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WO2009088302A2 - Appareil et procédé pour soutenir des équipements dans un volume d'eau - Google Patents

Appareil et procédé pour soutenir des équipements dans un volume d'eau Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2009088302A2
WO2009088302A2 PCT/NO2009/000007 NO2009000007W WO2009088302A2 WO 2009088302 A2 WO2009088302 A2 WO 2009088302A2 NO 2009000007 W NO2009000007 W NO 2009000007W WO 2009088302 A2 WO2009088302 A2 WO 2009088302A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
main beam
water
foundation
main
beams
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status 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 status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/NO2009/000007
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO2009088302A3 (fr
Inventor
Karel Karal
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
PRIMA OCEAN AS
Seatower AS
Original Assignee
PRIMA OCEAN AS
Seatower AS
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 PRIMA OCEAN AS, Seatower AS filed Critical PRIMA OCEAN AS
Publication of WO2009088302A2 publication Critical patent/WO2009088302A2/fr
Publication of WO2009088302A3 publication Critical patent/WO2009088302A3/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • 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
    • 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
    • F03B—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS
    • F03B13/00—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates
    • F03B13/10—Submerged units incorporating electric generators or 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
    • F03B—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS
    • F03B17/00—Other machines or engines
    • F03B17/06—Other machines or engines using liquid flow with predominantly kinetic energy conversion, e.g. of swinging-flap type, "run-of-river", "ultra-low head"
    • F03B17/061—Other machines or engines using liquid flow with predominantly kinetic energy conversion, e.g. of swinging-flap type, "run-of-river", "ultra-low head" with rotation axis substantially in flow direction
    • 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
    • B63B2035/4466—Floating structures carrying electric power plants for converting water energy into electric energy, e.g. from tidal flows, waves or currents
    • 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
    • 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
    • F05B2240/40—Use of a multiplicity of similar components
    • 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
    • F05B2240/97—Mounting on supporting structures or systems on a submerged structure
    • 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
    • Y02E10/20—Hydro energy
    • 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
    • Y02E10/30—Energy from the sea, e.g. using wave energy or salinity gradient

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to support structures for devices to be placed below water level, in particular for application in which multiple equipment units are to be deployed and installed below water level.
  • equipment units comprise turbines and generators for generating electricity by extracting the power from moving or flowing water.
  • US 2007/0096472 Al discloses an apparatus comprising a turbine-housing floating in the water and being anchored to the seabed an arrangement of anchor cables, one anchor cable being connected to the seabed in an inclined manner upstream of the apparatus and one anchor cable being connected substantially directly below the housing.
  • WO 2007/037624 Al discloses a tidal power generation plant comprising an array of generators suspended beneath a hull floating on the water surface, the hull being tethered to the seabed by anchor cables and subsea anchors.
  • US 2005/0121917 A 1 discloses a plant for the production of electricity, wherein an array of generators are suspended in a body of water by means of buoyant elements and tethered to a single anchor on the seabed by means of a plurality of cables.
  • the object of the present invention is to improve the subsea structures of the type described above, and in particular provide a subsea structure which may be maintained in a stable state in the water, irrespective of the water current velocity. It is also an object of the present invention to provide a modularised structure which facilitates an improved installation procedure.
  • the invention achieves this object for a subsea structure of the above type by an apparatus for supporting equipment units in a body of water, comprising a plurality of main beams connected by interconnecting elements, characterized by the main beams being arranged in separate elevations in the water, and by the lowermost main beam being connected by lower connecting elements to a foundation on a bottom beneath the body of water, and by each main beam being connected to at least one anchor on the bottom, wherein each main beam comprises a buoyant element and thus exhibits a net buoyancy when installed in the water.
  • each main beam is arranged in a staggered relationship with its adjacent main beam or main beams, and the lowermost main beam is arranged in a staggered relationship with a footing beam connected to the foundation.
  • the interconnecting elements comprise stiff members arranged in pairs and being pivotally connected to the respective main beam or beams
  • the lower connecting elements comprise stiff members arranged in pairs and pivotally connected to the foundation at a first end and the lowermost main beam at a second end.
