JP7604356B2 - Height adjustment method and height adjustment structure - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to a height adjustment method and height adjustment structure for adjusting the height of a transition piece installed on a foundation.

Patent Publication No. 5993756 describes a method for installing an offshore structure. The offshore structure is an offshore wind power generation facility that includes a foundation that penetrates into the seabed, a superstructure that is installed on top of the foundation, and outfitting members that are installed between the foundation and the superstructure. The outfitting members are also called transition pieces. The offshore wind power generation facility includes angle adjustment members that can adjust the inclination angle of the superstructure relative to the vertical direction.

The angle adjustment member comprises two shim plates interposed between the foundation and the superstructure, and a number of bolts and a number of nuts inserted into through holes formed in each shim plate. The inclination angle of the foundation relative to the vertical direction is measured using an electro-optical range finder, a GPS, or the like. The shim plates are fabricated in advance so as to have an inclined surface that corrects the measured inclination angle. In this installation method, the inclination of the superstructure relative to the vertical direction is corrected by interposing two shim plates with the inclined surface between the foundation and the superstructure.

Patent Publication No. 6839524 describes a support structure and method for supporting the legs of an above-water structure on a steel pipe pile. The above-water structure comprises a steel pipe pile having a flange on its top surface that protrudes radially inward, and a tubular leg that is a transition piece that is placed on the steel pipe pile from above. The leg has an annular bracket that protrudes radially inward, and the leg is installed on the steel pipe pile by placing the bracket on the flange.

An adjustment material is provided between the upper surface of the flange of the steel pipe pile and the lower surface of the bracket of the leg to adjust the inclination of the leg relative to the vertical direction. The inclination angle of the upper surface of the flange of the steel pipe pile relative to the horizontal plane is measured in advance, and the adjustment material is fabricated to have an inclined surface with the measured inclination angle. By interposing this adjustment material with an inclined surface between the upper surface of the flange of the steel pipe pile and the lower surface of the bracket of the leg, the inclination of the leg relative to the vertical direction is corrected.

Patent No. 5993756 Patent No. 6839524

In the above-mentioned method of installing an offshore structure and the method of supporting the legs of an above-water structure on steel pipe piles, the inclination angle must be measured in advance and a shim plate or adjustment material with an inclined surface must be prepared in advance, making it impossible to efficiently adjust the inclination of the transition piece. In addition, a method is known in which the transition piece is equipped with multiple height adjustment members, and the inclination of the transition piece is adjusted by placing the multiple height adjustment members on the foundation. However, because there is variation in the height of the parts of the multiple height adjustment members to which the foundation is attached due to dimensional errors, etc., a problem can arise in which the multiple height adjustment members cannot be placed stably on the foundation. As a result, there is a concern that the transition piece cannot be stably installed on the foundation.

The purpose of this disclosure is to provide a height adjustment method and height adjustment structure that allows a transition piece to be stably installed on a foundation.

The height adjustment method according to the present disclosure is a height adjustment method for adjusting the height of a cylindrical transition piece when the transition piece is installed on a foundation, using four or more height adjustment devices. The four or more height adjustment devices include one or more first height adjustment devices with which the foundation abuts, and three second height adjustment devices with which the foundation abuts at a position lower than the first height adjustment devices. This height adjustment method includes the steps of installing one or more first height adjustment devices and three second height adjustment devices on the platform of the transition piece so as to be aligned along the circumferential direction of the transition piece, abutting the foundation against the three second height adjustment devices from below, and abutting the first height adjustment device and the second height adjustment device against the foundation to adjust the inclination of the transition piece.

In this height adjustment method, the height and inclination of the transition piece are adjusted using four or more height adjustment devices. By adjusting the height and inclination using four or more height adjustment devices, the height and inclination of the transition piece can be adjusted with high precision. The four or more height adjustment devices include a first height adjustment device with which the foundation abuts and a second height adjustment device with which the foundation abuts at a position lower than the first height adjustment device. One or more first height adjustment devices and three second height adjustment devices are installed so as to be aligned along the circumferential direction of the platform of the transition piece, and the foundation abuts against the three second height adjustment devices from below. Thereafter, the first height adjustment device and the second height adjustment device abut against the foundation to adjust the inclination of the transition piece. Therefore, since the foundation can be abutted against the three second height adjustment devices aligned along the circumferential direction of the platform before the inclination is adjusted, the transition piece can be stably placed on the foundation by three-point support. Furthermore, the inclination of the transition piece is adjusted while the transition piece is stably placed on the foundation, so the transition piece can be stably installed on the foundation and the inclination can be adjusted in a stable manner.

