NL2028741B1 - upend crane and installation vessel - Google Patents

upend crane and installation vessel Download PDF

Info

Publication number
NL2028741B1
NL2028741B1 NL2028741A NL2028741A NL2028741B1 NL 2028741 B1 NL2028741 B1 NL 2028741B1 NL 2028741 A NL2028741 A NL 2028741A NL 2028741 A NL2028741 A NL 2028741A NL 2028741 B1 NL2028741 B1 NL 2028741B1
Authority
NL
Netherlands
Prior art keywords
crane
wind turbine
trolley
boom
vessel
Prior art date
Application number
NL2028741A
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 NL2028741A priority Critical patent/NL2028741B1/en
Priority to PCT/EP2022/061578 priority patent/WO2022229436A1/en
Priority to EP22727051.9A priority patent/EP4330176A1/en
Priority to PCT/EP2022/061622 priority patent/WO2022229455A1/en
Priority to EP22726468.6A priority patent/EP4330180A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of NL2028741B1 publication Critical patent/NL2028741B1/en

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B66—HOISTING; LIFTING; HAULING
    • B66C—CRANES; LOAD-ENGAGING ELEMENTS OR DEVICES FOR CRANES, CAPSTANS, WINCHES, OR TACKLES
    • B66C1/00—Load-engaging elements or devices attached to lifting or lowering gear of cranes or adapted for connection therewith for transmitting lifting forces to articles or groups of articles
    • B66C1/10—Load-engaging elements or devices attached to lifting or lowering gear of cranes or adapted for connection therewith for transmitting lifting forces to articles or groups of articles by mechanical means
    • B66C1/108—Load-engaging elements or devices attached to lifting or lowering gear of cranes or adapted for connection therewith for transmitting lifting forces to articles or groups of articles by mechanical means for lifting parts of wind turbines
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B66—HOISTING; LIFTING; HAULING
    • B66C—CRANES; LOAD-ENGAGING ELEMENTS OR DEVICES FOR CRANES, CAPSTANS, WINCHES, OR TACKLES
    • B66C13/00—Other constructional features or details
    • B66C13/04—Auxiliary devices for controlling movements of suspended loads, or preventing cable slack
    • B66C13/06—Auxiliary devices for controlling movements of suspended loads, or preventing cable slack for minimising or preventing longitudinal or transverse swinging of loads
    • 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
    • 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
    • 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
    • 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
    • E02B2017/0039—Methods for placing the offshore structure
    • 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
    • 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
    • F03D13/40—Arrangements or methods specially adapted for transporting wind motor components
    • 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
    • F05B2230/6102—Assembly methods using auxiliary equipment for lifting or holding carried on a floating platform

Abstract

The invention relates to an upend crane and an installation vessel comprising such an upend crane, wherein the upend crane is provided with a boom configured for upending wind turbine components, e.g. monopiles and masts. Vlfith a crane according to the invention, the boom of the crane can be pivoted in an upend position for upending the wind turbine component with the bottom end of the wind turbine component being guided by a cart and a track along an upend deck and with the top end of the wind turbine component being guided along the boom by a trolley and the trolley guide.

