Offshore Pile Gripper Sleeve for Precise Floating Pile Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pile driving operations for offshore wind turbine foundations face challenges in maintaining precise positioning and compensating for relative movements between the laying machine and the foundation pile, leading to inefficiencies and potential misalignment.
Innovation Solution
A temporary holding system, known as the 'pile gripper', which includes a sleeve and a support frame with slide means and actuating mechanisms, allowing for translational movements in two perpendicular planes to maintain precise positioning and alignment of the foundation pile during driving operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dynamic positioning means is used on the laying machine, then the vessel can maintain its position, but it cannot sufficiently compensate for relative movements between the vessel and the foundation pile
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary device between the laying machine and the foundation pile - specifically, a holding system with a gripper and movable carriage that can independently adjust its position. This intermediary mechanism absorbs and compensates for relative movements, allowing the vessel to maintain position through dynamic positioning while the holding system actively compensates for any remaining displacements to ensure precise alignment during pile driving operations.
2Manufacturing precision
If the foundation pile is held rigidly during driving operations, then positioning precision is improved, but the system cannot adapt to vessel movements
Solution Approach 1:
The holding system is designed with dynamic characteristics, featuring a gripper mounted on a movable carriage that can independently displace along the foundation pile. The system transitions from a static rigid connection to a dynamic adaptable connection, where the carriage can move to compensate for vessel movements while maintaining precise alignment through active control during the driving process.
3Device complexity
If traditional holding systems are used, then the structure is simple, but cycle times are long and productivity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical holding systems with a more advanced mechanism featuring a gripper on a movable carriage that can actively track and compensate for movements. This substitution increases initial system complexity but enables continuous operation without frequent repositioning, significantly reducing cycle times and improving overall productivity through automated movement compensation.
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 ensures high rigidity and precision, reduces cycle times, optimizes floating device size, and minimizes energy consumption by using cylindrical rollers, while providing safe and efficient pile placement.
Implementation Method 1
a low energy consumption by reducing friction thanks to cylindrical rollers
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a system for the temporary holding, during pile driving operations, of a foundation pile intended to receive the mast of an offshore wind turbine. The temporary holding system includes a sleeve intended to receive a section of the foundation pile and a support frame intended to be secured to a floating device. The support frame includes a slide and an actuator, arranged to generate displacements of the sleeve according to the two translational degrees of freedom. The slide includes at least one rolling element including a cylindrical roller.