Each of the first height adjustment device and the second height adjustment device may have a bracket extending vertically downward. In the step of abutting the foundation, the foundation may abut against the underside of each bracket of the three second height adjustment devices. In this case, the brackets of the first height adjustment device and the second height adjustment device can be effectively used as the part that the foundation abuts against. In addition, if the first height adjustment device and the second height adjustment device have a jack, the foundation can be abutted against the underside of the bracket before the jack, so that the load on the jack can be reduced when the transition piece is placed on the foundation.

In the process of installing the height adjustment devices, three or more first height adjustment devices and three second height adjustment devices may be installed in a line along the circumferential direction of the transition piece. In this case, three or more first height adjustment devices and three second height adjustment devices are installed along the circumferential direction of the transition piece, so that the height and inclination of the transition piece can be adjusted with even greater precision using a total of six or more height adjustment devices.

The first height adjustment device and the second height adjustment device may each have an abutment member that is movable in the vertical direction. In the step of adjusting the inclination, the abutment member of the first height adjustment device and the abutment member of the second height adjustment device may be abutted against the foundation to adjust the inclination of the transition piece. In this case, the inclination of the transition piece is adjusted by multiple abutment members that are movable in the vertical direction, so that the height and inclination of the transition piece can be adjusted with even greater precision.

Each of the first height adjustment device and the second height adjustment device may have a jack that moves the abutment member in the vertical direction and a height fixing means that fixes the height of the abutment member. This height adjustment method may further include a step of fixing the height of each of the abutment members of the first height adjustment device and the second height adjustment device by the height fixing means after the step of adjusting the inclination of the transition piece. In this case, after the abutment member is abutted against the foundation to adjust the inclination of the transition piece, the height of the abutment member abutting against the foundation is fixed by the height fixing means. Therefore, since the height of the abutment member abutting against the foundation can be fixed by the height fixing means, even if a malfunction occurs in the jack that moves the abutment member in the vertical direction, it is possible to suppress the height of the abutment member from changing. Therefore, the transition piece can be more reliably maintained in a stable state.

The height adjustment structure according to the present disclosure is a height adjustment structure that uses four or more height adjustment devices to adjust the height of a cylindrical transition piece when the transition piece is installed on a foundation. The four or more height adjustment devices include one or more first height adjustment devices having a bracket facing the foundation, and three second height adjustment devices having a bracket against which the foundation abuts. The one or more first height adjustment devices and the three second height adjustment devices are installed so as to be aligned along the circumferential direction of the transition piece on the platform of the transition piece, and the height of the lower surface of the bracket of the second height adjustment device is lower than the height of the lower surface of the bracket of the first height adjustment device.

This height adjustment structure includes four or more height adjustment devices, and the four or more height adjustment devices include one or more first height adjustment devices and three second height adjustment devices. Since the height and inclination of the transition piece are adjusted by the four or more height adjustment devices, the height and inclination of the transition piece can be adjusted with high precision. The first height adjustment device includes a bracket facing the foundation, and the second height adjustment device includes a bracket abutting the foundation. One or more first height adjustment devices and three second height adjustment devices are installed so as to be aligned along the circumferential direction of the platform of the transition piece, and the height of the lower surface of the bracket of the second height adjustment device is lower than the height of the lower surface of the bracket of the first height adjustment device. Therefore, the foundation can be abutted against the lower surfaces of the brackets of the three second height adjustment devices aligned along the circumferential direction of the platform, so that the transition piece can be stably placed on the foundation by three-point support, as in the height adjustment method described above. Therefore, the transition piece can be stably installed on the foundation and the inclination of the transition piece can be adjusted in a stable state.

According to this disclosure, the transition piece can be stably installed on the foundation.

