inserted into the connecting element receptacles according to Fig. 7c,

[0104] Fig. 7f is a schematic plan view of the embodiment according to Fig. 7e,

[0105] Fig. 8a is a schematic view of an embodiment of a first and a second floating body produced by the method according to the application, and

[0106] Fig. 8b shows a schematic view of the floats according to Fig. 8a at a first assembly stage. Similar reference numerals are used for similar elements in the figures. Furthermore, z denotes the vertical direction, and x and y each denote a horizontal direction.

[0107] Figure 1 shows a schematic view, in particular a schematic plan view, of an embodiment of a production facility 100 according to the present application. The illustrated production facility 100 serves to manufacture or fabricate a floating foundation for an offshore structure (not shown in Figure 1 for the sake of clarity).

[0108] As can be seen from Figure 1, the production facility 100 comprises at least a first floating dock 102 or a first assembly arrangement located in the water 120, a second floating dock 104 or a second assembly arrangement located in the water 120, and a connection-making arrangement 106. The production facility 100 can preferably be arranged in a port, but also at another location, in particular near a coast.

[0109] The first floating dock 102 is configured to produce a first floating body of the floating foundation. The second floating dock 104 is configured to (parallel) produce a second floating body of the floating foundation. In particular, the at least two floating docks 102, 104 of the production facility 100 can be formed essentially identically. As shown by way of example, each floating dock 102, 104 can have a pontoon 110 movable in the vertical direction z and two lateral guide walls 112, 114. The pontoon 110 movable in the vertical direction z can be guided by the lateral guide walls 112, 114.

[0110] The first floating dock 102 is preferably configured for performing slipform production for the (continuous) manufacture of the first floating body from a mineral building material. For this purpose, an assembly device (not shown) can be arranged, for example, on and / or at at least one lateral guide wall 112, 114.

[0111] The second floating dock 104 is preferably also configured for performing slipform production for the (continuous) manufacture of the second floating body from a mineral building material. For this purpose, a mounting device (not shown) can also be arranged on and / or at at least one lateral guide wall 112, 114.

[0112] The at least one connection-establishing arrangement 106 can preferably be arranged directly adjacent to the at least two floating docks 102, 104. In particular, the production facility 100 can comprise at least one tugboat (not shown) configured to tow a first floating body and / or a second floating body to the connection-establishing arrangement 106.

[0113] The connection-establishing arrangement 106 is configured to arrange at least one connecting element (not shown) between the manufactured first floating body and the manufactured second floating body. Preferably, the connection-establishing arrangement 106 may comprise at least one crane 116 for arranging and, in particular, fastening the at least one connecting element to the at least two floating bodies. The crane 116 may, for example, be arranged on a quay 118 or a quay wall. The crane 116 may, for example, lift or position the connecting element between the floating bodies in such a way that a first end of the connecting element abuts the first floating body and, in particular, can be fastened thereto, and (simultaneously) the further end of the connecting element abuts the second floating body and, in particular, can be fastened thereto.Figure 2 shows a schematic view, in particular a sectional view, of an embodiment of a (floating) floating dock 202 of a production facility (e.g., as shown in Figure 1) according to the present application. The illustrated floating dock 202 is configured to produce a (first or second) floating body 238 of the floatable foundation. In particular, the illustrated floating dock 202 is configured to carry out slipform production for the (continuous) production of the floating body 238 from a mineral building material. The mineral building material is preferably concrete, which is mixed from cement, gravel, sand, and water. Furthermore, the floating body 238 can comprise reinforcement (not shown), in particular steel reinforcement.

[0114] As already described, a floating dock 202 can comprise a pontoon 210 and two oppositely arranged guide walls 212, 214. The guide walls 212, 214 are particularly configured to guide the pontoon 210 during a vertical movement (indicated by the arrow) of the pontoon 210. Furthermore, an assembly ceiling 228 is provided, which can be arranged, for example, on the guide walls 212, 214. At least one assembly device 230, 232, 234 of the floating dock 202 can be arranged on the assembly ceiling 228 and / or a guide wall 212, 214.

