Vibrating device and method for inserting a foundation element into the ground

Abstract

The invention relates to a vibrating device, kit and method for inserting a foundation element into the ground, wherein the vibrating device comprises: a clamping mechanism (18) for fixedly clamping the foundation element (12); a vibrator block (32) configured to provide a vibration for the purpose of inserting the foundation element (12) into the ground, wherein the vibrator block (32) is provided with resilient elements (6); a rotation mechanism operatively connected to the vibrator block (32) and configured to rotate the vibrator block (32) with the resilient elements (6), wherein the clamping mechanism (18) fixedly holds the foundation element (12); and a fixation mechanism (40) configured to apply a prestress to the resilient elements (6).

Claims

1. A vibrating device for inserting a foundation element into the ground, the device comprising: a clamping mechanism for fixedly clamping the foundation element; a vibrator block configured to provide a vibration for inserting the foundation element into the ground, wherein the vibrator block is provided with resilient elements; a fixation mechanism including a plurality of cylinders movable between a first position and a second position, wherein in the second position, the plurality of cylinders bias the resilient elements; and a rotation mechanism operatively connected to the vibrator block and configured to rotate the vibrator block with the resilient elements so that the foundation element can be moved from a first, non-vertical position to a second, substantially vertical vibrational position; wherein, when in the second position, the plurality of cylinders bias the resilient elements while the foundation element is moved from the first, non-vertical position to the second, substantially vertical vibrational position to minimize damage to the resilient elements.

2. A vibrating device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rotation mechanism comprises a cylinder.

3. A vibrating device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising two or more vibrator blocks.

4. A vibrating device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the clamping mechanism comprises: a frame provided with a number of cylinders; and a number of clamps connected operatively to the cylinders for the purpose of clamping a foundation element; wherein the clamps are positionable to engage around an edge of the foundation element; wherein the frame is connected to the vibrating device.

5. A vibrating device as claimed in claim 4, wherein two cylinders are provided per clamp.

6. A vibrating device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the clamps position the clamping mechanism relative to a wall of the foundation element.

7. A vibrating device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vibrating device is arrangeable on the foundation element by an auxiliary frame, the vibrating device being configured to lay wholly or partially on the auxiliary frame.

8. A vibrating device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rotation mechanism is configured for the purpose, after the vibrating device has been arranged on the foundation element, of rotating the assembly of vibrating device and foundation element through an angle to a substantially vertical vibration position, wherein the angle lies in the range of 60 to 85 degrees.

9. A vibrating device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the foundation element comprises a tubular foundation pile provided with a flange.

10. A vibrating device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fixation mechanism comprises a number of cylinders.

11. A vibrating device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the rotation mechanism comprises a cylinder.

12. A vibrating device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the rotation mechanism is configured for the purpose, after the vibrating device has been arranged on the foundation element, of rotating the assembly of the vibrating device and the foundation element through an angle to a substantially vertical vibration position, wherein the angle lies in the range of 60 to 85 degrees.

13. A vibrating device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the clamping mechanism comprises: a frame provided with a number of cylinders; and a number of clamps connected operatively to the cylinders for the purpose of clamping a foundation element; wherein the clamps are positionable to engage around an edge of the foundation element; wherein the frame is connected to the vibrating device, and wherein two of the cylinders are provided per clamp.

14. 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 claimed in claim 1.

15. A method for inserting a foundation element into the ground, the method comprising of providing a vibrating device as claimed in claim 1.

16. A method as claimed in claim 15, comprising of applying a bias to the resilient elements with the fixation mechanism.

17. A method as claimed in claim 16, further comprising rotating the assembly of the vibrating device and the foundation element to a substantially vertical vibration position following applying of the bias and clamping of the foundation element.

18. A method as claimed in claim 15, further comprising positioning the clamps with fixation elements of a clamping mechanism and engaging with the clamps around at least an edge of the foundation element or on a wall of the foundation element.

Description

(1) Further advantages, features and details of the invention are elucidated on the basis of a preferred embodiment thereof, wherein reference is made to the accompanying figures, in which:

(2) FIGS. 1A-D show views of a conventional vibrator block and an optional clamping system according to the invention;

(3) FIGS. 2A-D show views of a vibrating device with optional clamping system and a spring system according to the invention;

(4) FIGS. 3A-H show views of a preferred embodiment of the vibrating device according to the invention;

(5) FIG. 4 shows a view relating to a clamping system which can be applied in a vibrating device according to the invention;

(6) FIGS. 5A-F show views of the clamping system of FIG. 4; and

(7) FIG. 6 shows a schematic view of a wind turbine placed according to the invention.

