CN111373101B

CN111373101B - Coupling system, assembly of coupling system and vessel, and assembly of coupling system, sheathing pile and foundation pile

Info

Publication number: CN111373101B
Application number: CN201880075290.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: B·C·容; H·G·A·范韦塞姆
Original assignee: Mechanical Equipment Holding Co ltd
Current assignee: Hortris Machinery And Equipment Holding Co ltd
Priority date: 2017-12-07
Filing date: 2018-11-28
Publication date: 2023-08-29
Anticipated expiration: 2038-11-28
Also published as: SG11202003142YA; CN111373101A; US20200385946A1; EP3721019A1; AU2018379571A1; KR20200091415A; BR112020011049A2; NL2020037B1; AU2018379571B2; JP2021505793A; WO2019112421A1; CA3080105A1

Abstract

A coupling system for temporary coupling to at least one of a sheath pile and a foundation pile includes an upper securing member, a lower securing member, and a lifting device for moving the upper and lower securing members relative to one another. The coupling system is provided with at least one of the following means: a grout transfer line for guiding grout from a grout supply device to a space between the sheath pile and the foundation pile when the sheath 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 sheathing pile from the foundation pile when the sheathing pile is detached relative to the foundation pile; and measuring means for determining parameters of the sheathing pile and/or parameters of the foundation pile.

Description

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

Technical Field

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

Background

Such a coupling system, also called reusable sheath pile holder, is known from EP 2 716 818 and can be used for mounting an offshore structure, such as an offshore wind turbine, to the sea. Such offshore structures are anchored to the seabed by a sheath comprising tubular sheath piles which are inserted into and fixed to the tubular foundation piles. Typically, three or four foundation piles are rammed into the seabed and the sheath and its tubular sheath piles are lowered onto the foundation piles by means of suitable lifting devices. 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 leveling of the sheath when installing the sheath onto the foundation piles. A number of known coupling systems can be used as a correction device for leveling the sheath relative to the pre-installed foundation pile. The upper fixing members of the coupling system are temporarily fixed to the respective sheath piles and the lower fixing members of the coupling system are temporarily fixed to the respective foundation piles. The upper and lower fixing members are movable relative to each other by lifting means to level the sheath. After leveling, the sheath is permanently attached to the foundation pile by grouting, wherein the space between the sheath 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 a grout supply device to a space between the sheath pile and the foundation pile when the sheath 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 sheathing pile from the foundation pile when the sheathing pile is detached relative to the foundation pile; and measuring means for determining parameters of the sheathing pile and/or parameters of the foundation pile. The coupling system is reusable in that the securing members can be temporarily secured to the sheath pile and the foundation pile.

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

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

The coupling system provides a flexible multi-functional system in the presence of both the grout transfer line and the cleaning device, for example. Thanks to the presence of the grout transfer line and/or the cleaning means at the coupling system, lowering one or both of these devices respectively towards the seabed can be omitted, thus saving operating time.

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

The measuring device is configured to determine parameters of the sheathing 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 sheath pile and/or foundation pile or loss of material due to corrosion of the sheath pile and/or foundation pile.

In a practical embodiment, the grout transfer line is located at one of the upper and lower fixing members. In installing the sheath on the foundation pile, the grout pipe may be connected to the grout transfer line before the upper fixing member is fixed to the sheath pile and lowered towards the seabed.

The grout transfer line may have a discharge opening between the upper and lower securing members such that when the upper securing member is secured to the sheath pile and the lower securing member is secured to the foundation pile, the discharge opening is located at the transfer between the sheath pile and the foundation pile.

The separating means may comprise cutting means for cutting at least one of the sheath pile and the foundation pile when the sheath pile is removed 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 fixing members.

The cutting device is rotatable relative to the stationary member about an axis of rotation which is directed upwardly when the stationary member is positioned in overlying relation. This provides the opportunity to guide the cutting device around the sleeve pile and/or foundation pile during cutting of the sleeve 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 is drivable.

In a preferred embodiment, the cutting means is located between the upper and lower fixing members, as the lifting means may move the upper and lower fixing members away from each other when they are fixed to the sheath 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 widening in the direction from the upper to the lower fixation member. This helps to guide the coupling system to the foundation pile for fitting the sheath pile to the foundation pile when the coupling system has been coupled to the sheath pile and the sheath pile including the coupling system is directed towards the foundation pile.

The upper and lower fixing members may comprise respective holders for holding the sheath pile and the foundation pile, respectively.

In a particular embodiment, each gripper has a gripper arm 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 loop and a closed state in which the gripper arms move outwardly relative to each other.

At least one of the grout transfer line, the cleaning device, the separating device, and the measuring device may be removably coupled to at least one of the upper and lower securing members. This seems to be advantageous because in case of installation of the jacket, for example, a separate device is not necessary and in case of decommissioning of the jacket, grouting of the 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 gripper and the vessel comprises a hull and a holding cylinder mounted to the hull, wherein the gripper and the holding cylinder are adapted such that the gripper fits around the holding cylinder. The assembly provides the possibility of fast and safe offshore fastening of the coupling system 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 sheathing 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 an embodiment of a sheath, foundation pile and coupling system according to the invention, showing the manner in which the sheath is mounted to the foundation pile by a plurality of identical coupling systems.

