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WO2004015264A1 - Guiding apparatus for subsea modules, a method and a foundation - Google Patents

Guiding apparatus for subsea modules, a method and a foundation Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2004015264A1
WO2004015264A1 PCT/NO2003/000269 NO0300269W WO2004015264A1 WO 2004015264 A1 WO2004015264 A1 WO 2004015264A1 NO 0300269 W NO0300269 W NO 0300269W WO 2004015264 A1 WO2004015264 A1 WO 2004015264A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
guiding
module
foundation
receiving elements
posts
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/NO2003/000269
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Harald Johansen
Björn BEKKEN
Original Assignee
Hammerfest Ström As
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Hammerfest Ström As filed Critical Hammerfest Ström As
Priority to AU2003248520A priority Critical patent/AU2003248520A1/en
Publication of WO2004015264A1 publication Critical patent/WO2004015264A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03B—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS
    • F03B13/00—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates
    • F03B13/12—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy
    • F03B13/26—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using tide energy
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02D—FOUNDATIONS; EXCAVATIONS; EMBANKMENTS; UNDERGROUND OR UNDERWATER STRUCTURES
    • E02D27/00—Foundations as substructures
    • E02D27/32—Foundations for special purposes
    • E02D27/52—Submerged foundations, i.e. submerged in open water
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B41/00—Equipment or details not covered by groups E21B15/00 - E21B40/00
    • E21B41/10—Guide posts, e.g. releasable; Attaching guide lines to underwater guide bases
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03B—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS
    • F03B17/00—Other machines or engines
    • F03B17/06—Other machines or engines using liquid flow with predominantly kinetic energy conversion, e.g. of swinging-flap type, "run-of-river", "ultra-low head"
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02B—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING
    • E02B17/00—Artificial islands mounted on piles or like supports, e.g. platforms on raisable legs or offshore constructions; Construction methods therefor
    • E02B2017/0091—Offshore structures for wind turbines
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02D—FOUNDATIONS; EXCAVATIONS; EMBANKMENTS; UNDERGROUND OR UNDERWATER STRUCTURES
    • E02D27/00—Foundations as substructures
    • E02D27/32—Foundations for special purposes
    • E02D27/42—Foundations for poles, masts or chimneys
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
    • F05B—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
    • F05B2240/00—Components
    • F05B2240/90—Mounting on supporting structures or systems
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
    • Y02E10/30—Energy from the sea, e.g. using wave energy or salinity gradient

Definitions

  • Guiding apparatus for subsea modules, a method and a foundation Guiding apparatus for subsea modules, a method and a foundation.
  • the invention concerns an apparatus for guiding modules and for subsea plants producing electric energy from flowing bodies of water. Furthermore the invention concerns a method for the installation of such modules.
  • This plant includes a foundation intended to be placed at the seabed, and one or more modules placed at the foundation.
  • the modules may include a turbine, a generator for electric current, a transmission and various electrical components. These turbines are secured to a foundation that may include pillars or columns.
  • the invention can of course also be used for installation of submerged modules, even if new modules placed on the structure can extend above the surface.
  • the invention is described for installation of a turbine with a horizontal axis, but can also be used for turbines with vertical axis.
  • the method of installation according to the present invention has many important advantages.
  • a modularized system that is completely submerged does not represent any visual pollution or limitations for normal navigation.
  • a method of installation accepting stepwise installation enable installation in spite of considerable forces due to the water current. Such a system enables simplified and effective repair- and maintenance operations.
  • the apparatus and the method is particularly adapted for plants that includes a turbine resembling a windmill, and that is completely submerged.
  • Such plants include at least one module representing a housing anchored to the bottom with a foundation, or a carrying structure.
  • the carrying structure includes normally also a cable gate for securing a cable for transferral of electrical current, to avoid fatigue fractures due to the forces from the water current.
  • the foundation included preferably an anchoring post drifted into the bottom, or in any other way secured to the seabed.
  • the described components are assembled as modules to ease the installation and maintenance.
