EP3643839A2 - Hydroacoustic damper and method for handling same - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a hydraulic noise suppressor (4) for reducing water noise, particularly in the area of a construction site for an object (1) to be inserted into an underwater floor (2), the hydraulic noise suppressor (4) comprising at least two rigid holding elements (11), at least one support structure ( 5) and on the at least one support structure (5) attached sound reduction elements (10), an upper end (7) of the at least one support structure (5) being attached to at least one of the at least two holding elements (11). According to the invention, the hydraulic silencer (4) can be divided along side flanks extending between the upper end (7) and a lower end (8) of the at least one support structure (5) opposite the upper end (7). The invention further relates to a method for handling a hydraulic silencer (4).

Description

The invention relates to a hydraulic silencer for reducing water noise, in particular in the area of a construction site for an object to be introduced into an underwater floor, the hydraulic silencer having an upper end and a lower end opposite the upper end, with side flanks extending between the upper end and the lower end are, wherein the hydraulic silencer is divisible along the side flanks and movable between a closed position and an open position, wherein the hydraulic silencer has at least one support structure, wherein a lower end of the at least one support structure is movably fixed relative to the at least one floor element.

The invention further relates to a method for handling a hydraulic muffler and / or for positioning a hydraulic muffler in the area of a construction site for an object to be inserted into an underwater floor.

During underwater work, especially when inserting an object into the underwater floor, the sound produced is radiated from the object into the water surrounding it. To reduce the hydro sound, also called water sound, that is, the sound in water, hydraulic sound dampers are known.

Underwater soil is understood to mean the solid soil body below a water column. An underwater floor in the sense of the present invention is a sea floor or the bottom of a harbor basin or an inland water such as a lake or a river. The objects that are often brought into the underwater floor during underwater work are foundation bodies such as piles or structural parts such as wall elements that are introduced into the underwater floor by drilling or ramming. In the sense of the Other sound-emitting devices, such as a drill pipe, are also to be understood as an object to be introduced into the underwater bottom.

During drilling, vibratory ramming or pulse ramming, considerable sound emissions are emitted into the surrounding water by the object brought into the underwater floor, but also by the underwater floor. The sound is generated on the surface of friction between the object and the underwater floor and is transmitted by these into the water surrounding them.

Marine mammals, such as porpoises and seals, can perceive long-distance underwater noise, such as occurs in the underwater work described. Underwater noise primarily affects those animals that use their hearing in addition to communication for orientation and foraging. In these animals, permanent hearing damage can result in death.

Various techniques are known for reducing noise. With a bubble curtain, compressed air hoses are placed around the underwater construction site. These are connected to compressors and pump compressed air into the hoses on the underwater floor. This compressed air rises in the form of a curtain made of air bubbles and thus forms a physico-acoustic insulating barrier for sound.

Instead of the volatile and difficult to regulate air bubbles, envelopes made of elastic material can also be used as noise reduction elements. A large number of sound reduction elements are arranged on a support structure. This is, for example, a network that can be flexibly stretched around the sound source in the water. The nets are held on the underwater floor with weights. The entirety of the noise reduction elements with the support structure is called a hydraulic silencer. A hydraulic muffler has an additional damping effect and can be tailored precisely to the expected sound spectrum. A hydraulic silencer is less susceptible to ocean currents and optimally effective in the entire relevant frequency range. In addition, a continuous compressed air supply as with a bubble curtain is not required with a hydraulic silencer.

To reduce the hydro sound is from the publication DE 10 2008 017 418 A1 a hydraulic silencer known. This consists of a plurality of mutually spaced damping elements for reducing the hydro sound, which are distributed on a Support structure, for example on a network, are arranged. The support structure is arranged around a sound source at the place of use. A sound source is, for example, a pile, which is placed in the underwater floor, which can be done by ramming or drilling.

The generic DE 10 2004 043 128 A1 relates to a pile guide device for guiding a pile to be rammed into a body of water, which is enclosed by an inner and an outer textile curtain, so that the bubbles emerging from a nozzle arrangement rise between the two textile curtains. For this purpose, there are blow-out openings in the radial direction between the inner textile curtain and the outer textile curtain. Since the bubbles emerging and rising from the outlet openings cannot pass through either of the two textile curtains, they remain concentrated on the tubular space between the two textile curtains until the water level is reached. The nozzle arrangement consists of two rigid legs which are connected to two joints, so that the nozzle arrangement can be opened in order to insert the pile laterally into the nozzle arrangement. Then the movable legs are closed so that the pile is enclosed and fixed in its correct position.

The DE 10 2012 206 907 A1 shows a device for reducing the propagation of sound, vibrations and pressure surges in a liquid when introducing an object into a substrate with several gas-filled damping bodies and a support on which the damping bodies are arranged in a suitable relative position to each other. The carrier has a frame with vertical and horizontal linkage elements arranged perpendicular to one another, which is movable by means of joints between a closed position and an open position. Alternatively, the frame areas constructed from horizontal linkage elements can be coupled to one another via ropes in order to enable particularly space-saving storage or transport of the device when it is not in use.

