EP2716818A2 - Correcting element for the erection of an offshore foundation and foundation system and method for erecting such a foundation - Google Patents

Abstract

The element i.e. correction collar (11), has a correction unit corrects an alignment of an establishment structure (3), where the element is provided with axial spaced annular disks (13-16). The correction unit comprises hydraulic actuatable operating elements (19-21) e.g. hydraulic cylinders, which are arranged in the respective intermediates chamber of the annular disks. The annular disks form axial front ends of the collar, and a radial shoulder (24) lies between the front ends of the collar. The operating elements are arranged on both sides of the shoulder and in an operating plane. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a foundation system for establishing an offshore structure with a foundation structure (2) a method for constructing a foundation of an offshore structure by a foundation system.

Description

The invention relates to a correction element for the establishment of a foundation in the offshore sector according to the preamble of claim 1. The invention further relates to a foundation system according to claim 9 with such a correction element. The invention also relates to a method for establishing an offshore foundation by means of such a foundation system according to claim 13.

Offshore structures, in particular so-called offshore wind turbines, are installed in the sea, for example in offshore wind farms in the North and Baltic Seas. The offshore wind turbines are exposed to extreme conditions and are anchored in different depths of water by means of a foundation on the seabed. Various offshore foundation systems are known. The present invention relates to foundations in which a foundation structure, the foot portions are tubular, is mounted on foundation piles, for example, so-called jacket foundations. Jacket foundations comprise a steel framework designed as a foundation structure made of steel to support the actual wind turbine.

In the construction of a jacket foundation usually three or four foundation piles are rammed into the seabed and lowered the foundation structure with their tubular foot sections by means of appropriate lifting devices on the foundation piles, the foundation pile and foot section are pushed into each other. After being drilled into the seabed, the foundation piles may be damaged due to Inaccuracies in the installation, such as measurement errors, protrude differently from the seabed so that the free ends of the foundation piles are not coplanar. In these cases, an orientation of the foundation structure is required to allow precise installation of the wind turbine. After alignment, the foundation structure is permanently attached to the foundation piles, for example, by so-called Vergrouten, wherein the gap of the components to be connected with a Vergroutmaterial, often a special concrete, is filled.

In the conventional construction of foundations, steel support plates are often used between the foundation pile and the overlying foot portion of the foundation structure. In addition, elastomeric bearings are often used at the foot portion of the jacket foundation structure. The elastomeric bearing prevents a transmission of force through the connected steel parts after the Vergrouten and ensures that a power transmission takes place exclusively on the Groutfuge or the Groutmaterial. Both the steel support plates and the elastomeric bearings remain after the construction of the offshore structure in its foundation.

The process of alignment is very complex and is complicated by movements that are caused mainly by waves. Even after alignment of the foundation structure, the foundation structure may still shift in time to permanent bonding, which is often performed by a service ship arriving later at the site, requiring re-alignment.

DE 10 2008 000 382 A1 discloses a correction element with means for aligning the foundation of an offshore wind turbine, which is used as an intermediate piece between the mast and foundation. The correction means are essentially formed by two sub-elements, each with inclined connecting surfaces. The connecting surfaces of the sub-elements lie against each other, wherein an adjustable bend between the intermediate piece and foundation is generated by rotation about the inclined connecting surface, which is intended to compensate for an inclination of the foundation.

The well-known correction element is permanently mounted and requires several expensive connecting flanges, since a secure and permanent grip over a long time is required. In addition, the movement of the sub-elements during assembly under water must be closely monitored, which requires a costly observation of the underwater construction site during the alignment.

The present invention has for its object to provide a correction element for the establishment of a foundation in the offshore sector, by the least possible effort and the lowest cost for the establishment of foundations with precise and stable as possible alignment to permanent connection, the method for Establishment of such a foundation can be carried out.

This object is achieved by a correction element for the establishment of a foundation in the offshore area with the features of claim 1. In addition, this object is achieved by a foundation system having the features of claim 9. Furthermore, this object is achieved by a method for establishing a foundation in the offshore area with the features of claim 13.

According to one aspect of the invention, the correction element is designed as a correction collar with a plurality of axially spaced annular disks, wherein the correction means comprise at least one hydraulically actuable working element. The at least one working element is arranged in the respective intermediate space of the annular disks. Under an annular disk is understood to mean a disc-shaped body with an annular surface. The continuous interior is determined by the inner diameter of the annular disc.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the correction collar is part of a foundation system for the foundation of an offshore structure with a foundation structure whose foot portions are tubular. The foundation system also includes foundation piles for each foot portion of the foundation structure for input into the foundation structure Seabed and a connecting device for permanently connecting the foot sections of the foundation structure with the respective foundation piles.

