Patent Description:
A stationary offshore wind power generator is installed at a shallow water level of about <NUM> due to the technical limitations of an installation vessel. In other words, the stationary offshore wind power generator may be installed only in the sea near the land. A floating offshore wind power generator is being attempted to overcome such shortcomings and secure economic efficiency.

The floating offshore wind power generator may be installed in an economically efficient manner even at a deep water level of up to about <NUM> by using a floating body that floats and supports a wind power generator, and a mooring device for fixing the floating body to the seabed. The floating offshore wind power generator may secure a large area of use in the sea for wind power generation and may also obtain a stable output by effectively using a strong wind speed of the distant sea.

Various types of floating offshore wind power generators have been attempted. In detail, spar type, semi-submersible type, and tension legged platform (TLP) type floating offshore wind power generators are used depending on the type of the floating body. Each type has its own advantages but causes a major problem when inspection or repair of the wind power generator is required.

Referring to <FIG>, in order to integrally transport a wind power generator and floating bodies <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> for floating the wind power generator to the adjacent sea, an anchor device coupled to the floating bodies <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> and a seabed cable for transmission of generated power need to be disassembled, which may cause inconvenience, and each type has the following additional problems.

As shown in <FIG>, the spar type floating offshore wind power generator has the floating body <NUM> manufactured in the form of a stick, and has a simple structure and thus is easy to manufacture. However, because the floating body <NUM> is installed in the water up to about <NUM>, it is impossible to move the spar type floating offshore wind power generator to a relatively shallow port, such that maintenance needs to be performed in a deep water area, and inspection or repair, including disassembly or assembly, needs to be carried out in weather conditions where the wave height is not high, by mobilizing an expensive dynamic positioning vessel, etc..

As shown in <FIG>, in the case of the semi-submersible type floating offshore wind power generator, the floating body <NUM> that floats a tower part <NUM> is installed in a semi-submersible manner. Accordingly, because the floating body <NUM> to which the tower part <NUM> is coupled may be moved to a shallow water level, maintenance is relatively easy. However, as shown in <FIG>, in the semi-submersible type floating offshore wind power generator, for example, ballast tanks are respectively installed at vertexes of a rectangular structure, and the tower part <NUM> is installed on any one of the ballast tanks. Accordingly, due to a structure in which the floating body <NUM> is greatly affected by waves, even in a normal operation state, shaking of the tower part <NUM> is relatively large. In order to overcome the problems described above, it is necessary to introduce an expensive active ballast system to adjust the verticality of the tower part <NUM>. However, despite the active ballast system, there is a limit in reducing the shaking of the tower part <NUM>, and strong shaking affects the strength or lifetime of the tower part <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the TLP type floating offshore wind power generator has a relatively simple structure of the floating body <NUM> but has relatively low stability in maintaining a strong tensile force by firmly fixing a chain or wire vertically to the seabed at a deep water level, and thus, when the chain or wire vertically connected for transport of the tower part <NUM> is removed, there is a risk that the tower part <NUM> may overturn during movement by strong waves or wind. <CIT> discloses background art.

The present disclosure has been devised to solve the above-described needs, and provides a transport device for transporting an upper tower of a floating wind power generator, which facilitates transport and simplifies maintenance of the upper tower of a floating wind power generator by separating the upper tower to which blades are coupled.

