NO20210396A1 - Outrigger system for transportation and installation of fixed foundation wind turbines - Google Patents

Outrigger system for transportation and installation of fixed foundation wind turbines Download PDF

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Publication number
NO20210396A1
NO20210396A1 NO20210396A NO20210396A NO20210396A1 NO 20210396 A1 NO20210396 A1 NO 20210396A1 NO 20210396 A NO20210396 A NO 20210396A NO 20210396 A NO20210396 A NO 20210396A NO 20210396 A1 NO20210396 A1 NO 20210396A1
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Norway
Prior art keywords
outrigger
wind turbine
vessel
frame
aperture
Prior art date
Application number
NO20210396A
Inventor
Narendra Amritlal Sodha
Ole Johannes Larsen
Henning Heiberg-Andersen
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Isq As
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Publication date
Application filed by Isq As filed Critical Isq As
Priority to NO20210396A priority Critical patent/NO20210396A1/en
Priority to PCT/NO2022/050073 priority patent/WO2022203518A1/en
Publication of NO20210396A1 publication Critical patent/NO20210396A1/en

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B77/00—Transporting or installing offshore structures on site using buoyancy forces, e.g. using semi-submersible barges, ballasting the structure or transporting of oil-and-gas platforms
    • B63B77/10—Transporting or installing offshore structures on site using buoyancy forces, e.g. using semi-submersible barges, ballasting the structure or transporting of oil-and-gas platforms specially adapted for electric power plants, e.g. wind turbines or tidal turbine generators
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B35/00—Vessels or similar floating structures specially adapted for specific purposes and not otherwise provided for
    • B63B35/003—Vessels or similar floating structures specially adapted for specific purposes and not otherwise provided for for transporting very large loads, e.g. offshore structure modules
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B35/00—Vessels or similar floating structures specially adapted for specific purposes and not otherwise provided for
    • B63B35/40—Vessels or similar floating structures specially adapted for specific purposes and not otherwise provided for for transporting marine vessels
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B35/00—Vessels or similar floating structures specially adapted for specific purposes and not otherwise provided for
    • B63B35/44—Floating buildings, stores, drilling platforms, or workshops, e.g. carrying water-oil separating devices
    • 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
    • E02B17/04—Equipment specially adapted for raising, lowering, or immobilising the working platform relative to the supporting construction
    • E02B17/08—Equipment specially adapted for raising, lowering, or immobilising the working platform relative to the supporting construction for raising or lowering
    • E02B17/0818—Equipment specially adapted for raising, lowering, or immobilising the working platform relative to the supporting construction for raising or lowering with racks actuated by pinions
    • 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
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03D—WIND MOTORS
    • F03D13/00—Assembly, mounting or commissioning of wind motors; Arrangements specially adapted for transporting wind motor components
    • F03D13/20—Arrangements for mounting or supporting wind motors; Masts or towers for wind motors
    • F03D13/22—Foundations specially adapted for wind motors
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03D—WIND MOTORS
    • F03D13/00—Assembly, mounting or commissioning of wind motors; Arrangements specially adapted for transporting wind motor components
    • F03D13/20—Arrangements for mounting or supporting wind motors; Masts or towers for wind motors
    • F03D13/25—Arrangements for mounting or supporting wind motors; Masts or towers for wind motors specially adapted for offshore installation
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03D—WIND MOTORS
    • F03D13/00—Assembly, mounting or commissioning of wind motors; Arrangements specially adapted for transporting wind motor components
    • F03D13/40—Arrangements or methods specially adapted for transporting wind motor components
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03D—WIND MOTORS
    • F03D9/00—Adaptations of wind motors for special use; Combinations of wind motors with apparatus driven thereby; Wind motors specially adapted for installation in particular locations
    • F03D9/30—Wind motors specially adapted for installation in particular locations
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B21/00—Tying-up; Shifting, towing, or pushing equipment; Anchoring
    • B63B21/50—Anchoring arrangements or methods for special vessels, e.g. for floating drilling platforms or dredgers
    • B63B2021/505—Methods for installation or mooring of floating offshore platforms on site
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B35/00—Vessels or similar floating structures specially adapted for specific purposes and not otherwise provided for
    • B63B35/44—Floating buildings, stores, drilling platforms, or workshops, e.g. carrying water-oil separating devices
    • B63B2035/4433—Floating structures carrying electric power plants
    • B63B2035/446—Floating structures carrying electric power plants for converting wind energy into electric energy
    • 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
    • E02B2017/0091—Offshore structures for wind turbines
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
    • F05B—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
    • F05B2240/00—Components
    • F05B2240/90—Mounting on supporting structures or systems
    • F05B2240/93—Mounting on supporting structures or systems on a structure floating on a liquid surface
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
    • F05B—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
    • F05B2240/00—Components
    • F05B2240/90—Mounting on supporting structures or systems
    • F05B2240/95—Mounting on supporting structures or systems offshore
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
    • Y02E10/70—Wind energy
    • Y02E10/727—Offshore wind turbines

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Sustainable Development (AREA)
  • Sustainable Energy (AREA)
  • Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
  • Paleontology (AREA)
  • General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Foundations (AREA)
  • Conveying And Assembling Of Building Elements In Situ (AREA)

Description

TITLE: Outrigger system for transportation and installation of fixed foundation wind turbines
Field of the invention
The invention relates to an outrigger system for sea transportation and installation of an offshore fixed foundation wind turbines. The invention also relates to method, a vessel and a reversable friction lock.