The correction collar is positioned between the foundation pile and the foundation structure and, by hydraulically actuating the at least one working element, enables remote controlled and vigorous action on the assembly to be aligned. In this way, with the high hydraulic force of the hydraulic working elements depending on the number and arrangement of several working elements, a plurality of relative movements for the purpose of alignment of the foundation structure (remote) can be controlled. Furthermore, in particular with working elements which act axially on the spacing of the annular discs, a level compensation possible. The actuated working elements can also apply in the once-occupied position high holding forces and therefore keep the assembly in the aligned position stable until a permanent connection is made.

The correction collar according to the invention combines the advantageous property of the hydraulic and thus precise and also remotely controllable alignability of the foundation structure with the property of stably maintaining the foundation structure in the aligned position until final and permanent connection with the foundation piles. Should a further deviation from the ideal orientation result in the time interval between the alignment and the subsequent permanent connection, for example due to bad weather conditions, a hydraulic correction of the alignment can still be carried out before the connection.

The correction collar is mounted before lowering the foundation structure at a distance from the free end of a foot portion, so that the correction collar rests with one of its annular discs on the foundation pile. The correction collar according to the invention can already advantageously be applied to the foundation structure before the transport of the foundation structure to the intended erection site for foundation, in particular safely and time-savingly already preassembled on land.

In a preferred embodiment of the foundation system according to the invention for the foundation of an offshore wind turbine, the foundation piles are tubular and the foot sections are formed with a smaller outer diameter than the inner diameter of the foundation piles. As a result, a particularly simple installation of the correction collar is given on the easily accessible outside of the foundation structure. When establishing the foundation, the foot sections of the foundation structure are inserted into the open cylinder of the foundation piles. In addition, the mounting of the correction collar on the outside allows a later access to the correction collar, for example, for a salvage of the correction collar. The correction collar is reusable in a demountable design, so that the cost of establishing a foundation are reduced.

An upper annular disc of the correction collar, which forms the end face of the correction collar remote from the free end, is axially supported on the foundation structure, in particular on a radial support contour formed on the foundation structure for this purpose. The support contour can be formed by a shoulder or a local reduction of the diameter of the foot portion or any other type of radial support means on which the correction collar can be axially supported after its mounting on the foundation structure. The correction collar thereby forms a stop for the foundation structure, which limits the lowering into the interior of the foundation pile when the correction collar comes to rest on the exposed annular surface of the respective foundation pile.

With the resting of the foundation structure, the assembly phase in which a hoist is used, finished, since a subsequent alignment is carried out according to the invention hydraulically. If the correction collar is located on the foundation pile, a precise alignment of the foundation structure with the aid of the hydraulically actuatable working elements is possible. In this case, the foundation structure is checked for vertical position after discontinuation of the foundation structure with the preassembled correction collar and initiated hydraulic deflection when deviations are detected. In this way, the mission times of a service ship, which leads the hoist, shortened Since the service ship after the discontinuation of a foundation structure is no longer needed for the possible alignment and can break to the next site. The remote foundation structure is held by the correction collar with hydraulically actuated working elements after the lifting of the hoist. Previously used steel support plates between the respective foundation pile and the foundation structure and elastomeric bearing on the foot portion of the foundation structure, which remain after the establishment of the foundation at the installation site, are no longer required by the arrangement of the correction collar according to the invention.

The foundation system with a correction collar ensures that lifting and horizontal forces, which can be caused in particular by swell, are recorded and a safe, motion-free state is realized. The foundation system ensures a safe stand even with longer idle times between installation of the foundation structure and the subsequent permanent connection, in particular a Vergroutung.

Advantageously, at least three annular discs are provided which form the axial end faces of the correction collar and a shoulder located between the end faces, which has a smaller inner diameter than the one insertion end of the correction collar associated lower annular disc. Thereby, the correction collar can be slipped over the end of the foundation pile until the shoulder lying within the entire axial extent of the correction collar rests on the foundation pile. Thus, working elements can be arranged on both sides of the shoulder, which act in installation position of the correction collar on the one hand in an upper working level on a foot portion of a foundation structure for wind turbines and on the other hand in a lower working level on a driven into the seabed foundation pile. The foundation structure is thereby aligned according to the invention by means of coordinated actuation of the working elements acting on the foundation pile and at least one working element acting on the foot portion of the foundation structure.

The arrangement of working elements on both sides of the shoulder of the correction collar creates a variety of possibilities of hydraulic force introduction into the assembly formed from foundation pile and foundation structure. By appropriate coordination of the work elements with precise ease of use precise alignment is possible. In addition, a stable grip of the aligned assembly is given up to the permanent connection, which with appropriate dimensioning of the hydraulic working elements, even with stronger waves of the foundation structure gives secure support.