The invention is defined in the independent claim.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a transport device for transporting an upper tower of a floating wind power generator, in which the floating wind power generator includes the upper tower to which blades are coupled, and a lower tower detachably coupled to a lower side of the upper tower, includes a support body configured to support the upper tower separated from the lower tower, and a floating body to which the support body is coupled, the floating body floating on the water surface, a coupling flange coupled to the support body is formed to protrude from an outer circumferential surface of the upper tower, the support body is coupled to the upper tower by surrounding the outer circumferential surface of the upper tower and an upper side of the support body is coupled to the coupling flange, wherein the support body comprises a first support, a second support, and a third support, the first support fixed to the floating body and covering a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the upper tower; the second support rotatably coupled to one side of the first support and covering other portions of the outer circumferential surface of the upper tower; and the third support rotatably coupled to another side of the first support and covering a remaining portion of the outer circumferential surface of the upper tower, the first support, the second support, and the third support have bolt holes formed at locations corresponding to bolt holes of the coupling flange, respectively, wherein the second and third supports rotate with respect to the first support, such that the upper tower is inserted into the second and third supports, and when the upper tower is inserted into the second and third supports, the second and third supports rotate with respect to the first support, such that the second and third supports are detachably coupled to each other, wherein the upper tower is coupled to and supported on the support body and is transportable together with the floating body.

In addition, the transport device may further include a worker platform provided on a lower side of the support body.

In addition, the floating body may include a plurality of ballast tanks, considering a virtual N-gonal structure, where N is a natural number greater than or equal to <NUM> (N≥<NUM>), having each ballast tank as a vertex, a fixing structure may connect and fix the ballast tanks to each other is arranged, the fixing structure may be provided on (N-<NUM>) sides of the N-gonal structure, and one remaining side may form an open region in an open state, and the upper tower may approach the open region and be fastened to the support body.

In addition, the worker platform may include a fixing guide part fixed to the floating body, wherein one end and another end of the fixing guide part are spaced apart from each other and form a certain open region, and a sliding part coupled to the fixing guide part to be slidable along the fixing guide part, and configured to selectively open and close the certain open region.

In addition, the support body may be provided inside the virtual N-gonal structure.

According to the present disclosure, in a transport device for transporting an upper tower of a floating wind power generator, for maintenance, the upper tower to which blades are coupled is coupled to a support body, and a floating body for transport, to which the support body is coupled, may be transported to a port of a low water level, and thus, the upper tower may be safely and quickly transported, and inspection, repair and maintenance of the upper tower including the blades may be quickly carried out.

Also, the operational reliability is improved due to the simplification of installation, operation and repair of a floating wind power generator, the lifetime of the wind power generator may be extended, and the cost for installation and maintenance is significantly reduced.

In addition, according to the present disclosure, because an upper tower may be transported to the distant sea by using a floating body, installation of a floating wind power generator is simplified, such that the cost for installation and operation may be reduced.

Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<FIG> illustrates a tower part according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and <FIG> is an enlarged view of a main part of <FIG>. <FIG> illustrates a floating body to which a support body is coupled, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, <FIG> illustrates an open state of the support body, and <FIG> is a plan view of the support body. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view taken along a line A-A of <FIG>. <FIG> illustrates an open state of a worker platform, and <FIG> illustrates a closed state of the worker platform.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a transport device for transporting an upper tower of a floating wind power generator, in which the floating wind power generator includes an upper tower <NUM> to which blades are coupled, and a lower tower <NUM> detachably coupled to the lower side of the upper tower <NUM>, relates to a device for transporting the upper tower <NUM> for maintenance of the upper tower <NUM>.

In particular, in order to improve economic efficiency, floating wind power generators that have been recently installed in the sea are increased in size and are significantly high (about <NUM> or more), and when a major failure occurs in a blade, a gearbox, a power generator, or a converter, a wind power generator and a floating body that floats the wind power generator need to be simultaneously lifted for inspection or repair. According to the present disclosure, proposed is a transport device for separating and transporting the upper tower <NUM> to which blades are coupled.

First, in the floating wind power generator, a tower part <NUM> including the upper tower <NUM> and the lower tower <NUM> is described.