Background of the invention
Currently, bottom-fixed offshore wind turbines are transported to site in multiple pieces that are subsequently assembled on foundations or monopiles. Tower sections, nacelle and blades are lifted in place by crane vessels and commissioned and tested after installation offshore. At windy offshore sites, the weather windows in which the tall crane operations can be performed are narrow.
Compared to other types of vessels crane vessels has high hourly rates of emission both associated with the actual crane operation and also during transportation to and from the sites. Crane vessels are not only needed during installation but also during decommissioning and can also be needed for performing heavy maintenance. Crane vessels will for a large part be redundant if the systems, vessel and method according to the invention is adopted. Thus, the invention will be a major contribution for reducing the CO2 footprint of a wind turbine during its lifecycle.
It is proposed solutions to the above-mentioned problems where all lifting operations in the assembly phase of the wind turbine are performed by stationary cranes at the harbour, which operates at a much lower cost. Weather conditions is also less of a challenge near the shore in a sheltered harbour.
Objects of the present invention
One or more of the following is an object of the invention:
- to reduce the emissions throughout the lifecycle of a fixed foundation wind turbine, - simplify the transportation and installation of fixed foundation wind turbines at sea or in lakes and similar,
- provide an outrigger system for transportation and installation of fixed foundation wind turbines at sea or in lakes or similar,
- provide a method for transportation and installation of fixed foundation wind turbines at sea or in lakes or similar,
- provide a vessel configured to transport fixed foundation wind turbines,
- provide an outrigger system which provides buoyancy and stability so that a transporting vessel can transport the wind turbine in an upright orientation at sea, - provide a method, system and/or vessels for transporting and installing fixed foundation wind turbines without the need for large lifting vessels,
Summary of the invention
In one aspect the invention relates to a outrigger system for sea transportation and installation of an offshore fixed foundation wind turbine. The system comprises:
- a frame arranged to be installed on a transporting vessel,
- a floating outrigger defining an aperture penetrating said outrigger from a top to a bottom, said aperture is shaped for releasably holding a transition piece of a wind turbine in an upright position,
- a hoisting system for lifting and lowering said wind turbine inside said aperture, and
- a ballast system for increasing and decreasing the buoyancy of the outrigger,
wherein the outrigger is arranged to be connected to the frame when the frame is installed on a vessel, said vessel is arranged to hold the outrigger system while the outrigger system is holding the wind turbine in an upright position, and
wherein said outrigger is arranged to be opened up to release said wind turbine from the aperture of said outrigger after installation of said wind turbine.
The hoisting system can be a rack and pinion system comprising at least one toothed rack connected to the transition piece and at least one pinion on the outrigger.
The outrigger can comprise an upper and a lower profile arranged to connect to a mating upper and lower profile on the frame when the outrigger is lowered at the same time as the profiles of the outrigger are horizontally aligned with the profiles of the frame.
The outrigger can comprise two half sections which is arranged to be releasably locked to each other and arranged to be moved apart to open said aperture for releasing the wind turbine.
The outrigger can further comprises a first and a second outrigger section configured so that they can be moved apart and towards each other using a separation rack and pinion system.