In a foundation system according to the invention with a correction collar which partially surrounds the foundation pile, the annular disk of the correction collar designed as a shoulder has a smaller inner diameter than the outer diameter of the foundation pile. The lower annular disc at the insertion end of the correction collar has a larger inner diameter than the foundation pile, so that the foundation pile can enforce the insertion end when lowering the foundation structure. As a result, working elements can act in the lower, the insertion end facing working plane on the foundation pile and fix the correction collar.

In an advantageous development of the invention several working elements are arranged in a common working plane in a uniform distribution in the circumferential direction of the correction collar. In this way, the plurality of working elements can act powerfully and evenly radially on the full circumference of the correction collar. The hydraulic forces prevent unwanted movements of the respective component and hold the assembly. In the case of a possible deviation of the offset foundation structure from the ideal orientation, the working elements which are arranged in the corresponding circumferential section push the component to be aligned. It is advantageous if the working elements are separately hydraulically controlled. In further embodiments of the invention, the working elements are actuated by a common hydraulic drive.

Advantageously, radially acting horizontal working elements are arranged in at least one of the working planes. In the case of a correction collar which partly covers the foundation pile, horizontal working elements are provided, in particular in the lower working plane, which serve to fix the correction collar, so that precise alignment by further working elements is possible.

The horizontal working elements generate radially inwardly directed forces on the circumference of the correction collar as soon as counteracting forces arise on their working path due to contact with the component to be held or moved. In an advantageous embodiment, a plurality of horizontal working elements with radially acting punches are arranged on the circumference of the correction collar. Preferably, the stamp wear at their free ends plungers with which pressure forces are exerted in the radial direction. The plungers are tuned in their radial length with the diameter of the component to be acted upon. In this way, the correction collar according to the invention by low conversion measures, namely in particular by arranging pressure pieces of appropriate length or integration of adapters, mounted on different Rohr- orPfahldurchmessern and thus be used on different types of foundations.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, axially working elements acting in the axial direction are provided in addition to horizontal working elements. In this case, the radial shoulder is connected to the correction collar substantially via the axial working elements, so that the shoulder is displaceable relative to the further annular disks of the correction collar via the axial working elements. The Axialarbeitselemente act on the axial distance between the shoulder and an annular disc on which they act. The Axialarbeitselemente can therefore change the position, in particular the axial position of the correction collar and thus the foundation structure relative to the foundation pile in installation position of the correction collar. The Axialarbeitselemente thus allow, after the foundation structure rests over the shoulder on the foundation pile, an axial displacement of the correction collar and thus the foot portion of the foundation structure, which is axially supported on the correction collar. In this way, a leveling or leveling is possible. The inventive arrangement of Axialarbeitselemente in the space between the shoulder and an annular disk is ensured in installation position of the correction collar that the Axialarbeitselemente are supported over the shoulder on the foundation pile and act on the annular disk on the foundation structure and make a leveling.

In one embodiment of the invention with both horizontal working elements and axial working elements is therefore in addition to an alignment and static holding the foundation structure, which takes place in particular on the horizontal work elements, also a leveling guaranteed. Horizontal working elements are particularly advantageously arranged in the lower and the upper working plane, which act on the one hand on the foundation pile and on the other hand on the foundation structure, and also arranged in a central working plane Axialarbeitselemente. In this way, a compact and stable construction is provided, which provides both the holding function on the horizontal working elements and a leveling function on the Axialarbeitselemente.

The hydraulic working elements are preferably designed as hydraulic cylinders, which act via an axial actuator or a punch. Hydraulic cylinders can apply large forces in a small space to carry the foundation structure and align if necessary.

In a further advantageous embodiment, instead of a plurality of radially acting horizontal working elements, at least one horizontal working element is provided which acts on the component to be held or moved by way of a flexurally elastic band, for example a steel band. The band extends in the circumferential direction of the correction collar and surrounds the interior of the correction collar and thus in the installation position of the correction collar that component, which is pushed through the interior of the correction collar in the manner of a loop. By operation of the hydraulic working element, the loop is tightened, whereby the tape finally acts on the component. In a Embodiment with a horizontal working element, the correction collar is held similar to a clamp on the component.

In a further embodiment of the invention with horizontal working elements, which act on bands, a plurality of horizontal working elements are arranged on the circumference of the correction collar and gimbaled, wherein each horizontal working element is associated with a band. Due to the gimbal bearing the horizontal working elements act tangentially and pull at their hydraulic actuation assigned to them band. As a result, the diameter of the area bounded by the entirety of the bands is increasingly reduced so that finally the bands on their respective peripheral portions act on the component to be held or moved.

