SE1200769A1 - mooring buoy - Google Patents

Abstract

SUMMARY A buoy anchored to shafts for anchoring in a floating vessel having a first electrical cable (9) comprising a hollow cylindrical body (1) with a mechanical anchoring device (5) and a slack ring device (4) having a ring portion (15) and a brush part (16) for high power transmission. The mechanical anchoring device comprises a belt (6) mounted around the buoy, and the slack ring device comprises an annular diving bell construction (17).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to anchoring a floating industrial plant to 5 hays. More particularly, the invention relates to a buoy for anchoring a floating industrial plant to hays. The invention relates in particular to an anchoring buoy for a floating wind turbine system. The invention relates in particular to a mooring buoy with a slack ring device for transferring high-voltage electrical power from a floating vessel to a stationary structure or vice versa.

A slap ring device comprises a stationary part and a movable part. One of the parts comprises one or more electrically conductive rings and the other part comprises an arrangement of an equal number of brushes in contact with the rings. The brush device may comprise a plurality of subsequent sets of brushes. Thus, either the ring part or the brush part can be the stationary part or the rotating part.

With high voltage in this context, 12 to 36 kV must be produced. Normally, a power plant generates approximately 6 MW, which indicates that the slip ring device NV must be designed to transmit 100 to 300 A or. more. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Floating vessels with power generation capacity are used as a power source for equipment for sharks. Such vessels also include floating wind turbines used for electric power generation. The vessel may be anchored at a buoy. A cable is then laid from the buoy to the stable where power is needed. Winds and tides cause the floating vessel to turn in the direction of the wind around the buoy, which is fixed by mooring means at the seabed. For this reason, an electric swivel is required to transmit power generated on the vessel to a non-rotating cable. A sleeper ring device may be mounted in an anchored buoy and used to transfer power from a floating power generation vessel to a hays installation. An underwater cable is used to connect the slip ring to the installation. The slap ring acts as an electric swivel to finally turn the floating vessel against the wind direction around the buoy, which may be necessary. The slip ring guides a plurality of high voltage phases through an open stack of rings to spaced apart brushes connected to the submarine cable. Since the weathering is harsh and the swivel can be flooded by water, the ring and brush device need to be protected from penetrating water.

According to a known slap ring device, the ring part and the brush part are placed in a container. Insulating oil then completely fills the container in which the ring stack is placed. The oil has an estimate voltage that is more than four times greater than the estimate voltage for air. As a result, the device can have smaller dimensions than what would otherwise be required. The insulating oil can be sampled, filtered and replaced without emptying the container. Access gates and display windows may allow additional maintenance to be carried out on the ring without even removing the outer surrounding house. In addition to the larger sleeper device, a larger volume of oil is needed.

A prior art high voltage swivel structure includes an annular outer member defining a cylindrical chamber about a longitudinal axis and an inner cylindrical member coaxially with the outer member and rotatable relative to the outer member about said longitudinal axis. The inner and outer elements each comprise two axially separated conductors which are rotatable with the inner and outer elements. The conductors form 25 two pairs placed with contact surfaces in the inboard electrical contact. A conductor in the habit pair is arranged at the inner element. The second conductor is arranged at the outer element and is connected to a respective voltage line. The voltage lines stack to an input terminal and an output terminal, respectively. The conductors are surrounded by an insulating material.

By US 4252388 a high power slapping device for transferring high buckets is three phase power to hays previously known. The slap ring device comprises a slap ring mounted in a buoy for power transmission from a power generating vessel to an installation for hays. After a ship anchored at the buoy can turn towards the wind direction 3 around the buoy in response to wind and gusts. The conductors of the inner element, a rotor, are formed in annular plates mounted on a central frame of the dielectric support bracket, alternatively with washer-like dielectric barriers. The conductors of the outer element, a stator, consist of carbon brushes mounted in brush holders and are in contact with the conductive copper rings of the rotor contacts. The opening stack allows high dielectric insulating oil to circulate through the stack, allowing smaller dimensions compared to air used as a dielectric medium. US 7137822 discloses a high voltage swivel formerly known, the spirit of which is to provide a high voltage swivel with a compact and reliable construction which can be operated at relatively high voltages. In this case, the high voltage swivel comprises the electrical contacts of the outer element arranged in a recess in an annular solid outer insulating ring. By using solid insulating material in the form of insulating rings, on the electrical contacts are possible, such as voltages up to 33 kV at a ground current of 395 A, for example. As a result, reduced throbbing of the insulating material through particles is achieved as a result of wear of the electrical contacts, so that the insulating properties are maintained during the life of the swivel.

