DEVICE FOR LEVELLING AN OFFSHORE FOUNDATION CONSTRUCTION

Abstract

A device for levelling an offshore foundation construction including a cylinder equipped with a fastening member for removably fastening the cylinder to a part of the offshore foundation construction, a rod mobile in axial translation with respect to the cylinder, the rod including a pushing end so configured to push against a mudmat.

Claims

1. A device for levelling an offshore foundation construction, including a cylinder equipped with a fastening means for removably fastening the cylinder to a part of the offshore foundation construction, a rod mobile in axial translation with respect to the cylinder, the rod including a pushing end so configured to push against a mudmat.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the pushing end has a spherical shape, the curvature radius (r.sub.60) of the spherical shape of the pushing end being preferably within a range 450 mm to 1500 mm, preferably 1000 mm to 1500 mm.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the fastening means is configured for fastening the cylinder to a bearing part of the offshore foundation construction.

4. The device according to claim 3, wherein the bearing part is a sleeve, the sleeve is being part of a structure or of an adapter of the offshore foundation construction.

5. The device according to claim 4, wherein the sleeve is a cylinder having a circular radial cross section.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the fastening means includes at least two clamping chucks spread over the outer circumference of the cylinder.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein the rod includes a cylindrical part having a circular axial cross section, the radius (d.sub.58) of the circular radial cross section being preferably within a range 450 mm to 1500 mm.

8. The device according to claim 1, further including a measurement system for measuring a displacement of the rod with respect to the cylinder, the measurement system including a first measurement unit arranged within the rod and/or a second measurement unit arranged within the cylinder.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein the cylinder includes an upper frontal surface, the device including a connection part axially upwardly protruding from the upper frontal surface, the connection part being intended to accommodate a connection line, the connection part being able to be caught in order to remove the device from the offshore foundation construction.

10. The device according to claim 9, wherein the connection part includes a lower portion and an upper portion, the lower portion being cylindrical, the upper portion being frustoconical, the connection part including a bore extending inside the lower portion and the upper portion, the lower end of the upper portion having a larger (d.sub.46d) radial cross-section than the radial cross-section (d.sub.44) of the lower portion.

11. The device according to claim 1, further including a mudmat at least partially removably secured to the rod or to the offshore foundation construction.

12. The device according to claim 1, wherein the mudmat is made of several parts.

13. The device according to claim 1, wherein the mudmat is part of the offshore foundation construction.

14. An adapter for an offshore foundation construction including the device according to claim 1.

15. The adapter according to claim 14, including a central sleeve and a peripheral sleeve for insertion of a pile of the offshore foundation construction, the device being inserted within the central sleeve.

16. An offshore foundation construction including a structure, a mudmat and the device and/or the adapter according to claim 14.

17. A method of levelling an offshore foundation construction, preferably an offshore foundation construction intended to support an offshore wind turbine, including fastening the device according to claim 1 to a part of the offshore foundation construction, and actuating a motion of axial translation of the rod with respect to the cylinder so as to push against a mudmat of the offshore foundation construction.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the steps of fastening and actuating are implemented prior to a step of inserting a first pile of the offshore foundation construction.

Description

[0036] The present invention and its advantages will be better understood by studying the detailed description of a specific embodiment given by way of nonlimiting examples and illustrated by the appended drawings on which:

[0037] FIG. 1 is a side view of an offshore foundation construction according to one aspect of the invention,

[0038] FIG. 2 is a isometric view of an adapter of the offshore foundation construction of FIG. 1,

[0039] FIG. 3 is a isometric view of a first device embodiment for levelling the offshore foundation construction of FIG. 1,

[0040] FIG. 4 is a side view of the device of FIG. 3 in a first configuration, and

[0041] FIG. 5 is a side view of the device of FIG. 3 in a second configuration.

[0042] With reference to FIG. 1, it is schematically depicted an offshore foundation construction 2. The offshore foundation construction 2 aims at resting on a seabed (not depicted) and at supporting an offshore device (not depicted), in particular an offshore wind turbine. Nonetheless, the offshore foundation construction 2 may be used for supporting another kind of offshore device, such as an offshore hydrocarbon production platform.

[0043] It is defined an orthonormal direct vector base 4 attached to the offshore foundation construction 2. The base 4 consists of a vector {right arrow over (x)}, a vector {right arrow over (y)} and a vector {right arrow over (z)}.

[0044] In the present application, terms “low”, “down”, “up”, “horizontal” and “vertical” will be understood as referring relative to the base 4 when the offshore foundation construction 2 is normally installed on a horizontal seabed, that is assuming that the vector {right arrow over (z)} is vertically upwardly directed.

