Classifications

• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
  • E02D—FOUNDATIONS; EXCAVATIONS; EMBANKMENTS; UNDERGROUND OR UNDERWATER STRUCTURES
  • E02D7/00—Methods or apparatus for placing sheet pile bulkheads, piles, mouldpipes, or other moulds
  • E02D7/18—Placing by vibrating
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
  • E02D—FOUNDATIONS; EXCAVATIONS; EMBANKMENTS; UNDERGROUND OR UNDERWATER STRUCTURES
  • E02D2200/00—Geometrical or physical properties
  • E02D2200/14—Geometrical or physical properties resilient or elastic
  • E02D2200/146—Springs
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
  • E02D—FOUNDATIONS; EXCAVATIONS; EMBANKMENTS; UNDERGROUND OR UNDERWATER STRUCTURES
  • E02D2300/00—Materials
  • E02D2300/0001—Rubbers
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
  • E02D—FOUNDATIONS; EXCAVATIONS; EMBANKMENTS; UNDERGROUND OR UNDERWATER STRUCTURES
  • E02D27/00—Foundations as substructures
  • E02D27/32—Foundations for special purposes
  • E02D27/42—Foundations for poles, masts or chimneys
  • E02D27/425—Foundations for poles, masts or chimneys specially adapted for wind motors masts

