A method includes mounting a lower platform block (300) to a plurality of piles (215) positioned on a surface. The lower platform block includes a first frame (315), a plurality of docking assemblies (305) connected to the first frame and engaging the piles, and a plurality of conductor tubes (310) connected to the first frame to a plurality of piles. The docking assemblies are released from the piles to separate the lower platform block from the piles.

A method and fixturing apparatus for manufacturing a suction caisson foundation includes providing an elevated center support and peripheral supports, elevating the foundation's prefabricated thumb section atop the center support, and temporarily securing radial frame members about the circumference of the prefabricated thumb section with the each frame member resting atop a respective peripheral support. The skirt panels are then affixed to the frame members, and the frame members to the prefabricated thumb section to thereby become self-supporting. The center support is removed from the interior of the resulting bucket, as by raising the peripheral supports to unload the center support, and lowering and dismantling the center support, whereupon additional panels are affixed to the frame members to define the foundation's lid, and further shaft sections added atop the prefabricated thumb section to complete the foundation. Temporary beams bridging preselected framing members advantageously allow use of transportation crawlers.

Process for installing an offshore tower, comprising: a) manufacturing a foundation comprising a block, manufacturing at least one superposition section of a shaft, and manufacturing a base section of a shaft; b) applying said base section to said foundation block (starting unit) to assume the relative position for the installed condition, applying said superposition sections to said starting unit in a multi-layered configuration, and applying lifting means to at least one of said foundation block and said base section; c) moving said starting unit up to the installation point; d) introducing ballast in said foundation block so that said starting unit sinks until resting on the bottom of the body of water; e) actuating said lifting means to expand said sections into the installed condition; f) between step a) and c), placing said foundation block or starting unit in the body of water of the installation point.

A support structure for an offshore device is provided, including a vertical guide sleeve and three elongated guide sleeves positioned around the vertical guide sleeve, and various braces connecting the elongated sleeves and the vertical guide sleeve. The support structure also includes a transition joint including a cylindrical portion for connection to an offshore device, such as a support tower of a wind turbine assembly, and a conical portion connected to the vertical guide sleeve. To provide resistance to thrust, bending, and torsional fatigue, at least one set of braces is formed in an oval, racetrack, obround, or stadium configuration, and one or more horizontal stiffeners are positioned in the transition joint to maximize the strength of the support structure.

A node structure (12, 14) for connecting two or more convergent members (16, 26) of a lattice frame to each other and to one or more other members of the lattice frame. The node structure (12, 14) comprises a pair of opposed spaced-apart faces (30) that are substantially planar and substantially parallel to each other. At least one pair of root formations (32) with respective central longitudinal axes define an interior angle between them, those axes diverging outwardly for alignment with respective members of the lattice frame and converging inwardly between the faces (30). An inner connecting wall (34) between the root formations (32) of the pair connects concave-curved inner edges (36) of the faces and extends in a concave curve around the interior angle to join the root formations (32) of that pair.

An offshore structure comprises a hull having a longitudinal axis, a first end, and a second end opposite the first end. In addition, the structure comprises an anchor coupled to the lower end of the hull and configured to secure the hull to the sea floor. The anchor has an aspect ratio less than 3:1. The hull includes a variable ballast chamber positioned axially between the first end and the second end of the hull and a first buoyant chamber positioned between the variable ballast chamber and the first end of the hull. The first buoyant chamber is filled with a gas and sealed from the surrounding environment. Further, the structure comprises a ballast control conduit in fluid communication with the variable ballast chamber and configured to supply a gas to the variable ballast chamber. The structure also comprises a topside mounted to the first end of the hull.

Provided is a method of installing a transmission cable arrangement of an offshore wind turbine, including step of providing a cable protection assembly, wherein provision of the cable protection assembly includes the steps of installing an outer protective pipe at a marine foundation, which outer protective pipe is realized to extend from a cable hang-off to the seabed; and laying an inner protective pipe through the outer protective pipe to extend from the cable hang-off to a further destination; and wherein the method of installing a transmission cable arrangement further includes a step of loading the transmission cable arrangement into the inner protective pipe towards the further destination. A cable protection assembly and a wind turbine assembly are also provided.

The present invention belongs to the technical field of offshore wind power construction and particularly relates to a system and a method for sealing expanded polymer-based pile shoes for a jacket. The system comprises a jacket disposed on a seabed, several pile shoes arranged around a lower end of the jacket, and several steel pipe piles inserted into the seabed, wherein the steel pipe piles are inserted into the corresponding pile shoes. The system is characterized in that gaps between the pile shoes and the steel pipe piles are respectively filled with concrete and an expanded high polymer from top to bottom, an annular elastic diaphragm is further connected to the inner walls of the pile shoes, and the expanded polymer is wrapped by the elastic diaphragm, such that the expanded polymer is isolated from the steel pipe piles and the concrete.

A method includes mounting a first jacket connector block (400) to an apparatus. The first jacket connector block includes a first frame (415), a plurality of first conductor tubes (405) connected to the first frame, a first plurality of releasable connectors (420) coupled to first ends of the first conductor tubes, and a second plurality of releasable connectors (420) coupled to second ends of the first conductor tubes and engaging the apparatus.

An offshore wind energy system comprising a foundation having a first hollow structural element with a longitudinally extending, circumferential first wall. A cable bushing penetrates through the first wall and is arranged in the first wall. At least one cable guide arrangement extends in a radial direction and is arranged at an outer shell surface of the first wall of the first hollow structural element. The cable guide arrangement is configured to guide a submarine cable exiting the cable bushing from the cable bushing to a submarine bottom surface.