  • the housing with the turbine fixed thereto will normally represent one module and the foundation one or several other modules.
  • the advantages with the modular design are substantially lower product costs, the ability for stepwise erection, and simplified decommissioning.
  • Repair and maintenance of modules can be performed by lifting the module to the surface by means of the present invention such that the work involved can be performed in a suitable workshop.
  • the housing with the turbine fixed thereto will normally represent one module and the foundation one or several other modules.
  • a cable for transferring the generated power extends from the electrical generator, through the housing that normally is a sealed capsule, and to a land based plant for leading the power onshore.
  • the apparatus is adapted for guiding a module onto a foundation, where the foundation is placed at the seabed.
  • the foundation is typically a tower pipe and the module is a typically a capsule or housing with the necessary components for producing power.
  • the apparatus includes an area adapted for interconnection with the module. This area includes for instance a common flange for being connected with bolts. In this case the module has a corresponding flange.
  • the assembly can be controlled automatically and this may be performed for instance with a remotely controlled locking assembly that for instance includes remotely controlled interlocking pawls locking against corresponding recesses in for instance a conical tube on the module.
  • the conical tube can in this case be adapted to interact with a corresponding funnel shaped hole in the foundation.
  • a surface placed vessel includes at least one winch that is used to raise the module and in some cases tighten guiding wires.
  • Receiving elements with respective locking members are placed at the interconnection area of the foundation. These receiving elements are adapted to receive guiding posts adapted to be lowered into the receiving elements, to be locked in the receiving elements with the locking members. These can, in an alternative embodiment, be automatically controlled with a remotely controlled interlocking apparatus that for instance include remotely controlled interlocking pawls that locks into corresponding recesses in the guiding post.
  • the receiving elements can be tubular and are secured to the foundation at the interconnection area.
  • At least two guiding wires extend between the surface vessel and the guiding posts, and at least two guiding tunnels are provided on the module in a distance adapted to where the receiving elements are situated.
  • the guiding tunnels are adapted for being thread onto the guiding wires and for entering onto the guiding post, and are preferably equipped with an extended lower part easing threading onto the guiding post.
  • the guiding tunnels are secured to the module such that they are adapted to the placement of the guiding post when these are secured to the receiving elements on the foundation.
  • a lifting wire extends between the module and a winch, secured to the vessel at the surface, for raising and lowering the module, that is releasable secured to the module in an otherwise known way. In one embodiment, the release of the lifting wire can be remotely controlled.
  • the locking members for the receiving elements can include interlocking means automatically interlocking with the guiding post and locking the guiding post to the receiving elements.
  • the interlocking means can include spring-loaded pawls that slip into recesses when
  • the remote control of the various locking components can be performed through a cable from the surface placed vessel, or in any other way well known within the field.
  • a method for guiding one or several modules for a seabed placed foundation, for a subsea plant for the production of power from current bodies of water with the described apparatus can include providing a vessel carrying the module over the foundation.
  • the complete guiding and assembly should be performed during a change of tide when the water current is as low as possible.
  • the present invention is therefore developed to allow this assembly to be performed in an as short time period as possible, allowing the module to be assembled before the water current becomes too strong.
  • the guiding wires are thread through the guiding tunnels provided on the modules and the guiding posts with the guiding wires are lowered from the vessel to the foundation.
  • the guiding posts are thread into receiving elements on the foundation and are locked to the receiving elements with the locking members.
  • the guiding wires are then tightened between the foundation and the vessel, for instance by means of a winch placed at the vessel.
  • the module is then lowered along the guiding wires with the lifting wire and the winch.
  • the conical tube enters into the foundation and the guiding posts enter into the guiding tunnels at the module.
  • the module is then secured to the foundation with the securing members, in that for instance pawls on the foundation meshes with the recesses on the module. During the raising of the module, this process is reversed.
  • the lifting wire and the guiding wires are released from the module and the foundation, and the assembly is completed.