[0045] As well, the word “cylindrical” will be understood according to its common definition, being namely that a cylindrical surface is a surface consisting of all the points on all the lines which are parallel to a given line and which pass through a fixed plane curve in a plane not parallel to the given line.

[0046] The offshore foundation construction 2 includes a structure 6. The structure 6 includes four main legs 8, only two legs 8 being visible on the side view of FIG. 1. The structure 6 also includes a plurality of braces 10. The braces 10 connect mechanically a leg 8 with another leg 8. On the side view of FIG. 1, only four braces 10 are visible.

[0047] In the depicted embodiment, the structure 6 is a jacket. However, it would be possible without departing from the scope of the invention to have a structure having a different design, being for instance a tripod.

[0048] The offshore foundation construction 2 includes, for each main leg 8, an adapter 12. That is, in the embodiment of FIG. 1, the offshore foundation construction 2 includes four adapters 12, only two of them being visible on the side view of FIG. 1. For each main leg 8, an adapter 12 is attached to a lower end of the main leg 8. In the depicted embodiment, the adapters 12 are welded to the legs 8 before that the offshore foundation construction 2 is launched in the sea.

[0049] As visible on FIG. 1, each adapter 12 is associated with a mudmat 14. For each adapter 12, the mudmat 14 is an independent part and is arranged to rest on top of the seabed. The adapter 12 is arranged above the mudmat 14. The mudmat 14 may be made of a material including concrete and/or steel and/or composites.

[0050] With reference to FIG. 2, the adapter 12 includes a central sleeve 16 and five peripheral sleeves 18. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the sleeves 16 and 18 are cylindrical about the direction of the vector {right arrow over (z)}. The sleeves 16 and 18 may optionally be tilted with respect to the vector z. Nonetheless, possible variations of the invention may comprise a different number of peripheral sleeves 18 and/or a different geometrical arrangement of peripheral sleeves 18. The sleeves 18 are all located on a circle about the axis of the sleeve 16. The sleeve 16 and the sleeves 18 have a circular radial cross-section. The diameter d.sub.18 of the radial cross section is substantially the same for all the sleeves 18. The diameter d.sub.16 of the radial cross section of the sleeve 16 is approximately twice the diameter d.sub.18:

1,0×d.sub.18<d.sub.16≤3,0×d.sub.18

[0051] Each adapter 12 includes a metallic subframe 20. The metallic subframe 20 includes a plurality of metallic hollow sections (not referenced) and metallic plates (not referenced). For each adapter 12, the metallic subframe 20 aims at connecting the sleeve 16, the sleeves 18 and a joining portion for attaching the adapter 12 with a lower end of the main leg 8.

[0052] As visible on FIG. 2, each sleeve 18 includes an upper portion 22. For each sleeve 18, the portion 22 is frustoconical about the axis of the peripheral sleeve 18. More specifically, the portion 22 vertically extends between a lower circular end with a diameter d.sub.22d and an upper circular end with a diameter d.sub.22u. The diameter d.sub.22d equals the diameter d.sub.18 and the diameter d.sub.22u is larger than the diameter d.sub.22d:

d.sub.22d=d.sub.18

2×d.sub.22d<d.sub.22u≤3×d.sub.22d

[0053] Preferably, the angle of the frustoconical shape of the portion 22 is within a range 40° to 55°. The frustoconical shape of the portion 22 helps inserting a foundation pile in a sleeve 18 in order to secure the offshore foundation construction 2 to the seabed. The central sleeve 16 is located above the mudmat 14. The peripheral sleeves 18 are offset with respect to the mudmat 14.

[0054] With reference to FIG. 3, the adapter 12 is depicted in partial cross-section relative to the plane III-III. The plane III-III is perpendicular to the vector {right arrow over (y)} and includes the axis of revolution of the sleeve 16. As may be seen on FIG. 3, the sleeve 16 contains a device 24. Unlike the adapter 12, the device 24 is not represented in cross-section on FIG. 3. The device 24 is also depicted on the side view of FIG. 4. The device 24 aims at allowing to level the offshore foundation construction 2.

[0055] The device 24 includes a cylinder 25. The cylinder 25 forms substantially a cylinder of revolution about an axis 26. Unless contrary indication, the words “axial”, “axially”, “radial”, “radially” will be understood as referring relative to the axis 26. The axis 26 is parallel to the vector {right arrow over (z)} and matches with the axis of revolution of the sleeve 16.

[0056] The cylinder 25 includes a central portion 28. The portion 28 is cylindrical with a circular radial cross-section about the axis 26. The diameter d.sub.28 of the radial cross-section of the portion 28 is slightly smaller than the diameter d.sub.16.

