Pile upending system

Abstract

The invention relates to an upending system for an elongated tubular element like an offshore foundation pile or a turbine mast, the system comprising; a pile frame for supporting a elongated tubular element, the pile frame comprising a pile support member for engaging a pile wall in order to avoid movement of the elongated tubular element with respect to the pile frame, and a coupling section, a support structure for supporting the pile frame, wherein the coupling section is rotatably supported by the support structure to allow rotation of the pile frame with respect to the support structure, wherein the support structure and the coupling section of the pile frame are configured such that the pile frame is detachably coupled to the support structure.

Claims

1. Upending system for an elongated tubular element like an offshore foundation pile or a turbine mast, the system comprising; a pile frame for supporting a elongated tubular element, the pile frame comprising a pile support member for engaging a pile wall in order to avoid movement of the elongated tubular element with respect to the pile frame, and a coupling section, a support structure for supporting the pile frame, wherein the coupling section is rotatably supported by the support structure to allow rotation of the pile frame with respect to the support structure, wherein the support structure and the coupling section of the pile frame are configured such that the pile frame is detachably coupled to the support structure.

2. Upending system according to claim 1, wherein the pile frame is detachably coupled to the support structure in a hook on manner or in a clamping manner.

3. Upending system according to claim 1, wherein the coupling section is hingeably coupled with the support structure.

4. Upending system according to claim 1, wherein the pile support member for engaging a pile wall is configured to avoid sidewards movement of the elongated tubular element.

5. Upending system according to claim 1, wherein the pile frame comprises a second pile support member coupled with the pile frame and able to engage a pile outboard end of an elongated tubular element for preventing sliding of the elongated tubular element along the pile frame.

6. Upending system according to claim 1, comprising a pile frame drive system coupled with the pile frame and the support structure for rotating the pile frame between a substantially horizontal position and a substantially vertical position.

7. Upending system according to claim 1, comprising a support member drive system coupled with the second pile support member for driving the second pile support member between an extended position and a retracted position.

8. Upending system according claim 7, wherein the support member drive system comprises a hydraulic cylinder.

9. Upending system according to claim 7, wherein the support member drive system comprises a support member frame slideably coupled with the pile frame, and the second pile support member is arranged on the support member frame and moves in unity with the support member frame.

10. Upending system according to claim 9, wherein the support member frame is integrated with the pile frame.

11. Upending system according to claim 1, wherein the support structure comprises a rail member for engagement with the coupling section of the pile frame.

12. Upending system according claim 1, wherein the coupling section of the pile frame comprises a number of hook members for engagement with the support structure.

13. Upending system according claim 1, wherein the coupling section is hingeably arranged with respect to the pile frame to allow the pile frame to move sidewards out of an upending plane.

14. Offshore structure or vessel comprising an upending system according to claim 1.

15. Offshore structure or vessel according to claim 14, wherein the support structure extends along the circumference of the offshore structure or vessel to enable engagement of the pile frame at any desired position.

16. Use of an upending system according to claim 1 comprising; coupling the pile frame with the support structure, upending an elongated tubular element, and detaching the pile frame from the support structure.

17. Use according to claim 16, comprising; extending the second frame support member to the extended position, loading an elongated tubular element on the pile frame, and retracting the second frame support member until the second frame support member contacts an outboard end of the elongated tubular element.

18. Upending system according claim 7, wherein the support member drive system comprises a pair of hydraulic cylinders arranged on both sides of the second pile support member.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0043] The invention will be further elucidated referring to an preferred embodiment shown in the drawings, wherein shown in:

[0044] FIG. 1 in perspective view an upending system according to the invention in a substantially vertical position;

[0045] FIG. 2 the upending system according to FIG. 1, wherein a pile support member is in its extended position;

[0046] FIG. 3 the upending system according to FIG. 1 where the pile frame is in a position between a substantially horizontal position and a substantially vertical position;

[0047] FIG. 4 the upending system according to FIG. 1 where the pile frame is in a substantially horizontal position;

[0048] FIG. 5 the upending system according to FIG. 1, while upending a pile;

[0049] FIG. 6 a side view of the upending system according to FIG. 1; and

[0050] FIG. 7 a front view of the upending system according to FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0051] FIG. 1 shows in perspective view an upending system 1 according to the invention in a substantially vertical position. The upending system 1 is suitable to upend an elongated tubular element 3 like an offshore foundation pile or a turbine mast. The upending system 1 comprises a pile frame 2 for supporting a elongated tubular element.

[0052] The pile frame comprises a pile support member 4. The pile support member 4 for engaging a pile wall 6 is configured to avoid sidewards movement of the elongated tubular element 3. The pile support member 4 has a curved shape that corresponds with the pile wall 6. The pile support member 4 engages the pile wall 6 in order to avoid any unwanted movement of the elongated tubular element with respect to the pile frame 2.