The publication WO 2013/102459 A2 describes a method and a device for handling a hydraulic muffler in the area of an offshore construction site, in particular in the case of a pile to be inserted into the underwater floor. The disclosed device comprises a holding device on which a first end of the hydraulic muffler is held, and a second end of the hydraulic muffler which is remote from the first end of the hydraulic muffler and which can be positioned relative to the holding device, in particular at a distance from the holding device.

Furthermore, the DE 10 2006 008 095 A1 shell-shaped segments made of a sound-absorbing material, which are connected by hinges and which together form a rigid soundproof sleeve.

Also the GB 2509208 A refers to such a rigid soundproof cover.

The invention has for its object to provide a way in the field of underwater work such as drilling or ramming an object in the underwater floor, both the handling of a hydro muffler to reduce the generation or spread of hydro noise and the handling of the object, so that to simplify Workflows can be carried out quickly, safely and thus ultimately inexpensively.

The object is achieved with a hydraulic silencer according to the features of claim 1. The further embodiment of the invention can be found in the subclaims.

According to the invention, the hydraulic silencer has sound-reducing elements fastened to and spaced from one another on the at least one support structure, the support structure being formed from a number of a plurality of parallel vertical ropes and / or mesh strips and / or mesh tubes and / or mesh tubes and / or from a mesh equipped with the sound-proofing elements. So both the handling of the hydraulic muffler and the handling of the object is easier than with known hydraulic mufflers.

In the hydraulic silencer according to the invention, the side flanks are movable relative to one another between two end positions, an open position and a closed position. By moving the side flanks apart, a body that extends deep into the water, for example a vertically held pile, can be quickly and easily brought into the area that is sealed off from the hydraulic silencer. In the closed position, the side flanks are positioned at a short distance from one another, touching one another and / or overlapping one another. In the open position, the side flanks are at a large distance, which is larger than the cross section of the object. Depending on the embodiment of the hydraulic muffler, the mutually movable side flanks belong, for example, to a single support structure and / or to separate support structures which, for example, consist of a number of several parallel vertical ropes and / or mesh strips equipped with sound reduction elements and / or net tubes are formed, which are held at the lower end on a base element and float freely at the upper end.

A network is preferably used as the support structure for the noise reduction elements. As an alternative to a net, it is also possible to use a grid, in particular a narrow cage, a wire mat, a perforated metal sheet or a rigid wire mesh. Several of the rigid support structures designed as sheet-like bodies can be moved relative to one another, preferably in a translatory and / or rotary manner, between the rest position and the working position. The support structures are preferably arranged in staggered planes or in concentric rings to one another. Carrier structures in the form of cages can also be telescopic or arranged one on top of the other and / or next to one another, for example stackable.

It has proven to be advantageous for the upper end and the lower end of the at least one support structure to be translationally movable relative to one another in a vertical direction and / or in a horizontal direction approximately perpendicular to the vertical direction. This makes it possible for the support structure to be moved together for a movement of the hydraulic muffler between the open position and the closed position or for a movement of the hydraulic muffler and to stow it securely in a transport housing.

Furthermore, it is favorable that the hydraulic silencer comprises at least one floor element, which is assigned to the lower end of the at least one support structure, the lower end being movable relative to the at least one floor element or being fixed to the at least one floor element. The at least one base element is translationally movable relative to the holding elements in a vertical direction, so that the at least one support structure can be spread out or gathered together by means of the vertical movement of the at least one base element. This is possible by attaching the lower end of the support structure to the floor element. Furthermore, the vertical mobility of the at least one floor element is advantageous, since the at least one floor element can be lifted from the underwater floor when the hydraulic muffler is displaced, which facilitates the handling of the hydraulic muffler. In the case of a hydraulic silencer in which the lower end is movable relative to the at least one floor element, the floor element has an underwater winch or deflection roller for spreading out the support structure. The at least one floor element also serves as a mass body, which acts against the buoyancy of the sound reduction elements.

The at least one floor element is movable in the vertical direction between a rest position and a working position, wherein it rests on the underwater bottom in the working position and rests on at least one of the holding elements in the rest position or is locked with it. For the movement between the working position and the rest position, the holding elements are connected to the at least one floor element by the support structures and / or by means of ropes. The ropes can also be designed as rods. The support structures are preferably arranged to be movable on the ropes or rods.

The at least one base element and the holding elements can be designed as containers with closed walls. However, it has proven advantageous for a flow through the hydraulic muffler that the at least one base element and the holding elements are designed as cages with open-flow walls.

The hydraulic silencer preferably has a plurality of base elements, at least one base element being movable parallel to a horizontal plane together with one of the holding elements.