The tower part <NUM> is a column vertically erected so that blades may be coupled to the upper side thereof, and as shown in <FIG>, the tower part <NUM> includes the upper tower <NUM> to which the blades are coupled, and the lower tower <NUM> detachably coupled to the upper tower <NUM>. Various mechanical devices, such as a gearbox for rotating the blades, are installed in the tower part <NUM>. Because pieces of mechanical equipment for driving and installing the blades are not directly related to the present disclosure, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in <FIG>, the blades are coupled to the upper side of the upper tower <NUM>, and a lug device <NUM> for lifting the upper tower <NUM> is formed in the middle of the upper tower <NUM> to protrude outward. A coupling flange <NUM> is formed on the lower side of the upper tower <NUM> to be coupled with a support body <NUM> for supporting the tower part <NUM>. The coupling flange <NUM> is formed to protrude from the outer circumferential surface of the upper tower <NUM>. A bolt hole <NUM> for coupling with the support body <NUM> is formed in the coupling flange <NUM>.

An upper inner fastening part <NUM> is provided at a lower portion of the upper tower <NUM>. The upper inner fastening part <NUM> is formed to protrude from the inner circumferential surface of the upper tower <NUM> and is coupled to an upper portion of the lower tower <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, a door <NUM> is formed between the upper inner fastening part <NUM> and the coupling flange <NUM> so that a worker may enter and exit the tower part <NUM>.

The worker may work on a platform <NUM> provided on the lower side of the door <NUM> to protrude from the outer circumferential surface of the upper tower <NUM>. However, in <FIG>, the door <NUM> and the platform <NUM> are omitted for convenience of description.

The lower tower <NUM> is detachably coupled to the upper tower <NUM>. In detail, a lower inner fastener <NUM> is provided on the upper side of the lower tower <NUM>. The lower inner fastener <NUM> is formed to protrude from the inner circumferential surface of the lower tower <NUM> and is bolted to the upper inner fastening part <NUM>. A bolt hole <NUM> is formed in the upper inner fastening part <NUM> and the lower inner fastener <NUM>.

According to the present embodiment, a ballast tank <NUM> for adjusting buoyancy is coupled to the lower side of the lower tower <NUM>. According to the present embodiment, the ballast tank <NUM> is provided to adjust buoyancy when the upper tower <NUM> is separated from the lower tower <NUM>. A water supply pipe <NUM> and a water discharge pipe <NUM> are installed in the ballast tank <NUM> to supply and discharge water.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, in the transport device for transporting the upper tower of the floating wind power generator, the upper tower <NUM> separated from the lower tower <NUM> may be coupled to the support body <NUM> and supported, and may be transported together with a floating body <NUM> for transport. According to the present embodiment, the transport device includes the floating body <NUM> and the support body <NUM>.

The floating body <NUM> provides buoyancy to enable floating on the water surface. The support body <NUM> is coupled to the floating body <NUM>, and the upper tower <NUM> is supported on the support body <NUM>. Accordingly, the floating body <NUM> allows the support body <NUM>, to which the upper tower <NUM> is coupled, to stably float on the water surface.

As shown in <FIG>, the floating body <NUM> includes a plurality of ballast tanks <NUM> and a fixing structure <NUM>.

A ballast tank <NUM> is provided in plural and is provided at a point corresponding to each vertex of a polygonal structure. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, three ballast tanks <NUM> are provided. However, the number of ballast tanks <NUM> is not limited thereto.

The fixing structure <NUM> is provided to connect and fix the ballast tanks <NUM> to each other. Considering a virtual N-gonal structure, where N is a natural number greater than or equal to <NUM> (N≥<NUM>), having the ballast tanks <NUM> as vertexes, the fixing structure <NUM> connects and fixes the ballast tanks <NUM> to (N-<NUM>) sides of the N-gonal structure to each other. In addition, one remaining side forms an open region R1 in an open state.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, with respect to the ballast tanks <NUM> arranged at the respective vertexes of a triangular structure, the fixing structure <NUM> is arranged on two sides, such that while the ballast tanks <NUM> on both sides are connected to each other, one remaining side is open without the fixing structure <NUM> being arranged thereon.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the ballast tanks <NUM> facing the fixing structure <NUM> are connected to each other by a connection member <NUM>. According to the present embodiment, three ballast tanks <NUM> are provided, and two connection members <NUM> are provided.