  • the main beams are arranged substantially horizontally in the body of water.
  • the invention also comprises a method of installing an apparatus for supporting equipment units in a body of water, said apparatus comprising a plurality of main beams, each comprising at least one buoyancy chamber, and a plurality of interconnecting elements, characterized by:
  • the positioning steps are controlled by one or more lines connected to an installation vessel upstream of the apparatus being installed.
  • a number of equipment units may preferably be installed on respective cantilevered supports provided on each main beam and having a guiding and support structures with a stabbing and load transfer point arranged substantially coincidental with the generator axis of rotation.
  • ROV remotely operated vehicle
  • Figure 1 is a schematic side view of the invention, illustrating the principle of the invention
  • Figure 2 is a top view of an embodiment of the invention, without equipment units;
  • Figure 3 is a front view of the invention shown in figure 2;
  • Figure 4 is a side view of another embodiment of the invention, showing also equipment units in the form of generators for generating electricity;
  • Figure 5 is a side view of one of the generators and one embodiment of generator interface with the main beam;
  • Figure 6 is a front view of the generator and interface shown in figure 5;
  • Figure 7 is a side view of one of the generators and another embodiment of generator interface with the main beam;
  • Figure 8 is a front view of the generator and interface shown in figure 7;
  • Figure 9 is a rear view of an embodiment of the invention, with several generators installed;
  • Figure 10 is a view similar to that of figure 9, but also indicating electrical cabling and connections;
  • Figure 11 is a top view of an embodiment of the footing arrangement
  • Figure 12 is a side view of the footing arrangement shown in figure 11;
  • Figure 13 is a top view of an embodiment of an anchor
  • Figure 14 is a side view of the anchor shown in figure 13;
  • Figure 15 is a side view of an embodiment of a module of the invention, placed on a buoyancy element for transportation to an installation site;
  • Figure 16 is a top view of the module and transportation arrangement shown in figure Figure 17 is a side view of a group of anchors placed on a seabed;
  • Figures 18 - 24 are side views of an installation sequence of a basic embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 1 is a side view of the support structure according to the invention, generally denoted by the reference numeral 2 and hereinafter referred to as a "structure", placed in a body of water and resting on a seabed 3 via a foundation 4.
  • the structure is attached by mooring lines 5, 6, 7 to anchors 8 resting on the seabed 3, in a manner which will be described in further detail.
  • the structure 2 comprises multiple main beams 9 (three beams shown in figure 1) designed to carry equipment units such as generators (not shown), in a manner which will described in further detail below.
  • the main beams 9 are interconnected by rigid connecting elements 10, 11.
  • the main beams 9 are shown as simple circular cross sections without details such secondary supports for the equipment units and connection details for other fixtures, which will be described below.
  • the skilled person will understand that the main beams 9 may have other cross sections than circular, as long as they fulfil the requirements for buoyancy and strength.
  • the main beams 9 may comprise a truss structure, an I-beam of equivalent, however with appropriate buoyancy element or elements.
  • the individual main beams 9 When installed, as shown in figure 1, the individual main beams 9 are fixed in a stable position by means of their own net buoyancy, the reactive loads generated in the connecting elements 10, 11, and by loads generated in the mooring lines 5, 6, 7.
  • the foundation 4 is connected to the nearest anchor 8 by a lower mooring line 12.
  • the lower mooring line 12 facilitates the achievement of an accurate distance between the foundation 4 and the anchor 8 and, if advantageous, also provides additional resistance to horizontal load components exerted on the foundation 4.
  • the support structure 2 may be designed for exposure for loads from any direction If there is a predominant current direction in the body of water, it is advantageous to orient the structure 2 so the anchor(s) 8 is(are) located upstream in the direction of the maximum current.
  • the main beams 9 can be arranged in an inclined plane (as shown in figure 1) or along a curved surface at elevations that are beneficial for locating the equipment units (e.g. water turbines and generators).
  • the inclination ensures that the main beams 9 are staggered in the horizontal plane (i.e. as seen from above, see also figure 2) thus vertical access to the equipment units on the main beams 9 is ensured for e.g. installation, inspection, maintenance or removal and replacement.