[0115] The floating dock 202 can preferably comprise at least one sliding formwork 234 as an assembly device. The sliding formwork 234 is configured and, in particular, arranged on the guide walls 212, 214 (for example, via a coupling element 236) such that it moves relative to the progressing construction on the floating body 238. In the present case, this means, in particular, that the sliding formwork 234 moves continuously in the vertical direction relative to the progressing construction on the floating body 238. In particular, the relative movement between the already completed part of the floating body 238 and the sliding formwork 234 can occur by lowering the pontoon 210 and thus the floating body 238. In other words, the sliding formwork 234 can be arranged immobile, while the floating body 238 moves downward in the vertical direction z towards the underwater floor 226 as construction progresses.In particular, the already manufactured part of the floating body 238 gradually sinks into the water 220.

[0116] Furthermore, a building material pump 230 can be provided as at least one further assembly device. It is understood that two or more building material pumps 230 can also be provided. A building material pump 230 can be configured to convey the mineral building material. In particular, with a building material pump 230, a building material delivered (for example, by a truck mixer) can be pressed into a pipeline by the building material pump 230 in order to convey the building material to the desired destination (i.e., in particular, to the slipform 234). Optionally, the floating dock 202 can have a crane 232 as a further assembly device.

[0117] As shown in Figure 2, the floating dock 202 can first produce the floating body base plate 240 on the top side of the pontoon 210. After the floating body base plate 240 has been produced, the floating body sand section 242 is produced, for example, with a (radially) circumferential wall having an outer side and an inner side.

[0118] Subsequently, the ceiling section (which has not yet been manufactured in this case) can be manufactured on the floating body wall section 242, so that in particular a cavity is formed which provides the desired buoyancy of the floating body 238.

[0119] Furthermore, it is shown here that the bottom cross-sectional area of ​​the floating body base plate 240 is at least larger than the wall cross-sectional area of ​​the floating body wall section 242 arranged on the floating body base plate 240. Preferably, the bottom cross-sectional area is at least 50% larger than the wall cross-sectional area, preferably at least 80%. For example, it is assumed here that the cross-sectional areas of the floating body wall section 242 and the floating body base plate 240 are each circular. Accordingly, the diameter 246 of the floating body base plate 240 can be at least 50% larger than the diameter 244 of the floating body wall section 242.

[0120] The maximum draft of the manufactured floating body 238 can be, in particular, 15 m. This allows, in particular, the floating dock 202 to be arranged in a harbor.

[0121] Figure 3a shows a schematic view of an embodiment of a connection manufacturing arrangement 306 of a production plant (e.g. as shown in Figure 1) according to the present application, in particular during a first assembly phase.

[0122] The illustrated preferred connection-making arrangement 306 comprises at least one crane 316 (which is arranged, for example, on a quay 318) and a fastening system 350. In particular, after an at least almost simultaneous completion of at least the first floating body 338 by the first floating dock and the second floating body 374 by the second floating dock, these floating bodies 338, 374 can be towed to the connection-making arrangement 306 by at least one tugboat or the like.

[0123] The fastening system 350 is particularly configured to fasten the manufactured first floating body 338 (towed to the connection-establishing arrangement 306) in a first fastening position and to fasten the manufactured second floating body 374 (towed to the connection-establishing arrangement 306) in a second fastening position. The fastening system 350 can be configured and / or arranged such that the at least two floating bodies 338, 374 are aligned with one another in a predefined manner and, in particular, have a predefined distance from one another in the respective fastening position. For example, to fasten a floating body 338, 374, the fastening system 350 can comprise at least one anchor arrangement 352 for each floating body 338, 374. An anchor arrangement 352 can have at least one anchor connection 354 (e.g., an anchor cable and / or an anchor chain) and an anchor 356 (e.g., a weight anchor, torpedo anchor, etc.).As can be seen, two anchor connections 354 can also share one anchor 356. The anchor 356 can, for example, be at least partially embedded in the underwater bed 326.

[0124] While one end of the anchor connection 354 is connected to the anchor 356, the other end of the anchor connection 354 can be connected to an attachment point 358 arranged on the floating body 338, 374. In a variant of the application, the other end can simply be guided past the second attachment point (intermediate attachment point) and, for example, be attached to a third attachment point, which can be located, for example, on the quay 318 or a boat. Preferably, the anchor connection 354 can be tensioned, as shown in Figure 3. For example, the respective anchor connection 354 can be tensioned by a winch device (not shown) (which can be arranged on the quay 318, a floating body 338, 374, or a boat) in such a way that the distance between the underwater ground surface and the floating body 338, 374 is reduced and, in particular, a predefined mounting position of a floating body 338, 374 is set.