For the introduction of a pile into the underwater bottom, it has proven to be practical that the hydraulic silencer comprises a guide device for a pile, such as a so-called gripper, with at least one movable arm for gripping the pile, with the at least one movable arm of the guide device a holding element is attached. As a result, the movement of the hydraulic silencer between the open position and the closed position can take place together with the guide device. As an alternative or in addition, it is possible for at least one holding element to be fixed to the hull of a ship or to be connected to a lifting device fastened to the ship, for example a crane or swivel arm. A ship or installer ship in the sense of the invention is a floating device and / or placed on the underwater bed or on the land side at the water's edge.

The hydraulic silencer can also be designed completely independently of an installer ship or a guide device. For example, it is possible for the hydraulic silencer, at least one holding element and / or base element, to be connected to the object by means of at least one movable arm.

In the closed position, the guide device usually encloses the stake to about two thirds, in any case more than half of its circumference. The The hydraulic silencer, however, preferably completely encloses the pile. In order to be able to quickly change between the open position and the closed position, the hydraulic silencer preferably comprises several elements in one plane, for example holding elements, which are connected to one another by means of bearings. For example, it is provided that a hydraulic silencer consists of four holding elements which have the shape of a quarter circle and are connected to one another by three rotary joints.

Furthermore, it is possible, in particular for use at great depths or strong currents, to provide intermediate elements which are still floating in the water in addition to the holding elements and the base elements.

The bearings for connecting the elements to one another can be designed as rotary bearings or sliding bearings for a rotational or translational movement. It is possible that the elements of a hydraulic silencer are connected by means of different types of bearings. For example, a hydraulic silencer with four holding elements can be provided, which has a sliding mechanism as a bearing between the two middle holding elements and in which the outer holding elements are connected to the middle holding elements by means of rotary joints. The arrangement of the bearings or the shape and extension of the elements can be symmetrical or asymmetrical.

The object is further achieved according to the invention with a method according to the features of claim 7. The further embodiment of the invention can be found in the subclaims.

According to the invention, a method is provided in which, in order to move the object through the level of the hydraulic muffler, the muffler is brought into an open position by moving the side flanks away from one another and for inserting the object into the underwater bottom of the hydraulic muffler is moved into a closed position by moving the Side edges are moved towards each other. This possibility of vertically dividing and opening the hydraulic silencer like a curtain makes it easier to position the object and to transport it through the level of the hydraulic silencer.

According to a further embodiment of the method, it is provided that an object is first moved into the insertion position by an insertion device. Subsequently a guide device and at least two holding elements of the hydraulic muffler are moved from an open position into a closed position, the object being held immovably by the guide device and enclosed by the holding elements. The hydraulic muffler is then spread out, a lower end of the hydraulic muffler being moved down to the underwater floor or to a bottom element resting on the underwater floor. The object is then introduced into the underwater bottom using the insertion device. The hydraulic silencer is then at least partially contracted, the lower end being moved away from the underwater floor. The guide device and the at least two holding elements are then released to move the object from the closed position into the open position. This simplifies the handling of the object and the hydraulic silencer.

In order to achieve the closed position, the distance of the side flanks extending between an upper end and a lower end of the support structure is reduced in the case of a hydraulic noise suppressor with a single support structure. In the case of a hydraulic silencer with at least two support structures, the distance between two side flanks of different support structures is reduced in order to achieve the closed position.

The guide device and the holding device can in principle be moved independently of one another between the open position and the closed position. It has proven to be particularly practical that the guide device and the at least two holding elements are moved together, in particular simultaneously between the open position and the closed position.

However, there are also embodiments in which it has proven practical that the guide device and the at least two holding elements are not moved synchronously with one another or independently of one another. The movement of the individual elements, for example holding elements of a hydraulic silencer, can also take place synchronously or independently of one another.

It is also favorable that the at least one support structure is completely pulled together before each movement of the at least two holding elements, in particular that the at least one base element is brought into the rest position.

Fig. 1

in einer schematischen Schnittdarstellung einen Hydroschalldämpfer in einer Arbeitsstellung;

Fig. 2

in einer schematischen Schnittdarstellung den in Figur 1 gezeigten Hydroschalldämpfer in einer Zwischenstellung;

Fig. 3

in einer schematischen Schnittdarstellung den in Figur 1 gezeigten Hydroschalldämpfer in einer Ruhestellung;

Fig. 4

in einer schematischen Darstellung eine Ansicht eines Hydroschalldämpfers in einer Geschlossenstellung mit zwei Halteelementen und zwei Bodenelementen in einer Zwischenstellung;

Fig. 5

in einer schematischen Darstellung eine Ansicht des in Figur 4 gezeigten Hydroschalldämpfers in einer Offenstellung;

Fig. 6

in einer schematischen Darstellung eine Ansicht eines Hydroschalldämpfers in einer Geschlossenstellung mit zwei Halteelementen und einem Bodenelement in einer Arbeitsstellung und mit ausgebreiteter Trägerstruktur;