  • the main beams 9 comprise enclosed volumes which are pressurized and equipped for ballasting and deballasting as required for installation and operation, as will be described in more detail later.
  • Figure 2 shows a plan view of the structure 2 where the array of main beams 9 is tied to the anchors 8a, 8b via respective mooring lines 5a,b, 6a,b, 7a,b.
  • the mooring lines 5a,b, 6a,b, 7a,b and the lower mooring lines 12a,b are deviating from the structure's centre line CL, thus providing the system with stability also in sea states during which loads with transversal load components are generated.
  • the foundation 4 comprises footings 14a, 14b and a footing beam 15, which provide the foundation with strength and buoyancy, the latter required for installation.
  • the footing beam 15 may comprise a tubular element (as shown in figure 3), or a truss structure, I-beam or equivalent equipped with suitable buoyancy elements required during installation.
  • Loads between the foundation 4 and the lower main beam 9 are transmitted by lower connecting elements 1 la,b, and loads between the main beams 9 are transmitted by interconnecting elements 10a,b.
  • these connecting elements 10a,b, 1 la,b comprise frame structures.
  • these frames 10a,b, 1 la,b are designed to resist shear loads that may develop between main beams 9 as a result of transversal loads.
  • Figure 3 shows a front view of the structure 2 (looking in direction of the predominant stream 13, see figure 1).
  • the locations of the interconnecting frames 10a,b, the lower connecting frames 1 la,b and the locations of the mooring lines 5a,b, 6a,b, 7a,b along the main beams 9 are calculated such the reaction loads from the foundation 4 and the mooring lines give an optimal utilization of the structural strength of the main beams 9.
  • FIG. 4 shows a side view of the structure 2 where locations of equipment units 64 are shown.
  • the equipment units comprise generators 64.
  • the by far dominating hydrodynamic loads acting on each generator 64 are generated by the water current 13, which resultant load generally coincides with the rotation axis 65 of the generator 64.
  • the generators are attached to its respective main beam 9 such that each rotation axis 65 runs through centre of the corresponding main beam 9 in order to prevent rotational moments on the main beams.
  • loads from the mooring lines 5a,b, 6a,b, 7a,b and from the connecting elements 10a,b, 1 la,b run through the centre of main beams 9.
  • the submerged weight of the generator 64 acts vertically as shown by the vector 64a in Figure 5. Again, in order to prevent undesirable rotational moments on the main beam 9, the weight of the generator 64 is balanced by net buoyancy of the cantilevered support 16. Buoyancy of the cantilevered support 16 is also utilized during installation as explained below.
  • the interconnecting elements or frames 10 (and lower connecting frames 11 connecting the lower main beam 9 with the footing beam 15, not shown on figure 5) are provided with a lower padeye 17 and an upper padeye 18 both enabling pivotal movement about an axis substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the main beam 9.
  • the upper padeyes 18 may be connected to the main beam 9 at the fabrication yard before transport to the installation site, while the lower padeyes 17 are designed for connection at the installation site when the main beam 9 is floating in the water surface and the work can be done above water level from a work boat. Therefore, the interconnecting frames 10a,b and the lower connecting frames 1 la,b are provided with sufficient buoyancy so they keep floating on the water surface enabling dry access to the connection points and the connecting points are designed with ample tolerances enabling the engagement of the connection in spite of motion and loads generated by the sea waves.
  • Front view of the cantilevered support 16 with a generator 64 carried by a main beam 9 is shown in Figure 6.
  • the generator is fixed to the support 16 by a vertical stab-in arrangement through which weight of the generator, axial loads from the generator and reactions from the rotor to the revolving motion of the blades (i.e. rotational moments in plane normal to axis 65) are transferred into the support 16.
  • Such arrangement typically involves a transition piece 19 inserted into a receptacle (not shown) in the support 16.
  • FIG. 7 shows a different solution for the generator 64 support that is based on a guiding and supporting structure 20 that allows the equipment unit (in the embodiment shown, generator 64) to move horizontally into the stabbing and load transfer point 21.
