NL2036087B1 - Vessel for upending and/or installing of a foundation pile - Google Patents

Vessel for upending and/or installing of a foundation pile Download PDF

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Publication number
NL2036087B1
NL2036087B1 NL2036087A NL2036087A NL2036087B1 NL 2036087 B1 NL2036087 B1 NL 2036087B1 NL 2036087 A NL2036087 A NL 2036087A NL 2036087 A NL2036087 A NL 2036087A NL 2036087 B1 NL2036087 B1 NL 2036087B1
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NL
Netherlands
Prior art keywords
crane
guy wire
monopile
gantry
winch
Prior art date
Application number
NL2036087A
Other languages
Dutch (nl)
Inventor
Van Der Linde Adrianus
Original Assignee
Itrec Bv
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Itrec Bv filed Critical Itrec Bv
Priority to NL2036087A priority Critical patent/NL2036087B1/en
Priority to PCT/EP2024/079561 priority patent/WO2025083243A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of NL2036087B1 publication Critical patent/NL2036087B1/en

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Classifications

    • 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
    • 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
    • B66C13/08—Auxiliary devices for controlling movements of suspended loads, or preventing cable slack for depositing loads in desired attitudes or positions
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B66—HOISTING; LIFTING; HAULING
    • B66C—CRANES; LOAD-ENGAGING ELEMENTS OR DEVICES FOR CRANES, CAPSTANS, WINCHES, OR TACKLES
    • B66C19/00—Cranes comprising trolleys or crabs running on fixed or movable bridges or gantries
    • 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
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02D—FOUNDATIONS; EXCAVATIONS; EMBANKMENTS; UNDERGROUND OR UNDERWATER STRUCTURES
    • E02D15/00—Handling building or like materials for hydraulic engineering or foundations
    • E02D15/08—Sinking workpieces into water or soil inasmuch as not provided for elsewhere
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02D—FOUNDATIONS; EXCAVATIONS; EMBANKMENTS; UNDERGROUND OR UNDERWATER STRUCTURES
    • E02D27/00—Foundations as substructures
    • E02D27/32—Foundations for special purposes
    • E02D27/52—Submerged foundations, i.e. submerged in open water
    • E02D27/525—Submerged foundations, i.e. submerged in open water using elements penetrating the underwater ground
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02D—FOUNDATIONS; EXCAVATIONS; EMBANKMENTS; UNDERGROUND OR UNDERWATER STRUCTURES
    • E02D35/00—Straightening, lifting, or lowering of foundation structures or of constructions erected on foundations
    • E02D35/005—Lowering or lifting of foundation 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
    • E02B2017/0039—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
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02D—FOUNDATIONS; EXCAVATIONS; EMBANKMENTS; UNDERGROUND OR UNDERWATER STRUCTURES
    • E02D27/00—Foundations as substructures
    • E02D27/32—Foundations for special purposes
    • E02D27/42—Foundations for poles, masts or chimneys
    • E02D27/425—Foundations for poles, masts or chimneys specially adapted for wind motors masts

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
  • Paleontology (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Load-Engaging Elements For Cranes (AREA)
  • Jib Cranes (AREA)

Abstract

A B S T R A C T The invention relates to a method and vessel for upending and/or installing of a foundation pile, often in the form of a monopile. Monopiles are often transported in a substantially horizontal orientation. At the installation location, the pile is upended, i.e. pivoted into an upright position. By upending a monopile a large variety of factors may cause swing motion of the suspended monopile. The present invention aims to improve the existing methods for installing of a monopile, e.g. in view of the upending process. The invention aims to reduce monopile swing motion and/or avoid excessive loads on the crane and/or other equipment 10 involved in the upending of the monopile. The invention reduces monopile swing motion during upending by means of taglines, effectively providing for controlled motion of the lower and upper end portions of the monopile in a manner that has the overall effect of reducing the monopile swing motion.

