CN111373101A

CN111373101A - Coupling system, assembly of coupling system and vessel, and assembly of coupling system, jacket pile and foundation pile

Info

Publication number: CN111373101A
Application number: CN201880075290.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: B·C·容; H·G·A·范韦塞姆
Original assignee: IHC Holland lE BV
Current assignee: Hortris Machinery And Equipment Holding Co ltd
Priority date: 2017-12-07
Filing date: 2018-11-28
Publication date: 2020-07-03
Anticipated expiration: 2038-11-28
Also published as: CN111373101B; US20200385946A1; KR20200091415A; SG11202003142YA; BR112020011049A2; CA3080105A1; JP2021505793A; NL2020037B1; AU2018379571B2; EP3721019A1; WO2019112421A1; AU2018379571A1

Abstract

A coupling system for temporary coupling to at least one of a jacket pile and a foundation pile includes an upper fixing member, a lower fixing member, and a lifting device for moving the upper and lower fixing members relative to each other. The coupling system is provided with at least one of the following means: a grout transfer line for guiding grout from the grout supply device to a space between the jacket pile and the foundation pile when the jacket pile is installed to the foundation pile; cleaning means for cleaning the inside and/or outside of the foundation pile; separating means for separating the jacket pile from the foundation pile when the jacket pile is removed relative to the foundation pile; and a measuring device for determining parameters of the jacket pile and/or parameters of the foundation pile.

Description

Coupling system, assembly of coupling system and vessel, and assembly of coupling system, jacket pile and foundation pile

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a coupling system for temporary coupling to at least one of a jacket pile and a foundation pile, the coupling system comprising an upper fixing member, a lower fixing member and a lifting device for moving the upper and lower fixing members relative to each other.

Background

Such a coupling system, also referred to as a reusable jacket pile holder, is known from EP 2716818 and can be used for mounting offshore structures, such as offshore wind turbines, to the sea. Such an offshore structure is anchored to the seabed by means of a jacket comprising a tubular jacket pile which is inserted into and fixed to a tubular foundation pile. Typically, three or four foundation piles are rammed into the seabed and the jacket and its tubular jacket pile are lowered onto the foundation pile by means of a suitable lifting device. After introduction to the seabed, the foundation piles may protrude from the seabed at different distances and orientations due to installation inaccuracies, which may require that the jacket will be leveled when installing it on the foundation pile. A number of known coupling systems may be used as a correction device for levelling the jacket relative to the pre-installed foundation pile. The upper fixation members of the coupling system are temporarily fixed to the respective jacket piles and the lower fixation members of the coupling system are temporarily fixed to the respective foundation piles. The upper and lower fixation members are movable relative to each other by a lifting device to level the jacket. After levelling, the jacket is permanently attached to the foundation pile by grouting action, wherein the space between the jacket pile and the foundation pile is filled with grouting material.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide a flexible coupling system.

This object is achieved by a coupling system according to the invention, wherein the coupling system is provided with at least one of the following means: a grout transfer line for guiding grout from the grout supply device to a space between the jacket pile and the foundation pile when the jacket pile is installed to the foundation pile; cleaning means for cleaning the inside and/or outside of the foundation pile; separating means for separating the jacket pile from the foundation pile when the jacket pile is removed relative to the foundation pile; and a measuring device for determining parameters of the jacket pile and/or parameters of the foundation pile. The coupling system is reusable in that the fixation members can be temporarily fixed to the jacket pile and the foundation pile.

When the grouting transfer line is part of the coupling system, the grouting action can be performed relatively quickly, since the grouting transfer line is already at the desired position, after the upper fixing member is fixed to the jacket pile and the lower fixing member is fixed to the corresponding foundation pile, when the jacket pile is mounted on the pre-installed foundation pile.

The cleaning device may be configured to clean the inside and/or outside of the foundation pile to provide improved adhesion of grout to the foundation pile. For example, the cleaning device may include one or more brushes.

In the presence of both a grout line and a cleaning device, for example, the coupling system provides a flexible, multi-functional system. Due to the presence of the grouting transfer line and/or the cleaning device at the coupling system, lowering one or both of these devices towards the seabed, respectively, may be omitted, thereby saving operating time.

The presence of the disconnecting device in the coupling system provides the opportunity to use the coupling system for decommissioning the jacket, i.e. to remove it from its foundation pile at the end of its service life.