  • This stabbing and load transfer point 21 also comprises an electrical connector, for electrically connecting the equipment unit to the internal cables 22 of the main beams. If the installation of the generators 64 should be performed in perceptible water current, this would be the preferred design of the support.
  • the transfer of horizontal loads from the generators into the structure via main beams 9 is direct and without moments due to eccentricity allowing a slimmer supporting structure 16' than the supporting structure 16 shown in figure 6.
  • Figure 8 shows front view of the same generator supporting structure 16' and guiding and supporting structure 20 as in figure7.
  • the generator 14 is resting on the cradle support 20 with its axis aligned with the horizontal stabbing arrangement 21 on the main beam 9.
  • the cradle is supported 20 by the supporting structure 16', in which the buoyancy may be controlled.
  • Figure 9 shows a front view of the entire support structure 2 with four generators 64 on each of the main beams 9. From the load distribution point of view it is advantageous that the direction of blade rotation (indicated by curved arrows in figure 9) of two neighbouring generators are opposite and hence the resulting moment from the entire main beam 9 on other parts of the structure 2 is nil.
  • Design of the structure 2 facilitates that all cables 22 (shown in heavy lines in figure 10) can be pre-installed at the fabrication yard.
  • the cables or bundles of cables 22 can be pulled in dedicated cable gates (not shown) that are integrated in the structure and extended to the individual stabbing and load transfer point 21 in the equipment unit supports 16', for full protection of the cables.
  • the structure 2 may be transported in several units to the installation sites off shore. Therefore, the cables 22 are fitted with connectors 23 that can be conveniently engaged above water level during installation at the offshore installation site.
  • a cable termination, or "tail" 25 sufficiently long to be recovered to surface, is stored in cable cage 24. Before transport to the offshore installation location, the cable 22 is laid down into the cage 24 in figure-8 shape thus enabling pull-out without twisting.
  • FIG 11 is a schematic top view showing a foundation 4 suitable for structures 2 that generate large vertical tension loads in the connecting elements 11.
  • solid ballast 27 such as iron ore, olivine or gravel into compartments 26 in the foundation 4.
  • the connecting frames 11 are connected to the foundation via padeyes 28.
  • each padeye 28 may be a part of a corresponding dividing wall 29 which transmit the loads into the bottom of the foundation 4.
  • the entire foundation is designed to float by means of the buoyancy provided by the footing beam 15. Ballast 27 is added after the entire foundation 4 has been installed.
  • Figure 12 shows a vertical section through the foundation 4 shown in figure 11, and illustrates the ballast compartment 26 in an installed state, filled by ballast 27.
  • the padeye 28 is located so that balancing of loads exerted on the foundation 4 does not require stabilizing moments; hence the optimum utilization of the foundation is achieved.
  • the buoyancy tank associated with the footing beam 15 will typically be pressurized to a pressure equal to or somewhat less than the ambient pressure. Upon completion of installation, the buoyancy tank of the footing beam 15 is flooded and ballast 27 is deployed.
  • Figure 13 is a top view of an embodiment of the anchor 8. Vertical load components from the mooring lines attached to padeye 30 are resisted by weight of the anchor 8.
  • ballast 27 Sufficient weight of the anchor 8 is achieved by the use of ballast 27 in similar fashion as described for the foundation 4 with reference to figures 11 and 12.
  • the mooring line 5a (or 5b, 6a,b, 7a,b) is deployed on the anchor in a figure-8-shape and seafastened.
  • the free end of the mooring line is buoyed off by means of a pickup arrangement 32.
  • Figure 14 is a side view of the anchor 8 shown in figure 13, resting on a seabed 3. Horizontal load components from the mooring line 5a connected to padeye 30 are transmitted into seabed 3 mostly as shear loads. In order to increase the shear capacity it may be advantageous to provide the anchor with a skirt 33 penetrating into required depth in the seabed 3. Since ballast 27 has already been deployed, the next installation phase will be pulling the free end 32 of the mooring line 5a to the surface of the body of water 1 for connecting it to one of the padeyes on the applicable main beam (not shown in figure 14).
  • the structure may be divided into several units.