The open region R1 is provided to allow the upper tower <NUM> to approach the support body <NUM>. That is, after the upper tower <NUM> is separated from the lower tower <NUM>, the upper tower <NUM> is coupled to the support body <NUM> through the open region R1.

Also, after inspection or repair of the upper tower <NUM> is completed, in order to fasten the upper tower <NUM> to the lower tower <NUM> again, the upper tower <NUM> is pulled out through the open region R1 when the upper tower <NUM> is separated from the support body <NUM>.

The support body <NUM> supports the upper tower <NUM> separated from the lower tower <NUM>. According to the present embodiment, the support body <NUM> is coupled to the upper tower <NUM> by surrounding the outer circumferential surface of the upper tower <NUM>, the upper side of the support body <NUM> being coupled to the coupling flange <NUM>. Also, according to the present embodiment, the support body <NUM> is provided inside the virtual N-gonal structure formed by the ballast tanks <NUM> of the floating body <NUM>.

In detail, the support body <NUM> includes a first support <NUM>, a second support <NUM>, and a third support <NUM>.

The first support <NUM> is fixed to the floating body <NUM> and surrounds a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the upper tower <NUM>. According to the present embodiment, the first support <NUM> is fixed to the connection member <NUM> supporting the floating body <NUM>. The first support <NUM> may be fixed by using a structure separate from the floating body <NUM>.

A first flange coupling part <NUM> coupled to the coupling flange <NUM> formed in the upper tower <NUM> is provided on the upper surface of the first support <NUM>. A bolt hole <NUM> is formed in the first flange coupling part <NUM> at a location corresponding to the bolt hole <NUM> of the coupling flange <NUM>.

The second support <NUM> is rotatably coupled to one side of the first support <NUM> and surrounds a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the upper tower <NUM>. The second support <NUM> rotates with respect to the first support <NUM> around a first hinge part <NUM>.

A second flange coupling part <NUM> fastened to the coupling flange <NUM> formed in the upper tower <NUM> is provided on the upper surface of the second support <NUM>. Similar to the first flange coupling part <NUM>, a bolt hole <NUM> is formed in the second flange coupling part <NUM> at a location corresponding to the bolt hole <NUM> of the coupling flange <NUM>.

The third support <NUM> is rotatably coupled to the other side of the first support <NUM> and surrounds a remaining portion of the upper tower <NUM>. The third support <NUM> rotates with respect to the first support <NUM> around a second hinge part <NUM>.

A third flange coupler <NUM> fastened to the coupling flange <NUM> formed in the upper tower <NUM> is provided on the upper surface of the third support <NUM>. Similar to the first flange coupling part <NUM>, a bolt hole <NUM> is formed in the third flange coupler <NUM> at a location corresponding to the bolt hole <NUM> of the coupling flange <NUM>.

When the second and third supports <NUM> and <NUM> rotate with respect to the first support <NUM>, and accordingly, inner portions thereof are open, the upper tower <NUM> is inserted into the inner portions thereof. After the upper tower <NUM> is inserted into the inner portions of the second and third supports <NUM> and <NUM>, the second and third supports <NUM> and <NUM> rotate with respect to the first support <NUM> again and thus are detachably coupled to each other. Ribs <NUM> and <NUM> having a bolt hole <NUM> is formed at each end of the second and third supports <NUM> and <NUM>, and after the second and third supports <NUM> and <NUM> are rotated so that the ribs <NUM> and <NUM> are in contact with each other, the ribs <NUM> and <NUM> are fastened to each other by bolts.

According to the present embodiment, the transport device for transporting the upper tower of the floating wind power generator further includes a worker platform <NUM>.

