NL2028124B1 - installation vessel - Google Patents

installation vessel Download PDF

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Publication number
NL2028124B1
NL2028124B1 NL2028124A NL2028124A NL2028124B1 NL 2028124 B1 NL2028124 B1 NL 2028124B1 NL 2028124 A NL2028124 A NL 2028124A NL 2028124 A NL2028124 A NL 2028124A NL 2028124 B1 NL2028124 B1 NL 2028124B1
Authority
NL
Netherlands
Prior art keywords
monopile
crane
boom
trolley
vessel
Prior art date
Application number
NL2028124A
Other languages
Dutch (nl)
Inventor
Bernardus Wijning Diederick
Roodenburg Joop
Original Assignee
Itrec Bv
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Itrec Bv filed Critical Itrec Bv
Priority to NL2028124A priority Critical patent/NL2028124B1/en
Priority to PCT/EP2022/061622 priority patent/WO2022229455A1/en
Priority to EP22727051.9A priority patent/EP4330176A1/en
Priority to EP22726468.6A priority patent/EP4330180A1/en
Priority to PCT/EP2022/061578 priority patent/WO2022229436A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of NL2028124B1 publication Critical patent/NL2028124B1/en

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03D—WIND MOTORS
    • F03D13/00—Assembly, mounting or commissioning of wind motors; Arrangements specially adapted for transporting wind motor components
    • F03D13/20—Arrangements for mounting or supporting wind motors; Masts or towers for wind motors
    • F03D13/25—Arrangements for mounting or supporting wind motors; Masts or towers for wind motors specially adapted for offshore installation
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B77/00—Transporting or installing offshore structures on site using buoyancy forces, e.g. using semi-submersible barges, ballasting the structure or transporting of oil-and-gas platforms
    • B63B77/10—Transporting or installing offshore structures on site using buoyancy forces, e.g. using semi-submersible barges, ballasting the structure or transporting of oil-and-gas platforms specially adapted for electric power plants, e.g. wind turbines or tidal turbine generators
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B66—HOISTING; LIFTING; HAULING
    • B66C—CRANES; LOAD-ENGAGING ELEMENTS OR DEVICES FOR CRANES, CAPSTANS, WINCHES, OR TACKLES
    • B66C23/00—Cranes comprising essentially a beam, boom, or triangular structure acting as a cantilever and mounted for translatory of swinging movements in vertical or horizontal planes or a combination of such movements, e.g. jib-cranes, derricks, tower cranes
    • B66C23/18—Cranes comprising essentially a beam, boom, or triangular structure acting as a cantilever and mounted for translatory of swinging movements in vertical or horizontal planes or a combination of such movements, e.g. jib-cranes, derricks, tower cranes specially adapted for use in particular purposes
    • B66C23/185—Cranes comprising essentially a beam, boom, or triangular structure acting as a cantilever and mounted for translatory of swinging movements in vertical or horizontal planes or a combination of such movements, e.g. jib-cranes, derricks, tower cranes specially adapted for use in particular purposes for use erecting wind turbines
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B66—HOISTING; LIFTING; HAULING
    • B66C—CRANES; LOAD-ENGAGING ELEMENTS OR DEVICES FOR CRANES, CAPSTANS, WINCHES, OR TACKLES
    • B66C23/00—Cranes comprising essentially a beam, boom, or triangular structure acting as a cantilever and mounted for translatory of swinging movements in vertical or horizontal planes or a combination of such movements, e.g. jib-cranes, derricks, tower cranes
    • B66C23/18—Cranes comprising essentially a beam, boom, or triangular structure acting as a cantilever and mounted for translatory of swinging movements in vertical or horizontal planes or a combination of such movements, e.g. jib-cranes, derricks, tower cranes specially adapted for use in particular purposes
    • B66C23/36—Cranes comprising essentially a beam, boom, or triangular structure acting as a cantilever and mounted for translatory of swinging movements in vertical or horizontal planes or a combination of such movements, e.g. jib-cranes, derricks, tower cranes specially adapted for use in particular purposes mounted on road or rail vehicles; Manually-movable jib-cranes for use in workshops; Floating cranes
    • B66C23/52—Floating cranes
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03D—WIND MOTORS
    • F03D13/00—Assembly, mounting or commissioning of wind motors; Arrangements specially adapted for transporting wind motor components
    • F03D13/10—Assembly of wind motors; Arrangements for erecting wind motors
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02B—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING
    • E02B17/00—Artificial islands mounted on piles or like supports, e.g. platforms on raisable legs or offshore constructions; Construction methods therefor
    • E02B2017/0056—Platforms with supporting legs
    • E02B2017/0065—Monopile structures
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02B—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING
    • E02B17/00—Artificial islands mounted on piles or like supports, e.g. platforms on raisable legs or offshore constructions; Construction methods therefor
    • E02B2017/0091—Offshore structures for wind turbines
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
    • F05B—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
    • F05B2230/00—Manufacture
    • F05B2230/60—Assembly methods
    • F05B2230/61—Assembly methods using auxiliary equipment for lifting or holding
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
    • F05B—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
    • F05B2240/00—Components
    • F05B2240/90—Mounting on supporting structures or systems
    • F05B2240/95—Mounting on supporting structures or systems offshore

Abstract

The invention relates to an installation vessel comprising a crane with a boom configured for upending monopiles. Vlfith a crane according to the invention, the boom of the crane can be 5 pivoted in an upend position for upending the monopile with the bottom end of the monopile being guided by a cart and a track along an upend deck and with the top end of the monopile being guided along the boom by a trolley and the trolley guide. 10

Description

P350682NLO0/MHR Title: installation vessel An off shore wind turbine comprises a mast supporting a nacelle and the blades of the wind turbine. The mast is mounted on a foundation, typically in the form of a monopile, i.e. a cylindrical foot section, part of which is driven into the sea floor. As an alternative foundation, a jacket, i.e. a truss or frame work installed on the sea floor, can be used.
The foundation is installed first by driving the pile into the sea bottom after which the wind turbine, the wind turbine comprising a mast, nacelle and blades, is installed on the pile. Again, either by installing the wind turbine at once as a whole or by assembling the wind turbine in parts on the pile. A transition piece may be provided between the pile and the mast of the wind turbine.
To facilitate transport of monopiles to the installation sight, the piles are transported to the installation site in a horizontal position. Storing the monopiles in a horizontal position keeps the center of gravity of these monopiles close to the water surface, which is beneficial for the vessel transporting the monopiles.
Atthe installation site, the monopiles have to be upended, i.e. a top end of the monopile is lifted relative to a bottom end of the monopile to bring the pile from the horizontal position into a vertical or upright position.
For example from WO2019103611 it is known to transport monopiles in a horizontal position, and to, at the installation site, up end the monopiles using two deck mounted cranes. The monopiles are stored on the deck of the vessel between two deck mounted cranes. Furthermore, the monopiles are stored with a top end in an overboard position, and with a bottom end supported on a track cart, which track cart is mounted on a track. To upend the monopile, the two cranes lift a top end of the monopile and the bottom end of the pile is guided along the guide track.
For example from WO2019231329 a similar process is known, wherein the monopiles are upended by a single crane. The bottom end of the monopiles is supported by a monopile gripper that tilts with, and supports, the monopile during the upending.
2. A monopile may have a diameter of 10 meter or more, a length of 60 meters or more and a weight of 500mt or more. There is a trend towards larger wind turbines and a desire to install offshore wind turbines at locations with larger water depths than currently encountered. Both result in larger and heavier foundations. Hence, it is expected that in the near future monopiles need to be installed that are larger than 100 meters, possibly 120 meters or larger.
The weight of such piles may be larger than 1000mt, possibly 1300mt or above. Also, there is a trend towards cost reduction in installing off shore wind turbines, in particular to increasing the efficiency of wind turbine installation. This can for example be achieved by shortening the installation process and by enlarging the operational window, i.e. making the installation process less dependent of the circumstances, such as wind, heave, etc. The invention relates to a vessel and a method for installation of a foundation of an offshore wind turbine, in particular of monopiles. It is an object of the invention to provide an alternative installation vessel and method for upending monopiles. It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved installation vessel and method for upending monopiles. It is a further object of the invention to provide a installation vessel and method for upending monopiles that allow for a more controlled upending process, and to thus preferably allow for an enlarged operational window.