Description

P35062NL01/MHR Title: upend crane and 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, ie. a truss or frame work installed on the sea floor, can be used.
At present many offshore wind turbine parks are planned to allow for a significant electricity production.
For reasons of efficiency the wind turbines have an ever increasing capacity and size.
Nowadays 5 MW turbines and 8 MW are being planned.
In the future even 14 MW turbines are envisaged.
In known designs a 8 MW turbine has a diameter of the hub with blades of 160 metres combined with a height of the hub at about 120 metres above sea level.
A proposed 14 MW turbine has a blades diameter of 220 metres combined with the hub at about 160 metres above sea level.
The weight of a wind turbine including mast, nacelle and blades, at least in future designs, may well be over 1000t.
The foundation itself may well weigh several hundred tonnes, e.g. depending on the type of foundation.
Many types of foundations are discussed in US2007/243063. For example JP2018053899 and EP3153398 relate to floating type foundations.
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.
At the 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 W02019103611 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.
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.
It is furthermore proposed to assemble wind turbine offshore, i.e. on a dedicated vessel.
Thus, the wind turbines can be transported pre-assembled to the installation site, which is much easier than transporting an assembled wind turbine over large distances. At the installation location, the wind turbine is assembled and installed on a foundation, e.g. a foundation pile or floating foundation. The invention therefore provides an upend crane according to claim 1.
An upend crane, to be supported by the hull of a vessel adjacent an upend deck for upending wind turbine components, e.g. piles or masts, according to claim 1 comprises: - a crane base, - a crane housing and a slew bearing provided between the crane base and the crane housing, wherein the slew bearing enables the crane housing to slew about a vertical slew axis; - a boom, wherein the boom extends between a base end and a top end, wherein the boom is at the base end pivotable supported by the crane housing for lifting a load at a distance from the crane base and a raised upend position for upending wind turbine components 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 upend position; and - a hoist, wherein the hoist comprises a hoisting winch and an associated hoisting wire, wherein the hoisting wire is guided via an upper sheave assembly in the boom to a lower sheave assembly of the load coupling device for coupling with a load, e.g. a top end of a wind turbine component, to enable the crane to lift the load using the hoisting winch; - atrolley guide, e.g. a track comprising one or more guide rails, mounted to the boom of the crane; and - atrolley, coupled with the trolley guide for being guided along the boom of the crane, wherein the trolley is provided with a wind turbine component engagement device that is configured to pivotably support a wind turbine component at the top end thereof, or wherein the trolley is configured to receive a wind turbine component engagement device and/or a load coupling device supporting a wind turbine component engagement device.
A wind turbine component may refer to a pile, or a foundation pile, for supporting the mast of a wind turbine, or to a mast, for supporting the nacelle of a wind turbine.
With a crane according to the invention, the boom of the crane can be pivoted in an upend position for upending the wind turbine component with a top end of the wind turbine component guided by the trolley.
This allows for controlled upending, in particular with large and heavy monopiles and wind turbine masts.
The pivotable boom 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 wind turbine components into an upright position adjacent the crane base.
The crane preferably is set up at an end of an upend deck with a cart track and a support cart for guiding the bottom end of the wind turbine component 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 upend crane according to claim 1 allows for guiding both the bottom end and the top end of the wind turbine component during the upend process, and therefore enables a more controlled movement of the wind turbine component during upending.
Supporting the top end of the wind turbine componentduring the upending process provides the wind turbine component with additional stability, which is beneficial when upending large and/or heavy monopiles.
For example, when upending a monopile in the prior art the top end of a monopile is supported by a crane, which allows for swing of the top end.
Guiding the top-end of the monopile according to the invention 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 is 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 crane according to claim 1 the upending process is less susceptible to weather, and allows for a larger operational window.
According to a further aspect, the invention provides a vessel that enables transporting a pre- assembled wind turbine, or parts thereof, and is configured for assembling the wind turbine at or near the installation site.
In particular, the vessel is configured for upending the mast of the wind turbine, and preferably for mounting and testing of the nacelle, hub and blades, on the mast.
The upend crane according to the invention allows for upending a mast of a wind turbine offshore.
In particular, due to the upend boom, the mast can be upended in a controlled manner.
Furthermore, in an emboidment the upend crane can also be used for assembling the wind turbine.
The invention therefore enables assembling wind turbines offshore, and thus obviates the need for costly wind turbine installation plants located adjacent sea harbors.
Furthermore, it is not necessary to transport assembled wind turbines over sea, which is time consuming and can only be done in limited weather windows. 5 In this approach the wind turbine foundation, based on the sea floor or of the floating type, may be pre-installed and the upend crane may be sued to install the assembled wind turbine, i.e. mast with nacelle, hub and blades, on the foundation.
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 wind turbine component, 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 crane according to claim 1 can be used with a floating vessel, i.e. a non-jack-up type floating hull, that 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 wind turbine component supported by the load coupling device can be moved along the boom in a controlled manner.
With a crane according to the invention, the boom of the crane can be pivoted in an upend position for upending the wind turbine component with the bottom end of the wind turbine component being guided by a cart on a upend track and with the top end of the wind turbine component 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 crane comprises a boom securing device, the boom securing device comprising a stop for positioning the boom in the upend position, and a boom locking device, for securing the boom in the upend position. Such a boom securing device is for example provided on a gantry that is mounted on, or is part of, the crane housing. By securing the boom, it is prevented that the boom moves out of the upend position during the upend process, and preferably the boom is fixed in position, to prevent any pivoting of the boom.
In a further embodiment, the boom securing device comprises an active damper, e.g. hydraulic cylinders, that resiliently engage the boom, when the boom is moved into the upend position, e.g. engage the boom when it is at an angle of 3 degrees with the vertical. In an embodiment, boom restrainer comprises hydraulic cylinders that are forced into an extend position. Thus, when the boom pivots upwards and engages the cylinders, the cylinders provide a resilient force that pushes the boom in the downward direction.
Thus, when the boom is a the top zone it is engaged by the damper, and when it is lowered out of the top zone, the damper disengages the boom. In an embodiment, the damper engages the boom when the boom is at an angle of 6 degrees or less, for example 3 degrees or less with the vertical.
In an embodiment, the crane comprises a boom mobiliser, for moving the boom out of the upend position, e.g. a hydraulic cylinder for pushing the boom away from the upend position, or a winch with association wire for pulling the boom away from the upend position. Thus, after the upend process, the boom can be pivoted out of the upright position. It is noted that the luffing wires may only effectively support the boom, and enable lowering of the boom, when the boom is out of the upright position, e.g. is at an angle of 3 degrees or more with the vertical. Thus, the boom mobiliser can be used to move the boom from the upright position into a position in which the luffing wires can support the boom.
In a further embodiment, the boom mobiliser is integrated in the boom securing device, for example the boom securing device comprises hydraulic cylinders that function as a damper for receiving the boom when pivoted into the upend position and that push the boom out of the upend position after the upending process.
In an embodiment, the load coupling device of the crane 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 an embodiment, the trolley is configured to be coupled with a wind turbine component engagement device. The monopile engagement device preferably is configured to pivotable support the top end of the wind turbine component, 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 wind turbine component. 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 wind turbine component. 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 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 upending movement may not be guided, and therefore may not be optimally controlled.
This onfiguration allows for a compact trolley and/or wind turbine component engagement device.
Furthermore, the track can be set up close to the deck, and does not have to be raised, to present the wind turbine component at a height that allows for the top of the wind turbine component 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 wind turbine component.
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 one or more trolley guide bases are configured to park one or more secondary trolleys, e.g. a secondary trolley that can be used in combination with the trolley supporting the top end of the wind turbine component, for engaging a lower end of the wind turbine component to stabilise the wind turbine component when it is lifted by the crane, or a secondary trolley configured to be used instead of the main trolley, wherein the secondary trolley is configured to engage and support a nacelle or wind turbine blades for assembling a wind turbine.
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 upend crane is mounted on a vessel having a upend deck and 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 or masts in a horizontal position, wherein the storage deck and the storage racks are configured to support multiple wind turbine components 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, wind turbine components 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 wind turbine components.
Preferably the storage deck is located adjacent the upend deck, and the wind turbine components are stored on the storage deck parallel to the cart track. This facilitates moving the wind turbine components from the storage deck to the upend deck an onto the cart track, because the arientation of the wind turbine components does not have to be changed when they are lifted from the storage deck onto upend deck.
In an embodiment, the upend crane is mounted on a vessel and is located at one end of the storage deck, and the vessel is provided with a storage crane at an opposite end of the storage deck, and wherein the upend crane and the storage crane are configured to together lift a wind turbine components from the storage deck to the upend deck, the crane and the storage crane each lifting an end of the wind turbine components. In such an embodiment, the crane and the storage crane are positioned to lift a wind turbine components 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 wind turbine components 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 wind turbine components, when supported in a horizontal position on the upend deck and with the top end of the wind turbine components coupled to the load coupling device, is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the vessel.
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 wind turbine component 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 wind turbine component engagement device in two non-parallel horizontal directions, e.g. in orthogonal horizontal directions, while the wind turbine component is supported in an upright position by the wind turbine component 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 an embodiment, the crane further comprises a trolley hoist comprising a trolley hoisting winch with an associated trolley hoisting wire, and wherein the trolley hoisting wire is guided via a crown block to the load trolley for moving the trolley along the trolley guide. In such an embodiment, the hoist of the crane is used when lifting loads, and the trolley hoist is used, for moving the trolley, when upending wind turbine components.
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.
The invention furthermore provides an installation vessel, for installation and preferably transport of wind turbine components, e.g. monopiles or masts, the installation vessel comprising: - a hull, the hull forming an upend deck, - an upend crane according to the invention, wherein the upend crane is supported by the hull of the vessel adjacent the upend deck, - a cart track, extending along the upend deck; - a support cart for supporting a bottom end of the wind turbine component, 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 wind turbine component along the upend deck from a position distal from the crane to a position adjacent the crane; - a gripper, the gripper extending outside a contour of the vessel, e.g. for guiding a monopile being lowered in a vertical position into the water adjacent the vessel or for engaging, and preferably stabilising, a floating foundation for mounting a mast In an embodiment, the upend deck with the cart track is located on the central axis of the vessel, and the crane is mounted away from the central axis of the vessel, e.g. along the side of the vessel.
