WO2013068410A1 - Installation de structures sous l'eau - Google Patents

Installation de structures sous l'eau Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2013068410A1
WO2013068410A1 PCT/EP2012/072044 EP2012072044W WO2013068410A1 WO 2013068410 A1 WO2013068410 A1 WO 2013068410A1 EP 2012072044 W EP2012072044 W EP 2012072044W WO 2013068410 A1 WO2013068410 A1 WO 2013068410A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
vessel
bed
installing
tether
water
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2012/072044
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
James Sheppard
Original Assignee
Tidal Generation Limited
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Tidal Generation Limited filed Critical Tidal Generation Limited
Publication of WO2013068410A1 publication Critical patent/WO2013068410A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02D—FOUNDATIONS; EXCAVATIONS; EMBANKMENTS; UNDERGROUND OR UNDERWATER STRUCTURES
    • E02D13/00—Accessories for placing or removing piles or bulkheads, e.g. noise attenuating chambers
    • E02D13/04—Guide devices; Guide frames
    • 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

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to installing underwater structures and, in particular, to installing a structure on a bed of a body of water.
  • DP dynamic positioning
  • GPS global positioning system
  • multiple thrusters to maintain the vessel within a close range of a desired position.
  • Such techniques then make use of traditional drilling techniques for enabling the structure to be fixed to the sea bed using one or more piles.
  • a method of installing a structure on a bed of a body of water comprising deploying a structure to be installed to a bed of a body of water from a deployment vessel, operating an installation unit to secure the structure to the bed, wherein the method further comprises using the structure as a tether point for the deployment vessel during operation of the installation unit.
  • Such a method provides a relatively fixed point around which the deployment vessel moves. Having the structure itself providing such an anchorage point for the vessel has the advantage that the relative distance between the installation unit mounted on the structure, and the deployment vessel remains within a predefined region around the structure.
  • Figures 1 to 5 illustrate a method according to one example of the present invention
  • Figure 6 is a flowchart showing steps in the method of Figures 1 to 5;
  • Figure 7 illustrates a method according to another example of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
  • FIG. 1 illustrates a water current turbine 1 installed on a bed 4 of a body of water 5.
  • the water current turbine 1 comprises a support structure 2 secured to the bed 4, and a turbine 3 installed on the support structure 2.
  • a water current turbine can be described with reference to such a water current turbine, it will be appreciated that embodiments of the present invention can be applied to deployment of any underwater structure, whether that be used for power generation, or for any other purpose.
  • offshore wind turbine towers, water current turbines, tidal stream turbines, or oil and gas equipment could be secured to the sea bed using a technique embodying the present invention.
  • FIG 2 illustrates a deployment vessel 6 on the surface of the water 5 carrying the structure 2 prior to deployment of that structure 2 to the bed 4.
  • the vessel 6 is equipped with a crane or hoist 7 for deploying the structure from the vessel 6.
  • the structure 2 has been fitted with a series of installation units 10, each of which includes a pile 1 1.
  • the installation units 10 are mounted on a frame 14 which itself is mounted on the structure 2.
  • a power and control unit 16 is provided on the vessel 6, and operates to provide power and control signals to the installation units 10 via a flexible umbilical 15.
  • FIG 3 shows the structure 2 (and associated installation units 10) in place on the bed 4, having been lowered from the vessel 6 using the crane 7 and a cable 9.
  • the flexible umbilical 15 connects the installation units 10 with the power and control unit 16 on the deck of the vessel 6.
  • the umbilical 15 does not carry any load itself, and so a tether cable 20 serves to tether the vessel 6 to the structure 2.
  • the tether cable can be attached to the structure whilst the structure is on the deck of the vessel 6, or could be attached using an ROV when the structure is underwater.
  • the tether cable 20 is provided integrally with the umbilical 15, and is arranged to be load bearing within the umbilical. The crane hoist 9 is removed from the structure.
  • the tether serves to hold the vessel 6 in place relative to the structure 2, as shown in Figure 4.
  • the tether 20 when under tension as shown in Figure 4, defines a maximum extent of movement of the vessel 6 relative to the structure 2.
  • the vessel 6 is free to move within that range of position.
  • the tether 20 is shorter than the umbilical 15.
  • the umbilical may be supported or carried by the tether 20 in order to resist drag loads experienced by the umbilical.
  • the tether 20 is integral with the umbilical 15
  • the tether is arranged to carry the loading, without undue loading being experienced by the umbilical.
  • the tether is shown attached to the stern of the vessel 6, but it will be readily appreciated that the tether is suitable for attachment to any convenient point on the vessel 6.
  • the tether 20 may be a single cable, or may be provided by a suitable number of cables.
  • the installation units 10 are then operated under control from the power and control unit 16, via the umbilical cables 15.
  • the installation units 10 form holes into which the piles 1 1 are located.
  • the installation units 10 may utilise any suitable hole-forming technique such as rotary drilling or percussion drilling, and are supplied with electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic or other power via the umbilical 15.
  • Each pile 1 1 is secured in place in its associated hole using a grout, in accordance with known practice. When the piles 1 1 have been grouted in the holes, the structure 2 is effectively secured to the bed 4.
  • the tether 20 serves to retain the vessel 6 within a suitable operating distance of the structure 2, such that the umbilical cable 15 does not carry any undesirable tensile load.
  • This arrangement is particularly suited to enabling the vessel to maintain a heading directly into the flow of the water.
  • Positioning of a vessel in a relatively high flow area is made more difficult when the vessel encounters perturbations in the relative direction of the flow. For example, a wind current may cause the vessel to rotate, thereby causing the heading of the vessel to change slightly with respect to the flow direction. This change in direction results in the flow encountering the side of the vessel, thereby imparting higher turning loads on the vessel.
  • Using the structure 2 as a tether anchor point enables the vessel to maintain its heading into the oncoming flow.
  • the single tether point enables the vessel to maintain a position downstream of the structure, even as the flow direction deviates or swings around.
  • FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of the steps illustrated in Figures 2 to 5.
  • the structure is located on the vessel for transportation.
  • the installation units are attached (step 102) to the structure before the structure is lowered to the bed. It will be readily appreciated, however, that the installation units could be lowered onto the structure following deployment of the structure to the bed.
  • the tether and umbilical are attached to the structure and to the installation units
  • an underwater power cable is attached to the structure (step 104). Such a power cable will be used for export of power from a turbine mounted on the structure.
  • FIG. 7 illustrates an alternative method embodying the present invention, in which the vessel 6 uses tethers 21 and 22 connected to previously installed structures 23 and 24.
  • the tethers 21 and 22 are connected to respective structures 23 and 24 using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV), and serve to maintain the vessel in an appropriate position for the deployment of another structure 25, in a manner similar to that described above.
  • the structure 25 is secured to the bed 4 using piles and installation units mounted on the structure.
  • the installation units are powered and controlled from the vessel via a flexible umbilical cable 15.
  • any number of previously-installed structures can be used to provide tether anchor points for the installation vessel, using just the pre-installed structures, or in combination with the structure being installed. It will also be appreciated that a single structure may provide more than one tethering point.
  • the previously-installed structures provide convenient tethering points for the installation vessel, and this technique is useful in situations when an array of structures is being deployed.
  • tidal current turbines are intended to be installed in an array across an area of the seabed.
  • the support structure for the first turbine to be deployed in an array could be installed using the first example technique of the present invention, with subsequent installations making use of the first as a tether anchoring point.
  • Techniques embodying the present invention serve to reduce the need for complex and expensive installation vessels, by providing at least one tether anchor point using the structure being installed, or by using previously-installed structures.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
  • Paleontology (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Other Liquid Machine Or Engine Such As Wave Power Use (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne une méthode d'installation d'une structure (2) sur le lit (4) d'un plan d'eau (5) consistant à déployer une structure (2) qui doit être installée sur le lit (4) du plan d'eau (5) à partir d'un navire de déploiement (6), utiliser une unité d'installation (10) pour fixer la structure (2) sur le lit (4), la méthode consistant de plus à utiliser la structure (2) comme point d'amarrage pour le navire de déploiement (6) lors de l'utilisation de l'unité d'installation (10).
PCT/EP2012/072044 2011-11-10 2012-11-07 Installation de structures sous l'eau WO2013068410A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1119398.4A GB2496412B (en) 2011-11-10 2011-11-10 Installing underwater structures
GB1119398.4 2011-11-10