[0125] The predefined mounting position can be specified, for example, by a predefined pitch angle range, a predefined roll angle range, and a predefined pitch angle range. The anchor connections 354 on a floating body 338, 374 can be clamped in such a way that the floating body 338, 374 can be secured according to the predefined mounting position (particularly in light to moderate sea conditions in the harbor basin, as is common).

[0126] In particular, after the described attachment of the at least two floating bodies 338, 374, the crane 316 can be configured to arrange a connecting element 360 on the floating bodies 338, 374 such that a first end of the connecting element 360 can be attached to the first floating body 338 and the other end of the connecting element 360 can be attached to the second floating body. The connecting element 360 can, in particular, be prefabricated and made, for example, from metal (preferably steel) and / or a mineral building material. Particularly preferably, the connecting element 360 can be attached between the head regions 362 of the first and second floating bodies 338, 374. The head region is formed, in particular, by the end region of the floating body wall section 342, which is located above the floating body base plate 340 and can include a ceiling section.In other words, the connecting element 360 can be attached to the floating bodies 338, 374 above the waterline 324.

[0127] Figure 3b shows a schematic view of the exemplary embodiment of the connection-making arrangement 306 according to Figure 3b, particularly in a further assembly phase. For clarity, not all reference numerals from Figure 3a are shown in Figure 3b.

[0128] As can be seen from Figure 3b, the buoyant foundation has been manufactured or produced. In particular, the buoyant foundation comprises a bracing connection 366 arranged by the connection-making arrangement 306 between the manufactured first floating body 338 and the second floating body 374 connected to the first floating body 338 via the at least one connecting element 360. The bracing connection 336 can be formed, for example, by a steel cable. One end of the bracing connection 336 can be fastened to the first floating body 338, in particular to a fastening point 370 arranged in the base region 372 and in the cavity. The other end of the bracing connection 336 can be fastened to the second floating body 338, in particular to a fastening point 368 arranged in the base region 372 and in the cavity.Preferably, the bracing connection 366 runs within the first floating body 338, the connecting element 360 and the second floating body 374. Any existing mounting openings can be closed after all bracing connections 366 have been fastened, for example by means of a mineral building material.

[0129] Particularly preferably, after the production of the floating foundation, the floating foundation can remain secured by the fastening system 350. In particular, the at least two floating bodies 338, 374 can remain secured by the described anchor arrangements. In this fastening state of the produced floating foundation, the connection-making arrangement 306, in particular the crane 316, can be configured to install at least part of a wind turbine 376 on the produced floating foundation.

[0130] Figures 4a to 4d show schematic views of floating offshore structures (exemplarily in the form of wind turbine 476), in particular with different floating foundations, which can be manufactured by means of the production plant according to the application (for example according to Figure 1).

[0131] Figure 4a shows a buoyant foundation with three floating bodies 438, 474, 478. The first floating body 438 and the second floating body 474 are connected to one another via a first connecting element 460, the second floating body 474 and the third floating body 478 via a further connecting element 460, and the first floating body 438 and the third floating body 478 via a yet further connecting element 460. In the preferred embodiment shown, the respective ends of the connecting elements 460 are fastened in the respective head regions of the respective floating bodies 438, 474, 478. It can also be seen that a wind turbine 476 is fastened to the buoyant foundation, in particular to the second floating body. A stable position in the water can be achieved in particular by the respective floating body base plates 440, as previously described. Preferably, the floating bodies 438, 474, 478 can be cylindrical.

[0132] The buoyant foundation according to Figure 4b comprises a fourth, in particular central, floating body 480, which is connected to the further, in particular outer, floating bodies 438, 474, 478 via two connecting elements 460. Here, one connecting element is fastened in the respective head regions of the floating bodies 438, 474, 478, 480, and one connecting element 460 is fastened in the respective foot regions of the floating bodies 438, 474, 478, 480. Furthermore, it can be seen that a wind turbine 476 is fastened to the buoyant foundation, in particular to the central floating body 480. The floating bodies 438, 474, 478, 480 can preferably be cylindrical.