In such an embodiment, the cart track is thus not aligned with the slew axis of the upending crane.
In such an embodiment, the wind turbine component is aligned with the central axis of the vessel during the upend process.
In a further embodiment, the gripper is located on the central axis of the vessel as well, and the wind turbine can be moved into the gripper without substantially deviating from the center line of the vessel.
The latter is allows for an efficient transfer of the wind turbine component from the upend location above the vessel to the installation location adjacent the vessel, i.e. outside the contour of the vessel.
In an alternative embodiment of an installation vessel according to the invention, the cart track is aligned with the slew axis of the crane, such that a central axis of the wind turbine components 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 wind turbine components is optimally transferred to the crane during the upending process.
In a further embodiment, at least part of the storage deck is aligned with a central longitudinal axis of the vessel, such that a wind turbine components 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 wind turbine components supported on the upend deck is not located above the central longitudinal axis of the vessel. In an embodiment, the gripper is a monopile gripper, and is located at the stern of the vessel and on the central longitudinal axis of the vessel. This is in particular beneficial when the hull of the vessel has an elongate shape. When the gripper is located on the center line of the vessel, transfer of the wind turbine component to the installation site, in particular landing the monopile on the seafloor or the mast on a foundation, does not cause a major shift in balance of the vessel, and therefore does not require the use of active ballast to compensate for roll of the vessel.
In an embodiment, the gripper is x-y compensated, i.e. is configured to position a wind turbine component, supported by the upend crane in an upended, i.e. upright, position, in the X-Y plane, and thus compensate for movement of the vessel relative to wind turbine component installation location.
In an embodiment, the trolley is an x-y compensated trolley, i.e. is configured to position the top of the wind turbine component, supported in the upended position, in the X-Y plane, and thus compensate for movement of the vessel relative to wind turbine component installation location.
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 wind turbine component 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 wind turbine component is supported in an upright position by the wind turbine component 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 gripper, for moving the load coupling device and/or the wind turbine component engagement device in dependence of movement of the 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 gripper.
In an embodiment, the vessel comprises a recess at the aft of the vessel, the recess being flanked by two deck portions. In a further embodiment, the gripper is a mono pile gripper configured to guide a monopile in the recess. In yet a further embodiment, the monopile gripper is mounted on one of the deck portions and the upend crane is mounted on the opposite deck portion.
In an embodiment, the upend deck is provided on the central axis of the vessel, and is aligned with the recess, and on opposite sides of the upend deck a storage deck is provided, the storage decks being aligned with the deck portions, and the storage deck aligned with the deck portion on which the crane is mounted, is provided with storage for wind turbine blades.
In an embodiment, the vessel is provided with a wind turbine assembly station at an end of the upend deck and adjacent the upend crane, for assembling a wind turbine, i.e. for mounting a nacelle on a mast and for providing the nacelle with blades, In an embodiment, the crane comprises a blade installer device, which blade installer device can be mounted to the trolley, for supporting wind turbine blade and for positioning the blade relative to a nacelle mounted on a mast supported in a wind turbine assembly station adjacent the upend crane.
In a further embodiment, the blade installer device comprises: - a base configured to be mounted to the trolley, or to be integrated with a dedicated trolley; - a connector, wherein the connector is configured for engaging a wind turbine blade, or for engaging a blade support that is removably mounted on the blade; - a pivot arm, which is at a base end is connected to the base for, in use, pivoting about a vertical axis. and is at an opposite end connected to the connector for, in used pivoting about a vertical axis.
In an embodiment, the trolley is configured for supporting an assembled wind turbine, and the upend crane is provided with a second trolley, for engaging the mast of the assembled wind turbine at a lower end thereof, to stabilise the wind turbine when supported by the upend crane.
In an embodiment, the gripper is foundation gripper, configured to engage a floating foundation, to position the floating foundation in the horizontal plane relative to the vessel and/or to stabilise the floating foundation relative to the vessel. In an embodiment, the gripper is a monopile gripper, configured for guiding a monopile that is being lowered adjacent the vessel using the upend crane. In an embodiment, the vessel comprises a foundation gripper and a monopile gripper, preferably the pile gripper is integrated in the foundation gripper.
In an embodiment, the crane further comprises a crane tower for supporting a wind turbine component, e.g. a monopile, on a side of the crane opposite the boom. For example, the crane tower can be used for supporting a monopile in the gripper and for lowering the monopile in a vertical position into the water adjacent the vessel, while upending a mast using the boom of the upend crane. 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 wind turbine component at the top end thereof; - atrolley 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, e.g. for lowering a monopile towards the seafloor.
In an embodiment, the crane housing and/or the boom of the crane is/are provided with wind turbine component securing arms or tuggers for engaging a lower section of a wind turbine component supported by the crane in a vertical position, in particular for preventing sway of the wind turbine component during slewing of the crane while supporting the wind turbine component in the vertical position. Thus the crane can also be used for moving the wind turbine component from one location to another location, for example from an onboard location to an overboard location for installation of the wind turbine component at the installation site, for example for mounting the mast of an assembled wind turbine onto a foundation.
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 connected to hoist winches of the crane, the winches having a capacity sufficient to lift the wind turbine component. 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 wind turbine component supported by the crane in the vertical position. This configuration makes that the trolley is not subjected moment forces caused by the weight of the wind turbine component.
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 wind turbine component, 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;
- upending the monopile using the crane with the boom in the lowered upend positionfor 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, the crane to be supported by the hull of a vessel adjacent an upend deck for upending and installation of wind turbine components for supporting a wind turbine, wherein the crane comprises: - a crane base to be supported by the hull of the vessel, - a 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; - aboom, 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 wind turbine components; - 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 Iuffing winch and the boom, to enable pivoting the boom between the lowered and a raised position; - a trolley, provided with a wind turbine component engagement device that is configured to pivotably support a wind turbine component 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 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 wind turbine component in a vertical position.
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 wind turbine components for supporting a wind turbine, wherein the crane comprises: - a crane base to be supported by the hull of the vessel, - a 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 wind turbine components 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; - a trolley, provided with a wind turbine component engagement device that is configured to pivotably support a wind turbine component at the top end thereof or configured to receive the wind turbine component engagement device and/or the load coupling de vice supporting the wind turbine component 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 wind turbine component 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 wind turbine component engagement device on the other side, the active horizontal motion device being adapted to actively compensate for sea- state induced horizontal displacement of the wind turbine component engagement device in two non-parallel horizontal directions, e.g. in orthogonal horizontal directions, while the wind turbine component is supported in an upright position by the wind turbine component engagement device.
In a further embodiment, the active horizontal motion device is connected to a horizontal motion device linked to the wind turbine component gripper, for moving the load coupling device and/or the wind turbine component engagement device in dependence of movement of the wind turbine component gripper.
The invention furthermore provides an installation vessel, for installation and preferably transport of monopiles and wind turbines, the vessel comprising: - 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 base and the crane housing, wherein the slew bearing enables the crane housing to slew about a vertical slew axis; - a boom, wherein the boom extends between a base end and a top end, wherein the boom is at the base end pivotable supported by the crane housing for lifting a load at a distance from the crane base and a raised upend position for upending wind turbine components 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 upend position; and - a hoist, wherein the hoist comprises a hoisting winch and an associated hoisting wire, wherein the hoisting wire is guided via an upper sheave assembly in the boom to a lower sheave assembly of the load coupling device for coupling with a load, e.g. a top end of awind turbine component, to enable the crane to lift the load using the hoisting winch; - a trolley guide, e.g. a track comprising one or more guide rails, mounted to the boom of the crane; and - a trolley, wherein the trolley is provided with a wind turbine component engagement device that is configured to pivotably support a wind turbine component at the top end thereof, or wherein the trolley is configured to receive a wind turbine component engagement device and/or a load coupling device supporting a wind turbine component engagement device.
- a cart track, extending along the upend deck; - a support cart for supporting a bottom end of the wind turbine component, 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 wind turbine component along the upend deck from a position distal form the crane to a position adjacent the crane; and
- a gripper, the gripper extending outside a contour of the vessel, e.g. for guiding a monopile being lowered in a vertical position into the water adjacent the vessel or for engaging, and preferably stabilising, a floating foundation for mounting a mast, wherein the trolley is coupled with the trolley guide for being guided along the boom of the crane, for guiding the top end of the wind turbine component along the trolley guide while upending the monopile while the bottom end of the wind turbine component is guided by the cart and the upend track. The invention furthermore provides a crane for providing an installation vessel according to the invention.
Herein, wind turbine component may refer to a pile, or a foundation pile, for supporting the mast of a wind turbine, or to a mast, for supporting the nacelle of a wind turbine.
The invention furthermore provides an installation vessel, for installation and preferably transport of wind turbine components, e.g. monopiles or masts, the installation vessel comprising: - 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; - 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; and - a hoist, the hoist comprising a hoisting winch and an associated hoisting wire, wherein the hoisting wire is guided via an upper sheave assembly in the boom to a lower sheave assembly of the load coupling device for coupling with a load, e.g. the top end of a wind turbine component, 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 wind turbine component, 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 wind turbine component along the upend deck from a position distal form the crane to a position adjacent the crane; - a gripper, the gripper extending outside a contour of the vessel, e.g. for guiding a monopile being lowered in a vertical position into the water adjacent the vessel or for engaging a foundation for mounting a mast; - 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 wind turbine component supported by the load coupling device, along the trolley guide while upending the wind turbine component using the hoist, wherein the boom of the crane can be pivoted in an upend position for upending the wind turbine component with the bottom end of the wind turbine component being guided by the cart and the upend track and with the top end of the wind turbine component being guided by the trolley and the trolley guide, and herein the vessel further comprises boom securing device, the boom securing device comprising a stop for positioning the boom in the upend position, and a boom locking device, for securing the boom in the upend position and/or a boom mobiliser, for moving the boom out of the upend position and away from the boom securing device, e.g. a hydraulic cylinder for pushing the boom away from the upend position, or a winch with association wire for pulling the boom away from the upend position.