The separation rack and pinion system can comprise a toothed rack on the top of the frame and a pinion on each of the two outrigger sections so that the first and second outrigger section can slide along the frame apart from each other thereby opening the outrigger for releasing the wind turbine.
The first and the second outrigger section can be arranged to be locked to each other by means of two or more locking plugs extending from a locking plug hole in one of the outrigger sections into a corresponding locking plug hole in the other outrigger section, wherein the locking plug holes are substantially parallel to an interface between the outrigger sections, and wherein the interface has a step where the locking plug hole of the first and the second outrigger section is arranged to be aligned across.
The outrigger system further comprises a perforated plate that extends below the transport vessel and is configured to reduce the heave motion.
The outrigger system is suitable for use with a vessel selected from a list consisting of: ship, boat, barge and semisubmersible rig.
In another aspect the invention relates to a vessel for transportation and installation of offshore fixed foundation wind turbines. The vessel comprises the outrigger system as described above.
The type of vessel can be selected from a list consisting of ship, boat, barge and semisubmersible rig.
In yet another aspect the invention relates to a reversible friction lock for securing a wind turbine to a fixed foundation. The friction lock comprises a conical pin protruding upwards from a fixed foundation for a wind turbine and a mating internal conical surface at a lower end of a transition piece for a wind turbine.
The invention also relates to a method for transporting and installing an offshore fixed foundation wind turbine using an outrigger system. The method comprises the steps of:
- installing a frame on a transporting vessel, said transport vessel is arranged to hold and propel the outrigger system which is arranged to releasably hold the wind turbine,
- connecting the outrigger to the frame on the vessel,
- connecting the floating outrigger to the transition piece of the wind turbine while the wind turbine is resting on a fixed foundation, said outrigger defining an aperture penetrating said outrigger from a top to a bottom, said aperture is shaped for holding a transition piece of the wind turbine in an upright position, - lifting the wind turbine using the hoisting system for lifting and lowering said wind turbine inside said aperture, and at the same time adjusting the buoyancy of the outrigger to compensate for the weight of the wind turbine, - transporting the wind turbine to an installation location with a precommissioned fixed foundation,
- lowering the wind turbine down onto the fixed foundation, and
- release the wind turbine from the outrigger by opening up the aperture.
The method can further comprise the steps of:
- connecting the floating outrigger to the transition piece of the wind turbine while the wind turbine is resting on a fixed foundation where it was installed, and -lifting the wind turbine of the foundation using the hoisting system so it can be transported to shore for decommissioning or maintenance.
Description of the figures
Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following figures, wherein:
Figure 1 shows a vessel with two outriggers transporting two wind turbines. Figure 2 shows an outrigger holding a transition piece of a wind turbine.
Figure 3 shows one half section of an outrigger where the top is cut of.
Figure 4 and 5 shows in sequence and alternative method for connecting an outrigger to a frame. In this case the outrigger is first connected to the wind turbine.
Figure 6 shows an outrigger that is about to close around a transition piece. Figure 7 shows a vessel with two outrigger where one of them are carrying a wind turbine.
Figure 8 shows the vessel with two outriggers when it is about to connect a second wind turbine to the second outrigger
Figure 9 shows the vessel that is about to lift the second wind turbine of a fixed foundation.
Figure 10 – 12 shows an sequence of installing a wind turbine using the outrigger system.
Figure 13 and 14 shows details of the outrigger system up close.
Description of preferred embodiments of the invention
In a preferred embodiment the invention is an outrigger system 10 comprising a floating outrigger 11, and a frame 13 for installation on a transporting vessel 3. The outrigger 11 is configured to be connected to the frame 13. The outrigger 11 comprises a first 11.1 and a second 11.2 outrigger section. When the two outrigger sections 11.1, 11.2 are connected to each other they define an aperture 12 that penetrates the outrigger 11 from top to bottom. The aperture 12 is shaped so that the transition piece 2 of a wind turbine 1 will fit inside the aperture 12 and so that the outrigger 11 encloses the transition piece 2 and supports the wind turbine 1 in an upright position.
The outrigger 11 further comprises a hoisting system for lifting and lowering said wind turbine 1 inside the aperture 12. In a preferred embodiment the hoisting system comprises at least one, preferably four hoisting pinions 15 placed on the outrigger 11 around the aperture 12. The hoisting pinions 15 are arranged so that they each will engage one of the toothed hoisting racks 14 mounted on the transition piece 2 of the wind turbine 1. Thus, a wind turbine 1 can be lifted and lowered inside the aperture 12 using motors to drive the pinions 15.
