EP2657410B1 - Device for reducing the propagation of sound, vibration and pressure shocks in a liquid - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a device for reducing the propagation of sound, vibrations and pressure surges in a liquid, in particular occurring when introducing an object into a background sound and / or in particular in water, with a plurality of gas-filled damping bodies and a carrier to in which the damping body can be arranged in a suitable relative position to each other, wherein the carrier has a frame with horizontal linkage elements.

A device of the type mentioned is, for example, from the WO 2009/121336 A2 known. The known device has a plurality of damping bodies which can be filled with a gas and which are fastened to a carrier. In this case, the carrier and the damping body are made in one piece from a thin, elastic tubing, wherein the damping body are delimited from each other by constrictions or welding webs of the tubing. The damping body can be fixed by means of the carrier in a cage.

Devices of the type mentioned serve in particular the reduction of underwater noise during pile driving for offshore wind turbines. In the founding work for the construction of such plants are mainly used Schlagrammen that produce a very intense sound underwater that can damage the hearing organs of marine mammals and fish. In addition, the behavior of animals over a radius of many kilometers can be affected. There is therefore an urgent need to reduce underwater sound propagation during pile driving. Such piling operations include not only the introduction of piles, but also the introduction of nails in the ground to fix base elements for support piles on the seabed or water bottom. Even with the introduction of such nails intense sound is generated under water.

At the time of the WO 2009/121336 A2 known device is problematic in that when a frequently occurring during use of the device damage and leakage of a damping body replacement of the damping body is virtually impossible. Finally, for this purpose, the entire tubular support must be replaced with all other damping bodies located on it or removed for repair from the liquid or from the water. It may happen that a repair of the damping body due to the size of the leakage or the extent of the damage is not possible. As a result, there remains a permanent functional impairment with respect to the respective carrier, since only the remaining intact damping body are effective. Consequently, the known device is extremely inflexible, in particular in the case of repair or in the event of a required replacement of individual damping bodies, and reliable operation of the device can not be ensured permanently.

The present invention is therefore based on the object, a device of the type mentioned in such a way and further, that a safe operation of the device with structurally simple means is possible.

According to the invention the above object is achieved by a device having the features of claim 1. Thereafter, the device is configured and further developed such that the damping body are arranged on the horizontal linkage elements such that individual damping body can be decoupled from the linkage element and again attached to the linkage element.

In accordance with the invention, it has first been recognized that a one-piece structure of the carrier and the damping body made of a hose material is extremely unfavorable, especially in the case of a required replacement of the damping body or in the event of repair. In a further inventive manner has then been recognized that the design of the carrier with a frame having horizontal linkage elements solves the above problem in a surprisingly simple manner. Specifically, it is now possible to arrange the damping body in a suitable relative position to each other on the horizontal linkage element. Upon the occurrence of a defect or a leak of a single damping body, it is now sufficient to decouple the individual damping body of the rod element and attach an intact damping body as an exchange to the linkage element. Optionally, the defective damping body can also be removed for quick repair and attached to the linkage element again after the repair. The problem of a possibly irreparable damping body with the result of a permanent functional impairment - as in the known carrier of tubing and the damping bodies formed thereon - no longer exists in the inventive device. In the device according to the invention, it is also possible without any problems, depending according to application requirement, a different number of damping bodies on the carrier - the linkage element - to order. In the known tube-like carrier, this is not possible, since the number of damping bodies is initially specified in the production of the carrier-damping body tube.

Consequently, a device is specified with the device according to the invention, in which a safe operation of the device is made possible with structurally simple means.

With regard to a particularly safe operation and a particularly stable embodiment of the device, the frame could have a plurality of vertical and horizontal linkage elements arranged perpendicular to one another. In other words, the frame could have a kind of lattice structure consisting of mutually vertically arranged linkage elements. In this case, the device could be arranged in such a way around an object to be introduced into a ground that the vertical linkage elements could run substantially parallel to, for example, a pile or nail to be introduced. The term horizontal or vertical ultimately refers to an orientation relative to the ground or water bottom, both of which each extend substantially in a horizontal plane.

With regard to a particularly secure and stable embodiment of the frame could be formed for example of metal. For example, steel or stainless steel could be used here as metal. An embodiment made of plastic, in particular fiber-reinforced plastic, would be conceivable with regard to easier handling of the device for weight reasons, in particular during transport.

