Separable wind turbine mounting system

Abstract

A separable wind turbine mounting system, comprising a separable platform (100), a mother vessel (200) and guide devices (300), wherein the separable platform is of a liftable structure, can ascend and descend relative to the mother vessel, and can fit with the guide devices and is guided thereby so as to combine with the mother vessel and detach from the mother vessel. On the basis of the overall layout of a conventional wind turbine mounting vessel, no big changes need to be made, and a large crane, a lifting mechanism, a deck surface, etc. related to wind turbine mounting form an independent unit, namely, the separable platform. The vessel on which the separable platform depends is the mother vessel, and the separable platform after being combined with the mother vessel is similar to the conventional wind turbine mounting vessel; and when the mother vessel arrives at a wind turbine mounting station for operation, the separable platform can ascend and descend independently, such that the technical defects of the conventional wind turbine mounting vessel can be overcome.

Description

A detachable wind power installation system Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of marine engineering, and in particular to a detachable wind power installation system. Background Art

[0002] Wind energy is a resource-rich, environmentally friendly, and renewable energy source. Wind energy development primarily relies on wind power generation. my country's wind power generation industry has experienced rapid growth in recent years, with offshore wind power generation becoming a key investment area. Wind turbine installation vessels are a crucial component of offshore wind farm construction, primarily used to transport wind turbines (motors, blades, towers) required for offshore wind farms to designated installation locations for installation. They are a new type of marine engineering vessel.

[0003] Early offshore wind turbine installation was mainly carried out using crane vessels or jack-up platforms. With the rapid development of offshore wind power generation, the continuous enlargement of wind turbines, the limitations of lifting capacity and lifting height, and the complexity of sea conditions, ships specially designed for wind turbine installation have emerged, combining the advantages of jack-up platforms and floating ships.

[0004] This type of vessel boasts a certain level of speed and maneuverability. After navigating to the operating area using its own propulsion system, it utilizes a dynamic positioning system and thrusters for precise positioning. The pile leg control system then lifts the vessel above the water. Equipped with a large crane and piling equipment specifically designed for wind turbine installation, the platform can operate under relatively harsh conditions. Its advantages include: a crane with a large reach and high lifting capacity, high wind turbine installation efficiency, and the ability to independently complete offshore operations; stable operation; ample deck space for carrying construction equipment, and excellent versatility; economical operation within a certain water depth and operating range; and a high lifting speed of the lifting device.

[0005] Since the wind is strong at sea, in order to ensure the stability of the wind power installation system at sea, the existing wind power installation system expands the volume of the ship 1 and the installation platform 4 and integrates the two into an integrated structure. This can ensure the convenience of operation and transportation on the one hand, and increase the self-gravity of the entire system on the other hand. The system's own power can ensure the stability of the system stationed in the sea and the reliability of the wind power component construction.

[0006] As shown in Figures 1-2, a traditional wind turbine installation vessel has its upper structure located at the bow, with the work deck behind it. The four corners of the work deck are equipped with pile legs 1, pile shoes 3, and a lifting mechanism. A pile-encircling crane is typically installed on one of the aft pile legs 2, serving as the main crane for wind turbine installation operations. In the self-elevated position, the pile shoes 3 touch the bottom, and the entire vessel is lifted above the sea surface by the pile legs 2. This significantly reduces the impact of sea conditions and improves the stability and reliability of wind turbine installation operations.

[0007] The above-mentioned traditional wind turbine installation vessels have the following limitations:

[0008] (1) Because the traditional wind power installation vessel integrates the installation platform 4 and the floating vessel 1, when the pile legs 1 are in the retracted state, the pile shoes 3 are retracted into the main hull to reduce the navigation resistance. The main hull needs to be designed with large grooves to accommodate the pile shoes, which greatly damages the structural strength of the main hull. If the structural strength of the rest of the hull is designed to be stronger to compensate for the strength weakening caused by the above-mentioned grooves, the hull structure design will be more complicated and more structural components will need to be designed to meet the overall strength requirements.

[0009] (2) Because the traditional wind power installation vessel integrates the installation platform 4 and the floating vessel 1, the deck operation area, the upper structure and many other functions are integrated together, resulting in the inability to fully exploit the wind power operation deck area; if the main dimensions of the ship are increased accordingly, the overall weight of the ship, the propulsion system, the power system, and the lifting system will also increase accordingly, and the investment cost will also increase further.