Description

P36473NLO0
Title: Vessel for upending and/or installing of a foundation pile
The present invention relates to a method and vessel for upending and/or installing of a foundation pile.
Installation of an offshore wind turbine comprises the step of installing the foundation, often in the form of a monopile, of the offshore wind turbine. A pile is installed by driving the pile into the sea bottom after which the upper part of the wind turbine is installed on top of the pile. In known methods the pile is transported to the installation location on board a vessel due to the size and weight of the piles used, the piles are preferably transported in a substantially horizontal orientation. Once the vessel has arrived at the pile installation location the pile is upended, i.e. is pivoted into an upright position, and is set up at the pile installation location for driving the pile, more in particular a lower part of the pile, into the sea floor. During the pile driving process, the monopile is laterally supported by a pile holding system, typically by a pile gripper.
In the field, monopiles of a length of 100 meters or more, diameter of 10 meters or more, and with a mass of more than 1000 tonnes, even above 2000 tonnes, are not uncommon.
To facilitate transport of monopiles to the installation site, 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. However, this mode of transport requires the pile to be upended, i.e. to be brought in an upright position, before the monopile can be driven into the seabed.
For example, in GB2226539A discloses a method for upending a pile, wherein use is made of two cranes. One of the cranes is connected via a sling to one end of the pile. The other crane is connected via a sling to two spaced apart connection points on the pile, the points being on opposite sides of the center of gravity of the pile. A spreader bar maintains the separation between the connection points during upending. The sling is trained around a sheave so that both slings share the load of pile substantially equally during upending which is achieved by raising or lowering one sling relative to the other. The three point lift arrangement avoids excessive bending stress on the pile. However, this method does not provide good control over the suspended pile.
In the field of monopile installation, upending of a monopile from a horizontal position into a vertical position commonly often involves the use of an upending and lifting tool to improve control over the pile during the upending process.
Furthermore, in prior art embodiments of the upending process, the monopile is often supported in a monopile gripper that is configured to support the monopile during upending.
Such a monopile gripper engages the foundation pile while in the horizontal position and pivots with the monopile while the monopile is upended into a vertical position. The upper end of the monopile is lifted by means of the crane to upend the monopile.
For example, WO2023072634A1 discloses a method for thus upending a monopile. The vessel comprises a hull, a crane mounted on the hull, and a pile gripper configured to support the lower end of the monopile during the upending process. This pile gripper is tiltable about a horizontal tilt axis between a horizontal orientation and a vertical orientation. The pile gripper is configured to receive a lower end portion of the monopile in a horizontal orientation thereof and to support the lower end portion. The device is configured to allow for upending of the monopile by means of the crane of the vessel whilst the lower end portion remains received and supported by the pile gripper. Thus the pile gripper provides improved control of the pile, because only the top end thereof is suspended during the upending.
The invention is based on the insight that by thus upending a monopile, effectively a pendulum is created, as the monopile is at the upper end suspended from the rather lengthy winch driven cables of the crane and at is lower end by the monopile gripper. For example, when the monopile extends generally along the roll axis of the vessel, e.g. a monohull vessel, the monopile will tend to exhibit a swing motion even while being more or less restrained at the lower end portion by the integrated pile upending and holding device. It is noted that the swing motion will predominantly be in lateral directions of the lengthy monopile.
The swing motion may be due to, or influenced by, a large variety of factors, such as, for example, sea state induced vessel motion, for example roll and/or pitch, operation of the dynamic positioning system of the vessel (when present), change of load on the hull (e.g. due to movement of center of mass of the monopile), operation of the ballast system of the vessel, wind forces acting on the large monopile and/or on the crane, slew motion of crane during upending, luffing motion of the crane boom during upending, vibrations in the structure of the crane, e.g. in the boom of crane, etc. Due to the enormous mass of the monopile, swing motion of the monopile may result in undue, or even extreme loads, on the crane and/or the motion compensating integrated pile upending and holding device and/or on the monopile itself.
Rather than using an integral pile upending and holding device, other methods are known in the art.
The present invention aims to improve the existing methods for installing of a monopile, e.g. in view of the upending process. For example, the invention aims to reduce monopile swing motion and/or avoid excessive loads on the crane and/or other equipment involved in the upending of the monopile, preferably during the upending process.
According to the invention a method according to claim 1 is provided. The invention reduces monopile swing motion by means of taglines, effectively providing for controlled motion of the lower and upper end portions of the monopile in a manner that has the overall effect of reducing the monopile swing motion.
In an embodiment of a method for upending and/or installing a monopile using an installation vessel according to the invention, the vessel comprises; - a hull - a foundation pile storage deck, for storing multiple foundation piles with their longitudinal axis in a horizontal storage position, preferably for storing foundation piles with their longitudinal axis parallel to a longitudinal axis of the vessel; - a main crane comprising; - a base structure; - a slew bearing; - a crane housing moveably mounted to the base structure via the slew bearing to allow the crane housing to rotate relative to the base structure about a substantially vertical slewing axis; - a boom moveably mounted to the crane housing to allow the boom to pivot relative to the crane housing about a substantially horizontal boom pivot axis; - a main crane hoisting assembly, comprising a hoisting winch and an associated main hoisting cable; and - a main crane hoist block suspended from the main hoisting cable;
- a gantry crane moveably mounted to the deck of the vessel, wherein the gantry crane is configured to travel over a gantry track along the deck of the vessel, wherein the gantry crane comprises:
- a gantry cart, moveably supported by a gantry beam that crosses the foundation pile storage deck in a direction perpendicular to the gantry track to enable movement of the gantry cart in a direction perpendicular to the gantry track, and preferably wherein the gantry beam extends outboard of the vessel,
- a gantry hoisting assembly, comprising a gantry hoisting winch and an associated gantry hoisting cable, wherein the hoisting assembly is mounted on the gantry cart;
- a gantry crane hoist block suspended from the gantry crane hoisting cable; - a bottom tool suspended by the gantry crane hoisting assembly, which bottom tool is configured to be connected to a bottom end of a monopile,
- a head tool, suspended by the main crane hoisting assembly, which head tool is configured to be connected to a top end of a monopile, wherein the main crane comprises a main crane tagline assembly that comprises a left tagline winch and a right tagline winch, and a left tagline and a right tagline, associated with the left tagline winch and the right tagline winch respectively, and wherein the left tagline winch and the right tagline winch are mounted to a left side and a right side of the boom of the main crane respectively,
wherein gantry crane comprises a gantry crane tagline assembly that comprises a left tagline winch and a right tagline winch, and a left tagline and a right tagline, associated with the left tagline winch and the right tagline winch respectively, and wherein the left tagline winch and the right tagline winch are mounted to a left side and a right side of the gantry cart respectively,
and the method comprises:
- moving the monopile form a first position into a second position by either: - supporting a monopile at a top end with the main crane, using the head tool, and at the bottom end with the gantry crane, using the bottom tool; and transporting the monopile, while in a substantially horizontal position, in a horizontal direction by moving the gantry cart along the gantry beam and at the same time rotating the crane housing about the vertical slewing axis, and preferably while at the same time pivoting the boom about the boom pivot axis; or upending the monopile, from a horizontal position into an upright position, by lowering the bottom end of the monopile using the gantry crane and/or by lifting the top end of the monopile using the main crane, preferably while moving the gantry crane along the gantry track towards the main crane; - controlling horizontal movements of the monopile, e.g. sideway and/or longitudinal swinging of the monopile, by means of the crane tagline assembly and the gantry crane tagline assembly.
According to the invention, a gantry crane is provided with a tag line assembly and this gantry crane tag line assembly is used in combination with a main crane tagline assembly to control the horizontal movement of the monopile. In this way, the invention enables reduction of movement of the monopile in the horizontal direction, i.e. reduces monopile swing motion, and effectively provides for controlled motion of the of the monopile in a manner that has the overall effect of reducing the monopile swing motion.
A further embodiment of a method according to the invention comprises: - connecting the head tool to the opt end of the monopile and connecting the taglines of the main crane tagline assembly to one of: the top end of the monopile, the head tool or the main crane hoist block; - moving the gantry along the gantry track towards the crane, until the gantry is located at or near the top end of the foundation pile; - connecting the taglines of the gantry crane tagline assembly to one of: the top end of the monopile, the head tool or the main crane hoist block, supported by the main crane; - moving the gantry crane towards and past the bottom end of the foundation pile; - connecting the bottom tool to the bottom end of the monopile; and - lifting the monopile using both the gantry crane and the main crane, while using the taglines to control the horizontal movements of the monopile, e.g. sideway and/or longitudinal swinging of the monopile, by means of the crane tagline assembly and the gantry crane tagline assembly;
The invention provides an improved method for the installation of a monopile, e.g. in view of the upending process, by reducing swing motion and/or avoiding excessive loads on the crane and/or other equipment involved in the upending of the monopile. Furthermore, the invention thus allows to increase the weather window for installation of a monopile.
In an embodiment, the taglines of the main crane tagline assembly are connected to the head tool or the main crane hoist block and the taglines of the gantry crane tagline assembly are connected to the head tool or the main crane hoist block. A connection of the tag lines of both tag lines assemblies to the top end of the monopile, e.g. to the head tool connected to the top end of the monopile, or to an upper end of the monopile, allows for a reduction in swinging motion of the monopile. Furthermore, the tag line assemblies are connected to the top end of the monopile from opposite sides which allows for an improved interaction between those assmeblies to control the movement of the top end of the monopile.
Preferably the taglines of the main crane tagline assembly and of the gantry crane tagline assembly are connected to the same one of the head tool and the main crane hoist block. By thus linking the tag line assemblies to the same component, an optimal interaction between the two tagline assemblies is achieved.
In an embodiment, the taglines of the main crane tagline assembly are connected to the head tool or the main crane hoist block, and the taglines of the gantry crane tagline assembly are connected to the bottom tool or the gantry crane hoist block. This allows for control of both the upper end and lower end of the monopile, which in turn provides an increased degree of control of the entire monopile. This is beneficial for example during transport of the monopile, in a horizontal positon, between an inboard and an outboard position by moving the gantry cart while rotating the crane housing.
In an embodiment the gantry crane tagline assembly is a primary gantry crane tagline assembly and the gantry crane is provided with a secondary gantry crane tagline assembly.
The secondary gantry crane tagline assembly comprises a left tagline winch and a right tagline winch, and a left tagline and a right tagline, associated with the left tagline winch and the right tagline winch respectively. The left tagline winch and the right tagline winch are mounted to a left side and a right side of the gantry cart respectively. The taglines of the main crane tagline assembly are connected to the head tool or the main crane hoist block. The taglines of the primary gantry crane tagline assembly are connected to the head tool or the main crane hoist block. Preferably the taglines of the main crane tagline assembly and of the primary gantry crane tagline assembly are connected to the same one of the head tool and the main crane hoist block and the taglines of the secondary gantry crane tagline assembly are connected to the bottom tool or the gantry crane hoist block. Having the taglines from both the primary gantry assembly and secondary gantry assembly running from the head tool to the gantry cart and from the bottom tool to the gantry cart provides a further improved control of the monopile. This may also provide an advantage during positioning of the monopile during and/or after upending.
In an embodiment the method further comprises the steps of: - lowering of the hoist block of the main crane into a position for connecting to the head tool, supported by the main crane hoist block, to the upper end of the monopile, wherein the monopile is in a storage position e.g. on the storage deck or a quay, - lowering of the hoist block of the gantry crane into a position for connecting the bottom tool, , supported by the gantry crane hoist block, to the bottom end of the monopile, - connecting the upper end of the monopile to the head tool supported by the main crane hoist block; - connecting the bottom end of the monopile to the gantry crane hoist block or to a bottom tool supported by the gantry crane hoist block; - connecting the taglines of the main crane tagline assembly to the head tool or the main crane hoist block; - connecting the taglines of the primary gantry crane tagline assembly to the head tool or the main crane hoist block; and - connecting the taglines of the secondary gantry crane tagline assembly to the bottom tool or the gantry crane hoist block.
Connecting the taglines while the monopile is positioned on the vessel, preferably on the foundation pile storage deck, provides that during the initial stages of transferring the monopile risk regarding stability and balance and/or swinging are minimized.
In an embodiment the method furthermore comprises the step of: - upending the monopile by raising the top end of the monopile with the main crane and/or by lowering the bottom end of the monopile with the gantry, preferably while moving the gantry crane towards the main crane, while controlling the sideways movement of the monopile by means of the main crane tagline assembly and the gantry crane tagline assembly or the primary and secondary gantry tagline assemblies.
Moving of the gantry towards the main crane allows for the monopile to be upended without the need for significant movements of the main crane, which can help preventing substantial swinging motion of the monopile.
In an embodiment the method further comprises the step of: - during the upending of the monopile, driving the gantry crane to a monopile transfer position, in which monopile transfer position the gantry crane is positioned adjacent the monopile while the monopile is supported by the main crane in an upright position.
While the gantry is in a monopile transfer position the monopile is preferably in a substantially vertical position with a minimal angle, with respect to a vertical axis, of the gantry crane hoisting cable. By reducing the distance between the gantry cart and the gantry crane a lower angle of the gantry crane hoisting cable can be used, resulting in favourable hoisting conditions, for example by having reduced stress on the structure.
In an embodiment the method further comprises: - during or after the upending of the monopile, paying out the gantry hoisting cable of the gantry hoisting assembly and/or moving the gantry crane towards the main crane to shift the weight of the pile to the main crane and to ultimately transfer the total weight of the monopile to the main crane such that the monopile is completely supported by the main crane; and - after the upending, removing the bottom tool from the underside of the monopile.
After the weight is shifted to the main crane, the bottom tool can be removed from the underside of the monopile. In the preferred embodiment the secondary gantry crane tagline assembly is connected to the bottom tool or the gantry crane hoist block, and after removal of the bottom tool from the monopile no taglines are running between the gantry crane and the lower side of the monopile. Embodiments are envisaged wherein after the bottom tool is disconnected one or more taglines remain connected with a bottom end of the monopile.
