KR102730108B1 - Floating jig and method for installing support structure of offshore wind power generator using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

A floating jig for lifting and storing a support structure for an offshore wind turbine and lowering the support structure for an offshore wind turbine at a target point is disclosed. The disclosed floating jig includes a floating jig body including a buoyancy tank; and an elevating maintenance device installed on the floating jig body and operating to lift and maintain the support structure for an offshore wind turbine for storage or transporting the support structure for an offshore wind turbine and to lower the support structure for an offshore wind turbine.

Description

Floating jig and method for installing support structure of offshore wind power generator using the same {Floating jig and method for installing support structure of offshore wind power generator using the same}

The present invention relates to a floating jig that can be exclusively used for installing a support structure for an offshore wind turbine, and more specifically, to a floating jig that can be used for loading and transporting a support structure for an offshore wind turbine, particularly a jacket-type support structure for an offshore wind turbine, not only on land but also at sea.

The biggest advantage of the onshore construction method is that it can greatly increase the production capacity of ships that can be built in limited dry docks. Technically, this can be said to be “easy access to equipment and personnel,” that is, accessibility. In addition to the Goliath crane, the onshore construction method can also move blocks of hundreds to thousands of tons using new transport equipment such as transporters and modulars, so it is also possible to produce large blocks that exceed the capacity of the Goliath crane.

If we look at the process of the land-based construction method, blocks made in a factory in a shipyard are assembled by gathering them on a quay wall where Goliath cranes are installed. The completed ship is moved to a floating dock using a skid-rail (a device that moves the vehicle when moving from land to sea). This moving process is called ‘load-out’ because it goes from land to sea.

The floating dock to which the ship has moved is towed to the sea by a tugboat, and the floating dock is submerged at sea. After the completed ship is lifted naturally using its buoyancy, the ship is moved, and the semi-submerged floating dock is floated back to its original state by draining the water from the ballast tank. This is called ‘launching.’

Loadout is the core technology of controlling and maintaining the minute movements and balance of the floating dock connected to the land in real time because the weight of the ship is so large, and launching is the technology of controlling and controlling semi-submersion in real time according to sea and weather conditions.

For land-based construction, various methods are needed to move ships built on land to the sea. The differences in the method of movement are the unique technologies of each company.

A representative example of the longitudinal launching method is Sungdong Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering’s “GTS (Gripper-Jacks Translift System) method.” The core of Sungdong Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering’s GTS method is a small 3m long, 1m wide and 1m deep equipment called the “push-pull system.” The push-pull system independently developed by Sungdong Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering successfully completed the world’s first “longitudinal” loadout by grabbing and pulling the stern. The ship is placed on 70 pieces of equipment called “bogie trains” (transportation devices that load ships and drag them to floating docks) that can each support 500 tons of weight, and the push-pull system then pushes the bogie trains. Since the onshore construction method can be used to build ships using existing quayside facilities without the need to build a conventional shipbuilding dock or fleet, it can be applied anywhere as long as there is a construction space. The initial facility investment cost is low, and the construction efficiency is not much different from that of a dedicated dock facility, but the onshore construction method can maximize sales by increasing the operational efficiency of the entire shipyard, and can actively respond to the delivery period requested by the ship owner.

It should be noted that not all of the background technologies described above are known technologies.

Registration Number 10-1645362 (Registered on July 28, 2016)

On the other hand, since the support structure for offshore wind turbines is large and heavy, a dedicated jig is required to load or move it. Such a jig is required to properly distribute the load of the structure and to have a structure that allows a low-level vehicle to enter and lift it. In the past, jigs were used only to stably support a structure built on land and to move it to a desired location on land. Such a limited use of jigs on land greatly reduces productivity and economy.