[0010] (3) The traditional wind power installation vessel is an integrated design because it integrates the installation platform 4 and the floating vessel 1. When lifting, the whole vessel is lifted and lowered synchronously. In addition, the deck surface has the necessary variable load. Therefore, the lifting system capacity is very large, which is specifically reflected in the specifications and dimensions of the pile legs and pile shoes, the steel grade, the lifting mechanism capacity, etc. If the lifting mechanism capacity is improved accordingly and the power system capacity is increased, the pile shoe and leg specifications must also be larger, and the investment cost is further increased.

[0011] Therefore, due to the above technical defects of the existing traditional wind power installation vessels, it can be seen that there is an urgent need for a wind power installation system with an innovative structure to solve the technical problems existing in the existing technology.

[0012] Summary of the Invention

[0013] In view of the above-mentioned technical defects of existing wind power installation vessels, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a detachable wind power installation system, which can effectively overcome the technical defects of existing wind power installation vessels by forming a detachable structure between the installation platform and the vessel.

[0014] In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the present invention provides a detachable wind power installation system, including a separation platform, a mother ship and a guide device. The separation platform is a lifting structure, which can be lifted and lowered relative to the mother ship and cooperate with the guide device to guide, connect and peel with the mother ship.

[0015] Furthermore, the separation platform includes an installation platform structure and a lifting structure. The lifting structure is distributed at the bottom of the installation platform structure, and the installation platform can be supported and lifted by the lifting structure.

[0016] Furthermore, a plurality of slots are distributed on the platform structure, and the slots cooperate with the lifting mechanism.

[0017] Furthermore, the lifting structure includes a plurality of lifting components, and the plurality of lifting components are respectively arranged corresponding to the notches.

[0018] Furthermore, the several lifting components respectively include pile legs, pile shoes, pile fixing chambers and driving members. The pile fixing chambers are connected to the slots at the bottom. The pile shoes are arranged at the ends of the pile legs to form an integrated structure and pass through the pile fixing chamber and the platform structure, and can move up and down relative to the pile fixing chamber. A rack is provided on the side of the pile leg, and a driving gear is correspondingly provided inside the pile fixing chamber. The driving member is arranged in the pile fixing chamber and cooperates with the driving gear to drive the rotation of the driving gear. When the driving gear rotates, it engages with the rack to form a transmission assembly, driving the pile leg to be lifted and lowered.

[0019] Furthermore, the inner size of the symmetrically arranged pile legs is larger than the width of the mother ship.

[0020] Furthermore, the separation platform is equipped with several functional modules.

[0021] Furthermore, the separation platform is provided with a power module, and the power module cooperates with the large crane and the lifting mechanism respectively to provide power to the large crane and the lifting mechanism.

[0022] Furthermore, pile legs and pile shoes are provided on the outer sides of both sides of the mother ship.

[0023] Furthermore, the separation platform and the mother ship are combined and separated through a guiding device, and the guiding device includes at least one first connecting part and at least one second connecting part. The first connecting part is arranged at the bottom of the separation platform, and the second connecting part is arranged on the upper surface of the mother ship relative to the distribution structure of the first connecting part. Through the docking of the first connecting part and the second connecting part, the separation platform and the mother ship can be limited and connected.

[0024] The detachable wind power installation system provided by the present invention has a detachable installation platform and a ship. When the detachable platform is transported to the installation site by ship, the ship can be detached from the installation platform. Therefore, only the detachable platform needs to be raised and lowered, and the load of the lifting system is greatly reduced, so the lifting system can be designed to be more economical.

[0025] At the same time, the wind turbine platform and the mother ship in this detachable wind turbine installation system are designed to be independent. The above-mentioned groove design is no longer required on the mother ship, and the integrity of the main hull is guaranteed, which is beneficial to the structural strength of the mother ship. When the pile shoes of the wind turbine platform are folded up, they are located at the bottom of the separation platform. After the separation platform and the mother ship are combined, they are located above the mother ship. The pile shoes do not touch the water surface, so they will not bring resistance to the navigation of the mother ship.

[0026] Secondly, the separation platform of the present invention is located on the deck of the mother ship, so that a larger space is expanded in the direction of the ship width, and the area of ​​the wind power installation deck is significantly increased. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] The present invention is further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0028] FIG1 is a schematic structural diagram of a conventional wind power installation vessel in a floating state;

[0029] FIG2 is a schematic structural diagram of a conventional wind power installation vessel in a self-elevating state;

[0030] FIG3 is a top view of the overall structure of the detachable wind power installation system;

[0031] FIG4 is a schematic structural diagram of a separation platform in the detachable wind power installation system;

[0032] FIG5 is a schematic structural diagram of the first connection portion of the detachable wind power installation system;

[0033] FIG6 is a schematic structural diagram of the second connection portion of the detachable wind power installation system;

[0034] FIG7 is a schematic diagram of the coordination structure of the guide device in the detachable wind power installation system;

[0035] FIG8 is a structural view of the detachable wind power installation system in a peeled state;

[0036] FIG9 is a structural view of the detachable wind power installation system in a combined state.