The invention therefore provides a installation vessel according to claim 1. An installation vessel, for installation and preferably transport of monopiles for supporting a wind turbine, according to claim 1 comprises: -a hull, the hull forming an upend deck, - a crane, supported by the hull of the vessel adjacent the upend deck, wherein the crane comprises: - a crane base, a crane housing and a slew bearing provided between the crane housing and the crane base, the slew bearing enabling the crane housing to slew about a vertical slew axis; - a boom, extending between a base end and a top end, wherein the boom is at the base end pivotable supported by the crane housing for pivoting about a horizontal boom pivot axis between a lowered position and a raised position for lifting a load and for moving that load towards or away from the crane base; - aluffing winch and an associated luffing wire, wherein the luffing winch is mounted on the crane housing and the luffing wire extends between the luffing winch and the boom, to enable pivoting the boom between the lowered and the raised position; and
23. - a hoist, the hoist comprising a hoisting winch and an associated hoisting wire, wherein the hoisting wire is guided via a top block to a load coupling device for coupling with a load, e.g. the top end of a monopile, to enable the crane to lift the load using the hoisting winch; - a cart track, extending along the upend deck; - a support cart for supporting a bottom end of the monopile, wherein the support cart is supported by the cart track to enable the cart to move along the cart track for guiding the bottom end of the monopile along the upend deck from a position distal form the crane to a position adjacent the crane; - a monopile gripper, the monopile gripper extending outside a contour of the vessel, for guiding a monopile being lowered in a vertical position into the water adjacent the vessel; - a trolley guide, e.g. a track comprising one or more guide rails, mounted to the boom of the crane; and - a trolley, coupled with the trolley guide for being guided along the boom of the crane, wherein the trolley is configured to engage the load coupling device for guiding the load coupling device, and thus for guiding the top end of the monopile supported by the load coupling device, along the trolley guide while upending the monopile using the hoist, wherein the boom of the crane can be pivoted in an upend position for upending the monopile with the bottom end of the monopile being guided by the cart and the upend track and with the top end of the monopile being guided by the trolley and the trolley guide.
With a crane according to the invention, the boom of the crane can be pivoted in an upend position for upending the monopile with the bottom end of the monopile being guided by the cart and the track and with the top end of the monopile being guided by the trolley and the trolley guide.
The installation vessel according to claim 1 comprises an crane with a pivotable boom that can be pivoted between a lowered hoist position for lifting a load at a distance from the crane base and a raised upend position for upending monopiles into an upright position adjacent the crane base. The crane is set up at an end of the and upend deck with a cart track and a support cart for guiding the bottom end of the monopile during the upend process. The boom of the crane is provided with a trolley guide and an trolley for guiding the top end of the monopile during the upending process. Thus, the foundation vessel according to claim 1 allows for guiding both the bottom end and the top end of the monopile during the upend process, and therefore enables a more controlled movement of the monopile during upending. Supporting the top end of the
-4- monopile during the upending process provides the monopile with additional stability, which is beneficial when upending large and/or heavy monopiles.
In the prior art the top end of the monopile is supported by a crane, which allows for swing of the top end. Guiding the top-end of the monopile allows for a more controlled process, more in particular allows for a more controlled movement of the top end of the monopile. This is in particular beneficials when upending large and heavy monopiles. Also, when the movement of the top end of the monopile is controlled by a trolley, the top end not moved by wind or swing of the vessel, which might be the case when the top end is supported by a traditional crane. Thus, with the installation vessel according to claim 1 the upending process is less susceptible to weather, and allows for a larger operational window.
It is noted that is known to provide a vessel with a rigid upright tower provided with a trolley guide and an trolley for upending a monopile. This type of construction is not provided with a pivotable boom, and therefore is not configured for lifting a load at a distance from the tower. An up end crane according to claim 1 is configured for controlled upending, i.e. guiding the top end of a monopile, and for lifting a load, i.e. lifting a load with the boom in a lowered position and preferably for pivoting the boom while supporting the load to thus move the load towards or away from the base of the crane.
The installation vessel according to claim 1 preferably has a non-jack-up type floating hull, and is configured to maintain a position and orientation relative to an installation site. Thus, the vessel does not need to be anchored or jacked up to enable installation of a monopile, which allows for a fast process. Furthermore, such a vessel can be deployed in deeper water, for the installation of large size monopiles, as well.
The boom of the crane can be pivoted in a lowered hoist position to enable the crane to lift a load at a distance from the crane base. Furthermore, by pivoting the boom while the crane supports a load, the load can be moved towards or away from the base of the crane.
When the boom is raised in the upend position, it is in a substantially vertical or upright position. When the load coupling device, supported by the hoisting wire of the hoisting winch, is engaged by the trolley, the trolley can be used to guide the load coupling device along the boom of the crane. Thus, sway of the load coupling device relative to the boom is prevented, and the top end of a monopile supported by the load coupling device can be moved along the boom in a controlled manner.
-5. With a crane according to the invention, the boom of the crane can be pivoted in an upend position for upending the monopile with the bottom end of the monopile being guided by the cart and the upend track and with the top end of the monopile being guided by the trolley and the trolley guide. Preferably, when the boom is in the upend position, the boom, or at least the trolley guide mounted to the boom, extends in an essentially vertical direction. In a further embodiment, the crane housing is provided with a boom support for engaging the boom when in the upend position, which boom support prevents the boom from moving beyond the upend position. In addition or as an alternative, the crane is provided with boom securing means for securing the boom in the upend position during the upend process.
In an embodiment, the load coupling device is configured to be coupled with a monopile engagement device, e.g. a monopile top end clam, that is configured to pivotably support a monopile at the top end thereof. In addition, or as an alternative, the trolley is configured to be coupled with the monopile engagement device. The monopile engagement device preferably is configured to pivotable support the top end of the monopile, to enable the monopile to pivot relative to the load coupling device and the trolley during upending. In an embodiment, the load coupling device and the trolley are configured to be coupled, and the trolley is provided with a load coupling device configured to be coupled with the top end of the monopile. In such an embodiment, the hoisting wire of the hoisting winch supports a load coupling device that can be used for coupling to the trolley. When the boom is raised in the upend position and the load coupling device, that is supported by the wire of the upend winch, is connected to the trolley, the trolley can be used to upend a monopile. When the boom is lowered from the upend position into a hoist position, and the load coupling device is not coupled with the trolley, the load coupling device can be used to lift a load at a distance from the crane base. In an embodiment, the crane further comprises a secondary hoist comprising a secondary hoisting winch with an associated secondary hoisting wire supporting a secondary load coupling device configured to be connected to a load, and wherein the hoisting wire is guided via a crown block to the load coupling device for lifting a load at a distance from the crane base using the secondary hoisting winch. In such an embodiment, the crane is provided, in addition to the hoist with a secondary hoist, the secondary hoist comprising a secondary hoisting winch for, when the boom is a lowered position, lifting loads at a distance from the base of the crane. In an embodiment, the secondary hoist is configured to lift and lower the trolley along the trolley guide, more in
-6- particular to move the trolley along the trolley guide in a position to engage or disengage the load coupling device of the main hoist.
In an embodiment, the trolley is configured to engage the load coupling device such that when they are coupled, the trolley moves with the load coupling device along the trolley guide.
Thus, the main hoist can be used to move the trolley along the trolley guide.
In an embodiment, the trolley guide extends below the horizontal boom pivot axis when the boom is in the upend position.
In such an embodiment, the trolley guide extends along the boom of the crane and below the boom of the crane.
Thus, the trolley can not only be moved along the boom of the crane, but can be lowered below the boom of the crane, when the boom is in the upend position.
Extending the trolley guide below the boom pivot axis allows for lowering the trolley below the boom pivot axis, and thus for moving the trolley closer to the upend deck.
This is for example beneficial when the boom pivot axis is positioned at some distance above the upend deck of the vessel.
Because the trolley can be moved close to the upend deck In a further embodiment, the lower section of the trolley guide, preferably the section that extends below the boom pivot axis, is mounted to the crane housing and is hingable connected to the section of the trolley guide connected to the boom, or is separate or separable from the trolley guide connected to the boom, such that it does not pivot with the boom, and with the trolley guide connected to the boom, when the boom is pivoted about the boom pivot axis.
