Multi-Pile Frame Assembly for Simultaneous Seabed Driving
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for driving piles into the seabed for offshore wind power systems are time-consuming and costly, particularly in deep sea conditions, as they require individual hammering and raising of piles, which is inefficient and labor-intensive.
Innovation Solution
A method and device where piles are introduced into frame elements, hammers are attached to the piles, and the frame with piles is lowered and hammered into the seabed, allowing for simultaneous driving of multiple piles and secure lifting of hammers onto the frame for rapid reuse, utilizing form-fitted or force-fitted connecting elements for stable coupling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If individual piles are hammered in one by one using traditional pile-drivers, then each pile can be driven into the seabed, but the process becomes time-consuming and costly, especially in deep sea conditions
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple piles are merged into a single frame structure, allowing simultaneous hammering of multiple piles in parallel. The frame holds multiple piles at prescribed distances and geometries, enabling the entire group to be driven into the seabed together rather than individually, thus dramatically increasing productivity and reducing operational time.
Solution Approach 2:
The piles are pre-positioned and fixed in the frame elements at the correct geometry and spacing before being lowered to the seabed. This preliminary arrangement eliminates the need for time-consuming positioning operations during the actual pile driving process, allowing immediate parallel hammering upon reaching the seabed.
2Ease of operation
If hammers are raised and repositioned on each pile individually, then each pile can be hammered, but the process becomes labor-intensive and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple hammers are combined with the frame structure, allowing all hammers to be lowered and positioned simultaneously with the frame. After hammering, all hammers are raised together as a single unit rather than individually, significantly reducing the number of operations required and improving ease of operation despite the increased initial system complexity.
3Productivity
If specialized seaborne vessels are used for pile driving, then piles can be driven into the seabed, but the high hourly costs are incurred for extended operational periods
Solution Approach 1:
The frame with piles and hammers is lowered to the seabed and the entire pile driving operation is completed in a single submerged operation. This eliminates the need for repeated surfacing and repositioning operations, reducing the total time the expensive specialized vessel must remain operational and thereby reducing operational costs.
Data Source
AI summary
A plurality of piles is arranged in frame elements in an axially displaceable manner. Hammers are positioned on the piles. After driving of the piles into a seabed, the hammers are connected to the frame elements, wherein the frame elements together with the hammers are lifted to the surface of the water and to the seaborne vessel by a crane.