The outrigger system 10 further comprises a ballast system that is arranged to adjust the buoyancy of the outrigger 11. The ballast system is not visible in the figures. The ballast system can be placed fully or partly on the vessel/frame 3/13 or on the outrigger 11. The ballast system is needed to adjust the buoyancy of the outrigger to equalize for the weight of the wind turbine 1 when a wind turbine is carried by the outrigger 11. It is not the intention to transfer the weight of the wind turbine 1 to the transport vessel 3. The wind turbine 1 is carried by the buoyancy of the outrigger 11. Further adjusting the buoyancy is also be needed when connecting or detaching the outrigger to and from the frame 13 on the vessel 3.
As mention the outrigger 11 is adapted to be connected to the frame 13 when the frame 13 is installed on a vessel 3. One possible method for doing this is building the outrigger 11 in a dry dock and when it is set afloat it is filled with ballast water equivalent to slightly less than the weight of the wind turbine 1 it is to carry. The outrigger 11 will then float slightly higher in the water than what it is intended to when carrying the wind turbine 1. The outrigger can then be positioned next to the transporting vessel 3 for connection to the frame 13. To position the outrigger a stationary crane on the quay can be used.
The outrigger is positioned so that an upper 21 and a lower 22 profile on the outrigger 11 is aligned with mating upper 23 and lower 24 profiles on the frame 13. Then the outrigger 11 is lowered down onto the frame 13 by pumping more ballast water into the outrigger 11. The outrigger 11 is lowered down so that the profiles 21, 22 on the outrigger 11 rests on the mating profiles 23, 24 on the frame 13. The outrigger 11 can further be secured to the frame 13 by securing a transvers beam across the part of the outrigger 11 extending onto the frame 13 (as seen in Fig 13 and 14) to prevent the profiles 21, 22 of the outrigger 11 to be lifted off the frame 13.
An alternative to building the outrigger 11 in a dry dock is to build it in two or more sections 11.1, 11.2 on a quay. The sections 11.1, 11.2 are either lifted directly into the frame 13 or lifted into the water and floated into the frame 13. The sections 11.1, 11.2 can be filled with ballast water on the quay or after entering the water. If each of the two horizontally separable sections 11.1, 11.2 of the outrigger 11 is built in subsections, these subsections must be joined firmly after they are lifted into the water or lifted directly into the frame 13. Local condition, stability and available crane lifting capacity must be taken into account when choosing the exact method.
The first 11.1 and the second 11.2 outrigger section can be locked to each other using locking plugs 16. The sides of the first 11.1 and second 11.2 outrigger section can have a mating profile with a step 11.4 as seen in Fig.6, 7 and 8. The interface 11.3 between the two sections 11.1 and 11.2 is seen in Fig.9. The interface 11.3 is a vertical line about 90° relative to the surface of the water. The otherwise vertical line 11.3 is interrupted by a step 11.4 since the first 11.1 and the second 11.2 outrigger section is horizontally overlapping each other partly. In Fig.3 the first outrigger section 11.1 is seen in a sectional view. Two empty locking plug holes 17 is seen (Fig.3) and two locking plugs is seen protruding up from two locking plug holes to illustrate the locking mechanism. The plugs 16 are held in place by gravity and can be lifted up by hoisting winches 18 to unlock the two outrigger sections 11.1, 11.2 from each other.
The first and the second outrigger sections 11.1, 11.2 are arranged so that they can be moved apart from each other when not locked together by the locking plugs 16. This is done by another rack and pinion system, where a toothed separation rack 20 is arranged on top of the frame 13 and one motor driven separation pinion 19 is arranged on each outrigger section 11.1, 11.2. The pinions 19 is arranged to engage the toothed separation rack 20. The pinions 19 can then skid the outrigger sections 11.1, 11.2 along the frame 13 along the side of the transport vessel 3 to open up or close the aperture 12 to release or hold a wind turbine 1.