In an embodiment, the trolley guide comprises a boom section that is mounted to the boom of the crane, and a base section that is mounted to the base of the crane, and a trolley can be lowered from the boom section onto the base section into a position close to the upend deck for coupling the trolley with the top end of the monopile, and the trolley can be moved from the base section onto the boom section to upend the monopile that is coupled to the trolley.
In this embodiment, the trolley guide comprises a base section that is mounted to the base of the crane, and thus extends along the base of the crane, and below the boom pivot axis.
Thus, the base section of the trolley guide does not move with the crane housing and the boom when these are slewed about the vertical axis.
The base section of the trolley guide preferably is aligned with the cart track, such that it can be used to lower the trolley in a position close to the deck and in alignment with the cart track, and to thus enable guiding the load coupling device in a position close to the deck.
Guiding the load coupling device close to the deck allows for engaging a monopile that is set up close to the deck.
When the trolley can not be lowered close to the deck, the lower section of the
-7- upending movement may not be guided, and therefore may not be optimally controlled. Furthermore, the track can be set up close to the deck, and does not have to be raised, to present the monopile at a height that allows for the top of the monopile to be coupled with the load coupling device and for a controlled fully controlled, i.e. guided, upend movement.
Preferably the base section of the boom guide is dimensioned to receive the trolley. Thus, the trolley can be parked on the base guide section of the trolley guide. When the trolley is parked on the base guide section, the boom of the crane can be operated without it supporting the trolley. This is in particular beneficial when the crane is to be used to lifting a load, and not for upending a monopile.
In a further embodiment, the base of the crane is provided with multiple trolley guide base sections, that each can be aligned with the trolley guide boom section by slewing the crane house in the correct position.
In an embodiment, the trolley guide comprises a boom section that is provided with a lower section that extends below the pivot axis of the boom, and the base section of the trolley guide aligns with this lower section of the boom guide when the crane is slewed in the correct position. In an alternative embodiment, the base section of the trolley guide extends up to, or beyond, the boom pivot axis.
In an embodiment, the trolley guide comprise one or more guides, e.g. one or more rails, and the trolley is provided with guide engagement devices, for example guide wheels, that engage the guides, and that movable secure the trolley to the trolley guide. Thus the trolley can only move along the trolley guide and not in a direction perpendicular to the trolley guide.
In an embodiment, the vessel furthermore comprises a storage deck, supported by the hull of the vessel, wherein the storage deck is provided with storage racks for supporting multiple monopiles in a horizontal position, wherein the storage deck and the storage racks are configured to support multiple monopiles parallel to each other and preferably parallel to a longitudinal axis of the vessel.
In an embodiment, the storage racks are configured to support a row of multiple, for example three, monopiles on the storage deck. In a further embodiment, the storage racks are configured to support two or more rows, one row stacked upon the other row, of multiple monopiles. Preferably the storage deck is located adjacent the upend deck, and the monopiles are stored on the storage deck parallel to the cart track. This facilitates moving the monopiles from the storage deck to the upend deck an onto the cart track, because the orientation of the monopiles does not have to be changed when they are lifted from the storage deck onto upend deck.
-8- In an embodiment, the crane is located at one end of the storage deck, and wherein the vessel is provided with a storage crane at an opposite end of the storage deck, and wherein the crane and the storage crane are configured to together lift a monopile from the storage deck to the upend deck, the crane and the storage crane each lifting an end of the monopile. In such an embodiment, the crane and the storage crane are positioned to lift a monopile in a horizontal position form the storage deck onto the upend deck. In a further embodiment, the cranes can furthermore be used to lift a monopile from a supply vessel or from the quay onto the storage deck.
In an embodiment, the upend deck and storage deck are both part of a single vessel deck.
In an embodiment, the upend deck and the crane are configured such that the monopile, when supported in a horizontal position on the upend deck and with the top end of the pile coupled to the load coupling device, is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the vessel.
In an embodiment, the cart track is aligned with the slew axis of the crane, such that a central axis of the monopile supported at one end by the cart and at an opposite end coupled with the trolley is aligned with the slew axis of the upending crane. Thus, the weight of the monopile is optimally transferred to the crane during the upending process.
In an embodiment, at least part of the storage deck is aligned with a central longitudinal axis of the vessel, such that a monopile can be stored on the storage deck on the centerline of the vessel. In such an embodiment, the upend deck is adjacent the central longitudinal axis of the vessel, and a monopile supported on the upend deck is not located above the central longitudinal axis of the vessel.
In an embodiment, the monopile gripper is located at the stern of the vessel and on the central longitudinal axis of the vessel.
In an embodiment, the monopile gripper is x-y compensated, i.e. is configured to position the monopile, supported in the upended position, in the X-Y plane, and thus compensate for movement of the vessel relative to monopile location.
In an embodiment, the trolley is an x-y compensated trolley, i.e. is configured to position the top of the monopile, supported in the upended position, in the X-Y plane, and thus compensate for movement of the vessel relative to monopile installation location.
-9- For example, in an embodiment, an active horizontal motion device is mounted between the trolley and the load coupling device, when received in the trolley, and/or a monopile engagement device supported by the load coupling device, the active horizontal motion device being adapted to actively compensate for sea-state induced horizontal displacement of the monopile engagement device in two non-parallel horizontal directions, e.g. in orthogonal horizontal directions, while the monopile is supported in an upright position by the monopile engagement device.
In a further embodiment, the active horizontal motion device comprises one or more motor powered displacement actuator assemblies, e.g. a hydraulic power assembly including a pump and one or more hydraulic cylinders or a winch assembly.
In a further embodiment, the active horizontal motion device is connected to a horizontal motion device linked to the monopile gripper, for moving the load coupling device and/or the monopile engagement device in dependence of movement of the monopile gripper. For example, a control device can be provided that controls both the horizontal motion device of the trolley and the horizontal motion device of the monopile gripper.
In an embodiment, the crane further comprises a crane tower for supporting a monopile on a side of the crane opposite the boom, for supporting a monopile in the monopile gripper and for lowering the monopile in a vertical position into the water adjacent the vessel, wherein the crane tower extends between a base end and a top end, and is mounted in a fixed and upright position on the crane housing for rotation with the boom of the crane about the vertical slew axis, wherein the crane tower is provided with a - an support trolley, configured to support a monopile at the top end thereof; - a trolley guide, e.g. a track comprising one or more guide rails, for guiding the trolley along the crane tower; - a hoisting winch and an associated hoisting wire, wherein the hoisting wire is guided via the top of the crane tower for hoisting the trolley along the trolley guide for lowering the monopile towards the seafloor.
In an embodiment, the crane housing and/or the boom of the crane is/are provided with monopile securing arms or tuggers for engaging a lower section of a monopile supported by the crane in a vertical position, in particular for preventing sway of the monopile during slewing of the crane while supporting the monopile in the vertical position.
In an embodiment, the upend hoisting wire is, or wires are, passed between the upper sheave assembly and the lower sheave assembly, and wherein the hoisting wire or wires are
-10 - connected to hoist winches of the crane, the winches having a capacity sufficient to lift the monopile.
In an embodiment, the boom is an A-frame, comprising two legs, and wherein the trolley guide is provided on both legs.
In an embodiment, the boom comprises a jib, and wherein the upper sheave assembly is provided in the jib such that the hoisting wire, when the load coupling device is received in the trolley, is positioned away from the boom. in such an embodiment, the hoisting wire, or more in particular the section of the hoisting wire that is luffed between the upper sheave assembly and the lower sheave assembly, is aligned with the monopile supported y the crane in the vertical position.
This configuration makes that the trolley is not subjected moment forces caused by the weight of the monopile.
In a further embodiment, the part of the hoisting wire that extends between the trolley and the upper sheave assembly runs parallel to the trolley guide.
In an embodiment, the boom at the base end comprises a gantry, and at the top end comprises a gantry jib, and is provided with one or more gantry wires extending between the gantry and the gantry jib, and wherein the luffing wire extending between the luffing winch and the boom extends between the luffing winch and the gantry of the boom.