In an embodiment the vessel further comprises a monopile gripper, the monopile gripper comprises: - a gripper body, the gripper body comprising a gripper base, a first jaw and a second jaw, wherein both jaws being pivotally connected to the gripper base, wherein the first and the second jaw are each pivotable about a yaw pivot axis between a closed position, in which the gripper defines a pile passage for the pile held in the gripper, and an open position, provide an entry opening that allows for the pile to be received in, or to be removed from, the gripper in a lateral direction, and - a gripper support via which the gripper body is supported by the hull of the ship,
wherein the pile gripper is supported with the gripper body outboard of the vessel and with the entry opening facing towards the gantry crane, and wherein upending the monopile into the upright position comprises: - when the monopile is upended, supporting the monopile in the gripper body such that by closing both jaws the pile is received inside the gripper body, or - when the monopile is upended, moving the monopile through the entry opening into the gripper body such that by closing both jaws the pile is received inside the gripper body. in such an embodiment, the taglines can also be used to control the movement of the foundation pile while it is being moved into the pile gripper, or even while it is positioned inside the pile gripper. Thus allows for an improved control of the overall upend process, which process preferably ends with the foundation pile being positioned inside the pile gripper.
It is submitted that monopile grippers are known in the art and provide an enhanced control means for a monopile during and/or after installing and/or upending of a monopile.
In an embodiment the method furthermore comprises: - removing the bottom tool from the underside of the monopile after the monopile is upended, and preferably the monopile is moved through the entry opening of the pile gripper and the first jaw and second jaw are put into the closed position such that the gripper supports the monopile in a lateral direction.
The monopile gripper and main crane can both be controlled in order to further reduce and/or dampen undesired movement, for example pivoting of the monopile, during positioning of the monopile above the foundation installation location.
In an embodiment, the method furthermore comprises the step: - moving the gantry crane along the gantry track back to its initial position, after the monopile has been released from the gantry crane hoisting assembly, e.g. the bottom tool and/or gantry crane taglines.
Preferably, after the gantry crane has returned to its initial position and the monopile has been installed, the vessel can continue to the next location. Here the procedure as described can be repeated.
In an embodiment, during upending of the monopile, the monopile is outboard of the vessel, and is positioned between the main crane and the gantry crane, and the gantry crane taglines are configured to exert a pulling force directed away from the vessel on a suspended monopile. This enables a dampening force exerted by the taglines on the monopile.
Especially a dampening force when the monopile is swinging towards the vessel, while suspended outside of the vessel contour.
Thus, in an embodiment of a vessel according to the invention, the cranes are positioned on the vessel such that a monopile can be supported, in a horizontal position, between them. It is submitted that by moving the main crane, by way of slewing, and the gantry crane, by moving it along the track, towards each other, they may exert a force on the monopile in the longitudinal direction of the monopile, and thus reduce movement of the monopile in its longitudinal direction.
In an embodiment, the taglines of the gantry crane are positioned outside of the vessel contour, while the monopile is suspended outside of the vessel contour. Here the taglines of the gantry crane are again configured to exert a dampening force exerted by the taglines on the monopile. Especially a dampening force when the monopile is swinging towards the vessel, while suspended outside of the vessel contour.
In an embodiment, the main crane tagline assembly is a primary main crane tagline assembly andthe main crane is provided with a secondary main crane tagline assembly. The secondary main crane tagline assembly comprises a left tagline winch and a right tagline winch, and a left tagline and a right tagline, associated with the left tagline winch and the right tagline winch respectively. The left tagline winch and the right tagline winch are respectively mounted to a left side and a right side of the main crane. Preferably the left tagline winch and the right tagline winch are respectively mounted to a left side and a right side of the base structure of the main crane. The taglines of the primary main crane tag line assembly and the taglines of the secondary main crane tag line assembly are connected to the head tool or the main crane hoist block during transport and/or upending of the monopile. The secondary main crane tagline assembly might have different tagline properties dan the primary main crane tagline assembly. For example, the primary main crane tagline assembly might have dampening properties especially used to dampen motions of the monopile, while the secondary system might have precision control properties used to accurately position the monopile, for example, when placing of the monopile in the monopile gripper.
In an embodiment the left tagline and the right tagline of the main crane tagline assembly, when connected to the head tool and the main crane hoist block, enclose an angle, the angle having a bisector.
In an embodiment according to the invention, the left tagline and the right tagline of the gantry crane tagline assembly or the main gantry tagline assembly, when connected to the head tool and the main crane hoist block, enclose an angle, the angle having a bisector, and: at least during upending, the bisector of the main crane and the bisector of the gantry crane in a horizontal plane each have a factor that is directed towards the vessel, and/or at least during upending, the bisector of the main crane and the bisector of the gantry crane in a vertical plane each have a factor that is directed vertically downwards.
A bisector of the main crane and the bisector of the gantry crane in a horizontal plane each having a factor that is directed towards the vessel allows for a pulling and/or dampening force acting away from the vessel, i.e. guiding the monopile away from the vessel or reducing a swinging mation towards the vessel.
The bisector of the main crane and the bisector of the gantry crane in a vertical plane having afactor that is directed vertically downwards allows for a pulling motion or damping motion in an upward direction. Helping to reduce swinging motion of the monopile during for example upending.
In an embodiment, a load vector extending from the main crane hoist block along the main hoisting cable, and: at least during upending, the load vector in the horizontal plane has a factor that is directed away from the vessel. and/or at least during upending, the load vector in the vertical plane has a factor that is directed vertically upwards.
In an embodiment the taglines of the main crane tagline assembly and/or the gantry crane tagline assembly are connected to the monopile, e.g. by means of a bottom tool or head tool, at a distance of each other, i.e. there is a distance between connecting points of the taglines connecting to the tool or monopile. For example, the left tagline of the gantry crane hoisting assembly is connected to a left portion of the bottom tool and the right tagline of the gantry crane hoisting assembly is connected to a right portion of the bottom tool. The distance between the connecting points allows for a tagline forces, e.g. dampening force, acting at a different position on the monopile as opposed to an embodiment where the taglines are connected closely to each other.
In an embodiment the main crane tagline assembly and the gantry crane tagline assembly are controlled by a tagline control system, to damp motion of the suspended monopile. In such an embodiment, the control system may be configured to control the winches of the tagline assembly to dampen movement of the monopile. In addition or as an alternative, the winches may be provided with slip brakes that allow for movement of the winches when an excessive force is enacted upon the tagline connected to the winch.
In an embodiment, the main crane tagline assembly and the gantry crane tagline assembly comprise a damping cylinder supporting one or more sheaves. In such an embodiment, the taglines are guided via the one or more sheaves of the damping cylinder of the respective tagline assembly. For damping the motion of the pile, the tagline is connected to the load connector or the pile.
It is submitted that providing a damping cylinder for damping the movement of the pile, instead of using the tagline winch itself, allows for a more robust tagline assembly. The winch no longer needs to quickly change between paying in and paying out tagline, and the tagline is not repeatedly wound on and off the tagline winch. Therefore, the load on the winches is reduced, and the chance of failure of the tagline is reduced. Also, inspection and/or replacement of the taglines may be needed less frequent compared to a tagline assembly wherein the winch is used for damping the movement of the pile.
In an embodiment the damping cylinder comprises a cylinder body and a piston, and the tagline control system comprises sensors for measuring position, acceleration and direction of movement of the piston relative to the cylinder body, and the control system is configured to control the tagline assembly, e.g. the tagline winch, on the basis of measurements provided by the sensors.
For example, when the crane system is used in a method for installation of a monopile adapted to support an offshore wind turbine a damping assembly is used to dampen motion of the monopile in the horizontal direction, in particular during the phase of lowering the monopile towards the sea bed. For example, one or two taglines are connected, directly or indirectly (e.g. via the monopile lifting tool or a hoist block of the crane), to the monopile.
During this phase, e.g. due to external factors like waves, wind, crane motion, the pile top end may suddenly move at a rather high speed or acceleration causing initially an increased tension on the tagline or a rather rapid drop of tagline tension. Whilst the tagline winch may be controlled, e.g. in a constant tension mode, to maintain a rather even line tension, the tagline winch is likely to be too slow to absorb such an event. In the inventive system, the damping cylinder will react quickly to the event. The initial motion of the top end of the monopile is followed by an oscillation phase of the top end, and during this phase the damping cylinder will operate so as to gradually dampen the oscillation. This involves reciprocation of the piston assembly within the cylinder of the damping cylinder.
In this arrangement, the tagline winch does not have to be operated and/or be configured so as to quickly respond to the, e.g. sudden, lateral motion of the monopile. This allows for a less complex design of the tagline winch and/or for a smaller capacity tagline winch, e.g. of the tagline winch drive motor.
The invention further relates to a vessel preferably for use in a method according to one or more of the preceding claims, for upending and/or installing a monopile, wherein the vessel comprises; - a hull - a foundation pile storage deck, for storing multiple foundation piles with their longitudinal axis in a horizontal storage position, preferably for storing foundation piles with their longitudinal axis parallel to a longitudinal axis of the vessel; - a main crane comprising; - a base structure - a slew bearing - a crane housing moveably mounted to the base structure via the slew bearing to allow the crane housing to rotate relative to the base structure about a substantially vertical slewing axis - a boom moveably mounted to the crane housing to allow the boom to pivot relative to the crane housing about a substantially horizontal boom pivot axis; - a main crane hoisting assembly, comprising a hoisting winch and an associated main hoisting cable; and - a main crane hoist block suspended from the main hoisting cable;
- a gantry crane moveably mounted to the deck of the vessel, wherein the gantry crane is configured to travel over a gantry track along the deck of the vessel, wherein the gantry crane comprises: - a gantry cart, moveably supported by a gantry beam that crosses the foundation pile storage deck in a direction perpendicular to the gantry track to enable movement of the gantry cart in a direction perpendicular to the gantry track, and preferably wherein the gantry beam extends outboard of the vessel, - a gantry hoisting assembly, comprising a gantry hoisting winch and an associated gantry hoisting cable, wherein the hoisting assembly is mounted on the gantry cart; - a gantry crane hoist block suspended from the gantry crane hoisting cable; - a bottom tool suspended by the gantry crane hoisting assembly, which bottom tool is configured to be connected to a bottom end of a monopile, - a head tool, suspended by the main crane hoisting assembly, which head tool is configured to be connected to a top end of a monopile, wherein the main crane comprises a main crane tagline assembly that comprises a left tagline winch and a right tagline winch, and a left tagline and a right tagline, associated with the left tagline winch and the right tagline winch respectively, and wherein the left tagline winch and the right tagline winch are mounted to a left side and a right side of the boom of the main crane respectively, wherein gantry crane comprises a gantry crane tagline assembly that comprises a left tagline winch and a right tagline winch, and a left tagline and a right tagline, associated with the left tagline winch and the right tagline winch respectively, and wherein the left tagline winch and the right tagline winch are mounted to a left side and a right side of the gantry cart respectively.
In an embodiment the gantry crane tagline assembly is a primary gantry crane tagline assembly and the gantry crane is provided with a secondary gantry crane tagline assembly.
The secondary gantry crane tagline assembly comprises a left tagline winch and a right tagline winch, and a left tagline and a right tagline, associated with the left tagline winch and the right tagline winch respectively. The left tagline winch and the right tagline winch are mounted to a left side and a right side of the gantry cart respectively. Having the tagline winches mounted at opposite sides of the gantry cart allows for the tag lines to exert force in a distinct direction compared to the tagline at the other side of the gantry cart. As such an increased degree of control of the suspended monopile is achieved.
In an embodiment the vessel furthermore comprises a monopile gripper, the monopile gripper comprising: - a gripper body, the gripper body comprising a gripper base, a first jaw and a second jaw, wherein both jaws being pivotally connected to the gripper base, the first and the second jaw are each pivotable about a yaw pivot axis between a closed position, in which the gripper defines a pile passage for the pile held in the gripper, and an open position, provide an entry opening that allows for the pile to be received in, or to be removed from, the gripper in a lateral direction, and - a gripper support via which the gripper body is supported by the hull of the ship, wherein the pile gripper is supported with the gripper body outboard of the vessel and with the entry opening facing towards the gantry crane.
Monopile grippers are known in the art and are especially designed for use in installation and/or upending of monopiles. The gripper is preferably mounted to a side of the vessel.
In an embodiment the gripper body can be rotated about a vertical axis to direct the entry opening between a position facing in a direction substantially along the hull of the vessel towards the gantry crane and a position in which it faces in a direction away from the hull of the vessel. This allows for easier gripping of a suspended monopile next to the monopile gripper. In circumstances where the monopile can not be suspended directly in front of the monopile gripper, the gripper is configured to rotates as to be directed towards the monopile gripper and ease the gripping process.
In an embodiment the gripper body is moveable between a passive position, in which the gripper body is inboard of the vessel, and an active position, in which the gripper body is outboard of the vessel. During transportation it is undesirable for the monopile gripper to take up a significant amount of space on the vessel. As such the gripper is put in a passive, for example retracted position. During upending or installation of a monopile the gripper is put in the active position and for example extended into the active position. An example of a means of active and passive positioning of the monopile gripper is a rail and hinge system, wherein the gripper is hingeable along a horizontal axis to be put in an active/passive position and can be brought further inward of the vessel by means of a rail.
In an embodiment the main crane tagline assembly is a primary main crane tagline assembly and the main crane is provided with a secondary main crane tagline assembly, wherein the secondary main crane tagline assembly comprises a left tagline winch and a right tagline winch, and a left tagline and a right tagline, associated with the left tagline winch and the right tagline winch respectively, and wherein the left tagline winch and the right tagline winch are respectively mounted to a left side and a right side of the main crane, preferably are respectively mounted to a left side and a right side of the base structure of the main crane.
