DK3255211T3

DK3255211T3 - Jack-bridge structure

Info

Publication number: DK3255211T3
Application number: DK16173994.1T
Authority: DK
Inventors: Harald Arndt
Original assignee: Neptun Ship Design Gmbh
Priority date: 2016-06-10
Filing date: 2016-06-10
Publication date: 2019-02-25
Also published as: EP3255211A1; EP3255211B1

Description

The invention is concerned with a jack-up bridge structure which is constructed in a modular manner and is used for research vessels, salvage vessels, service vessels and/or installation vessels .

Service and/or installation vessels are used in very different areas. For example, for the construction and maintenance of offshore plants, in particular on offshore wind turbines, so-called wind turbine installation vessels, which enable a secure and technically necessary position at the site, are used.

Although the invention is eligible for many possible applications, for example along with the construction and repair of offshore wind turbines also for oil and gas platforms, for research vessels, for the raising of shipwrecks or the construction and the repair of pipelines, the description here is to be effected by way of offshore wind turbines.

As a rule, an offshore wind farm consists of a plurality of wind turbines which are distributed in a structured manner over multiple square kilometres.

The turbines typically consist of a tower, the generator nacelle and the wind vanes. The offshore wind turbines stand on rammed piles (monopile) or on three-legged/multi-legged lattice structure foundations. Said lattice structures are "nailed" to the sea bed or embedded in the sea bed as a result of suction anchoring (suction bucket).

Special ships, which have a heavy-duty crane, floor areas for components of wind turbines and extendable standing legs (jackup system) , are required for the construction and maintenance of offshore wind farms. So-called wind turbine installation vessels, lifting ships (jack-up ships) or also towed jack-up platforms are fixedly anchored on the sea bed by means of the standing legs and consequently form a fixed working base.

The lifting ships in service up to now are able to be set up at a fixed position in the sea by means of hydraulic or electrically operated standing legs (so-called jack-up legs) . When the ship sails, the legs are raised. At the intended position, said legs are lowered and set onto the sea bed. The ship is then raised out of the water. The wind turbine installation vessels are equipped with a large heavy-duty crane. In addition, accommodation facilities are provided for the crew and from time to time also a helicopter pad.

Traditionally, standing leg structures are positioned going through the ship's hull, which significantly restricts the transversal distances between said legs and hampers the maintenance of the components which remain below the waterline (leg, feet, pump systems) correspondingly. A further possibility consists in arranging the standing legs to the side outside the ship's width, the drive units thereof being connected at the side to the outer skin of the ship.

Different designs for this purpose are disclosed in the publications EP 2617641 Al (wind turbine assembly moving device and method for loading/unloading a wind turbine assembly using the same), EP 1356205 Bl (method and apparatus for placing at least one wind turbine on open water), DE 102013104278 Al (floating work platform with a lifting system and method of lifting or lowering such a floating work platform) and US 6808337 Bl (construction at sea). Said structures are also suitable in part for retrofitting or for the conversion of ships.

The lifting heights and weights to be realized force a crane of said ships to be positioned at a shortest possible distance from the wind turbine. Unfavourable positioning of the crane requires a larger crane boom which restricts the lifting heights of the crane and also increases the tilting moment. This makes it necessary to design the crane over-dimensioned for its task, which also effects the ship design. EP 2146006 Al discloses a platform on open sea for lifting where two floating units are connected to one another and a crane is arranged on the connection. A similar arrangement is disclosed in FR 2298474 Al.

The publication DE 202008012355 U1 described lowerable supporting legs which are indeed arranged fixedly on a defined floatable hull. DE 102011118712 Al discloses a dock ship which is provided with jack-up legs. The actual ship can move into said dock ship and is lifted with the dock. US 3874180 Al discloses different arrangements of jack-up legs on ships or connections between a ship and moorings on the oil platforms or wind turbines. The jack-up legs are either fixedly connected to the ship or other devices which connect to the moorings are present on the ship. The ship can be lifted out of the water in this way in order to be able to carry out work on the oil platforms or the wind turbine in an interference-free manner . WO 2014/070024 A2 discloses a three-legged semi-submersible service ship which is provided with a crane and further superstructures for the accommodation of personnel. It has its own drives and is able to reach its areas of application independently.