This configuration reduces bending forces in the A-frame of the boom, in particular when the boom also comprises a jib for spacing the hoisting wire from the boom.
The invention furthermore provides a method for upending a monopile, preferably using a installation vessel according to the invention, the method comprising the steps: - lifting a monopile in a horizontal position onto the upend deck, using the crane with the boom in the lowered hoisting position for lifting one end of the monopile and a hoisting crane lifting an opposite end of the monopile; - moving the boom from the lowered hoisting position into the raised upending position; - engaging the monopile with the monopile engagement device;
-11 - - upending the monopile using the crane with the boom in the lowered upend position for lifting one end of the monopile by moving the trolley along the boom from the lowered coupling position to the raised support position. A further method according to the invention comprises the steps: - after upending, moving the pile from an upend location above the upend deck to an installation location, in which installation location the monopile is aligned with the monopile gripper, by slewing the crane about the vertical slew axis, over a slew angle of at least 180 degrees, preferably over a slew bearing of more than 180 degrees, e.g. over an slew angle of 190 degrees, moving the monopile from the upend deck over the side of the vessel, and subsequently towards a monopile gripper mounted to the rear end of the hull of the vessel. The invention furthermore provides a crane for providing an installation vessel according to the invention.
The invention furthermore provides a crane, the crane to be supported by the hull of a vessel adjacent an upend deck for upending and installation of monopiles for supporting a wind turbine, wherein the crane comprises: - a crane base to be supported by the hull of the vessel; -acrane housing; - a slew bearing, provided between the crane housing and the crane base, the slew bearing enabling the crane housing to slew about a vertical slew axis; - a boom, extending between a base end and a top end, wherein the boom is at the base end pivotable supported by the crane housing for pivoting about a horizontal boom pivot axis between a lowered hoisting position and a raised upend position for upending monopiles; - a luffing winch and an associated luffing wire, wherein the Iuffing winch is mounted on the crane housing and the luffing wire extends between the luffing winch and the boom, to enable pivoting the boom between the lowered and a raised position; - a trolley, provided with a monopile engagement device that is configured to pivotably support a monopile at the top end thereof; - a trolley guide, e.g. a track comprising one or more guide rails, for guiding the trolley along the boom, wherein the trolley guide comprises a boom section that is mounted to the boom of the crane, and a base section that is mounted to the base of the crane, and wherein the trolley can be received on the base section of the trolley guide, to allow for operation of the boom without the trolley; - a hoisting winch and an associated hoisting wire, wherein the hoisting wire is guided via the boom and supports a load coupling device configured to be connected to a load and
-12- preferably to be connected to the trolley for hoisting the trolley along the trolley guide between a lowered coupling position, for coupling the load coupling device with the top end of the pile located in a horizontal position on the upend deck, and a raised support position, for supporting the monopile in a vertical position.
The inventio furthermore provides a crane, the crane to be supported by the hull of a vessel adjacent an upend deck for upending and installation of monopiles for supporting a wind turbine, wherein the crane comprises: - a crane base to be supported by the hull of the vessel; -4 crane housing; - a slew bearing, provided between the crane housing and the crane base, the slew bearing enabling the crane housing to slew about a vertical slew axis; - a boom, extending between a base end and a top end, wherein the boom is at the base end pivotable supported by the crane housing for pivoting about a horizontal boom pivot axis between a lowered hoisting position for lifting a load at a distance from the crane base and a raised upend position for upending monopiles adjacent the crane base; - a luffing winch and an associated luffing wire, wherein the luffing winch is mounted on the crane housing and the luffing wire extends between the luffing winch and the boom, to enable pivoting the boom between the lowered and the raised position; - atrolley, provided with a monopile engagement device that is configured to pivotably support a monopile at the top end thereof or configured to receive the monopile engagement device and/or the load coupling de vice supporting the monopile engagement device; - a trolley guide, e.g. a track comprising one or more guide rails, for guiding the trolley along the boom; - a hoisting winch and an associated hoisting wire, wherein the hoisting wire is guided via the top end of the wire and supports the load coupling device configured to be connected to a load and preferably to the trolley for hoisting the trolley along the trolley guide between a lowered coupling position, for coupling the trolley with the top end of the pile located in a horizontal position on the upend deck, and a raised support position, for supporting the monopile in a vertical position; - preferably an active horizontal motion device that is mounted between the trolley on one side and the load coupling device and/or monopile engagement device on the other side, the active horizontal motion device being adapted to actively compensate for sea-state induced horizontal displacement of the monopile engagement device in two non-parallel horizontal directions, e.g. in orthogonal horizontal directions, while the monopile is supported in an upright position by the monopile engagement device.
-13- In a further embodiment, the active horizontal motion device is connected to a horizontal motion device linked to the monopile gripper, for moving the load coupling device and/or the monopile engagement device in dependence of movement of the monopile gripper.
Advantageous embodiments of the installation vessel according to the invention and the method according to the invention are disclosed in the sub claims and in the description, in which the invention is further illustrated and elucidated on the basis of a number of exemplary embodiments, of which some are shown in the schematic drawing. In the figures, components corresponding in terms or construction and/or function are provided with the same last two digits of the reference numbers. It will be appreciated by the skilled person that a technical feature discussed herein as required or as optional with respect to one embodiment of the invention may be equally applicable to one or more other embodiments described herein, with the feature performing its designation function. Such combinations are all envisaged herein unless a combination would result in a technical impossible solution and/or not meet the desired functionality. In the figures, Fig. 1 shows a schematic top view of an installation vessel according to the invention; Fig. 2 shows a schematic side view of a crane according to the invention, with a boom in an upend position and a trolley depicted in a first and a second position; Fig. 3 shows a schematic side view of the crane of Fig. 2 with the boom of the crane in the upend position and in a lowered position; Fig. 4 shows a schematic perspective view of a crane according to the invention; Fig. 5 shows a schematic side view of the crane of Fig. 2 with a monopile prior to be upended; Fig. 6 shows a schematic side view of the crane of Fig. 2 with an upended monopile and with the monopile depicted in multiple upending positions; Fig.7 — Fig. 9 show subsequent steps of a monopile installation process following the upending process; and Fig. 10 shows an embodiment of a crane according to the invention, the crane comprising a boom for upending monopiles and a crane tower for lowering monopiles. The installation vessel 1 comprises a hull 2, a crane 3, an upend deck 4 with a cart track 5 and a support cart 6, a monopile gripper 7 and a storage deck 8. In the embodiment shown, the vessel 1 is furthermore provided with a storage crane 9.
-14 - In the embodiment shown, the vessel 1 has a non-jack-up type floating hull 2, and is configured to maintain a position and orientation relative to an installation site. Thus, the vessel can be positioned adjacent a monopile installation site and install a monopile using the monopile gripper 7 without the vessel having to be anchored jack-up legs having to be deployed.
In the embodiment shown, the hull of the vessel forms an upend deck 4 and an storage deck
8. The upend deck and storage deck are both part of a single vessel deck. On the storage deck 8 are stored three monopiles, one next to the other. In a further embodiment according to the invention, the storage deck is provided with storage racks that allow for storage of multiple rows of monopile, one row stack upon the other. Furthermore, a monapile 10 is depicted on the upend deck 4. The crane 1 and the storage crane 9 are configured to each engage and end of a monopile, and thus lift the monopile from the storage deck 8 onto the upend deck 4 and vice versa. In Fig. 1, the crane 3 and the storage crane 8 are depicted lifting a monopile from a position adjacent the vessel, e.g. from a supply vessel such as a barge or from a quay, prior to moving the monopile to a storage position on the storage deck 8.
Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 shows a schematic side view of the crane 3 of the vessel despite din Fig. 1. Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of the crane 3. The crane 3 is supported by the hull 2 of the vessel 1 adjacent the upend deck 4. The crane 3 comprises a crane base 11, a boom 12, a luffing winch 13, and a hoist. The crane 3 is furthermore provided with a trolley guide 15 and a trolley 16. The crane base 11 supports a slew bearing 17 and a crane housing 18, which crane housing in turn supports the boom 12. The slew bearing 17 is provided between the crane housing 18 and the crane base 11. The slew bearing enables the crane housing 18, and thus the boom supported by the crane housing, to slew about a vertical slew axis 19. The hoist 14 comprises a hoisting winch 23 and an associated hoisting wire 24. The hoisting wire 24 is guided via a top block 25 to a load coupling device 26 for coupling with a load, e.g. the top end of a monopile, to enable the crane to lift the load using the hoisting winch.