[0053] The upending system 1 comprises a support structure 7 for supporting the pile frame 2. The support structure may be mounted on a deck 17 of a vessel (partly shown) or any other offshore structure that needs an upending system.

[0054] The pile frame 2 comprises a coupling section 8. The pile frame 2 is coupled with the support structure 7 through the coupling section 8. The coupling section 8 is rotatably supported by the support structure 7 to allow rotation of the pile frame 2 with respect to the support structure 7.

[0055] The support structure 7 and the coupling section 8 of the pile frame 2 are configured such that the pile frame 2 is detachably coupled to the support structure 7.

[0056] In this case the pile frame 2 is detachably coupled to the support structure 7 in a hook on manner. Therefore, the coupling section 8 comprise a hook member 14 or a number of hook members 14. The support structure comprises a rail member 15. The rail member 15 is suitable for engagement with the coupling section 8 of the pile frame 2. The hook member 14 is suitable for engagement with the rail 15 of the support structure 7. The rail member 15 extends along the circumference of the vessel to enable to position the pile frame 2 at a desired location. The rail member 15 is mounted on the deck 17 through rail support members 16.

[0057] Here, the hook member 14 hooked on the rail member 15 ensures that the coupling section 2 is hingeably coupled with the support structure. Therefore, the pile frame 2 is able to rotate.

[0058] The pile frame 2 comprises a second pile support member 5 coupled with the pile frame 2. The second pile support member 5 is able to engage a pile outboard end 6 of an elongated tubular element 3 for preventing sliding of the elongated tubular element along the pile frame 2.

[0059] The upending system 1 comprises a pile frame drive system 9 as shown in FIG. 3. In this case, the pile frame drive system 9 is a hydraulic cylinder. The pile frame drive system 9 is coupled with the pile frame 2 and the support structure 7 for rotating the pile frame 2 between a substantially horizontal position (FIG. 4) and a substantially vertical position (FIG. 1). Here, the pile frame drive system 9 is coupled with the support structure 7 through a guiding member 18. The guiding member 18 receives an end of the pile frame drive system 9 and provides a stop therefore. During use of the pile frame drive system 9, the pile frame drive system 9 is extended. The guiding member 18 which extends outboard, receives or catches the leading end 25 of the pile frame drive system 9. To this leading end a wheel member is mounted to guide the leading end to the end of the guiding member. When the wheel hits the stop at the end of the rails the pile frame 2 is lifted until the second pile support member 5, that is the hook, is in position to engage the pile. The hook is then retracted until it touches the pile, see FIG. 5.

The upending system 1 comprises a support member drive system 10. The support member drive system 10 is coupled with the second pile support member 5. The support member drive system 10 drives the second pile support member between an extended position (FIG. 2) and a retracted position (FIG. 1).

[0060] In this case, the support member drive system 10 comprises a pair of hydraulic cylinders 11, 12. The hydraulic cylinders 11, 12 are arranged on both sides of the second pile support member 5. This arrangement of the hydraulic cylinders provides a stable support of the elongated tubular element 3.

[0061] The support member drive system 10 comprises a support member frame 13. The second pile support member 5 is mounted on the support member frame 13 and moves in unity with the support member frame. The support member frame 13 is slideably coupled with the pile frame 2. The hydraulic cylinders 11, 12 are coupled with the pile frame 2 and the support member frame 13 for moving the second pile support member 5.

As can be seen in FIG. 6, the coupling section 8 may be hingeably arranged with respect to the pile frame 2 to allow the pile frame to move sidewards out of an upending plane, as shown with arrows in FIG. 7. The pile frame may hinge sidewards out of the upending plane around hinge axis 19.

[0062] The support member frame 13 is integrated with the pile frame as shown in FIG. 7. The support member frame 13 comprises a carrying beam 24 that is mounted to the pile frame 2 through support members 21, 22. The carrying beam 24 is able to slide with respect to the support members 21, 22. The carrying beam 24 slides in and out a carrying beam accommodation 23 formed within a pile frame body 20.

[0063] During use of an upending system 1 the following steps are taken: First coupling the pile frame 2 to the support structure 7. Subsequently upending of an elongated tubular element 3, and then detaching the pile frame 2 from the support structure 7. In addition, following steps may be included: Extending the second frame support member to the extended position (FIG. 2). Loading an elongated tubular element 3 on the pile frame 2. FIG. 5 shows an elongated tubular element 3 loaded on the pile frame 2. Retracting the second frame support member 5 until the second frame support member contacts an outboard end 6 of the elongated tubular element 3.

[0064] It will also be obvious after the above description and drawings are included to illustrate some embodiments of the invention, and not to limit the scope of protection. Starting from this disclosure, many more embodiments will be evident to a skilled person which are within the scope of protection and the essence of this invention and which are obvious combinations of prior art techniques and the disclosure of this patent.