The outrigger system 10 comprises in a preferred embodiment one outrigger 11, on each side of the vessel 3 as seen in the figures. However, the system 10 will also work with one outrigger 11. If only one outrigger is to be used, the size of the single outrigger need to be increased so much that it might be unpractical. More than one outrigger 11 on one or both sides of the vessel 3 can also be used. The number of outriggers 11 and the placement of them relative to the vessel 3 will depend on the type of vessel 3 used.
The increased stability of the vessel 3 when equipped with the outrigger system 10 is what enables the transportation of the wind turbines 1 in the upright position. The ability to transport the wind turbines 1 in the upright position is commercially and environmentally advantageous since it eliminates the need for large crane vessels during the installation, decommissioning and maintenance of the wind turbines 1.
A vessel such as a ship will when equipped with the outrigger system 10 due to the geometry of the overall system (vessel with outrigger system) see a shift up of the metacenter. This is associated with an increase in initial stability against overturning and a longer roll period. The shift height of the metacenter is sufficient to compensate for the shift of the center of gravity of the system when wind turbine(s) 1 which are top heavy are introduced as cargo.
For a vessel the roll motion during transport to site is critical. Figure 1 shows a ship with two turbines attached. An outrigger 11 carrying a wind turbine 11 will have a negative metacentric height, unless the depth or surface piercing area of the outrigger is impractically large. This follows since the high center of gravity of the wind turbine 1 cannot be countered by ballast without losing the buoyancy of the outrigger 11. Thus, the center of gravity of wind turbine 1 plus outrigger 11 is above the buoyancy center of the outrigger 11, and a positive metacentric height can only be obtained by increasing the second moment of the surface piercing area of the outrigger 11. However, when one or two outriggers 11 are attached to the sides of the ship, a combined positive transverse metacentric height can be obtained by practically sized outriggers. This follows from Steiner’s parallel axis theorem; the second area moment gets a substantial addition equal to the square of the distance from the buoyance center of each outrigger 11 to the longitudinal axis of the vessel 3 multiplied by the surface piercing area of each outrigger 11. According to the same theorem, the outriggers 11 also add to the roll inertia moment and the pitch inertia moment. The addition to the pitch inertia moment is however minor in comparison when the outriggers 11 are placed midship as in the preferred embodiment showed in the figures.
To reduce heave motion and further increase the stability of the overall system (vessel with outrigger(s)) the outrigger system 10 can comprise a perforated plate 25 placed below the vessel 3 extending from one side to an opposite side of the vessel 3. The perforated plate 25 can in a preferred embodiment be a part of the frame 13 as seen in Fig.4 and 5. Reduction of the heave motion is particular important during the installation phase.
The vessel 3 to be used is preferably a ship, but other vessels 3 such as semisubmersible rigs similar to drilling rigs or barges either self-propelled or for towing can be used. The outrigger system 10 will preferably be adapted for the particular vessel 3 that it is intended to be used with. In particular the frame 13 will need to be adapted.
The wind turbine 1 is to be installed on a fixed foundation 4 that is preinstalled at the installation site. This fixed foundation 4 comprises a pin protruding up from the seafloor which the hollow lower end of the wind turbine 1 is lowered down onto. The protruding pin is conical. Gravity will force the hollow lower end of the wind turbine 1 onto the protruding pin. The mating conical surfaces of the pin and the hollow bottom end of the wind turbine 1 will act as a friction lock securing the wind turbine 1 to the foundation. The hoisting system 14, 15 of the outrigger 11 is used to gently lower the wind turbine 1 onto the protruding pin of the fixed foundation 4. The friction lock is reversable, so that the outrigger system 10 can be used to later lift the wind turbine 1 off the foundation 4.
In another aspect the invention relates to a method. In the following a preferred method for transporting and installation will be described in detail. The method comprises the following steps.
Preparing for the transportation and installation by:
- assembling a wind turbine 1 on a fixed foundation 4 preferably in sheltered water near a quay,
- installing a frame 13 on a transporting vessel 3 (obviously, the installation of the frame 13 on the vessel 3 can be done at any time prior to connecting the outrigger 11 to the frame 13), and
- building an outrigger 11 in a dry dock and when it is set afloat fil it with ballast water equivalent to slightly less than the weight of the wind turbine 1 it is to carry (he outrigger 11 will then float slightly higher in the water than what it is intended to when carrying the wind turbine 1).