The publication NL 2004402 C discloses an offshore island which is provided with pontoons for ballast water and four extendable legs. A crane can be mounted on the island as an option. US 415 6577 A also shows a platform having three or four standing legs which is able to be transported by a ship.

Representation of the invention

It is the object of the invention to develop a jack-up bridge structure which is able to be used independently from a watercraft, is suitable for retrofitting to watercraft that have already been constructed and/or is able to be used as a carrying component in the new construction of a jack-up watercraft. The jack-up bridge structure should be constructed in a modular manner, a plurality of applications being made possible as a result of identical modules.

The solution according to the invention is disclosed in the claims . A jack-up bridge according to the invention consists of a shipbuilding-like structure, on each of the port and starboard sides of which a housing, which serves for accommodating downwardly extendable standing legs, is arranged. The shipbuilding-like structure, which is designed as a superstructure construction, consists of a plurality of levels and is provided with means for guiding a ship and/or for accommodating machines, systems and/or personnel.

The standing leg, together with its standing leg mechanism and its necessary electrical or hydraulic drive systems, is arranged in the housing.

In a further embodiment, the jack-up bridge structure is provided with a crane whose machine house and drive units are situated within the shipbuilding-like structure, wherein the shipbuilding-like structure is designed as a crane foundation and machine region.

In a further embodiment, two shipbuilding-like structures are fixedly connected to one another by means of at least one connecting structure. The at least one connecting structure is arranged as a stabilizing element between the shipbuilding-like structures and serves to accommodate supply lines. In addition, a walk-on connection between the two shipbuilding-like structures is created. If two connecting structures are arranged between the shipbuilding-like structures, they are located on the port and starboard sides.

In a further embodiment, the at least one connecting structure is a floating dock.

The size and structural design of the jack-up bridge structure are determined by its application. It is dimensioned such that the jack-up bridge structure can be transported by means of a barge or a lifting ship.

In a further embodiment, the jack-up bridge structure is fixedly connected to a watercraft, preferably by means of the main deck thereof. This can also be effected as a result of retrofitting to an already constructed watercraft.

Considerable advantages of the jack-up bridge structure according to the invention are produced from the diverse application possibilities. Existing watercraft can be "suspended" on them and distances between legs can consequently be realized which would otherwise make the new design and construction of a jack-up watercraft necessary with the necessary width with inboard legs.

Along with the autonomous application, watercraft, which can be constructed independently of the standing legs and of the drive design thereof, can be provided with the jack-up bridge structure according to the invention. Advantages are produced here with reference to the selection of possible shipyards and the widths of the construction dock thereof. Retrofitting to an existing watercraft is equally possible. A wide area of application becomes accessible as a result of said flexible modular design of the jack-up bridge structure. The distance between the standing legs is realizable depending on the intended application without modifying the inner structure of the watercraft and the internal units.

Newly constructed watercraft can be designed and constructed without superstructure structures, the modular jack-up bridge structure (new or existing) being able to be adapted and integrated at a later date. Said steps can also be coordinated at diverse shipyard sites world-wide in a location-independent manner .

When mounting a watercraft below the jack-up bridge structure, it is realizable for the legs and foundation support to be able to be lifted completely out of the water. As a result, these areas are able to be walked on in an optimum manner, which makes the maintenance, revision and possible repair of said system parts possible.