The embodiments of the invention with one or more horizontal working elements acting on bands are particularly advantageous for clamping the correction collar to the foundation pile. The horizontal working elements acting by means of a band are arranged in the lower working plane, that is to say in that axial section of the correction collar which lies on the side of the shoulder of the correction collar facing the insertion end of the correction collar. After the correction collar is slipped over the foundation pile by lowering the foundation structure with the tubular foot portion and the shoulder rests on the foundation pile, the bands can be retracted from their home position by the horizontal work elements and thereby the correction collar clamped to the foundation pile.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the correction collar comprises a plurality of ring segments divisible and / or at least one pivotally interconnected ring segments, wherein a salvage means is attached to each separate segment. The connection of the segments is releasable, so that the correction collar can be solved if necessary from its mounting position on the foot portion of the foundation structure. The connection of the segments of the correction collar becomes after completion of the permanent connection of the foundation structure with the foundation piles solved so that the correction collar can be recovered by means of the salvage rope from a surface vessel. In this case, two pivotally interconnected segments are provided in an advantageous embodiment, whereby the correction collar can be recovered as a complete assembly by means of a rescue rope.

The correction collar is thus a reusable component, so that the cost of establishing a foundation for offshore wind turbines are reduced. The solubility of the compound of the segments is advantageously given by a blocking device. The locking device can be actuated via the hydraulic line, namely hydraulically.

The solubility of the divisible correction collar from its mounting position on the foundation structure is improved when an upper annular disc is arranged on the insertion end opposite end face of the correction collar, whose annular space bounding the inner wall is conical. The support disc causes in the mounting position of the correction collar, the axial support of the correction collar on the foot portion of the foundation structure. For this purpose, the support disk cooperates with the radial support contour of the foundation structure, which, as already described, forms an abutment for the correction collar.

In a foundation system according to the invention with a correction collar designed in this way, the foot portion of the foundation structure has a conical projection at the location of the intended mounting of the correction collar, which is formed with a conical contour analogous to the inner wall of the support disk of the correction collar. With a conical contact surface between the foot portion and the mounted correction collar is given both a secure axial support and easy solubility of the correction collar after the permanent attachment.

In an advantageous embodiment of the foundation system according to the invention, correction collars are arranged on several or all foot sections of a foundation structure. It is intended to align the foundation structure by means of hydraulic working elements on each foot section. Furthermore, at each foot section one Individual and precise leveling possible, so that with little effort, an optimal foundation for a wind turbine can be created.

In particular, the invention provides for a permanent connection of the foundation structure with the foundation piles by means of transesterification. In this case, an intermediate space between the foundation pile and the inner wall of the tubular foundation structure is filled with a Vergroutmaterial, such as a special concrete, and thus created a positive connection. The foundation system according to the invention advantageously comprises for this purpose a connection device which has a line for connecting material guided through the interior of the foot section of the foundation structure.

The stability of the foundation system according to the invention also allows greater time intervals between a departure of a work vessel with hoists and an arrival of another work vessel, which performs the Vergroutung. In addition, the pre-assembled correction collar facilitates the control of the foundation on a vertical position of the foundation structure before the Vergroutung by the Vergrout ship receives the existing hydraulic line to the correction collar. If deviations from the assembly measurement protocol occur when checking the vertical position, the deviations can be compensated by readjusting. If a vertical position is given, the transfer is started. The on-shore preassembled hydraulic foundation system with leveling and holding function eliminates horizontal or vertical movements that could affect the pooling process. Rather, a correct connection between foundation structure and foundation pile is made.

By means of appropriate sensors, the fill level of the grout material can be controlled in the annular cylindrical space between foundation pile and foundation structure. In a further embodiment of the method according to the invention for establishing a foundation, the overflow of the grout material is visually monitored, for example by means of a remotely controlled underwater vehicle (ROV). Advantageous are the hydraulic work elements the correction collar with coatings protected from sticking with Groutmaterial.

Fig. 1

einen Querschnitt eines erfindungsgemäßen Gründungssystems mit einem Korrekturkragen,

Fig. 2

eine Draufsicht des Korrekturkragens des Gründungssystems gemäß Fig. 1,

Fig. 2a

eine Draufsicht des Korrekturkragens gemäß Fig. 2 in der geöffneten Stellung,

Fig. 3

eine schematische Ansicht eines weiteren Ausführungsbeispiels eines Gründungssystems,

Fig. 4

eine schematische Draufsicht auf den Korrekturkragen gemäß IV-IV in Fig. 3,

Fig. 5

eine schematische Ansicht eines weiteren Ausführungsbeispiels eines Gründungssystems und

Fig. 6

eine schematische Draufsicht auf den Korrekturkragen gemäß VI-VI in Fig. 5.