[0057] The cylinder 25 includes a lower portion 30. The portion 30 extends axially between the portion 28 and a lower frontal surface 32. The portion 30 is frustoconical about the axis 26. More specifically, the portion 30 is axially, upwardly delimited by an upper circular end having a diameter d.sub.30. As the opposite end, the surface 32 forms a circle about the axis 26 having a diameter d.sub.32. The diameter d.sub.30 is generally larger than the diameter d.sub.32 or equal:

d.sub.30×0,75<d.sub.32≤d.sub.30

[0058] The device 24 includes an upper cap 34. The cap 34 includes a plurality of vertical walls 36, for instance six vertical walls 36. The walls 36 are attached by their lower end to the portion 28. The walls 36 are attached by their upper end to a horizontal upper wall 38. The wall 38 is axially upwardly delimited by an upper frontal surface 40. In view of the foregoing, the cylinder 25 extends axially between the frontal surfaces 32 and 40.

[0059] With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the device 24 includes a connection part 42. The part 42 includes a lower portion 44, a central portion 45 and an upper portion 46. The portions 44 and 45 are cylindrical with a circular radial cross-section about the axis 26. The diameter d.sub.44 of the radial cross-section of the portion 44 is smaller than the diameter d.sub.45 of the radial cross-section of the portion 45.

[0060] The portion 46 is frustoconical about the axis 26. More specifically, the portion 46 extends axially between an upper circular end having a diameter d.sub.46u and a lower circular end having a diameter d.sub.46a. The diameter d.sub.46u is smaller than the diameter d.sub.46d and the diameter d.sub.46d equals the diameter d.sub.45.

[0061] The part 42 extends axially, upwardly from the surface 40. More specifically, the connection part 42 is mechanically secured to the wall 38 by means of a collar 48. By virtue of this arrangement, the part 42 forms a hook that can be caught by a catching apparatus (not depicted).

[0062] As may be seen on FIG. 3, the part 42 includes a through bore 50. The bore 50 is cylindrical with a circular radial cross-section about the axis 26. The diameter d.sub.50 of the radial cross-section of the bore 50 is smaller than the diameters d.sub.44 and d.sub.46u.

[0063] Axially, the bore 50 extends on the whole axial length of the part 42. In other words, the bore 50 extends axially through the portions 44, 45 and 46. The bore 50 can accommodate at least one connection line (not depicted). The connection lines are intended to connect the device with various devices so as to provide a fluid connection, electrical connection, data connection, etc. For instance, the connection lines accommodated in the bore 50 may include guiding tools, fluid hoses, control lines, and data transfer cables. Typically, the bore 50 may be used for accommodating an umbilical with its connector.

[0064] With reference to FIG. 4, the device 24 includes a hydraulics system 52. The hydraulics system 52 aims at generating a hydraulic force by means of a hydraulic fluid which may be, for instance, oil or water.

[0065] With reference to FIG. 3, the hydraulics system 52 includes a hot stab 54. The hot stab 54 allows connecting a hydraulic duct (not depicted) to the hydraulics system 52. Using a hot stab 54 is advantageous because it renders the hydraulic fluid connection reliable in a submarine environment.

[0066] With reference to FIG. 4, the device 24 includes a rod 56. Only a portion of the rod 56 is visible on FIG. 4, a significant part of the rod 56 being hidden by the cylinder 25. On FIG. 5, the rod 56 has been displaced downwards with reference to the cylinder 25. The rod 56 includes a cylindrical part 58 and a hemispheric part 60. The part 58 is proximal with respect to the cylinder 25 whereas the part 60 is distal with respect to the cylinder 25. The part 58 is cylindrical with a radial circular cross-section about the axis 26. The radius d.sub.58 of the radial cross-section of the part 58 is within a range 450 mm to 1500 mm. The part 60 is connected by an upper flat surface to a lower frontal surface of the part 58. The radius r.sub.60 of the hemispheric part 60 is within a range 450 mm to 1500 mm, preferably a range 1000 mm to 1500 mm.

[0067] The rod 56 is mobile in axial translation about the direction of the vector {right arrow over (z)} with respect to the cylinder 25. The translation motion of the rod 56 is actuated by a hydraulic force generated by the hydraulics system 52. More specifically, the rod 56 is driven axially downwards with respect to the cylinder 25 when a hydraulic force is generated by the hydraulics system 52 into the rod 56 (see FIG. 5). By doing so, the cylinder 25 and the rod 56 form together a piston and the hemispheric part 60 forms a pushing end so arranged to push against the mudmat 14 associated with the adapter 12 containing the device 24. Instead of the hemispheric part 60, the distal part of the rod may include a universal joint with a first side of the joint connecting the lower frontal surface of the part 58 and a second side of the joint providing a flat foot arranged so as to rest on the mudmat 14.