The measuring device is configured to determine parameters of the jacket pile and/or parameters of the foundation pile, for example in the case of an inspection. Possible parameters to be monitored during the life cycle are marine growth on the jacket pile and/or foundation pile or material loss due to corrosion of the jacket pile and/or foundation pile.

In a practical embodiment, the grout delivery line is located at one of the upper and lower securing members. When installing the jacket onto the foundation pile, the grout pipe may be connected to the grout transfer line before the upper securing member is secured to the jacket pile and lowered towards the seabed.

The grout transfer line may have a discharge opening between the upper fixing member and the lower fixing member such that the discharge opening is located at a transfer portion between the jacket pile and the foundation pile when the upper fixing member is fixed to the jacket pile and the lower fixing member is fixed to the foundation pile.

The separation device may comprise a cutting device for cutting at least one of the jacket pile and the foundation pile when the jacket pile is detached relative to the foundation pile. Many alternative separation means are conceivable.

In a practical embodiment, the cutting device may be mounted to at least one of the upper and lower fixation members.

The cutting device is rotatable relative to the fixation member about a rotation axis, which is directed upwards when the fixation members are positioned one above the other. This provides the opportunity to guide the cutting device around the jacket pile and/or foundation pile during cutting of the jacket pile and/or foundation pile.

In a particular embodiment, one of the upper and lower fixation members comprises a circular guide along which the cutting device can be driven.

In a preferred embodiment, the cutting means is located between the upper and lower securing members, because the lifting means may move the upper and lower securing members away from each other when they are secured to the jacket pile and/or foundation pile to reduce stress at the intended cutting location, thereby facilitating the cutting action.

In a preferred embodiment, the underside of the coupling system is provided with a tubular tapering element which widens in the direction from the upper fixing member to the lower fixing member. This facilitates guiding the coupling system to the foundation pile for fitting the jacket pile to the foundation pile when the coupling system has been coupled to the jacket pile and the jacket piles including the coupling system are all directed towards the foundation pile.

The upper and lower fixing members may comprise respective grippers for gripping the jacket pile and the foundation pile, respectively.

In a particular embodiment, each gripper has gripper arms and a pivot for rotating the gripper arms relative to each other, wherein each gripper has a closed state in which the gripper arms form a ring and a closed state in which the gripper arms move outwards relative to each other.

At least one of the grout delivery line, the cleaning device, the separation device, and the measuring device may be removably coupled to at least one of the upper and lower fixation members. This seems to be advantageous since in case of installation of the jacket, for example, a disconnecting device is not necessary and in case of decommissioning of the jacket, a grouting transfer line is not necessary.

The invention also relates to an assembly of a coupling system and a vessel, wherein the coupling system has a clamp and the vessel comprises a hull and a holding cylinder mounted to the hull, wherein the clamp and the holding cylinder are adapted such that the clamp fits around the holding cylinder. This assembly provides the possibility of quickly and safely securing the coupling system offshore to the vessel.

More specifically, the coupling system may be a coupling system as described above, and the gripper is one of an upper gripper and a lower gripper.

The invention also relates to an assembly comprising a coupling system as described above, a jacket pile and a foundation pile.

Drawings

In the following, the invention will be elucidated with reference to the drawings, which are particularly schematic and which show embodiments of the invention by way of example.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a coupling system according to the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a view similar to fig. 1 of an alternative embodiment.

Fig. 3 is a top view of an embodiment of the coupling system as shown in fig. 1 and 2.

Fig. 4-7 are perspective views of embodiments of a jacket, a foundation pile and a coupling system according to the invention, showing the manner in which the jacket is mounted to the foundation pile by means of a plurality of identical coupling systems.

Fig. 8-11 are views similar to fig. 4-7, but showing the manner in which the jacket is removed relative to the foundation pile by a plurality of identical coupling systems.

Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view of a part of an embodiment of an assembly of a coupling system and a vessel according to the invention.

Fig. 13 and 14 are views similar to fig. 1 showing other alternative embodiments.

FIG. 15 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing an alternative embodiment.