[0133] The embodiment of Figure 4c is similar to the embodiment of Figure 4b. A key difference between these embodiments is that only a single connecting element 460 is arranged between the central floating body 480 and the outer floating bodies 438, 474, 478. The respective connecting element 460 is fastened in particular in the respective foot regions of the floating bodies 438, 474, 478, 480. Furthermore, the floating bodies 438, 474, 478, 480 in Figure 4c are conically shaped in the foot region and, in particular, have a floating body base plate with a larger cross-sectional area than the floating body wall section.

[0134] The buoyant foundation according to Figure 4d has a central [cube-shaped] floating body 482 and four outer floating bodies 438, 470, 474, 484. An outer floating body 438, 470, 474, 484 is conical, in particular in the base region, and cylindrical, in the head region. The central floating body 482 is connected to the other, in particular outer, floating bodies 438, 474, 478, 484 via two connecting elements 460. A connecting element 460 is attached to the respective head regions of the outer floating bodies 438, 474, 478, 482 and to the tower of the wind turbine 476, and a connecting element 460 is attached to the respective base regions of the floating bodies 438, 474, 478, 482, 484.

[0135] Figure 5 shows a diagram of an embodiment of a method according to the present application for producing a floating foundation for an offshore structure, in particular an offshore wind turbine. For example, the production plant according to Figure 1 can be operated according to the method according to Figure 5.

[0136] In a first step 501, a first floating body of the buoyant foundation is manufactured by a first floating dock. In a second step 503, which is carried out in parallel, a second floating body of the buoyant foundation is manufactured by at least one second floating dock. In particular, if a buoyant foundation comprises more than two floating bodies, as shown by way of example in Figures 4a to 4d, the additional required floating bodies can be manufactured in further parallel steps by a corresponding number of additional floating docks of the production facility, as indicated in Figure 5.

[0137] In a further step 505, at least one connecting element is arranged between the manufactured first floating body and the manufactured second floating body by means of at least one connection-making arrangement. As described, after the respective floating body has been manufactured, it can be towed to the connection-making arrangement and fastened there, in particular in a fastening position. The at least one connecting element can then be fastened to the at least two floating bodies in the manner described above. In this step, the at least one bracing connection can preferably be attached and the assembly openings subsequently closed.In an optional and subsequent step 507, in particular after fastening all connecting elements and in particular still during the fastening state of the manufactured buoyant foundation, at least a part of a wind turbine can be fastened to the manufactured buoyant foundation, as described.

[0138] This application modularizes the internal prior art approach by using multiple, smaller floating docks for the parallel construction of multiple buoyant concrete foundations, such as the outer columns of the foundation. After construction, the individual columns can be connected to each other with horizontal concrete or horizontal metal elements below and / or above the waterline. The horizontal elements can be prefabricated and wet-installed or lifted into the water or onto the structure in one piece.

[0139] This application significantly accelerates the manufacturing process and mitigates all other disadvantages of the Crown Buoy floating foundation. In contrast, the modular design allows for larger levers for the buoyancy modules, thus enabling the desired foundation design with high stability at comparatively low weight and shallow draft. The outer columns of foundation structures can be manufactured in just a few days, including the heave plates beneath the columns, which improves hydrodynamic performance. Manufacturing in floating docks also eliminates the complicated process of placing the structures in the water.

[0140] Figures 6a to 6e show a floatable foundation according to the application, manufactured by means of the method according to the application and / or by means of the production plant according to the application. Figure 6a shows a schematic view of an exemplary embodiment of a first floating body 638. The first floating body 638 has, in particular, a cubic shape, in particular a cube-like shape. As can be seen, the manufactured first floating body 638 has a floating body base plate 640, at least one floating body wall section 642, and a floating body cover 684 or floating body cover plate.

[0141] Furthermore, the manufactured first floating body 638 has at least one first coupling section 686, in particular with an opening 683 in the floating body wall section 640. In the present case, four corresponding first coupling sections 686 are provided, by way of example. A respective first coupling section 686 is configured to couple the respective first coupling section 686 to a respective second coupling section of a respective further manufactured floating body. In particular, at least one end face region of the floating body wall section 640 can form the first coupling section.

[0142] Figure 6b shows a schematic view of an embodiment of a second manufactured float 674. The manufactured second float 674 has a cubic shape, in particular a cuboid shape. As can be seen, the manufactured second float 674 has a float base plate 640, at least one float wall section 642, and a float cover 684 or float cover plate.