  • the cable for transferral of power from the module in the case where the module includes a generator can be performed with a submarine connector automatically entering a corresponding connector secured to the foundation when the module is placed, or, the module may alternatively have a cable with sufficient length to allow the connection to be performed at the surface.
  • Fig. 1 is an elevated view of an example of an installation that can be installed with an apparatus and a method according to the invention, where various com- ponents or modules of the installation are clearly shown;
  • Fig. 2 is a partly cut through side elevation of an embodiment of a generator module with a nacelle that can be installed with an apparatus according to the invention
  • Fig. 3 shows three steps of an installation sequence
  • Fig. 4 shows two steps of the installation sequence that defines the installation of a cable for bringing power onshore
  • Fig. 5, 6 and 7 shows various steps of the installation of a module according to the invention, where the components of the installation apparatus is shown; and Fig. 8 and 9 shows a module and a vessel that can be used in connection with the invention.
  • Fig. 1 shows a lift induced propeller turbine 1 that typically can be installed with an apparatus and a method according to the invention.
  • the propeller blades on the shown installation have an adjustable pitch to increase the efficiency and to be able to rotate the blades at least 180° preferably in connection with a change of tide.
  • the lift induced propeller turbine 1 is secured to a sealed capsule or housing 2 that typically constitutes a module, with equipment for transferring the rotation of the turbine to electric power, including a generator, and in some cases a gearing and control system.
  • the housing or module 2 may also include secondary functions such as a bilge apparatus for smaller leakages.
  • a carrying structure or a foundation 3 carrying the turbine 1 and capsule 2 may also include a cable gate for securing a transferring cable 4 to avoid fatigue fractures due to the forces from the flowing current.
  • the transferring cable 4 for the generated power extends from the electric generator, through the sealed capsule and to a land based plant 5.
  • the land based plant 5 transforms the generated power before it is phased onto an existing power grid.
  • the module 2 includes a turbine 1 , a transmission 22 for gearing the rotational of speed from the turbine, accumulator bottles 23 to protect against water ingress by means of pressurization of the housing or the capsule, a generator 24, to transform mechanical energy from the trans- mission 22 to electric energy, a nacelle with pitch control 28 for twisting the tun * bine blades, oil or some other corrosion inhibiting liquid 27, alternatively helium or another inert gas, preferably with good heat conducting properties, with for instance 0.5 bar over pressure in relation to the surrounding water pressure and an electrical connector 26 for connecting the generator 24 to the cable 4 for bringing power onshore.
  • Fig. 3 shows three installation steps where a turbine 1 and capsule 2 is lowered from surface and is guided in place by means of guiding lines 18 extending from the top of the carrying structure and up to a surface vessel (not shown).
  • the turbine 1 and the capsule 2 is landed on top of the carrying structure, the capsule is locked to the carrying structure mechanically.
  • the cable is lowered such that a diver can secure it in the cable gate before the remaining cable is laid down to the seabed and to the shore (not shown).
  • the cable includes a loop at the foot of the carrying structure such that it has sufficient length to raise the capsule 2 and the turbine 1 to the surface in case of later repair or maintenance.
  • the tower pipe 3 should be installed in a certain orientation in relation to the direction of the water current.
  • Fig. 4 shows the installation of a cable pipe and how the cable is pulled in.
  • the cable pipe 10 is secured to the tower pipe 3 and can be hinged as shown on the figure.
  • the cable 11 onshore can be installed in this pipe either by pulling it into the pipe, as shown on the figure, or by making the cable pipe parted and hinged in a way such that the cable can be placed into the cable pipe.
  • the cable will normally have several integrated functions, such as power conductors, signal lines, and in some cases hydraulic/pneumatic lines.
  • the connection towards the nacelle is accessible at the upper edge of the cable pipe when the cable installation in the cable pipe is completed.
  • Fig. 5 shows how the guiding wire 14 that is to be used to guide the nacelle and the turbine in place is established.