The boom 12 extends between a base end 12a and a top end 12b. The boom 12 is at the base end 12a pivotable supported by the crane housing 18 for pivoting about a horizontal
-15- boom pivot axis 20. Thus, the boom 12 can be pivoted between a lowered position and a raised position. In fig. 3 the boom is depicted in both a lowered and a raised position.
The crane 3 is provided with a luffing winch 21 and an associated luffing wire 22 for pivoting and supporting the boom 12 of the crane 3 in different positions. The luffing winch 21 is mounted on the crane housing 18. The luffing wire 22 extends between the luffing winch and the boom, to enable pivoting the boom between the lowered and the raised position.
The lowered position in Fig. 3 is a storage position. This position is used during travel of the vessel between locations. By lowering the boom when not in use, the overall center of gravity of the vessel is lowered, which improves the dynamic behavior of the vessel.
The raised position depicted in Fig. 3 is an upend position. With the boom in this upright position, the crane can be used for upending monopiles, as will be explained in more detail below.
It is submitted that the boom can be pivoted, and supported, in many intermediate positions, positions raised relative to the storage position and lowered relative to the upend position, for lifting loads at a located away from the base of the crane. Furthermore, by pivoting the boom while lifting a load, that load can be moved towards or away from the crane base.
In fig. 1, the range of the crane 3 and the storage crane 9 is depicted. It is submitted that, in the embodiment shown, the crane 3 has to lower the boom to reach a storage position on the far side oof the storage deck. Furthermore, to move the monopile over the upend deck to the storage deck, one of or both the crane and the storage crane have to raise their boom, compared to the position of the boom required for lifting the monopile adjacent the vessel.
In Fig. 1 the monopile gripper is depicted in an opened and in a closed position. It is submitted that monopile grippers are generally known in the art. A monopile gripper is configured to engage a pile, and to thus position the pile, and to keep the pile in that location while the pile is lowered towards the seafloor. Typically, a monopile gripper is provided with a gripper, e.g. a circular body provided with monopile guides in the form of rollers, that can be opened to allow for the monopile to be moved into the monopile gripper, and that can be subsequently closed to position the monopile. Also, a monopile can be lowered into a closed monopile gripper. The monopile gripper has to be opened to release the monopile after the monopile is driven into the seafloor.
-16 - According to the invention, the installation vessel is configured to guide both the bottom end and the top end of a monopile during upending of that monopile. The vessel is therefore provided with the cart track 5 and the support cart 6 for guiding the bottom end of a monopile, and with the trolley guide 15 and the trolley 16 for guiding the top end of a monopile during the upending process.
The cart track 5 extends along the upend deck 4. The support cart 6 is supported by the cart track 5 to enable the cart to move along the cart track for guiding the bottom end of the monopile along the upend deck from a position distal form the crane to a position adjacent the crane. The support cart 6 is configured for supporting the bottom end of a monopile, and for allowing the bottom end of the monopile to pivot while the support cart is moved along the cart track 5. The trolley guide 15 is mounted to the boom 12 of the crane 3 for guiding the trolley 16 along the boom 12 of the crane. Thus, when the boom 12 is raised into an upright position, the boom can be used for guiding the top end of a monopile during upending. In the embodiment shown, the boom 12 is an A-frame, and the trolley guide comprises a track provided on both legs of the A-frame. The trolley 16 is movable mounted to each leg of the A- frame, and is thus coupled with the trolley guide for being guided along the boom of the crane. The trolley 16 is configured to engage the load coupling device 26, supported by the hoist 14, for guiding the load coupling device, and thus for guiding the top end of the monopile supported by the load coupling device, along the trolley guide while upending the monopile using the hoist. Fig. 6 shows a schematic side view of the crane of Fig. 2 with the boom 12 of the crane raised in the upend position. In Fig. 8, the monopile is depicted in multiple positions during upending. Thus, with a crane according to the invention, the boom of the crane can be pivoted in an upend position for upending the monopile with the bottom end of the monopile being guided by the cart and the upend track and with the top end of the monopile being guided by the trolley and the trolley guide.
In the exemplary embodiment shown, the load coupling device can be coupled wit the top end of a monopile. The load coupling device is to be provided with a pivotable monopile top end clamp, which top end clamp has a clamp that is configured to engage and secure the top end
-17 - of a monopile. The top end clamp is furthermore provided with a connector end configured to be engaged by the load coupling device. The connector end and the clamp are pivotable connected, such that the clamp can pivot relative to the connector end, and thus relative to the load coupling device, between a position for engaging a top end of a monopile in a horizontal position, corresponding to the lowered position of the trolley in Fig. 2, and a position for engaging the top end of the monopile in a vertical position, corresponding to the raised position of the trolley in Fig. 2. It is submitted that these types of top end clamps are generally known in the prior art, and are therefore not elaborated upon.
When the load coupling device and the top end clamp are coupled, the trolley engages the load coupling device to guide the load coupling device, and thus the top end of the monopile, along the boom during upending of the monopile. In the embodiment shown, the trolley 16 and the load coupling device 26 are coupled such that the trolley moves with the load coupling device in the vertical direction. Thus, the hoist is sued to lower and raise the trolley along the boom of the crane. Figs. 7-9 show how the process following the upending of the monopile. Once the monopile is upended, the crane furthermore lifts the monopile in a vertical direction from the support cart, see Fig. 7, and slews about the vertical slew axis to position the monopile above the monopile gripper, see Fig. 8. Subsequently, the crane is used to lower the monopile towards the seafloor, while the monopile is guided by the pile gripper, see Fig. 9. In an alternative embodiment, the load coupling device supported by the hoist and the trolley are configured to be coupled, and the trolley is provided with a load coupling device configured to be coupled with the top end of the monopile, e.g. a top end clamp. in such an embodiment, the trolley is the intermediate between the load coupling device and for example a top end clamp that is mounted to the trolley.
Thus, the vessel 1 can be used for upending a monopile, the upending process comprising the steps: - lifting a monopile in a horizontal position onto the upend deck, using the crane with the boom in the lowered hoisting position for lifting one end of the monopile and a hoisting crane lifting an opposite end of the monopile, see for example Fig. 1; - moving the boom from the lowered hoisting position into the raised upending position;
-18- - engaging the monopile with the monopile engagement device, see Fig. 2; - upending the monopile using the crane with the boom in the lowered upend position for lifting one end of the monopile by moving the trolley along the boom from the lowered coupling position to the raised support position, see Fig. 6. Furthermore, the vessel allows for, after upending, moving the pile from an upend position above the upend deck to an installation location, see Fig. 8, in which installation position the monopile is aligned with the monopile gripper, by slewing the crane about the vertical slew axis, over a slew angle of at least 180 degrees, preferably over a slew bearing of more than 180 degrees, e.g. over an slew angle of 190 degrees, moving the monopile from the upend deck over the side of the vessel, and subsequently towards a monopile gripper mounted to the rear end of the hull of the vessel.
In the embodiment shown, the trolley guide 15 extends below the horizontal boom pivot axis when the boom is in the upend position, see for example Fig. 8. In such an embodiment, the trolley guide extends along the boom of the crane and below the boom of the crane. Thus, the trolley can not only be moved along the boom of the crane, but can be lowered below the 20 boom of the crane, when the boom is in the upend position. Furthermore, in the embodiment shown, the trolley guide 15 comprises a boom section 15A, which boom section is mounted to the boom 12 of the crane 1, and a base section 15B, which base section is mounted to the base 11 of the crane 1, see for example Fig. 8.
The base section 15B that is mounted to the base of the crane. Furthermore, in the exemplary embodiment shown, the base section 15B of the trolley guide is aligned with the cart track 5. Thus, the base section can be used to lower the trolley in a position close to the deck and in alignment with the cart track, see for example Fig. 2. Guiding the load coupling device close to the deck allows for engaging a monopile that is set up close to the deck. Also, in the embodiment shown, the base section 15B of the trolley guide 15 is dimensioned to receive the trolley 18, see for Example Fig. 3. Thus, the trolley can be parked on the base section 15B of the trolley guide. When the trolley is parked on the base guide section, the boom of the crane can be operated without it supporting the trolley. This is in particular beneficial when the crane is to be used to lifting a load, and not for upending a monopile.
