Coupling Tool for Connection to an Outer End of a Tubular Element for Upending the Element

Abstract

Described herein is a coupling tool for connection to an outer end of a tubular element for the purpose of upending the element. The coupling tool has engaging means with which the outer end of the element can be engaged, and a pivotable lifting member with which the coupling tool can be suspended from a lifting means such as a crane. Resilient arms are further mounted on the coupling tool, which arms can be moved from a starting position to a position against a wall part of the outer end of the element for the purpose of aligning the suspended coupling tool relative to the outer end, and for damping movements of the suspended coupling tool. Also described herein is a device which comprises the coupling tool, and a method which makes use of the device.

Claims

1. A coupling tool for connection to an outer end of a tubular element for the purpose of upending the element, wherein the coupling tool comprises engaging means for engaging an outer end of the tubular element and a pivotable lifting member with which the coupling tool can be suspended from a lifting means wherein mounted on the coupling tool are resilient arms which can be moved from a starting position to a position against a wall part of the outer end of the tubular element for the purpose of aligning the suspended coupling tool relative to the outer end, wherein the resilient arms can be arranged against an external wall part of the outer end of the tubular element, and wherein the resilient arms are mounted pivotally on the coupling tool and can be rotated around the hinge using a drive means.

2. (canceled)

3. (canceled)

4. The coupling tool according to claim 1, wherein the drive means comprises hydraulic piston cylinders.

5. The coupling tool according to claim 1, wherein the resilient arms are provided at a free outer end with first rolling bodies which can be arranged against the wall part.

6. The coupling tool according to claim 5, wherein the resilient arms are provided at the free outer end with second rolling bodies which can be arranged against the wall part and which are arranged on resilient side arms of the resilient arms.

7. The coupling tool according to claim 1, wherein the coupling tool comprises a support structure of beams and clamping members, slidable along the beams from a clear position to a clamping position, for coupling to the wall part of the tubular element in the clamping position, in which clamping position the beams extend substantially transversely of a longitudinal direction of the tubular element.

8. The coupling tool according to claim 7, wherein the clamping members are slidable from the clear position to a clamping position, located further away from a centre of the support structure than the clear position, for coupling to an internal wall part of a hollow outer end of the tubular element.

9. The coupling tool according to claim 7, wherein the resilient arms are mounted on a beam of the support structure.

10. The coupling tool according to claim 7, wherein the coupling tool further comprises means for adjusting the angular position of the support structure relative to the lifting member which is pivotally coupled to the support structure.

11. The coupling tool according to claim 1, wherein surfaces which can come into contact with wall parts of the tubular element are provided with shock-absorbing elements.

12. A device for upending a tubular element at an outer end, the device comprising a lifting means carried by a carrier structure and a coupling tool according to claim 1 taken up by the lifting member.

13. The deivce according to claim 12, wherein the carrier structure comprises a floating vessel.

14. The device according to claim 12, wherein the tubular element is a foundation pile of a wind turbine.

15. A method for upending a tubular element with a longitudinal direction at an outer end, wherein the method comprises the steps of: providing a device according to claim 12; taking up the coupling tool by the lifting member using a lifting means; carrying the suspended coupling tool to an outer end of the tubular element; moving the resilient arms mounted on the coupling tool from a starting position to a position against a wall part of the outer end of the element for the purpose of aligning the suspended coupling tool relative to the outer end; coupling the coupling tool to the outer end; and upending the tubular element coupled to the coupling tool, wherein the coupling tool pivots relative to the lifting member.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the coupling tool is pivoted relative to the lifting member using the angle adjusting means.

17. An assembly of a device according to claim 12 having a tubular element coupled to the device.

18. The coupling tool according to claim 1, wherein the lifting means comprises a crane.

19. The coupling tool according to claim 11, wherein the shock absorbing element comprises a rubber covering.

20. The coupling tool according to claim 4, wherein the resilient arms are provided at a free outer end with first rolling bodies which can be arranged against the wall part.