Fig. 7

in einer schematischen Darstellung eine Ansicht des in Figur 6 gezeigten Hydroschalldämpfers in einer Offenstellung;

Fig. 8

in einer schematischen Darstellung eine Ansicht des in Figur 6 gezeigten Hydroschalldämpfers in einer Geschlossenstellung mit einer zusammengezogenen Trägerstruktur;

Fig. 9

in einer schematischen Darstellung eine Ansicht des in Figur 6 gezeigten Hydroschalldämpfers in einer Offenstellung mit einer zusammengezogenen Trägerstruktur;

Fig. 10

in einer schematischen Darstellung eine Draufsicht eines Hydroschalldämpfers;

Fig. 11

in einer schematischen Darstellung eine Draufsicht eines Hydroschalldämpfers;

Fig. 12

in einer schematischen Darstellung eine Draufsicht eines Hydroschalldämpfers;

Fig. 13

in einer schematischen Darstellung eine Draufsicht eines Hydroschalldämpfers;

Fig. 14

in einer schematischen Darstellung eine Draufsicht eines Hydroschalldämpfers in einer Offenstellung;

Fig. 15

in einer schematischen Darstellung eine Draufsicht des in Figur 14 gezeigten Hydroschalldämpfers;

Fig. 16

in einer schematischen Darstellung eine Draufsicht des in Figur 14 gezeigten Hydroschalldämpfers in einer Geschlossenstellung;

Fig. 17

in einer schematischen Darstellung eine Draufsicht eines Hydroschalldämpfers in einer Offenstellung;

Fig. 18

in einer schematischen Darstellung eine Draufsicht des in Figur 17 gezeigten Hydroschalldämpfers;

Fig. 19

in einer schematischen Darstellung eine Draufsicht des in Figur 17 gezeigten Hydroschalldämpfers in einer Geschlossenstellung;

Fig. 20

in einer schematischen Darstellung eine Draufsicht eines Hydroschalldämpfers in einer Offenstellung;

Fig. 21

in einer schematischen Darstellung eine Draufsicht des in Figur 20 gezeigten Hydroschalldämpfers;

Fig. 22

in einer schematischen Darstellung eine Draufsicht des in Figur 20 gezeigten Hydroschalldämpfers in einer Geschlossenstellung;

Fig. 23

in einer schematischen Darstellung eine Draufsicht eines Hydroschalldämpfers in einer Offenstellung;

Fig. 24

in einer schematischen Darstellung eine Draufsicht eines Hydroschalldämpfers in einer Offenstellung;

Fig. 25

in einer schematischen Schnittdarstellung einen Hydroschalldämpfer in einer Arbeitsstellung;

Fig. 26

in einer schematischen Schnittdarstellung einen Hydroschalldämpfer in einer Arbeitsstellung.

The invention permits various embodiments. To further clarify its basic principle, some of them are shown in the drawing and are described below. The drawing shows in

Fig. 1

in a schematic sectional view a hydraulic silencer in a working position;

Fig. 2

in a schematic sectional view the in Figure 1 shown hydraulic silencer in an intermediate position;

Fig. 3

in a schematic sectional view the in Figure 1 shown hydraulic silencer in a rest position;

Fig. 4

a schematic representation of a view of a hydraulic silencer in a closed position with two holding elements and two base elements in an intermediate position;

Fig. 5

in a schematic representation a view of the in Figure 4 Hydro muffler shown in an open position;

Fig. 6

a schematic representation of a view of a hydraulic silencer in a closed position with two holding elements and a base element in a working position and with the support structure spread out;

Fig. 7

in a schematic representation a view of the in Figure 6 Hydro muffler shown in an open position;

Fig. 8

in a schematic representation a view of the in Figure 6 Hydro muffler shown in a closed position with a contracted support structure;

Fig. 9

in a schematic representation a view of the in Figure 6 Hydro muffler shown in an open position with a contracted support structure;

Fig. 10

a schematic representation of a top view of a hydraulic silencer;

Fig. 11

a schematic representation of a top view of a hydraulic silencer;

Fig. 12

a schematic representation of a top view of a hydraulic silencer;

Fig. 13

a schematic representation of a top view of a hydraulic silencer;

Fig. 14

a schematic representation of a top view of a hydraulic silencer in an open position;

Fig. 15

a schematic representation of a top view of the in Figure 14 shown hydraulic silencer;

Fig. 16

a schematic representation of a top view of the in Figure 14 Hydro muffler shown in a closed position;

Fig. 17

a schematic representation of a top view of a hydraulic silencer in an open position;

Fig. 18

a schematic representation of a top view of the in Figure 17 shown hydraulic silencer;

Fig. 19

a schematic representation of a top view of the in Figure 17 Hydro muffler shown in a closed position;

Fig. 20

a schematic representation of a top view of a hydraulic silencer in an open position;

Fig. 21

a schematic representation of a top view of the in Figure 20 shown hydraulic silencer;

Fig. 22

a schematic representation of a top view of the in Figure 20 Hydro muffler shown in a closed position;

Fig. 23

a schematic representation of a top view of a hydraulic silencer in an open position;

Fig. 24

a schematic representation of a top view of a hydraulic silencer in an open position;

Fig. 25

in a schematic sectional view a hydraulic silencer in a working position;

Fig. 26

in a schematic sectional view of a hydraulic silencer in a working position.