In a further preferred embodiment, the frame could comprise a plurality of frame sections constructed from horizontal linkage elements which are coupled to one another via cables. In other words, the different frame regions constructed from horizontal linkage elements could be positioned at different depths in the liquid, as it were. The coupling of these frame areas is then via ropes, which replace the quasi existing in the previously described embodiment, vertical linkage elements. The connection The frame areas on the ropes thus holds the entire device together and allows a particularly space-saving storage or a space-saving transport of the device when it is not in use. Ultimately, the frame sections could be positioned close to each other with rolled up or otherwise taken together ropes to achieve the space saving effect. Ultimately, this embodiment of the device also allows a saving of material, since usually less material is required for the provision of the cables than for vertical linkage elements. In the space-saving arrangement with juxtaposed frame areas attached to the horizontal rod elements damping body could be vented and / or arranged one above the other. Ultimately, a kind of folding of the device could be achieved with this illustrated embodiment.

With regard to a particularly comfortable and simple embodiment of the last-explained embodiment, an uppermost frame region could be designed as a floating body, which could be positioned on the surface or in the region of the surface of the liquid when the device is in use. The remaining frame portions could be formed so that they do not experience buoyancy.

With regard to an easy handling of the ropes connecting the frame areas, winches for the ropes could be assigned to this uppermost frame area. The winches could be hydraulic winches. Furthermore, the winches could be fixedly coupled to the uppermost frame area.

With regard to the most flexible possible adaptation of the design of the device to existing conditions when using the device, such as the shape of an object to be introduced, the frame could have a plurality of pivotable about at least one pivot axis frame parts or linkage elements. In this case, a plurality of linkage elements could form such a pivotable frame part or it could also be realized between each linkage elements pivot axes, which allow angular positioning of the linkage elements relative to each other.

With regard to a particularly safe operation of the device and with regard to a particularly effective reduction of the propagation of sound, the frame parts or linkage elements could be pivoted to each other such that a cylinder jacket-like frame with a substantially closed shell can be generated. Such a jacket could, for example, securely enclose a pile to be buried in a subsurface during ramming in such a way that a maximum of attenuation effect with regard to the propagation of the sound can be achieved. The cylinder jacket-like frame could enclose a pole or other object as a cylinder jacket with a number of frame parts or linkage elements of polygonal base area corresponding to the number of frame parts. In a further advantageous embodiment, the frame parts or linkage elements could be pivotable relative to each other such that a substantially hood-shaped frame can be generated. A nail to be introduced into a substrate could be substantially enclosed by means of such a hood-shaped frame from above and laterally. Such a mountable on a nail hood could have a passage for an acting on the nail impact tool. The damping body could be releasably attached to the foundation body and also after the pounding from the top triggered float up for reuse before diving.

With regard to a reliable filling of the damping body with the desired gas, the frame could be assigned a pressure line for the introduction of the gas into the damping body. Specifically, each damper body could be fluidly connected to the pressure line. Also, a respective separate flow connection or flow line or pressure line from a pressure source to each individual damping body would be conceivable and could allow a particularly individual pressurization of the damping body. The pressure line or the pressure lines could or could in principle be guided along the frame and attached to the outside of the frame. With regard to a particularly safe and protected operation of the device, the pressure line or the pressure lines could be integrated into the frame or arranged in the linkage elements. Damage to the pressure lines from the outside could thereby be safely avoided.

To compensate for different pressure conditions at different depths in the liquid, the damping bodies-preferably depending on their depth position in the liquid-could be subjected to different gas pressure. This could ensure that the damping body always occupy an equal volume in the liquid regardless of a present deep external pressure.

With regard to a comfortable and safe pressurization of the damping body of the pressure line could be associated with a pressure control device and / or at least one pressure reducer. Depending on the intended depth position in the liquid pressure reducer could be used with different mitigation behavior in the pressure line. In principle, damping bodies positioned at the same depth could be subjected to the same pressure. Lower positioned damping bodies could be subjected to a higher pressure in order to counteract the increasing external pressure with increasing depth.