Detailed Description

Fig. 4 shows the jacket 1 to be installed on a foundation pile 2, the foundation pile 2 being pre-installed into the seabed. In the case shown in fig. 4, the foundation pile 2 is a hollow cylinder comprising a circular cross-section. The enclosure 1 has a central cylindrical support 3, which central cylindrical support 3 can be used to support the wind turbine after the enclosure 1 has been mounted on the seabed. The central cylindrical support 3 is fixed to three cylindrical jacket piles or jacket feet 4 via a frame 5. A different number of jacket feet 4 and a corresponding number of foundation piles 2 are conceivable. The cylindrical jacket foot 4 has a circular cross section and is fitted into the foundation pile 2. In order to compensate for possible deviations in the position and orientation of the pre-installed foundation pile 2, the inner diameter of the foundation pile 2 is larger than the outer diameter of the corresponding jacket foot 4, so that a space remains between the jacket foot 4 and the corresponding foundation pile 2 after insertion of the jacket foot 4 into the foundation pile 2. The space is filled with grout to fix the jacket 1 to the foundation pile 2.

The mounting of the jacket 1 onto the foundation pile 2 can be easily carried out by means of a plurality of coupling systems 6 according to the invention. One embodiment of a coupling system 6 is shown in fig. 1. The coupling system 6 comprises an upper fixing member and a lower fixing member which, in the operating condition, is located below the upper fixing member. The upper fixing member is formed by an upper gripper 7, which upper gripper 7 has

gripper arms

7a, 7b and a pivot 8, see fig. 3. The pivot 8 serves to rotate the

gripper arms

7a, 7b relative to each other such that they can receive one of the sheath feet 4 when the upper gripper 7 is in the open state. In the closed state of the upper gripper 7, the

gripper arms

7a, 7b form a loop and can surround one of the sheath feet 4. The

gripper arms

7a, 7b can be locked in the closed state with respect to each other by means of a locking member 9. Each of the

gripper arms

7a, 7b is provided with hydraulic cylinders 10 which are arranged such that they can exert a force in the radial direction towards the centre line of the annular upper gripper 7 in the closed state of the upper gripper 7. Thus, the upper holder 7 can be temporarily fixed to one of the sheath legs 4. In order to create a large opening in the open state of the upper gripper 7, the

gripper arms

7a, 7b have substantially the same dimensions and form a semicircular element.

Similarly, the lower fixing member is formed by a lower clamp 11, which lower clamp 11 is also provided with a clamp arm, a pivot, a lock and a hydraulic cylinder. In the open state of the lower clamp 11, its clamp arm can receive one of the foundation piles 2. In the closed state of the lower clamp 11, its clamp arms form a ring and can surround the foundation piles 2, while the lower clamp 11 can be temporarily fixed to one of the foundation piles 2 by actuating its hydraulic cylinder. Fig. 1 shows that the centre lines of the upper gripper 7 and the lower gripper 11 coincide.

The lock 9 allows the hydraulic cylinder to apply a clamping force to the jacket foot 4 and the foundation pile 2 without opening the upper and

lower clamps

7, 11 and also prevents the

clamp arms

7a, 7b from opening automatically when hydraulic pressure in the hydraulic cylinder 10 is lost unexpectedly. This means that in an emergency situation the coupling system 6 does not immediately sink into the seabed.

Fig. 15 shows an alternative embodiment of the coupling system 6. In this case, one of the gripper arms 7a of the upper gripper 7 has a U-shape, which fits around the foundation pile 2 and the jacket foot 4. The other gripper arm 7b is a beam which is pivotable relative to the U-shaped gripper arm 7a by means of a pivot 8 and which is lockable relative to the U-shaped gripper arm 7a by means of a locking member 9. Similar to the embodiment shown in fig. 3, the hydraulic cylinder 10 may apply a force in a radial direction to the center line of the annular upper clamp 7. Similarly, the lower gripper 11 may also be provided with a gripper arm, a pivot, a lock and a hydraulic cylinder. Alternatively, the beam 7b is slidably mounted instead of pivotally mounted to the U-shaped holder arm 7 a.

The function of the upper and

lower clamps

7, 11 when mounting the jacket 1 on the foundation pile 2 is shown in fig. 5-7. In the situation shown in fig. 5, the upper clamps 7 of three similar coupling systems 6 are fixed to three sheath feet 4. The jacket 1 may be lowered towards the seabed and the jacket feet 4 may be inserted into the respective foundation pile 2 until the lower gripper 11 has travelled through the respective upper end of the foundation pile 2. Subsequently, the lower clamps 11 can be fixed to the respective foundation pile 2 by actuating their hydraulic cylinders 10. Each jacket pile and the corresponding foundation pile 2 are connected to each other. This situation is illustrated in fig. 1.