In an embodiment, at least the main crane tagline assembly and the gantry crane tagline assembly comprise a shared tension tagline control system, which control system is configured to control the tensioning of the taglines of both the main crane and the gantry crane to control sideways movement of a suspended object, e.g. to control sideways movement of a monopile while transferring or upending the monopile.
In an embodiment, one or more of the tagline assemblies comprises tagline guides, for guiding the tagline once dispensed from the tagline winch. This eases the pathing of the tagline and reduces the risk of the tagline becoming obstructed by an object.
In an embodiment, the main crane tag line assembly is provided with movable mounted, for example trolley mounted, tagline guides, such that the taglines guides can be moved along a part of the boom of the crane. This enables the taglines to be changeable in height and exert a force in a different direction on a suspended monopile through said taglines.
In an embodiment, one or more of the tagline guides are mounted on arms, for example arms mounted on the crane housing and extending away from the crane housing on opposite sides of the boom, and wherein the arms set the tagline guides at a distance from the tagline winches.
In an embodiment, the bottom tool and the gantry crane hoist block are integrated. This removes several parts and can result in a simplified hoisting assembly.
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.
The invention will now be explained with reference to the drawings:
Fig. 1a shows a top down view of the vessel,
Fig. 1b shows a side view of the vessel,
Fig. 2 shows a side view of the main crane;
Fig. 3 shows a front view of a portion of the gantry crane;
Fig. 4a shows a top down view of a first step of the upending procedure;
Fig. 4b shows a sideview of a first step of the upending procedure;
Fig. 5a shows a top down view of a step of the upending procedure;
Fig. 6a shows a top down view of a step of the upending procedure;
Fig. 6b shows a sideview of a step of the upending procedure;
Fig. 7a shows a top down view of a step of the upending procedure;
Fig. 7b shows a sideview of a step of the upending procedure;
Fig. 8a shows a top down view of a step of the upending procedure;
Fig. 8b shows a sideview of a step of the upending procedure;
Fig. 9a shows a top down view of a step of the upending procedure;
Fig. 9b shows a sideview of a step of the upending procedure;
Fig. 10a shows a top down view of a step of the upending procedure;
Fig. 10b shows a sideview of a step of the upending procedure;
Fig. 11a shows a top down view of a step of the upending procedure; and
Fig. 11b shows a sideview of a step of the upending procedure.
Whilst primarily presented for illustrative purposes with reference to one or more of the figures, any of the technical features addressed below may be combined with any of the independent claims of this application either alone or in any other technically possible combination with one or more other technical features.
In figure 1 the top down view of a vessel 1, preferably for use in a method according to the invention, for upending and/or installing a monopile 4 is shown.
The vessel 1 comprises a hull 2, a foundation pile storage deck 3, a main crane 10, and a gantry crane 20.
The foundation pile storage deck 3 is configured for storing multiple foundation piles 4 with their longitudinal axis in a horizontal storage position, preferably for storing foundation piles with their longitudinal axis parallel to a longitudinal axis of the vessel.
The main crane 10 comprises; - a base structure 11 - a slew bearing 12 - a crane housing 13 moveably mounted to the base structure 11 via the slew bearing 12 to allow the crane housing 13 to rotate relative to the base structure 11 about a substantially vertical slewing axis - a boom 14 moveably mounted to the crane housing 13 to allow the boom 14 to pivot relative to the crane housing 13 about a substantially horizontal boom pivot axis; - a main crane hoisting assembly 15, comprising a hoisting winch 16 and an associated main hoisting cable 17; and - a main crane hoist block 18 suspended from the main hoisting cable 17.
The main crane is shown in isolation in figure 2.
The gantry crane 20 is moveably mounted to the deck 3 of the vessel, and is configured to travel over a gantry track 21 along the deck 3 of the vessel 1.
The gantry crane 20 comprises: - a gantry cart 22, moveably supported by a gantry beam 23 that crosses the foundation pile storage deck 3 in a direction perpendicular to the gantry track 21 to enable movement of the gantry cart 22 in a direction perpendicular to the gantry track 21, and preferably wherein the gantry beam 23 extends outboard of the vessel, - a gantry hoisting assembly 24, comprising a gantry hoisting winch 25 and an associated gantry hoisting cable 26, wherein the hoisting assembly 24 is mounted on the gantry cart 22; and - a gantry crane hoist block 27 suspended from the gantry crane hoisting cable 26.
The gantry crane is shown in isolation in figure 3.
The vessel furthermore comprises a bottom tool 8 and a head tool 9.
The bottom tool 8 is configured to be suspended by the gantry crane hoisting assembly 24, and is configured to be connected to a bottom end of a monopile 4,
The head tool 9 is configured to be suspended by the main crane hoisting assembly 24, and is configured to be connected to a top end of a monopile 4.
The main crane 10 comprises a main crane tagline assembly 30 that comprises a left tagline winch 31 and a right tagline winch 32, and a left tagline 33 and a right tagline 34, associated with the left tagline winch and the right tagline winch respectively, and wherein the left tagline winch 31 and the right tagline winch 32 are mounted to a left side and a right side of the boom of the main crane respectively.
The gantry crane 20 comprises a gantry crane tagline assembly 40 that comprises a left tagline winch 41 and a right tagline winch 42, and a left tagline 43 and a right tagline 44, associated with the left tagline winch and the right tagline winch respectively, and wherein the left tagline winch 41 and the right tagline winch 42 are mounted to a left side and a right side of the gantry cart respectively.
In the exemplary embodiment shown, the vessel furthermore comprises a monopile gripper 50. The monopile gripper comprises: - a gripper body 51, the gripper body comprising a gripper base 52, a first jaw 53 and a second jaw 54, wherein both jaws being pivotally connected to the gripper base 52, wherein the first and the second jaw are each pivotable about a yaw pivot axis between a closed position, in which the gripper defines a pile passage for the pile held in the gripper, and an open position, provide an entry opening that allows for the pile to be received in, or to be removed from, the gripper in a lateral direction, and - a gripper support 55 via which the gripper body is supported by the hull of the ship, wherein the pile gripper is supported with the gripper body outboard of the vessel and with the entry opening facing towards the gantry crane.
In an embodiment the gripper body is moveable between a passive position, in which the gripper body is inboard of the vessel, and an active position, in which the gripper body is outboard of the vessel. In figures 1a and 1b, the monopile gripper is visible in a passive position. In figures 6a-10b the monopile gripper 50 is seen in an active position where both the jaws are in an open position and closed position. While being in a passive position, in the shown embodiment, the jaws are in the closed position.
The main crane tagline assembly 30 and the gantry crane tagline assembly 40 comprise a shared tension tagline control system, not shown in the figures, which control system is configured to control the tensioning of the taglines of both the main crane and the gantry crane to control sideways movement of a suspended object, e.g. to control sideways movement of a monopile while transferring or upending the monopile.
In figure 2 the main crane 10 is shown, wherein the main crane tag line assembly is provided with movable mounted, for example trolley mounted, tagline guides, such that the taglines guides can be moved along a part of the boom of the crane.
In figure 3 the gantry crane 20, gantry crane hoisting assembly 24 and gantry crane hoist block 27 is shown. In an embodiment not shown in the figures the bottom tool and the gantry crane hoist block are integrated.
In figures 4a and 4b a first step of the method is shown. Here a first step of transferring the monopile from a first position to a second position is shown. The taglines of the main crane tagline assembly 30 are connected to the head tool 9 or the main crane hoist block 18 and the taglines of the gantry crane tagline assembly 40 are connected to the head tool 9 or the main crane hoist block, wherein preferably the taglines of the main crane tagline assembly and of the gantry crane tagline assembly are connected to the same one of the head tool 9 and the main crane hoist block 18.
In the shown embodiment the gantry crane tagline assembly is a primary gantry crane tagline assembly 40 and the gantry crane is provided with a secondary gantry crane tagline assembly 45, wherein the secondary gantry crane tagline assembly comprises a left tagline winch 46 and a right tagline winch 47, and a left tagline 48 and a right tagline 49, associated with the left tagline winch and the right tagline winch respectively, and wherein the left tagline winch and the right tagline winch are mounted to a left side and a right side of the gantry cart 22 respectively. The taglines of the main crane tagline assembly 30 are connected to the head tool 9 or the main crane hoist block 18. The taglines of the primary gantry crane tagline assembly are connected to the head tool 9 or the main crane hoist block 18. In the shown embodiment the taglines of the main crane tagline assembly and of the primary gantry crane tagline assembly are connected to the same one of the head tool and the main crane hoist block. The taglines 48, 49 of the secondary gantry crane tagline assembly 45 are connected to the bottom tool 8 or the gantry crane hoist block 27.
In figure 4 the following steps have further been performed: - lowering of the hoist block 18 of the main crane into a position for connecting to the head tool 9, supported by the main crane hoist block 18, to the upper end of the monopile 4, wherein the monopile is in a storage position e.g. on the storage deck or a quay 3, - lowering of the hoist block 27 of the gantry crane into a position for connecting the bottom tool 8, supported by the gantry crane hoist block 27, to the bottom end of the monopile 4,
- connecting the upper end of the monopile to the head tool 8 supported by the main crane hoist block 18; - connecting the bottom end of the monopile to the gantry crane hoist block 27 or to a bottom tool supported by the gantry crane hoist block; - connecting the taglines 33, 34 of the main crane tagline assembly to the head tool 9 or the main crane hoist block 18; - connecting the taglines 43, 44 of the primary gantry crane tagline assembly to the head tool 9 or the main crane hoist block 18; and - connecting the taglines 48, 49 of the secondary gantry crane tagline assembly to the bottom tool 8 or the gantry crane hoist block 27.
The monopile 4 is supported at a top end with the main crane 10, using the head tool 9, and at the bottom end with the gantry crane 20, using the bottom tool 8.
Figure 5 shows the transferring procedure of the monopile outside of the vessel contour.
While the monopile 4 is in a substantially horizontal position the monopile is moved from a position above the foundation pile storage deck 3 towards a position outside of the vessel contour. The main crane hoisting assembly taglines and the primary and secondary gantry crane hoisting assembly taglines are connected to the bottom tool 8 and/or head tool 9. This is achieved by moving the gantry cart 22 along the gantry beam 23 and at the same time rotating the crane housing 13 about the vertical slewing axis, and preferably while at the same time pivoting the boom 14 about the boom pivot axis. During transferring of the monopile, horizontal movements of the monopile are controlled, e.g. sideway and/or longitudinal swinging of the monopile, by means of the crane tagline assembly and the gantry crane tagline assembly. At the end of this step the monopile is in a position suitable for upending.
In figures 6a and 6b the upending procedure is shown. Upending of the monopile 4 from a horizontal position into an upright position is achieved by lowering the bottom end of the monopile using the gantry crane 20 and/or by lifting the top end of the monopile using the main crane 10. In the shown embodiment, upending is associated with moving the gantry crane along the gantry track 21 towards the main crane 10.
In these figures the monopile gripper 50 has been put from a passive position, wherein the gripper is rotated around a horizontal axis as to put the first jaw 53 and second jaw 54 into a position configured for gripping onto a monopile suspended from the main crane 10 in a substantially horizontal position. During upending the length of the taglines may be adjusted as to regulate the tension in the taglines or regulate the damping properties of the tagline assemblies.
During upending of the monopile, the monopile 4 is positioned outboard of the vessel 1, and is positioned between the main crane 10 and the gantry crane 20, and the gantry crane taglines, e.g. the most outward taglines, are configured to exert a pulling force directed away from the vessel on the suspended monopile 4. During upending of the monopile, swinging motions of the monopile are controlled, e.g. sideway and/or longitudinal swinging of the monopile, by means of the crane tagline assembly and the gantry crane tagline assembly.
In figure 7a and 7b the gantry crane 20 is moved even further towards the main crane 10. In the shown method step the gantry crane hoisting winch of the gantry crane is let out as to increase the effective length of the hoisting cable 26. The respective taglines of the secondary gantry crane tagline assembly are also let out. The taglines of the primary gantry crane tagline assembly 40 are winded in since the distance between the head tool and the gantry crane 20 has been reduced. The main crane boom 14 has been raised as to provide sufficient clearance for the now almost vertically suspended monopile 4.
Figures 8a and 8b show the monopile 4 in a substantially vertical orientation being placed in between the first jaw 53 and second jaw 54 of the monopile gripper 50. During the upending of the monopile 4, the gantry crane is driven to a monopile transfer position, in which monopile transfer position the gantry crane is positioned adjacent the monopile while the monopile is supported by the main crane 10 in an upright position. In this transfer position, the weight of the monopile is substantially transferred to the main crane 10. The angle between the gantry hoisting cable 26 and a vertical axis is attempted to be as small as possible as to easy the transfer process. These figures show the monopile being placed inside of the pile passage defined by the first jaw 53 and second jaw 54 of the monopile gripper 50. In an embodiment the first jaw 53 and second jaw 54 are put in a closed position, such that the monopile is supported by the gripper 50. In the shown embodiment, the removal of the bottom tool 8 also results in the secondary gantry crane taglines 48, 49 not being on contact with the monopile 4.
Figures 9a and Sb the bottom tool 8 is removed from the underside of the monopile after the monopile is upended. Preferably the monopile is moved through the entry opening of the pile gripper, such that when the first jaw 53 and second jaw 54 are put into the closed position the gripper supports the monopile in a lateral direction.
In figures 10a and 10b the monopile is supported by the monopile gripper and suspended by the main crane hoisting cable 17. Both of the monopile gripper jaws 53, 54 have been closed after the monopile has been received inside of the gripper body and supported by the gripper 50. In the shown embodiment the primary gantry crane taglines 43, 44 are slack and their task is preferably replaced by the monopile gripper 50.
Figures 11a and 11b show a final optional step, of moving the gantry crane 20 along the gantry track 21 back to its initial position, after the monopile 4 has been released from the gantry crane hoisting assembly 24, e.g. the bottom tool 8 and/or gantry crane taglines. The monopile gripper 50 is put back into a passive position. The boom 14 of the main crane 10 is put into a resting position onto the vessel 1. The vessel can, for example, move to a next installation location.
Not shown in the figures is an embodiment where the main crane tagline assembly 30 is a primary main crane tagline assembly and the main crane 10 is provided with a secondary main crane tagline assembly, wherein the secondary main crane tagline assembly comprises a left tagline winch and a right tagline winch, and a left tagline and a right tagline, associated with the left tagline winch and the right tagline winch respectively, and wherein the left tagline winch and the right tagline winch are respectively mounted to a left side and a right side of the main crane, preferably are respectively mounted to a left side and a right side of the base structure of the main crane.
1 Vessel 2 Hull 3 foundation pile storage deck 4 monopile/foundation pile
8 bottom tool 9 head tool main crane 11 base structure 10 12 slew bearing 13 crane housing 14 boom main crane hoisting assembly 16 main crane hoisting winch 15 17 main crane hoisting cable 18 main crane hoist block gantry crane 21 gantry track 20 22 gantry cart 23 gantry beam 24 gantry hoisting assembly gantry hoisting winch 26 gantry hoisting cable 25 27 gantry crane hoist block main crane tagline assembly 31 left tagline winch 32 right tagline winch 30 33 left tagline 34 right tagline 40 (primary) gantry crane tagline assembly 41 left tagline winch 42 right tagline winch 43 left tagline 44 right tagline
45 (secondary) gantry crane tagline assembly 46 left tagline winch 47 right tagline winch 48 left tagline
49 right tagline 50 monopile gripper 51 gripper body 52 gripper base
53 first jaw
54 second jaw gripper support