In one embodiment, the conductors at the outer and inner members include annular contact surfaces. By using annular contact surfaces, instead of known carbon brushes, contamination of dielectric oil in the swivel, which can be used within, for example, 11 kV, can be avoided. Dielectric oil protected flan overpressure, Overtemperature and lacquer via the Outhtiolz Relay unit which includes a compensation bellows to prevent thermally induced expansion and contraction of the dielectric oil. The present swivel is suitable for high voltages, such as 33 kV for currents of 395 A or higher.

US 6294844 is an artificial wind turbine comprising a framework on several platforms previously known. Each platform is connected to a rotatable raft 4 with the help of a bearing. A connecting piece is connected, via a bearing, to an anchored raft. The raft is anchored to the hay or seabed bottom through a number of anchoring cables. The connecting piece can rotate freely, via bearings, with respect to the said branched raft.

The wind generator system refers to a system for converting wind energy into electrical energy. The plant comprises several wind turbines provided with blades which rotate about a substantially horizontal axis. The shoulder was carried by bearings in a gondola. The gondola also houses an electric generator. The horizontal axes 10 extend substantially parallel to each other in such a way that said blade rotates in a substantially common plane. Floating bodies are attached to the framework and are intended to keep the Installation afloat.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A primary object of the present invention is to teach those skilled in the art to improve a mooring buoy which provides an underwater connection for floating vessels.

This object is achieved according to the invention in a buoy can be characterized by the features of the independent feature thereof, a method can be characterized by the steps in the independent claim 8. Preferred embodiments are described in the dependent claims.

According to the invention, the anchoring buoy comprises a slack ring device housed in an air pocket created by a diving bell construction. The diving bell construction comprises an aerated chamber which is only open at the bottom. When immersed in water, a volume of air will be trapped in the chamber, which thus prevents water from entering the chamber. The slap ring part is held by insulators in the upper part of the air pocket and the brush part projects into the air pocket from the bottom tip. The 30 electrical components inside the chamber are thus insulated by air.

In a form of construction of the reinforcement window, the wall chamber, such as the wall pocket, is shaped like a ring structure, after the anchoring buoy. The annular chamber includes an inner cradle, an outer cradle and a roof. The inner cradle includes part of the outer side of the buoy. The outer cradle includes a stable skirt pine attached to the buoy through the annular roof. Thus, the inner cradle and the outer cradle and the roof form a circular air pocket around the buoy. In one embodiment, a slap ring for the usual phase of electrical power is held by insulators at the upper part of the air pocket. The slip rings are connected to an electrical cable that is led to the inner part of the buoy through an aerated passage. The brush part is fixed to a belt construction below the ring fountain Tiada, the core. The belt is stored around the buoy and includes arrangements for the ship.

In one embodiment, the anchoring buoy is attached to the seabed by anchoring means. At least three anchor cables are fixed at anchorage points around the buoy just below the belt. In one embodiment, the buoy has air injectors with the aid of which the buoy can be raised or sunk in the sea. In a anchoring situation, the buoy can be raised in the water so that the belt is positioned above sea level. The floating vessel can then be easily mechanically and electrically anchored at the buoy. After the floating vessel is mechanically anchored to the buoy, the electrical cable from the vessel can be connected to the brush part of the belt through a watertight coupling device. In one embodiment, the brush part forms part of the vessel's anchoring equipment and is raised to contact with the slack rings in the chamber.