Further the outrigger 11 needs to be connected to the frame 13 on the vessel 3 This is preferably done by:
- positioning the vessel 3 with the frame 13 so that the outrigger 11 can be lowered down onto the frame 13. The outrigger is lowered in the water by pumping in more ballast water. Upper 21 and lower 22 profiles on the outrigger is hung of on mating upper 23 and lower 24 profiles on the frame 13. Next the outrigger 11 needs to be connected to the wind turbine 1. This can be done by:
- separating the two outrigger sections 11.1, 11.2 using the separation pinions 19 and separation rack 20,
- positioning the two outrigger sections 11.1, 11.2 around the transition piece 2 and closing the outrigger 11.
The outrigger 11 is now secured to the vessel 3 via the frame 13, and the outrigger 11 is holding and supporting the wind turbine 1. The wind turbine 1 can then be freed from the fixed foundation used for assembly purposes and can be transported to the installation site. This is preferably done by:
- lifting the wind turbine 1 of the fixed foundation 4 using the hoisting system 14, 15, and simultaneously adjust the buoyancy of the outrigger 11 using the ballast system to compensate for the weight of the wind turbine 1 that is transferred from the fixed foundation to the outrigger 11,
- transporting the wind turbine 1 to the installation site propelled by the transporting vessel 3.
At the installation site a fixed foundation 4 is preinstalled at the seafloor (see Fig.10, 11 and 12). The fixed foundation 4 comprises an upward protruding pin, shaped to fit the inner surface of the transition piece 2 of the wind turbine 1. The pin is conical and is configured to fit into the bottom of the transition piece 2. The conical pin makes it easier to guide the wind turbine 1 onto the pin and more importantly it enables the friction lock (since the angel is so small it is not possible to see from the figures that the pin is conical). The installation is done by:
- positioning the wind turbine 1 held by the outrigger 11 above the pin of the fixed foundation 4,
- lower the wind turbine 1 down onto the pin, using the hoisting system 14, 15. , The weight of the wind turbine 1 will press the wind turbine 1 onto the pin, and it will be locked by friction (friction lock). To gain additional weight to force the transition piece 2 onto the conical protruding pin the hoisting system 14, 15 can be used to slightly lift the outrigger 11 up along the transition piece 2.
The wind turbine 1 is now installed on the fixed foundation 4 and can be freed from the outrigger 11. This is preferably done by:
- adjusting the buoyancy of the outrigger 11 before freeing the outrigger 11 from the wind turbine 1
- unlocking the first 11.1 and the second 11.2 outrigger section from each other by hoisting the locking plugs 16 up from the locking plug holes 17 using the hoisting winches 18, the locking plugs 16 must be hoisted up so that they do not extend into the opposite outrigger section,
- separating the first 11.1 and the second 11.2 outrigger section from each other, using the separation pinions 19 that engages the separation rack 20, and
- moving the vessel 3 with the outrigger system 10 away from the wind turbine 1, so that the wind turbine 1 is out of the aperture 12 of the outrigger 11. The wind turbine 1 is now free from the outrigger 11 and the vessel 3 with the outrigger system 10 can continue to install the next wind turbine 1 if carrying more than one wind turbine 1 or return to shore to pick up another wind turbine 1.
Now when one or more outrigger(s) 11 are connected to the frame 13 on the vessel 3 the connection of the next wind turbine 1 for transportation can be done by:
- opening up the aperture 12 of the outrigger 11 by separating the first 11.1 and the second 11.2 outrigger section from each other (as described above), - positioning the vessel 3 with the outrigger system 10 so that the outrigger 11 when closed encloses the transition piece 2,
- close the outrigger 11 by using the separation pinions 19 engaged with the separation rack 20 in reverse to skid the first 11.1 and the second 11.2 outrigger sections together along the frame 13, and
- lock the first 11.1 and the second 11.2 outrigger sections to each other by lowering down the locking plugs 16 into the locking plugs holes 17 until they reach a restriction or a bottom of the hole 17 and extends from the first 11.1 to the second 11.2 outrigger section.
The method will be similar for decommissioning, replacement of a wind turbine 1 or for transporting a wind turbine 1 to shore for heavy maintenance. The wind turbine 1 will then be lifted of the fixed foundation and released from the friction lock by hoisting it up using the hoisting system (14, 15).