  • Receiving elements 12 that guiding posts 13 are lowered into and locked to (only shown at one side of the tower pipe) are secured to each side of the tower pipe 3.
  • the guiding wires 14, extending from the top of the guiding posts 13, are tightened from the surface after the guiding posts 13 are locked to the receiving members 12.
  • Fig. 6 shows how the nacelle with turbine 2 is guided in place for final installation at the top of tower pipe 3: At the side of the nacelle 2 it is mounted guiding tunnels 16 that the guiding wire 14 are thread through at the surface. Thereafter the nacelle 2 is lowered such that the guiding tunnels 16 enter into the guiding posts 13. Furthermore a conical tube 17 at the underside of the nacelle enters the tower pipe. The top of the tower pipe is designed such that the conical pipe is given good support to resist the bending moment the nacelle is exposed to.
  • the conical pipe 17 can be equipped with a locking device that is actuated mechanically or hydraulically to lock the nacelle 2 to the tower pipe 3. The lowering of the nacelle from the surface until it is entered on the carrying construction must be performed in connection with change of direction of the flowing current when the current is weak.
  • Fig. 7 shows the nacelle landed on top of the tower pipe or the carrying structure.
  • the two parts are connected either by means of a flange, or by means of a lock- ing device as described above in connection to fig. 6.
  • the cable from the shore, and that is installed inside the cable pipe 10 is connected to the nacelle by means of a short cable 4 from the nacelle 2 with suitable connections.
  • the cable can be connected to the nacelle at the surface and the nacelle and the cable can be lowered together.
  • the guiding posts 13 are released and pulled to the surface by means of the guiding wires 14. At this point the plant is ready for production.
  • Fig. 8 and 9 shows how the above described operation can be performed from a barge or vessel.
  • the module can be transported onshore for repair and/or maintenance.
  • An alternative to the shown barge is an ordinary barge with two davits over the side.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
  • General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
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Abstract

The invention concerns an apparatus for guiding a module (2) onto a foundation (3), for a subsea plant for the production of power from currents in bodies of water. The foundation (3) includes an area adapted for being con­nected to the module (2). The module (2) is adapted for being placed on the foundation (3) from a surface based vessel by means of a winch. The apparatus includes at least two receiving elements (12) with respective locking apparatuses, situated at a joining area of the foundation (6). Guiding posts (13) are adapted to be lowered down into the receiving elements (12) to be secured to the receiving elements by means of the locking apparatuses, and the guiding wire extends be­tween the surface based vessel and the guiding posts (13). At least two guiding tunnels (16) are provided on the module in a distance adapted to the localisation of the receiving elements (12). The guiding tunnels (16) are furthermore adapted for threading of the guiding wires (14) therein and for entering onto the guiding posts. A conical pipe (17) is placed at the underside of the module for entering into the foundation, and this is adapted to mate with the conical pipe (17). A se­curing apparatus is provided for securing the module (2) to the foundation (3), and a lifting wire extends between the module and the winch secured to the sur­face based vessel for raising and lowering the module (2) between the surface based vessel and the foundation along the guiding wire (14).

Description

Guiding apparatus for subsea modules, a method and a foundation.
The invention concerns an apparatus for guiding modules and for subsea plants producing electric energy from flowing bodies of water. Furthermore the invention concerns a method for the installation of such modules.
Research and development relating to tidal power stations or plants for the production of electric energy has been going on for many decades. One of the advantages with tidal power plants is for instance that they, in the relation to windmills, are predictable and to a small degree dependent on the weather. Neverthe- less, very few plants are built in spite of that it, on a world basis, are enormous energy resources in tidal currents. The cause is probably of an economical and - or environmental kind. These and other reasons have resulted in the.develop- ment of plants that are completely placed below the ocean surface. However, it is a challenge to assemble these modules below the surface of the sea in a cost effective way, because of the considerable dimensions of the modules, and because they necessarily must be placed in flowing bodies of water, and because they in some cases must be installed fairly deeply. The assembly of subsurface power plants has in most cases previously necessitated difficult, comprehensive and cost intensive work of divers. It has previously been developed little technology within this field because plants for the production of energy from flowing bodies of water, placed on a foundation, and that are completely placed below the surface of the water, not has been widespread, and is of a newer date.