The invention furthermore provides an installation vessel, for installation and preferably transport of monopiles for supporting a wind turbine, the installation vessel comprising: - 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;
- 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; and - 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.
Herein, adjacent the crane is considered within reach of the crane when the boom of the crane is in the raised upend position.
Advantageous embodiments of the upend crane and 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 exemplary embodiment of an installation vessel according to the invention wherein the vessel is provided with an upend crane and an upend deck that is aligned with a slew axis of the crane;
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, and with a trolley parked on a section of the trolley guide located on a base of the crane;
Fig. 4 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. 5 show the crane of fig. 4 supporting a monopile in an overboard position, i.e. outside a contour of the vessel, at an installation location;
Fig. 6 shows an exemplary embodiment of a vessel provided with a upend crane according to the invention, wherein the upend crane comprises a crane tower, and a storage crane, and a monopile depicted in multiple intermediate positions of the upend process;
Fig. 7 shows a schematic top view of another exemplary embodiment of an installation vessel according to the invention wherein the vessel is provided with an upend crane and an upend deck that is aligned with the central axis of the vessel;
Fig. 8 shows the vessel of Fig. 7 with the boom of the upend crane depicted in both a raised upend position and a lowered position;
Fig. 9 shows a side view of the vessel of fig. 7 with the upend crane and a storage crane supporting a wind turbine component;
Fig. 10 shows a side view of the vessel of fig. 7 with the boom of the upend crane in the upend position and shows a monopile depicted in multiple intermediate positions of the upend process;
Fig. 11 show a rear view of the vessel of fig 10, and show the crane supporting the monopile in the gripper at the stern of the vessel;
Fig. 12 show a rear view of the vessel of fig 10, and show the crane lowering the monopile towards the seafloor, the monopile being guided by the gripper;
Fig. 13 show a rear view of the vessel of fig 10, and show the crane supporting a hammer for driving the monopile into the seafloor; Fig. 14 shows a top view of another exemplary embodiment of a vessel according to the invention, wherein the vessel is configured for transporting wind turbine components, for assembling a wind turbine, and for mounting the assembled wind turbine on a foundation,
wherein the vessel is provided with an upend crane and an upend deck that is aligned with a slew axis of the crane; Fig. 15 shows a side view of the vessel of fig. 14 and shows a mast depicted in multiple intermediate positions of the upend process; Fig. 16 shows a side view of the vessel of fig. 14 and shows the upend crane mounting a nacelle on the mast, the mast being supported in an upright position; Fig. 17 shows a side view of the vessel of fig. 14 and shows the upend crane supporting an assembled wind turbine in an overboard position, i.e. outside a contour of the vessel, at an installation location; Fig. 18 shows a top view of another exemplary embodiment of a vessel according to the invention, wherein the vessel is configured for transporting wind turbine components, for assembling a wind turbine, and for mounting the assembled wind turbine on a foundation, wherein the vessel is provided with an upend crane and an upend deck that is aligned with the central axis of the vessel; Fig. 19 shows a schematic side view of the crane of Fig. 18 with the boom of the crane in the upend position, and with a trolley supporting a blade installer device supporting a blade adjacent a nacelle of a wind turbine being assembled; Fig. 20 shows in close up the blade installer of fig. 19; Fig. 21 shows a top view of another exemplary embodiment of a vessel according to the invention, wherein the vessel is provided with an upend crane, of which only the crane base is depicted, an upend deck that is aligned with the central axis of the vessel, and a gripper for guiding monopiles, the gripper being supported on the deck of the vessel, wherein the gripper is positioned to receive the lower end of a monopile supported by the upend crane; Fig. 22 shows a top view of the vessel of fig 21, wherein the gripper moves with the crane to transfer the maniple from an onboard position to an offboard position; and Fig. 23 shows a top view of the vessel of fig 21, wherein the gripper is positioned to support guide the monopile at the installation location.
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.
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 tothe 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 monopile 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. 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 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.
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 18 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. 4 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. 4, 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.
Inthe 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 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. Fig. 5 shows the step 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 and slews about the vertical slew axis to position the monopile above the monopile gripper, see Fig. 5. Subsequently, the crane is used to lower the monopile towards the seafloor, while the monopile is guided by the pile gripper. 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; - 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. 4.
Furthermore, the vessel allows for, after upending, moving the pile from an upend position above the upend deck to an installation location, see Fig. 5, 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 20 when the boom is in the upend position, see for example Fig. 5. 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. 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. 5. 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 16, 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.
Inthe embodiment shown, the boom of the crane is provided with monopile securing arms, see Fig. 5, 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 18, 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. 6 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 116, 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.
Fig. 7 shows a schematic top view of another exemplary embodiment of an installation vessel 201 according to the invention wherein the vessel is provided with an upend crane 203 and an upend deck 204 that is aligned with the central axis 235 of the vessel.
Fig. 8 shows the vessel 201 of Fig. 7 with the boom 212 of the upend crane 203 depicted in both a raised upend position and a lowered position. Fig. 9 shows a side view of the vessel 201 of fig. 7 with the upend crane 203 and a storage crane 209 supporting a wind turbine component 236. Fig. 10 shows a side view of the vessel of fig. 7 with the boom 212 of the upend crane 203 in the upend position and shows a monopile 236 depicted in multiple intermediate positions of the upend process. Fig. 11-13 show how the process following the upending of the monopile 236. Once the monopile 236 is upended, the crane 203 furthermore lifts the monopile in a vertical direction from the support cart 206 and slews about the vertical slew axis 219 to position the monopile above the monopile gripper 207, see Fig. 11. Subsequently, the crane 203 is used to lower the monopile 236 towards the seafloor, while the monopile is guided by the pile gripper 207, see Fig. 12. Once the monopile 236 is landed on the seafloor, the crane 203 is used to mount a hammer 237 on top of the monopile 236, and the monopile is driven into the seafloor, see fig. 13.
Fig. 14 shows a top view of another exemplary embodiment of a vessel 301 according to the invention, wherein the vessel is configured for transporting wind turbine components, for assembling a wind turbine, and for mounting the assembled wind turbine on a foundation. The vessel 301 is provided with an upend crane 303 and an upend deck 304 that is aligned with a slew axis 319 of the crane 303. Fig. 15 shows a side view of the vessel 301 and shows a mast 338 depicted in multiple intermediate positions of the upend process. Fig. 16 shows a side view of the vessel 301 and shows the upend crane 303 mounting a nacelle 339 on the mast 338, the mast being supported in an upright position. Fig. 17 shows a side view of the vessel 301 and shows the upend crane 303 supporting an assembled wind turbine 341 in an overboard position, i.e. outside a contour of the vessel 301, at an installation location.
Fig. 18 shows a top view of another exemplary embodiment of a vessel 401 according to the invention, wherein the vessel 401 is configured for transporting wind turbine components, for assembling a wind turbine, and for mounting the assembled wind turbine on a foundation. The vessel 401 is provided with an upend crane 403 and an upend deck 404 that is aligned with the central axis 435 of the vessel 401. Fig. 19 shows a schematic side view of the crane 403 with the boom 412 of the crane in the upend position, and with a trolley 416 supporting a blade installer device 442 supporting a blade 440 adjacent a nacelle 439 of a wind turbine being assembled.
Fig. 20 shows in close up the blade installer device 442. Fig. 21 shows a top view of another exemplary embodiment of a vessel 501 according to the invention. The vessel 501 is provided with an upend crane 503, of which only the crane base 511 is depicted, an upend deck 504 that is aligned with the central axis 535 of the vessel, and a gripper 507 for guiding monopiles 536. In the embodiment shown, the vessel 501 comprises a recess 543, i.e. a setback in the contour of the vessel, at the aft of the vessel. The recess 543 is flanked by two deck portions
544. The gripper is a mono pile gripper 507 configured to guide a monopile 535, which is supported by the upend crane 503 in the recess 543. In the particular embodiment shown, the monopile gripper is comprises a gripper ring 545 for guiding the monopile, and a frame 546 for supporting the gripper ring outside the contour of the vessel and for moving the gripper ring in the horizontal plane to compensate for movements of the vessel relative to the installation site, and thus relative to the pile supported at the installation site. The gripper ring 545 is provided with two door sections 547, which in a closed position form part of the gripper ring, and which can be opened to provide an entry opening that allows for the monopile to be moved into or out of the gripper ring in a lateral direction relative to the gripper ring. Fig. 21 depicts the ring with the door sections closed, fig. 21 and fig. 23 shows the ring with the door sections opened. In the particular embodiment shown, the gripper ring 545 is movable supported by the support frame 546, such that the gripper ring can be rotated about a vertical axis, and thus the entry opening 548 of the gripper ring can be moved. Thus, the gripper ring 456 can be positioned with the entry opening 548 facing the bow of the vessel for receiving a monopile supported by the upend crane 503 at the upend position, as shown in fig. 21, and can be positioned with the entry opening facing the aft of the vessel for allowing a monopile that is driven into the sea floor to be move out of the gripper ring by the vessel moving away from the installation location. The latter position of the gripper ring is shown in fig. 23. Furthermore, in the exemplary embodiment shown. the support frame 546 is pivotable supported with one end mounted on a semi circular support track 549, such that the frame can be pivoted about a vertical pivot axis, see figs. 21-23. The frame is configured to telescopically support the gripper ring, such that it can move the gripper ring towards and away from the semi circular track. Thus, the gripper ring can be moved in the horizontal plane relative to the vessel, and the gripper ring can move with the lower end of a monopile being moved along the central axis of the vessel from an onboard position into an overboard position. Thus, the monopile is fully supported, at its top end by the trolley and at its lower end by the gripper ring, while the monopile is moved.
The gripper 507 is supported on the deck of the vessel 501. The gripper 507 is positioned to receive the lower end of a monopile 535 supported by the upend crane 503.
Fig. 22 shows a top view of the vessel 501. The gripper 507 moves with the crane to transfer the monopile 535 from an onboard position, depicted in fig. 21, to an offboard position, depicted in fig. 23.
Fig. 23 shows a top view of the vessel 501, wherein the gripper 507 is positioned to guide the monopile 535 at the installation location.
Reference signs 45 gripper ring 01 installation vessel 46 frame supporting gripper ring 02 hull 47 door section gripper ring 03 crane 48 entry opening 04 upend deck 49 semi circular support track gripper 05 cart track 08 support cart 07 monopile 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
34A base crane tower 34B top crane tower 35 central axis of vessel 36 wind turbine component 37 hammer
38 mast 39 nacelle 40 blade 41 assembled wind turbine
42 blade installer device 43 recess 44 deck portions flanking recess