During underwater work, in particular when introducing an object 1 into the underwater floor 2, the sound produced is radiated from the object 1 into the water 3 surrounding it. To reduce the hydro sound, also called water sound, that is to say the sound in water 3, a hydraulic sound damper 4 is provided, of which some exemplary embodiments are described in more detail below. In the exemplary embodiments of the hydraulic silencer 4 shown in the figures, the method according to the invention is also explained.

The method is used to handle the hydraulic silencer 4 in the area of an offshore construction site, in particular in the case of an object 1 to be inserted into the underwater floor 2.

The hydraulic silencer 4 can develop its effect particularly well if the sound source, here the object 1, is largely enclosed by the hydraulic silencer 4. In order to position the object 1 in the hydraulic noise suppressor 4, which consists, for example, of a network as a flexible support structure 5 with sound reduction elements 10 attached to it, it is provided that the hydraulic noise suppressor 4 is arranged in the direction of FIG Figures 4 to 9 shown side flanks 6 is divided. The side flanks 6 extend between an upper end 7 and a lower end 8 of the hydraulic silencer 4 and are each embodied by at least one cable 13.

The Figures 1 to 3 show an object 1 introduced into the underwater bottom 2 at the end of the introduction. An insertion tool 9 is still placed on the object 1. The hydraulic silencer 4 shown in a schematic section comprises the already mentioned flexible support structure 5, to which a multiplicity of noise reduction elements 10 are attached. Furthermore, the hydraulic silencer 4 has at least two rigid holding elements 11, which are connected to the upper end 7 of the at least one support structure 5, and one also called a gripper Guide device 15 for the erected object 1. By means of the guide device 15, a horizontal movement of the object 1 is suppressed when it is brought down.

In the in the Figures 1 to 3 In the embodiment shown, the holding elements 11 are arranged on the guide device 15. As shown, the holding elements 11 are fixed directly to the guide device 15 or attached to the guide device 15 by means of ropes. The latter enables the holding elements 11 to be lowered onto the water surface, which is preferably done by means of winches arranged on the holding elements 11. The at least two holding elements 11 are moved together with the arms of the guide device 15 in a horizontal plane for receiving an object 1.

Furthermore, the hydraulic silencer 4 comprises at least one base element 12. The at least one base element 12 is movable relative to the holding elements 11. By means of the cables 13 which extend between the at least one bottom element 12 and the holding elements 11, the at least one bottom element 12 can be moved between the underwater bottom 2 and the holding elements 11. As a drive, winches 14 are arranged on the at least one floor element 12 and / or on the holding elements 11. The ropes 13 can also serve to guide the at least one support structure 5. It is also possible for a hose for generating a bubble curtain and / or for generating or controlling buoyancy to be held in the base element 12 in the hydraulic silencer 4 according to the invention. Ideally, the bubble curtain and / or the buoyancy body and / or the noise reduction elements have a common compressed air supply, which comprises, for example, a common line and / or a common compressor. The lower end 8 of the at least one support structure 5 is connected to the at least one floor element 12 and is spread out when the at least one floor element 12 is lowered. Alternatively, the lower end 8 of the at least one support structure 5 is movable relative to the at least one floor element 12, it being possible for the lower end 8 to be pulled towards the at least one floor element 12 via further ropes and winches, not shown here. The at least one support structure 5 is brought in solely by the buoyancy of the sound reduction elements 10 attached to the at least one support structure 5.

Figure 1 shows the at least one floor element 12 in a working position. The at least one bottom element 12 is deposited on the underwater bottom 2. In the active hydraulic silencer 4 is between the floor element 12 in the working position and the Holding elements 11 extends a hydraulic noise reducing curtain. The curtain is, for example, a support structure 5 with sound reduction elements 10 attached to it, a bubble curtain with freely rising air bubbles or a combination of different devices for reducing water noise. The curtain for the water surrounding the hydraulic muffler 4 can be flowed through, but includes a limited volume of water containing the sound source and thus separates it from the environment.

Figure 2 shows the at least one floor element 12 in an intermediate position. The at least one bottom element 12 is lifted off the underwater bottom 2. The distance to the underwater floor 2 is sufficiently large so that the hydraulic silencer 4 can be moved away from an object 1 introduced into the underwater floor 2 and to a new insertion location.