-19- In the embodiment shown, the boom of the crane is provided with monopile securing arms, see Fig. 7 and Fig. 8, for engaging a lower section of a monopile supported by the crane in a vertical position. Thus securing the position of the monopile relative to the boom prevents sway of the monopile during slewing of the crane while supporting the monopile in the vertical position.
In the embodiment shown, the boom 12 comprises a jib 28. Furthermore, the upper sheave assembly 29 is provided in the jib 28 such that the hoisting wire 24, when the load coupling device 26 is received in the trolley 16, is positioned away from the boom 12. Thus, the hoisting wire 24, or more in particular the section of the hoisting wire that is luffed between the upper sheave assembly 29 and the lower sheave assembly 30, is aligned with the monopile supported by the crane in the vertical position. Furthermore, the part of the hoisting wire 24 that extends between the trolley 16 and the upper sheave assembly 29 runs parallel to the trolley guide 15. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the boom 12 at the base end 12A comprises a gantry 31, and at the top end 12B comprises with a gantry jib 32, and is provided with gantry wires 33 extending between the gantry 31 and the gantry jib 32. Furthermore he luffing wire extending between the luffing winch and the boom extends between the luffing winch and the gantry of the boom. Fig. 10 shows an embodiment of a crane 103 according to the invention, wherein the crane 103 in addition to a boom 112 that can be raised in an upend position, comprises a crane tower 134 for supporting a monopile on a side of the crane opposite the boom. The crane tower 34 is configured for supporting a monopile in the monopile gripper 107 and for lowering the monopile in a vertical position into the water adjacent the vessel 101. The crane tower 134 extends between a base end 134A and a top end 134B, and is mounted in a fixed and upright position on the crane housing 118 for rotation with the boom 112 of the crane 101 about the vertical slew axis. The crane tower 134 is provided with a - a trolley 118, configured to support a monopile at the top end thereof; - a trolley guide 115, e.g. a track comprising one or more guide rails, for guiding the trolley along the crane tower 134; - a hoisting winch 123 and an associated hoisting wire, wherein the hoisting wire is guided via the top of the crane tower for hoisting the trolley along the trolley guide for lowering the monopile towards the seafloor.
-20 - Reference signs 01 installation vessel 02 hull 03 crane 04 upend deck
05 cart track 06 support cart 07 monapile gripper 08 storage deck
09 storage crane 10 monopile on upend deck 11 crane base 12 boom 12A base end boom
12B top end boom 13 luffing winch 14 hoist 15 trolley guide 16 trolley
17 slew bearing 18 crane housing 19 vertical slew axis 20 horizontal boom pivot axis 21 luffing winch
22 |uffing wire 23 hoisting winch 24 hoisting wire 25 top block hoisting wire 26 load coupling device
27 monopile securing arms 28 jib 29 upper sheave assembly 30 lower sheave assembly 31 gantry
32 gantry jib 33 gantry wires 34 crane tower
-21- 34A base crane tower 34B top crane tower

Claims (24)

CONCLUSIESCONCLUSIONS 1. Installatievaartuig, voor installatie en bij voorkeur transport van monopiles voor het ondersteunen van een windturbine, het installatievaartuig omvattende: - een romp, waarbij de romp een up-enddek vormt, - een kraan, ondersteund door de romp van het vaartuig naast het up-enddek, waarbij de kraan omvat: - een kraanbasis, een kraanhuis en een zwenklager, voorzien tussen het kraanhuis en de kraanbasis, waarbij het zwenklager het het kraanhuis mogelijk maakt om te zwenken om een verticale zwenkas; - een giek, zich utstrekkende tussen een basiseinde en een topeinde, waarbij de giek aan het basiseinde scharnierbaar wordt ondersteund door het kraanhuis voor scharnieren om een horizontale giekscharnieras tussen een neergelaten en een opgetilde positie voor het tillen van een last en voor het bewegen van de last naar de kraanbasis toe en van de kraanbasis af; - een oploeflier en een geassocieerde oploefdraad, waarbij de oploeflier is aangebracht op het kraanhuis en de oploefdraad zich uitstrekt tussen de oploeflier en de giek, om scharnieren van de giek tussen de neergelaten en de opgetilde positie mogelijk te maken; en - een hijsinrichting, de hijsinrichting omvattende een hijslier en een geassocieerde hijsdraad, waarbij de hijsdraad wordt geleid via een bovenste schijvensamenstel in de giek naar een lager schijvensamenstel van de lastkoppelinrichting voor koppelen met een last, bijvoorbeeld het boveneinde van een monopile, om het de kraan mogelijk te maken de last op te tillen door de hijslier te gebruiken; - een wagenbaan, zich uitstrekkende langs het up-enddek; - een ondersteuningswagen voor het ondersteunen van een ondereinde van de monopile, waarbij de ondersteuningswagen wordt ondersteund door de wagenbaan om het de wagen mogelijk te maken om langs de wagenbaan te bewegen voor het geleiden van het ondereinde van de monopile langs het up-enddek van een positie distaal van de kraan naar een positie naast de kraan; - een monopilegrijper, waarbij de monopilegrijper zich uitstrekt buiten de contour van het vaartuig, voor het geleiden van een monopile die in een verticale positie wordt neergelaten in het water naast het vaartuig; - een trolleygeleiding, bijvoorbeeld een baan omvattende een of meerdere geleidingsrails, aangebracht op de giek van de kraan; en - een trolley, gekoppeld met de trolleygeleiding om te worden geleid langs de giek van de kraan, waarbij de trolley is ingericht om aan te grijpen op de lastkoppelinrichting voor het geleiden van de laadkoppelinrichting, en dus voor het geleiden van het boveneinde van de monopile ondersteund door de lastkoppelinrichting, langs de trolleygeleiding tijdens het up- enden van de monopile met gebruik van de hijsinrichting; waarbij de giek van de kraan kan worden gescharnierd in een up-endpositie voor het up-enden van de monopile waarbij het ondereinde van de monopile wordt geleid door de wagen en de wagenbaan en waarbij het boveneinde van de monopile wordt geleid door de trolley en de trolleygeleiding.1. Installation vessel, for installation and preferably transport of monopiles for supporting a wind turbine, the installation vessel comprising: - a hull, the hull forming an up-end deck, - a crane, supported by the hull of the vessel next to the up-end end deck, the crane comprising: a crane base, a crane house and a slewing bearing provided between the crane house and the crane base, the slewing bearing enabling the crane house to pivot about a vertical pivot axis; a boom extending between a base end and a top end, the boom being pivotally supported at the base end by the crane house for pivoting about a horizontal boom pivot axis between a lowered and a raised position for lifting a load and for moving the load towards and away from the crane base; - a luffing winch and an associated luffing wire, the luffing winch being mounted on the crane housing and the luffing wire extending between the luffing winch and the boom, to allow articulation of the boom between the lowered and the raised position; and - a hoisting device, the hoisting device comprising a hoisting winch and an associated hoisting wire, the hoisting wire being guided via an upper sheave assembly in the boom to a lower sheave assembly of the load coupling device for coupling to a load, e.g. enable the crane to lift the load by using the hoist winch; - a carriageway extending along the up-end deck; a support carriage for supporting a lower end of the monopile, the support carriage being supported by the carriage track to enable the carriage to move along the carriage track for guiding the lower end of the monopile along the up-end deck of a position distal to the valve to a position adjacent to the valve; - a monopile gripper, the monopile gripper extending outside the contour of the vessel, for guiding a monopile which is lowered in a vertical position into the water next to the vessel; - a trolley guide, for instance a track comprising one or more guide rails, arranged on the boom of the crane; and - a trolley, coupled to the trolley guide to be guided along the boom of the crane, the trolley adapted to engage the load coupling device for guiding the load coupling device, and thus to guide the top end of the monopile supported by the load coupling device, along the trolley guide during up-ending of the monopile using the hoisting device; wherein the boom of the crane can be pivoted into an up-end position for up-ending the monopile with the bottom end of the monopile being guided by the carriage and carriage track and the top end of the monopile being guided by the trolley and the carriage trolley guide. 