Upending and Lifting Tool for Offshore Monopiles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing upending and lifting tools for wind turbine monopiles and other offshore structures lack controlled motion between horizontal and vertical orientations, often requiring heavy pivotal arms or complex stabilization mechanisms, which increase weight, size, and handling complexity.
Innovation Solution
A cable shifting mechanism is applied above the pivot axis of the frame, using pivotal cable shifting arms and hydraulic actuators to pivot the frame between orientations without a robust pivotal arm, reducing weight and size while simplifying handling through a four-bar linkage mechanism and lock mechanism for secure positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a robust and heavy pivotal arm is used to pivot the frame between vertical and horizontal orientations, then controlled motion between orientations is achieved, but the weight and size of the tool increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the heavy pivotal arm from the tool structure entirely. Instead, the pivotal arm function is transferred to the crane's boom, which already possesses the necessary structural strength and pivot capability. This extraction eliminates the need for the tool to carry its own heavy pivotal arm, significantly reducing tool weight while maintaining controlled motion capability through the crane's existing pivot mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention leverages the crane's boom as a multi-functional element that serves both as the lifting mechanism and as the pivotal arm for orientation control. The crane's boom, designed for heavy lifting and positioning, is utilized to provide the pivot function that would otherwise require a dedicated heavy structural component in the tool, thereby eliminating redundancy and reducing overall tool weight.
2Ease of operation
If a robust and heavy pivotal arm is used to pivot the frame, then controlled motion is achieved, but the size of the tool increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heavy pivotal arm structure is extracted from the tool and relocated to the crane's boom. This removal significantly reduces the tool's volume and size, allowing for more compact tool design while the crane's boom provides the necessary spatial envelope and pivot radius for orientation control.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention shifts the pivot function from a horizontal pivot within the tool structure to a vertical pivot at the crane's boom. This dimensional change allows the tool to achieve orientation control without requiring large horizontal clearance or heavy structural components within the tool itself, thereby reducing tool volume.
3Reliability
If a complex stabilization arm mechanism is used to mount the tool to a horizontally arranged monopile, then secure mounting is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The complex stabilization arm mechanism is extracted from the tool design. Instead, the tool uses a simplified mounting system that attaches directly to the monopile's flange or upper end structure. The crane's positioning and stabilization capabilities replace the need for complex onboard stabilization arms, reducing device complexity while maintaining secure mounting through direct attachment to the monopile's structural features.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention allows the monopile's own structural features (flange, upper end) to provide the stabilization and positioning function that would otherwise require complex active stabilization arms. The tool's mounting system passively utilizes the monopile's geometry and structure to achieve secure mounting without requiring active stabilization mechanisms.
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 enables controlled and efficient pivoting of the frame between horizontal and vertical orientations, reducing the tool's weight and size while simplifying handling and operation, enhancing the tool's versatility for various offshore applications.
Implementation Method 1
at least one shifting actuator (42) is operative between the frame (3) on one hand and the cable shifting arm (43) on the other hand
Implementation Method 2
a cable shifting mechanism (4) is applied above the pivot axis of the frame (3), using pivotal cable shifting arms (43) and hydraulic actuators to pivot the frame between orientations
Implementation Method 3
A cable shifting mechanism is applied above the pivot axis of the frame, using pivotal cable shifting arms and hydraulic actuators to pivot the frame between orientations without a robust pivotal arm, reducing weight and size
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Upending and lifting an object, e.g. a foundation member of an offshore wind turbine, e.g. a monopile. Use is made of an upending and lifting tool, wherein, with the tool suspended from one or more hoisting cables, e.g. from a crane hook of a crane, and with the frame of the tool initially in vertical orientation, a routine is performed which comprises operating one or more shifting actuators, thereby moving a cable shifting member and engaging a cable engagement surface with the one or more hoisting cables at a height above a pivot axis. Further continuing this motion of the cable shifting member and thereby applying a cable shifting force on the one or more hoisting cables results, in reaction, in a pivoting of the frame into the horizontal orientation thereof.