Claims (27)

CONCLUSIESCONCLUSIONS 1. Werkwijze voor het overeind kantelen en/of installeren van een monopaal gebruikmakend van een installatievaartuig, waarbij het vaartuig omvat: - een romp - een funderingspaalopslagdek, voor het opslaan van meerdere funderingspalen met hun longitudinale as in een horizontale opslag positie, bij voorkeur voor het opslaan van funderingspalen met hun longitudinale as parallel aan een longitudinale as van het vaartuig; - een hoofdkraan omvattende: - een basisstructuur; - een zwenklager; - een kraanbehuizing beweegbaar bevestigd op de basisstructuur via de zwenklager om het de kraanbehuizing mogelijk te maken om ten opzichte van de basisstructuur om een in hoofdzaak verticale zwenkas te zwenken; - een giek beweegbaar bevestigd op de kraanbehuizing om het de giek mogelijk te maken ten opzichte van de kraanbehuizing om een in hoofdzaak horizontale giekdraai-as te draaien; - een hoofdkraanhijssamenstel, omvattend een hijslier en een bijbehorende hoofdhijskabel; en - een hoofdkraanhijsblok die aan de hoofdkraanhijskabel hangt; - een portaalkraan beweegbaar bevestigd op het dek van het vaartuig, waarbij de portaalkraan is ingericht om zich over een portaalbaan langs het dek van het vaartuig te verplaatsen, waarbij de portaalkraan omvat: - een portaalwagen, beweegbaar ondersteund door een portaalbalk die het funderingspaalopslagdek overbrugt in een richting loodrecht op de portaalbaan om beweging van de portaalwagen mogelijk te maken in een richting loodrecht op de portaalbaan, en waarbij de portaalbalk zich bij voorkeur buitenboord van het vaartuig uitstrekt, - een portaalhijssamenstel, omvattend een portaalhijslier en een bijbehorend portaalhijskabel, waarbij het hijssamenstel op de portaalwagen is aangebracht; - een portaalkraanhijsblok die aan de portaalkraanhijskabel hangt; - een onderste werktuig dat aan het portaalkraanhijssamenstel hangt, waarbij het onderste werktuig is ingericht om te worden verbonden met een onderste uiteinde van een monopaal, - een bovenste werktuig, gehangen aan het hoofdkraanhijssamenstel, waarbij het bovenste werktuig is ingericht om te worden verbonden met een bovenste uiteinde van een monopaal,1. Method for tilting up and/or installing a monopile using an installation vessel, the vessel comprising: - a hull; - a foundation pile storage deck, for storing a plurality of foundation piles with their longitudinal axis in a horizontal storage position, preferably for storing foundation piles with their longitudinal axis parallel to a longitudinal axis of the vessel; - a main crane comprising: - a base structure; - a slewing bearing; - a crane housing movably mounted on the base structure via the slewing bearing to enable the crane housing to pivot relative to the base structure about a substantially vertical slewing axis; - a boom movably mounted on the crane housing to enable the boom to pivot relative to the crane housing about a substantially horizontal boom pivot axis; - a main crane hoist assembly comprising a hoist winch and an associated main hoist cable; and - a main crane hoist block suspended from the main crane hoist cable; - a gantry crane movably mounted on the deck of the vessel, the gantry crane being adapted to move along a gantry track along the deck of the vessel, the gantry crane comprising: - a gantry car movably supported by a gantry beam bridging the foundation pile storage deck in a direction perpendicular to the gantry track to permit movement of the gantry car in a direction perpendicular to the gantry track, the gantry beam preferably extending outboard of the vessel, - a gantry hoist assembly comprising a gantry hoist winch and an associated gantry hoist cable, the hoist assembly being mounted on the gantry car; - a gantry crane hoist block suspended from the gantry crane hoist cable; - a lower device suspended from the gantry crane hoist assembly, the lower device being adapted to be connected to a lower end of a monopile, - an upper device suspended from the main crane hoist assembly, the upper device being adapted to be connected to an upper end of a monopile, waarbij de hoofdkraan een hoofdkraantuidraadsamenstel omvat dat een linker tuidraadlier en een rechter tuidraadlier, en een linker tuidraad en een rechter tuidraad, behorend bij respectievelijk de linker tuidraadlier en de rechter tuidraadlier, omvat, en waarbij de linker tuidraadlier en de rechter tuidraadlier respectievelijk zijn bevestigd aan een linkerzijde en een rechterzijde van de giek van de hoofdkraan, waarbij de portaalkraan een portaalkraantuidraadsamenstel omvat dat een linker tuidraadlier en een rechter tuidraadlier, en een linker tuidraad en een rechter tuidraad, behorend bij respectievelijk de linker tuidraadlier en de rechter tuidraadlier, omvat, en waarbij de linker tuidraadlier en de rechter tuidraadlier respectievelijk zijn bevestigd aan een linkerzijde en een rechterzijde van de portaalkraan, waarbij de werkwijze omvat:wherein the main crane comprises a main crane guy wire assembly comprising a left guy wire winch and a right guy wire winch, and a left guy wire and a right guy wire associated with the left guy wire winch and the right guy wire winch, respectively, and wherein the left guy wire winch and the right guy wire winch are respectively attached to a left side and a right side of the main crane boom, wherein the gantry crane comprises a gantry crane guy wire assembly comprising a left guy wire winch and a right guy wire winch, and a left guy wire and a right guy wire associated with the left guy wire winch and the right guy wire winch, respectively, and wherein the left guy wire winch and the right guy wire winch are respectively attached to a left side and a right side of the gantry crane, the method comprising: - het verplaatsen van de monopaal van een eerste positie naar een tweede positie door een van beide: - het met de hoofdkraan ondersteunen van een monopaal aan een bovenste uiteinde, gebruikmakend van het bovenste werktuig, en aan het onderste uiteinde met de portaalkraan,- moving the monopile from a first position to a second position by either: - supporting a monopile at an upper end with the main crane, using the upper tool, and at the lower end with the gantry crane, gebruikmakend van het onderste werktuig; en - het verplaatsen van de monopaal, terwijl deze zich in een in hoofdzaak horizontale positie bevindt, in een horizontale richting door de portaalwagen langs de portaalbalk te bewegen en tegelijkertijd de kraanbehuizing te roteren om de verticale zwenkas, en bij voorkeur tegelijkertijd de giek om een giekdraai-as te scharnieren;using the lower tool; and - moving the monopile, while in a substantially horizontal position, in a horizontal direction by moving the gantry carriage along the gantry beam and simultaneously rotating the crane housing about the vertical swing axis, and preferably simultaneously pivoting the boom about a boom pivot axis; ofor - het overeind kantelen van de monopaal, van een horizontale positie naar een rechtopstaande positie, door het neerlaten van het onderste uiteinde van de monopaal gebruikmakend van de portaalkraan en/of door het hijsen van het bovenste uiteinde van de monopaal gebruikmakend van de hoofdkraan, bij voorkeur tijdens beweging van de portaalkraan langs de portaalbaan richting de hoofdkraan;- tilting the monopile upright, from a horizontal position to an upright position, by lowering the lower end of the monopile using the gantry crane and/or by hoisting the upper end of the monopile using the main crane, preferably while moving the gantry crane along the gantry track towards the main crane; - het beheersen van horizontale bewegingen van de monopaal, bijvoorbeeld zijwaartse en/of longitudinaale slingering van de monopaal, door middel van het kraantuidraadsamenstel en het portaalkraantuidraadsamenstel.- controlling horizontal movements of the monopile, for example lateral and/or longitudinal swing of the monopile, by means of the crane guy wire assembly and the gantry crane guy wire assembly. 2. Werkwijze volgens conclusie 1, waarbij de tuidraden van het hoofdkraantuidraadsamenstel zijn verbonden met ofwel het bovenste werktuig of het hoofdkraanhijsblok, en de tuidraden van het portaalkraantuidraadsamenstel zijn verbonden met ofwel het bovenste werktuig of het hoofdkraanhijsblok, waarbij bij voorkeur de tuidraden van het hoofdkraantuidraadsamenstel en van het portaalkraantuidraadsamenstel zijn verbonden met dezelfde van het bovenste werktuig en het hoofdkraanhijsblok.2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the guy wires of the main crane guy wire assembly are connected to either the upper tool or the main crane hoist block, and the guy wires of the gantry crane guy wire assembly are connected to either the upper tool or the main crane hoist block, preferably the guy wires of the main crane guy wire assembly and of the gantry crane guy wire assembly are connected to the same of the upper tool and the main crane hoist block. 3. Werkwijze volgens conclusie 1, waarbij de tuidraden van het hoofdkraantuidraadsamenstel zijn verbonden met ofwel het bovenste werktuig of het hoofdkraanhijsblok, en de tuidraden van het portaalkraantuidraadsamenstel verbonden zijn met ofwel het onderste werktuig of het portaalkraanhijsblok.3. The method of claim 1, wherein the guy wires of the main crane guy wire assembly are connected to either the upper tool or the main crane hoist block, and the guy wires of the gantry crane guy wire assembly are connected to either the lower tool or the gantry crane hoist block. 4. Werkwijze volgens conclusie 1, waarbij het portaalkraantuidraadsamenstel een primair portaalkraantuidraadsamenstel is en de portaalkraan is voorzien van een secundair portaalkraantuidraadsamenstel, waarbij het secundaire portaalkraantuidraadsamenstel een linker tuidraadlier en een rechter tuidraadlier, en een linker tuidraad en een rechtertuidraad, behorend bij respectievelijk de linker tuidraadlier en de rechter tuidraadlier, omvat, en waarbij de linker tuidraadlier en de rechter tuidraadlier respectievelijk zijn bevestigd aan een linkerzijde en een rechterzijde van de portaalwagen, waarbij de tuidraden van het hoofdkraantuidraadsamenstel zijn verbonden met het bovenste werktuig of het hoofdkraanhijsblok, waarbij de tuidraden van het primaire portaalkraantuidraadsamenstel zijn verbonden met ofwel het bovenste werktuig of het hoofdkraanhijsblok, waarbij bij voorkeur de tuidraden van het hoofdkraantuidraadsamenstel en van het primaire portaalkraantuidraadsamenstel zijn verbonden met dezelfde van het bovenste werktuig en het hoofdkraanhijsblok; en waarbij de tuidraden van het secundaire portaalkraantuidraadsamenstel zijn verbonden met ofwel het onderste werktuig of het portaalkraanhijsblok.4. The method of claim 1, wherein the gantry crane guy wire assembly is a primary gantry crane guy wire assembly and the gantry crane is provided with a secondary gantry crane guy wire assembly, the secondary gantry crane guy wire assembly comprising a left guy wire winch and a right guy wire winch, and a left guy wire and a right guy wire associated with the left guy wire winch and the right guy wire winch, respectively, and the left guy wire winch and the right guy wire winch being attached to a left side and a right side of the gantry car, respectively, the guy wires of the main crane guy wire assembly being connected to the upper tool or the main crane hoist block, the guy wires of the primary gantry crane guy wire assembly being connected to either the upper tool or the main crane hoist block, preferably the guy wires of the main crane guy wire assembly and of the primary gantry crane guy wire assembly being connected to the same of the upper tool and the main crane hoist block; and wherein the guy wires of the secondary gantry crane guy wire assembly are connected to either the lower tool or the gantry crane hoist block. 5. Werkwijze volgens conclusie 4, waarbij de werkwijze verder omvat: - het neerlaten van het hijsblok van de hoofdkraan naar een positie voor het verbinden van het bovenste werktuig, ondersteund door het hoofdkraanhijsblok, met het bovenste uiteinde van de monopaal, waarbij de monopaal zich in een opslagpositie bevindt, bijvoorbeeld op het opslagdek of een kade, - het neerlaten van het hijsblok van de portaalkraan naar een positie voor het verbinden van het onderste werktuig, ondersteund door het portaalkraanhijsblok, met het onderste uiteinde van de monopaal,5. A method according to claim 4, the method further comprising: - lowering the main crane hoist block to a position for connecting the upper tool supported by the main crane hoist block to the upper end of the monopile, the monopile being in a storage position, for example on the storage deck or a quay, - lowering the gantry crane hoist block to a position for connecting the lower tool supported by the gantry crane hoist block to the lower end of the monopile, - het verbinden van het bovenste uiteinde van de monopaal met het bovenste werktuig ondersteund door het hoofdkraanhijsblok; - het verbinden van het onderste uiteinde van de monopaal met het portaalkraanhijsblok of met een onderste werktuig ondersteund door het portaalkraanhijsblok; - het verbinden van de tuidraden van het hoofdkraantuidraadsamenstel met het bovenste werktuig of het hoofdkraanhijsblok; - het verbinden van de tuidraden van het primaire portaalkraantuidraadsamenstel met het bovenste werktuig of het hoofdkraanhijsblok; en - het verbinden van de tuidraden van het secundaire portaalkraantuidraadsamenstel met het onderste werktuig of het portaalkraanhijsblok.