STRUCTURAL JOINT FOR OFFSHORE CONSTRUCTIONS AND A METHOD FOR THE ASSEMBLY OF SUCH OFFSHORE FRAME CONSTRUCTIONS AND USE OF SUCH STRUCTURAL JOINT

Abstract

Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to offshore frame construction. In one example embodiment, an offshore frame construction is disclosed including structural members and a structural joint connecting the structural members. The structural joint includes a fork part, an ear part, and a pin, where the fork part and the ear part includes a bore, and the pin is inserted into the bore. The pin has a non-corroding surface that is a cladding or bushing welded or shrunk or glued or otherwise affixed to the pin which consists of a different material, or the non-corroding surface is continuous with the pin and the pin consists of the non-corroding material. In some specific embodiments, the bore includes a sliding surface, which is fitted with a liner acting as a bearing, and the bearing is an elastomeric bearing.

Claims

1-25. (canceled)

26. An offshore frame construction comprising: structural members, a structural joint connecting the structural members, wherein the structural joint includes a fork part, an ear part, and a pin, wherein the fork part and the ear part includes a bore, and wherein the pin is inserted into the bore, wherein the pin has a non-corroding surface, the non-corroding surface is a cladding or bushing welded or shrunk or glued or otherwise affixed to the pin which consists of a different material; or the non-corroding surface is continuous with the pin, and the pin consists of the non-corroding material; and/or the bore includes a sliding surface, which is fitted with a liner acting as a bearing, wherein the bearing is an elastomeric bearing or wherein the liner consists of one of the following non-conductive materials: a plastic, fiberglass reinforced plastic, polyether ether ketone, lignum vitae, or rubber.

27. The offshore frame construction according to claim 26, further including one or more axial bearings inserted between the ear and the fork.

28. The offshore frame construction according to claim 26, wherein the pin includes a steel body surrounded by a liner consisting of one of the following metals: aluminum bronze or Alloy 625.

29. The offshore frame construction according to claim 26, wherein the bearing is metallic, or is made with a non-conducting material.

30. The offshore frame construction according to claim 26, wherein the bearing is a spherical bearing including an externally spherical inner part and internally spherical outer part.

31. The offshore frame construction according to claim 26, further including a rubber bushing inserted into or vulcanized with an inner metallic bushing and/or an outer metallic bushing.

32. The offshore frame construction according to claim 26, wherein an interference fit is established between the pin and the bearing.

33. The offshore frame construction according to claim 32, wherein the interference fit is established by an expansion arrangement where the pin is expanded.

34. The offshore frame construction according to claim 32, wherein the interference fit is established by a tapered pin.

35. The offshore frame construction according to claim 26, further including pin joints configured and arranged to establish a single joint, a double or multiple joint, or a hinge.

36. The offshore frame construction according to claim 26, wherein the respective fork part and ear part are configured and arranged to be prefabricated parts prepared for and incorporated at the respective structural members.

37. The offshore frame construction according to claim 26, wherein the bearing is inserted into the ear part, and the bearing is a spherical bearing including an externally spherical inner part and an internally spherical outer part.

38. The offshore frame construction according to claim 26, wherein the bearing includes a first bearing in the ear part, and a second bearing in the fork part, and the offshore frame construction further including axial bearings between the fork part and the ear part.

39. The offshore frame construction according to claim 26, wherein the structural members include a first structural member that is a column and a second structural member that is a brace.

40. The offshore frame construction according to of claim 26, wherein the offshore frame construction is an offshore wind turbine foundation or a tetrahedral floating device.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0038] In the following, examples of preferred embodiments are described, visualized in the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0039] FIG. 1 shows a principle view of an inventive structural joint according to a first exemplary embodiment of the invention;

[0040] FIG. 2 shows a sectional principle view of an inventive structural joint according to a first exemplary embodiment of the invention;

[0041] FIG. 3 shows a sectional principle view of an inventive structural joint according to a second exemplary embodiment of the invention;

[0042] FIG. 4 shows a sectional principle view of an inventive structural joint according to a third exemplary embodiment of the invention;

