ES2951906B2 - Detachable anchor and mounting procedure for a detachable anchor - Google Patents

Description

DESCRIPTION

Detachable anchor and mounting procedure for a detachable anchor

Object of the invention

The purpose of the present invention is a removable anchor, especially indicated for anchoring wind turbine platforms located at sea, where the platforms on which the wind turbines sit are attached to the anchor by means of chains or mooring cables.

The removable anchor object of the present invention greatly facilitates the tasks of transporting and placing the anchor with respect to other types of conventional anchors.

The removable anchor object of the present invention has application in any type of structure intended to be placed floating on the surface of the sea, and that needs to have one or more anchor points on the seabed, to hold the anchoring cables or chains. floating platforms.

Background of the invention and technical problem to be solved

Floating platforms, especially those dedicated to supporting wind turbines for the generation of electrical energy from wind energy at sea, need anchoring systems that keep them in their position and contribute to their stability. These anchoring systems need elements that attach them to the bottom safely.

Currently, various anchoring systems are known:

- Piles and suction anchors. Both systems are similar and both are nailed to the seabed.

- Conventional anchors, used especially in chain anchoring systems, where the chain is partially supported on the seabed.

- Large concrete blocks (rectangular or cylindrical in shape), sometimes called gravity anchors: they are the simplest and are used, above all, when the anchoring lines (chains or cables) rise towards the surface vertically or with a slight inclination (the mooring lines do not rest on the seabed).

All the anchoring systems described above have rings or other fastening means, generally in the upper part, to which the anchoring cables are attached.

The problem with the anchoring systems described above is that, with the rapid growth in the size of this type of floating platforms, these systems require very large and heavy anchoring elements, in some cases exceeding 1000 tons for each element. Which makes their installation difficult and very expensive, requiring in many cases special vessels with large cranes to position them on the seabed.

Thus, there is a problem regarding the manufacturing and installation cost of conventional anchoring systems, which require the use of cranes with high lifting capacity, installed on specialized vessels that are very expensive to rent. Today their use is assumed, since they are the only viable alternative.

Description of the invention

In order to solve the aforementioned drawbacks, the present invention relates to a removable anchor.

The removable anchor object of the present invention comprises a base (or base element) and a plurality of slabs (or plates), where the base and the slabs comprise a substantially flat plate-shaped geometry with a thickness substantially less than its height and its width.

The base comprises a main slat (or beam) comprising at least one ring (preferably two rings) configured for lifting the main slat and placing it on the seabed.

The base comprises at least one ring configured to hook an anchoring cable or chain.

Each slab comprises at least one ring (preferably two rings) configured for lifting the slab and placing it on the main strip.

Each slab comprises a slot (or notch) of a width equal to or greater than the width of the base, where the slot comprises an open end so that, when placed on the main batten, each slab is configured to be positioned transversely to the base with the main batten inserted (at least partially) into the groove of each slab.

Through the removable anchor configuration described above, it is possible to facilitate the installation of the gravity anchor, since it makes it unnecessary to have large vessels with cranes with high load capacity, since the anchor is installed in phases by loading the element on the crane. to element (first the base and then the slabs to be placed on the base), achieving a simple and very stable configuration against the stresses of the anchoring cables or chains.

Preferably, the main slat comprises a hole configured for the insertion of a bar which in turn is configured to stabilize the base by preventing it from overturning when the slabs have not yet been placed on the main slat.

Also preferably, the main strip comprises teeth configured to grip and/or increase friction with the seabed.

According to one aspect of the invention, the base comprises a pillar (or arm) with one end attached to the main slat and with another end attached to the ring, where the end attached to the ring has a width less than the end attached to the main slat.

According to a possible embodiment of the invention, the pillar is located in correspondence with the center of the main strip (in such a way that the base is symmetrical, with the pillar in its center).

Preferably, the main slat comprises a plurality of notches where each notch is configured to receive a slab.

The notches may comprise a surface inclined in the direction of the pillar.

Also, in case the pillar is located in the center of the main batten, the base may comprise the same number of notches on each side of the pillar.

Preferably, the groove of each slab comprises a height or depth equal to or greater than the height of the main strip of the base.

The slot of each slab may include, at its open end, chamfered corners or contours configured so that, in the maneuver of placing the slab (lowering the slab) on the main strip of the base, the slab tends to be placed in such a way. so that the main strip of the base is inserted in the groove of the slab. These profiles or chamfered surfaces help center and position each slab on the base.