21. The coupling tool according to claim 4, wherein the coupling tool comprises a support structure of beams and clamping members, slidable along the beams from a clear position to a clamping position, for coupling to the wall part of the tubular element in the clamping position, in which clamping position the beams extend substantially transversely of a longitudinal direction of the tubular element.

22. The coupling tool according to claim 5, wherein the coupling tool comprises a support structure of beams and clamping members, slidable along the beams from a clear position to a clamping position, for coupling to the wall part of the tubular element in the clamping position, in which clamping position the beams extend substantially transversely of a longitudinal direction of the tubular element.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0048] The invention will now be further elucidated on the basis of the following figures, without otherwise being limited thereto. In the figures:

[0049] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective exploded view of the device according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0050] FIG. 2 is a schematic top view in assembled state of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

[0051] FIG. 3 is a schematic top view of the embodiment of the device according to the invention shown in FIG. 1 with a tubular element coupled thereto;

[0052] FIG. 4 is a schematic side view of the embodiment of the device according to the invention shown in FIG. 1 in two angular positions; and

[0053] FIG. 5 is a schematic front view of the embodiment of the device according to the invention shown in FIG. 1;

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0054] Referring to the figures, a coupling tool 1 for upending a foundation pile 20 with a longitudinal direction 21 at an outer end is shown. Coupling tool 1 is likewise suitable for upending and placing other elements with a longitudinal direction, such as for instance transition pieces of a wind turbine mast, optionally on each other or on another surface. In the shown embodiment coupling tool 1 comprises a cross-shaped support structure in the form of mutually coupled beams (2a, 2b). The support structure can however also comprise a plurality of beams, for instance three beams which form the legs of a Y-shaped support structure. The coupling can for instance be brought about by means of welding of beam parts. The beams for instance have a tubular cross-section, although H-beams or I-beams are also possible. In the centre of the cross the support structure is provided with two hinged plates (3a, 3b) in which a lifting member 4 is connected pivotally to support structure 2 by means of a pin-hole connection. Lifting member 4 is provided on a lifting side with a lifting eye 40 for connection to a lifting means such as a crane (not shown), this with interposing of hoisting cables which are each connected to lifting eye 40. The function of lifting eye 40 can also take a different form, for instance that of shaft stub or trunnion. With lifting member 4 coupling tool 1 can be suspended from a lifting means in a manner such that support structure 2 can rotate in relatively unhindered manner round a rotation axis 5 running perpendicularly of the hinged plates (3a, 3b).

[0055] According to the invention, coupling tool 1 is provided with resilient arms 10 which are mounted on two positions, which are opposing relative to the centre of the cross, on transverse beams 11 arranged between two beams (2a, 2b). The connection to transverse beams 11 runs via hinges 12, as shown in FIG. 5. Also according to FIG. 5, the arms can be moved from a shown starting position to a position against a wall part 20b of the outer end 200 of tubular element 20 for the purpose of aligning the suspended coupling tool 1 relative to outer end 200. Arms 10 here take on the position shown with broken lines. In the shown embodiment rotation of arms 10 relative to support structure 2 is done by imparting a movement on hydraulic cylinders 13 arranged between arms 10 and support structure 2. The resilient arms 10 forming part of coupling tool 1 here have a sufficiently great length to be able to be first to come into contact with the outer end 200 of the element to be upended.

[0056] Arms 10 are provided at a free outer end with rolling bodies 14 which come into contact with wall part 10b during use. Rolling bodies 14 ensure that the outer ends of arms 10 can move more easily over wall part 20b in the longitudinal direction 21 in order to thus seek the correct aligned position. Rolling bodies 14 can rotate in their rotation direction round a shaft connection 140.

[0057] The resilient force with which resilient arms 10 with rolling bodies 14 are held against wall part 20b is determined by the pressure in hydraulic cylinders 13. Hydraulic cylinders 13 do provide a certain counter-pressure when arms 10 are held against wall part 10b. This counter-pressure should not be too high so as to avoid damage by, and to, resilient arms 10.