Definitions

• the invention relates to a vibrating device for inserting a foundation element, such as a foundation pile for a wind turbine, into the ground.
• a foundation element such as a foundation pile for a wind turbine
• Such foundation elements can be inserted into the ground here both on land and at sea.
• vibrating devices for placing a foundation pile on which a construction such as a wind turbine can be mounted.
• Such vibrating devices make use of the vibration of a solid or tubular pile, wherein this pile is vibrated into the ground with a vibrator block.
• Such blocks are usually connected to the upper side of the foundation pile in a substantially vertical position of the foundation pile. A good match is required here between the dimensions of the foundation pile and the associated block. This is usually time-consuming in practice, with a relatively poor view of the coupling because of the great distance, and with a relatively great chance of inaccuracies with the additional increased chance of accidents.
• resilient elements particularly resilient elements which make use of elastomers, display a relatively great variation in strength, so that breakage can occur after a period of time, particularly in the case where great loads occur. This increases the chance of accidents during positioning of the foundation element.
• An object of the present invention is to obviate or reduce the above problems and to provide an effective vibrating device for inserting a foundation element into the ground.
• the vibrating device for inserting a foundation element into the ground according to the present invention, wherein the vibrating device comprises:
• a clamping mechanism for fixedly clamping the foundation element; a vibrator block configured to provide a vibration for the purpose of inserting the foundation element into the ground, wherein the vibrator block is provided with resilient elements;
• a fixation mechanism configured to apply a bias to the resilient elements such that movement of the resilient elements is reduced.
• the fixation mechanism makes it possible to as it were temporarily isolate the resilient elements from the play of forces.
• the resilient elements are formed by for instance springs, rubbers, elastomers or other resilient elements. These resilient elements serve the purpose of not transmitting to the rest of the installation the forces exerted on the foundation element during the vibration process.
• the foundation element can be provided in diverse forms, including a pile, tube, pipe and the like.
• the foundation element particularly also comprises a tubular foundation pile provided with a flange on which a construction such as a wind turbine is placeable.
• the fixation mechanism preferably comprises a number of cylinders for applying a bias to the resilient elements.
• the number amounts for instance to one, two or four cylinders. It will be apparent that a different number of cylinders can also be used. Extending the cylinders for instance results in the resilient elements being isolated from the play of forces for the lifting process. This whole or at least partial blocking of the resilient elements achieves that substantially no relative movement occurs between components of the vibrating device during positioning of the vibrating device, in particular during upending of the assembly of vibrating device and foundation element.
• the vibrating device comprises a rotation mechanism operatively connected to the vibrator block and configured to rotate the vibrator block with the resilient elements, wherein the clamping mechanism fixedly holds the foundation element.
• rotation mechanism makes it possible to perform the upending already described above.
• the combination of rotation mechanism with clamping mechanism and resilient elements achieves that undesired damage to components resulting from the forces which occur are reduced and preferably even wholly avoided. Said combination is found to significantly improve the operational availability of the vibrating device in practice.
• the rotation mechanism comprises a cylinder.
• Providing the rotation mechanism with a cylinder enables a rotation for the purpose of for instance upending to be performed in effective manner.
• the use of a winch and/or lifting installation is not required here for this rotation movement.
• This increases the convenience of use of the vibrating device according to the invention.
• a cost-effective vibrating device is hereby provided.
• the time duration required for the rotation process is hereby also limited during use so that the whole process of arranging a foundation element can be performed more efficiently.
• a further additional advantage of the vibrating device according to the present invention is that the frame can be provided in relatively simple manner with more than one vibrator block, for instance two, four or even more. It is hereby possible in effective manner to apply a greater power for the purpose of inserting a foundation element.
• use is preferably made of a base frame and a so-called spreader bar.
• connecting means connected to the frame for connecting the frame to the vibrating device.
• clamping means preferably in the form of grippers, achieves that a foundation pile of differing dimensions and/or configurations can be fixedly clamped.
• Flexible use of the device according to the invention hereby becomes possible. Use is preferably made here of a number of preferably hydraulic cylinders for managing the forces required.
• the device according to the invention is particularly suitable for clamping a foundation pile provided with a flange on the outer end of the foundation pile directed upward in use.
• a flange is advantageous for placing preferably a wind turbine thereon or thereat.
• a wind turbine can in this way be placed in effective manner. Owing to the flexible device according to the invention such a foundation pile provided with a flange can be placed in the ground in effective and efficient manner both on land and at sea.
• the cylinders displace the clamping means in order to thereby place them over a flange and subsequently allow them to engage on for instance a tube wall of the foundation pile.
• the preferably substantially horizontal arrangement of the cylinders realizes a simple configuration and operation of the device according to the invention.
• the clamping means comprise a clamping mechanism and second positioning means for positioning a clamping mechanism relative to a wall of the foundation element.
• a greater flexibility of the device according to the invention is obtained by providing a clamping mechanism and second positioning means.
• the clamping mechanism is preferably driven by a separate hydraulic cylinder.
• the vibrating device comprises an auxiliary frame configured to arrange the vibrating device thereon in a position of the foundation element lying wholly or partially on the auxiliary frame.