The jack-up bridge structure enables new design and logistics possibilities for both the planning and execution of installation steps on offshore wind farm systems and in the case of the maintenance and dismantling of the same. A further advantage is that dynamically positioned watercraft take over the transport of the components for offshore wind turbines to the construction site on site and consequently for the jack-up bridge structure. For transporting the material, said watercraft are able to shuttle between the manufacturer/port of loading and the construction field. The crane is uninterruptedly available in this way. This leads to a considerable time saving and, as a result, also a cost saving.

Execution of the invention

The invention is explained in more detail by way of drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a first exemplary embodiment of the jack-up bridge structure according to the invention,

Figure 2 shows a further exemplary embodiment of the jack-up bridge structure according to the invention,

Figure 3 shows a roughly sketched representation of the jackup bridge structure according to the invention in conjunction with a watercraft and

Figure 4 shows a roughly sketched representation of the jackup bridge structure according to the invention in conjunction with a watercraft which has been lifted up.

Figure 1 shows a first exemplary embodiment of the jack-up bridge structure according to the invention. The jack-up bridge structure consists of a plurality of modular units. The basic construction consists of a shipbuilding-like structure 2 which is composed of various steel units. The shipbuilding-like structure 2 is to be designed, in principle, conceptually similar to a shipbuilding superstructure construction, however, when looked at in a static and dynamic manner, it is to be interpreted correspondingly. It consists of a plurality of levels which, in dependence on the application and requirements, can serve, for example, both for the accommodation of machines and systems, workshop spaces, of personnel and for the guiding of a watercraft. The shipbuilding-like structure 2 is fixedly connected to two housings 1 which are arranged on the port and starboard sides and provide further modules. Downwardly extendable standing legs 3 with a foundation support 31 (spudcan) and their standing leg mechanisms (not shown here), for example the leg drives, are mounted in the housings 1.

The housings 1 for the standing leg mechanism and the standing legs 3 form a section unit with the necessary electric or hydraulic drive systems and are fixedly connected to the shipbuilding-like structure 2. The equipment of said unit, produced from the shipbuilding-like structure 2 and the housings 1 for the standing legs 3, is based as regards dimension and structural design on the possible application.

In addition, in the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 1, a high-performance crane 4 is arranged as a further module on the shipbuilding-like structure 2. In said exemplary embodiment, the shipbuilding-like structure 2 serves as a crane foundation and accommodates the necessary power systems for the jack-up bridge structure and the drive units for the crane 4 in the interior space .

Figure 2 shows a further exemplary embodiment with two jack-up bridge structures, two jack-up bridge structures being fixedly connected to one another by means of connecting structures 5. A first jack-up bridge structure is provided with a crane 4 and a second jack-up bridge structure is realized as living and working quarters for the crew. Two connecting structures 5, which are connected to the shipbuilding-like structure 2 on the port and starboard sides, are provided as a rule. However, it is also conceivable for one correspondingly larger dimensioned and centrally placed connecting structure 5 to be sufficient. The connecting structures 5 connect the jack-up bridge structures not only from the outside but also create a connection in the interior space in which the personnel are able to pass from one jack-up bridge structure to the other protected from the weather conditions. The connecting structures 5 consequently have multiple tasks, they connect the jack-up bridge structures with one another and at the same time serve as reinforcement for the entire construction. In addition, they can be walked on and provide space for the supply lines between the jack-up bridge structures. The connecting structures 5 as a further module can also be designed as carrying structures in order to be able to transport said construction by means of a lifting ship.

As the jack-up bridge structure is designed in a modular manner, it can be modified for the most varied applications. It is thus possible to move one single jack-up bridge structure to the desired site in a "piggy-back" manner by means of a barge. The standing legs 3 are extended and anchored in the sea bed by means of the accordingly dimensioned foundation supports 31 (spudcans) as a result of tubes (piles) driven into the sea bed. The barge can then move out and leave the site again. The jackup bridge structure is autonomous and remains on site, for example in order to carry out research work or to raise a wreck. The personnel can be flown in for example, a helicopter pad is to be provided for this purpose.