The worker platform <NUM> is provided on the lower side of the support body <NUM> to secure a work space for a worker when the upper tower <NUM> is fastened to the support body <NUM>. The worker platform <NUM> includes a fixing guide part <NUM> and a sliding part <NUM>.

The fixing guide part <NUM> is fixed to the floating body <NUM>, and one end and the other end of the fixing guide part <NUM> are spaced apart from each other and form a certain open space R2. As shown in <FIG>, the fixing guide part <NUM> is supported by a support member <NUM>. One end of the support member <NUM> is coupled to the fixing guide part <NUM>, and the other end of the support member <NUM> is coupled to the ballast tank <NUM>. An arrangement of the support member <NUM> may be appropriately changed in design and may be applied in various manners.

As shown in <FIG>, the fixing guide part <NUM> may be formed in a ring shape, and the worker may operate on the upper surface of the fixing guide part <NUM>. A fastener <NUM> fastened to the support body <NUM> is provided at the center of the fixing guide part <NUM>. The ring-shaped fixing guide part <NUM> has an open portion corresponding to an arc of a certain length, and the open space R2 is provided as a space in which the upper tower <NUM> may move inward and outward.

The sliding part <NUM> is coupled to the fixing guide part <NUM> to be slidable along the fixing guide part <NUM>. The sliding part <NUM> selectively opens and closes the certain open space R2 provided in the fixing guide part <NUM>. According to the present embodiment, the sliding part <NUM> is inserted into the fixing guide part <NUM> and is coupled to the fixing guide part <NUM> to be introduced into or withdrawn from the fixing guide part <NUM>.

When the sliding part <NUM> is slid in a direction exposed from the fixing guide part <NUM>, the open space R2 is closed, and when the sliding part <NUM> is inserted into the fixing guide part <NUM>, the open space R2 is open. The introduction and withdrawal of the sliding part <NUM> with respect to the fixing guide part <NUM> may be implemented by using a known component, such as a motor, a gear, or the like.

Hereinafter, operations or effects of the transport device for transporting the upper tower of the floating wind power generator according to the above-described configuration are described in detail.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the transport device for transporting the upper tower of the floating wind power generator is used when the upper tower <NUM> is transported to a sea area near the land to repair or fix a wind power generator that floats on the sea and generates power. The floating wind power generator may be in a spar type, a semi-submersible type, or a TLP type and may maintain a floating state in the sea.

According to the present embodiment, in the floating wind power generator, the tower part <NUM> includes the upper tower <NUM> and the lower tower <NUM>, which are detachably coupled to each other, and the coupling flange <NUM> is formed on the upper tower <NUM>, to which the blades are coupled, for coupling with the support body <NUM> provided in the transport device.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the upper tower <NUM> is separated from the lower tower <NUM>. In this case, the lower tower <NUM> of the floating wind power generator maintains a floating state in the sea as it is. <FIG> illustrates a spar type floating wind power generator, in which the lower tower <NUM> maintains a state anchored in the sea by an anchor device. However, in <FIG>, the anchor device is omitted. Even in a semi-submersible type or TLP type floating wind power generator, the coupling flange <NUM> is provided on the upper tower <NUM>, and the upper tower <NUM> is separated from the lower tower <NUM>, such that the upper tower <NUM> may be transported by using the transport device according to the present disclosure.

The separated upper tower <NUM> is firmly fixed to the floating body <NUM> by a wire through the lug device <NUM> so that the upper tower <NUM> is connected to the support body <NUM> and then may be stably transported without shaking. The support body <NUM> and the worker platform <NUM>, which are provided in the floating body <NUM>, is open so that the upper tower <NUM> may be moved thereinto. That is, the sliding part <NUM> of the worker platform <NUM> is inserted into the fixing guide part <NUM> and forms the open space R2.