Figure 3 shows the at least one floor element 12 in a rest position. The at least one floor element 12 bears against the holding elements 11. Optionally, the holding elements 11 are locked with the at least one base element 12 in the rest position. The rest position is particularly well suited for transporting the hydraulic silencer 4, since the at least one support structure 5 is securely stowed in a transport housing 16. In the embodiment shown, the transport housing 16 is formed by the base element 12 and the holding element 11. The hydraulic silencer 4 is preferably opened in the rest position.

The Figures 4 to 9 show in schematic views three different methods for handling a hydraulic silencer 4. Shown are the holding elements 11, one or more base elements 12 and the at least one support structure 5 and the cables 13 tensioned between the holding element 11 and the base element 12 when a flexible support structure 5 is used only a section of the at least one support structure 5 is shown. The at least one support structure 5 can be spatially extended in depth as a single support structure 5, for example enclosing the object 1 (not shown). The hydraulic silencer 4 can also comprise a plurality of support structures 5, which are designed as a disk-like wall, for example positioned in front of a port entrance. A plurality of ropes 13 are assigned to each holding element 11, at least one rope 13 being positioned on each side flank 6.

The Figures 4 and 5 show a hydraulic silencer 4, comprising two holding elements 11 and two base elements 12. In order to an object 1 not shown here in the To be able to transport the work area, the hydraulic silencer 4 can be divided along the side flanks 6. In the variant shown, the opening and closing movement takes place while the hydraulic silencer 4 is in an intermediate position. To open the hydraulic muffler 4, the holding elements 11 and base elements 12 are pivoted or shifted in pairs, so that the distance between the side flanks 6 is increased. The movement 17 of the holding elements 11 and base elements 12 and of the side flanks 6 is indicated by a double arrow. To close the hydraulic silencer 4, this movement 17 is reversed. In Figure 4 the closed position of the hydraulic silencer 4 is shown. The distance between the side flanks 6 is minimized. Alternatively, the side flanks 6 can also be positioned overlapping in the closed position. Figure 5 shows the open position of the hydraulic muffler 4. In the open position, the distance between the side flanks 6 is significantly larger than in the closed position. As already indicated above, the hydraulic silencer 4 shown here can consist of a support structure 5 which is connected to all holding elements 11 and floor elements 12. However, the hydraulic silencer 4 shown here can also consist of two independent support structures 5, each support structure being connected to a holding element 11 and a base element 12. For the movement 17 of the bottom elements 12, they are moved from the underwater bottom 2 into the intermediate position shown or into a rest position.

The Figures 6 and 7 show a hydraulic silencer 4, comprising two holding elements 11 and a base element 12. In order to be able to transport an object 1, not shown here, into the working area, the hydraulic silencer 4 can be divided along the side flanks 6. To open the hydraulic silencer 4, the holding elements 11 are pivoted or shifted, so that a wedge-shaped opening is formed between the side flanks 6. When changing between the closed position and the open position in the working position, the bottom element 12 remains in contact with the underwater bottom 2 and is not moved. The support structure 5 is connected to the floor element 12.

The Figures 8 and 9 show a variant of the in the Figures 6 and 7 described method, starting from the closed position of the Figure 6 first the support structure 5 is pulled up to the holding elements 11 and then the holding elements 11 according to the Figure 7 be moved until the open position is reached.

The Figures 10 to 24 show, in schematic top views, the movement 17 of at least the holding elements 11. The holding elements 11 movable relative to one another, if appropriate the floor elements 12 are, for example, as in the Figures 10, 11 , 13 to 16 and 20 to 24 shown, connected by means of at least one bearing 18. The at least one bearing 18 can be designed as a joint which enables a rotational movement 17 between the holding elements 11. Such an articulated bearing 18 is in the Figures 10, 13 , 20 to 22 and 23 shown. The bearing 18 can also be a guide which enables a rotational or translatory movement 17 between the holding elements 11. Such a guide-like bearing 18 is in the Figures 11 , 17 to 19 and 24. The holding elements 11, which are movable relative to one another, optionally also the base elements 12, can also, as in FIGS Figures 12 and 17 to 19 shown to be carried out independently of one another.

The Figures 14 to 22 show the method for positioning the hydraulic muffler 4 and the object 1 at an offshore construction site for introducing a pile into the underwater bottom 2.

The Figures 14 to 16 show a first variant of the method. In this first variant, a multi-part hydraulic silencer 4 is provided, in which each part comprises a holding element 11 and a base element 12, as well as a support structure 5, not shown, arranged in between. The two parts of the hydraulic silencer 4 are at a distance in the open position ( Figure 14 ). This distance, in particular between the side flanks 6, enables simple, problem-free and safe positioning 19 of the object 1, which is a pile here. The two parts of the hydraulic muffler 4 are attached to a ship 20. As soon as the object 1 is positioned at its point of introduction, one of the parts of the hydraulic silencer 4 is moved 17 towards the other part ( Figure 15 ) until the closed position is reached ( Figure 16 ). The movement 17 of one part preferably takes place along a guide attached to the ship 20. If the support structure 5 has not yet been expanded, the bottom element 12 and the lower end 8 of the support structure 5 are now lowered onto the underwater floor 2. Then the sound-emitting work can be started. After the object 1 has been introduced into the underwater bottom 2, the bottom element 12 is moved into the intermediate position or the rest position and the parts of the hydraulic silencer 4 are moved away from one another again until the open position is reached. The ship 20 can then be moved to a new insertion position and the process begins again.