• a vibrating device can be arranged on or at a foundation element while the foundation element is situated on the auxiliary frame in a non-vertical position.
• Use of the auxiliary frame achieves that arranging of the vibrating device on the foundation element can be performed in simpler manner.
• the assembly of vibrating device and foundation element is then carried into the desired substantially vertical vibration position by subsequently rotating the assembly with the above discussed blocking/biasing of the resilient elements, wherein no undesirable effects occur on (parts of) the vibrating device as a result of the relatively great forces which occur during the rotation movement.
• the rotation mechanism is preferably configured such that, after the vibrating device has been aiianged on the foundation element, the assembly of vibrating device and foundation element rotates through an angle to a substantially vertical vibration position in the range of 60 to 85 degrees, preferably in the range of 70 to 83 degrees, and most preferably about 80 degrees.
• the vibrating device can be arranged in relatively simple manner on the foundation element.
• the vibrating device can in particular be guided in as it were self-aligning or self -locating manner into a tubular foundation element.
• the movements required and the associated forces exerted are hereby limited compared to arrangement of a vibrating device on a foundation element placed fully horizontally, wherein the vibrating device must for instance be pulled into the foundation element.
• a further advantage of the rotation through an angle in said ranges, in particular about 80 degrees, is that a more effective equilibrium of forces is hereby obtained, particularly in an offshore application.
• the foundation element can be placed in the auxiliary frame and, because of the angle to the horizontal plane, can already be positioned with a lower outer end in the water or close to the water surface. This has the advantage that the upward force of the water reduces the necessary lifting forces. This makes positioning simpler, and in addition relative movement of components is further reduced.
• the invention also relates to a kit comprising a fixation mechanism configured to apply a blocking or movement limitation to the resilient elements, and connecting elements for arranging the fixation mechanism on a vibrating device for the purpose of providing a vibrating device as described above.
• the kit provides the same advantages and effects as described for the vibrating device.
• the kit can particularly be applied as a separate build-in or surface-mounted unit which can optionally be mounted on a vibrating device.
• the kit according to the invention has the additional advantage here of also being suitable for use on already existing vibrating devices which can be modified therewith, for instance when they are going to be used for offshore applications.
• the invention also relates to a method for inserting a foundation element into the ground, the method comprising of providing a device and/or vibrating device as described above.
• the method provides the same advantages and effects as described for the device and/or vibrating device.
• the method according to the invention preferably comprises of applying a blocking/bias to the resilient elements with the fixation mechanism.
• the method according to the invention also comprises of rotating the assembly of vibrating device and foundation element to a substantially vertical vibration position following applying of the blocking/bias and clamping of the foundation element.
• the vibrator block is preferably secured here and rotated prior to mounting, whereby undesired movements are reduced during the rotation and lifting during positioning of the vibrating device with foundation element.
• This arrangement of the vibrating device in a non-vertical position on the foundation element followed by rotation of the assembly is particularly advantageous in the case of offshore placing of foundation elements.
• the arrangement of the vibrating device on or at the foundation element can for instance be carried out here substantially on board a ship, and preferably substantially on or close to the deck of such a ship.
• a foundation element can hereby be arranged in a controlled manner in a ground such as a seabed.
• the method according to the invention preferably comprises of positioning the clamping means with the positioning means, and engaging with the clamping means, preferably using the clamping mechanism preferably driven by a separate hydraulic cylinder, round or around an edge of the foundation element on preferably a wall of a tubular foundation element.
• an edge particularly comprises a flange
• such a foundation element particularly comprises a tubular foundation pile provided with such a flange.
• figures 1A-D show views of a conventional vibrator block and an optional clamping system according to the invention
• FIGS. 2A-D show views of a vibrating device with optional clamping system and a spring system according to the invention
• FIGS. 3A-H show views of a preferred embodiment of the vibrating device according to the invention.
• FIG. 4 shows a view relating to a clamping system which can be applied in a vibrating device according to the invention
• FIGS 5A-F show views of the clamping system of figure 4.
• figure 6 shows a schematic view of a wind turbine placed according to the invention.
• Vibrating system 2 (figure 1 A) comprises a so-called outer suppressor 4 which is connected via resilient element 6 to the so-called inner suppressor 8.
• This inner suppressor 8 is mounted on sump 10.
• resilient element 6 Through use of resilient element 6 the transmission of vibrations during driving of foundation element 12 can be isolated from the lifting installation. Connections between inner suppressor 8, sump 10, base frame 14, clamps 16 of clamping mechanism 18 and foundation pile 12 are rigid. Vibrations generated with vibrating device 2 are therefore carried only into foundation pile 12.
• Conventional spring system 20 (figure IB) with resilient element 6 and inner suppressor 8 has a flexible suspension.
• Two-phase system 22 (figure 1C) shows spring system 22 with resilient element 6.
• Spring system 22 is a type of two-phase system with first phase element 24, which forms a relatively flexible connection which isolates vibrations particularly to lifting installation 26. This is therefore mainly relevant during driving or vibration or insertion of foundation pile 12 into the ground.
• Second phase element 28 realizes a stiffer connection which is not activated during the vibration process but during a pulling process with foundation pile 12, so that a greater load can be lifted.
• a vibrating device according to the invention will be elucidated hereinbelow with which incline 30 is reduced and can preferably even be avoided.