Also, the second and third supports <NUM> and <NUM> are open by rotating with respect to the first support <NUM>, and accordingly, the support body <NUM> enables the upper tower <NUM> to be introduced thereinto. The ballast tank <NUM> provided in the floating body <NUM> adjusts buoyancy to facilitate approach of the upper tower <NUM>.

When the upper tower <NUM> is introduced into the support body <NUM>, the second and third supports <NUM> and <NUM> rotate again, and ribs <NUM> and <NUM> are fastened to each other by bolts. The worker platform <NUM> is slid so that the sliding part <NUM> protrudes from the fixing guide part <NUM>, and closes the open space R2.

Subsequently, in a state in which the upper tower <NUM> is coupled to the support body <NUM>, the floating body <NUM> is towed and moved to a nearby sea, such that inspection or maintenance of the upper tower <NUM> may be carried out.

As described above, in the transport device for transporting the upper tower of the floating wind power generator according to the present embodiments of the disclosure, while a series of components for floating and fixing an existing wind power generator, which is installed to float on the sea level, are left at installation locations as they are, only the upper tower <NUM> may be separated and transported, and thus, maintenance and repair of the wind power generator are facilitated, such that the cost for operation and repair of the wind power generator may be significantly reduced.

Also, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, by forming one side of the floating body <NUM> as an open region R1, approach of the upper tower <NUM> may be facilitated, and the support body <NUM> and the worker platform <NUM> form an open region that is selectively open and closed so that the upper tower <NUM> may be introduced thereinto, and thus, with a simplified structure, the upper tower <NUM> may be quickly combined and disassembled.

In addition, the support body <NUM> and the worker platform <NUM> are arranged at the center of the floating body <NUM>, such that the upper tower <NUM> may be stably transported.

Claim 1:
A transport device for transporting an upper tower (<NUM>) of a floating wind power generator, wherein the floating wind power generator comprises the upper tower (<NUM>) to which blades are coupled, and a lower tower (<NUM>) detachably coupled to a lower side of the upper tower (<NUM>), the transport device comprising:
a support body (<NUM>) configured to support the upper tower (<NUM>) separated from the lower tower; and
a floating body (<NUM>) to which the support body (<NUM>) is coupled, the floating body (<NUM>) floating on the water surface,
and a coupling flange (<NUM>) coupled to the support body (<NUM>) is formed to protrude from an outer circumferential surface of the upper tower (<NUM>),
the support body (<NUM>) is coupled to the upper tower (<NUM>) by surrounding the outer circumferential surface of the upper tower (<NUM>) and an upper side of the support body (<NUM>) is coupled to the coupling flange (<NUM>),
wherein the support body (<NUM>) comprises a first support (<NUM>), a second support (<NUM>), and a third support (<NUM>),
the first support (<NUM>) fixed to the floating body (<NUM>) and covering a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the upper tower (<NUM>);
the second support (<NUM>) rotatably coupled to one side of the first support (<NUM>) and covering other portions of the outer circumferential surface of the upper tower (<NUM>); and
the third support (<NUM>) rotatably coupled to another side of the first support (<NUM>) and covering a remaining portion of the outer circumferential surface of the upper tower (<NUM>),
the first support (<NUM>), the second support (<NUM>), and the third support (<NUM>) have bolt holes (<NUM>) formed at locations corresponding to bolt holes (<NUM>) of the coupling flange (<NUM>), respectively,
wherein the second and third supports (<NUM>,<NUM>) rotate with respect to the first support (<NUM>), such that the upper tower (<NUM>) is inserted into the second and third supports (<NUM>,<NUM>), and when the upper tower (<NUM>) is inserted into the second and third supports (<NUM>,<NUM>), the second and third supports (<NUM>,<NUM>) rotate with respect to the first support (<NUM>), such that the second and third supports (<NUM>,<NUM>) are detachably coupled to each other,
wherein the upper tower (<NUM>) is coupled to and supported on the support body (<NUM>) and is transportable together with the floating body.