1 is a side view showing an offshore wind turbine power generation device which is an example of an application of a height adjustment method and a height adjustment device according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a side view showing the foundation and transition piece of the offshore wind power generation device of FIG. 1 . FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the transition piece of FIG. 2 . FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a dock facility of the transition piece of FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the outer platform of the transition piece of FIG. 2 . FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing each platform of the transition piece of FIG. 2 . FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a misalignment correction jack of the transition piece of FIG. 2 . FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the lower platform of the transition piece of FIG. 2 . FIG. 9 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of the lower platform and foundation of FIG. 8 . FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a height adjustment device disposed on the lower platform of FIG. 8 . 11 is a perspective view of the height adjustment device of FIG. 10 as seen from a different direction than that of FIG. 10 . FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a schematic installation state of a first height adjustment device and a second height adjustment device according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a schematic installation state of a first height adjustment device and a second height adjustment device according to the embodiment. 13A and 13B are plan views illustrating a schematic installation state of a first height adjustment device and a second height adjustment device according to a modified example. 1A and 1B are perspective views showing a specific example of a misalignment correction jack according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1A and 1B are perspective views showing an example of a fixing structure of a misalignment correcting jack according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Below, an embodiment of the height adjustment method and height adjustment structure according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same or corresponding elements are given the same reference numerals, and duplicated descriptions will be omitted as appropriate. In addition, the drawings may be simplified or exaggerated for ease of understanding, and the dimensional ratios, etc. are not limited to those shown in the drawings.

The height adjustment method and height adjustment device according to this embodiment use four or more height adjustment devices to adjust the height of a cylindrical transition piece when the transition piece is installed on the foundation of an offshore structure. The offshore structure is, for example, a wind power generator. Below, an example in which the height adjustment method and height adjustment device are applied to a wind power generator is described.

Figure 1 is a side view showing a wind power generator 1 as an example to which the height adjustment method and height adjustment device according to this embodiment are applied. Figure 2 is a side view showing a foundation 2 and a transition piece 3 of the wind power generator 1. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the wind power generator 1 is installed, for example, on the seabed B, and performs offshore wind power generation. However, the wind power generator 1 is not limited to being installed in the ocean, and may be installed in water other than the ocean, such as a lake or a river.

The wind turbine 1 comprises a foundation 2, a transition piece 3 installed on the foundation 2, a tower 4 fixed to the transition piece 3, a nacelle 5 attached to the top of the tower 4, and blades 6 attached to the nacelle 5. The tower 4 is made of, for example, concrete or steel. The nacelle 5 houses a generator, a speed increaser, and the like, and for example, the rotor shaft protrudes from the speed increaser to the outside of the nacelle 5.

The blades 6 are fixed to the rotor shaft of the nacelle 5. The wind power generator 1 has, for example, three blades 6. When the blades 6 rotate in response to the wind, this rotation is increased to a certain rotation speed by an amplifier inside the nacelle 5, and this rotational motion is converted into electricity by a generator inside the nacelle 5. For example, the nacelle 5 is equipped with a wind vane and anemometer, and efficient power generation is achieved by controlling the direction of the rotor and the angle of the blades 6 in response to the wind speed and direction.

The wind power generator 1 has, for example, a monopile foundation type, and a transition piece 3 is provided above the monopile foundation 2. The wind power generator 1 has the monopile foundation 2 cast into the water W, and the transition piece 3 extending upward from the foundation 2 and connected to the lower end of the tower 4. Note that instead of the monopile foundation type, the foundation 2 may have a tripile-type offshore wind foundation or a jacket-type offshore wind foundation, and the type of the foundation 2 is not particularly limited.

For example, around the foundation 2 on the seabed B, a scour prevention work 7 is provided, and the scour prevention work 7 prevents scouring of the ground around the foundation 2 on the seabed B. For example, the cross-sectional shape of the foundation 2 when cut on a horizontal plane is circular. As an example, the foundation 2 is cylindrical.

The foundation 2 has, for example, a hole 2b through which water flows in and out of the foundation 2. The diameter of the foundation 2 is, for example, 4 m or more (as an example, 6 m). The foundation 2 has, for example, a cylindrical lower part 2c that is driven into the water W, and an upper part 2d whose diameter gradually decreases from the upper end of the lower part 2c toward the top. A transition piece 3 is installed in the upper part 2d.

Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the transition piece 3. The transition piece 3 is provided to ensure the verticality of the wind turbine 1. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the transition piece 3 has a cylindrical columnar portion 3b extending along the vertical direction D1 and an external platform 10 located at the upper end of the columnar portion 3b.