[0037] The following is a description of the components in the accompanying drawings:

[0038] 100. Separation platform 110. Installation platform structure 120. Lifting structure 121. Pile legs 122. Pile shoes 123. Pile fixing chamber 124. Rack 130. Functional module 140. Power module 200. Mother ship 300. Guide device 310. First connecting portion 320. Second connecting portion DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] In order to make the technical means, creative features, objectives and effects achieved by the present invention easier to understand, the present invention is further described below with reference to specific illustrations.

[0040] Due to the strong wind at sea, in order to ensure the stability of the wind power installation system at sea, the existing wind power installation system expands the volume of the ship and the installation platform and integrates the two into an integrated structure. This can ensure the convenience of operation and transportation on the one hand, and increase the self-gravity of the entire system on the other hand. The system's own power can ensure the stability of the system stationed in the sea and the reliability of the wind power component construction.

[0041] However, the existing wind power installation system has technical defects such as great damage to the main hull structure strength, high requirements for the lifting mechanism, and great damage to the main hull structure strength due to its integrated structure. Based on the technical defects of the existing technology, the present invention provides a detachable wind power installation system, which arranges the installation platform and the ship into a separate structure. The detachable platform is similar to the traditional wind power installation ship when combined, but when arriving at the wind power installation station for operation, the detachable platform is separated from the ship, and the detachable platform can be raised and lowered independently, which can solve the technical defects of the traditional wind power installation ship.

[0042] Further, referring to Figure 3, the present invention provides a detachable wind power installation system, which includes a separation platform 100, a mother ship 200 and a guide device 300. The separation platform 100 and the mother ship 200 are connected through the guide device 300, and the guide device 300 can connect and peel off the separation platform 100 and the mother ship 200.

[0043] 4 , the separation platform includes an installation platform structure 110 and a lifting structure 120 . The lifting structure 120 is located at the bottom of the installation platform structure 110 . The installation platform structure 110 can be supported and lifted by the lifting structure 120 .

[0044] The platform structure 110 is provided with a plurality of functional modules 130, and functional operations can be realized by providing the plurality of functional modules 130. For example, the plurality of functional modules 130 include but are not limited to a lounge, an office, and a supply cabin.

[0045] Among them, the lounge and office are distributed on the upper surface of the platform structure and can be used for wind turbine installation work, personnel rest and work.

[0046] The supply tank is arranged inside the platform structure 110 and is used to supply the energy required during the installation of the platform. For example, it includes but is not limited to necessary supply tanks such as fuel tanks and fresh water tanks of appropriate capacity that can be arranged inside the platform structure 110.

[0047] At the same time, a power module 140 is distributed on the platform structure 110 . The power module 140 cooperates with the large crane and the lifting structure 120 respectively, and can provide working power to the large crane and the lifting structure 120 .

[0048] For example, the power module 140 includes but is not limited to a generator set, a hydraulic press, etc., which can serve as a power source for the large crane and the lifting structure 120.

[0049] It should be noted here that the separation platform 100 in this solution is preferably a barge-type structure, which is compatible with the ship structure and can be better fitted to ensure reliability after integration.

[0050] The lifting structure 120 includes several lifting assemblies symmetrically arranged at the corners of the mounting platform structure 110, which synchronously drive the mounting platform structure 110 to support and lift the mounting platform structure 110. In some embodiments, referring to Figures 8 and 9, the several lifting assemblies include pile legs 121, pile shoes 122, pile fixing chambers 123, and drive members.

[0051] Specifically, slots are preset on the installation platform structure 110, and a pile fixing chamber 123 is correspondingly set on each slot. The pile fixing chamber 123 is connected to the slot at the bottom, so that the pile legs 121 can pass through and extend to the seabed. The pile shoes 122 can be exposed to the bottom of the installation platform structure 110, avoiding the need to dig a large opening on the installation platform structure 110 to accommodate the pile shoes 122, thereby reducing damage to the installation platform structure 110.

[0052] The pile shoe 122 is installed at the end of the pile leg 121 to form an integrated structure. The pile shoe 122 is larger than the pile leg 121. When the pile shoe 122 is inserted into the seabed, it can expand the contact area with the seabed and distribute the load transmitted by the pile leg 121. When the pile shoe 122 and the pile leg 121 are matched, they integrally penetrate the grooves of the pile chamber 123 and the installation platform structure 110 and can move up and down relative to the pile chamber 123.