The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a floating jig that can be used not only on land but also at sea, and can store and transport a support structure for an offshore wind turbine to a desired location and place it on the seabed, and a method for installing a support structure for an offshore wind turbine using the same.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a floating jig is provided for lifting and storing a support structure for an offshore wind turbine, and lowering the support structure for an offshore wind turbine at a target point, the floating jig including: a floating jig body including a buoyancy tank; and an elevating and maintaining device installed on the floating jig body and operating to lift and maintain the support structure for an offshore wind turbine for storage or transporting the support structure for an offshore wind turbine, and to lower the support structure for an offshore wind turbine. The elevating and maintaining device preferably includes a winch, but the elevating and maintaining device may include a hoist, etc.

According to one embodiment, the floating jig body may include a central space for storing the support structure for the offshore wind turbine by positioning it inside.

In one embodiment, the central space may be a space with open upper and lower portions and a front portion, and closed side portions and a rear portion.

According to one embodiment, the floating jig body may have a “ㄷ” shape when viewed from above.

According to one embodiment, the elevating maintenance device may include a plurality of winches, each of the plurality of winches including a winch line connected to a leg of the support structure for the offshore wind turbine, and a winch drive unit that winds or releases the winch line to lower or raise the support structure for the offshore wind turbine.

In one embodiment, each of the plurality of winches may further include a space for storing a winch line wound between the winch drive unit and the floating jig body.

According to one embodiment, the floating jig may further include a guide means for guiding the support structure for the offshore wind turbine when lifting or lowering the support structure for the offshore wind turbine.

According to one embodiment, the floating jig may further include a supporting unit that protrudes from an inner surface of the central space into the central space to support a lower portion of the support structure for the offshore wind turbine.

According to one embodiment, the support structure for an offshore wind turbine is an offshore wind turbine support structure including a plurality of legs, the floating jig body including a central space having an upper and lower portions and a front portion open and two side portions and a rear portion closed so that the support structure for an offshore wind turbine can be positioned and stored inside, and the elevating maintenance device includes a plurality of winch lines connected to the lower portions of the plurality of legs, a plurality of winch drive units for winding or releasing each of the plurality of winch lines to lower or raise the support structure for an offshore wind turbine, and a box installed between the winch drive units and the floating jig body and having a space formed in which the wound-up winch lines are stored.

According to one embodiment, the lifting and maintaining device lifts the support structure for the offshore wind turbine so that the lower end of the support structure for the offshore wind turbine is at a height higher than the lower surface height of the floating jig body for storage and transport of the support structure for the offshore wind turbine, and, in a target sea area, lowers the support structure for the offshore wind turbine until it passes the lower surface of the floating jig body and touches the seabed.

A method for installing a support structure for an offshore wind turbine according to one aspect of the present invention comprises: allowing a floating jig on land to lift and store a support structure for an offshore wind turbine, transporting the floating jig storing the support structure for the offshore wind turbine from land to the sea, and allowing the floating jig to lower the support structure for the offshore wind turbine onto the seabed while the floating jig is floating on the sea of a target sea area.

In one embodiment, to transport the floating jig from land to sea and float it on the sea, a floating dock is docked to a quay wall, the floating jig is transported from the quay wall to the floating dock, and then the floating dock is submerged while being separated from the quay wall, thereby floats the floating jig on the sea.

According to one embodiment, the floating jig includes a floating jig body and a winch installed on the floating jig body, wherein, for storing the support structure for an offshore wind turbine, the winch lifts and maintains the support structure for an offshore wind turbine to a height higher than the lower surface height of the floating jig body, and, for lowering the support structure for an offshore wind turbine onto the seabed, the winch lowers the support structure for an offshore wind turbine until it touches the seabed.

In one embodiment, when the support structure for the offshore wind turbine is lowered onto the seabed, an anchor is lowered to secure the floating jig.

The present invention relates to a floating jig including a floating jig body in which a pedestal for stacking and moving an offshore wind turbine support structure assembled on land is manufactured as a floating body, and can be used as a means for supporting an offshore wind turbine support structure not only on land but also at sea. In addition, the floating jig according to the present invention can reduce the rental cost of large offshore equipment that is inevitably involved in the installation of an offshore wind turbine support structure by moving the offshore wind turbine support structure to an installation area at sea and lowering it to a seabed foundation ground to perform installation. An offshore wind turbine support structure completed on land requires a large amount of storage space because it is large in size, and can be stacked at sea using a floating jig.