Each coupling system 6 further comprises a lifting system in the form of an upwardly directed hydraulic cylinder 12 for moving the upper gripper 7 and the lower gripper 11 in a vertical direction relative to each other. This provides the opportunity to adjust the height and orientation of the jacket 1 after the jacket feet 4 and the respective foundation piles 2 have been coupled to each other with the coupling system 6.

After levelling the jacket 1, the jacket feet 4 may be fixed to the foundation pile by inserting grouting fluid 13 into the existing space between the respective jacket foot 4 and the foundation pile 2. For this purpose, the lower gripper 11 of the coupling system 6 is provided with a grouting transfer line 14 for guiding grouting 13 to the space. The grout delivery line 14 has a discharge opening 15 which is located between the upper holder 10 and the lower holder 11 and is directed downwards. The grout transfer line 14 is connected to a grout pipe 16, which extends from the lower gripper 11 in an upward direction to a ship (not shown), from which the grout 13 is supplied. This grouting action is illustrated in fig. 6. The grout pipes 16 may be coupled to the respective coupling systems 6 before the jacket 1 including the secured coupling systems 6 is lowered towards the seabed.

After the grout 13 has cured, the

gripper arms

7a, 7b of the upper gripper 7 and the gripper arms of the lower gripper 11 are moved outwardly relative to each other so that the upper gripper 10 and the lower gripper 11 are in their open position. Subsequently, the coupling system 6 is moved away from the respective jacket foot 4 and foundation pile 2 in the transverse direction to detach the coupling system 6 therefrom. Fig. 7 shows the jacket 1 and foundation pile 2 in a fixed state. The coupling system 6 can be removed to install the next jacket 1.

Fig. 2 shows another embodiment of the coupling system 6. This embodiment is much similar to the above described embodiment, but it has no grout line and is provided with separating means in the form of cutting means 17. Elements of this embodiment that are identical to elements of the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals. The upper gripper 7 comprises a circular guide 18 to which the cutting device 17 is mounted. The cutting device 17 can be driven along a circular guide 18 so that it can cut the sheath foot 4 as shown in fig. 2, 8 and 9. Prior to the cutting action, the three coupling systems 6 can be lowered towards the seabed and the gripper arms of the upper gripper 7 and the lower gripper 11 are moved outwards relative to each other so that the upper gripper 7 and the lower gripper 11 are in their open position. Subsequently, the coupling system 6 is moved in the transverse direction to the respective jacket foot 4, where the upper clamp 7 is fixed to the respective jacket foot 4 and the lower clamp 11 is fixed to the respective foundation pile 2. This situation is illustrated in fig. 8. After the final cutting action is completed, the sheath 1 is lifted from the foundation pile 2 and the small parts 4' of the respective sheath feet 4 remain fixed to the foundation pile 2, see fig. 9.

It is also possible to fix the coupling system 6 at a lower position, for example at the position of the foundation pile 2 also at the upper clamp 7. This is shown in fig. 10. In this case, the respective cutting device 17 cuts both the foundation pile 2 and the jacket foot 4. Fig. 11 shows that the casing 1 can be lifted from the foundation pile 2 while the part 2' of the corresponding foundation pile 2 remains fixed to the casing foot 4. Similarly, both the upper holder 7 and the lower holder 11 can be fixed to the sheath foot 7 just before cutting the sheath foot 4.

When the upper and

lower clamps

7, 11 are fixed to the jacket foot 4 and/or the foundation pile 2, the cutting action may be facilitated by the hydraulic cylinder 12 moving the upper and

lower clamps

7, 11 away from each other such that the stress at the intended cutting location is minimized.

Fig. 1 and 2 show that the lower holder 11 is provided with a tubular tapering element 22. When the coupling system 6 has been attached to the jacket pile 4 and the jacket pile 4 including the coupling system 6 is moved towards the foundation pile 2 to insert the jacket pile 4 into the foundation pile 2, they can be easily guided by the tapered element 22.

The embodiments shown in fig. 1 and 2 and described above may be integrated into one embodiment suitable for both grouting and cutting action. For example, the embodiment of fig. 1 is ready for a cutting action due to the presence of the guide means 18, on which the cutting means 17 can be mounted.

Fig. 13 shows an embodiment wherein the coupling system 6 is provided with cleaning devices 23, which cleaning devices 23 are used for cleaning the inside and/or outside of the foundation pile 2, for example before starting a grouting action. In this case, the cleaning device 23 makes use of the guide 18 which can also be used by the cutting device 17 as shown in fig. 2. The cleaning means 23 may comprise brushes for locally cleaning the foundation pile 2 prior to grouting, but alternative cleaning means, such as high pressure water jets, are conceivable.