(8) Vibrating system 2 (FIG. 1A) 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. 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.

(9) Conventional spring system 20 (FIG. 1B) with resilient element 6 and inner suppressor 8 has a flexible suspension. Two-phase system 22 (FIG. 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.

(10) During upending there occurs in practice an incline 30 (FIG. 1D) because, as a result of the great weights of the assembly of foundation pile 12 and vibrating device 2, great forces are exerted on vibrating device 2, including also resilient elements 6, for instance in the form of rubber blocks. This creates a moment effect on resilient elements 6 such that they are pressed into inclining position. Incline 30 can become so large that both suppressors come into contact with each other. This results in undesired and sometimes unacceptable stresses in the construction. Resilient element 6 will also be overloaded such that even internal connections can be damaged. This limits the lifespan of the vibrator blocks in particular, and thereby the operational availability of such a conventional device.

(11) A vibrating device according to the invention will be elucidated hereinbelow with which incline 30 is reduced and can preferably even be avoided.

(12) 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 (FIGS. 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 (FIGS. 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. In the shown embodiment 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. In the vibration position adjusting mechanism 40 is switched and resilient elements 6 will provide for a flexible connection.

(13) In the shown embodiment 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. 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. Using 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 undesired rotation is possible between vibrating device 32 and lifting frame 28.

(14) Vibrating device 32 according to the invention (FIGS. 3A-H) shows lifting device 28 wherein outer suppressor 34 and sump 36 are connected flexibly (FIG. 3A). By moving adjusting mechanism 40 in direction A the flexible connection is made rigid by applying a bias to resilient elements 6 (FIG. 3B). A rotation of vibrating device 32 is then performed relative to lifting device 28 in direction B by moving, particularly extending, cylinder 44 (FIG. 3C). Use is made in the shown embodiment of an angle 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 (FIG. 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. This avoids separate pulling forces having to be exerted to pull vibrating device 32 to foundation pile 12. It has been found that this self-locating effect can be utilized in particularly effective manner in the case of foundation elements provided with a flange on the upper edge. This effect can otherwise also be applied in advantageous manner to other foundation elements.

(15) Upending (FIG. 3E) can then be performed in direction C. Having arrived in the vibration position (FIG. 3F), adjusting mechanism 40 is switched so as to realize a flexible connection to resilient elements 6. Foundation pile 12 can then be vibrated into the ground 48 in direction D (FIG. 3G), with optional supports 50. Once the desired depth has been reached, vibrating device 32 is removed from foundation pile 12 in direction E (FIG. 3H) and subsequently deployed on for instance a following foundation pile 12 to be inserted into the ground 48.

(16) Four vibrator blocks 32 are optionally placed adjacently of each other on base frame 14. Forces are hereby distributed as well as possible. 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. In the shown embodiment 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.

(17) 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. Using two cylinders/adjusting mechanisms 40 a bias can be applied to these resilient elements 6 such that movement of resilient elements 6 is reduced thereby during positioning. Cylinders 40 are for this purpose retractable, 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.

(18) The placing of a foundation pile in the form of a tube element in an offshore application using the vibrating device and the method according to the invention will now be further elucidated in an application wherein a foundation element is used as foundation for a wind turbine. It will be apparent that measures of the different shown embodiments according to the invention can be interchanged with each other or otherwise combined. The clamping system, which is elucidated in more detail below, can for instance thus be applied as clamping system in the foregoing embodiment.

(19) System 102 (FIG. 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. In the shown embodiment 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.

(20) Clamping element 122 (FIGS. 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. When element 122 is arranged, 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. In the shown embodiment movable clamp 129 is moved using cylinder 130 and an actual clamping is realized on pile 112. In order to prevent displacement of displaceable clamping part 126 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.

(21) Also provided in the shown embodiment are flange protectors 136 for avoiding damage to flange 114. Also arranged on clamping element 122 are connection points 38 for arranging the other components of the vibration system directly or indirectly thereon. 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.

(22) In the shown embodiment the inner diameter of flange 14 is about 4400 mm and the outer diameter about 5500 mm.

(23) A wind turbine (FIG. 6) is placed at sea 160 in the ground 180. The turbine is arranged here on flange 114 of pile 112.

(24) The invention is by no means limited to the above described preferred embodiments thereof. The rights sought are defined by the following claims, within the scope of which many modifications can be envisaged.