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2013068410A1 true WO2013068410A1 (fr) 2013-05-16

Family

ID=45421554

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/EP2012/072044 WO2013068410A1 (fr) 2011-11-10 2012-11-07 Installation de structures sous l'eau

Country Status (2)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2496412B (fr)
WO (1) WO2013068410A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN105178325B (zh) * 2015-08-28 2017-11-03 中国海洋大学 伞式海底吸力锚基础的安装设备及安装方法
NL2022173B1 (en) * 2018-12-11 2020-07-02 Jumbo Maritime B V Piling frame with cut-out

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6012873A (en) * 1997-09-30 2000-01-11 Copple; Robert W. Buoyant leg platform with retractable gravity base and method of anchoring and relocating the same
GB2431189A (en) 2005-10-14 2007-04-18 Tidal Generation Ltd Installation of underwater anchorages
GB2448358A (en) 2007-04-12 2008-10-15 Tidal Generation Ltd Installation of underwater ground anchorages
WO2008149132A1 (fr) * 2007-06-05 2008-12-11 Overberg Limited Système d'amarrage pour des turbines de courant océanique et de courant de marée

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4181455A (en) * 1978-05-17 1980-01-01 Tad Stanwick Apparatus for generating rotary power in a deep-sea environment
WO2007042830A1 (fr) * 2005-10-14 2007-04-19 Tidal Generation Limited Installation d’ancrages sous-marins
EP1980746B2 (fr) * 2007-04-11 2013-08-07 OpenHydro Group Limited Procédé d'installation d'une turbine hydroélectrique
GB0905663D0 (en) * 2009-04-01 2009-05-13 Marine Current Turbines Ltd Methods of and apparatus for the installation of columns/piles

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6012873A (en) * 1997-09-30 2000-01-11 Copple; Robert W. Buoyant leg platform with retractable gravity base and method of anchoring and relocating the same
GB2431189A (en) 2005-10-14 2007-04-18 Tidal Generation Ltd Installation of underwater anchorages
GB2448358A (en) 2007-04-12 2008-10-15 Tidal Generation Ltd Installation of underwater ground anchorages
WO2008149132A1 (fr) * 2007-06-05 2008-12-11 Overberg Limited Système d'amarrage pour des turbines de courant océanique et de courant de marée

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2496412A (en) 2013-05-15
GB2496412B (en) 2016-02-17
GB201119398D0 (en) 2011-12-21

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