- connecting the upper end of the monopile to the upper tool supported by the main crane hoist block; - connecting the lower end of the monopile to the gantry crane hoist block or to a lower tool supported by the gantry crane hoist block; - connecting the guy wires of the main crane guy wire assembly to the upper tool or the main crane hoist block; - connecting the guy wires of the primary gantry crane guy wire assembly to the upper tool or the main crane hoist block; and - connecting the guy wires of the secondary gantry crane guy wire assembly to the lower tool or the gantry crane hoist block. 6. Werkwijze volgens één of meer van de voorgaande conclusies, waarbij de werkwijze verder de stappen omvat van: - het overeind kantelen van de monopaal door het heffen van het bovenste uiteinde van de monopaal met de hoofdkraan en/of door het neerlaten van het onderste uiteinde van de monopaal door middel van de portaalkraan, bij voorkeur tijdens beweging van de portaalkraan richting de hoofdkraan, terwijl de zijdelingse beweging van de monopaal wordt beheerst door middel van het hoofdkraantuidraadsamenstel en het portaalkraantuidraadsamenstel of de primaire en secundaire portaaltuidraadsamenstellen.6. A method according to any one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the method further comprises the steps of: - tilting the monopile upright by lifting the upper end of the monopile with the main crane and/or by lowering the lower end of the monopile by means of the gantry crane, preferably during movement of the gantry crane towards the main crane, while controlling the lateral movement of the monopile by means of the main crane guy wire assembly and the gantry crane guy wire assembly or the primary and secondary gantry guy wire assemblies. 7. Werkwijze volgens één of meer van de voorgaande conclusies, waarbij de werkwijze verder omvat: - tijdens het overeind kantelen van de monopaal, het voortbewegen van de portaalkraan naar een monopaaloverdrachtspositie, waarin de portaalkraan in de monopaaloverdrachtspositie naast de monopaal is gepositioneerd, terwijl de monopaal in een rechtopstaande positie wordt ondersteund door de hoofdkraan.7. A method according to any one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the method further comprises: - during tilting of the monopile upright, advancing the gantry crane to a monopile transfer position, wherein the gantry crane in the monopile transfer position is positioned next to the monopile, while the monopile is supported in an upright position by the main crane. 8. Werkwijze volgens één of meer van de voorgaande conclusies, waarbij de werkwijze verder omvat: -tijdens of na het overeind kantelen van de monopaal, het vieren van de portaalhijskabel van het portaalhijssamenstel en/of het bewegen van de portaalkraan richting de hoofdkraan om het gewicht van de paal naar de hoofdkraan te verplaatsen en om uiteindelijk het totale gewicht van de monopaal aan de hoofdkraan over te dragen zodanig dat de monopaal volledig door de hoofdkraan wordt ondersteund; en -na het overeind kantelen, het verwijderen van het onderste werktuig van de onderzijde van de monopaal.8. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the method further comprises: - during or after tilting the monopile upright, paying out the gantry hoist cable of the gantry hoist assembly and/or moving the gantry crane towards the main crane to transfer the weight of the pile to the main crane and ultimately transferring the total weight of the monopile to the main crane such that the monopile is fully supported by the main crane; and - after tilting upright, removing the lower tool from the bottom of the monopile. 9. Werkwijze volgens één van de voorgaande conclusies, waarbij het vaartuig verder een monopaalgrijper omvat, de monopaalgrijper omvattende: - een grijperlichaam, waarbij het grijperlichaam een grijperbasis, een eerste bekdeel en een tweede bekdeel omvat, waarbij beide bekdelen draaibaar zijn verbonden met de grijperbasis, waarbij het eerste en het tweede bekdeel elk draaibaar zijn om een bekdraai-as tussen een gesloten positie, waarin de grijper een paaldoorgang definieert voor de paal die in de grijper wordt gehouden, en een open positie, die een ingangsopening beschikbaar stelt voor de paal om in een laterale richting in de grijper te worden opgenomen, of te worden verwijderd, en - een grijperondersteuning via welke het grijperlichaam is ondersteund door de romp van het vaartuig, waarbij de paalgrijper door het grijperlichaam buitenboord van het vaartuig is ondersteund en met de ingangsopening naar de portaalkraan is gericht, en waarbij het overeind kantelen van de monopaal naar een rechtopstaande positie omvat: - wanneer de monopaal overeind is gekanteld, het ondersteunen van de monopaal in het grijperlichaam zodanig dat door beide bekdelen te sluiten de paal is opgenomen in het grijperlichaam, of - wanneer de monopaal overeind is gekanteld, het bewegen van de monopaal door de ingangsopening in het grijperlichaam zodanig dat door het sluiten van beide bekdelen de paal is opgenomen in het grijperlichaam.9. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the vessel further comprises a monopile grab, the monopile grab comprising: - a grab body, the grab body comprising a grab base, a first jaw portion and a second jaw portion, both jaw portions being pivotally connected to the grab base, the first and second jaw portions each being pivotable about a jaw pivot axis between a closed position, wherein the grab defines a pile passage for the pile held in the grab, and an open position, providing an entrance opening for the pile to be received in a lateral direction into the grab, or to be removed, and - a grab support via which the grab body is supported by the hull of the vessel, the pile grab being supported outboard of the vessel by the grab body and with the entrance opening facing the gantry crane, and wherein tilting the monopile upright to an upright position comprises: - when the monopile is upright tilted, supporting the monopile in the gripper body in such a way that by closing both jaws the pile is received in the gripper body, or - when the monopile is tilted upright, moving the monopile through the entrance opening in the gripper body in such a way that by closing both jaws the pile is received in the gripper body. 10. Werkwijze volgens conclusie 9, waarbij de werkwijze verder omvat: - het verwijderen van het onderste werktuig van de onderzijde van de monopaal na het overeind zijn gekanteld van de monopaal en waarbij bij voorkeur de monopaal door de ingangsopening van de paalgrijper wordt bewogen en het eerste bekdeel en tweede bekdeel in de gesloten positie worden gebracht zodanig dat de grijper de monopaal in een laterale richting ondersteunt.10. A method according to claim 9, wherein the method further comprises: - removing the lower tool from the bottom of the monopile after the monopile has been tilted upright and preferably moving the monopile through the entrance opening of the pile gripper and bringing the first jaw part and second jaw part into the closed position such that the gripper supports the monopile in a lateral direction. 11. Werkwijze volgens één of meer van de voorgaande conclusies, waarbij de werkwijze verder omvat: - het bewegen van de portaalkraan langs de portaalbaan terug naar zijn oorspronkelijke positie, nadat de monopaal is losgemaakt van het portaalkraanhijssamenstel, bijvoorbeeld van het onderste werktuig en/of de portaalkraantuidraden.11. A method according to any one or more of the preceding claims, the method further comprising: - moving the gantry crane along the gantry track back to its original position after the monopile has been released from the gantry crane hoist assembly, for example from the lower tool and/or the gantry crane guy wires. 12. Werkwijze volgens één van de voorgaande conclusies, waarbij, tijdens het overeind kantelen van de monopaal, de monopaal zich buitenboord van het vaartuig bevindt, en is gepositioneerd tussen de hoofdkraan en de portaalkraan, en de portaalkraantuidraden zijn ingericht om een trekkracht uit te oefenen, die van het vaartuig vandaan is gericht, op een aangehangen monopaal.12. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein, during tilting of the monopile, the monopile is located outboard of the vessel and positioned between the main crane and the gantry crane, and the gantry crane guy wires are arranged to exert a pulling force, directed away from the vessel, on an attached monopile. 13. Werkwijze volgens één of meer van de voorgaande conclusies, waarbij de tuidraden van de portaalkraan buiten de contour van het vaartuig zijn gepositioneerd, terwijl de monopaal buiten de contour van het vaartuig is gehangen.13. Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the guy wires of the gantry crane are positioned outside the contour of the vessel, while the monopile is hung outside the contour of the vessel. 14. Werkwijze volgens één of meer van de voorgaande conclusies, waarbij het hoofdkraantuidraadsamenstel een primair hoofdkraantuidraadsamenstel is en de hoofdkraan is voorzien van een secundair hoofdkraantuidraadsamenstel, waarbij het secundaire hoofdkraantuidraadsamenstel een linker tuidraadlier en een rechter tuidraadlier, en een linker tuidraad en een rechter tuidraad, bijbehorend bij respectievelijke de linker tuidraadlier en rechter tuidraadlier, omvat, en waarbij de linker tuidraadlier en de rechter tuidraadlier respectievelijk zijn bevestigd aan een linkerzijde en een rechterzijde van de hoofdkraan, bij voorkeur respectievelijk zijn bevestigd aan een linkerzijde en een rechterzijde van de basisstructuur van de hoofdkraan, en waarbij de tuidraden van het primaire hoofdkraantuidraadsamenstel en de tuidraden van het secundaire hoofdkraantuidraadsamenstel zijn verbonden met het bovenste werktuig of het hoofdkraanhijsblok tijdens transport en/of overeind kantelen van de monopaal.14. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the main crane guy wire assembly is a primary main crane guy wire assembly and the main crane is provided with a secondary main crane guy wire assembly, the secondary main crane guy wire assembly comprising a left guy wire winch and a right guy wire winch, and a left guy wire and a right guy wire associated with the left guy wire winch and the right guy wire winch respectively, and wherein the left guy wire winch and the right guy wire winch are respectively attached to a left side and a right side of the main crane, preferably respectively attached to a left side and a right side of the base structure of the main crane, and wherein the guy wires of the primary main crane guy wire assembly and the guy wires of the secondary main crane guy wire assembly are connected to the upper tool or the main crane hoist block during transport and/or tilting of the monopile. 15. Werkwijze volgens één of meer van de voorgaande conclusies, waarbij de linker tuidraad en de rechter tuidraad van het hoofdkraantuidraadsamenstel, wanneer verbonden met het bovenste werktuig en het hoofdkraanhijsblok, een hoek insluiten, waarbij de hoek een bissectrice heeft, waarbij de linker tuidraad en de rechter tuidraad van het portaalkraantuidraadsamenstel of het hoofdkraantuidraadsamenstel, wanneer verbonden met het bovenste werktuig en het hoofdkraanhijsblok, een hoek insluiten, waarbij de hoek een bissectrice heeft, en waarbij: ten minste tijdens het overeind kantelen, de bissectrice van de hoofdkraan en de bissectrice van de portaalkraan in een horizontaal vlak elk een component hebben die naar het vaartuig is gericht, en/of waarbij ten minste tijdens het overeind kantelen, de bissectrice van de hoofdkraan en de bissectrice van de portaalkraan in een verticaal vlak elk een component hebben die verticaal naar beneden is gericht.15. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the left guy wire and the right guy wire of the main crane guy wire assembly, when connected to the upper tool and the main crane hoist block, enclose an angle, the angle having a bisector, wherein the left guy wire and the right guy wire of the gantry crane guy wire assembly or the main crane guy wire assembly, when connected to the upper tool and the main crane hoist block, enclose an angle, the angle having a bisector, and wherein: at least during tilting upright, the bisector of the main crane and the bisector of the gantry crane each have a component in a horizontal plane directed towards the vessel, and/or wherein at least during tilting upright, the bisector of the main crane and the bisector of the gantry crane each have a component in a vertical plane directed vertically downwards. 16. Werkwijze volgens één of meer van de voorgaande conclusies, waarbij zich een lastvector uitstrekt van het hoofdkraanhijsblok langs de hoofdhijskabel, en waarbij: ten minste tijdens overeind kantelen, de lastvector in het horizontale vlak een component heeft die van het vaartuig vandaan is gericht, en/of ten minste tijdens overeind kantelen, de lastvector in het verticale vlak een component heeft die verticaal naar boven is gericht.16. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein a load vector extends from the main crane block along the main hoist cable, and wherein: at least during tilting upright, the load vector in the horizontal plane has a component directed away from the vessel, and/or at least during tilting upright, the load vector in the vertical plane has a component directed vertically upwards. 