Pile foundation connection device for tension-leg floating wind turbine platform

Abstract

The present invention relates to the technical field of mooring connection of tension-leg floating wind turbine platforms. Disclosed is a pile foundation connection device for a tension-leg floating wind turbine platform. The pile foundation connection device comprises a bottom connection mechanism and a steel cable protection mechanism, wherein the bottom connection mechanism comprises a welding back plate, a tongue plate is provided on the welding back plate, the upper end of the tongue plate is connected to a steel cable socket by means of a pin shaft, and a steel cable is connected to the steel cable socket, such that the steel cable is capable of two rotational degrees of freedom; both ends of the tongue plate are locked and fixed by means of locking mechanisms; and the steel cable protection mechanism is located on one side of a pile foundation, and the steel cable is placed on the steel cable protection mechanism after the steel cable is connected, so as to prevent over-bending damage to the steel cable when same is pre-laid on the seabed. The present invention features a simple structure, a reliable performance and convenient operation, and can adapt to underwater quick connection; and the entire operation process only requires the assistance of one ROV, thereby simplifying the tie-back installation procedure of mooring lines and anchoring devices for a tension-leg wind turbine platform, and reducing the mooring and installation costs of the tension-leg wind turbine platform.

Description

Tension leg floating wind power platform pile foundation connection device Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of mooring connection technology for tension leg floating wind turbine platforms, and more particularly to a pile foundation connection device for tension leg floating wind turbine platforms. Background Technology

[0002] As nearshore wind energy resources gradually reach saturation, human attention is increasingly focused on waters deeper than 50 meters, making floating offshore wind power technology the main technological route for deep-sea wind energy development. Floating wind turbines typically consist of three main parts: the turbine, the floating foundation, and the mooring system. The mooring system is primarily used for positioning the turbine and floating foundation. Besides considering the allowable displacement of the dynamic cable and extreme loads under typhoon conditions, the mooring system also needs to control the turbine's pitch angle to ensure power generation efficiency. The mooring system usually consists of mooring chains, connectors, anchors, stop chains, and tensioning devices. Typically, a system consists of three sets of mooring legs, each set including one to three mooring chains. Tension leg wind turbine platforms have become an important development direction due to their mooring radius and motion response being more suitable for the large-scale construction of floating wind power. Traditional floating wind turbine platforms are generally connected to the anchor chain links via shackles or tensioners, requiring divers to go underwater for connection or to pull the components onto the deck for connection. This is difficult and time-consuming, making it unsuitable for tension leg platforms. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to solve the above-mentioned technical problems and provide a tension leg floating wind power platform pile foundation connection device.

[0004] To achieve the above technical objectives and requirements, the technical solution adopted by this invention is: a tension leg floating wind power platform pile foundation connection device, including a bottom connection mechanism and a steel cable protection mechanism. The bottom connection mechanism includes a welded back plate, which is installed on the pile foundation. A tongue plate is provided on the welded back plate, and the upper end of the tongue plate is connected to a steel cable joint via a pin. A steel cable is connected to the steel cable joint, giving the steel cable two degrees of rotational freedom. Locking grooves are provided on both ends of the tongue plate, and both ends of the tongue plate are locked and fixed by locking mechanisms. The steel cable protection mechanism is located on one side of the pile foundation. After the steel cable is connected, it is placed on the steel cable protection mechanism to prevent the steel cable from being damaged by bending when it is pre-laid on the seabed.

[0005] Preferably, the welding back plate includes a base plate, on which ear plates are arranged in a mirror-symmetrical manner. A sliding groove is provided on the inner side of the ear plates. Tongue plates are provided at both ends, and bushings are provided on the tongue plate rotating shafts. During underwater connection, the tongue plate rotating shafts are guided into the sliding grooves by an ROV robot.

[0006] Preferably, the locking mechanism includes an ROV locking pin and a welding bracket. The ROV locking pin passes through the welding bracket. One end of the welding bracket is provided with a cover plate, and the inner ring of the middle is provided with a pad plate. The inner holes of the cover plate and the pad plate are fitted with the outer circle of the ROV locking pin. A spring is sleeved on the ROV locking pin between the cover plate and the pad plate. A sleeve is provided at the end of the ROV locking pin. The rotational movement of the ROV locking pin is converted into the linear movement of the sleeve, so that the front end of the sleeve enters the locking groove at the end of the tongue plate to complete the locking.