Further features of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims and from the embodiments, which are explained below with reference to the drawing. Show it:

Fig. 1

a cross section of a foundation system according to the invention with a correction collar,

Fig. 2

a plan view of the correction collar of the foundation system according to Fig. 1 .

Fig. 2a

a plan view of the correction collar according to Fig. 2 in the open position,

Fig. 3

a schematic view of another embodiment of a foundation system,

Fig. 4

a schematic plan view of the correction collar according to IV-IV in Fig. 3 .

Fig. 5

a schematic view of another embodiment of a foundation system and

Fig. 6

a schematic plan view of the correction collar according to VI-VI in Fig. 5 ,

For the same components in each case the same reference numerals are given in the drawing figures.

Fig. 1 The foundation system 1 comprises a foundation structure 3, which is a construction which permanently supports the wind energy installation after installation and anchors it to the foot sections 4 of its legs 5 on the seabed 2 becomes. The foundation structure 3 is in the illustrated embodiment, a so-called jacket construction, that is a spatial truss structure made of steel, the three or four legs 5 are connected by cross braces 6 and diagonal struts 7. The legs 5 with their foot sections 4 are tubular.

The foundation system 1 further provides for each foot section 4 a foundation pile 8, which are driven into the seabed 2 and permanently connected to the foundation structure 1. In the establishment of the foundation, the foundation piles 8 are first rammed in the designated intervals in the seabed 2. After lowering the preassembled foundation structure 3 by means of a hoist to a depth of about two to three meters above the foundation piles 8, the foundation structure 3 is optionally positioned with optical assistance by a remote controlled underwater vehicle (ROV) and lowered onto the foundation piles 8. The foot sections 4 are introduced into the tubular foundation piles 8. For this purpose, the foot portions 4 are formed with a smaller outer diameter than the inner diameter of the foundation piles 8.

The foot sections 4 are provided at their free ends with obliquely tapered guide plates 9, which ensure easy insertion into the tubular foundation piles 8.

After a vertical orientation of the foundation structure, which will be explained in more detail below, the foot sections 4 are permanently connected to the respective foundation pile 8.

In the illustrated embodiment, the foot sections 4 are connected to the foundation piles 8 by so-called Vergrouten, wherein the two components by filling the common space with a grout material G are positively connected. A device for permanently connecting comprises a line 10 for grout material, which can be fed by a Vergroutschiff and extends within the tubular foundation structure 3 to the area of the foot sections 4, there to deliver the Groutmaterial G. The grout material G is delivered near the end of the foot section and pushed upwards into the annular space between the foot section 4 of the foundation structure 3 and the foundation pile 8.

The foundation system 1 comprises a correction collar 11 which is premounted on the outside of the foot section 4 at a distance to its free end on land. The correction collar 11 is arranged mechanically between the foundation pile 8 and the lowered foundation structure and forms an abutment which limits the penetration of the foot portion 4 into the foundation pile 8 when the foundation structure is lowered. The distance between the axial position of the correction collar 11 to the free end is chosen so that the foot section 4 sufficiently low in the interior of the foundation pile 8 when lowering the foundation structure and a stable Vergroutung is achieved. The mounting position of the correction collar 11 is determined by a radially formed on the outside of the foot section 4 supporting contour 12, at which the correction collar 11 is axially supported. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the support contour 12 is a radial shoulder which is defined by different outer diameters of the foot section 4 of the foundation structure 3. The correction collar 11 is clamped during assembly to the foundation structure 3, that is, hydraulically fixed, and is axially locked by the radial support contour.

The correction collar 11 has a plurality of substantially parallel annular discs 13, 14, 15, 16, wherein a lower annular disc 13 and an upper annular disc 14 form the axial end faces of the correction collar 11 and are fixedly connected to each other. The upper annular disc 14 is located after the mounting of the correction collar 11 in the region of the radial support contour 12 on the outside of the foundation structure 3, so that an axial support is given. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the correction collar 11 also comprises two further annular disks 15, 16, which are connected to the lower annular disk 13 and the upper annular disk 14 form a rigid composite and are each connected via web plates 17 with each other. The lower annular disc 13 has a larger inner diameter than the foundation pile 8. The inner diameter of the lower annular disc 13 thus forms an opening of a insertion end 18 of the correction collar 11, through which the foundation pile 8 can penetrate when lowering the foundation structure 3. The correction collar 11 can thus be pushed over the foundation pile 8.