[0058] Coupling tool 1 further comprises clamping members 6 slidable along the beams (2a, 2b) from a clear position to a clamping position. Each camping member 6 has a U-shaped cross-section and can in this way at least partially enclose a beam (2a, 2b) so that clamping member 6 is able to slide with sliding surfaces over the relevant beam (2a, 2b) without losing contact with the beam (2a, 2b). In the shown embodiment clamping members 6 are slidable along a lower side of support structure 2. The lower side of support structure 2 is defined here as the side where lifting member 4 is not situated. This lifting member 4 is situated on an upper side of the cross-shaped support structure 2. Clamping members 6 can be slid over the beams (2a, 2b) by means of hydraulic piston cylinders 7 extending between a relevant clamping member 6 and a beam of support structure 2. By imparting on the cylinders a radially outward movement in the indicated directions 8 as according to FIG. 2 the clamping members 6 are moved from a clear position A lying radially relatively close to the centre of the cross to a clamping position B located further away from the centre of the cross of the support structure. As shown in FIG. 3, in the clamping position B clamping members 6 lie under pressure against internal wall parts 20a of a hollow outer end of foundation pile 20, wherein a clamping member part is slid under a flange or protruding edge (not shown) of the foundation pile. This results in a mechanical coupling, optionally combined with a friction coupling between end surfaces of clamping members 6 and the internal wall parts 20a of foundation pile 2. In order to further improve this coupling the end surfaces of clamping members 6 which come into contact with wall parts 20a can be provided with shock-absorbing elements such as rubber covering. The figures further show that in the clamping position of clamping members 6 the beams (2a, 2b) extend substantially transversely of a longitudinal direction 21 of foundation pile 20. In FIG. 3 the longitudinal direction 21 runs perpendicularly of the plane of the figure.

[0059] Coupling tool 1 is further provided with support members 9 connected to a beam (2a, 2b). Support members 9 are configured to support outer wall parts 20b of foundation pile 20, at least along parts of the periphery of foundation pile 20. Support members 9 likewise have a U-shaped cross-section and can be slid over end parts of the beams (2a, 2b) to an adjustable fixed position of the relevant beam (2a, 2b). The adjustable fixed positions are for instance determined by a number of openings 22 which are arranged in a side wall of a beam (2a, 2b) and in which a corresponding pin 92 of a support member 9 can be arranged in order to secure this member to the beam (2a, 2b). Because support members 9 are configured to support an outer wall part 20b of foundation pile 20 during upending, support members 9 will generally be situated more radially outward in the radial direction 8 than clamping members 6, which are after all configured in the shown embodiment to clamp an inner wall part 20a of foundation pile 20 during upending.

[0060] For foundation piles 20 with relatively large diameters, for instance of 6 m and more, and/or a relatively high weight, for instance 800-2300 tons and more, it may be useful to provide further support in the form of a support structure 25, which differs from support members 9 and extends along at least a part of the periphery of foundation pile 20. In order to obtain sufficient strength it may be useful to connect support structure 25 to at least two beams (2a, 2b), as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The surfaces of support structure 25 which can come into contact with wall parts of foundation pile 20 can also be provided with shock-absorbing elements 26, for instance in the form of rubber covering.

[0061] During use, when foundation pile 20 is being upended, both support members 9 and support structure 25 are situated on a lower side of foundation pile 20 in partially upended position. Support members 9 and, if desired, support structure 25, are therefore particularly useful in absorbing the own weight of foundation pile 20.

[0062] Finally, coupling tool 1 can also be provided with means for adjusting the angular position of support structure 2 relative to the lifting member 4 which is connected pivotally to support structure 2. In the shown embodiment the angle adjusting means comprise hydraulic piston cylinders 24 extending between lifting member 4 and support structure 2. In the extended position of cylinders 24, shown in FIG. 4, the plane 29 of support structure 2 runs substantially parallel to the plane 49 of lifting member 4. In this lifting position the angle 45 between the two planes of lifting member 4 and support structure 2 amounts to substantially 0 degrees. By retracting cylinders 24 the support structure 2 is rotated round rotation axis 5 (see FIG. 2) from the insertion position shown in FIG. 4 to the hanging position shown with broken lines in the same figure. Plane 29 of support structure 2 runs here substantially perpendicular to the plane of lifting member 4. The angle 45 between lifting member 4 and support structure 2 has here increased to about 90 degrees.