According to the present invention, a method of installing a support structure for an offshore wind turbine at sea using a floating jig can significantly reduce the cost burden compared to a method using a conventional offshore crane.

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a floating jig according to one embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a front view showing a floating jig according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a side view showing a floating jig according to one embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 is a drawing for explaining the winch of the floating jig shown in Figures 1 to 3.
FIG. 5 is a front view showing a floating jig equipped with a guide means according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a front view showing a floating jig having a supporting unit according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 7 to 11 are drawings of one embodiment for explaining a process of installing a support structure for an offshore wind turbine at sea using the floating jig illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 6.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily implement the present invention. The present invention may be implemented in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

In describing the present invention, the size or shape of components illustrated in the drawings may be exaggerated or simplified for clarity and convenience of explanation.

In addition, terms specifically defined in consideration of the configuration and operation of the present invention may vary depending on the intention or custom of the user or operator. These terms should be interpreted as meanings and concepts that are consistent with the technical idea of the present invention based on the contents throughout this specification.

In order to clearly explain the present invention, the description of parts unrelated to the technical idea of the present invention is omitted, and the same reference numerals are given to the same or similar components throughout the specification.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, a floating jig (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention is configured to store, transport, or lower a support structure for an offshore wind turbine, more specifically, a jacket-type support structure (10) for an offshore wind turbine, on land and at sea, or to lower it to the seabed. More specifically, the floating jig (100) is configured to store a jacket-type support structure (10) for an offshore wind turbine manufactured on land at sea, and further configured to transport and install the jacket-type support structure (10) for an offshore wind turbine that is being stored to a target sea area.

A jacket-shaped support structure (10) for an offshore wind turbine comprises a plurality of legs (12) (three in this embodiment) that extend obliquely so that they come closer together from the bottom to the top, a plurality of bracing members (14) that connect and reinforce the plurality of legs (12), a jacket upper portion (16) that is coupled to the upper portions of the plurality of legs (12), and a transition piece (18) coupled to the jacket upper portion (16). Although not shown, the lower portion of a tower is coupled to the transition piece (18), and a nacelle, a rotor, and blades are installed on the upper portion of the tower.

The above floating jig (100) includes a floating jig body (120) that includes a sealed buoyancy tank inside so that it can float on the sea, and an elevating and lowering device that maintains a jacket-type support structure (10) for an offshore wind turbine on the floating jig body (100). As described in detail below, the elevating and lowering device is configured to lower or raise the jacket-type support structure (10) for an offshore wind turbine while maintaining the connection between the floating jig body (120) and the jacket-type support structure (10) for an offshore wind turbine. In particular, the action of the elevating and lowering device that lowers the jacket-type support structure (10) for an offshore wind turbine can be advantageously utilized to lower and settle the jacket-type support structure (10) for an offshore wind turbine onto the seabed. The above-described lifting and maintaining device can lift and maintain the jacket-type support structure (10) for an offshore wind turbine to a height at which the jacket-type support structure (10) for an offshore wind turbine can be stored and transported on land, that is, so that the lower end of the jacket-type support structure (10) for an offshore wind turbine is at a height higher than the lower surface of the floating jig body (120), and further, at sea, the jacket-type support structure (10) for an offshore wind turbine can be lowered so that the lower end of the jacket-type support structure (10) passes the lower surface of the floating jig body (120) and reaches the seabed.

The above floating jig body (120) is composed of a block structure having a “ㄷ” shape when viewed from above, including a central space (122) in which the upper and lower portions and the front portion are open and both sides and the rear portion are closed, so that the jacket-shaped support structure (10) for an offshore wind turbine can be stored by positioning it inside, more specifically, in the center of the inside. The front opening of the central space (122) allows the jacket-shaped support structure (10) for an offshore wind turbine to enter or exit the central space (122).