In the interstices of the annular discs 13, 14, 15, 16 respectively hydraulically actuated working elements 19, 20,21, namely hydraulic cylinders are arranged. The hydraulic cylinders each have a punch 22, which can be extended under hydraulic working pressure. The hydraulic cylinders are acted upon via one or more hydraulic lines 23 from a hydraulic source, not shown, which is preferably located on the surface, for example on board a service ship.

The correction collar 11 has between its end faces on a further radial disc, which has a smaller inner diameter than the foundation pile 8 and thus forms a shoulder 24. When lowering the foundation structure 3, the shoulder 24 comes to rest on the foundation pile 8. The shoulder 24 is connected via axial working elements 19, which act in the axial direction of the correction collar 11, to the correction collar 11. Accordingly, the shoulder 24 is relatively displaceable relative to the other, rigidly connected annular disks 13, 14, 15, 16 as a function of the axial working elements 19. The axial working elements 19 are arranged on a side of the shoulder 24 lying beyond the push-in end 18, so that the axial working elements 19 engage the foot section 4 of the foundation structure 3 act. For this purpose, the Axialarbeitselemente 19 act on the one hand on the shoulder 24 and on the other hand on the annular disc 15 of the rigid annular disc composite of the correction collar 11. A hydraulic actuation of the Axialarbeitselemente 19 axial compensation of height differences is possible, the foot portion 4 of the foundation structure 3 is moved as needed. At the periphery of the correction collar 11 a plurality Axialarbeitselement 19 are arranged and distributed as evenly as possible on the circumference to ensure a powerful and safe lifting of the foot section and thus a precisely controllable leveling. On each side of the shoulder 24 horizontal work elements 20, 21 are arranged, which act in the installed position of the correction collar 11 on the one hand on the foot section 4 of the foundation structure 3 and on the other hand on the foundation pile 8. The horizontal working elements 20, 21 are each arranged in a common working plane in a uniform distribution in the circumferential direction of the correction collar 11 and act on their respective punch 22 on the outer sides of the foundation pile 8 and the foundation structure 3 a. Due to the uniform distribution of the hydraulic working elements on the circumference of the correction collar 11 ensures that at each possible deviation of the orientation of the target orientation, a fixation of the correction collar 11 in its mounting position, that is, in particular the correction collar 11 is held on the foundation pile 8. The hydraulic working elements 20 fix the correction collar 11 also in eccentric positions.

The horizontal work elements 20, 21 carry at their punches 22 each have a pressure piece 25, 26, which in each case radially movable from the punches and to the outside of the foundation pile 8 and the foot portion 4 of the foundation structure 3 can be applied. The length of the plungers 25, 26 in the radial direction is matched with the dimension of the respective components and can be adapted and retrofitted to different foundation structures for different wind turbines. For conversion, a pressure piece 25, 26 or a corresponding adapter with other dimensions is mounted, so that the correction collar 11 is adapted with its hydraulic working elements to the individual diameter.

The horizontal working elements 20 in the region of the insertion end 18 fix the correction collar 11 on the fixed foundation pile 8. With the thus corrected correction collar 11, the horizontal working elements on the insertion end of the opposite side of the shoulder 24 hold the foot section 4 and move if necessary. In any case, the horizontal working elements 20, 21 fix the correction collar 11 both on the foundation pile 8 and on the foundation structure 3. The correction collar 11, the foundation structure 3 can stably hold in the aligned position until a later transfer.

Fig. 2 shows a plan view of the correction collar 11, in which the force acting on the foot section 4 horizontal working elements 20 are shown in their uniform distribution at the periphery of the correction collar. The correction collar 11 includes a plurality of ring segments, in the present embodiment, two ring segments 27, 28 which are divisible connected to each other. The segments are hinged together and thereby spreadable by means of connecting elements 29 in the manner of a pair of scissors. The connecting elements 29 are in the illustrated embodiment hydraulically actuated working units, each ring segment 27, 28 is assigned a connecting element 29 in the region of the articulated connection. By hydraulic actuation of the connecting elements 29 of the correction collar 11 is closed during assembly of the correction collar 11 to the foundation structure 3 and opened so far after creation of the foundation, so that the correction collar 11 can solve. The spread position of the correction collar 11 is in Fig. 2a shown.

After the spreading of the ring segments 27, 28 by corresponding actuation of the connecting elements 29 of the correction collar 11 falls from the outside of the foundation structure 3 and can be recovered by means of a train, that is by means of an additional salvage rope. The hydraulic line 23 is coupled to a steel cable, so that it allows a hose assembly easy to install, which is performed without loops and knots.