Claims (1)

- 35. P35062NL01/MHR- 35. P35062NL01/MHR CONCLUSIESCONCLUSIONS 1. Up-endkraan, om te worden ondersteund door de romp van een vaartuig naast een up-enddek voor het up-enden van windturbinecomponenten, bijvoorbeeld palen of masten, waarbij de up-end kraan omvat: - een kraanbasis; - een kraanhuis en een draailager voorzien tussen de kraanbasis en het kraanhuis, waarbij het draailager het mogelijk maakt om het kraanhuis te draaien om een verticale draai-as; - een giek, waarbij de giek zich uitstrekt tussen een basis en een topeinde, waarbij de giek bij de basis scharnierbaar wordt ondersteund door het kraanhuis voor het optillen van een last op een afstand van de kraanbasis en een opgeheven stand voor het up- enden van windturbinecomponenten naast de kraanbasis; - 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 opgeheven stand mogelijk te maken; en - een hijsinrichting, waarbij de hijsinrichting een hijslier en een geassocieerde hjisdraad omvat, waarbij de hijslier geleid wordt via een bovenste schijvensamenstel in de giek naar een lager schijvensamenstel van de lastkoppelinrichting voor het koppelen met een last, bijvoorbeeld een boveneinde van een windturbinecomponent, om het de kraan mogelijk te maken een last op te tillen met gebruik van de hijslier; - een trolleygeleiding, bijvoorbeeld een baan omvattende een of meer 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 voorzien van een windturbinecomponentkoppelinrichting die is ingericht om een windturbinecomponent scharnierend te ondersteunen aan een boveneinde daarvan, of waarbij de trolley is ingericht om een windturbinecomponentkoppelinrichting en/of een lastkoppelinrichting die een windturbinecomponentkoppelinrichting ondersteunt te ontvangen.CLAIMS 1. Up-end crane, to be supported by the hull of a vessel next to an up-end deck for up-ending wind turbine components, for example piles or masts, the up-end crane comprising: - a crane base; - a crane housing and a pivot bearing provided between the crane base and the crane housing, the pivot bearing enabling the crane housing to rotate about a vertical axis of rotation; - a boom, the boom extending between a base and a top end, the boom being pivotally supported at the base by the crane house for lifting a load at a distance from the crane base and a raised position for up-ending wind turbine components next to 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 pivoting of the boom between the lowered and raised positions; and - a hoisting device, the hoisting device comprising a hoisting winch and an associated lifting wire, the hoisting winch 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. an upper end of a wind turbine component, to enable the crane to lift a load using the hoist winch; - 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 being provided with a wind turbine component coupling device arranged to pivotally support a wind turbine component at an upper end thereof, or the trolley being arranged to support a wind turbine component wind turbine component coupling device and/or a load coupling device supporting a wind turbine component coupling device. 2. Up-end kraan volgens conclusie 1, de kraan verder omvattende een giekzekeringsinrichting, de giekzekeringsinrichting omvattende een aanslag voor het positioneren van de giek in de up-endstand, en een giekvergrendelinrichting, voor het zekeren van de giek in de up-endstand.An up-end crane according to claim 1, the crane further comprising a boom securing device, the boom securing device comprising a stop for positioning the boom in the up-end position, and a boom locking device for securing the boom in the up-end position. -36 --36- 3. Up-endkraan volgens conclusie 1 of conclusie 2, de kraan verder omvattende een giekmobilisatie-inrichting, voor het uit de up-endstand bewegen van de giek, bijvoorbeeld een hydraulische cilinder voor het uit de up-endstand wegduwen van de giek, of een lier met geassocieerde draad voor het uit de up-endstand wegtrekken van de giek.3. Up-end crane as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, the crane further comprising a boom mobilization device for moving the boom out of the up-end position, for instance a hydraulic cylinder for pushing the boom away from the up-end position, or a winch with associated wire for pulling the boom away from the up-end position. 4. Up-endkraan volgens een of meer van de voorgaande conclusies, waarbij de trolleygeleiding zich uitstrekt onder de horizontale giekscharnier-as wanneer de giek zich in de up-endstand bevind.4. Up-end crane according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the trolley guide extends below the horizontal boom pivot axis when the boom is in the up-end position. 5. Up-endkraan volgens een of meer van de voorgaande conclusies, waarbij de trolleygeleiding een gieksectie omvat die is aangebracht op de giek van de kraan, en een basissectie omvat die is aangebracht op de basis van de kraan, en een trolley kan worden neergelaten van de gieksectie naar de basissecte voor het koppelen van de trolley met een boveneinde van een windturbinecomponent, met gebruik van een windturbinecomponentkoppelinrichting, en waarbij de trolley kan worden bewogen van de basissectie naar de gieksectie om de windturbinecomponent die is gekoppeld met de trolley te up-enden.An up-end crane according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the trolley guide comprises a boom section mounted on the boom of the crane and a base section mounted on the base of the crane, and a trolley can be lowered from the boom section to the base section for coupling the trolley to an upper end of a wind turbine component, using a wind turbine component coupling device, and wherein the trolley can be moved from the base section to the boom section to raise the wind turbine component coupled to the trolley end. 6. Up-endkraan volgens een of meer van de voorgaande conclusies, waarbij een actieve horizontale bewegingsinrichting is aangebracht tussen de trolley en de lastkoppelinrichting, wanneer opgenomen in de trolley, en/of de windturbinecomponentkoppelinrichting ondersteund door de lastkoppelinrichting, waarbij de actieve horizontale bewegingsinrichting is ingericht om actief te compenseren voor door zeecondities veroorzaakte horizontale verplaatsingen van de windturbinecomponentkoppelinrichting, en waarbij de trolley kan worden bewogen van de basissectie naar de gieksectie om de windturbinecomponent die is gekoppeld met de trolley te up-enden.6. Up-end crane 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 the wind turbine component coupling device supported by the load coupling device, the active horizontal movement device being arranged to actively compensate for horizontal displacements of the wind turbine component coupling device caused by sea conditions, and wherein the trolley can be moved from the base section to the boom section to up-end the wind turbine component coupled to the trolley. 7. Up-endkraan volgens conclusie 6, waarbij de uitvoering de actieve horizontale bewegingsinrichting een of meer motoraangedreven verplaatsingsactuatoren omvat, bijvoorbeeld een hydraulische krachtbronsamenstel omvattende een pomp en een of meer hydraulische cilinders of een liersamenstel.7. Up-end crane as claimed in claim 6, wherein the active horizontal movement device comprises one or more motor-driven displacement actuators, for instance a hydraulic power source assembly comprising a pump and one or more hydraulic cylinders or a winch assembly. 8. Up-endkraan volgens een of meer van de voorgaande conclusies, de kraan verder omvattende een kraantoren voor het ondersteunen van een windturbinecomponent aan een zijde van de kraan tegenovergesteld aan de giek\, bijvoorbeeld voor het ondersteunen van een monopaal in de monopaalgrijper en voor het neerlaten van de8. Up-end crane according to one or more of the preceding claims, the crane further comprising a crane tower for supporting a wind turbine component on a side of the crane opposite to the boom, for example for supporting a monopile in the monopile grab and for lowering the -37- monopaal in een verticale stand in het water naast het vaartuig, waarbij de kraantoren zich uitstrekt tussen een basis en een topeinde, en is aangebracht in een vaste en overeindstaande stand op het kraanhuis voor verdraaien met de giek van de kraan om de verticale draai-as, waarbij de kraantoren is voorzien van: - een ondersteuningstrolley, ingericht voor het ondersteunen van een windturbinecomponent aan een boveneinde daarvan; - een trolleygeleiding, bijvoorbeeld een baan omvattende een of meer gelidingsrails, voor het geleiden van de trolley langs de kraantoren; - een hijslier en een geassocieerde hijsdraad, waarbij de hijslier geleid wordt via de top van de kraantoren voor het hijsen van de trolley langs de trolleygeleiding voor het optillen een neerlaten van de windturbinecomponent.-37- monopile in a vertical position in the water next to the vessel, with the crane tower extending between a base and a top end, and mounted in a fixed and upright position on the crane house for rotation with the boom of the crane about the vertical rotary shaft, the crane tower being provided with: - a support trolley adapted to support a wind turbine component 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 hoist winch and an associated hoist wire, the hoist winch being guided via the top of the crane tower for hoisting the trolley along the trolley guide for raising and lowering the wind turbine component. 9. Up-end kraan volgens een of meer van de voorgaande conclusies, waarbij de kraan is voorzien van een windturbinecomponentzekeringsarmen of tuggers voor aangrijpen op een lagere sectie van een windturbinecomponent ondersteund door de kraan in een verticale positie, in het bijzonder voor het voorkomen van slingeren van de windturbinecomponent gedurende verdraaien van de kraan tijdens het ondersteunen van de windturbinecomponent in een verticale positie.An up-end crane according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the crane is provided with wind turbine component securing arms or tuggers for engaging a lower section of a wind turbine component supported by the crane in a vertical position, in particular to prevent swinging of the wind turbine component during rotation of the crane while supporting the wind turbine component in a vertical position. 