The above-described lifting and lowering maintenance device includes a winch line (142) made of a chain, which is connected to each of three legs (12), more specifically, the lower parts (12a) of the three legs of the jacket-shaped support structure (10) for an offshore wind turbine located in the central space (122), and includes a plurality of large winches (140) that can lower or lift up the jacket-shaped support structure (10) for an offshore wind turbine by winding or releasing the winch line (142) with a winch drive unit (144). Each of the plurality of winches (140) has a box (146) formed between the lower side of the winch drive unit (144), more specifically, the winch drive unit (144) and the upper surface of the floating jig body (120), in which a space (146a) for storing the wound winch line (142) is formed. The above box (146) provides a space (146a) for storing the winch line (142), and also sufficiently increases the installation height of the winch drive unit (144) to ensure a sufficient operating distance. In addition, a control box for controlling the operation of the winch drive unit (144) is provided on the floating jig body (120). In addition, the winch line (142), more specifically, the winch line (142) formed of a chain, has a sufficient length to be able to install the jacket-type support structure (10) for an offshore wind turbine on the seabed.

In order to stably hold a jacket-type support structure (10) for a lifted offshore wind turbine to a floating jig body (120), it is preferable to perform a lashing operation between the floating jig body (120) and the jacket-type support structure (10) for the offshore wind turbine.

Additionally, as in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, a floating jig (100) further including a guide means (160) for stably supporting and guiding an offshore wind turbine jacket-type support structure (10) when lifting or lowering the offshore wind turbine jacket-type support structure (10) is within the scope of the present invention. If the offshore wind turbine jacket-type support structure (10) or a vertical structure included in the offshore wind turbine jacket-type support structure (10) has a vertically extended structure with a predetermined cross-section, the guide means (160) is sufficient only as a structure that guides the up-and-down movement of the offshore wind turbine jacket-type support structure (10). In the case of an inclined structure as in the present embodiment, by using a means that extends in a direction closer to the center of the central space or contracts in the opposite direction, such as a spring or a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder, the parts of the guide means (160) that come into contact with the jacket-type support structure (10) for an offshore wind turbine can be moved further away from or closer to each other as the jacket-type support structure (10) for an offshore wind turbine is raised or lowered, thereby continuously maintaining contact with the jacket-type support structure (10) for an offshore wind turbine.

In addition, as in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, the floating jig (100) may further include a supporting unit (180) to relieve the shaking of the lifted jacket-type support structure (10) for an offshore wind turbine and the force applied to the winch line (142). The supporting unit (180) is installed on the inner wall surface of the central space (122) of the floating jig body (120), and when in use, it protrudes inward from the inner wall surface to support the lower part of the jacket-type support structure (10) for an offshore wind turbine. Since the entire load of the jacket-type support structure (10) for an offshore wind turbine is divided and distributed to the winch line (142) formed of a chain and the supporting unit (180), the support stability for the lifted jacket-type support structure (10) for an offshore wind turbine can be increased.

Figures 7 to 11 are drawings for explaining a method of installing a jacket-type support structure (10) for an offshore wind turbine using the floating jig (100) described above.

First, referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, it can be seen that the floating jig (100) is in a state where it can be transported on land while maintaining the jacket-type support structure (10) for an offshore wind turbine. This state is a state where the winch (140) sufficiently lifts the jacket-type support structure (10) for an offshore wind turbine so that the lower end of the jacket-type support structure (10) for an offshore wind turbine is positioned higher than the lower surface of the floating jig main body (120). Next, the floating jig (100) that has the jacket-type support structure (10) for an offshore wind turbine lifted and stored is shipped from the quay (300) to the floating dock (400) docked to the quay (300) by land transport equipment such as a transporter or a modular. At this time, a ship having a semi-submersible function may be used instead of the floating dock.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10 in sequence, the floating dock (400) dives while positioned at sea, away from the berth (300), and then escapes out of the lower area of the floating jig (100), whereby the floating jig (100) floats on the sea due to the buoyancy of the floating jig body (120) itself. At this time, the floating jig (100) can be transported using a barge, or moved to a specific location and anchored.