[0007] Preferably, the ROV lock pin has a handle at one end and a threaded section at the other end. The sleeve is threadedly connected to the end of the ROV lock pin. The middle part of the ROV lock pin is a columnar structure with a conical limit on the columnar structure. The end face of the conical limit abuts against the end face of the cover plate.

[0008] Preferably, the diameter of the threaded section is larger than the diameter of the columnar structure, and the end face of the threaded section abuts against the end face of the pad.

[0009] Preferably, the inner ring of the welding bracket is symmetrically provided with limiting blocks, the outer ring of the sleeve is symmetrically provided with grooves, the limiting blocks cooperate with the grooves, and the outer ring of the welding bracket is evenly provided with a number of stiffening plates.

[0010] Preferably, the steel cable protection mechanism includes a base, a support assembly is provided on the base, and an inclined support plate is provided on the support assembly.

[0011] Preferably, the support plate is inclined in a downward direction from the side closest to the pile foundation.

[0012] Preferably, the base is a frame structure composed of several horizontal support plates and vertical support plates connected together. The support assembly includes a first support, a second support, and a third support arranged symmetrically. The heights of the first support, the second support, and the third support decrease sequentially. An inclined support frame is provided in the middle of the base.

[0013] Compared with traditional structures, the advantages of this invention are: simple structure, reliable performance, quick connection and torque elimination functions; the connection via tongue plate gives the steel cable two rotational degrees of freedom; guided by an ROV robot, the cable is guided through a chute to the tongue plate, making operation convenient; both ends are locked and fixed by ROV locking pins, requiring only one ROV for assistance during operation; it can adapt to rapid underwater connection, simplifying the reconnection and installation process of mooring cables and anchoring devices for tension leg wind turbine platforms, and reducing the mooring and installation costs of tension leg wind turbine platforms. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the assembly of the present invention;

[0015] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the bottom connection mechanism of the present invention;

[0016] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the locking mechanism structure of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 4 is one of the schematic diagrams of the locking mechanism structure after the sleeve is removed according to the present invention;

[0018] Figure 5 is a second schematic diagram of the locking mechanism structure after the sleeve is removed in this invention;

[0019] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the locking mechanism structure after removing the sleeve and welding bracket of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the steel cable protection mechanism of the present invention;

[0021] In the diagram: 1. Bottom connecting mechanism, 11. Steel cable, 12. Steel cable joint, 13. Tongue plate, 14. Welded back plate, 141. Ear plate, 1411. Slide groove, 142. Base plate, 15. Locking mechanism, 151. ROV lock pin, 1511. Handle, 1512. Conical limit, 1513. Threaded section, 152. Welded bracket, 1521. Limiting block, 153. Sleeve, 1531. Groove, 154. Cover plate, 155. Spring, 156. Pad, 2. Steel cable protection mechanism, 21. Support plate, 22. Base, 23. First bracket, 24. Second bracket, 25. Third bracket, 26. Support frame. Detailed Implementation

[0022] The present invention will be further described below.

[0023] Referring to Figure 1, the tension leg floating wind power platform pile foundation connection device includes a bottom connection mechanism 1 and a steel cable protection mechanism 2. The bottom connection mechanism 1 includes a welded back plate 14, which is installed on the pile foundation 3. A tongue plate 13 is provided on the welded back plate 14. The upper end of the tongue plate 13 is connected to a steel cable joint 12 via a pin. A steel cable 11 is connected to the steel cable joint 12, giving the steel cable 11 two degrees of rotational freedom. Locking grooves are provided on both ends of the tongue plate 13, and both ends of the tongue plate 13 are locked and fixed by locking mechanisms 15. The steel cable protection mechanism 2 is located on one side of the pile foundation 3. After the steel cable 11 is connected, it is placed on the steel cable protection mechanism 2 to prevent the steel cable 11 from being damaged by bending when it is pre-laid on the seabed.