19. Up-endkraan volgens een of meer van de voorgaande conclusies, waarbij de up- endhijsdraad is, of draden zijn, gelust tussen het bovenste schijvensamenstel en het lagere schijvensamenstel, en waarbij de hijsdraad of draden zijn verbonden met de hijslieren van de kraan, waarbij de lieren een capaciteit hebben om de windturbinecomponent op te tillen, bijvoorbeeld om een geassembleerde windturbine of een funderingspaal op te tillen.An up-end crane according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the up-end hoisting wire or wires are looped 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, wherein the winches have a capacity to lift the wind turbine component, for example to lift an assembled wind turbine or a foundation pile. 11. Up-endkraan volgens een of meer van de voorgaande conclusies, waarbij de giek is voorzien van een kraanarm, en waarbij het bovenste schijvensamenstel is voorzien in de kraanarm zodanig dat de hijsdraad, wanneer de lastkoppelinrichting is ontvangen in de trolley, gepositioneerd is weg van de giek, en is gepositioneerd bij de positie van een centrale as van de windturbinecomponent ondersteund in een verticale stand door de trolley.11. Up-end crane as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims, wherein the boom is provided with a crane arm, and wherein the upper sheave assembly is provided in the crane arm such that the hoisting wire, when the load coupling device is received in the trolley, is positioned away from it. of the boom, and is positioned at the position of a center shaft of the wind turbine component supported in a vertical position by the trolley. 12. Up-endkraan volgens conclusie 11, waarbij het deel van de hijsdraad dat zich uitstrekt tussen de trolley en het bovenste schijvensamenstel parallel loopt aan de trolleygeleiding.12. Up-end crane as claimed in claim 11, wherein the part of the hoisting wire extending between the trolley and the upper sheave assembly runs parallel to the trolley guide. -38--38- 13. Up-endkraan volgens een of meer van de voorgaande conclusies, waarbij de giek aan het basiseinde een portaal omvat, en aan het topeinde een kraanarmportaal, en is voorzien van een of meer portaaldraden die zich uitstrekken tussen het portaal en het kraanarmportaal, en waarbij de oploefdraad die zich uitstrekt tussen de oploeflier en de en de giek zich uitstrekt tussen de oploeflier en het portaal van de lier.13. Up-end crane according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the boom comprises a gantry at the base end and a jib gantry at the top end, and is provided with one or more gantry wires extending between the gantry and the jib gantry, and wherein the luffing wire extending between the luffing winch and the and the boom extending between the luffing winch and the gantry of the winch. 14. Up-endkraan volgens een of meer van de voorgaande claims, waarbij de giek een A- frame, omvattende twee benen, is en waarin de trolleygeleiding is voorzien op beide benen.14. Up-end crane according to one or more of the preceding claims, in which the boom is an A-frame comprising two legs and in which the trolley guide is provided on both legs. 15. Up-endkraan volgens een of meer van de voorgaande conclusies, waarbij de grijper X-y gecompenseerd is, bij voorkeur is ingericht voor het positioneren van een monopaal, ondersteund in een rechtopstaande stand, in het X-Y vlak, en dus is ingericht voor het compenseren van bewegingen van het vaartuig ten opzichte van een monopaalinstallatielocatie.15. Up-end crane according to one or more of the preceding claims, in which the grab is X-y compensated, preferably adapted for positioning a monopile, supported in an upright position, in the X-Y plane, and thus adapted to compensate of vessel movements relative to a monopile installation site. 16. Up-endkraan volgens een of meer van de voorgaande conclusies, waarbij de trolley is voorzien van een windturbinecomponentaangrijpinrichting die is ingericht om een windturbinecomponent aan een topeinde daarvan scharnierbaar te ondersteunen en waarbij de trolley is ingericht om te worden gekoppeld met de lastkoppelinrichting van de hijsinrichting.16. Up-end crane as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims, wherein the trolley is provided with a wind turbine component gripping device adapted to pivotally support a wind turbine component at a top end thereof and wherein the trolley is adapted to be coupled to the load coupling device of the lifting device. 17. Up-endkraan volgens een of meer van de conclusies 1-15, waarbij de trolley is ingericht om een windturbinecomponentaangrijpinrichting die wordt ondersteund door de lastkoppelinrichting van de hijsinrichting te ontvangen.An up-end crane as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the trolley is arranged to receive a wind turbine component engagement device supported by the load coupling device of the hoist. 18. Up-endkraan volgens een of meer van de conclusies 1-15, waarbij de trolley is ingericht om de laskoppelinrichting van de hijsinrichting te ontvangen, welke lastkoppelinrichting de windturbinecomponentaangrijpinrichting ondersteunt die is ingericht voor het scharnierbaar ondersteunen van een windturbinecomponent aan het boveneinde daarvan.An up-end crane as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the trolley is arranged to receive the welding coupling device from the hoisting device, the load coupling device supporting the wind turbine component engaging device arranged for pivotally supporting a wind turbine component at the top end thereof. 19. Up-endkraan volgens een of meer van de voorgaande conclusies, waarbij de kraan verder een trolleyhijsinrichting omvat, de trolleyhijsinrichting omvattende een trolleyhijslier met een geassocieerde trolleyhijsdraad, en waarbij de trolleyhijslier via een kroonblok wordt geleid naar de lasttrolley voor het verplaatsen van de trolley langs de trolleygeleiding.19. Up-end crane according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the crane further comprises a trolley hoisting device, the trolley hoisting device comprising a trolley hoisting winch with an associated trolley hoisting wire, and wherein the trolley hoisting winch is guided via a crown block to the load trolley for moving the trolley. along the trolley guide. -39.--39.- 20. Up-endkraan volgens een of meer van de voorgaande conclusies, de kraan verder omvattende een tweede hijsinrichting omvattende een tweede hijslier met een geassocieerde tweede hijsdraad die een tweede lastkoppelinrichting ondersteunt die is ingericht om te worden verbonden met een last, en waarbij de hijsdraad wordt geleid via een kroonblok naar een lastkoppelinrichting voor het hijsen van een last op een afstand van de kraanbasis met gebruik van de tweede hijsinrichting.20. Up-end crane according to one or more of the preceding claims, the crane further comprising a second hoisting device comprising a second hoisting winch with an associated second hoisting wire supporting a second load coupling device adapted to be connected to a load, and wherein the hoisting wire is routed via a crown block to a load coupling device for hoisting a load at a distance from the crane base using the second hoisting device. 21. Installatievaartuig, voor installatie en bij voorkeur transport van windturbinecomponenten, bijvoorbeeld monopalen of masten, het installatievaartuig omvattende: - een romp, waarbij de romp een up-enddek vormt, - een up-endkraan volgens een of meer van de voorgaande conclusies, waarbij de up- endkraan wordt ondersteund door de romp van het vaartuig naast het up-enddek, - een wagenbaan, zich uitstrekkende langs het up-enddek; - een ondersteuningswagen voor het ondersteunen van een ondereinde van de windturbinecomponent, 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 monopaal langs het up-enddek van een positie distaal van de kraan naar een positie naast de kraan; - een grijper, waarbij de grijper zich uitstrekt buiten de contour van het vaartuig, bijvoorbeeld voor het geleiden van een monopaal die in een verticale stand wordt neergelaten in het water naast het vaartuig of voor het aangrijpen op, en bij voorkeur stabiliseren van, een drijvende fundering voor het aanbrengen van een mast.21. Installation vessel, for installation and preferably transport of wind turbine components, for instance monopiles or masts, the installation vessel comprising: - a hull, the hull forming an up-end deck, - an up-end crane according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the up-end crane is supported by the hull of the vessel next to the up-end deck, - a carriageway extending along the up-end deck; a support carriage for supporting a lower end of the wind turbine component, 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 grab, in which the grab extends outside the contour of the vessel, for instance for guiding a monopile that is lowered in a vertical position into the water next to the vessel or for engaging on, and preferably stabilizing, a floating foundation for installing a mast. 22. Vaartuig volgens conclusie 21, 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 monopaals in een horizontale stand, waarbij het opslagdek en de opslagrekken zijn ingericht om meerdere monopaals parallel aan elkaar en bij voorkeur parallel aan de lengteas van het vaartuig te ondersteunen.A vessel according to claim 21, wherein the vessel further comprises a storage deck supported by the hull of the deck, the storage deck including storage racks for supporting a plurality of monopiles in a horizontal position, the storage deck and the storage racks being arranged to support several monopiles parallel to each other and preferably parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vessel. 23. Vaartuig volgens conclusie 21 of conclusie 22, 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 monopaal van het opslagdek op het up-enddek te tillen, waarbij de kraan en de opslagkraan ieder een uiteinde van de monopaal tillen.A vessel according to claim 21 or claim 22, 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 operate together. lift a monopile from the storage deck onto the up-end deck, with the crane and the storage crane each lifting one end of the monopile. - 40 -- 40 - 24. Vaartuig volgens conclusie 22 of conclusie 23, waarbij het up-enddek en het opslagdek beide onderdeel uitmaken van een enkel vaartuigdek.A vessel according to claim 22 or claim 23, wherein the up-end deck and the storage deck are both part of a single vessel deck. 25. Vaartuig volgens een of meer van de conclusies 22-24, waarbij het up-enddek en de kraan zodanig zijn ingericht dat de windturbinecomponent, wanneer ondersteund in een horizontale stand op het up-enddek en met het boveneinde van de windturbinecomponent gekoppeld met de lastkoppelinrichting, parallel is aan een lengteas van het vaartuig.A vessel according to any of claims 22-24, wherein the up-end deck and crane are arranged such that the wind turbine component, when supported in a horizontal position on the up-end deck and with the top end of the wind turbine component coupled to the load coupling device, is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the vessel. 