[0143] Furthermore, the manufactured second floating body 674 has at least one second coupling section 687, in particular with an opening 685 in the floating body wall section 640. A respective second coupling section 687 is in particular configured to couple the respective second coupling section 687 to a respective first coupling section of a respective manufactured first floating body. In particular, at least one end face region of the floating body wall section 640 can form the second coupling section. This end face region, in particular the shape of this end face, of the second floating body 674 can in particular correspond to the end face, or its shape, of the first floating body, which forms or comprises the first coupling section.

[0144] Preferably, at least one first sealing element 688 is provided. In particular, the at least one first sealing element 688 can be arranged on the edge of an opening 683, 685 of the first and / or second floating body 638, 674, in particular can extend completely (essentially in a line or strip shape) around it. For example, the sealing element 688 is attached in the present case to the end face of the second floating body 674, which forms or comprises the second coupling section. In variants of the application, a first sealing element can alternatively or additionally be attached to the end face of the first floating body, which forms or comprises the first coupling section.

[0145] Figure 6c shows a schematic (sectional) view of the floating bodies 674, 638 at or during a first assembly time. In particular, by means of at least one connection-establishing arrangement (not shown here) (e.g., at least one watercraft that holds the floating bodies 674, 638 by means of cables (in particular steel cables) and / or at least one crane arranged on a quay that holds the floating bodies 674, 638 by means of cables (in particular steel cables) and / or the like), the first floating body 638 and the second floating body 674 can be aligned with one another, as shown in particular in Figures 6c (and 6d).

[0146] Aligning the first floating body 638 and the second floating body 674 with respect to one another by the connection-establishing arrangement comprises, in particular, aligning the first coupling section 686 or the corresponding end face and the second coupling section 687 or the corresponding end face with respect to one another. As shown in Figures 6c and 6d, the alignment and arrangement of the floating bodies 674, 638 can, in particular, take place completely below the waterline. In variants of the application, the alignment and arrangement of the floating bodies 674, 638 can also take place only partially below the waterline. In particular, the alignment and arrangement of the floating bodies 674, 638 can take place when the floating bodies 674, 638 are in a floating state.In further variants of the application, the alignment and arrangement of the floating bodies 674, 638 can be carried out in a state of the floating bodies 674, 638 in which at least one of the floating bodies 674, 638 rests at least partially on an underwater bottom surface.

[0147] In particular, the connection-establishing arrangement is configured to arrange the first floating body 638 and the second floating body 674 relative to one another such that the first partially sealed coupling region 686 and the second partially sealed coupling region 687 form a fully sealed coupling region 691, as shown in particular in Figure 6d. A respective partially sealed coupling region 686, 687 can be provided in particular by means of at least one respective second (essentially planar) sealing element 689, 690 (e.g., a bulkhead). The fully sealed coupling region 691 is formed in particular by means of the first sealing element 688 and the second sealing elements 689, 690 (and the wall sections 642).In particular, the first floating body 638 and the second floating body 674 can be arranged relative to one another in such a way that the respective end faces of the first coupling region 686 and the second coupling region 687 contact one another, in particular by means of the first sealing element 688.

[0148] The connection-establishing arrangement (in particular, at least one pump of the connection-establishing arrangement) can be configured to generate a negative pressure in the formed, completely sealed coupling region 691, such that the first floating body 638 and the second floating body 674 are brought together, in particular pressed against one another. As indicated in Figure 6d by the arrow in the completely sealed coupling region 691, the water contained in the completely sealed coupling region 691 can be pumped out by generating the negative pressure.

[0149] Preferably, the connection-making arrangement can be configured to attach, in particular, a connecting element in the form of a bracing connection between the joined first floating body 638 and second floating body 674, as has already been described in particular.

[0150] Figure 6e shows a schematic view of an embodiment of a buoyant foundation produced by the method according to the application, comprising at least the first and second floating bodies 638, 674. As can be seen from Figure 6e, in addition to the second floating body 674, a third floating body 678, a fourth floating body 680, and a fifth floating body 682 are coupled or connected to the first floating body 638. In particular, the further floating bodies 678, 680, 682 can be attached to the first floating body 638 in a manner analogous to how the second floating body 674 is attached. It is understood that more or fewer floating bodies can be provided.

[0151] In particular, the manufactured foundation has a substantially cross-shaped base. The wind turbine 676 can be arranged on the first floating body 638.