An example of such a tidal plant, built of modules, is described in patent application NO 2001 0737, Hammerfest Strøm. This plant includes a foundation intended to be placed at the seabed, and one or more modules placed at the foundation. The modules may include a turbine, a generator for electric current, a transmission and various electrical components. These turbines are secured to a foundation that may include pillars or columns.
The reason why it is considered desirable to place plants of this type completely submerged, it that the plants extending above the surface includes structures causing the hydrodynamic forces to apply considerable mechanical loads on the structure. Furthermore it is difficult to achieve an anchoring at the bottom in a durable and cost effective way, particularly with difficult conditions at the seabed. The body of water flowing around structures of this type easily also creates natu- ral oscillations in the structure, that may cause fatigue fractures. Corrosion is also a problem, both in the transition between the sea and the air and in places with considerable mechanical stresses. Furthermore, constructions extending up to or above the surface of the sea, are obstructing navigation, and are otherwise environmentally and unappealing. Constructions not extending above the sur- face, are favourable to reduce the disturbance and drag from the water current. Drag and disturbance of the water current may affect the turbine in an unfavourable way.
It is an object with the present invention to simplify installation, maintenance and change of components for plants that are completely submerged. The invention can of course also be used for installation of submerged modules, even if new modules placed on the structure can extend above the surface.
This is achieved with the present invention as defined in the independent claims.
The invention is described for installation of a turbine with a horizontal axis, but can also be used for turbines with vertical axis. The method of installation according to the present invention has many important advantages. A modularized system that is completely submerged does not represent any visual pollution or limitations for normal navigation. A method of installation accepting stepwise installation, enable installation in spite of considerable forces due to the water current. Such a system enables simplified and effective repair- and maintenance operations.
The apparatus and the method is particularly adapted for plants that includes a turbine resembling a windmill, and that is completely submerged. Such plants include at least one module representing a housing anchored to the bottom with a foundation, or a carrying structure. The carrying structure includes normally also a cable gate for securing a cable for transferral of electrical current, to avoid fatigue fractures due to the forces from the water current. The foundation included preferably an anchoring post drifted into the bottom, or in any other way secured to the seabed.
The described components are assembled as modules to ease the installation and maintenance. During installation, the housing with the turbine fixed thereto will normally represent one module and the foundation one or several other modules. The advantages with the modular design are substantially lower product costs, the ability for stepwise erection, and simplified decommissioning.
It is the assembly or installation of these components and the modules the present invention aims at simplifying.
Repair and maintenance of modules can be performed by lifting the module to the surface by means of the present invention such that the work involved can be performed in a suitable workshop.
During installation, the housing with the turbine fixed thereto will normally represent one module and the foundation one or several other modules. A cable for transferring the generated power extends from the electrical generator, through the housing that normally is a sealed capsule, and to a land based plant for leading the power onshore.
In a method for installation of the apparatus according to the invention, a stepwise installation is allowed, and in this way the installation, in spite of considerable forces from the water current, is made possible.
This description does not include the installation of the carrying structure itself, but will assume that such an installation is established within the requirements for angular positioning and orientation.
The apparatus is adapted for guiding a module onto a foundation, where the foundation is placed at the seabed. The foundation is typically a tower pipe and the module is a typically a capsule or housing with the necessary components for producing power. The apparatus includes an area adapted for interconnection with the module. This area includes for instance a common flange for being connected with bolts. In this case the module has a corresponding flange. However it would be an advantage if the assembly can be controlled automatically and this may be performed for instance with a remotely controlled locking assembly that for instance includes remotely controlled interlocking pawls locking against corresponding recesses in for instance a conical tube on the module. The conical tube can in this case be adapted to interact with a corresponding funnel shaped hole in the foundation. A surface placed vessel includes at least one winch that is used to raise the module and in some cases tighten guiding wires.