To realize a particularly effective sound absorption and reduction of the propagation of sound, the damping body could have a sound-insulating open or closed-pore material in its interior, preferably on its inner wall. Such a material could be foam, which is particularly effective especially in open-pore configuration. In particular, when introducing gas into the damping body, open-pore foam or an open-pored material usually relaxes.

As a damping body could be used in a particularly advantageous and practical way so-called lifting bags with, for example, a surface area of 1 to 1.5m ² . Such lifting bags are particularly easy to handle especially because of their size. In the end, these are flat damping bodies which are inflated by the introduction of the gas and thus unfoldable when not filled with gas.

Such damping bodies could have a soft rubber enveloping medium with a reinforcement, preferably an aramid cord liner. This results in a high level of robustness against external damage and corrosion. Furthermore are So-called lifting bags usually up to 8 bar pressure resistant and thus to at least 70 meters depth in a liquid, such as water, can be used.

In a particularly simple manner, the damping body could have at least one eyelet for attachment to the frame, on a frame part or on a linkage element. The ease of mounting also results in a simple interchangeability in case of damage.

The damper bodies attached to the frame, in particular lifting cushions, are oriented upwards in the liquid or in the water even without filled gas due to the buoyancy effect. The damping bodies or lifting cushions can be fastened to the frame in such a way that the entire device allows a flow of the fluid through, so that little lateral force is exerted by the flow on the device when installing the device. This facilitates the installation of the device in the field of use.

Once the device is positioned, for example, an object to be introduced, the damping body can be filled with the gas or supplied with compressed air.

The reduction of the propagation of the sound results in particular from the fact that sound waves or sound pressure must penetrate into the damping body after only a short distance of water between an object to be introduced and the device of about 0.5 to 1 m. Depending on the preferred embodiment of the damping body, this means an intrusion into the outer rubber of a pillow, into the foam, through the compressed air in the pillow, back into the foam and then back into the rubber of the pillow, until sound waves or sound pressure finally the system in clearly Abandoned form leaves or leaves the environment.

Fig. 1

in einer perspektivischen Darstellung ein Ausführungsbeispiel einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung zur Verminderung der Ausbreitung von Schall in einer Flüssigkeit,

Fig. 2

in einer Seitenansicht, teilweise und vergrößert, die Vorrichtung aus Fig. 1,

Fig. 3

in einer Seitenansicht, teilweise und vergrößert, die Vorrichtung aus Fig. 1 mit mit einem Gas befüllten Dämpfungskörpern,

Fig. 4

in einer perspektivischen Darstellung, schematisch, das Ausführungsbeispiel aus Fig. 1 ohne Dämpfungskörper und im geöffneten Zustand und

Fig. 5

in einer perspektivischen Darstellung, schematisch, das Ausführungsbeispiel aus Fig. 1 ohne Dämpfungskörper und im geschlossenen Zustand.

There are various possibilities for embodying and developing the teaching of the present invention without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims. For this purpose, on the one hand to refer to the subordinate claims and on the other hand to the following explanation of a preferred embodiment of the invention with reference to the drawing. In conjunction with the explanation of the preferred embodiment The invention with reference to the drawings also generally preferred embodiments and developments of the teaching are explained without departing from the scope of the invention defined in the claims. In the drawing show

Fig. 1

3 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a device according to the invention for reducing the propagation of sound in a liquid;

Fig. 2

in a side view, partially and enlarged, the device off Fig. 1 .

Fig. 3

in a side view, partially and enlarged, the device off Fig. 1 with damping bodies filled with a gas,

Fig. 4

in a perspective view, schematically, the embodiment of Fig. 1 without damping body and in the open state and

Fig. 5

in a perspective view, schematically, the embodiment of Fig. 1 without damping body and when closed.

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of an apparatus for reducing the propagation of sound in a liquid. The device is used when introducing an object 1 into a substrate. The object 1 is formed in this embodiment by a pile, which is to be introduced into the subsurface of a body of water. The device has a plurality of damping body 2, which can be filled with a gas, and a carrier 3, on which the damping bodies 2 are arranged in a suitable relative position relative to one another. With a view to safe operation of the device with structurally simple means, the carrier 3 has a frame 4 with horizontal linkage elements 5. At this linkage elements 5, the damping body 2 are attached.