2. Vaartuig volgens conclusie 1, waarbij de lastkoppelinrichting en de trolley zijn ingericht om te worden gekoppeld, en waarbij de trolley is voorzien van een lastkoppelinrichting ingericht om te worden gekoppeld met het boveneinde van de monopile.Vessel according to claim 1, wherein the load coupling device and the trolley are adapted to be coupled, and wherein the trolley is provided with a load coupling device adapted to be coupled to the top end of the monopile. 3. Vaartuig volgens conclusie 1 of conclusie 2, de kraan verder omvattende een tweede hijsinrichting omvattende een tweede hijslier met een geassocieerde tweede hijsdraad ondersteunende een tweede lastkoppelinrichting ingericht om te worden gekoppeld met een last, en waarbij de hijsdraad wordt geleid via een kroonblok naar de lastkoppelinrichting voor het optillen van een last op een afstand van de kraanbasis met gebruik van de tweede hijslier.A vessel according to claim 1 or claim 2, the crane further comprising a second hoisting device comprising a second hoisting winch having an associated second hoisting wire supporting a second load coupling device adapted to be coupled to a load, and wherein the hoisting wire is guided via a crown block to the load coupling device for lifting a load at a distance from the crane base using the second hoist winch. 4. Vaartuig volgens een of meer van de voorgaande conclusies, waarbij de trolleygeleiding zich uitstrekt onder de horizontale scharnieras wanneer de boom in de up- endpositie is.Vessel according to one or more of the preceding claims, in which the trolley guide extends below the horizontal pivot axis when the boom is in the up-end position. 5. Vaartuig volgens een of meer va de voorgaande conclusies, de trolleygeleiding omvattende een gieksectie die is aangebracht op de giek van de kraan, en een basissectie die is aangebracht op de kraanbasis, en een trolley kan worden neergelaten van de gieksectie op de basissectie in een positie nabij het up-enddek voor koppelen van de trolley met het boveneinde van de monopile, en de trolley kan worden bewogen van de basissectie op de gieksectie om de monopile die is gekoppeld aan de trolley te up-enden.Vessel according to one or more of the preceding claims, the trolley guide comprising a boom section mounted on the boom of the crane, and a base section mounted on the crane base, and a trolley lowerable from the boom section onto the base section in a position near the up-end deck for coupling the trolley to the top end of the monopile, and the trolley can be moved from the base section to the boom section to up-end the monopile coupled to the trolley. 6. Vaartuig volgens een of meer van de voorgaande conclusies, waarbij het vaartuig verder is voorzien van een opslagdek, ondersteund door de romp van het dek, waarbij het opslagdek is voorzien van opslagrekken voor het ondersteunen van meerdere monopiles in een horizontale positie, waarbij het opslagdek en de opslagrekken zijn ingericht om meerdere monopiles parallel aan elkaar en bij voorkeur parallel aan de lengteas van het vaartuig te ondersteunen.Vessel according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the vessel further comprises a storage deck supported by the hull of the deck, the storage deck being provided with storage racks for supporting a plurality of monopiles in a horizontal position, the vessel being storage deck and the storage racks are arranged to support multiple monopiles parallel to each other and preferably parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vessel. 7. Vaartuig volgens conclusie 6, waarbij de kraan is gelokaliseerd aan een einde van het opslagdek, en waarbij het vaartuig is voorzien van een opslagkraan aan een tegenovergesteld einde van het opslagdek, en waarbij de kraan en de opslagkraan zijn ingericht om samen een monopile van het opslagdek op het up-enddek te tillen, waarbij de kraan en de opslagkraan ieder een uiteinde van de monopile tillen.A vessel according to claim 6, wherein the crane is located at one end of the storage deck, and wherein the vessel is provided with a storage crane at an opposite end of the storage deck, and wherein the crane and storage crane are arranged to together form a monopile of lifting the storage deck onto the up-end deck, with the crane and storage crane each lifting one end of the monopile. 8. Vaartuig volgens conclusie 6 of conclusie 7, waarbij het up-enddek en het opslagdek beide onderdeel uitmaken van een enkel vaartuigdek.A vessel according to claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the up-end deck and the storage deck are both part of a single vessel deck. 9. Vaartuig volgens een of meer van de voorgaande conclusies, waarbij het up-enddek en de kraan zodanig zijn ingericht dat de monopile, wanneer ondersteund in een horizontale positie op het up-enddek en met het boveneinde van de monopile gekoppeld met de lastkoppelinrichting, parallel is aan een lengteas van het vaartuig.Vessel as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the up-end deck and crane are arranged such that the monopile, when supported in a horizontal position on the up-end deck and with the top end of the monopile coupled to the load coupling device, parallel to a longitudinal axis of the vessel. 10. Vaartuig volgens een of meer van de voorgaande conclusies, waarbij de wagenbaan is uitgelijnd met de zwenkas van de kraan, zodanig dat een centrale as van de monopile die aan een einde wordt ondersteund door de wagen en aan een tegenovergelegen einde is gekoppeld met de trolley is uitgelijnd met de zwenkas van de up-endkraan.10. Vessel as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the carriage track is aligned with the pivot axis of the crane such that a central shaft of the monopile supported at one end by the carriage and coupled at an opposite end to the trolley is aligned with the swing axis of the up-end crane. 11. Vaartuig volgens een of meer van de voorgaande conclusies, waarbij de monopilegrijper is gelokaliseerd bij de achtersteven van het vaartuig en op de centrale lengteas van het vaartuig.Vessel according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the monopile grab is located at the stern of the vessel and on the central longitudinal axis of the vessel. 12. Vaartuig volgens een of meer van de voorgaande conclusies, waarbij een actieve horizontalebewegingsinrichting is aangebracht tussen de trolley en de lastkoppelinrichting, wanneer opgenomen in de trolley, en/of een monopileaangrijpinrichting ondersteund door de lastkoppelinrichting, waarbij de horizontalebewegingsinrichting is ingericht om actief te compenseren voor door zeeconditie veroorzaakte horizontale verplaatsing van de monopile aangrijpinrichting in twee niet-parallelle horizontale richtingen, bijvoorbeeld orthogonale horizontale richtingen, terwijl de monopile wordt ondersteund in een overeindstaande positie door de monopileaangrijpinrichting.Vessel according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein an active horizontal movement device is arranged between the trolley and the load coupling device, when included in the trolley, and/or a monopile engagement device supported by the load coupling device, the horizontal movement device being adapted to actively compensate for sea condition induced horizontal displacement of the monopile engagement device in two non-parallel horizontal directions, e.g. orthogonal horizontal directions, while the monopile is supported in an upright position by the monopile engagement device. 13. Vaartuig volgens conclusie 12, uitvoeringsvorm de actieve horizontalebewegingsinrichting omvattende een of meer door een motor bekrachtigde verplaatsingsactuatorsamenstellen, bijvoorbeeld een hydraulischekrachtsamenstel omvattende een pomp en een of meer hydraulische cilinders of een liersamenstel.13. Vessel according to claim 12, embodiment of the active horizontal movement device comprising one or more displacement actuator assemblies, for instance a hydraulic power assembly comprising a pump and one or more hydraulic cylinders or a winch assembly. 14. Vaartuig volgens een of meer van de voorgaande conclusies, waarbij de kraan verder een kraantoren omvat voor het ondersteunen van een monopile aan een zijde van de kraan tegenovergesteld aan de giek, voor het ondersteunen van een monopile in de monopilegrijper en voor het neerlaten van de monopile in een verticale richting in het water naast het vaartuig, waarbij de kraantoren zich uitstrekt tussen een basiseinde en een boveneinde, en is aangebracht in een vaste en overeindstaande positie op het kraanhuis voor rotatie met de giek van de kraan om de verticale zwenkas, waarbij de kraantoren is voorzien van een - een ondersteuningstrolley, ingericht om een monopile te ondersteunen aan een boveneinde daarvan; -een trolleygeleiding, bijvoorbeeld een baan omvattende een of meer geleidingsrails, voor het geleiden van de trolley langs de kraantoren; - een hijslier en een geassocieerde hijsdraad, waarbij de hijsdraad wordt geleid via de top van de kraantoren voor het hijsen van de trolley langs de trolleygeleiding voor het neerlaten van de monopile richting de zeebodem.14. Vessel according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the crane further comprises a crane tower for supporting a monopile on a side of the crane opposite to the boom, for supporting a monopile in the monopile grab and for lowering a the monopile in a vertical orientation in the water adjacent to the vessel, with the crane tower extending between a base end and an upper end, and mounted in a fixed and upright position on the crane house for rotation with the boom of the crane about the vertical swing axis, the crane tower comprising a support trolley adapted to support a monopile at an upper end thereof; - a trolley guide, for instance a track comprising one or more guide rails, for guiding the trolley along the crane tower; a hoisting winch and an associated hoisting wire, the hoisting wire being guided through the top of the crane tower for hoisting the trolley along the trolley guide for lowering the monopile towards the seabed. 