The Figures 17 to 19 show a second variant of the method. In the second variant, too, an at least two-part hydraulic muffler 4 is provided, in which each part has a holding element 11 and a base element 12, and one arranged in between Carrier structure 5 comprises. Part of the hydraulic silencer 4 is fastened to a ship 20, while the other part is movable relative to the ship 20 in a floating manner. In the open position ( Figure 17 ) of the hydraulic muffler 4, the object 1 is positioned at its insertion location 19. Then the floating part of the hydraulic muffler 4 is moved 17 to the part attached to the ship 20 ( Figure 18 ). During the introduction of the object 1 into the underwater floor 2, the hydraulic silencer 4 remains in the closed position ( Figure 19 ).

The Figures 20 to 22 show a third variant of the method. In this third variant, a hydraulic silencer 4 is provided, in which the two holding elements 11 are pivotally connected to one another. This hydraulic silencer 4 preferably also has two floor elements 12, with each holding element 11 being assigned a floor element 12. The floor elements 12 are also pivotally connected to one another. Alternatively, the hydraulic silencer 4 can also comprise a plurality of hinge axes, for example consist of four pairs, each with a holding element 11 and a base element 12, the four pairs being rotatably connected to one another via three hinge axes. Each pair covers a quarter circle, so that the closed hydraulic silencer 4 encompasses the object 1. The hydraulic silencer 4 can be fastened to a ship 20 and / or to a lifting device and / or to a guide device 15, held by a crane of the ship 20 or detached from the ship 20, for example by being able to move independently. As described above, in the open position of the hydraulic silencer 4, the object 1 is positioned 19 ( Figure 20 ). The hydraulic silencer 4 is then closed by at least one pivoting movement 17 of at least one pair of holding element 11 and base element 12 ( Figure 21 ) until the closed position ( Figure 22 ) is reached and thus the hydraulic silencer 4 encloses the object 1.

The Figures 23 and 24 show the method for handling the hydraulic muffler 4 and an object 1 at a construction site between two headlands 21. In a construction site between two headlands 21, it is often sufficient to protect animals from hydro sound, the hydraulic muffler between the two headlands 21. The headlands 21 can be two moles in a port area or form a bay on the coast. In the area of inland waters, the headlands are 21 opposite banks of a river or two bank sections of a lake. The support structure 5 is rigid here and consists, for example, of a grid. The use of a rigid support structure 5 has proven to be advantageous in particular in the case of a hydraulic silencer 4 which remains in the same place for a long time, therefore not or only rarely. As an alternative to a grid, it is also possible to use, in particular, narrow cages, wire mats, plastic mats, perforated metal sheets or rigid and / or flexible wire and / or plastic braids.

Figure 23 shows a fourth variant of the method according to the invention. In this fourth variant, a multi-part hydraulic silencer 4 is provided, in which each part comprises a support structure 5, at least two holding elements 11 and at least two floor elements 12. The holding elements 11 and the bottom elements 12 of each part are pivotally connected to one another. During the movement 17 between the open position and the closed position, the mutually assigned pairs of holding element 11 and base element 12 are rotated together around a bearing 18.

The Figure 24 shows a fifth variant of the method according to the invention. In this fifth variant, a multi-part hydraulic silencer 4 is provided, in which each part comprises a support structure 5, a holding element 11 and a base element 12. Two parts of the hydraulic muffler 4 are positioned like a wall between the headlands 21. There is a gap between these two parts. The gap can be closed by the at least one further part. Between the open position and the closed position of the hydraulic silencer 4, the at least one further part is moved 17, for example in a translatory manner, relative to the other two parts.

Figure 25 shows a hydraulic silencer 4, which in the Figures 1 to 3 Hydraulic silencer 4 shown is similar. In the hydraulic muffler 4 shown here, the holding elements 11 and the base elements 12 are connected via cables 13, the base elements 12 being movable relative to the holding elements 11 by means of winches 14 arranged on the holding elements 11 or on the guide device 15. The base element 12 is designed as a transport housing 16, which receives the support structure 5 with the sound reduction elements 10 outside the water 3. The transport housing 16 is preferably a lattice cage open at the top. If the floor element 12 is let down into the water 3, the sound reduction elements 10 float. Held on the support structure 5, which is connected at its lower end 8 to the bottom element 12, the support structure 5 and noise reduction elements 10 are pulled down to the underwater bottom 2 and thus spread over the entire water column. The upper end 7 of the support structure 5 floats freely on the water surface. The holding elements 11 are fixed to the guide device 15 by means of ropes or shackles. After positioning the object 1, the hydraulic silencer 4 is closed.