An alternative method for connecting a outrigger 11 to the vessel 3 is to connect the outrigger 11 to the transition piece 2 of the wind turbine 1 before it is connected to the frame 13. This can be done as part of the commissioning of the wind turbine 1. The wind turbine 1 will typically be assembled on a fixed foundation 4 at the seafloor next to a quay in sheltered water. The floating outrigger 11 can be moved in place and secured around the wind turbine 1 by separating the two outrigger sections 11.1, 11.2 and connecting them again with the transition piece 2 in between the outrigger sections 11.1, 11.2.
After the outrigger 11 is in place enclosing the transition piece 2 it can be lifted slightly using the hoisting system 14, 15 of the outrigger 11. Then the transportation vessel 3 can be positioned next to the outrigger 11 for connecting the outrigger to the frame 13. The outrigger 11 is connected to the frame 13 by positioning the vessel 3 and the outrigger 11 so that an upper 21 and a lower 22 profile on the outrigger 11 is aligned with mating upper 23 and lower 24 profiles on the frame 13. Then the outrigger 11 is lowered down onto the frame using the hoisting system 14, 15. The outrigger 11 is lowered down so that the profiles 21, 22 on the outrigger 11 rests on the mating profiles 23, 24 on the frame 13. The process of connecting the outrigger 11 to the frame 13 is seen in two steps in fig.4 and 5. In Fig 4 the vessel 3 is about to be positioned so that the profiles 21, 22, 23, 24 is in position and in Fig.5 the outrigger 11 is connected to the vessel 3.

Claims (14)

Claims
1. Outrigger system (10) for sea transportation and installation of an offshore fixed foundation wind turbine (1), the system comprises:
- a frame (13) arranged to be installed on a transporting vessel (3),
- a floating outrigger (11) defining an aperture (12) penetrating said outrigger (11) from a top to a bottom, said aperture (12) is shaped for releasably holding a transition piece (2) of a wind turbine (1) in an upright position,
- a hoisting system (14, 15) for lifting and lowering said wind turbine (1) inside said aperture (12), and
- a ballast system for increasing and decreasing the buoyancy of the outrigger (11),
wherein the outrigger (11) is arranged to be connected to the frame (13) when the frame (13) is installed on a vessel (3), said vessel (3) is arranged to hold the outrigger system (10) while the outrigger system (10) is holding the wind turbine (1) in an upright position, and
wherein said outrigger (11) is arranged to be opened up to release said wind turbine (1) from the aperture (12) of said outrigger (11) after installation of said wind turbine (1).
2. Outrigger system (10) according to claim 1, wherein the hoisting system (14, 15) is a rack and pinion system comprises at least one toothed rack (14) connected to the transition piece (2) and at least one pinion (15) on the outrigger (11).
3. Outrigger system (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the outrigger (11) comprises an upper (21) and a lower profile (22) arranged to connect to a mating upper (23) and lower profile (24) on the frame (13) when the outrigger is lowered at the same time as the profiles of the outrigger (21, 22) are horizontally aligned with the profiles of the frame (23, 24).
4. Outrigger system (10) according to any preceding claim, wherein the outrigger (11) comprises two half sections (11.1, 11.2) which is arranged to be releasably locked to each other and arranged to be moved apart to open said aperture (12) for releasing the wind turbine (1).
5. Outrigger system (10) according to claim 4, wherein the outrigger (11) further comprises a first (11.1) and a second outrigger section (11.2) configured so that they can be moved apart and towards each other using a separation rack and pinion system (19, 20).
6. Outrigger system (10) according to claim 5, wherein the separation rack and pinion system (19, 20) comprises a toothed rack (20) on the top of the frame (13) and a pinion (19) on each of the two outrigger sections (11.1, 11.2) so that the first (11.1) and second outrigger section (11.2) can slide along the frame (13) apart from each other thereby opening the outrigger (11) for releasing the wind turbine (1).
7. Outrigger system (10) according any of the previous claims, wherein the first (11.1) and the second outrigger section (11.2) is arranged to be locked to each other by means of two or more locking plugs (16) extending from a locking plug hole (17) in one of the outrigger sections (11.1 or 11.2) into a corresponding locking plug hole (17) in the other outrigger section (11.1 or 11.2), wherein the locking plug holes (17) are substantially parallel to an interface (11.3) between the outrigger sections (11.1, 11.2), and wherein the interface (11.3) has a step (11.4) where the locking plug hole (17) of the first (11.1) and the second outrigger section (11.2) is arranged to be aligned across.