15. Vaartuig volgens een of meer van de voorgaande conclusies, waarbij de kraan is voorzien van monopile positioneringsarmen of tuggers voor aangrijpen op een lagere sectie van een monopile ondersteund door de kraan in een verticale positie, in het bijzonder voor het voorkomen van zwaaien van de monopile gedurende zwenken van de kraan tijdens het ondersteunen van de monopile in de verticale positie.Vessel according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the crane is provided with monopile positioning arms or tuggers for engaging a lower section of a monopile supported by the crane in a vertical position, in particular for preventing swinging of the monopile during slewing of the crane while supporting the monopile in the vertical position. 16. Vaartuig volgens een of meer van de voorgaande conclusies, waarbij de up- endhijsdraad is, of draden zijn, geleid tussen het bovenste schijvensamenstel en het onderste schijvensamenstel, en waarbij de hijsdraad of draden zijn verbonden met de hijslieren van de kraan, waarbij de lieren een capaciteit hebben die voldoende is voor het optillen van een monopile.Vessel according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the up-end hoisting wire or wires are passed between the upper sheave assembly and the lower sheave assembly, and wherein the hoisting wire or wires are connected to the hoisting winches of the crane, the winches have a capacity sufficient to lift a monopile. 17. Vaartuig volgens een of meer van de voorgaande conclusies, waarbij de giek een jib omvat, en waarin het bovenste schijvensamenstel is voorzien in de jib zodanig dat de hijsdraad, wanneer de lastkoppelinrichting is opgenomen in de trolley, is gepositioneerd weg van de giek, en is gepositioneerd bij de positie van een centrale as van een in een verticale positie door de trolley ondersteunde monopile.17. Vessel according to one or more of the preceding claims, in which the boom comprises a jib, and in which the upper sheave assembly is provided in the jib such that the hoisting wire, when the load coupling device is included in the trolley, is positioned away from the boom, and is positioned at the position of a central axis of a monopile supported in a vertical position by the trolley. 18. Vaartuig volgens conclusie 17, waarbij het deel van de hijsdraad dat zich uitstrekt tussen de trolley en het bovenste schijvensamenstel parallel loop aan de trolleygeleiding.Vessel according to claim 17, wherein the part of the hoisting wire extending between the trolley and the upper sheave assembly is parallel to the trolley guide. 19. Vaartuig volgens een of meer van de voorgaande conclusies, waarbij de giek aan het ondereinde een gantry omvat, en aan het boveneinde een jib, en is voorzien van een of meer gantrydraden die zich uitstrekken tussen de gantry en de gantryjib, en waarbij de oploefdraad zich uitstrekt tussen de oploeflier en de giek zich uitstrekt tussen de oploeflier en de gantry van de giek.19. Vessel as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims, wherein the boom comprises a gantry at the lower end and a jib at the upper end, and is provided with one or more gantry wires extending between the gantry and the gantry jib, and wherein the luff wire extends between the luff winch and the boom extends between the luff winch and the boom gantry. 20. Vaartuig volgens een of meer van de voorgaande conclusies, waarbij de giek een A- frame is, omvattende twee benen, en waarbij de trolleygeleiding is voorzien op beide benen.Vessel according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the boom is an A-frame, comprising two legs, and wherein the trolley guide is provided on both legs. 21. Vaartuig volgens een of meer van de voorgaande conclusies, waarbij de monopilegrijper x-y gecompenseerd is, i.e. is ingericht om de monopile te positioneren, ondersteund in een overeindstaande positie, in het X-Y vlak, en te compenseren voor de beweging van het vaartuig ten opzichte van de monopilelocatie.Vessel according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the monopile gripper is x-y compensated, i.e. arranged to position the monopile, supported in an upright position, in the X-Y plane and to compensate for the movement of the vessel relative to of the monopile location. 22. Werkwijze voor het up-enden van een monopile met gebruik van een installatievaartuig volgens een of meer van de voorgaande conclusies, de werkwijze omvattende de stappen: - optillen van een monopile in een horizontale positie op het up-enddek, met gebruik van de kraan met de giek in een hijspositie voor het optillen van een einde van de monopile en een opslagkraan die een tegenovergelegen einde van de monopile optilt; - bewegen van de giek van de hijspositie naar de opgetilde up-endpositie; - aangrijpen van de monopile met een monopile aangrijpinrichting ondersteund door de lastkoppelinrichting en/of de trolley; - up-enden van de monopile met gebruik van de kraan met de giek in de up-endpositie voor het optillen van een einde van de monopile door bewegen van de trolley langs de giek van een neergelaten koppelpositie naar een opgetilde ondersteuningspositieA method of up-ending a monopile using an installation vessel according to one or more of the preceding claims, the method comprising the steps of: - lifting a monopile into a horizontal position on the up-end deck, using the crane with the boom in a lifting position for lifting one end of the monopile and a storage crane lifting an opposite end of the monopile; - moving the boom from the lifting position to the raised up-end position; - gripping the monopile with a monopile gripping device supported by the load coupling device and/or the trolley; - up-ending the monopile using the crane with the boom in the up-end position to lift one end of the monopile by moving the trolley along the boom from a lowered docking position to a raised support position 23. Werkwijze volgens conclusie 22, de werkwijze verder omvattende de stap: - na up-enden, verplaatsen van de monopile van een up-endlocatie boven het up-enddek naar een installatiepositie, in welke installatiepositie de monopile is uitgelijnd met de monopilegrijper, door zwenken van de kraan om de verticale zwenkas, over een zwenkhoek van ten minste 180 graden, bij voorkeur over een zwenklager van meer dan 180 graden, bijvoorbeeld over een zwenkhoek van 190 graden, verplaatsende de monopile van het up- enddek over de zijkant van het vaartuig, en vervolgens richting de monopilegrijper aangebracht op het achtereinde van de romp van het vaartuig.The method of claim 22, the method further comprising the step of: - after up-ending, moving the monopile from an up-end location above the up-end deck to an installation position, in which installation position the monopile is aligned with the monopile gripper, by slewing the crane about the vertical slewing axis, through a slewing angle of at least 180 degrees, preferably over a slewing bearing of more than 180 degrees, e.g. over a slewing angle of 190 degrees, moving the monopile of the up-end deck over the side of the vessel, and then towards the monopile grab mounted on the aft end of the vessel's hull. 24. Kraan voor het verschaffen van een installatievaartuig volgens een of meer van de conclusies 1-21.A crane for providing an installation vessel according to any one of claims 1-21.
NL2028124A 2021-04-30 2021-04-30 installation vessel NL2028124B1 (en)

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NL2028124A NL2028124B1 (en) 2021-04-30 2021-04-30 installation vessel
PCT/EP2022/061622 WO2022229455A1 (en) 2021-04-30 2022-04-29 Upend crane and installation vessel
EP22727051.9A EP4330176A1 (en) 2021-04-30 2022-04-29 Upend crane and installation vessel
EP22726468.6A EP4330180A1 (en) 2021-04-30 2022-04-29 Installation vessel, lifting device, pile gripper, control unit and method
PCT/EP2022/061578 WO2022229436A1 (en) 2021-04-30 2022-04-29 Installation vessel, lifting device, pile gripper, control unit and method

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