Offshore Wind Pylon Installation Using Guide Track and Crane
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for installing offshore wind turbine piles are time-consuming and costly, particularly when dealing with large and heavy piles in deep waters, as they require multiple cranes and vessels, leading to inefficiencies and increased operational complexity.
Innovation Solution
A marine jack-up vessel equipped with a buoyant hull, pylon section guide track, and associated track cart, along with installation cranes that can slew and pivot, allows for the horizontal transport and efficient upending of pylon sections into a vertical position, reducing the need for multiple cranes and enabling the installation of larger piles in deeper waters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If jack-up vessels are used to install large and heavy piles in deep waters, then the ability to install larger piles is improved, but the installation time increases due to the time required to lower legs and lift the vessel
Solution Approach 1:
The pylon section is transported horizontally on the vessel deck before installation, and the vessel position is pre-adjusted. The upending operation is performed as a preliminary step before final installation, reducing the overall installation time by preparing components in advance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic upending of the pylon section from horizontal to vertical position using the crane, rather than requiring the vessel to remain stationary. This dynamic approach allows continuous operation without interrupting for vessel repositioning.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple cranes are used to handle large pylon sections, then the installation capability is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The single crane on the vessel is designed to perform multiple functions: transporting the pylon section horizontally, upending it from horizontal to vertical position, and installing it at the final location. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for multiple specialized cranes while maintaining full installation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The crane system is configured to handle the entire pylon section weight and perform all manipulation operations independently, without requiring assistance from additional cranes or external support equipment.
3Stability of the object's composition
If jack-up vessels with legs are used to reduce wave effect, then the stability during installation is improved, but the operational window is reduced due to time required to deploy and retract legs
Solution Approach 1:
The vessel positions itself and performs the upending operation before final pile installation, completing critical operations while in the protected jack-up position. This preliminary action approach maximizes the benefit of vessel stability during the most critical operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The upending operation is performed continuously in one sequence without interrupting to deploy or retract legs. The crane rotates the pylon section from horizontal to vertical position in a continuous motion, maintaining operational continuity and maximizing productivity.
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
This method significantly reduces installation time and costs by allowing for the use of smaller cranes and a single vessel to handle large pylon sections, enhancing operational efficiency and enabling the installation of wind turbines in deeper waters.
Implementation Method 1
a buoyant hull with a main deck for storing the pylon section during transport
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of elevating units, each associated with a respective jack-up leg, adapted to move the respective jack-up leg vertically relative to the hull
Implementation Method 3
a pylon section installation crane, which installation crane is fixed to the hull at the installation end of the guide track for lifting the pylon section
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for installation of a pylon section of an off shore wind turbine and a jack-up vessel for performing such a method. According to the invention, the vessel comprises a pylon section installation track and an associated track cart that enable guiding the foot end of a pylon section, prior to lifting or during upending of the pylon section, over the deck of the vessel. The guide system allows for moving the pylon section without the need of a crane or with a reduced number of cranes. Thus the process can be done in less time and/or the reduced number of cranes or the smaller cranes required in the process allow for a reduction in costs.