Receiving elements with respective locking members are placed at the interconnection area of the foundation. These receiving elements are adapted to receive guiding posts adapted to be lowered into the receiving elements, to be locked in the receiving elements with the locking members. These can, in an alternative embodiment, be automatically controlled with a remotely controlled interlocking apparatus that for instance include remotely controlled interlocking pawls that locks into corresponding recesses in the guiding post. The receiving elements can be tubular and are secured to the foundation at the interconnection area.
At least two guiding wires extend between the surface vessel and the guiding posts, and at least two guiding tunnels are provided on the module in a distance adapted to where the receiving elements are situated. The guiding tunnels are adapted for being thread onto the guiding wires and for entering onto the guiding post, and are preferably equipped with an extended lower part easing threading onto the guiding post. The guiding tunnels are secured to the module such that they are adapted to the placement of the guiding post when these are secured to the receiving elements on the foundation. A lifting wire extends between the module and a winch, secured to the vessel at the surface, for raising and lowering the module, that is releasable secured to the module in an otherwise known way. In one embodiment, the release of the lifting wire can be remotely controlled. The locking members for the receiving elements can include interlocking means automatically interlocking with the guiding post and locking the guiding post to the receiving elements. The interlocking means can include spring-loaded pawls that slip into recesses when the guiding posts are placed.
The remote control of the various locking components can be performed through a cable from the surface placed vessel, or in any other way well known within the field.
A method for guiding one or several modules for a seabed placed foundation, for a subsea plant for the production of power from current bodies of water with the described apparatus, can include providing a vessel carrying the module over the foundation. The complete guiding and assembly should be performed during a change of tide when the water current is as low as possible. The present invention is therefore developed to allow this assembly to be performed in an as short time period as possible, allowing the module to be assembled before the water current becomes too strong.
The guiding wires are thread through the guiding tunnels provided on the modules and the guiding posts with the guiding wires are lowered from the vessel to the foundation. The guiding posts are thread into receiving elements on the foundation and are locked to the receiving elements with the locking members. The guiding wires are then tightened between the foundation and the vessel, for instance by means of a winch placed at the vessel. The module is then lowered along the guiding wires with the lifting wire and the winch. The conical tube enters into the foundation and the guiding posts enter into the guiding tunnels at the module. The module is then secured to the foundation with the securing members, in that for instance pawls on the foundation meshes with the recesses on the module. During the raising of the module, this process is reversed. When the assembly is completed, the lifting wire and the guiding wires are released from the module and the foundation, and the assembly is completed.
The cable for transferral of power from the module in the case where the module includes a generator, can be performed with a submarine connector automatically entering a corresponding connector secured to the foundation when the module is placed, or, the module may alternatively have a cable with sufficient length to allow the connection to be performed at the surface. Short description of the enclosed figures:
Fig. 1 is an elevated view of an example of an installation that can be installed with an apparatus and a method according to the invention, where various com- ponents or modules of the installation are clearly shown;
Fig. 2 is a partly cut through side elevation of an embodiment of a generator module with a nacelle that can be installed with an apparatus according to the invention;
Fig. 3 shows three steps of an installation sequence; Fig. 4 shows two steps of the installation sequence that defines the installation of a cable for bringing power onshore;
Fig. 5, 6 and 7 shows various steps of the installation of a module according to the invention, where the components of the installation apparatus is shown; and Fig. 8 and 9 shows a module and a vessel that can be used in connection with the invention.
The invention will be described with an exemplified embodiment in the following.
Fig. 1 shows a lift induced propeller turbine 1 that typically can be installed with an apparatus and a method according to the invention. The propeller blades on the shown installation have an adjustable pitch to increase the efficiency and to be able to rotate the blades at least 180° preferably in connection with a change of tide. The lift induced propeller turbine 1 is secured to a sealed capsule or housing 2 that typically constitutes a module, with equipment for transferring the rotation of the turbine to electric power, including a generator, and in some cases a gearing and control system. The housing or module 2 may also include secondary functions such as a bilge apparatus for smaller leakages. By allowing the turbine blades to rotate as described, the shown construction can be secured in a locked position on a carrying structure (does not need to be rotated, as opposed to a windmill).
