Guided Hoisting Tool for Offshore Monopile Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing size and weight of monopiles for offshore wind turbines pose challenges in the installation process, particularly in positioning and connecting the hoisting tool to the upper end of the monopile, which is time-consuming and labor-intensive.
Innovation Solution
A hoisting tool equipped with guiding actuators that facilitate a longitudinal movement of the guiding surfaces relative to the gripping members, allowing for precise alignment and engagement with the monopile, thereby reducing the time and effort required for connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If monopiles are made larger and heavier to support larger offshore wind turbines, then the load-bearing capacity is improved, but the positioning and connection of the hoisting tool becomes more difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The hoisting tool is pre-positioned on the upper deck in a ready state before the monopile is brought into position. The guiding members are already configured to engage with the monopile, and the gripping members are prepared to automatically grasp the monopile surface, eliminating the need for manual positioning adjustments during the critical lifting operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The hoisting tool incorporates automatic engagement mechanisms where the gripping members self-activate upon contact with the monopile. The guiding members automatically align the tool with the monopile surface, and the gripping members autonomously close around the monopile without requiring manual intervention, allowing the tool to service itself during the connection process.
2Device complexity
If manual positioning methods are used to connect the hoisting tool to the monopile, then the equipment complexity is reduced, but the installation time and labor requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Manual mechanical positioning operations are replaced with an automated control system that uses sensors to detect the monopile's position and orientation. The control system automatically actuates the guiding and gripping members, substituting human-operated mechanical systems with automated electro-mechanical systems that increase speed and precision.
Solution Approach 2:
A control system acts as an intermediary between the sensor detection stage and the mechanical actuation stage. This intermediary processes the positional data and coordinates the movement of multiple components (guiding members, gripping members, hoisting mechanism) to achieve synchronized automatic engagement, bridging the gap between detection and action.
3Measurement precision
If personnel intervention is required for tool positioning, then the positioning accuracy can be adjusted manually, but the safety risks and operational time increase
Solution Approach 1:
Manual positioning operations involving personnel are replaced with automated sensor-based positioning systems. Sensors detect the monopile's exact position and the tool's orientation, and the control system processes this data to achieve precise alignment and engagement without human personnel needing to be in hazardous positions near the monopile during the operation.
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
The use of guiding actuators in the hoisting tool significantly reduces the efforts of personnel, enhances the efficiency and reliability of the installation process, and allows for accurate positioning without the need for extensive manual intervention.
Implementation Method 1
The rolling bodies engage the longitudinal end, such as to restrict movement of the tool and thereby of the gripping members, in at least radial directions relative to the longitudinal end
Implementation Method 2
one or more guiding actuators are each associated with at least one of the guiding members and are each configured to drive a longitudinal movement of the respective guiding surfaces of the associated guiding members relative to the gripping members such that the tool is moved to the gripping position thereof
Implementation Method 3
the gripping members each configured to, in the active position thereof, engage a surface of the longitudinal end by a gripping surface thereof so as to connect the longitudinal end to the tool and retain the longitudinal end during hoisting
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B~1G
Figure 2A~3
AI summary
A tool and method for hoisting an longitudinal end of an offshore wind turbine component which is in a horizontal orientation. The tool is after being attached to a lifting block to be moved into a proximate position in which gripping members of the tool are longitudinally spaced from the longitudinal end but the radial contour of the tool at least overlaps with the radial contour of the longitudinal end. While the gripping members are in a retracted position guiding actuators can move the tool from the proximate position into a gripping position longitudinally aligned with the longitudinal end in which the gripping members are movable to engage said surface of the longitudinal end, thereby connecting the longitudinal end to the tool and suspending the longitudinal end from the lifting block so that the longitudinal end can consequently be hoisted.