Each slab may comprise teeth configured to grip and/or increase friction with the seabed.

According to a first embodiment, the slot of the slab is centered with respect to a width dimension of the slab.

According to a second and a third embodiment, the slot is offset with respect to the width dimension of the slab.

In the third embodiment, the slab comprises its corners opposite the base with a beveled geometry.

According to a fourth embodiment, the slab comprises spacers configured to assist in aligning and positioning the slabs on the base of the anchor.

As already mentioned, the present invention also refers to a method for assembling a removable anchor.

The procedure for assembling a removable anchor that is the object of the present invention includes making use of a removable anchor as described above.

The assembly procedure of a removable anchor, according to the present invention, comprises:

<o>hoist and lower the base of the anchor until it is placed on the seabed, e;

<o>lift and lower each slab and place it on the base, matching the slot with the main slat of the base, until the main slat is at least partially inserted in the slot of each slab.

In the event that the anchor comprises a pillar, the assembly procedure may comprise alternatively placing a slab on each side of the pillar on the main cleat.

In the event that the slot of the slab is off-center, the assembly procedure may include placing the slabs on the main strip, making the shorter and longer section protrude on one side and the other of the base, alternately, respectively. on each side of the slab groove.

Brief description of the figures

As part of the explanation of at least one embodiment of the invention, the following figures have been included.

Figure 1: Shows a schematic perspective view of a possible embodiment of the removable anchor, where the anchor is shown partially assembled and in the process of assembly.

Figure 2: Shows a schematic side view of the removable anchor of Figure 1.

Figure 3: Shows a schematic front view of the removable anchor of Figure 1.

Figure 4: Shows a schematic perspective view of the base of the removable anchor of Figure 1.

Figure 5: Shows a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of one of the removable anchor slabs.

Figure 6: Shows a schematic perspective view of a second embodiment of one of the removable anchor slabs.

Figure 7: Shows a schematic perspective view of a third embodiment of one of the removable anchor slabs.

Figure 8a: Shows a schematic perspective view of a possible embodiment of the removable anchor, with all its slabs already mounted on the base of the anchor, where the slabs correspond to the first embodiment of the slab shown in Figure 5.

Figure 8b: Shows a schematic side view of the removable anchor of Figure 8a.

Figure 8c: Shows a schematic front view of the removable anchor of Figure 8a.

Figure 9a: Shows a schematic perspective view of the assembly of the first slab (according to the first embodiment of the slab) at the base of the anchor.

Figure 9b: Shows a schematic perspective view of the anchor of Figure 9a, with the first slab mounted at the base of the anchor.

Figure 10a: Shows a schematic perspective view of a possible embodiment of the removable anchor, with all its slabs already mounted on the base of the anchor, where the slabs correspond to the second embodiment of the slab shown in Figure 6.

Figure 10b: Shows a schematic side view of the removable anchor of Figure 10a.

Figure 10c: Shows a schematic front view of the removable anchor of Figure 10a.

Figure 11: Shows a schematic perspective view of the assembly of the first slab (according to the second embodiment of the slab) at the anchor base, on the right side of the anchor base, where two already assembled slabs are shown. on the left side of the anchor base.

Figure 12a: Shows a schematic perspective view of a possible embodiment of the removable anchor, with all its slabs already mounted on the base of the anchor, where the slabs correspond to the third embodiment of the slab shown in Figure 7.

Figure 12b: Shows a schematic side view of the removable anchor of Figure 12a.

Figure 12c: Shows a schematic front view of the removable anchor of Figure 12a.

Figure 13: Shows a schematic perspective view of the assembly of the first slab (according to the third embodiment of the slab) at the anchor base, on the right side of the anchor base, where two already assembled slabs are shown. on the left side of the anchor base.

Figure 14: Shows a schematic perspective view of a fourth embodiment of one of the removable anchor slabs.

Figure 15a: Shows a schematic perspective view of a possible embodiment of the removable anchor, with all its slabs already mounted on the base of the anchor, where the slabs correspond to the fourth embodiment of the slab shown in Figure 14.

Figure 15b: Shows a schematic side view of the removable anchor of Figure 15a.

Figure 15c: Shows a schematic front view of the removable anchor of Figure 15a.

Figure 15d: Shows a schematic plan view of the removable anchor of Figure 15a.