L); 'ft4'1 "laWf., 61i; According to a third aspect alruptifirirlinti541ippnas is formed by a buoy anchored to hays kir for the mooring of a floating vessel having an electric cable. The buoy comprises a hollow cylindrical body with a mechanical anchoring device 25 and a The mechanical anchoring device comprises a belt part which is mounted around a buoy and the slapping ring device comprises an annular diving bell construction. In an embodiment of the invention the ring part is fixed inside the diving bell structure and the brush part is fixed to the buoy ring part. In an embodiment, the ring part comprises a plurality of slack rings and the brush part comprises an equal number of brushes. In an embodiment the annular diver bell construction comprises an inner cradle, an outer cradle and a roof part. 6 In one embodiment the inner part comprises 'xiaggen cradle to the n cylindrical buoy, the roof comprises a flat ring attached to the outer surface of the buoy and the outer cradle comprises a stable skirt which hangs down from the roof part. In one embodiment, an electrical cable from the vessel is connected through a watertight contact device on the girdle and the electrical cable attached to the ring member passes through the inner cradle of the diving bell structure through a watertight passage. In one embodiment, the brush member comprises a plurality of subsequent parallel brushes. According to a second aspect of the invention, the breathing needle is obtained by a method for anchoring a floating vessel having an electric cable for high-span power transmission to a buoy with a hollow cylindrical body with a mechanical anchoring device and a slack ring device having a ring part and brush part. The procedure involved arranging an annular diving bell structure around the buoy to enclose the sleeper ring device, anchor the vessel to the buoy through a belt stored around the buoy, and connect the cable to the sleeper ring device. In one embodiment, the arrangement of the annular diving bell structure comprises forming a waterproof chamber of an inner rock, an outer rock and a roof portion, enclosing the slack ring assembly by fixing the ring portion within the diving bell structure and fixing the brush portion to the belt, and arranging the brush portion therein. the diving bell construction from below to get in touch with the slack rings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with k: j; attached drawings, in which Fig. 1 is an anchoring buoy with a mechanical anchoring device and a slack ring device according to the invention Fig. 2 is a cross section of a slack ring device according to the invention, and Fig. 3 is a three-dimensional part of a sacrificial shape of the anchoring buoy. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A buoy according to the invention is shown in Fig. 1. The buoy comprises a hollow body 1 with a cylindrical cross section. The buoy is anchored to the seabed with four anchoring cables 2. In the embodiment shown, three anchoring cables are connected with an equal number of anchoring ports 3. The buoy further comprises a slack ring device 4 and an anchoring device 5. Anchoring device comprises a belt 6 mounted on the buoy. The girdle provides an andlOs rotation of an anchored vessel around the buoy. In the embodiment shown, the belt comprises two pins 7.for connecting a mooring arm 8 from the ship. A first high power cable 9 from the ship is connected to the slack ring device by a contact device (not shown). From the sleeper, the power is transmitted through a second high power cable 10, the second spirit of which is connected to an onshore installation. In the embodiment shown, the buoy comprises a platform 11 for work spaces or landing of a helicopter. In normal condition, the water level is W Over the anchoring device and the slapping ring device. In the normal position, therefore, both the anchoring device and the slapping ring device are placed under the water.

The buoy arrangement uses a 60. factual fact that an underwater anchorage of a floating vessel results in a more stable combustion of the vessel. The sea waves rise 20 and sink otherwise the bow has the ship in an unintentional way. Through an underwater anchorage, the vagoma has less influence on the ship's movement. When a ship is to be anchored, the buoy is raised first by pumping air into the hollow body so that the anchoring device is located above sea level. The anchoring arm and the first cable are connected by work performed on the water surface. The buoy then sank down to the sift working position by gently relaxing air from the hollow body.

The sleeping ring device is shown in cross section in Fig. 2. The sleeping ring device comprises an annular part 15 and a brush part 16 housed in an annular diving bell construction 17. In the embodiment shown, the diving bell construction forms a waterproof chamber 18 comprising an inner rock 19, an outer rock 20 and an annular roof 21. The inner cradle and the 'denjyttrewdg§en' form an annular opening 22 which is water down. The brush part comprises three brushes fixed by a solid insulator to a bristle ring 23. The bristle ring is mounted around the cylindrical surface of the buoy and connected to the anchoring device by a carrier. The brushes are connected to a first high voltage cable 9. In the embodiment shown, the first cable comprises three phases. However, no number of phases can be present in the sleeper device. The ring part comprises ten slack rings attached through busbars to an insulator 24 attached to the cradle of the buoy. [so! atom is formed with an insulated four-pin, rnorn.yaggen to the inside of the buoy and through which the slack rings are connected to the second high-voltage cable 9.

