Horizontal Monopile Displacement Using Adjustable Support Units
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for displacing horizontal wind turbine monopiles on transport vessels are complex, require auxiliary equipment like heavy lift cranes, and increase the need for human intervention, leading to reduced accuracy and potential health hazards.
Innovation Solution
A pile displacement system comprising two subsystems with height-adjustable supports and pile support units that allow for precise movement of the pile along a longitudinal axis, enabling remote operation and reducing human intervention through a dedicated control system, utilizing hydraulic cylinders and a rack-and-pinion system for accurate and safe handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If heavy lift cranes and auxiliary equipment are used to displace horizontal piles, then the piles can be moved, but the system complexity and operation cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the need for heavy lift cranes and auxiliary equipment by implementing a self-contained displacement system. The pile support units with movable rollers and hydraulic cylinders enable the pile to be displaced directly from its storage position without external辅助设备, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining displacement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The displacement system is designed to be self-service by using the pile's own weight and the movable support units to achieve displacement. The hydraulic cylinders integrated into the support units enable automatic positioning and movement without requiring external crane operations or additional auxiliary equipment
2Ease of operation
If heavy lift cranes are used for pile displacement, then piles can be moved, but accuracy and precision are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the crude mechanical crane-based displacement system with a precision hydraulic control system. The hydraulic cylinders integrated into the movable support units enable controlled, precise movement of the pile along its longitudinal axis, significantly improving displacement accuracy compared to crane-based methods
Solution Approach 2:
The support units are designed with movable rollers and hydraulic actuators that enable dynamic, controlled adjustment of the pile position. This dynamic system allows for precise positioning during displacement while maintaining stability, achieving both ease of operation and high accuracy
3Ease of operation
If auxiliary equipment and manual operations are used, then piles can be displaced, but human intervention and health hazards increase
Solution Approach 1:
The displacement system is designed to be self-service by using the pile's own weight and the movable support units to achieve displacement. The hydraulic cylinders integrated into the support units enable automatic positioning and movement without requiring external辅助设备, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining displacement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the crude mechanical crane-based displacement system with a precision hydraulic control system. The hydraulic cylinders integrated into the movable support units enable controlled, precise movement of the pile along its longitudinal axis, significantly improving displacement accuracy compared to crane-based methods
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 system enables high-accuracy, automated displacement of piles with reduced human intervention, improving safety and operational efficiency by minimizing the need for auxiliary equipment and enhancing precision in pile movement.
Implementation Method 1
lowering the height adjustable support of at least the first subsystem towards the base floor by use of height adjusting means such as hydraulic cylinders until at least part of the weight of the pile has been transferred from the at least first subsystem to an external support structure
Implementation Method 2
A pile displacement system comprising two subsystems with height-adjustable supports and pile support units that allow for precise movement of the pile along a longitudinal axis
Data Source
AI summary
A pile displacement system includes a first subsystem, and a second subsystem arranged adjacent to the first subsystem along a longitudinal axis of the monopile. Each of the first and the second subsystems includes a height adjustable support, and a pile support unit arranged on the height adjustable support such that the pile support unit is movable along the monopile's longitudinal axis. A method for displacing a horizontally oriented monopile for an off-shore wind turbine parallel to a base floor by use of the pile displacement system includes arranging the monopile onto the monopile support units of the first and second subsystems; lowering the height adjustable support of at least the first subsystem towards the base floor until the weight of the monopile is transferred from at least the first subsystem to an external support structure aligned along the monopile's longitudinal axis, adjacent to the first subsystem; moving the pile support unit of the first subsystem a distance in direction away from the external support structure; raising the height adjustable support of the first subsystem away from the base floor until the weight of the monopile is transferred from the external support structure to the first subsystem; and moving the pile support units of the first and the second subsystems a distance in direction towards the external support structure.