[0024] As shown in Figure 2, the welding back plate 14 includes a base plate 142, on which ear plates 141 are arranged in a mirror symmetrical manner. A sliding groove 1411 is provided on the inner side of the ear plates 141. Tongue plates 13 are provided with tongue plate pivots at both ends. A bushing 16 is provided on the tongue plate pivot. During underwater connection, the tongue plate pivot is guided by an ROV robot to be inserted into the sliding groove 1411.

[0025] As shown in Figures 3-6, the locking mechanism 15 includes an ROV lock pin 151 and a welding bracket 152. The ROV lock pin 151 passes through the welding bracket 152. One end of the welding bracket 152 is provided with a cover plate 154, and the inner ring of the middle part is provided with a pad plate 156. The inner holes of the cover plate 154 and the pad plate 156 are engaged with the outer circle of the ROV lock pin 151. A spring 155 is sleeved on the ROV lock pin 151 between the cover plate 154 and the pad plate 156. A sleeve 153 is provided at the end of the ROV lock pin 151.

[0026] The ROV locking pin 151 has a handle 1511 at one end and a threaded section 1513 at the other end. The sleeve 153 is threadedly connected to the end of the ROV locking pin 151. The ROV locking pin 151 has a columnar structure in the middle, with a conical limiter 1512 on the columnar structure. The end face of the conical limiter 1512 abuts against the end face of the cover plate 154. The diameter of the threaded section 1513 is larger than the diameter of the columnar structure, and the end face of the threaded section 1513 abuts against the end face of the pad plate 156. The rotational motion of the ROV locking pin 151 is converted into the linear motion of the sleeve 153, causing the front end of the sleeve 153 to enter the locking groove at the end of the tongue plate shaft to complete the locking.

[0027] The welding bracket 152 has symmetrically arranged limit blocks 1521 on its inner ring, and the sleeve 153 has symmetrically arranged grooves 1531 on its outer ring. The limit blocks 1521 cooperate with the grooves 1531, and a number of stiffeners are evenly distributed on the outer ring of the welding bracket 152.

[0028] As shown in Figure 7, the steel cable protection mechanism 2 includes a base 22, on which a support assembly is mounted. An inclined support plate 21 is mounted on the support assembly, and the inclined direction of the support plate 21 is downward from the side closest to the pile foundation 3. The base 21 is a frame structure composed of several transverse and longitudinal support plates connected together. The support assembly 22 includes a symmetrically arranged first support 23, a symmetrically arranged second support 24, and a symmetrically arranged third support 25. The heights of the first support 23, second support 24, and third support 25 decrease sequentially. An inclined support frame 26 is provided in the middle of the base 21 to improve strength.

[0029] In practice, this device can adapt to rapid underwater connection, and the operation requires only one ROV for assistance. The specific underwater operation process is as follows:

[0030] 1) The welding back plate 14, locking mechanism 15 and pile foundation 3 are submerged together in the water, which can ensure that they can withstand the impact force of 75G of pile driving. Before the welding back plate 14 is submerged with the pile foundation 3, the ROV operation handles 1511 on both sides of the welding back plate 14 are rotated clockwise. Due to the limiting of the cover plate 154 and the pad plate 156, the rotational motion of the ROV locking pin 151 is converted into the linear motion of the sleeve 153, thus completing the opening of the ROV locking pin 151.

[0031] 2) Install the steel cable 11, and connect the tongue plate 13 and the steel cable section 12 through a pin. The end of the pin is equipped with a locking cap. The steel cable 11 is lowered to the slide groove 1411 of the near-welded back plate 14. The ROV underwater robot guides the tongue plate shaft to be inserted and tightens the tongue plate 13. The tension can be preset to about 50t.

[0032] 3) By rotating the ROV locking pins 151 on both sides counterclockwise by the ROV underwater robot, the front end of the sleeve 153 enters the locking groove at the end of the tongue plate shaft, locking the tongue plate 13 onto the welded back plate 14, thus completing the fixation of the tongue plate 13; the bottom connecting mechanism 1 has the function of releasing two rotational degrees of freedom, with a maximum allowable rotation angle of ±15°, and no interference with the pile foundation structure;

[0033] 4) The steel cable protection mechanism 2 is placed on the seabed in advance. After the steel cable 11 is connected to the bottom connection mechanism 1, the steel cable section 12 is slowly released and placed on the steel cable protection mechanism 2 to prevent the steel cable 11 from being damaged by bending when it is pre-laid on the seabed after the connection is completed.

