Upend Crane Trolley for Monopile Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
The installation of large and heavy offshore wind turbine monopiles poses challenges due to their size and weight, requiring more controlled and efficient upending processes, especially in deeper waters and harsh weather conditions, while existing methods are limited by wind and vessel movements, necessitating a more stable and flexible installation method.
Innovation Solution
A vessel-mounted upend crane system with a pivotable boom, trolley guide, and hoisting mechanism allows for controlled upending of monopiles by guiding both the top and bottom ends, providing additional stability and enabling operation in various weather conditions, and the ability to assemble wind turbines offshore, reducing reliance on onshore facilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If monopiles are stored horizontally on the vessel deck, then the center of gravity remains close to the water surface which is beneficial for transport stability, but the monopiles cannot be installed directly and require additional upending operations
Solution Approach 1:
The monopile storage system is designed to be dynamically reconfigurable, allowing transition from horizontal storage position to vertical installation position. The storage deck includes support structures that can accommodate monopiles in both horizontal and vertical orientations, enabling the system to adapt its configuration based on operational requirements rather than requiring separate storage and installation equipment.
2Device complexity
If traditional deck-mounted cranes are used to upend monopiles, then the equipment is simple and readily available, but the control during upending is insufficient for large and heavy monopiles
Solution Approach 1:
A dedicated upending trolley is introduced as an intermediary device between the crane system and the monopile. This trolley engages with the monopile and provides controlled guidance during the upending process, acting as a mediator that transfers and controls the forces involved in transitioning the monopile from horizontal to vertical position, thereby improving reliability without requiring complete redesign of the crane system.
Solution Approach 2:
The upending trolley is designed to automatically engage with the monopile and provide self-guided control during upending. The trolley system includes features that allow it to self-position and self-stabilize on the monopile, reducing the need for complex external control mechanisms and manual intervention while maintaining reliable control throughout the upending operation.
3Ease of operation
If monopiles are upended with top end in overboard position and bottom end on track cart, then the upending process can be performed, but the process is limited by wind and vessel movements
Solution Approach 1:
The upending trolley system incorporates counterbalancing mechanisms that compensate for external forces such as wind and vessel movements. The trolley is designed with counterweight features that offset the effects of these external forces on the monopile during upending, allowing the operation to proceed reliably even in less ideal weather conditions and thereby expanding the operational window.
4Strength
If larger and heavier monopiles are used for deeper water installations, then the foundation capacity is sufficient, but the upending process becomes more difficult and less controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The upending process is segmented into distinct phases, with the upending trolley handling specific portions of the operation. The trolley system is designed to work in conjunction with existing crane capabilities, dividing the overall upending task into manageable segments that leverage both the lifting capacity of the cranes and the controlled guidance of the trolley, thereby managing complexity while handling larger and heavier monopiles.
Data Source
AI summary
In an upend crane and an installation vessel including such an upend crane, the upend crane is provided with a boom configured for upending wind turbine components, e.g. monopiles and masts. The boom of the crane can be pivoted in an upend position for upending the wind turbine component with the bottom end of the wind turbine component being guided by a cart and a track along an upend deck and with the top end of the wind turbine component being guided along the boom by a trolley and the trolley guide.