In order to promote the solubility of the correction collar 11 from its mounting position, the annular disc, which is arranged on the insertion end 18 opposite end side and the correction collar 11 axially supported, formed with a conical inner wall. The radial support contour 12 (FIG. Fig. 1 ) on the outside of the foundation structure is provided with a corresponding slope. After hardening of the grout, therefore, the correction collar 11 can be easily released from the foundation and salvaged for further uses.

FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 show a simplified representation of another embodiment of a foundation system 1a with a correction collar 11a. Unless otherwise described below, the structure and the method of establishing a foundation by means of this foundation system correspond to the description Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 ,

The correction collar 11a comprises horizontal working elements 29, 29a, 30, 30a, 31, 31a which, unlike the horizontal working elements 20 in the exemplary embodiment according to FIG Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 act on plungers, but each have a flexurally elastic band 32, for example a steel strip which extends in the circumferential direction of the correction collar 11 a and is wrapped around the interior thereof. In the embodiment according to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 a plurality of horizontal working elements 20 are arranged on the circumference of the collar and gimbaled, wherein each horizontal working element, a band 32 is associated. The gimbal bearing brings the horizontal working elements to tangential force application, wherein the working elements under hydraulic actuation to tighten their assigned band with hydraulic actuation. As a result, the diameter of the area bounded by the entirety of the bands is increasingly reduced so that finally the bands act on their respective peripheral portions on the component to be retained.

Each band section is in each case assigned a pair of horizontal working elements 29, 29a, 30, 30a, 31, 31a, which engage in each case at the ends of the respective band 32. In the exemplary embodiment, six working elements are provided, wherein the bands overlap in sections in the circumferential direction, so that the largest possible wrap angle is given for optimum introduction of force. This is achieved with a uniform distribution of the working elements on the periphery of the correction collar 11a by arranging the pairs of working elements alternately such that the wrapping section of each band passes one working element of the other pairs of working elements.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the gimbal-mounted horizontal working elements 20 are arranged in the region of the insertion end 18 of the correction collar 11 a and therefore act in the installed position on the foundation pile 8. In other embodiments, gimbal-mounted horizontal working elements for acting on the foundation structure or on both sides of the shoulder 24 Fig. 1 ) arranged.

With the gimbal bearing of the hydraulic working elements of the correction collar 11 a also compensate for lifting forces. In particular, no transverse forces act on the working elements. The correction collar 11a is similar to the embodiment of FIG Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 divisible designed and therefore reusable. To release the fixation of the correction collar 11a, after relaxing the bands 32, their mechanical connection to the respective pairs of horizontal working elements 29, 29a, 30, 30a, 31, 31a is separated. The separation is preferably carried out by hydraulic actuation. After that, the correction collar 11a can be detached from the foundation structure 3 and the foundation pile 8 and removed.

Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 show a further embodiment of a foundation system 1b with a correction collar 11b, similar to the foundation system 1a according to FIG FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 34 holding forces are applied by means of a horizontal working element 33 via a flexurally elastic band. In contrast to the embodiment according to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 a single horizontal working element 33 is provided which acts on both ends of a belt 34. The flexural elastic band 34 completely surrounds the interior of the correction collar 11b and forms a loop. To fix the correction collar 11b, the loop of the band 34 is pulled in, so that the correction collar 11b is fastened in the manner of a clamp.

By contraction of the loop formed by the band 34, a positive and non-positive connection between the foundation structure 3 and the foundation pile 8 is made. The forces occurring are absorbed by the tensioned belt 34, and thus caused by the waves relative movements between the foundation structure 3 and the foundation pile 8 are prevented. The correction collar 11b is similar to the embodiment according to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 divisible designed and therefore reusable.

To release the fixation of the correction collar 11 b, the mechanical connection to the horizontal working element 33 is separated after a relaxation of the band 34. The separation is preferably carried out by hydraulic actuation. After that, the correction collar 11b can be detached from the foundation structure 3 and the foundation pile 8 and removed.

Claims (14)