[0063] During use the invented coupling tool 1 is firstly connected to a hoisting cable (not shown) of a crane (not shown) by connecting the hoisting cable to the eye 40 or alternative connecting means of lifting member 4. Support structure 2 is then taken up by lifting member 4 using the crane and carried to an outer end of foundation pile 20. Foundation piles 20 which have to be upended and for instance have to be arranged in a seabed are generally situated on the work deck of a vessel, for instance a jack-up platform, in horizontal position. In order to lift such a horizontally oriented foundation pile 20 with coupling tool 1 the support structure 2 of the device is moved into the insertion position shown with full lines in FIG. 4, and inserted into a hollow outer end of foundation pile 20, by imparting a movement on cylinders 24. Clamping members 6 are here in the clear position A, i.e. relatively close to the centre of the cross.

[0064] According to the invention, insertion of coupling tool 1 takes place using the resilient arms 10. The resilient arms 10 forming part of coupling tool 1 are moved from the rest position shown in FIG. 5 to a position lying closer to the wall part 20b to be touched. In this situation the coupling tool 1 swings to some extent because it is suspended from the crane. After arms 10 have approached wall part 20b sufficiently, arms 10 are first to come into contact with the outer end 200 to be upended, wherein the resilience ensures that coupling tool 1, and more particularly the support structure 2 provided with the coupling means 6, is aligned relative to outer end 200. Because resilient arms 10 have been placed against wall part 20b of outer end 200, they are able to move thereover by rotation of rolling bodies 14. Coupling tool 1, particularly support structure 2, is co-displaced in this movement so that it is aligned with outer end 200. The axis 15 running perpendicularly of the plane 29 of the support structure hereby comes to lie substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction 21 of the element to be upended. This alignment allows coupling means 6 to be positioned such that they are able to engage outer end 200 without much risk of unexpected movements which could cause damage to the element, particularly to foundation pile 20.

[0065] Clamping members 6 are then slid along the beams (2a, 2b) from their clear position A to their clamping position B, wherein a coupling with the internal wall parts 20a of the hollow outer end of foundation pile 2 is realized. In this clamping position the beams (2a, 2b) extend substantially transversely of the longitudinal direction of foundation pile 20. The foundation pile 20 coupled to device 1 is then upended by hoisting the whole with the crane. Support structure 2 here pivots relative to lifting member 4 until angle 45 has been reduced to 90 degrees, in other words until plane 29 of support structure 2 runs substantially perpendicular to plane 49 of lifting member 4. In this position the foundation pile 20 coupled to device 1 is hoisted with the crane into a desired position, for instance there where foundation pile 20 has to be lowered onto the seabed. In the desired position clamping members 6 are then slid radially inward along the beams (2a, 2b) from clamping position B to clear position A in order to uncouple device 1 from foundation pile 20. During upending of foundation pile 20 it can if desired be supported further by support members 9 and/or support structure 25.

[0066] It will be apparent that the above described embodiments have to be provided with peripheral equipment, such as for instance hydraulic and electric power sources, supply conduits therefor, and the like. This peripheral equipment is not described in further detail.

[0067] With the embodiment of the invented device, described above in detail, a tubular object, particularly a foundation pile of a wind turbine, can be placed from a floating vessel onto a ground surface, particularly an underwater bottom, this in worse weather conditions than is possible with the known method. This reduces the risk of damage to the tubular object. The device also makes it possible to manipulate tubular elements with relatively large dimensions, wherein different dimensions can be accommodated.

[0068] The embodiments illustrated herein are mere examples of the present invention and should therefore not be construed as being limiting. Alternatives provided by a skilled person in consideration of the embodiments are likewise encompassed by the scope of protection of the present invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description is intended to be illustrative rather than restrictive. The invention described hereinabove is defined by the appended claims and all changes to the invention that fall within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.