After closing, the bottom element 12 is lowered. The opening and closing of the hydraulic noise damper 4 is preferably carried out above the water level, the sound-reducing elements 10 receiving no buoyancy.

Figure 26 shows a special embodiment of a hydraulic silencer 4, in which a bottom element 12 has been placed on the underwater bottom 2. Numerous support structures 5 with sound-reducing elements 10, which are independent of one another, are arranged on this floor element 12. The lower ends 8 of the support structures 5 are connected to the base element 12, which suppresses further ascent of the support structures 5 and noise reduction elements 10. The support structures 5 consist of individual ropes or narrow mesh strips or are individual mesh tubes, in the interior of which the sound reduction elements 10 are arranged. Each of the support structures 5 has a side flank 6 to the support structures 5 adjacent to it. This embodiment variant of the hydraulic silencer 4 has a multiple division and can therefore be penetrated simply because the upper ends 7 of the support structures 5 are free and avoid a passing object 1.

Claims (10)

Hydro silencer (4) for reducing water noise in the case of an object (1) to be introduced into an underwater floor (2), the hydraulic silencer (4) having an upper end (7) and a lower end (8) opposite the upper end (7), whereby side flanks (6) extend between the upper end (7) and the lower end (8), the hydraulic silencer (4) being divisible along the side flanks (6) and movable between a closed position and an open position and at least one support structure (5 ), the lower end of which is movably fixed relative to the at least one base element (12), the hydraulic silencer (4) having sound-reducing elements (10) fastened and spaced apart from one another on the at least one support structure (5), the support structure (5) being made of a series of several, with the sound reduction elements (10) equipped parallel vertical ropes and / or mesh strips and / or mesh tubes and / or from a Ne tz is formed, characterized in that the hydraulic silencer (4) has cage-shaped support structures (5) for the noise reduction elements (10), the cages being made telescopic. Hydraulic silencer (4) according to claim 1, characterized in that at least two holding elements (11) are assigned to the upper end (7) and / or at least one base element (12) is assigned to the lower end (8). Hydraulic silencer (4) according to at least one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the base element (12) parallel to the side flanks (6) in a vertical direction and / or in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the vertical direction translationally relative to the holding elements ( 11) is movable. Hydraulic muffler (4) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hydraulic muffler (4) has a plurality of base elements (12) and / or a plurality of support structures (5) which are movable together with the holding elements (11). Hydraulic silencer (4) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding elements (11) can be moved in translation and / or rotation relative to one another and / or the base elements (12) can be moved relative to one another in the horizontal direction perpendicular to the vertical direction. Hydraulic muffler (4) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hydraulic muffler (4) comprises a guide device (15) for an object (1) with at least one movable arm for enclosing the object (1), at least one of which movable arm of the guide device (15) a holding element (11) is attached. Method for handling and / or positioning a hydraulic muffler (4) according to claim 1 in the area of a construction site for an object (1) to be inserted into an underwater floor (2), the hydraulic muffler (4) having an upper end (7) and an upper end End (7) opposite lower end (8) and between the upper end (7) and the lower end (8) extending side flanks (6), wherein for moving the object (1) through the plane of the hydraulic silencer (4) through this is brought into an open position by moving the side flanks (6) away from one another, and for introducing the object (1) into the underwater bottom (2) the hydraulic silencer (4) is moved into a closed position by moving the side flanks (6) towards one another are moved, characterized in that telescopic cages are used as support structures (5) for the sound reduction elements (10). A method according to claim 7, characterized in that • the object (1) is moved to the insertion position, then • at least two holding elements (11) of the hydraulic silencer (4) are moved from an open position into a closed position, the object (1) being held horizontally immobile by the guide device (15) and enclosed by the holding elements (11), then • the at least one support structure (5) is spread out, a lower end (8) of the at least one support structure (5) down to the underwater floor (2) or up to a bottom element (12) resting on the underwater bottom (2) is then moved • the object (1) is inserted into the underwater bottom (2) by means of the insertion device (9), then • the at least one support structure (5) is at least partially contracted, the lower end (8) of the at least one support structure (5) being moved away from the underwater bottom (2), and then • the guide device (15) and the at least two holding elements (11) are released to move the object (1) from the closed position into the open position. Method according to at least one of Claims 7 and 8, characterized in that, in order to achieve the closed position in a hydraulic silencer (4) with a support structure (5), the distance between the upper end (7) and a lower end (8) of the support structure ( 5) extending side flanks (6) is reduced or, in the case of a hydraulic noise suppressor (4) with at least two support structures (5), the distance between two side flanks (6) of different support structures (5) is reduced. Method according to at least one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the guide device (15) and the at least two holding elements (11) are moved together from an open position into a closed position.

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