A carrying structure or a foundation 3 carrying the turbine 1 and capsule 2 may also include a cable gate for securing a transferring cable 4 to avoid fatigue fractures due to the forces from the flowing current. The transferring cable 4 for the generated power extends from the electric generator, through the sealed capsule and to a land based plant 5. The land based plant 5 transforms the generated power before it is phased onto an existing power grid.
From fig. 2 it is shown an example of a housing 2 or a module that can be installed with the present invention. The module 2 includes a turbine 1 , a transmission 22 for gearing the rotational of speed from the turbine, accumulator bottles 23 to protect against water ingress by means of pressurization of the housing or the capsule, a generator 24, to transform mechanical energy from the trans- mission 22 to electric energy, a nacelle with pitch control 28 for twisting the tun* bine blades, oil or some other corrosion inhibiting liquid 27, alternatively helium or another inert gas, preferably with good heat conducting properties, with for instance 0.5 bar over pressure in relation to the surrounding water pressure and an electrical connector 26 for connecting the generator 24 to the cable 4 for bringing power onshore.
Fig. 3 shows three installation steps where a turbine 1 and capsule 2 is lowered from surface and is guided in place by means of guiding lines 18 extending from the top of the carrying structure and up to a surface vessel (not shown). Follow- ing that the turbine 1 and the capsule 2 is landed on top of the carrying structure, the capsule is locked to the carrying structure mechanically. Finally the cable is lowered such that a diver can secure it in the cable gate before the remaining cable is laid down to the seabed and to the shore (not shown). The cable includes a loop at the foot of the carrying structure such that it has sufficient length to raise the capsule 2 and the turbine 1 to the surface in case of later repair or maintenance.
Considering the turbine that later on is to be mounted on the tower pipe 3, the tower pipe 3 should be installed in a certain orientation in relation to the direction of the water current.
Fig. 4 shows the installation of a cable pipe and how the cable is pulled in. The cable pipe 10 is secured to the tower pipe 3 and can be hinged as shown on the figure. The cable 11 onshore can be installed in this pipe either by pulling it into the pipe, as shown on the figure, or by making the cable pipe parted and hinged in a way such that the cable can be placed into the cable pipe. The cable will normally have several integrated functions, such as power conductors, signal lines, and in some cases hydraulic/pneumatic lines. The connection towards the nacelle is accessible at the upper edge of the cable pipe when the cable installation in the cable pipe is completed.
Fig. 5 shows how the guiding wire 14 that is to be used to guide the nacelle and the turbine in place is established. Receiving elements 12 that guiding posts 13 are lowered into and locked to (only shown at one side of the tower pipe) are secured to each side of the tower pipe 3. The guiding wires 14, extending from the top of the guiding posts 13, are tightened from the surface after the guiding posts 13 are locked to the receiving members 12.
Fig. 6 shows how the nacelle with turbine 2 is guided in place for final installation at the top of tower pipe 3: At the side of the nacelle 2 it is mounted guiding tunnels 16 that the guiding wire 14 are thread through at the surface. Thereafter the nacelle 2 is lowered such that the guiding tunnels 16 enter into the guiding posts 13. Furthermore a conical tube 17 at the underside of the nacelle enters the tower pipe. The top of the tower pipe is designed such that the conical pipe is given good support to resist the bending moment the nacelle is exposed to. The conical pipe 17 can be equipped with a locking device that is actuated mechanically or hydraulically to lock the nacelle 2 to the tower pipe 3. The lowering of the nacelle from the surface until it is entered on the carrying construction must be performed in connection with change of direction of the flowing current when the current is weak.