Next, referring to FIG. 11, when the floating jig (100) reaches the target sea area, the position of the moved floating jig (100) is fixed, and then the winch (140) installed on the floating jig (100) is driven to release the winch line (142), thereby lowering and fixing the jacket-shaped support structure (10) for the offshore wind turbine, which has been stored at a certain height on the floating jig (100), to the foundation ground of the seabed. At this time, in order to fix the position of the floating jig (100), a method of lowering an anchor with a hook to prevent the floating jig (100) from moving can be used, for example. The anchor is also used when mooring in a specific area.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 11, the main functions and actions of the floating jig (100) described above are summarized as follows.

A floating jig (100) has a plurality of large winches (140) installed on a floating jig body (120) to support a jacket-type support structure (10) for an offshore wind turbine, and has a function of lifting, lowering, or holding the jacket-type support structure (10) for an offshore wind turbine using the plurality of winches (140). In order to stably hold the lifted jacket-type support structure (10) for an offshore wind turbine, it is preferable to perform a lashing operation between the floating jig body (120) and the jacket-type support structure (10) for an offshore wind turbine.

A guide means capable of stably supporting and guiding a jacket-type support structure (10) for an offshore wind turbine may be used. A lifting grab may be used as the guide means. A floating jig body (120) has a sealed space formed inside the floating jig body (120) so that the jacket-type support structure (10) for an offshore wind turbine can float on the sea, and this space can serve as a buoyancy tank.

A floating jig (100) can be used exclusively for a jacket-type support structure (10) for an offshore wind turbine, and the exclusive floating jig (100) can be moved and positioned to a target sea area, and a winch line (preferably a chain) connected to the jacket-type support structure (10) for an offshore wind turbine can be released using a plurality of winches (140) to lower the jacket-type support structure (10) for an offshore wind turbine onto the seabed.

The above has been described as an example of loading a support structure for an offshore wind turbine, for example, a jacket-type support structure for an offshore wind turbine, onto a floating jig on land, and then moving the floating jig at sea to transport the jacket-type support structure for an offshore wind turbine. However, according to the present invention, the above-described floating jig can be used either on land or at sea to load or transport a support structure for an offshore wind turbine, for example, a jacket-type support structure for an offshore wind turbine.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be implemented in various ways.

Claims (6)

A floating jig for lifting and storing a support structure for an offshore wind turbine and lowering the support structure for an offshore wind turbine at a target point.
A floating jig body including a buoyancy tank; and
It includes an elevating maintenance device installed on the floating jig body, which lifts and maintains the support structure for the offshore wind turbine for storage or transporting the support structure for the offshore wind turbine, and lowers the support structure for the offshore wind turbine for lowering the support structure for the offshore wind turbine;
The above lifting maintenance device includes a winch,
The above winch includes a winch line connected to the support structure for the offshore wind turbine, and a winch drive unit that can lower or raise the support structure for the offshore wind turbine by winding or releasing the winch line.
A floating jig characterized in that a box capable of storing the winch line inside is formed to protrude upward on the upper part of the floating jig body, and the winch drive unit is installed on the upper part of the box. In claim 1,
A floating jig characterized in that the floating jig body includes a central space so that the support structure for the offshore wind turbine can be stored by positioning it inside. In claim 1,
The above lifting maintenance device comprises a plurality of winches,
A floating jig characterized in that the above winch line is connected to the leg of the support structure for the above offshore wind turbine. In claim 1,
A floating jig characterized in that it further includes a guide means for guiding the support structure for an offshore wind turbine when lifting or lowering the support structure for an offshore wind turbine. In claim 2,
A floating jig characterized by further including a supporting unit that protrudes from the inner side of the central space and supports the lower part of the support structure for the offshore wind turbine. A method for installing a support structure for an offshore wind turbine using a floating jig as described in claim 1,
On land, a floating jig is used to lift and store the support structure for an offshore wind turbine.
Transporting a floating jig storing the support structure for the above offshore wind turbine from land to sea,
A method for installing a support structure for an offshore wind turbine using a floating jig, characterized in that the floating jig is allowed to float on the sea of a target sea area and the floating jig lowers the support structure for the offshore wind turbine onto the seabed.

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