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

Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of an embodiment of a coupling system and boat assembly according to the present 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 sheath 1 to be mounted to the foundation pile 2, the foundation pile 2 being pre-installed into the sea floor. In the case shown in fig. 4, the foundation pile 2 is a hollow cylinder comprising a circular cross-section. The sheath 1 has a central cylindrical support 3, which central cylindrical support 3 can be used to support the wind turbine after the sheath 1 has been installed on the seabed. The central cylindrical support 3 is fixed via a frame 5 to three cylindrical sheathing piles or feet 4. A different number of sheathing feet 4 and a corresponding number of foundation piles 2 are conceivable. The cylindrical sheathing leg 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 piles 2, the inner diameter of the foundation pile 2 is larger than the outer diameter of the corresponding sheathing leg 4, so that after insertion of the sheathing leg 4 into the foundation pile 2, a space is left between the sheathing leg 4 and the corresponding foundation pile 2. The space is filled with grout to fix the sheath 1 to the foundation pile 2.

By means of a plurality of coupling systems 6 according to the invention, the installation of the sheath 1 onto the foundation pile 2 can be easily carried out. An 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 is located below the upper fixing member in an operating condition. 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 so that they can receive one of the gripper 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 ring shape and can encircle one of the gripper feet 4. The gripper arms 7a, 7b can be locked relative to each other in the closed state by means of a locking member 9. Each of the gripper arms 7a, 7b is provided with a hydraulic cylinder 10, which is arranged such that they can apply a force in a radial direction to the centre line of the annular upper gripper 7 in the closed state of the upper gripper 7. Thus, the upper clamper 7 can be temporarily fixed to one of the sheath pins 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 gripper 11, the lower gripper 11 also being provided with gripper arms, pivots, locks and hydraulic cylinders. In the open state of the lower gripper 11, its gripper 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 encircle the foundation piles 2, whereas the lower clamp 11 can be temporarily fixed to one of the foundation piles 2 by actuating its hydraulic cylinders. Fig. 1 shows that the centre lines of the upper clamp 7 and the lower clamp 11 coincide.

The locking 9 allows the hydraulic cylinders to apply clamping forces to the jacket feet 4 and foundation piles 2 without opening the upper and lower clamps 7, 11 and also prevents the clamp arms 7a, 7b from automatically opening when the hydraulic pressure in the hydraulic cylinders 10 is accidentally lost. This means that in an emergency situation the coupling system 6 does not sink immediately 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 feet 4. The other gripper arm 7b is a beam pivotable relative to the U-shaped gripper arm 7a by means of a pivot 8, and the beam 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 can apply a force in a radial direction to the centre line of the annular upper clamp 7. Similarly, the lower gripper 11 may also be provided with gripper arms, pivots, locks and hydraulic cylinders. Alternatively, the beam 7b may be slidably mounted rather than pivotally mounted to the U-shaped gripper arm 7a.

The function of the upper clamp 7 and the lower clamp 11 in mounting the sheath 1 to the foundation pile 2 is shown in fig. 5-7. In the situation shown in fig. 5, the upper holders 7 of three similar coupling systems 6 are fixed to the three jacket feet 4. The sheath 1 may be lowered towards the seabed and the sheath feet 4 may be inserted into the respective foundation piles 2 until the lower holders 11 have travelled past the respective upper ends of the foundation piles 2. Subsequently, the lower holders 11 may be fixed to the respective foundation piles 2 by actuating their hydraulic cylinders 10. Each sheathing pile and the corresponding foundation pile 2 are connected to each other. This situation is shown 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 sheath 1 after the sheath feet 4 and the respective foundation piles 2 have been coupled to each other with the coupling system 6.

After leveling the sheathing 1, the sheathing feet 4 may be fixed to the foundation pile by inserting grout 13 into the existing space between the corresponding sheathing feet 4 and the foundation pile 2. For this purpose, the lower holder 11 of the coupling system 6 is provided with a grout transfer line 14 for guiding grout 13 to the space. The grout transfer line 14 has a discharge opening 15 located between the upper and lower clamps 10 and 11 and directed downwardly. The grout transfer line 14 is connected to a grout pipe 16 which extends in an upward direction from the lower clamp 11 to a vessel (not shown) from which the grout 13 is supplied. This grouting action is shown in fig. 6. Before the sheath 1 comprising the secured coupling system 6 is lowered towards the seabed, the grout pipe 16 may be coupled to the respective coupling system 6.

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 such that the upper gripper 10 and the lower gripper 11 are in their open positions. Subsequently, the coupling system 6 is removed in a lateral direction from the respective sheathing foot 4 and foundation pile 2 to separate the coupling system 6 therefrom. Fig. 7 shows the sheath 1 and foundation pile 2 in a fixed state. The coupling system 6 can be removed to install the next sheath 1.