The columnar portion 3b has, for example, an upper portion 3d on which the external platform 10 is placed, and a lower portion 3f whose diameter gradually increases from the lower end of the upper portion 3d downward. The external platform 10 is installed on the columnar portion 3b so as to protrude horizontally from the upper end of the columnar portion 3b.

The lower part 3f of the transition piece 3 is the part through which the upper part 2d of the foundation 2 passes. For example, the transition piece 3 is joined (grout-joined) to the foundation 2 by filling the gap between the lower part 3f and the upper part 2d of the foundation 2. Note that the means for joining the transition piece to the foundation is not limited to the above-mentioned grout joint. The means for joining the transition piece to the foundation is not particularly limited and may be, for example, a bolt joint. Also, the transition piece may be joined to the foundation in advance (for example, before being driven into the seabed B).

For example, the transition piece 3 includes a ladder 3h for workers to get on and off the columnar portion 3b, and a rest platform 3j for workers to rest on. The ladder 3h extends, for example, from the lower portion 3f of the columnar portion 3b to the upper end of the columnar portion 3b. The transition piece 3 includes, for example, a plurality of rest platforms 3j, each of which is provided at a respective one of a plurality of intermediate portions of the ladder 3h.

Figure 4 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the columnar portion 3b of the transition piece 3. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the transition piece 3 has an electric wire pipe 3k and a grout pipe 3m. The electric wire pipe 3k accommodates, for example, an electric wire for ICCP (Impressed Current Cathodic Protection).

The transition piece 3 has, for example, an electrode 3r arranged to protrude from the columnar portion 3b. The electrode 3r is an anode (external anode of the ICCP system) arranged underwater W. Electric current flows through the electrode 3r to suppress electrolytic corrosion caused by potential differences in each part of the transition piece 3. The grout pipe 3m is a pipe through which grout that fixes the transition piece 3 to the foundation 2 passes.

The transition piece 3 has a docking facility 3g on the columnar portion 3b. Ships carrying workers who climb onto the transition piece 3 and work on the transition piece 3 arrive at the docking facility 3g. The docking facility 3g includes, for example, two poles 3p extending along the vertical direction D1 and multiple connecting members 3q that connect the poles 3p to the columnar portion 3b.

The bow of the ship carrying workers fits between the two poles 3p. For example, the distance between the two poles 3p is set wide enough to allow workers to access the ship. A ladder 3h is provided between the two poles 3p. Therefore, workers who disembark from the ship can use the ladder 3h to climb up to the external platform 10 of the transition piece 3.

For example, a rest platform 3j is provided above the pole 3p. For example, multiple joint members 3q of the dock facility 3g are arranged in a line along the pole 3p. The joint members 3q are, for example, columnar and protrude from the columnar portion 3b, and connect each pole 3p to the columnar portion 3b. The pole 3p and the multiple joint members 3q are, for example, integrated.

Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the external platform 10 of the transition piece 3. The external platform 10 is also called the upper platform. The external platform 10 is a platform to which the lower end of the tower 4 is joined and on which cargo is placed. The external platform 10 includes, for example, a crane 10b, a power supply unit 10c, and a staircase 10d.

The external platform 10 is provided at the top end of the ladder 3h, and a worker can climb the ladder 3h to enter the external platform 10. For example, the crane 10b is a davit crane, and the power supply unit 10c is a crane power supply unit that supplies power to the crane 10b.

The tower 4 has an opening 4b that allows access from the external platform 10 to the transition piece 3 and the inside of the tower 4. Workers can move into the inside of the transition piece 3 through the opening 4b. The opening 4b of the tower 4 is provided, for example, at a position higher than the lower end of the tower 4, and workers can enter the opening 4b by climbing the stairs 10d in front of the opening 4b.

The transition piece 3 has, for example, a flange portion located at the upper end of the columnar portion 3b, and the tower 4 has a flange portion 4c located at its lower end. For example, the flange portion of the transition piece 3 is a portion that protrudes radially outward and inward from the upper end of the columnar portion 3b, and the flange portion 4c of the tower 4 is a portion that protrudes radially outward and inward from the lower end of the tower 4. However, for example, the flange portion of the transition piece 3 may be a portion that protrudes only radially inward from the upper end of the columnar portion 3b, and the flange portion 4c of the tower 4 may be a portion that protrudes only radially inward from the lower end of the tower 4. Computers and the like that operate the devices of the transition piece 3 and the tower 4 are arranged inside the transition piece 3 and the tower 4.