[0053] Among them, a rack 124 is provided on the side of the pile leg 121, and a corresponding driving gear is provided inside the pile fixing chamber 123. By meshing the rack 124 of the pile leg 121 with the driving gear of the pile fixing chamber 123, a transmission assembly of the pile leg 121 can be formed, and the pile leg 121 can move up and down relative to the pile fixing chamber 123.

[0054] When the pile legs 121 are lowered, the pile shoes 122 sink to the bottom, and the installation platform structure 110 is lifted and supported by the pile legs 121; when the pile legs 121 are retracted, the pile shoes 122 move up to the installation platform structure 110.

[0055] At the same time, the driving member is arranged in the pile fixing chamber 123 and cooperates with the driving gear to drive the rotation of the driving gear. When the driving gear moves, it engages with the rack 124 to realize the lifting of the pile leg 121.

[0056] The specific structure of the driving member is not limited in this solution. For example, it can be a driving motor or other driving mechanism. The selection of the specific structure can be determined according to actual conditions.

[0057] Here, regarding the composition of the lifting assembly, this solution is not limited to the above-mentioned structure. As an example, a lifting assembly of the plug-in pin type may also be used. The specific choice may be determined according to the actual situation.

[0058] It should be noted here that, referring to FIG. 4 , the inner dimension B1 of the symmetrically arranged pile legs 121 is larger than the width B of the mother ship, which can facilitate the separation and combination of the separation platform and the mother ship.

[0059] In this solution, the installation platform structure 110 and the mother ship are designed to be independent, and the main hull structure no longer needs to consider the storage space of the pile legs / pile shoes. Therefore, the above-mentioned groove design is no longer required on the mother ship, and the integrity of the hull is guaranteed, which is beneficial to the structural strength of the mother ship.

[0060] When the mounting shoes 122 of the installation platform structure 110 are folded, since they are located above the mother ship 200, the pile shoes 122 can also protrude from the bottom of the installation platform structure 110. Because the installation platform structure 110 is located above the mother ship 200 after the combination, its pile shoes 122 do not touch the water surface, so they will not bring any resistance to the navigation of the mother ship 200.

[0061] At the same time, since the pile shoe 122 does not need to touch the water surface after the installation platform structure 110 and the mother ship 200 are combined, the pile shoe 122 can be located at the bottom of the installation platform structure 110 when it is moved up to the maximum limit, and does not need to be embedded in the installation platform structure 110, avoiding digging a larger groove inside the installation platform structure 110, thereby avoiding causing greater damage to the structural strength.

[0062] In some embodiments, pile legs and pile shoes are provided on the outer sides of the mother ship 200. In this solution, the pile legs and pile shoes are arranged on the outer sides of the mother ship 200. The main hull structure of the mother ship 200 no longer needs to consider the storage space of the pile legs / pile shoes, and the integrity of the main hull is guaranteed, which is beneficial to the structural strength of the mother ship.

[0063] At the same time, installing the pile legs and pile shoes as close to the chord side as possible can maximize the deck area and make it more complete, which is beneficial for wind turbine installation operations.

[0064] It should be noted here that the mother ship 200 is preferably a barge-type structure, which is compatible with the separation platform and can be better fitted to ensure reliability after the combination.

[0065] The separation platform 100 and the mother ship 200 are combined and separated by a guide device 300 for alignment and positioning. Referring to FIG5-7 , the guide device 300 includes at least one first connection portion 310 and at least one second connection portion 320 .

[0066] Among them, the first connection part 310 is arranged at the bottom of the installation platform structure 110, and the second connection part 320 is relatively arranged on the upper surface of the mother ship 200 corresponding to the distribution structure of the first connection part 310, which can ensure the accurate docking of the first connection part 310 and the second connection part 320. Through the docking of the first connection part 310 and the second connection part 320, the separation platform 100 and the mother ship 200 can be limited and connected.

[0067] In some embodiments, it is preferred to provide a conical hole at the bottom of the installation platform structure 110 and a conical body on the surface of the mother ship. When the conical body is docked with the conical hole, the inclined surface structure can play a guiding role.

[0068] At the same time, the size of the vertebral body is slightly smaller than the vertebral body foramen, which makes it easier to embed the vertebral column into the vertebral body foramen along the vertebral body foramen to achieve positioning and connection.

[0069] It should be noted that this solution does not limit the number of the first connection parts 310 and the second connection parts 320 , and the specific number can be determined according to actual conditions.

[0070] At the same time, this solution is not limited to the use of a vertebral body and a vertebral body hole structure. For example, a cylinder and a cylindrical groove, or a trapezoidal column and a trapezoidal groove and other structures can also be used. The specific structural setting can be determined according to actual conditions.