Fig. 7 shows the nacelle landed on top of the tower pipe or the carrying structure. The two parts are connected either by means of a flange, or by means of a lock- ing device as described above in connection to fig. 6. The cable from the shore, and that is installed inside the cable pipe 10, is connected to the nacelle by means of a short cable 4 from the nacelle 2 with suitable connections. Alternatively, the cable can be connected to the nacelle at the surface and the nacelle and the cable can be lowered together. Finally the guiding posts 13 are released and pulled to the surface by means of the guiding wires 14. At this point the plant is ready for production.
Fig. 8 and 9 shows how the above described operation can be performed from a barge or vessel. When the nacelle and the turbine blades are secured below the barge, the module can be transported onshore for repair and/or maintenance. An alternative to the shown barge is an ordinary barge with two davits over the side.

Claims

P a t e n t c l a i m s :
1. Apparatus for guiding a module (2) on a foundation (3) for on a seabed situated, subsea plant for the production of energy from currents in bodies of wa- ter, where the foundation (3) is placed at the seabed and includes an area adapted for connection with the module (2) and where the module (2) is adapted for being placed on the foundation (3) from a surface placed vessel with at least one winch, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the apparatus includes: at least two receiving elements (12) with respective locking members, placed at the joining area of the foundation (6); guiding posts (13) adapted to be lowered down into the receiving elements (12) to be locked to these with the locking apparatus; guiding wire extending between the surface based vessel and the guiding posts (13); at least two guiding tunnels (16) provided on the module in a distance adapted the localization of the receiving elements (12), where the guiding tunnels (16) furthermore are adapted for threading of the leading wire (14) therein and for entering into the guiding posts; a conical tube (17) placed at the underside of the module for entering into the foundation, where this is adapted to mate with the conical pipe (17); a securing apparatus for securing the module (2) to the foundation (3); and a lifting wire extending between the module and the winch secured to the surface based vessel for raising and lowering the module (2) between the surface based vessel and the foundation along the guiding wires (14).
2. An apparatus according to claim 1 where the locking apparatus for the receiving elements (12) includes engagement means that automatically engages the guiding posts (13) and locks the guiding posts (13) to the receiving elements (12).
3. An apparatus according to claim 2 where the engagement means that automatically engages the guiding posts (13) can be remotely controlled for re- leasing the guiding posts (13) from the receiving elements (12).
4. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the lifting wire extending between the module (2) and the winch can be released from the module by means of a remotely controlled releasing mechanism.
5. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the securing apparatus for securing the module (2) to the foundation (3) includes remotely controlled engagement means for securing and releasing the module to the foundation.
6. Method for guiding at least one module for an on a seabed situated foundation (3) for a subsea plant for the production of energy from currents in bodies of water with an apparatus according to claim 1 , c h a r a c t e r i z e d by : providing a vessel carrying the module (2) above the foundation (3); threading the guiding wires (14) through the guiding tunnels (16) provided on the module (2); lowering the guiding posts (13) in the guiding wires (14) from the vessel down to the foundation (3); threading the guiding posts (13) into the receiving elements (12) on the foundation (3); locking the guiding posts (13) to the receiving elements (12) with the locking apparatus; tightening the guiding wires (14) between the foundation and the vessel; hoisting the module (2) down along the guiding wires (14) with the lifting wire; entering the conical pipe (17) into the foundation (3); entering the guiding posts (13) into the guiding tunnels (16); and securing the module (2) to the foundation with the securing apparatus.
PCT/NO2003/000269 2002-08-13 2003-08-06 Guiding apparatus for subsea modules, a method and a foundation WO2004015264A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2003248520A AU2003248520A1 (en) 2002-08-13 2003-08-06 Guiding apparatus for subsea modules, a method and a foundation

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NO20023835 2002-08-13
NO20023835A NO316980B1 (en) 2002-08-13 2002-08-13 Device for installing modules for a plant for the production of energy from streams in water bodies, an anchoring, as well as a method for installing the device.

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NO316980B1 (en) 2004-07-12
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