• vibrating device 32 in addition to comprising the regular components such as outer suppressor 34 and sump 36 and components applied in a preferred embodiment according to the invention such as base frame 14 and clamps 16 of clamping mechanism 18, vibrating device 32 (figures 2A-D) in the shown embodiment according to the invention also comprises an adjustable two-phase spring system 38.
• Spring system 38 is provided with adjusting mechanism/fixation mechanism 40 (figures 2B and D).
• Adjusting mechanism 40 makes it possible to realize a rigid connection between outer suppressor 34 and sump 36, wherein the mutual distance is reduced.
• the centre of gravity 42 is in addition brought closer to the rotation point of the upending, which has a favourable effect on the rotation from a loading position to a vibration position of the assembly of vibrating device 32 and foundation pile 12.
• the flexible connection is spared by the activated rigid connection and damage thereto is therefore prevented.
• the vibration position adjusting mechanism 40 is switched and resilient elements 6 will provide for a flexible connection.
• adjusting mechanism 40 is embodied with a type of cylinder, wherein an adjusting mechanism 40 is provided on either side of vibrating device 32, therefore a total of two per vibrating device 32.
• rotation cylinder 44 For the rotation of vibrating device 32 during upending use is made of rotation cylinder 44 which enables a rotation between vibrating device 32 and lifting installation 26.
• cylinder 44 vibrating device 32 can make a rotation movement relative to lifting frame 28. This makes possible the upending of vibrating device 32 assembled with a foundation element 12.
• the stroke of cylinder 44 is preferably limited to a length such that, even when a cylinder 44 malfunctions, no undesiied rotation is possible between vibrating device 32 and lifting frame 28.
• Vibrating device 32 shows lifting device 28 wherein outer suppressor 34 and sump 36 are connected flexibly (figure 3A).
• By moving adjusting mechanism 40 in direction A the flexible connection is made rigid by applying a bias to resilient elements 6 (figure 3B).
• a rotation of vibrating device 32 is then performed relative to lifting device 28 in direction B by moving, particularly extending, cylinder 44 (figure 3C).
• Use is made in the shown embodiment of an angle a of about 80 degrees.
• a locating or self-aligning effect is hereby realized during arranging of vibrating device 32 on or in foundation pile 12 (figure 3D) in or on auxiliary frame 46, followed by clamping with clamps 16.
• Self -locators are optionally applied here in order to further optimize this effect.
• the base frame comprises beams for distributing the forces exerted on the foundation element, in particular foundation pile 12 or foundation tube.
• Clamping mechanism 18 is embodied for this purpose in the shown embodiment with twelve clamping means or clamps 16, a further embodiment of which is elucidated below.
• clamps 16 are embodied such that they can engage in relatively simple manner over an optional flange arranged on an upper edge of foundation pile 12. This makes mounting of the construction, such as a wind turbine, on the foundation element at a later stage considerably simpler.
• Clamps 16 are connected in the shown embodiment to base frame 14 with a bolt connection.
• Resilient elements 6 which are embodied in the shown embodiment as a type of rubber blocks of an elastomer material ensure that during use vibrations are exerted on foundation pile 12 and are not transmitted unnecessarily to the other parts of the overall vibration installation.
• a bias can be applied to these resilient elements 6 such that movement of resilient elements 6 is reduced thereby during positioning.
• Cylinders 40 ar e for this purpose retr actable, wherein cylinders 40 engage for instance on a pin/shaft which then compresses resilient elements 6 by moving first part 34 and second part 36 of vibrating device 32 toward each other. It will be apparent that a different number of cylinders 40 and a different configuration, wherein cylinders 40 engage for instance directly on resilient elements 6, are also possible according to the invention.
• System 102 (figure 4) is provided with a lifting system 104, one or more vibrator blocks 106, in the shown embodiment four vibrator blocks 106 positioned adjacently of each other, a box structure 108 and a device 110 according to the invention for clamping a foundation pile 112, and in particular on a flange 114 thereof.
• pile 112 is inserted into the ground 118 at sea 116.
• Device 110 is provided with a connecting frame 120 and, additionally or alternatively, structure 108 on which diverse clamping elements 122 are arranged.
• Clamping element 122 (figures 5A-F) comprise in the shown embodiment a fixed outer part 124 and a displaceable inner part 126, wherein parts 124, 126 are provided for displacement by two cylinders 128.
• parts 124, 126 are first moved apart and placed over flange 114. Parts 124, 126 are then displaced toward each other by cylinders 128 and secured on pile 112 with movable clamp 129.
• movable clamp 129 is moved using cylinder 130 and an actual clamping is realized on pile 112.
• fixation elements 132 comprising a separate cylinder are provided in the shown embodiment which fix clamping part 126 relative to T-shaped guide rails 134.
• connection points 38 for arranging the other components of the vibration system directly or indirectly thereon.
• connection points 140 Arranged in the shown embodiment are connection points 140 around which for instance wind turbine 142 can be placed and/or optional clamping system 122 can be fixed.
• the inner diameter of flange 14 is about 4400 mm and the outer diameter about 5500 mm.
• a wind turbine (figure 6) is placed at sea 160 in the ground 180.
• the turbine is arranged here on flange 114 of pile 112.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
• Paleontology (AREA)
• Civil Engineering (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Structural Engineering (AREA)
• Placing Or Removing Of Piles Or Sheet Piles, Or Accessories Thereof (AREA)
• Foundations (AREA)
• Wind Motors (AREA)
• Investigation Of Foundation Soil And Reinforcement Of Foundation Soil By Compacting Or Drainage (AREA)
• Consolidation Of Soil By Introduction Of Solidifying Substances Into Soil (AREA)

Priority Applications (6)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Publications (2)

Family

ID=53673278

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (5)

Cited By (11)

Family Cites Families (10)

• 2015
  • 2015-06-09 DK DK15738758.0T patent/DK3155176T3/da active
  • 2015-06-09 EP EP21212865.6A patent/EP3985174B1/en active Active
  • 2015-06-09 PT PT157387580T patent/PT3155176T/pt unknown
  • 2015-06-09 WO PCT/NL2015/050417 patent/WO2015190919A2/en not_active Ceased
  • 2015-06-09 ES ES15738758T patent/ES2905271T3/es active Active

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