  • such individual units are (a) a foundation 4, comprising footings 14a,b and a footing beam 15, (b) a plurality of main beams 9 interconnected by interconnecting elements 10a,b, and (c) lower connecting elements 1 la,b connecting the lower-most main beam 9 to the foundation 4.
  • Figure 15 shows one unit 34 comprising a main beam 9 with a cantilevered support 16' for a generator 64 and the lower connecting frame 11 attached to it.
  • Unit 34 can be transported to the installation site either by wet or dry tow.
  • buoyancy carriers 35 are used. In such arrangement, main parts of the unit are elevated above the water surface, thus reducing the current loads to those acting on the buoyancy carriers 35, which are only a fraction of those that would be generated on the unit 34 if it was ' floating in the water.
  • the buoyancy carrier 35 is provided with a support 36 to carry the cantilever support 16' that is seafastened by means of a seafastening device 37.
  • the lower connecting frame 11 (or the interconnecting frame 10 in the other units for transport) is also elevated above the water surface and fixed in this position, e.g. by a wire 39.
  • FIG 16 is a top view of the transport unit 34 on two buoyancy carriers 35, as described above with reference to figure 15.
  • These buoyancy carriers 35 are exposed to hydrodynamic loads from a relative water velocity (e.g. during tow, and during positioning and installing in sea current normal to the unit) indicated by arrows 38.
  • the loads are balanced by tension in the wire 39, attached to a tow and installation vessel (not shown), and bridled into two legs 40.
  • the buoyancy carriers 35 comprise a pair of buoyancy tanks 41 fixed into one unit.
  • Carriers 35 are provided with supports 36 carrying weight from the cantilever beams 16 and with supports 42 carrying the main beam 9 with seafastening 43.
  • the interior of the buoyancy tanks is divided into compartments.
  • compartments can be ballasted by seawater (free/gravity flow) and deballasted by compressed air.
  • the latter function enables the unit 34 to be lifted from floating on surface to transport position above water after load out into water at the fabrication site and before commencing towage to installation site while the former function enables to lower the unit 34 into floating at the installation site.
  • ballasted the buoyancy carrier 35 has sufficient net buoyancy to stay floating in inclined position thus enabling to be removed from the floating unit 34.
  • Figures 17 to 24 show main stages in the installation procedure.
  • Figure 17 shows the anchors 8 installed on seabed 3 and ballasted to the required weight.
  • the anchors are installed with the associated mooring lines 12, 5, 6 and 7 laid in a figure-8 shape pattern on the anchor.
  • the ends of the lines are outfitted for retrieval and connection with the related parts of the structure.
  • Transport and installation of the anchors are performed by either conventional manner, i.e. dry transport and lowering to seabed by crane, or a method involving wet tow and lowering by winch as described by Norwegian patent application No 2007 3363.
  • FIG 18 the foundation 4 has been placed in the water and is floating in the water by virtue of the buoyancy of the footing beam 15.
  • the lower mooring lines 12 have been attached to the padeyes on the respective footings 14a,b.
  • the water velocity is indicated by the arrow 38.
  • Figure 19 illustrates the next installation unit 34 having been towed to the installation site and loaded off the buoyancy carrier, into a floating state in the water.
  • This unit carries a cable cage 24 with a cable (not shown in figure 19) of length sufficient to reach above the water surface.
  • the upper end of the mooring line 5 has been recovered to the surface and connected to the padeye on the main beam 9.
  • next installation unit 44 comprising the next main beam 9 and interconnecting frames 10
  • the next installation unit 44 comprising the next main beam 9 and interconnecting frames 10
  • the upper end of the mooring line 6 has been recovered to surface and connected to the padeye on the main beam 9. It is being held by a line 39 in position for engaging the connector on the interconnecting frame 10 to the main beam 9 described with reference to figure 19.
  • Figure 21 shows the last unit 45 being handled and interconnecting frame 10 being lowered towards the preceding main beam 9.
  • Tension in line 39 keeps the position in which dry access to the various connection points is secured. It is seen that due to the dimensions of the support, in particular lengths of the lines 12, 5 and 6 the foundation 4 and unit 34 are submerged.