The flange portion of the transition piece 3 and the flange portion 4c of the tower 4 have multiple through holes (not shown) that are aligned along the circumferential direction D2 of the transition piece 3 and penetrate in the vertical direction D1. The tower 4 is joined to the transition piece 3 by inserting bolts into each through hole of the flange portion of the transition piece 3 and each through hole of the flange portion 4c of the tower 4 and tightening the bolts with nuts.

Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view showing the internal structure of the transition piece 3. As shown in Figure 6, the transition piece 3 includes a platform 3c having a portion extending horizontally. The platform 3c includes the external platform 10 described above, a cable termination platform 20 to which multiple cables are bundled, an airtight platform 30 that blocks air from flowing vertically upward, and a lower platform 40 located above the joint 40A to which the foundation 2 is joined. A ladder 3x is provided inside the transition piece 3, and it is possible to descend from the external platform 10 to the cable termination platform 20, the airtight platform 30, and the lower platform 40 using the ladder 3x.

The cable termination platform 20 is provided below the external platform 10 and above the airtight platform 30. The cable termination platform 20 is a platform where the cable from the underwater W is connected to the cable of the tower 4.

The airtight platform 30 is provided below the cable termination platform 20 and above the lower platform 40. The airtight platform 30 is a platform that blocks air flow between the upper and lower parts of the transition piece 3. The airtight platform 30 has the function of blocking air from seawater.

The airtight platform 30 is made of, for example, carbon steel and is painted to prevent rust. This airtight platform 30 blocks air from the seawater, making it possible to create an environment in the internal space of the transition piece 3 above the airtight platform 30 that is less susceptible to corrosion (less susceptible to rust, etc.).

The lower platform 40 is, for example, a platform on which work to install the transition piece 3 on the foundation 2 is carried out. As an example, on the lower platform 40, grout is filled between the upper part 2d of the foundation 2 and the lower part 3f of the transition piece 3 (joint 40A), and the grout hardens to grout-join the transition piece 3 to the foundation 2. For example, the portion of the transition piece 3 below the lower platform 40 corresponds to joint 40A where it is joined to the foundation 2.

Figure 7 is an enlarged perspective view of the lower end of the transition piece 3. As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the transition piece 3 has a lower flange 3y that protrudes radially outward from the columnar portion 3b at the lower end of the transition piece 3, and a misalignment correction jack 90 attached to the underside of the lower flange 3y.

The misalignment correction jack 90 expands and contracts along the radial direction of the columnar portion 3b, and adjusts the horizontality of the transition piece 3 relative to the foundation 2 (the inclination of the transition piece 3 relative to the vertical direction D1) by abutting against the outer surface of the foundation 2 located radially inside the columnar portion 3b. For example, the transition piece 3 has multiple (six, for example) misalignment correction jacks 90. The multiple misalignment correction jacks 90 may be arranged in a line along the circumferential direction D2 of the columnar portion 3b. In this case, the multiple misalignment correction jacks 90 move radially relative to the foundation 2, thereby fine-tuning the inclination of the transition piece 3 relative to the vertical direction D1 (the verticality of the transition piece 3).

Figure 8 is a perspective view showing the lower platform 40. Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the lower platform 40 and the foundation 2. As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the lower platform 40 has a ring shape with a hole 40b penetrating in the vertical direction D1. For example, the ring-shaped upper end surface 2f of the foundation 2 is located directly below the lower platform 40.

The lower platform 40 has a first handrail 41 extending upward from the hole 40b, a second handrail 42 forming the outer edge of the lower platform 40 in a plan view, and an annular floor portion 43 located between the first handrail 41 and the second handrail 42 in a plan view. Furthermore, the lower platform 40 is equipped with a number of height adjustment devices 50 that adjust the inclination and height of the transition piece 3 relative to the foundation 2.

The multiple height adjustment devices 50 are provided to ensure the verticality of the transition piece 3 installed on the foundation 2. The height adjustment devices 50 are also called centralizers that reduce the inclination of the transition piece 3 relative to the vertical direction D1. The multiple height adjustment devices 50 are arranged in a line along the circumferential direction D2 of the lower platform 40.