The damping body 2 are according to Fig. 1 arranged around the object 1 such that the object 1 is substantially completely enclosed. For this purpose, the damping body 2 overlap slightly or in a suitable manner.

The frame 4 has in view of a particularly high stability and thus with regard to a particularly safe operation a plurality of mutually perpendicular vertical linkage elements 6 and horizontal linkage elements 5. To position the device around the object 1, the closed state can be spent in an open state of the device. For this purpose, the frame 4 a plurality of pivot axes 7, so that individual frame parts 8 can be pivoted against each other.

The Fig. 2 and 3 show in a partial and enlarged side view of the embodiment Fig. 1 , In Fig. 2 are designed as a cushion damping body 2 is not yet filled with gas. However, the damping body 2 are already arranged substantially in its use position in the state not filled with gas, since the buoyancy prevailing under water pushes the damping body 2 fastened to the horizontal linkage elements 5 upwards. Fig. 3 shows the same situation with damping bodies 2, which are filled with gas.

The Fig. 4 and 5 schematically show the embodiment Fig. 1 , where in Fig. 4 the above mentioned open and in Fig. 5 the above-mentioned closed state of the device are shown. Specifically, the frame 4 has a plurality about pivot axes 7 to each other pivotable frame parts 8. In this case, the frame parts 8 are pivotable relative to one another such that a cylinder jacket-like frame 4 can be produced with a substantially closed jacket, as described in US Pat Fig. 5 is shown. Thus, an object 1 such as a pile can be completely enclosed by the device during a driving into a ground in a simple manner, so that a reliable reduction of the propagation of sound generated during the driving process can be achieved.

In an embodiment not shown here, the vertical linkage elements 6 can be replaced by ropes, so that the device is ultimately made up of a plurality of ring-like frame parts 8, which via the ropes with each other are coupled. In this case, a particularly space-saving storage of the device outside its use is possible.

With regard to further advantageous embodiments of the device according to the invention, reference is made to avoid repetition to the general part of the specification and to the appended claims.

Finally, it should be expressly understood that the embodiment described above is only for the purpose of discussion of the claimed teaching, but does not limit the embodiment.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

object

2

damping body

3

carrier

4

frame

5

Linkage element, horizontal

6

Linkage element, vertical

7

swivel axis

8th

frame part

Claims (10)

1. Device for reducing the propagation of sound, vibrations and pressure shocks in a liquid, in particular sound occurring when an object (1) is inserted into a substrate and/or in particular into water, comprising a plurality of damping bodies (2) that can be filled with a gas, and a support (3) on which the damping bodies (2) can be arranged with respect to one another in suitable relative positions, the support (3) comprising a frame (4) having horizontal linkage elements (5), characterised in that the damping bodies (2) are arranged on the horizontal linkage elements (5) such that individual damping bodies (2) can be decoupled from the linkage elements (5) and reattached to the linkage elements (5).
2. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the frame (4) comprises a plurality of vertical (6) and horizontal linkage elements (5) that are arranged perpendicularly to one another.
3. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the frame (4) comprises a plurality of frame regions which consist of horizontal linkage elements (5) and are coupled to one another by means of ropes.
4. Device according to claim 3, characterised in that an uppermost frame region is formed as a float comprising preferably allocated winches for the ropes.
5. Device according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the frame (4) comprises a plurality of frame parts (8) or linkage elements (5, 6) that are pivotable with respect to one another about at least one pivot axis (7), the frame parts (8) or linkage elements (5, 6) preferably being pivotable with respect to one another such that a cylindrical shell-type frame (4) having a substantially closed shell, or a bonnet-shaped frame can be produced.
6. Device according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that a pressure line for introducing the gas into the damping bodies (2) is associated with the frame (4), the pressure line preferably being integrated in the frame (4).
7. Device according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that a different gas pressure can be applied to the damping bodies (2), preferably depending on their depth position in the liquid.
8. Device according to either claim 6 or claim 7, characterised in that a pressure controller and/or at least one pressure reducer is/are associated with the pressure line.
9. Device according to any of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the damping bodies (2) comprise a soundproof open-pored or closed-pored material in the interior thereof, preferably on the inner wall thereof.
10. Device according to any of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the damping bodies (2) comprise at least one lug for fastening to the frame (4), to a frame part (8) or to a linkage element (5, 6).

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