8. Outrigger system (10) according any of the previous claims, wherein the outrigger system (10) further comprises a perforated plate (25) that extends below the transport vessel (3) and is configured to reduce the heave motion.
9. Outrigger system (10) according any of the previous claims, wherein the outrigger system is suitable for use with a vessel selected from a list consisting of: ship, boat, barge and semisubmersible rig.
10. Vessel (3) for transportation and installation of offshore fixed foundation wind turbines (1), wherein the vessel (3) comprises the outrigger system (10) according to any of the preceding claims.
11. Vessel according to claim 9 wherein the type of vessel is selected from a list consisting of ship, boat, barge and semisubmersible rig.
12. A reversible friction lock for securing a wind turbine to a fixed foundation, wherein the friction lock comprises a conical pin protruding upwards from a fixed foundation (4) for a wind turbine (1) and a mating internal conical surface at a lower end of a transition piece (2) for a wind turbine (1).
13. A method for transporting and installing an offshore fixed foundation wind turbine (1) using an outrigger system (10), the method comprises the steps of:
- installing a frame (13) on a transporting vessel (3), said transport vessel (3) is arranged to hold and propel the outrigger system (10) which is arranged to releasably hold the wind turbine (1),
- connecting the outrigger (11) to the frame (12) on the vessel (3),
- connecting the floating outrigger (11) to the transition piece (2) of the wind turbine (1) while the wind turbine is resting on a fixed foundation, said outrigger (11) defining an aperture (12) penetrating said outrigger (11) from a top to a bottom, said aperture (12) is shaped for holding a transition piece (2) of the wind turbine (1) in an upright position,
- lifting the wind turbine (1) using the hoisting system (14, 15) for lifting and lowering said wind turbine (1) inside said aperture (12), and at the same time adjusting the buoyancy of the outrigger (11) to compensate for the weight of the wind turbine (1),
- transporting the wind turbine (1) to an installation location with a precommissioned fixed foundation (4),
- lowering the wind turbine (1) down onto the fixed foundation (4), and - release the wind turbine (1) from the outrigger (11) by opening up the aperture.
14. Method according to claim 14, wherein the method further comprises:
- connecting the floating outrigger (11) to the transition piece (2) of the wind turbine (1) while the wind turbine (1) is resting on a fixed foundation (4) where it was installed, and
-lifting the wind turbine (1) of the foundation (4) using the hoisting system (14, 15) so it can be transported to shore for decommissioning or maintenance.
NO20210396A 2021-03-26 2021-03-26 Outrigger system for transportation and installation of fixed foundation wind turbines NO20210396A1 (en)

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PCT/NO2022/050073 WO2022203518A1 (en) 2021-03-26 2022-03-25 Outrigger system for transportation and installation of fixed foundation wind turbines

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2022235231A1 (en) 2021-05-01 2022-11-10 Realkom Tekstil Urunleri Sanayi Pazarlama Ve Dis Ticaret Anonim Sirketi A new industrial washing system

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CN102107720A (en) * 2011-01-14 2011-06-29 上海交通大学 Marine fan integrated setting system
CN103807116A (en) * 2014-01-31 2014-05-21 中交一航局第二工程有限公司 Inhaul cable jack lifting type offshore wind power generation set installing device and construction method
KR20160016390A (en) * 2014-08-05 2016-02-15 이레엔지니어링(주) Ship for installing wind power generator
CN106014874B (en) * 2016-06-30 2019-10-22 海阳中集来福士海洋工程有限公司 The installation method of offshore wind turbine

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN102107720A (en) * 2011-01-14 2011-06-29 上海交通大学 Marine fan integrated setting system
CN103807116A (en) * 2014-01-31 2014-05-21 中交一航局第二工程有限公司 Inhaul cable jack lifting type offshore wind power generation set installing device and construction method
KR20160016390A (en) * 2014-08-05 2016-02-15 이레엔지니어링(주) Ship for installing wind power generator
CN106014874B (en) * 2016-06-30 2019-10-22 海阳中集来福士海洋工程有限公司 The installation method of offshore wind turbine

Cited By (1)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2022235231A1 (en) 2021-05-01 2022-11-10 Realkom Tekstil Urunleri Sanayi Pazarlama Ve Dis Ticaret Anonim Sirketi A new industrial washing system

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