17. Vaartuig, bij voorkeur voor gebruik in een werkwijze volgens één of meer van de voorgaande conclusies voor overeind kantelen en/of installeren van een monopaal, waarbij het vaartuig omvat; - een romp - een funderingspaalopslagdek, voor het opslaan van meerdere funderingspalen met hun longitudinale as in een horizontale opslag positie, bij voorkeur voor het opslaan van funderingspalen met hun longitudinale as parallel aan een longitudinale as van het vaartuig; - een hoofdkraan omvattende; - een basisconstructie; - een zwenklager; - een kraanbehuizing beweegbaar bevestigd op de basisstructuur via het zwenklager om het de kraanbehuizing mogelijk te maken om ten opzichte van de basisstructuur te zwenken om een in hoofdzaak verticale zwenkas; - een giek beweegbaar bevestigd op de kraanbehuizing om het de giek mogelijk te maken te draaien ten opzichte van de kraanbehuizing om een in hoofdzaak horizontale giekscharnieras; - een hoofdkraanhijssamenstel, omvattend een hijslier en een bijbehorende hijskabel; en - een hoofdkraanhijsblok gehangen aan de hoofdkraanhijskabel; - een portaalkraan beweegbaar bevestigd op het dek van het vaartuig, waarbij de portaalkraan is ingericht om zich over een portaalbaan langs het dek van het vaartuig te verplaatsen, waarbij de portaalkraan omvat: - een portaalwagen, beweegbaar ondersteund door een portaalbalk die het funderingspaalopslagdek overbrugt in een richting loodrecht op de portaalbaan om beweging van de portaalwagen mogelijk te maken in een richting loodrecht op de portaalbaan, en waarbij de portaalbalk zich bij voorkeur buitenboord van het vaartuiguitstrekt, - een portaalhijssamenstel, omvattend een portaalhijslier en een bijbehorende portaalhijskabel, waarbij het hijssamenstel op de portaalwagen is aangebracht; - een portaalkraanhijsblok gehangen aan de portaalkraanhijskabel; - een onderste werktuig gehangen aan het portaalkraanhijssamenstel, waarbij het onderste werktuig is ingericht om te worden verbonden met een onderste uiteinde van een monopaal, - een bovenste werktuig, gehangen aan het hoofdkraanhijssamenstel, waarbij het bovenste werktuig is ingericht om te worden verbonden met een bovenste uiteinde van een monopaal, waarbij de hoofdkraan een hoofdkraantuidraadsamenstel omvat dat een linker tuidraadlier en een rechter tuidraadlier, en een linker tuidraad en een rechter tuidraad, behorend bij respectievelijk de linker tuidraadlier en de rechter tuidraadlier, omvat, en waarbij de linker tuidraadlier en de rechter tuidraadlier respectievelijk zijn bevestigd aan een linkerzijde en een rechterzijde van de giek van de hoofdkraan, waarbij de portaalkraan een portaalkraantuidraadsamenstel omvat dat een linker tuidraadlier en een rechter tuidraadlier, en een linker tuidraad en een rechter tuidraad, behorend bij respectievelijk de linker tuidraadlier en de rechter tuidraadlier, omvat, en waarbij de linker tuidraadlier en de rechter tuidraadlier respectievelijk zijn bevestigd aan een linkerzijde en een rechterzijde van de portaalkraan.17. Vessel, preferably for use in a method according to one or more of the preceding claims for tilting up and/or installing a monopile, the vessel comprising; - a hull - a foundation pile storage deck, for storing a plurality of foundation piles with their longitudinal axis in a horizontal storage position, preferably for storing foundation piles with their longitudinal axis parallel to a longitudinal axis of the vessel; - a main crane comprising; - a base structure; - a slewing bearing; - a crane housing movably mounted on the base structure via the slewing bearing to enable the crane housing to pivot relative to the base structure about a substantially vertical slewing axis; - a boom movably mounted on the crane housing to enable the boom to rotate relative to the crane housing about a substantially horizontal boom pivot axis; - a main crane hoist assembly, comprising a hoist winch and an associated hoist cable; and - a main crane hoist block suspended from the main crane hoist cable; - a gantry crane movably mounted on the deck of the vessel, the gantry crane being adapted to move along a gantry track along the deck of the vessel, the gantry crane comprising: - a gantry car movably supported by a gantry beam bridging the foundation pile storage deck in a direction perpendicular to the gantry track to permit movement of the gantry car in a direction perpendicular to the gantry track, and the gantry beam preferably extending outboard of the vessel, - a gantry hoist assembly comprising a gantry hoist winch and an associated gantry hoist cable, the hoist assembly being mounted on the gantry car; - a gantry crane hoist block suspended from the gantry crane hoist cable; - a lower device suspended from the gantry crane hoist assembly, the lower device being adapted to be connected to a lower end of a monopile, - an upper device suspended from the main crane hoist assembly, the upper device being adapted to be connected to an upper end of a monopile, the main crane comprising a main crane guy wire assembly comprising a left guy wire winch and a right guy wire winch, and a left guy wire and a right guy wire associated with the left guy wire winch and the right guy wire winch, respectively, and the left guy wire winch and the right guy wire winch being attached to a left side and a right side of the main crane boom, respectively, the gantry crane comprising a gantry crane guy wire assembly comprising a left guy wire winch and a right guy wire winch, and a left guy wire and a right guy wire associated with the left guy wire winch and the right guy wire winch, respectively, and the left guy wire winch and the right guy wire winch are respectively attached to a left and a right side of the gantry crane. 18. Vaartuig volgens conclusie 17, waarbij het portaalkraantuidraadsamenstel een primair portaalkraantuidraadsamenstel is en de portaalkraan is voorzien van een secundair portaalkraantuidraadsamenstel, waarbij het secundaire portaalkraantuidraadsamenstel een linker tuidraadlier en een rechter tuidraadlier, en een linker tuidraad en een rechter tuidraad, behorend bij respectievelijk de linker tuidraadlier en rechter tuidraadlier, omvat, en waarbij de linker tuidraadlier en de rechter tuidraadlier aangebracht zijn op respectievelijk een linkerzijde en een rechterzijde van de portaalkraan.18. A vessel according to claim 17, wherein the gantry crane guy wire assembly is a primary gantry crane guy wire assembly and the gantry crane is provided with a secondary gantry crane guy wire assembly, the secondary gantry crane guy wire assembly comprising a left guy wire winch and a right guy wire winch, and a left guy wire and a right guy wire associated with the left guy wire winch and the right guy wire winch respectively, and the left guy wire winch and the right guy wire winch being mounted on a left side and a right side of the gantry crane respectively. 19. Vaartuig volgens conclusie 17 of conclusie 18, waarbij het vaartuig verder een monopaalgrijper omvat, waarbij de monopaalgrijper omvat: - een grijperlichaam, waarbij het grijperlichaam een grijperbasis, een eerste bekdeel en een tweede bekdeel omvat, waarbij beide bekdelen draaibaar zijn verbonden met de grijperbasis, waarbij het eerste en het tweede bekdeel elk om een bekdraai-as draaibaar zijn tussen een gesloten positie, waarbij de grijper een paaldoorgang definieert voor de paal die in de grijper wordt gehouden, en een open positie, die een ingangsopening verschaft voor de paal om in een laterale richting in de grijper te worden opgenomen, of te worden verwijderd, en - een grijperondersteuning via welke het grijperlichaam is ondersteund door de romp van het vaartuig, waarbij de paalgrijper met het grijperlichaam buitenboord van het vaartuig is ondersteund en met de ingangsopening naar de portaalkraan is gericht.19. A vessel according to claim 17 or claim 18, wherein the vessel further comprises a monopile grab, the monopile grab comprising: - a grab body, the grab body comprising a grab base, a first jaw portion and a second jaw portion, both jaw portions being pivotally connected to the grab base, the first and second jaw portions each being pivotable about a jaw pivot axis between a closed position, the grab defining a pile passage for the pile held in the grab, and an open position, providing an entrance opening for the pile to be received in a lateral direction into or removed from the grab, and - a grab support via which the grab body is supported by the hull of the vessel, the pile grab being supported with the grab body outboard of the vessel and with the entrance opening facing the gantry crane. 20. Vaartuig volgens conclusie 19, waarbij het grijperlichaam om een verticale as roteerbaar is om de ingangsopening tussen een positie die gericht is in een richting in hoofdzaak langs de romp van het vaartuig naar de portaalkraan en een positie waarin deze gericht is in een richting van de romp van het vaartuig vandaan.20. A vessel according to claim 19, wherein the gripper body is rotatable about a vertical axis about the entrance opening between a position facing in a direction substantially along the hull of the vessel towards the gantry crane and a position facing in a direction away from the hull of the vessel. 21. Vaartuig volgens conclusies 19 of 20, waarbij het grijperlichaam beweegbaar is tussen een passieve positie, waarin het grijperlichaam binnenboord van het vaartuig is, en een actieve positie, waarin het lichaam buitenboord van het vaartuig is.21. A vessel according to claim 19 or 20, wherein the gripper body is movable between a passive position, in which the gripper body is inboard of the vessel, and an active position, in which the body is outboard of the vessel. 22. Vaartuig volgens één of meer van de conclusies 17-21, waarbij het hoofdkraantuidraadsamenstel een primair hoofdkraantuidraadsamenstel is en de hoofdkraan is voorzien van een secundair hoofdkraantuidraadsamenstel, waarbij het secundaire hoofdkraantuidraadsamenstel een linker tuidraadlier en een rechter tuidraadlier, en een linker tuidraad en een rechter tuidraad, behorend bij respectievelijk de linker tuidraadlier en de rechter tuidraadlier, omvat, en waarbij de linker tuidraadlier en de rechter tuidraadlier respectievelijk aan een linkerzijde en een rechterzijde van de hoofdkraan zijn bevestigd, bij voorkeur respectievelijk aan een linkerzijde en een rechterzijde van de basisstructuur van de hoofdkraan zijn bevestigd.22. A vessel according to any one of claims 17 to 21, wherein the main crane guy wire assembly is a primary main crane guy wire assembly and the main crane is provided with a secondary main crane guy wire assembly, the secondary main crane guy wire assembly comprising a left guy wire winch and a right guy wire winch, and a left guy wire and a right guy wire associated with the left guy wire winch and the right guy wire winch respectively, and wherein the left guy wire winch and the right guy wire winch are attached to a left side and a right side of the main crane respectively, preferably to a left side and a right side of the base structure of the main crane respectively. 23. Vaartuig volgens één of meer van de conclusies 17-22, waarbij ten minste het hoofdkraantuidraadsamenstel en het portaalkraantuidraadsamenstel een gedeelde tuidraadspanningregelsysteem omvatten, waarbij het controlesysteem is ingericht om de spanning van de tuidraden te regelen van zowel de hoofdkraan als de portaalkraan om zijdelingse bewegingen van een aangehangen object te regelen, bijvoorbeeld om zijdelingse bewegingen van een monopaal tijdens overdragen of overeind kantelen van een monopaal te regelen.23. A vessel according to any one of claims 17 to 22, wherein at least the main crane guy wire assembly and the gantry crane guy wire assembly comprise a shared guy wire tension control system, the control system being adapted to control the tension of the guy wires of both the main crane and the gantry crane to control lateral movements of a suspended object, for example to control lateral movements of a monopile during transfer or tilting of a monopile. 24. Vaartuig volgens één of meer van de conclusies 17-23, waarbij een of meer van de tuidraadsamenstellen tuidraadgeleiders omvat, voor het geleiden van de tuidraad wanneer deze uit de tuidraadlier is afgegeven.24. A vessel as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 23, wherein one or more of the guy wire assemblies comprises guy wire guides for guiding the guy wire when it is released from the guy wire winch. 25. Vaartuig volgens conclusie 24, waarbij het hoofdkraantuidraadsamenstel is voorzien van beweegbaar bevestigde, bijvoorbeeld op een wagen bevestigde, tuidraadgeleiders, zodanig dat de tuidraadgeleiders beweegbaar zijn langs een deel van de giek van de kraan.25. Vessel according to claim 24, wherein the main crane guy wire assembly is provided with movably mounted, for example carriage-mounted, guy wire guides, such that the guy wire guides are movable along a part of the crane boom. 26. Vaartuig volgens conclusie 24 of conclusie 25, waarbij één of meer van de tuidraadgeleiders op armen zijn aangebracht, bijvoorbeeld armen bevestigd op de kraanbehuizing en die zich aan tegenoverliggende zijden van de giek en van de kraanbehuizing vandaan uitstrekken, en waarbij de armen de tuidraadgeleiders op een afstand van de tuidraadlieren zetten.26. A vessel as claimed in claim 24 or claim 25, wherein one or more of the guy wire guides are mounted on arms, for example arms mounted on the crane housing and extending from opposite sides of the boom and from the crane housing, the arms positioning the guy wire guides at a distance from the guy wire winches. 27. Vaartuig volgens één of meer van de conclusies 17-26, waarbij het onderste werktuig en het portaalkraanhijsblok geïntegreerd zijn.27. Vessel according to one or more of claims 17 to 26, wherein the lower tool and the gantry crane hoist block are integrated.
NL2036087A 2023-10-20 2023-10-20 Vessel for upending and/or installing of a foundation pile NL2036087B1 (en)