[0152] Figures 7a to 7f show various views of an embodiment of a connecting element and corresponding connecting element receptacles arranged in floating bodies according to the present application. Figure 7a shows a schematic side view, and Figure 7b shows a top view of an embodiment of a connecting element 760 according to the application.

[0153] In particular, the illustrated connecting element 760 is a self-centering connecting element 760. The connecting element 760 can comprise a first end element 794 or end piece with an at least partially tapered shape (in particular, a substantially wedge-shaped or conical shape or the like can be provided) and a second end element 793 or end piece, connected to the first end element 794 via a leg element 795, with an at least partially tapered shape (in particular, a substantially wedge-shaped or conical shape or the like can be provided). In particular, the two end elements 793, 794 can be formed substantially identically. The leg element 795 can in particular be formed as an (elongated) strut. As can be seen, a continuous (central) opening can be provided in a respective end element 793, 794, in particular in the form of a through-bore.A bracing cable 796, 797, such as a steel cable, can be passed through an opening. A bracing cable 796, 797 can serve, in particular, to brace the connecting element 760.

[0154] Figure 7c shows a schematic side view of an embodiment of connecting element receptacles 798, 799, which correspond to the connecting element according to Fig. 7a, 7b and are arranged in an embodiment of floating bodies 738, 774 according to the application. In particular, the inner shape of a connecting element receptacle 798, 799 corresponds to the outer shape of an end element 793, 794. Due to the tapered shape of an end element 793, 794, self-centering can occur through bracing. For bracing the connecting element 760, a respective through-opening for the respective bracing cable 796, 797 (also referred to as a tendon) can be arranged in a respective connecting element receptacle 798, 799. As shown in Figures 7e and 7f, the respective rope can be guided through the respective openings and tensioned inside a respective floating body 738, 774.

[0155] Figure 8a shows a schematic view of an embodiment of a first and a second floating body 838, 874 produced by the method according to the application. The embodiment shown is similar to the embodiment of Figures 6a-e, so that essentially only the differences from this embodiment are described below and otherwise reference is made to the corresponding explanations.

[0156] In particular, it can be seen from Figure 8a that the connection-making arrangement has at least one centering pin 871 and at least one sleeve 873 corresponding to the centering pin 871. For example, two centering pins are arranged in the second sealing element 889 (preferably a bulkhead). Two corresponding sleeves 873 are arranged in the further second sealing element 890 (preferably another bulkhead). "Corresponding" means, in particular, that a sleeve 873 can accommodate a centering pin 871. In particular, a sleeve 873 can be arranged in the further second sealing element 890 such that the sleeve 873 is aligned with the corresponding centering pin 871 arranged in the first second sealing element 889.

[0157] Particularly for cuboid-shaped structures 838, 874, centering pins 871 with integrated cable guides for winch systems (not shown) can be used as a connection arrangement. A centering pin 871 can include a bore through which a cable 875 can be guided.

[0158] As described, the at least one centering pin 871 can be attached to a bulkhead. The ability to manufacture the steel components with high precision allows, in particular, the use of centering pins 871. The at least one centering pin 871 can be attached to the bulkhead, in particular the bulkhead wall. Opposing bulkheads each have a male-female connector, i.e., a (e.g., welded) centering pin 871 and a corresponding sleeve 873 extending through the opposite bulkhead.

[0159] Figure 8b shows a schematic view of the floating bodies 838, 874 at a first mounting time (see also Fig. 6c). As can be seen, cables 875, which lead through the centering pins 871 and the sleeves 873, can assist in the alignment and (temporary) fixation of the floating bodies 838, 874 to one another until the final bracing has been implemented.

[0160] It is not mandatory for the cables to be routed through the centering aids. One or more vessels, such as harbor tugs, can assist with the positioning of the floats 838, 874 and the installation process. To balance the two floats 838, 874, at least one of them can be equipped with a temporary or permanent ballast system. Reference numeral 877 designates and indicates the direction of movement of the floats 838, 874.