Detailed description

The present invention refers, as mentioned above, to a removable anchor.

The removable anchor, object of the present invention, comprises a base (100) and a set of slabs (200) configured to be installed on stepped profile notches (101) arranged along a main strip (104) of the base. (100).

The base (100) has a substantially flat geometry, with a small thickness compared to its height and width. The base (100) comprises the main slat (104) and a pillar (102) joined at one end to the main slat (104) and crowned at its other end by a ring (103). The ring (103) is configured to hook one end of a cable or an anchor chain (not shown in the Figures) configured to hook, at its other end, with a floating platform (not shown in the Figures), to support, for example, a maritime wind turbine.

The pillar (102) has a preferably pyramidal geometry, with the end on which the ring (103) is located narrower than the end attached to the main strip (104).

The main strip (104) is divided into two halves by the pillar (102).

To assemble the anchor, the slabs (200) are positioned over the stepped profile notches (101) of the main slat (104) of the base (100), slabs (200) being arranged alternately on either side of the anchor. pillar (102), as shown schematically in Figure 1 and Figure 2.

Figure 3 shows a front view of the anchor, where the slabs (200) that have been mounted on the main slat (104) can be seen, and where the ring (103) of the pillar (102) can be seen protruding above the slabs (200).

The notches (101) of the main slat (104) of the base (100) have a surface inclined towards the center of the main slat (104), that is, inclined towards the pillar (102). In this way, as the slabs (200) are placed, they tend to rest against the pillar (102), or against the nearest slab (200) located in the direction of the pillar (102).

Figure 4 shows the different parts that make up the base (100) of the anchor.

As can be seen, the base (100) comprises a ring (105) at each end of the main slat (104), said rings being configured for lifting and placing the base (100) on the seabed by means of lifting cables or chains. of a crane located on board a ship (not shown).

The base (100) comprises nails or teeth (106) that protrude from the underside of the main slat (104), that is, from the side or edge of the main slat (104) opposite to the notches (101). These nails or teeth (106) are configured to produce a grip of the base (100) on the seabed, preventing or hindering the movement or dragging of the anchor by the anchoring cables or chains, when said anchoring cables or chains They pull strongly on the anchor with a force component in a direction parallel to the surface of the seabed.

The base (100) also comprises a bushing and/or a hole (107) located below the pillar (102), in correspondence with a central position of the main slat (104) and close to the lower side or lower edge of the main slat. (104). This hole (107) is configured for the insertion and/or embedding and/or clamping of a bar (108) that protrudes from both sides of the flat geometry of the base (100). This bar (108) is configured to provide lateral stability to the base (100), preventing the base (100) from collapsing and tipping to one side or the other when the lifting cable or chain deposits the base (100) on the seabed and when the anchor is not yet mounted and/or the slabs (200) have not been placed in correspondence with the notches (101) of the main strip (104) of the base (100).

The anchor slab (200) comprises a substantially planar geometry, with a small thickness compared to its height and width. The slab (200) typically comprises the same thickness as the thickness of the base (100). The slab (200) comprises a slot (201) with a height equal to or greater than the height of the main strip (104) of the base (100) (not counting the nails or teeth (106) of the base (100)) , and of a thickness equivalent to slightly more than the thickness of the main strip (104) of the base (100). In this way, when the slab (200) is placed (by the lifting cable or chain) in correspondence with each of the notches (101) of the main strip (104) of the base (100), the slab can be arranged making its slot (201) coincide with a section of the main strip (104) where there is a notch (101), and lowering it until it rests on the notch (101). During this lowering of the slab (200), the profile or thickness of the main strip (104) of the base (100) is inserted into the slot (201) of the slab (200).

The slot (201) comprises, at its open end, chamfered profiles (202), configured to assist in the lowering maneuver of the slab (200) on the main slat (104) of the base (100), assisting in the placement of the slab (200) so that the profile or thickness of the main strip (104) of the base (100) is inserted into the slot (201) of the slab (200).

The slab (200) also includes rings (203) configured for lifting each slab (200) by means of lifting cables or chains connected to a crane arranged on board a ship (not shown). In this way, each slab (200) can be lowered and placed on the base (100) of the anchor.

The slab also includes nails or teeth (204) configured to grip the seabed and prevent or hinder the dragging of the anchor by the anchor cables or chains.