[0068] The device 24 includes a first measurement unit 62 and a second measurement unit 64. The units 62 and 64 have a communication link with a control unit (not depicted) of the device 24. The units 62 and 64 are able to measure the relative displacement of the rod 56 with respect to the cylinder 25. The unit 62 is arranged inside the rod 56. The unit 64 is arranged within the cylinder 25.

[0069] With reference to FIGS. 3 to 5, the device 24 includes eight clamping chucks 66 spread about the axis 26 on the outer circumference of the portion 28. More specifically, the clamping chucks 66 are able to move, with respect to the cylinder 25, in radial translation. The radial translation of the clamping chucks 66 is actuated by a hydraulic force generated by the hydraulics system 52. More specifically, the clamping chucks are radially, outwardly driven with respect to the cylinder when a hydraulic force is generated by the hydraulics system 52 into the clamping chucks 66.

[0070] By virtue of this arrangement, the clamping chucks 66 are able to exert a normal effort on the inner cylindrical surface of the sleeve 16. When such a normal effort is exerted, the clamping chucks 66 grip the sleeve 16 so as to form fastening means of the device 24 to the adapter 12.

[0071] In the depicted embodiment, the clamping chucks 66 are intended to fasten the cylinder 25 to the adapter 12. Nonetheless, it may be foreseen a different fastening of the cylinder 25 to the offshore foundation construction 2 without departing from the scope of the invention. For instance, it may be provided a fastening means of the cylinder 25 to a steel beam of the structure 6.

[0072] In order to level the offshore foundation construction 2, the adapters 12 are firstly welded to the legs 8. Such a welding operation is for instance implemented on dry dock.

[0073] Secondly, the devices 24 are inserted in the central sleeves 16 of the adapters 12, respectively. More specifically, in the described embodiment, at least three devices 24 are inserted on three out of the four sleeves 16. It may however be foreseen that a different number of devices 24 may be used, for example for safety reasons. The insertion of the devices 24 is facilitated by the frustoconical shape of the portion 30. Then, a hydraulic force is generated by the hydraulics system 52 into the clamping chucks 66. At the end of this step, the devices 24 are firmly attached to the adapters 12.

[0074] Once the devices 24 are fastened, the offshore foundation construction 2, including the structure 6, the four adapters 12 and the three devices 24, is launched in the water. Implementing the step of inserting the devices 24 prior to the step of launching the offshore foundation construction is advantageous since it reduces the number of steps to be implemented during an installation process of the offshore foundation construction 2. However, the steps of inserting and fastening the devices 24 and the step of launching the offshore foundation construction 2 may be inverted without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0075] Then, a control unit collects the information of the orientation of the offshore foundation construction 2. The control unit emits a corresponding correction signal. The correction signal includes a target signal for the displacement of the rod 56 of each device 24.

[0076] For each device 24, a hydraulic force is generated by the hydraulics system 52 into the rod 56. By doing so, the pushing end of the rod 56 pushes on the mudmat 14 facing the device 24 as depicted on FIG. 5. The adapter 12 associated with the device 24 is moved vertically so that the orientation of the structure 6 is modified.

[0077] During the step of generating a hydraulic force into the rod 56, the displacement can be monitored by the measurement system formed by the units 62 and 64. This allows the control unit to monitor the individual vertical displacement of each adapter 12 so as to monitor accurately the levelling of the offshore foundation construction 2.

[0078] When the levelling of the offshore foundation construction 2 is complete, foundation piles (not depicted) are inserted within the sleeves 18. The insertion of the foundation piles is facilitated by the frustoconical shape of the portions 22. The foundation piles are driven into the seabed by a hammering process or by any other suitable driving process. Once the foundation piles are inserted into the seabed, the hydraulics system 52 stops generating the hydraulic force into the rod 56.

[0079] Then, the hydraulic force exerted by the hydraulics system 52 into the clamping chucks 66 is relaxed. The devices 24 are caught up by a catching apparatus (not depicted) cooperating with the hook formed by the connection part 42. The devices 24 are then removed from the offshore foundation construction 2 and may be used for levelling another offshore foundation construction.

[0080] In view of the foregoing, the invention allows to level the offshore foundation construction 2 while decreasing the risk of deforming or weakening the structure 6 and/or the foundation piles. Furthermore, the levelling efforts are importantly reduced because the foundation piles are inserted in the seabed after the process of levelling. The device for levelling is not cumbersome and the fact that it can be installed prior to immerse the offshore foundation construction decreases the number of steps of the installation process of the offshore foundation construction.