[0043] FIG. 5 shows a sectional principle view of an inventive structural joint according to a fourth exemplary embodiment of the invention;

[0044] FIG. 6 shows a sectional principle view of an inventive structural joint according to a fifth exemplary embodiment of the invention;

[0045] FIG. 7 shows a sectional principle view of an inventive structural joint according to a sixth exemplary embodiment of the invention;

[0046] FIG. 8 shows a principle view of a first configuration of an inventive structural joint according to the invention; and

[0047] FIG. 9 shows a principle view of a different configuration of an inventive structural joint according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0048] In the figures, similar or corresponding elements are denoted with the same reference numerals.

[0049] FIG. 1 shows a principle view of an inventive structural joint according to a first exemplary embodiment of the invention. A column 1 is joined with a brace 2 with a pin joint. The pin joint comprises two fork parts 3 attached to the column 1, an ear part 4 attached to the brace 2, and a pin 5.

[0050] FIG. 2 shows a sectional principle view of an inventive structural joint according to a first exemplary embodiment of the invention. The fork parts 3 are joined with the ear part 4 by the pin 5. The fork parts 3, the ear part 4 and the pin 5 may be made of steel.

[0051] FIG. 3 shows a sectional principle view of an inventive structural joint according to a second exemplary embodiment of the invention. Here, a bearing 6 is inserted into the ear part 4. The pin may be made of steel or it may be made of a non-corroding material such as e.g. fiberglass reinforced plastic, aluminum bronze or alloy 625. The non-corroding material may be a cladding shrunk or glued or otherwise affixed to a steel pin, or the pin may in its entirety be made of the non-corroding material. The bearing may be metallic, or it may be made with a non-conducting composite material such as fiberglass reinforced plastic or polyether ether ketone (PEEK).

[0052] FIG. 4 shows a sectional principle view of an inventive structural joint according to a third exemplary embodiment of the invention. As in the second exemplary embodiment of the invention, bearing 6 is inserted into the ear part 4. In addition, bearings 7 are inserted into the fork parts 3. Furthermore, axial bearings 8 are inserted between the fork parts 3 and the ear part 4 to ensure that the pin joint is capable of carrying axial loads also.

[0053] FIG. 5 shows a sectional principle view of an inventive structural joint according to a fourth exemplary embodiment of the invention. Here, the bearing inserted into the ear part 4 is spherical, comprising an externally spherical inner part 9 and an internally spherical outer part 10.

[0054] FIG. 6 shows a sectional principle view of an inventive structural joint according to a fifth exemplary embodiment of the invention. Here, both the bearing 6 inserted into the ear part 4 and the bearings 7 inserted into the fork parts 3 are internally tapered, and the pin 5 is equally tapered. When inserted into the assembled position as shown on the figure the pin 5 has a strong press-fit against the bearings 6 and 7, thereby eliminating bearing play and preventing the ingress of wear particles.

[0055] FIG. 7 shows a sectional principle view of an inventive structural joint according to a sixth exemplary embodiment of the invention. Here, an elastomeric bearing is used, comprising a rubber bushing 11 mounted between an outer metallic bushing 12 and an inner metallic bushing 13.

[0056] FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 show a principle view of two different configurations of an inventive structural joint according to the invention.

[0057] FIG. 8 shows a single pin joint joining the column 1 and the brace 2.

[0058] FIG. 9 shows a double-pin joining the column 1 and the brace 2. Here, the pins have a common longitudinal axis 14, making the joint into a hinge.

[0059] The foregoing description of preferred and other embodiments is not intended to limit or restrict the scope or applicability of the inventive concepts disclosed. With the benefit of the present disclosure, it will be appreciated that details described with respect to one embodiment disclosed herein can be combined with or used on other embodiments disclosed herein, even though such combination or use may not be explicitly shown or recited herein. In exchange for disclosing the inventive concepts contained herein, the applicants desire all patent rights afforded by the appended claims. Therefore, it is intended that the appended claims include all modifications and alterations to the full extent that they come within the scope of the following claims or the equivalents thereof.