Another possibility consists in that two jack-up bridge structures are connected together by means of a floating dock and are towed to the site. The floating dock can be floated on site in the slightly raised, ballasted state. Shuttle barges can float with the material, for example for an offshore wind turbine. The standing legs 3 are then extended further whilst the ballast tank and the floating dock are pumped out. The load brought along by the barges is then installed.

Figures 3 and 4 show a roughly sketched representation of a further application where two separate jack-up bridge structures communicate with a watercraft 6. In the present exemplary embodiment, one jack-up bridge structure is realized as living quarters and a command bridge for the watercraft 8 and the other jack-up bridge structure is connected to a crane 4. The standing legs 3 are guided downward next to the outer skin of the hull on the port and starboard sides of the watercraft 6 and positioned so that the standing legs 3 are moved past the sides of the actual hull. As a result, ships of any type can be equipped or retrofitted with corresponding strength-related modifications to the ship's structures. The connection between the jack-up bridge structure and the watercraft 6 is realized by means of the longitudinal/transverse bracing of the main deck, independently of the design of the outer skin of the watercraft.

Figure 4 shows a roughly sketched representation of the arrangement according to Figure 3 in the raised state.

The type of drives (hydraulic or electric) and the type of leg design (round produced from tube, square/triangular produced from steel plates, lattice mast system produced from tube) are to be defined in dependence on the intended application of the jack-up bridge structure.

As the preceding jack-up bridge structure and the various applications thereof which have been described in detail are embodiments, they are able to be modified to a large extent in the usual way by the expert without departing from the area of the invention. In particular, the specific designs of the superstructures can also be effected in a form other than the one described here. The crane 4 or the housing 1 with the standing legs 3 can also be designed in another form if this is necessary for reasons of space or for reasons of design. In addition, the use of the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude the fact that the relevant features are also able to be present in the plural.

List of references 1 Housing 2 Shipbuilding-like structure 3 Extendable standing legs 31 Foundation support (spudcan) 4 Crane 5 Connecting structure 6 Watercraft

Claims

1. Jackup bridge structure with housing (1) for receiving support legs (3) which can be slid down, characterized in that each such housing (1) is permanently connected to a modular shipbuilding structure (2) each time on the port side and starboard side (2). , which is designed as a shipbuilding superstructure.

Jackup bridge structure according to claim 1, characterized in that the ship-like structure (2) consists of several floors and is provided with devices for guiding a watercraft and / or for the installation of machinery, plants and / or personnel.

Jackup bridge structure according to claim 1, characterized in that the support leg (3) is arranged in the housing (1) with its support leg mechanism and its necessary electrical or hydraulic drive systems.

Jackup bridge structure according to claim 1, characterized in that it is provided with a crane (4), the machinery housing and drive units of which are in the interior of the shipbuild-like structure (2) and that the shipbuild-like structure (2) is constructed as a crane foundation. and machine area.

Jackup bridge structure according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that two ship-building-like structures (2) are fixedly connected to each other by means of at least one connecting structure (5).

Jackup bridge structure according to claim 5, characterized in that the at least one connecting structure (5) is arranged as a stabilizing element between the ship-building-like structures (2) and serves to provide supply lines and establishes a connection for walking between the shipbuilding-like structures (2).

Jackup bridge structure according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that two connecting structures (5) on the port and starboard side are connected to the ship building-like structure (2).

Jackup bridge structure according to claim 5, characterized in that the at least one connecting structure (5) is a floating dock.

Jackup bridge structure according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the size and constructive design of the jackup bridge structure is determined by its use.

Jackup bridge structure according to claim 9, characterized in that it is dimensioned such that the jackup bridge structure can be transported by means of a barge or a lifting vessel.

Jackup bridge structure according to at least one of the preceding claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it is connected firmly to a watercraft (6).

Jackup bridge structure according to claim 11, characterized in that it is retrofitted to a watercraft (6).