When immersed in the sea, the seawater thickens and penetrates through the opening 22 to 10 the water-tight chamber 18 of the slack ring device. An air pocket 25 will often be enclosed by the water-tight chamber and prevent the water from penetrating. Due to gas compression, the water 26 will rise again to a certain level 27 inside the chamber, but most of the chamber will be air filled. Even if the slap ring device sank into the sea at equally great depths, the diving bell construction will prevent water from entering the water-tight chamber. The electrical components in the chamber will thus be air-insulated from each other. In response to the hay: the buoy can tilt and water can penetrate into the chamber .... r0q9, tWapkqitqencmattikonstruct the outer and inner t ... „20 cradle of the chamber djuOdre 'kdinhiersadanwater intrusion to Prevent.

As a precautionary measure, an air inlet 28 can be inserted through which fresh air is forced into the chamber.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 3, the first high-voltage cable is attached to the belt 6 of the anchoring device 5. In this embodiment there are no contact devices. The first cable carried in its spirit several brushes. These brushes are inserted into the chamber at anchorage. The brush ring 23 in this embodiment is connected to the belt by a carrier arm 29. In one embodiment, the dimension of the buoy is about four meters in diameter. The anchoring cables are made of: corrugated plastic or carbon fiber. The anchoring cables can be in large order. This example is the annular waterproof carinat 'ratchet device as a corridor of about 12 meters in length.

The scope of the invention is not limited to the described embodiments, even if these are advantageous, but also contains embodiments obvious to a person skilled in the art. For example, the brush part may comprise a number of subsequent brushes for securing a sufficient resistance path of the contact path through the slapping ring device. The brush holder may include a plurality of shots to minimize water intrusion into the chamber when the buoy is tilted. The outer cradle of the chamber may comprise a rubber skirt instead of a metal plate. The diving bell construction can be made of any formable material such as metal, rubber or plastic.

Claims (10)

PATENT REQUIREMENTS A buoy anchored to shafts for anchoring a floating vessel having a first electrical cable (9) comprising a hollow cylindrical body (1) with a mechanical anchoring device (5) and a slack ring device (4) having a ring part (15) and a brush part (16) for high-tension power transmission, characterized in that the mechanical anchoring device comprises a belt part (6) mounted around the buoy, and the sleeper ring device comprises an annular diving bell construction (17). The buoy according to claim 1, wherein the ring part is fixed inside the diving bell construction and the brush part is fixed to the belt part and projects into the diving bell construction from below. The buoy of claim 1 or 2, wherein the ring portion comprises a plurality of slack rings and the brush portion comprises an equal number of brushes. The buoy according to nagotiaMpTeg00: patentkray, wherein the annular diving bell construction comprises an inner cradle (19), an outer cradle (20) and a roof part (21). The buoy of claim 4, wherein the inner cradle comprises the cradle of the cylindrical buoy (1), the roof comprises a flat ring attached to the outer surface of the buoy and wherein the outer cradle comprises a stable skirt (20) hanging down from the roof portion . The buoy according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first electrical cable (9) from the vessel is connected by a watertight contact device on the belt and a second electrical cable (10) connected to the ring portion passes through the inner cradle of the diving bell structure through a buoy. waterproof insulator (24). .v19, xo.t1,4: The buoy according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the brush part comprises a plurality of subsequent parallel brushes. 11 A method of anchoring a floating vessel having a first electric cable (9) for high voltage power transmission to a buoy having a hollow cylindrical body (1) with a mechanical anchoring device (5) and a slack ring device (4) having a ring portion ( 15) and a brush part (16), can be drawn, arranged around the buoy, an annular diving bell construction (17) for enclosing the slack ring device, anchoring the vessel to the buoy through a belt (6) mounted around the buoy, and connecting the cable to the slack ring device. A method according to claim 8, wherein the arrangement of the annular diving bell construction comprises, af forming a waterproof chamber (18) of an inner cradle (19), an outer cradle (20) and a roof portion (21), enclosing the slap ring device by fixing the ring part inside the watertight chamber and fix the brush part to the belt part, and to arrange so that the brush part projects into the chamber from below to come into contact with the sieve rings. Use of a buoy according to any one of claims 1 to 7 or a method according to claim 7 or 8'foristiraikHflittende wind power plant in shallow water. 1/2 11