Expandable Pile Anchor for Offshore Wind

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional techniques for anchoring large diameter piles in subsea environments, especially in hard soils or rocks, require stabilization structures that are costly and difficult to install, and are not suitable for irregular seabeds or deep waters, limiting the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of offshore windfarm installations.

Innovation Solution

A system using an expandable structure on the pile sleeve that transforms from an inactive to an active configuration with a tool to immobilize the sleeve during cement setting, eliminating the need for external stabilization structures and allowing for easy re-use of the tool across various pile diameters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If stabilization structures are used to immobilize the pile during cement setting, then the pile remains stable during binder setting, but the installation becomes difficult and costly when the seabed is irregular or in deep waters

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability during cement settingVSAvoidease of installation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using external stabilization structures to hold the pile from the outside, the invention uses an expandable structure that expands from the inside of the pile sleeve. This inverted approach eliminates the need for complex external stabilization structures while providing effective immobilization during cement setting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The stabilization structure transitions from a compact inactive configuration during insertion to an expanded active configuration during immobilization. This dynamic transformation allows the same structure to facilitate easy insertion and then provide robust stabilization, resolving the contradiction between ease of installation and reliability during setting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of manufacture

If conventional techniques like vibration or hammering are used to anchor the pile, then the installation process is simpler, but these techniques are not suitable for very hard materials such as rocks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of installation processVSAvoidadaptability to different soil conditions

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The drilling and expandable structure system serves multiple functions: it can drill through various soil types including hard rocks, insert the pile, and provide immobilization during cement setting. This multi-functional approach replaces multiple specialized techniques (vibration, hammering, drilling) with a single versatile system that adapts to different geological conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Strength

If a tubular sleeve of large diameter is used for the pile, then the pile can support larger structures, but conventional techniques such as vibration or hammering are not appropriate for anchoring the pile

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveload bearing capacityVSAvoidease of anchoring

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The anchoring system is divided into separate functional components: a drill for creating the foundation hole, a tubular sleeve for supporting the structure, and an expandable structure for immobilization. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the sleeve can be large diameter for strength while the expandable structure provides the anchoring function that conventional techniques cannot achieve.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution prevents pile movement during cement setting, reduces installation costs by minimizing vessel time, and avoids long-term damage from concentrated loads, while being adaptable to different soil conditions and pile sizes.

Implementation Method 1

at least one expandable structure mounted on the sleeve, deformable from an inactive configuration allowing insertion of the sleeve in the receiving structure to an active configuration immobilizing the sleeve in the receiving structure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectExpansion:

Implementation Method 2

during setting of a cement or other binder introduced in a fluid state between the sleeve and the receiving structure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSetting:

Data Source

PatentUS11220800B2System for anchoring a pile or jacket and corresponding method

Publication Date: 2022.01.11 SOLETANCHE FREYSSINET SAS

AI summary

A system for holding a tubular sleeve (2) in a receiving structure during setting of a cement or other binder introduced in a fluid state between the sleeve (2) and the receiving structure, comprising:—at least one expandable structure (4) mounted on the sleeve (2), deformable from an inactive configuration allowing insertion of the sleeve (2) in the receiving structure to an active configuration immobilizing the sleeve (2) in the receiving structure,—at least one corresponding tool to be inserted in the sleeve (2), configured for acting on the expandable structure (4) to cause it to pass from the inactive configuration to the active configuration.