26. Vaartuig volgens een of meer van de conclusies 22-25, waarbij de wagenbaan is uitgelijnd met de zwenkas van de kraan, zodanig dat een centrale as van de monopaal die aan een einde wordt ondersteund door de wagen en aan een tegenovergelegen einde is gekoppeld met de trolley is uitgelijnd met de draai-as van de up-endkraan.A vessel according to any one of claims 22 to 25, wherein the carriage track is aligned with the swing 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 with the trolley is aligned with the rotation axis of the up-end crane. 27. Vaartuig volgens een of meer van de conclusies 22-25, waarbij het up-endek met de wagenbaan is gelokaliseerd op de centrale as van het vaartuig, en de kraan is aangebracht weg van de centrale as van het vaartuig, bijvoorbeeld aan een zijde van het vaartuig, en waarbij de wagenbaan dus niet is uitgelijnd met de draai-as van de kraan.27. Vessel according to one or more of claims 22-25, wherein the up-and-deck with the wagon track is located on the central axis of the vessel, and the crane is arranged away from the central axis of the vessel, e.g. on one side of the vessel, and in which the carriage path is therefore not aligned with the axis of rotation of the crane. 28. Vaartuig volgens een of meer van de conclusies 22-27, waarbij de grijper een monopaalgrijper is, en is gelokaliseerd bij de achtersteven van het vaartuig en op de centrale lengteas van het vaartuig.A vessel according to any one of claims 22 to 27, wherein the grab is a monopile grab and is located at the stern of the vessel and on the central longitudinal axis of the vessel. 29. Vaartuig volgens conclusie 28, waarbij het vaartuig een uitsparing omvat bij de achtersteven van het vaartuig, waarbij de uitsparing wordt geflankeerd door twee dekdelen, en waarbij de grijper een monopaalgrijper is die is ingericht voor het geleiden van een monopaal in de uitsparing.Vessel according to claim 28, wherein the vessel comprises a recess at the stern of the vessel, the recess being flanked by two deck members, and wherein the grab is a monopile grab adapted to guide a monopile into the recess. 30. Vaartuig volgens conclusie 29, waarbij de monopaalgrijper is aangebracht op een van de dekdelen en de up-endkraan is aangebracht op het tegenovergelegen dekdeel.Vessel according to claim 29, wherein the monopile grab is mounted on one of the deck members and the up-end crane is mounted on the opposite deck member. 31. Vaartuig volgens conclusie 30, waarbij het up-enddek is voorzien op de centrale as van het vaartuig, en is uitgelijnd met de uitsparing, en waarbij aan tegenovergelegen zijden van het up-enddek een opslagdek is voorzien, waarbij de opslagdekken zijn uitgelijnd met de dekdelen, en waarbij het opslagdek uitgelijnd met het dekdeel waarop de kraan is aangebracht, is voorzien van opslag voor windturbinebladen.A vessel according to claim 30, wherein the up-end deck is provided on the central axis of the vessel and is aligned with the recess, and a storage deck is provided on opposite sides of the up-end deck, the storage decks being aligned with the deck sections, and wherein the storage deck is aligned with the deck section on which the crane is mounted and is provided with storage for wind turbine blades. -41 --41- 32. Vaartuig volgens een of meer van de conclusies 22-31, waarbij het vaartuig is voorzien van een windturbineassemblagestation aan een einde van het up-enddek en naast de up-endkraan, voor het assembleren van een windturbine, bijvoorbeeld voor het aanbrengen van een nacelle op een mast en voor het aanbrengen van bladen op de nacelle.32. Vessel according to one or more of claims 22-31, wherein the vessel is provided with a wind turbine assembly station at one end of the up-end deck and next to the up-end crane, for assembling a wind turbine, for instance for installing a nacelle on a mast and for affixing blades to the nacelle. 33. Vaartuig volgens een of meer van de conclusies 22-32, waarbij de kraan een bladinstallatie-inrichting omvat, welke bladinstallatie-inrichting, kan worden aangebracht op de trolley, voor het ondersteunen van een windturbineblad en voor het positioneren van het blad ten opzichte van de nacelle aangebracht op een mast ondersteund in een windturbineassemblagestation naast de up-endkraan.A vessel as claimed in any one of claims 22 to 32 wherein the crane comprises a blade installation device, the blade installation device being mountable on the trolley, for supporting a wind turbine blade and for positioning the blade relative to of the nacelle mounted on a mast supported in a wind turbine assembly station next to the up-end crane. 34. Vaartuig volgens conclusie 33, de bladinstallatie-inrichting omvattende: - een basis ingericht om te worden aangebracht op de trolley, of om te worden geïntegreerd met de trolley; - een connector, waarbij de connector is ingericht voor aangrijpen op een windturbineblad, of voor het aangrijpen op een bladondersteuning die verwijderbaar is aangebracht op het blad; - een scharnierarm, welke aan zijn basis is verbonden met de basis voor, in gebruik, scharnieren om een verticale as, en is aan een tegenovergelegen einde verbonden met de connector voor, tijdens gebruik scharnieren om een verticale asVessel according to claim 33, the blade installation device comprising: - a base adapted to be mounted on the trolley, or to be integrated with the trolley; - a connector, the connector adapted to engage a wind turbine blade, or to engage a blade support removably mounted on the blade; - an articulated arm, which is connected at its base to the base for pivoting, in use, about a vertical axis, and is connected at an opposite end to the connector for pivoting, in use, about a vertical axis 35. Vaartuig volgens een of meer van de claims 22-34, waarbij de trolley is ingericht voor het ondersteunen van een geassembleerde windturbine, en waarbij de up-endkraan is voorzien van een tweede trolley, voor aangrijpen op de mast van de geassembleerde windturbine bij een ondereinde daarvan, om de windturbine te stabiliseren wanneer ondersteund door de up-endkraan.35. Vessel according to one or more of the claims 22-34, in which the trolley is adapted to support an assembled wind turbine, and in which the up-end crane is provided with a second trolley, for engaging the mast of the assembled wind turbine when a lower end thereof, to stabilize the wind turbine when supported by the up-end crane. 36. Vaartuig volgens een of meer van de conclusies 22-35, waarbij de grijper een funderingsgrijper is, ingericht om aan te grijpen op een drijvende fundering, om de drijvende fundering te positioneren in het horizontale vlak ten opzichte van het vaartuig en/of de drijvende fundering te stabiliseren ten opzichte van het vaartuig.36. Vessel according to one or more of claims 22-35, wherein the grab is a foundation grab, adapted to engage on a floating foundation, to position the floating foundation in the horizontal plane with respect to the vessel and/or the to stabilize the floating foundation in relation to the vessel. 37. Vaartuig volgens een of meer van de conclusies 32-38, waarbij de grijper een monopaalgrijper is, ingericht voor het geleiden van een monopaal die wordt neergelaten naast het vaartuig met gebruik van de up-endekraan.Vessel according to one or more of claims 32-38, wherein the grab is a monopile grab adapted to guide a monopile which is lowered next to the vessel using the up-end crane. -42--42- 38. Vaartuig volgens een of meer van de conclusies 32-37, waarbij het vaartuig een funderingsgrijper en een monopaalgrijper omvat, bij voorkeur de paalgrijper geïntegreerd is in de funderingsgrijper.Vessel according to one or more of claims 32-37, wherein the vessel comprises a foundation grab and a monopile grab, preferably the pile grab is integrated in the foundation grab. 39. Werkwijze voor het up-enden van een monopaal met gebruik van een installatievaartuig volgens een of meer van de conclusies 22-38, waarbij de werkwijze de stappen omvat: - optillen van een windturbinecomponent 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 windturbinecomponent en een opslagkraan die een tegenovergelegen einde van de windturbinecomponent optilt; - bewegen van de giek van de hijspositie naar de opgetilde up-endpositie; - aangrijpen op de windturbinecomponent met een windturbinecomponentaangrijpinrichting ondersteund door de lastkoppelinrichting en/of de trolley; - up-enden van de windturbinecomponent met gebruik van de kraan met de giek in de up- endpositie voor het optillen van een einde van de windturbinecomponent 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 any one of claims 22-38, the method comprising the steps of: - lifting a wind turbine component into a horizontal position on the up-end deck, with using the crane with the boom in a lifting position for lifting an end of the wind turbine component and a storage crane lifting an opposite end of the wind turbine component; - moving the boom from the lifting position to the raised up-end position; - engaging the wind turbine component with a wind turbine component engaging device supported by the load coupling device and/or the trolley; up-ending the wind turbine component using the crane with the boom in the up-end position to lift one end of the wind turbine component by moving the trolley along the boom from a lowered docking position to a raised support position 40. Werkwijze volgens conclusie 39, waarbij de windturbinecomponent een monopaal is, waarbij de grijper een monopaalgrijper is, de werkwijze verder omvattende de stappen: - na het up-enden, verplaatsen van de monopaal van een up-endlocatie boven het up- enddek naar een installatiepositie, in welke installatiepositie de monopaal is uitgelijnd met de monopaalgrijper, door draaien van de kraan om de verticale draai-as, over een draaihoek van ten minste 180 graden, bij voorkeur over een draailager van meer dan 180 graden, bijvoorbeeld over een draaihoek van 190 graden, de monopaal verplaatsende van het up-enddek over de zijkant van het vaartuig, en vervolgens richting de monopaalgrijper aangebracht op het achtereinde van de romp van het vaartuig.A method according to claim 39, wherein the wind turbine component is a monopile, wherein the grab is a monopile grab, the method further comprising the steps 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 grab, by rotating the crane about the vertical pivot axis, over a pivot angle of at least 180 degrees, preferably over a pivot bearing of more than 180 degrees, for example over a pivot angle of 190 degrees, moving the monopile from the up-end deck over the side of the vessel, then towards the monopile grab fitted to the aft end of the vessel's hull.
NL2028741A 2021-04-30 2021-07-15 upend crane and installation vessel NL2028741B1 (en)