  • Figure 22 shows a typical configuration of the entire support upon completion of all work described above and upon disconnection of line 39 shown in previous figures related to the installation. All parts of the system are exposed to loads from water current and the support is in equilibrium with these loads. It is obvious that changing current velocity or other dimensions and net buoyancy of the individual element would yield another configuration
  • Figure 23 shows an advanced stage of the installation in which the entire support 4 moves towards seabed 3 into final position.
  • Driving force for the movement is weight of flooded water into designated compartments.
  • the trajectory of rigid elements of the system is controlled by the lengths of the mooring lines 12, 5, 6 and 7.
  • the completion work may include among others final adjustment of buoyancy, ballasting of the foundation if the type described in Fig, 11 and 12 is used and inspections.
  • the support is ready for use.
  • Figure 24 shows a stage of retrieving the cable 22 with its termination 25 to a vessel 66 for connecting it to a termination 69 of another cable 68, e.g an export cable for the power generated by the equipment units (generators) 64.
  • This operation starts with lowering a retrieval line 67 from the vessel 66 to the cable stored in the cable cage 24 and connecting the retrieval line to the end of cable. Applying tension to the line 67 breaks loose, in a gradual manner, the cable 22 from its seafasting thus allowing the termination 25 to reach deck of the vessel. Thereafter a connection with the other cable 68 can be established and the connected cable can be deployed to desired position.
  • the support is designed and now ready for installation of the equipment to be supported, e.g. water generators, as well as ready for retrieval of cable ends to surface for connection to the export cables.
  • a typical application of the invention is providing support for generators generating electricity by extracting the power from moving or flowing water.
  • the invention provides a complete and inventive solution for the entire life cycle of such support structures, including fabrication, load out, transport to the location, subsea installation, operation of the equipment installed on the support structure, and removal of the support structure upon the end of its service life.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
  • Other Liquid Machine Or Engine Such As Wave Power Use (AREA)
  • Foundations (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un appareil destiné à soutenir des équipements dans un volume d'eau (1). Une pluralité de poutres principales (9) est reliée par des éléments (10) d'interconnexion. Les poutres principales sont disposées à des hauteurs distinctes dans l'eau, la poutre principale la plus basse étant reliée par des éléments inférieurs (11) de liaison à un socle (4) posé sur le fond. Chaque poutre principale (9) est reliée à au moins une ancre (8) au fond, chaque poutre principale comprenant un élément de flottabilité et présentant donc une flottabilité nette positive lorsqu'elle est installée dans l'eau. Le procédé d'installation de l'appareil comporte les étapes consistant à installer de façon séquentielle les poutres principales (9) et les éléments (10) d'interconnexion associés et à régler la flottabilité dans la poutre de piètement et dans les poutres principales pour s'assurer que le socle repose sur le fond sous le volume d'eau et que les lignes inférieures (12a,b) d'amarrage et les lignes (5a,b, 6a,b, 7a,b) d'amarrage sont tendues.
PCT/NO2009/000007 2008-01-11 2009-01-07 Appareil et procédé pour soutenir des équipements dans un volume d'eau Ceased WO2009088302A2 (fr)

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WO2012025755A3 (fr) * 2010-08-27 2012-04-19 Pulse Group Holdings Limited Structure de génération d'énergie
US8421254B2 (en) 2010-05-20 2013-04-16 Nordest Marine Inc. Stream flow hydroelectric generator system, and method of handling same
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GB2527311A (en) * 2014-06-17 2015-12-23 Blue Tidal Energy Ltd Water turbine

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US8421254B2 (en) 2010-05-20 2013-04-16 Nordest Marine Inc. Stream flow hydroelectric generator system, and method of handling same
WO2012025755A3 (fr) * 2010-08-27 2012-04-19 Pulse Group Holdings Limited Structure de génération d'énergie
GB2486911B (en) * 2010-12-30 2014-11-05 Cameron Int Corp Method and apparatus for energy generation
GB2527311A (en) * 2014-06-17 2015-12-23 Blue Tidal Energy Ltd Water turbine

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