[0071] Secondly, the present solution is not limited to the combination of a trough and a column for the specific structural arrangement of the first connecting portion 310 and the second connecting portion 320. For example, a column and a sleeve may also be used. The specific structural arrangement may be determined according to actual conditions.

[0072] The detachable wind power installation system composed of the above-mentioned scheme, see Figure 9, when it needs to be combined, adjust the position of the mother ship 200, set the deck surface of the mother ship 200 below the separation platform 100, and align the first connection part 310 and the second connection part 320 at the same time. The installation platform structure 110 is driven to slowly descend through the lifting mechanism 120, and the first connection part 310 on the installation platform structure 110 is docked with the second connection part 320 of the mother ship 200, and the pile legs are retracted 121. The two can be combined, and the separation platform and wind power components are transported to the designated location by the mother ship.

[0073] After arriving at the designated location, the installation platform structure 110 is driven to rise by the lifting mechanism 120. After the installation platform structure 110 is lifted, it can be separated from the mother ship 200. The mother ship 200 is in a floating state, see Figure 8. Therefore, during the installation operation of the installation platform structure 110, the mother ship 200 can navigate, adjust the ship's position, and accurately locate to prepare for the landing of the installation platform structure 110. At the same time, the mother ship 200 can also arrange other operations, and the function and utilization efficiency of the ship are better.

[0074] The detachable wind turbine installation system proposed in this solution maintains the overall layout of a traditional wind turbine installation vessel without major changes. The large crane, lifting mechanism, and deck surface associated with wind turbine installation are integrated into a separate unit, the detachable platform. The detachable platform is supported by a mother ship, and while the detachable platform functions similarly to a traditional wind turbine installation vessel when combined, it can be independently raised and lowered upon arrival at the wind turbine installation site, resolving the technical limitations of traditional wind turbine installation vessels.

[0075] The basic principles, main features, and advantages of the present invention are shown and described above. Those skilled in the art should understand that the present invention is not limited to the foregoing embodiments. The foregoing embodiments and descriptions are merely illustrative of the principles of the present invention. Various changes and modifications may be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Such changes and modifications are intended to fall within the scope of the present invention. The scope of protection claimed in the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A detachable wind power installation system, characterized in that: It includes a separation platform, a mother ship and a guide device. The separation platform is a lifting structure, which can be lifted and lowered relative to the mother ship and cooperate with the guide device to guide, connect and peel with the mother ship.

2. A detachable wind power installation system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The separation platform includes an installation platform structure and a lifting structure. The lifting structure is distributed at the bottom of the installation platform structure. The installation platform can be supported and lifted by the lifting structure.

3. A detachable wind power installation system according to claim 2, characterized in that: A plurality of notches are distributed on the platform structure, and the notches cooperate with the lifting mechanism.

4. The detachable wind power installation system according to claim 3, characterized in that: The lifting structure includes a plurality of lifting components, and the plurality of lifting components are respectively arranged corresponding to the notches.

5. The detachable wind power installation system according to claim 4, characterized in that: The several lifting components respectively include pile legs, pile shoes, pile fixing chambers and driving members. The pile fixing chambers are connected to the notches at the bottom. The pile shoes are arranged at the ends of the pile legs to form an integrated structure and pass through the pile fixing chamber and the platform structure, and can move up and down relative to the pile fixing chamber. Racks are provided on the sides of the pile legs, and corresponding driving gears are provided inside the pile fixing chambers. The driving member is arranged in the pile fixing chamber and cooperates with the driving gear to drive the rotation of the driving gear. When the driving gear rotates, it engages with the rack to form a transmission assembly, driving the pile legs to be lifted and lowered.

6. The detachable wind power installation system according to claim 5, characterized in that: The inner size of the symmetrically arranged pile legs is larger than the width of the mother ship.

7. The detachable wind power installation system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The separation platform is equipped with several functional modules.

8. The detachable wind power installation system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The separation platform is equipped with a power module, which cooperates with the large crane and the lifting mechanism to provide power to the large crane and the lifting mechanism.

9. The detachable wind power installation system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The outer sides of both sides of the mother ship are equipped with pile legs and pile shoes.

10. The detachable wind power installation system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The separation platform and the mother ship are combined and separated by a guiding device, and the guiding device includes at least one first connecting part and at least one second connecting part. The first connecting part is arranged at the bottom of the separation platform, and the second connecting part is arranged on the upper surface of the mother ship relative to the distribution structure of the first connecting part. Through the docking of the first connecting part and the second connecting part, the separation platform and the mother ship can be limited and connected.

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