Priority Applications (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NL2028741A NL2028741B1 (en) 2021-07-15 2021-07-15 upend crane and installation vessel
PCT/EP2022/061578 WO2022229436A1 (en) 2021-04-30 2022-04-29 Installation vessel, lifting device, pile gripper, control unit and method
EP22727051.9A EP4330176A1 (en) 2021-04-30 2022-04-29 Upend crane and installation vessel
PCT/EP2022/061622 WO2022229455A1 (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

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NL2028741A NL2028741B1 (en) 2021-07-15 2021-07-15 upend crane and installation vessel

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
NL2028741B1 true NL2028741B1 (en) 2023-01-23

Family

ID=77911077

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
NL2028741A NL2028741B1 (en) 2021-04-30 2021-07-15 upend crane and installation vessel

Country Status (1)

Country Link
NL (1) NL2028741B1 (en)

Citations (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20070243063A1 (en) 2006-03-17 2007-10-18 Schellstede Herman J Offshore wind turbine structures and methods therefor
WO2014125460A1 (en) * 2013-02-18 2014-08-21 High Wind N.V. Device and method for assembling a structure
KR20150103071A (en) * 2012-12-20 2015-09-09 하이 윈드 엔.브이. Device and method for placing components of a structure
EP2952426A1 (en) * 2009-09-04 2015-12-09 Itrec B.V. Offshore wind turbine installation
EP3153398A1 (en) 2014-05-27 2017-04-12 Esteyco S.A.P. Floating structure and method of installing same
JP2018053899A (en) 2012-04-13 2018-04-05 ユニバーシティ オブ メイン システム ボード オブ トラスティズ Floating wind turbine platform and method of assembly
WO2018146163A1 (en) * 2017-02-07 2018-08-16 Seaway Heavy Lifting Engineering B.V. Upending device for upending an elongate support structure
WO2019103611A2 (en) 2017-11-27 2019-05-31 Itrec B.V. A method for installation of a pylon section of an off shore wind turbine and a vessel for performing such a method
WO2019231329A1 (en) 2018-06-01 2019-12-05 Itrec B.V. Offshore vessel, preferably an offshore wind turbine installation vessel, a crane for providing such a vessel, and a method for using such a crane, preferably for upending a monopile
WO2021038057A1 (en) * 2019-08-29 2021-03-04 Deme Offshore Be N.V. Method for lifting an object from a vessel deck
EP3810926A1 (en) * 2018-06-19 2021-04-28 Heerema Marine Contractors Nederland SE Wind turbine installation method

Patent Citations (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20070243063A1 (en) 2006-03-17 2007-10-18 Schellstede Herman J Offshore wind turbine structures and methods therefor
EP2952426A1 (en) * 2009-09-04 2015-12-09 Itrec B.V. Offshore wind turbine installation
JP2018053899A (en) 2012-04-13 2018-04-05 ユニバーシティ オブ メイン システム ボード オブ トラスティズ Floating wind turbine platform and method of assembly
KR20150103071A (en) * 2012-12-20 2015-09-09 하이 윈드 엔.브이. Device and method for placing components of a structure
WO2014125460A1 (en) * 2013-02-18 2014-08-21 High Wind N.V. Device and method for assembling a structure
EP3153398A1 (en) 2014-05-27 2017-04-12 Esteyco S.A.P. Floating structure and method of installing same
WO2018146163A1 (en) * 2017-02-07 2018-08-16 Seaway Heavy Lifting Engineering B.V. Upending device for upending an elongate support structure
WO2019103611A2 (en) 2017-11-27 2019-05-31 Itrec B.V. A method for installation of a pylon section of an off shore wind turbine and a vessel for performing such a method
WO2019231329A1 (en) 2018-06-01 2019-12-05 Itrec B.V. Offshore vessel, preferably an offshore wind turbine installation vessel, a crane for providing such a vessel, and a method for using such a crane, preferably for upending a monopile
EP3810926A1 (en) * 2018-06-19 2021-04-28 Heerema Marine Contractors Nederland SE Wind turbine installation method
WO2021038057A1 (en) * 2019-08-29 2021-03-04 Deme Offshore Be N.V. Method for lifting an object from a vessel deck

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US10894701B2 (en) Crane, vessel comprising such a crane, and a method for up-ending a longitudinal structure
EP2641825B1 (en) Ship for installing offshore wind turbines, and method for installing offshore wind turbines using same
US8640340B2 (en) Offshore wind turbine installation
EP3717705B1 (en) A method for installation of a pylon section of an off shore wind turbine and a vessel for performing such a method
EP2473400B1 (en) Offshore wind turbine installation
JP7372321B2 (en) Wind turbine installation method
EP2703641A2 (en) Method of installing an offshore wind turbine and a transport vessel thereof
WO2022229455A1 (en) Upend crane and installation vessel
US20230399206A1 (en) Offshore wind turbine assembly vessel
NL2028124B1 (en) installation vessel
NL2028741B1 (en) upend crane and installation vessel
WO2022229436A1 (en) Installation vessel, lifting device, pile gripper, control unit and method
NL2027279B1 (en) Offshore wind turbine assembly vessel
NL2026416B1 (en) Crane vessel with a crane for hoisting wind turbine components
CN117337265A (en) Marine crane vessel and method for operating the same
NL2029205B1 (en) Installation and/or removal of a wind turbine component for a floating foundation wind turbine.
CN117561210A (en) Mounting vessel, lifting device, pile holder, control unit and method
CN117769524A (en) Upright crane and installation vessel
NL2032212B1 (en) Crane and method for the assembly and installation of offshore wind turbines
WO2022148789A1 (en) Offshore wind turbine assembly vessel
NL2019983B1 (en) A method for installation of a pylon section of an off shore wind turbine and a vessel for performing such a method.
NO20220427A1 (en)
CN116963990A (en) Offshore wind turbine assembly vessel