[0034] The above embodiments of the present invention are merely examples to clearly illustrate the present invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. All equivalent technical solutions also fall within the scope of the present invention, and the patent protection scope of the present invention should be defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A tension leg floating wind turbine platform pile foundation connection apparatus, characterized by: The system includes a bottom connecting mechanism (1) and a steel cable protection mechanism (2). The bottom connecting mechanism (1) includes a welded back plate (14), which is set on the pile foundation (3). A tongue plate (13) is provided on the welded back plate (14). The upper end of the tongue plate (13) is connected to the steel cable joint (12) through a pin. A steel cable (11) is connected to the steel cable joint (12), so that the steel cable (11) has two degrees of rotational freedom. Locking grooves are provided on the end faces of the tongue plate (13). The two ends of the tongue plate (13) are locked and fixed by locking mechanisms (15). The steel cable protection mechanism (2) is located on one side of the pile foundation (3). After the steel cable (11) is connected, it is placed on the steel cable protection mechanism (2) to prevent the steel cable (11) from being damaged by bending when it is pre-laid to the seabed.

2. The TLP pile connection apparatus of claim 1, wherein: The welding back plate (14) includes a base plate (142), on which ear plates (141) are arranged in a mirror symmetrical manner. A sliding groove (1411) is provided on the inner side of the ear plate (141). Tongue plate (13) has tongue plate pivots at both ends, and a bushing (16) is provided on the tongue plate pivot. During underwater connection, the tongue plate pivot is guided by an ROV robot to be inserted into the sliding groove (1411).

3. The TLP pile connection apparatus of claim 1, wherein: The locking mechanism (15) includes an ROV locking pin (151) and a welding bracket (152). The ROV locking pin (151) passes through the welding bracket (152). One end of the welding bracket (152) is provided with a cover plate (154), and the inner ring of the middle is provided with a pad plate (156). The inner holes of the cover plate (154) and the pad plate (156) are fitted with the outer circle of the ROV locking pin (151). A spring (155) is sleeved on the ROV locking pin (151) between the cover plate (154) and the pad plate (156). A sleeve (153) is provided at the end of the ROV locking pin (151). The rotational movement of the ROV locking pin (151) is converted into the linear movement of the sleeve (153), so that the front end of the sleeve (153) enters the locking groove at the end of the tongue plate (13) to complete the locking.

4. The TLP pile connection apparatus of claim 3, wherein: The ROV lock pin (151) has a handle (1511) at one end and a threaded section (1513) at the other end. The sleeve (153) is threadedly connected to the end of the ROV lock pin (151). The middle part of the ROV lock pin (151) is a columnar structure, and a conical limiter (1512) is provided on the columnar structure. The end face of the conical limiter (1512) abuts against the end face of the cover plate (154).

5. The TLP pile connection apparatus of claim 4, wherein: The diameter of the threaded section (1513) is larger than the diameter of the columnar structure, and the end face of the threaded section (1513) abuts against the end face of the pad (156).

6. The tension leg platform pile foundation connection apparatus of claim 3, wherein: The welding bracket (152) has symmetrically arranged limit blocks (1521) on its inner ring, and the sleeve (153) has symmetrically arranged grooves (1531) on its outer ring. The limit blocks (1521) cooperate with the grooves (1531), and the welding bracket (152) has a number of stiffeners evenly distributed on its outer ring.

7. The tension leg platform pile foundation connection apparatus of claim 1, wherein: The steel cable protection mechanism (2) includes a base (22), on which a support assembly is provided, and on which an inclined support plate (21) is provided.

8. The tension leg platform pile foundation connection apparatus of claim 7, wherein: The support plate (21) is inclined in a downward direction from the side closest to the pile foundation (3).

9. The tension leg platform pile foundation connection apparatus of claim 7, wherein: The base (21) is a frame structure composed of several horizontal support plates and vertical support plates. The support assembly (22) includes a first support (23), a second support (24), and a third support (25) arranged symmetrically. The heights of the first support (23), the second support (24), and the third support (25) decrease sequentially. An inclined support frame (26) is provided in the middle of the base (21).

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