Fig. 2 shows another embodiment of the coupling system 6. This embodiment has many similarities to the above-described embodiment, but it has no grout transfer line and is provided with separating means in the form of cutting means 17. Elements of the present embodiment that are identical to elements of the above-described embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals. The upper holder 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 jacket feet 4 as shown in fig. 2, 8 and 9. Prior to the cutting action, the three coupling systems 6 may 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 such that the upper gripper 7 and the lower gripper 11 are in their open positions. 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 shown in fig. 8. After the final cutting action is completed, the sheath 1 is lifted from the foundation pile 2 and the small part 4' of the respective sheath foot 4 remains fixed to the foundation pile 2, see fig. 9.

It is also possible to fix the coupling system 6 in a lower position, for example in the position of the foundation pile 2 also in the upper holder 7. This is shown in fig. 10. In this case, the respective cutting means 17 cut both the foundation pile 2 and the sheathing foot 4. Fig. 11 shows that it is possible that the sheath 1 can be lifted from the foundation pile 2, while the components 2' of the respective foundation pile 2 are still fixed to the sheath feet 4. Similarly, both the upper clamp 7 and the lower clamp 11 may be fixed to the sheath foot 7 just before cutting the sheath foot 4.

When the upper and lower holders 7, 11 are fixed to the jacket feet 4 and/or foundation piles 2, the cutting action may be facilitated by the hydraulic cylinders 12 moving the upper and lower holders 7, 11 away from each other so that stresses at the intended cutting location are 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 sleeve pile 4 and the sleeve pile 4 comprising the coupling system 6 is moved towards the foundation pile 2 to insert the sleeve pile 4 into the foundation pile 2, they can be easily guided by the tapering element 22.

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

Fig. 13 shows an embodiment in which the coupling system 6 is provided with a cleaning device 23, which cleaning device 23 is used for cleaning the inside and/or outside of the foundation pile 2, for example, before the grouting action is started. In this case, the cleaning device 23 makes use of a 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 are contemplated, such as high pressure water jets.

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

Fig. 12 shows a part of a ship 19, which ship 19 has a hull comprising a deck 20, to which deck 20 a holding cylinder 21 is attached, for example by welding. The diameter of the holding cylinder 21 is of the same order of magnitude as the above-mentioned jacket feet 4 and foundation piles 2. Fig. 12 shows the lower gripper 11 in its closed state fitted around the holding cylinder 21. The lower holders 11 may be temporarily fixed to the respective holding drums 21 in case the coupling system 6 is transported to and from the offshore location.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments shown in the drawings and described above, but can 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 sheath pile (4) and a foundation pile (2), the coupling system comprising an upper fixing member (7), a lower fixing member (11) and lifting means (12) for moving the upper fixing member (7) and the lower fixing member (11) relative to each other, wherein the coupling system (6) comprises at least one of the following means provided thereon:

a grout transfer line (14) for guiding grout (13) from a grout supply device to a space between the sheathing pile (4) and the foundation pile (2) when the sheathing pile (4) is installed to the foundation pile (2), and

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

-separating means for separating the sheathing pile (4) from the foundation pile (2) when the sheathing pile (4) is detached relative to the foundation pile (2); and

-measuring means (24) for determining parameters of the sheathing pile (4) and/or parameters of the foundation pile (2);

wherein the upper and lower fixing members comprise respective holders for holding the sheath pile (4) and the foundation pile (2), respectively.

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

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

4. Coupling system (6) according to claim 2, wherein the grout transfer line (14) has a discharge opening (15) between the upper and lower fixation members (7, 11).

5. Coupling system (6) according to claim 1, wherein the separating means comprise cutting means (17) for cutting at least one of the sheathing pile (4) and the foundation pile (2) when the sheathing pile (4) is detached relative to the foundation pile (2).

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

7. Coupling system (6) according to claim 5, wherein the cutting device (17) is rotatable relative to the upper and lower fixing members (7, 11) about an axis of rotation which is directed upwards when the upper and lower fixing members (7, 11) are positioned in superposition.

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

9. Coupling system (6) according to any of claims 5-8, wherein the cutting device (17) is located between the upper and lower fixation members (7, 11).

10. Coupling system (6) according to any of claims 1-8, wherein the underside of the coupling system is provided with a tubular tapering element (22) widening in the direction from the upper fixation member (7) to the lower fixation member (11).

11. The coupling system (6) according to claim 1, wherein each gripper has a gripper arm (7 a, 7 b) and a pivot (8) for rotating the gripper arms (7 a, 7 b) relative to each other, wherein each gripper has a closed state in which the gripper arms (7 a, 7 b) form an annulus and an open state in which the gripper arms (7 a, 7 b) move outwards relative to each other.

12. The coupling system (6) according to any one of claims 1-8, wherein at least one of the grout transfer line (14), the cleaning device (23), the separation device and the measurement device (24) is detachably coupled to at least one of the upper and lower fixing members (7, 11).

13. Coupling system (6) according to any of claims 1-8, the coupling system (6) being temporarily fixed to a holding cylinder (21) mounted to the hull (20) of a ship (19), wherein the holding cylinder (21) is adapted such that the lower fixing member (11) fits around the holding cylinder (21).

14. An assembly comprising a sheathing pile (4), a foundation pile (2) and a coupling system according to any one of claims 1 to 13.