[0161] List of reference symbols:

[0162] 100 production facilities

[0163] 102 first floating dock

[0164] 104 second floating dock

[0165] 106 Connection Establishment Arrangement

[0166] 110 Pontoon

[0167] 112 side guide wall

[0168] 114 side guide wall

[0169] 116 Crane

[0170] 118 Quay

[0171] 120 water

[0172] 202 Floating Dock

[0173] 210 Pontoon

[0174] 212 side guide wall

[0175] 214 side guide wall

[0176] 220 water

[0177] 226 Underwater floor

[0178] 228 Assembly ceiling

[0179] 230 building material pump

[0180] 232 crane

[0181] 234 Slipform

[0182] 236 coupling element

[0183] 238 floats

[0184] 240 Floating body base plate

[0185] 242 Floating body wall section

[0186] 244 Diameter of the float wall section

[0187] 246 Diameter of the float wall section

[0188] 306 Connection arrangement 316 Crane

[0189] 318 Quay

[0190] 324 waterline

[0191] 326 Underwater bottom

[0192] 336 bracing connection

[0193] 338 first floating body

[0194] 340 Floating body base plate

[0195] 342 Floating body wall section

[0196] 350 fastening system

[0197] 352 Anchor arrangement

[0198] 354 Anchor connection

[0199] 356 anchors

[0200] 358 second attachment point

[0201] 360 connecting element

[0202] 362 head area

[0203] 366 bracing connection

[0204] 368 first attachment point

[0205] 370 second attachment point

[0206] 372 foot area

[0207] 374 second float

[0208] 376 wind turbines

[0209] 438 first floating body

[0210] 440 Floating body base plate

[0211] 460 connecting element

[0212] 474 second float

[0213] 476 wind turbines

[0214] 478 third float

[0215] 480 fourth float

[0216] 482 fifth float

[0217] 638 first floating body

[0218] 640 Float base plate 642 Float wall section

[0219] 674 second float

[0220] 678 third float

[0221] 680 fourth float

[0222] 682 fifth float

[0223] 683 Opening

[0224] 684 Ceiling section

[0225] 685 Opening

[0226] 686 first coupling section

[0227] 687 second coupling section

[0228] 688 first sealing element

[0229] 689 second sealing element

[0230] 690 additional second sealing element

[0231] 691 fully sealed coupling section

[0232] 738 first floating body

[0233] 774 second float

[0234] 760 connecting element

[0235] 793 End element

[0236] 794 End element

[0237] 795 leg element

[0238] 796 tensioning rope

[0239] 797 tensioning rope

[0240] 798 Fastener holder

[0241] 799 Fastener holder

[0242] 838 first floating body

[0243] 871 centering pin

[0244] 873 sleeve

[0245] 874 second float

[0246] 875 rope

[0247] 877 direction

Claims

Patent claims 1. Production plant (100) for producing a floating foundation of an offshore structure, in particular an offshore wind turbine, characterized in that the production plant (100) comprises: a first floating dock (102, 202) configured to produce a first floating body (238, 338, 438) of the floating foundation, at least one second floating dock (104) configured to produce a second floating body (374, 474) of the floating foundation, and at least one connection production arrangement (106, 306) configured to arrange at least one connection element (360, 460) between the manufactured first floating body (238, 338, 438) and the manufactured second floating body (374, 474).

2. Production plant (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first floating dock (102, 202) is set up to carry out slipform production for producing the first floating body (238, 338, 438) from a mineral building material, and / or the second floating dock (104) is set up to carry out slipform production for producing the second floating body (374, 474) from a mineral building material.

3. Production plant (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first floating dock (102, 202) is designed to produce, in a first sub-step, a first floating body base plate (240, 340, 440) with a first base cross-sectional area which is at least larger than a first Wall cross-sectional area of ​​a first float wall section (242, 342) arranged on the first float base plate (240, 340, 440).

4. Production plant (100) according to claim 3, characterized in that the first floating dock (102, 202) is set up to produce, in a second sub-step, the first floating body wall section (242, 342) arranged on the first floating body base plate (240, 340, 440), and the first floating dock (102, 202) is set up to produce, in a third sub-step, a first ceiling section arranged on the first floating body wall section (242, 342).

5. Production plant (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the production plant (100) comprises at least one third floating dock, configured to produce a third floating body (478) of the buoyant foundation, and the at least one connection-making arrangement (106, 306) is configured to arrange at least one further connecting element (360, 460) between the manufactured third floating body (474) and the manufactured first floating body (238, 338, 438) and / or to arrange at least one further connecting element (360, 460) between the manufactured third floating body (478) and the manufactured second floating body (374, 474).