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NL2036087A NL2036087B1 (en) 2023-10-20 2023-10-20 Vessel for upending and/or installing of a foundation pile
PCT/EP2024/079561 WO2025083243A1 (en) 2023-10-20 2024-10-18 Vessel for upending and/or installing of a foundation pile

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Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2226539A (en) 1988-12-29 1990-07-04 Heerema Engineering Improvements in load handling
WO2022229436A1 (en) * 2021-04-30 2022-11-03 Itrec B.V. Installation vessel, lifting device, pile gripper, control unit and method
WO2023072634A1 (en) 2021-10-28 2023-05-04 Itrec B.V. Installation of a monopile that is adapted to support an offshore wind turbine
CN116238655A (en) * 2023-02-17 2023-06-09 山东蓝鲲海洋工程有限公司 Offshore photovoltaic pile driving platform with pile foundation storage and transportation functions

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2226539A (en) 1988-12-29 1990-07-04 Heerema Engineering Improvements in load handling
WO2022229436A1 (en) * 2021-04-30 2022-11-03 Itrec B.V. Installation vessel, lifting device, pile gripper, control unit and method
WO2023072634A1 (en) 2021-10-28 2023-05-04 Itrec B.V. Installation of a monopile that is adapted to support an offshore wind turbine
CN116238655A (en) * 2023-02-17 2023-06-09 山东蓝鲲海洋工程有限公司 Offshore photovoltaic pile driving platform with pile foundation storage and transportation functions

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