Figure 5 shows a first embodiment of an anchor slab (200). According to this first embodiment, the slot (201) of the slab (200) is in a centered position with respect to the width of the slab (200). According to this first embodiment of the slab (200), the slab (200) comprises a substantially rectangular geometry.

Figure 6 shows a second embodiment of an anchor slab (200). According to this second embodiment, the slot (201) of the slab (200) is in an offset position with respect to the width of the slab (200). According to this second embodiment of the slab (200), the slab (200) comprises a substantially rectangular geometry.

Figure 7 shows a third embodiment of an anchor slab (200). According to this third embodiment, the slot (201) of the slab (200) is in an offset position with respect to the width of the slab (200). According to this third embodiment of the slab (200), the slab (200) comprises a substantially trapezoidal geometry, with an upper side or edge that comprises different beveled sections in the upper corners. This configuration not only serves an aesthetic purpose, but also reduces the weight of the ends of the slab (200) and therefore the bending moment in the section above the slot (201), which can be made higher and therefore more resistant; Alternatively, it allows the slab (200) to be made wider and provides more transversal stability to the anchor assembly.

In Figure 8a, Figure 8b and Figure 8c, the anchor is observed with all the slabs (200) mounted on the base (100), where the slabs (200) are configured in accordance with the first embodiment. of the slab (200).

Figure 9a and Figure 9b show the assembly process of the first slab (200) on the base (100) of the anchor, where said first slab (200) is configured in accordance with the first embodiment of the slab (200).

In Figure 10a, in Figure 10b and in Figure 10c, the anchor is observed with all the slabs (200) mounted on the base (100), where the slabs (200) are configured according to the second embodiment of the slab (200). As can be seen, given that in this second embodiment of the slab (200) the slot (201) is offset, the slabs (200) are arranged alternately, making the section of greater or lesser length or width of the slab (200) on each side of the slot (201). This configuration provides greater stability to the anchor, since the slabs (200) tend to tilt to one side and the other of the base (100), sticking their nails or teeth (204) into the seabed, and preventing or hindering possible oscillations or swings. on both sides of the base (100), since on both sides of the base (100) the slabs (200) are supported on the seabed. The torsion moment induced by the asymmetry of these slabs (200) thus arranged on the base (100), increases the friction between the slabs (200) and the base (100), so that the assembly remains more rigidly united.

Figure 11 shows the assembly process of the fourth slab (200) on the base (100) of the anchor, where this fourth slab (200) is the second to be placed on one side of the pillar (102) of the base ( 100), and where on the other side of the pillar (102) of the base (100) two slabs (200) already placed are observed. The slabs (200) are configured in accordance with the second embodiment of the slab (200), and are placed alternately on the base (100) protruding from one side and the other of the base (100), of alternately, the shortest and longest section on each side of the slot (201) of the slab (200).

Figure 12a, Figure 12b and Figure 12c are analogous to Figure 10a, Figure 10b and Figure 10c, but with the slabs (200) configured according to the third embodiment of the slab (200).

Figure 13 is analogous to Figure 11, but with the slabs (200) configured according to the third embodiment of the slab (200).

Figure 14 shows a fourth embodiment of the slab (200), where the slab (200) comprises spacers (205) (typically wooden guides attached or coupled to the surface of the slab (200), at each side of the slab (200)) configured to help align and place the slabs (200) on the base (100) of the anchor.

In Figure 15a, in Figure 15b, in Figure 10c and in Figure 15d, the anchor is observed with all the slabs (200) mounted on the base (100), where the slabs (200) are configured according to the fourth embodiment of the slab (200).

Both the base (100) and the slabs (200) can be made of reinforced concrete, built on a flat horizontal surface, with the help of a formwork that defines the contour of each plate (base (100) and slab (200)) . Alternatively, the base (100) and the slabs (200) can be cast metal pieces or cut from fairly thick metal plates.

Although in all Figures the same number of slabs (200) have been included on both sides of the pillar (102), for special applications, in which the force generated in the anchor cable is not vertical, but is applied with a important (and permanent) horizontal component, more slabs (200) can be placed on the opposite side to the direction of the anchor cable, to improve its stability. In this case the main strip (104) is not symmetrical, but has one of the arms (on one side of the pillar (102)) longer than the other.

The base (100) preferably has a specially reinforced reinforced concrete structure inside, since it is what supports the weight of all the slabs (200).

The base (100), as shown in the Figures, has an inverted “T” geometry.