6. Production plant (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the manufactured first floating body (238, 338, 438) has a draught of at least less than 15 m, preferably at least less than 12 m, and / or the constructed floating foundation has a horizontal extension of at least 70 m, preferably at least 80 m.

7. Production plant (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the production plant (100) comprises at least one fastening system (350) configured to fasten the manufactured first floating body (238, 338, 438) in a first fastening position and to fasten the manufactured second floating body (374, 474) in a second fastening position, wherein after fastening the first floating body (238, 338, 438) in the first fastening position and the second floating body (374, 474) in the second fastening position, the connection-making arrangement (106, 306) is configured to arrange the at least one connecting element (360, 460) between the fastened first floating body (238, 338, 438) and the fastened second floating body (374, 474).

8. Production plant (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one connecting element (360, 366, 460, 760) is selected from the group: concrete connecting part, Steel connecting part, and / or Tension connection, particularly in the form of a cable tension connection.

9. Production plant (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connection-making arrangement (106, 306) is designed to fasten at least one bracing connection (366) between the manufactured first floating body (238, 338, 438) and the manufactured second floating body (374, 474).

10. Production plant (100) according to claim 9, characterized in that the connection-making arrangement (106, 306) is set up to fasten the at least one bracing connection (366) between a first fastening point (368) located in an interior of the manufactured first floating body (238, 338, 438) and a second fastening point (370) located in an interior of the manufactured second floating body (374, 474), wherein the bracing connection (366) runs in particular within the first floating body (238, 338, 438), the connecting element (360, 460) and the second floating body (374, 474).

11. Production plant (100) according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the at least one connecting element (760) is a self-centering connecting element (760).

12. Production plant (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connection-making arrangement is set up to fasten a first end of the connecting element (360, 460) in a first head region (362) of the manufactured first floating body (238, 338, 438) and to fasten a further end of the connecting element (360, 460) in a second head region (362) of the manufactured second floating body (374, 474), wherein preferably only one connecting element (360, 460) is arranged between the first floating body (238, 338, 438) and the second floating body (374, 474).

13. Production plant (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connection-making arrangement (106, 306) comprises at least one crane (116, 316), in particular arranged on a quay (118, 318), and / or the connection-making arrangement (106, 306) comprises at least one Watercraft, and / or the connection-making arrangement (106, 306) comprises at least one pump, and / or the connection-making arrangement (106, 306) comprises at least one bracing device.

14. Production plant (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the manufactured first floating body comprises at least one first coupling region, the manufactured second floating body comprises at least one second coupling region corresponding to the first coupling region, wherein the connection-making arrangement is configured to arrange the first floating body and the second floating body relative to one another in such a way that the first coupling region and the second coupling region form a completely sealed coupling region, wherein the connection-making arrangement is configured to generate a negative pressure in the formed completely sealed coupling region in such a way that the first floating body and the second floating body are brought together,and wherein the connection-making arrangement is particularly designed to attach a connecting element in the form of a bracing connection between the joined first floating body and second floating body., 15. A method for producing a floating foundation of an offshore structure, in particular an offshore wind turbine, characterized in that the method comprises: Producing, by a first floating dock (102, 202), a first floating body (238, 338, 438) of the floating foundation, producing, by at least one second floating dock (104), a second floating body (374, 474) of the floating foundation, and arranging, by at least one connection production arrangement (106, 306), at least one connecting element (360, 460) between the produced first floating body (238, 338, 438) and the produced second floating body (374, 474).

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that at least the first floating body (238, 338, 438) and the second floating body (374, 474) are manufactured substantially in parallel.

17. The method according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that the method further comprises: Producing the first floating body with at least one first coupling area, Producing the second floating body with at least one second coupling region corresponding to the first coupling region, Arranging the first floating body and the second floating body relative to one another in such a way that the first coupling region and the second coupling region form a completely sealed coupling region, generating a negative pressure in the formed completely sealed coupling region in such a way that the first floating body and the second floating body are brought together, and in particular attaching a connecting element in the form of a tensioning connection between the brought together first floating body and second floating body.

18. Use of a first floating dock (102, 202) and a second floating dock (104) for the essentially parallel production of a first floating body (238, 338, 438) of a buoyant foundation and of a second floating body (238, 338, 438) connected to the first floating body (238, 338, 438) via at least one Connecting element (360, 460) of the connectable floating body (374, 474) of the floating foundation.

Images