Correction element for the establishment of an offshore foundation with means for correcting the alignment of a foundation structure (3),
characterized in that the correction element as a correction collar (11, 11a, 11b) with a plurality of axially spaced annular discs (13, 14, 15, 16) is formed, wherein the correction means at least one hydraulically actuated working element (19, 20, 21, 29, 29a , 30, 30a, 31, 31a, 33), which is arranged in the respective intermediate space of the annular discs (13, 14, 15, 16). Correction element according to claim 1,
characterized in that at least three annular discs (13, 14, 15, 16) are provided, which form the axial end faces of the correction collar (11, 11 a, 11 b) and a radial shoulder located between the end faces (24), which has a smaller Inner diameter than the one insertion end (18) of the correction collar (11, 11 a, 11 b) associated lower annular disc (13), wherein on both sides of the shoulder (24) respectively working elements (19, 20, 21, 29, 29 a, 30, 30 a, 31 , 31a, 33) are arranged, which in the installation position of the correction collar (11, 11a, 11b) on the one hand on a foot section (4) of a foundation structure (3) and on the other hand on a driven into the seabed (2) foundation pile (8) act. Correction element according to claim 1 or 2,
characterized in that a plurality of working elements (19, 20, 21, 29, 29a, 30, 30a, 31, 31a) in a common working plane in a uniform distribution in Circumferential direction of the correction collar (11, 11 a, 11 b) are arranged, wherein in at least one of the working planes radially acting horizontal working elements (20, 21, 29, 29 a, 30, 30 a, 31, 31 a, 33) are arranged. Correction element according to one of claims 1 to 3,
characterized in that the radial shoulder (24) via Axialarbeitselemente (19) which act in the axial direction of the correction collar (11, 11 a, 11 b) to the correction collar (11, 11 a, 11 b), wherein the Axialarbeitselemente (19) on a side of the insertion end (18) lying side of the shoulder (24) are arranged. Correction element according to one of claims 1 to 4,
characterized in that the correction collar (11, 11a, 11b) comprises a plurality of separable and / or at least one location pivotally interconnected ring segments (27, 28), wherein on each separate segment a rescue means is attached. Correction element according to one of claims 1 to 5,
characterized in that on the insertion end (18) opposite the end face an upper annular disc (14) is arranged, whose annular cross-section bounding inner wall is conical. Correction element according to one of claims 3 to 6,
characterized in that the at least one horizontal working element (29, 29a, 30, 30a, 31, 31a, 33) acts on the length of a flexurally elastic band (32, 34) extending in the circumferential direction of the correction collar (11, 11a, 11b), wherein a plurality of horizontal working elements (29, 29a, 30, 30a, 31, 31a) are arranged on the periphery of the correction collar (11, 11a, 11b) and gimballed, and each horizontal working element (29, 29a, 30, 30a, 31, 31a) is a band (32) is assigned. Correction element according to one of claims 1 to 7,
characterized in that the working elements (19, 20, 21, 29, 29a, 30, 30a, 31, 31a, 33) are designed as hydraulic cylinders. Foundation system for the establishment of an offshore structure with a foundation structure (3) whose foot sections (4) are tubular, with foundation piles (8) for each foot section (4) of the foundation structure (3) for driving into the seabed (2) and with a correction element (11, 11a, 11b) according to claims 1 to 8, wherein the correcting collar (11, 11a, 11b) formed correction element axially mounted at a distance from the free end of a foot portion (4) on the foot portion (4) is mounted , Foundation system according to claim 9,
characterized in that the foundation piles (8) are tubular and the foot portions (4) are formed with a smaller outer diameter than the inner diameter of the foundation piles (8). A foundation system according to claim 10 or 11,
characterized in that means for permanently connecting the foot portions of the foundation structure (3) to the respective foundation piles (8) comprises a conduit (10) for bonding material passing through the interior of the foot portion (4) of the foundation structure (3). A foundation system according to any one of claims 9 to 11,
characterized in that the annular disc of the correction collar (11) formed as shoulder (24) has a smaller inner diameter than the outer diameter of the foundation pile (8), wherein the foot portion (4) of the foundation structure (3) at the location of the intended mounting of the correction collar (11 ) has a conical projection which is formed with a conical contour corresponding to the conical inner wall of the annular disc (14) of the correction collar (11). Method of constructing an offshore structure by means of a foundation system according to one of claims 9 to 12, wherein foundation piles (8) are driven into the seabed (2) and tubular foot sections (4) of a foundation structure (3) each having a foundation pile (8 ) are pushed into each other and aligned and then permanently connected to the foundation piles (8),
characterized in that at least one of the foot portions spaced from the free end of a radial correction collar (11, 11a, 11b) with at least one on the foundation structure (3) acting hydraulic working element (19, 20, 21, 29, 29a, 30, 30a , 31, 31a, 33) is mounted axially supported and the foot portion with the correction collar (11, 11a, 11b) is placed on the foundation pile (8), wherein the foundation structure (3) prior to permanent connection with the foundation pile (8) hydraulic actuation of the at least one working element (19, 20, 21, 29, 29a, 30, 30a, 31, 31a, 33) is aligned. Method according to claim 13,
characterized in that the correction collar (11, 11 a, 11 b) after permanent connection of the foundation structure (3) with the support posts of the foundation structure (3) is released and is obtained by a train connection, wherein the correction collar (11, 11 a, 11b) is released from the foundation structure (3) by releasing a connection between its ring segments (27, 28).

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