The inclination of the side walls or edges or sides of the pillar (102) has a double mission: on the one hand it is convenient from a structural point of view, since the pulling of the anchor cable or chain can induce significant bending moments in the connection with the main slat (104); On the other hand, the slabs (200) rest on these sides, so that friction prevents movements between both pieces, and also gives them stability if the seabed is not perfectly horizontal. The inclination of the side walls of the pillar (102) allows the slabs (200) to rest on the pillar (102) (by gravity) and not fall outwards (even if the entire assembly is uneven). The angle of these side walls will depend on the irregularities of the terrain on which it will be installed (especially its maximum slope) and can vary between 10° and 30°.

Claims (16)

1. Removable anchor characterized by comprising a base (100) and a plurality of slabs (200), where the base (100) and the slabs (200) comprise a substantially flat plate-shaped geometry with a thickness substantially less than its height and its width, where the base (100) comprises a main slat (104) that comprises at least one ring (105) configured for lifting the main slat and placing it on the seabed, where the base (100) comprises at least one ring (103) configured to hook an anchor cable or chain; where each slab (200) comprises at least one ring (105) configured for lifting the slab (200) and placing it on the main slat (104) and where each slab (200) comprises a slot (201) of a width equal to or greater than the width of the base (100), where the slot (201) comprises an open end so that when placed on the main slat (104) each slab (200) is configured to be positioned transversely to the base ( 100) with the main slat (104) inserted in the slot (201) of each slab (200), and where the base (100) comprises a pillar (102) with one end attached to the main slat (104) and with another end attached to the ring (103), where the end attached to the ring (103) has a width less than the end attached to the main strip (104). 2. Removable anchor according to claim 1, characterized in that the main slat (104) comprises a hole (107) configured for the insertion of a bar (108) which in turn is configured to stabilize the base (100) preventing it from overturning when The slabs (200) have not yet been placed on the main strip (104). 3. Removable anchor according to claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the main strip (104) comprises teeth (106) configured to grip and/or increase friction with the seabed. 4. Removable anchor according to claim 1, characterized in that the pillar (102) is located in correspondence with the center of the main strip (104). 5. Removable anchor according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the main strip (104) comprises a plurality of notches (101) where each notch (101) is configured to receive a slab (200). 6. Removable anchor according to claims 1 or 4 and according to claim 5, characterized in that the notches comprise a surface inclined in the direction of the pillar (104). 7. Removable anchor according to claim 4 and according to claims 5 or 6, characterized in that it comprises the same number of notches on each side of the pillar (102). 8. Removable anchor according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the slot (201) of each slab (200) has a depth equal to or greater than the height of the main slat (104) of the base (100). 9. Removable anchor according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the slot (201) of each slab (200) comprises, at its open end, chamfered contours (202) configured so that, during the placement maneuver of the slab (200), ) on the main strip (104) of the base (100), the slab (200) tends to be placed in such a way that the main strip (104) of the base (100) is inserted in the slot (201) of the slab (200). 10. Removable anchor according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that each slab (200) comprises teeth (204) configured to grip and/or increase friction with the seabed. 11. Removable anchor according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the slot (201) is offset with respect to the width dimension of the slab (200). 12. Removable anchor according to claim 11, characterized in that the slab (200) comprises its corners opposite the base (100) with a beveled geometry. 13. Removable anchor according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the slab (200) comprises spacers (205) configured to help align and place the slabs (200) on the base (100) of the anchor. 14. Procedure for assembling a removable anchor that comprises making use of a removable anchor according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises: <o>hoist and lower the base (100) of the anchor until it is placed on the seabed, e; <o>lift and lower each slab (200) and place it on the base (100), making the slot (201) coincide with the main strip (104) of the base (100), until the main strip (104) is at least partially inserted into the slot (201) of each slab (200). 15. Procedure for assembling a removable anchor according to claim 14, which comprises making use of a removable anchor according to any of claims 1, 4, 6 or 7, characterized in that it comprises alternatively placing a slab (104) on the main strip (104). 200) on each side of the pillar (102). 16. Procedure for assembling a removable anchor according to claims 14 or 15, which comprises making use of a removable anchor according to any of claims 11 or 12, characterized in that it comprises placing the slabs (200) on the main strip (104) making protrude from one side and the other of the base (100), alternately, respectively the shortest and longest section on each side of the slot (201) of the slab (200).