Fig. 14 shows a further embodiment, wherein the coupling system 6 is further provided with a measuring device 24 for determining parameters of the jacket pile 4 and/or parameters of the foundation pile 2. The measuring device 24 may comprise one or more sensors for measuring the local wall thickness of the casing foot 4 and/or the foundation pile 2.

Fig. 12 shows a part of a vessel 19, which vessel 19 has a hull comprising a deck 20, on which deck 20 a retaining cylinder 21 is attached, e.g. by welding. The diameter of the retaining cylinder 21 is of the same order of magnitude as the aforementioned sheathing foot 4 and foundation pile 2. Fig. 12 shows the lower clamp 11 in its closed state fitted around the holding cylinder 21. In the case of transporting the coupling system 6 to and from the offshore location, the lower clamp 11 can be temporarily fixed to the corresponding retaining cylinder 21.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments shown in the drawings and described above, which may be varied in different ways within the scope of the claims and their technical equivalents.

Claims

1. A coupling system (6) for temporary coupling to at least one of a jacket pile (4) and a foundation pile (2), comprising an upper fixing member (7), a lower fixing member (11) and a lifting device (12) for moving the upper and lower fixing members (7, 11) relative to each other, wherein the coupling system (6) is provided with at least one of the following means:

a grouting transfer line (14) for guiding grouting (13) from a grouting supply device to a space between the jacket pile (4) and the foundation pile (2) when installing the jacket pile (4) to the foundation pile (2), and

a cleaning device (23) for cleaning the inside and/or outside of the foundation pile (2);

separating means (17) for separating the jacket pile (4) from the foundation pile (2) when the jacket pile (4) is detached with respect to the foundation pile (2); and

a measuring device (24) for determining a parameter of the jacket pile (4) and/or a parameter of the foundation pile (2).

2. Coupling system (6) according to claim 1, wherein the grout delivery line (14) is located at one of the upper and lower fixation members (7, 11).

3. Coupling system (6) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the grout delivery line (14) has a discharge opening (15) between the upper and lower fixing members (7, 11).

4. Coupling system (6) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the separating means comprises cutting means (17) for cutting at least one of the jacket pile (4) and the foundation pile (2) when detaching the jacket pile (4) in relation to the foundation pile (2).

5. Coupling system (6) according to claim 4, wherein the cutting device (17) is mounted to at least one of the upper and lower fixation members (7, 11).

6. Coupling system (6) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the cutting device (17) is rotatable relative to the upper and lower fixation members (7, 11) about a rotation axis which is directed upwards when the upper and lower fixation members (7, 11) are positioned one above the other.

7. Coupling system (6) according to claim 6, wherein one of the upper and lower fixing members (7, 11) comprises a circular guide (18) along which the cutting device (17) can be driven.

8. Coupling system (6) according to any of claims 4-7, wherein the cutting device (17) is located between the upper and lower fixation members (7, 11).

9. Coupling system (6) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the underside of the coupling system is provided with a tubular tapering element (22) which widens in the direction from the upper to the lower fixing member (7, 11).

10. Coupling system (6) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the upper and lower fixation members comprise respective clamps (7, 11) for clamping a jacket pile (4) and a foundation pile (2), respectively.

11. Coupling system (6) according to claim 10, wherein each gripper has a gripper arm (7a, 7b) and a pivot (8) for rotating the gripper arms (7a, 7b) relative to each other, wherein each gripper (7, 11) has a closed state, in which the gripper arms (7a, 7b) form a ring shape, and a strike state, in which the gripper arms (7a, 7b) move outwards relative to each other.

12. Coupling system (6) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the grout delivery line (14), the cleaning device (23), the disconnecting device (17) and the measuring device (24) is detachably coupled to at least one of the upper and lower fixing members (7, 11).

13. An assembly comprising a coupling system (6) and a vessel (19), wherein the coupling system (6) has a gripper (11) and the vessel (19) comprises a hull (20) and a holding cylinder (21) mounted to the hull (20), wherein the gripper (11) and the holding cylinder (21) are adapted such that the gripper (11) fits around the holding cylinder (21).

14. Assembly according to claim 13, wherein the coupling system (6) is according to any one of claims 1 to 12 and the gripper is one of an upper and a lower gripper (7, 11).

15. An assembly comprising a jacket pile (4), a foundation pile (20) and a coupling system according to any one of claims 1 to 12.