Mono-pile Sealing Plug With Segmented Hydraulic Clamping Arms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for sealing and handling tubular members like mono-piles during transportation and offshore installation are inadequate, as they fail to provide a reliable watertight seal and efficient lifting capabilities, especially for heavy loads.
Innovation Solution
A sealing assembly using a plug with a rubber profile and an arm system that generates clamping force via hydraulic cylinders or levers, allowing for a fluid-tight connection and enabling the lifting and up-ending of tubular members without relying on friction, with clamps distributed evenly around the circumference to manage hoisting forces effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rubber profile is used to create a fluid-tight seal on the flange surface, then sealing reliability is improved, but the clamping force required increases the stress on the flange structure
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping device is divided into multiple arms distributed around the circumference of the flange. Each arm applies localized clamping force through a rubber seal, segmenting the total clamping force into multiple smaller forces. This segmentation maintains sealing reliability while reducing the stress concentration on any single point of the flange structure.
2Stress or pressure
If clamps are distributed evenly over the circumference of the flange, then hoisting forces are divided equally reducing stresses in the mono-pile, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping device uses multiple arms distributed around the flange circumference, with each arm independently applying clamping force. This segmentation allows even distribution of hoisting forces across the mono-pile structure, reducing peak stresses while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular arm units.
Solution Approach 2:
Each clamping arm serves multiple functions: it applies clamping force through the rubber seal for sealing, provides a reaction force for the hydraulic cylinder, and contributes to the overall hoisting capability. This multi-functionality reduces device complexity by eliminating the need for separate sealing mechanisms and hoisting attachments.
3Force
If hydraulic cylinders are used to provide reaction force for clamping arms, then clamping force is increased enabling hoisting of heavy loads, but the device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
Hydraulic cylinders are used to generate the clamping force required for sealing and hoisting heavy mono-piles. The hydraulic system provides high force density, enabling the clamping arms to generate sufficient reaction force for lifting loads exceeding 600 tons. The hydraulic fluid transmits force efficiently through the cylinder-piston mechanism to the clamping arms.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydraulic cylinders serve dual purposes: they provide the clamping force necessary for sealing the flange and simultaneously generate the reaction force required for hoisting the mono-pile. This multi-functionality reduces device complexity by eliminating the need for separate sealing mechanisms and hoisting attachments.
4Ease of operation
If the plug is used to close the flanged pile in a watertight manner, then buoyancy is achieved for easier transportation, but the sealing mechanism increases the overall assembly complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The plug integrates multiple functions into a single assembly: it provides the sealing surface for the flange, houses the clamping arms with rubber seals, incorporates hydraulic cylinders for actuation, and includes hoisting facilities. This merging of functions achieves watertight sealing for buoyancy during transportation while managing assembly complexity through integration rather than separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The plug serves multiple functions simultaneously: sealing the flange opening to create buoyancy for transportation, providing a mounting structure for clamping arms that seal the flange, and incorporating hoisting facilities for lifting operations. This multi-functionality achieves transportation ease while managing assembly complexity through integrated design.
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 solution ensures a strong, watertight seal for buoyancy and facilitates the lifting and up-ending of heavy mono-piles, reducing stress and enabling efficient transportation and installation of tubular members, such as those used in wind turbines, by distributing hoisting forces evenly and providing a robust clamping mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
By pressing the rubber profile on the flange surface is created a fluid-tight connection between the flanged mono-pile and the assembly
Implementation Method 2
The reaction force in the arms can be provided with hydraulic cylinders
Implementation Method 3
If clamps are distributed evenly over the circumference of the flange, hoisting forces, for instance centrally attached to the plug, will be divided equally over the flanged pile which results in lower stresses in the mono-pile during upending and lifting
Implementation Method 4
By closing the flanged pile at a fluid-tight manner the mono-pile or other similar tubular element will float of the buoyancy thereof
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to an assembly for closing a tubular member, like a mono-pile which is provided with a flange at the open end of the pile. The invention will seal the pile in a fluid-tight manner at the open end. In addition to the sealing function of the assembly is it also possible to lift the pile from one side up, into a standing position. When the pile is lifted into a standing position then it is possible to lift the pile further upwards without using the friction of the rubber/seal.