The height adjustment device 50 has a bottom surface 50b facing vertically downward, and when the transition piece 3 is placed on the foundation 2, the bottom surface 50b abuts the top end surface 2f of the foundation 2. However, if the foundation 2 is tilted or there is a tolerance in the height of the bottom surfaces 50b of the multiple height adjustment devices 50, there is a possibility that any of the bottom surfaces 50b of the multiple height adjustment devices 50 may float from the top end surface 2f, which may cause the transition piece 3 to become unstable.

In the height adjustment method according to this embodiment and the height adjustment structure 100 described below, the multiple height adjustment devices 50 include one or more first height adjustment devices 60 and three second height adjustment devices 70 described below, and the height of the lower surface 50b of the second height adjustment device 70 is lower than the height of the lower surface 50b of the first height adjustment device 60, thereby stabilizing the transition piece 3 and preventing the occurrence of the above problems. The height adjustment structure 100 according to this embodiment will be described below.

The height adjustment structure 100 includes one or more first height adjustment devices 60 and three second height adjustment devices 70, and the one or more first height adjustment devices 60 and the three second height adjustment devices 70 are installed so as to be lined up along the circumferential direction D2 on the lower platform 40. In this embodiment, the three first height adjustment devices 60 and the three second height adjustment devices 70 are installed so as to be lined up along the circumferential direction D2. For example, the first height adjustment devices 60 and the second height adjustment devices 70 are arranged alternately along the circumferential direction D2.

Figure 10 is a perspective view showing the first height adjustment device 60. Figure 11 is a perspective view of the first height adjustment device 60 viewed from a different direction than that of Figure 10. As shown in Figures 10 and 11, the first height adjustment device 60 includes a bracket 51 extending vertically downward, an abutment member 52 that is movable along the vertical direction D1, a jack 53 that moves the abutment member 52 in the vertical direction D1, and a height fixing means 54 that fixes the height of the abutment member 52.

The bracket 51 includes a pair of side portions 51b, a connection portion 51c that connects the pair of side portions 51b to each other, and an installation portion 51z that connects the pair of side portions 51b to each other and on which the jack 53 and the height fixing means 54 are installed. The first height adjustment device 60 is arranged so that the pair of side portions 51b are aligned along the circumferential direction D2.

For example, the side portion 51b has a plate shape extending in the vertical direction D1 and in the radial direction D3 of the lower platform 40. As an example, the side portion 51b includes a fixed portion 51d that is fixed to the floor portion 43 of the lower platform 40, and a protruding portion 51f that protrudes outward in the radial direction D3 from an oblique upper portion of the fixed portion 51d.

As an example, the fixed portion 51d has a pair of main surfaces 51j aligned along the circumferential direction D2. The fixed portion 51d has a bottom surface 51g extending along the radial direction D3, a first end surface 51h extending upward from the inside of the bottom surface 51g in the radial direction D3, and a second end surface 51k extending diagonally upward from the outside of the bottom surface 51g in the radial direction D3. Furthermore, the fixed portion 51d has a third end surface 51m extending diagonally upward from the upper end of the first end surface 51h to the outside in the radial direction D3, and a fourth end surface 51p extending upward from the second end surface 51k.

The protrusion 51f is a plate-shaped portion that protrudes outward in the radial direction D3 from the upper end of the third end face 51m and the upper end of the fourth end face 51p. The protrusion 51f has a pair of main surfaces 51q aligned along the circumferential direction D2, a lower surface 50b extending outward in the radial direction D3 from the upper end of the fourth end face 51p, and an upper surface 51s extending outward in the radial direction D3 from the upper end of the third end face 51m. Furthermore, the protrusion 51f has a fifth end surface 51t extending in the vertical direction D1 between the outer side of the lower surface 50b in the radial direction D3 and the outer side of the upper surface 51s in the radial direction D3.

The upper surface 51s includes a flat surface 51v extending outward in the radial direction D3 from the upper end of the third end surface 51m, and a curved surface 51w extending obliquely upward from the end of the flat surface 51v opposite the third end surface 51m. The lower surface 50b includes a flat surface 51x extending outward in the radial direction D3 from the upper end of the fourth end surface 51p, and a curved surface 51y extending obliquely downward from the end of the flat surface 51x opposite the fourth end surface 51p. The lower surface 50b is the portion that faces the upper end surface 2f of the foundation 2 or that abuts against the upper end surface 2f of the foundation 2. For example, when the transition piece 3 is placed on the foundation 2, the flat surface 51x of the lower surface 50b faces (or abuts) the upper end surface 2f of the foundation 2.

The connection portion 51c extends in the circumferential direction D2 between a pair of side portions 51b aligned along the circumferential direction D2. For example, the connection portion 51c has a plate shape that has a thickness in the vertical direction D1 and has long sides extending along the circumferential direction D2. The connection portion 51c extends in the circumferential direction D2 between the main surfaces 51j of the pair of side portions 51b.

The installation portion 51z extends in the circumferential direction D2 between a pair of protruding portions 51f aligned along the circumferential direction D2. For example, the installation portion 51z has a rectangular parallelepiped shape with long sides extending along the circumferential direction D2. The installation portion 51z extends in the circumferential direction D2 between the main surfaces 51q of the pair of protruding portions 51f. Above, examples of the shape of the bracket 51 have been described. However, the shape of the bracket is not limited to the above examples and can be changed as appropriate.

The jack 53 is fixed to the underside of the installation portion 51z, for example, by bolt and nut joints. The jack 53 is, for example, a hydraulic jack. The abutment member 52 is fixed to the lower end of the jack 53 and moves along the vertical direction D1 as the jack 53 expands and contracts. The abutment member 52 is, for example, plate-shaped.

The abutment member 52 has an upper surface 52b to which the jack 53 is fixed, a lower surface 52c that abuts against the upper end surface 2f of the foundation 2, a first end surface 52d facing inward in the radial direction D3, a second end surface 52f facing outward in the radial direction D3, and a pair of third end surfaces 52g that face each main surface 51q of the bracket 51. For example, the upper surface 52b, the lower surface 52c, the second end surface 52f, and each third end surface 52g are flat surfaces. The first end surface 52d has a protrusion 52h that protrudes inward in the radial direction D3, for example, in a region including the center in the circumferential direction D2. A part of the height fixing means 54 is fixed to the upper surface 52b.

The height fixing means 54 has a bolt 54b that moves up and down relative to the bracket 51 (installation portion 51z), a first nut 54c fastened to the bolt 54b on the underside of the installation portion 51z, a second nut 54d fastened to the bolt 54b on the upper surface of the installation portion 51z, and a washer 54f interposed between the upper surface of the installation portion 51z and the second nut 54d. Furthermore, the height fixing means 54 has an abutment portion 54g that is fixed to the upper surface 52b of the abutment member 52 and against which the bolt 54b abuts from above.

The installation portion 51z has a through hole through which the bolt 54b is inserted, and the bolt 54b extends in the vertical direction D1 in the through hole. The bolt 54b is, for example, a hexagonal bolt, and the head 54h of the bolt 54b faces upward. The bolt 54b is fastened to a second nut 54d located at the top of the installation portion 51z and a first nut 54c located at the bottom of the installation portion 51z.

The abutment portion 54g is provided below the bolt 54b. By adjusting the degree to which the bolt 54b is screwed into the first nut 54c and the second nut 54d, it is possible to abut the lower end of the bolt 54b against the abutment portion 54g. When the bolt 54b abuts against the abutment portion 54g, the height of the abutment member 52 relative to the bracket 51 is fixed. For example, two of the height fixing means 54 described above are provided so as to be aligned along the circumferential direction D2. By providing two height fixing means 54 aligned along the circumferential direction D2, it is possible to more reliably fix the height of the abutment member 52.

The above describes specific examples of the configuration of each component of the first height adjustment device 60. However, the configuration of each component of the first height adjustment device 60 is not limited to the above example and can be modified as appropriate. The configuration of each component of the second height adjustment device 70 is, for example, similar to the configuration of each component of the first height adjustment device 60. Therefore, for the second height adjustment device 70, the description of the contents that overlap with the first height adjustment device 60 will be omitted. In addition, when there is no need to distinguish between the first height adjustment device 60 and the second height adjustment device 70, the first height adjustment device 60 and the second height adjustment device 70 may be collectively referred to as the height adjustment device 50.

As shown in FIG. 12, the height of the lower surface 50b of the second height adjustment device 70 is lower than the height of the lower surface 50b of the first height adjustment device 60. Therefore, when the transition piece 3 is first placed on the foundation 2, the upper end surface 2f of the foundation 2 comes into contact with the lower surface 50b of the second height adjustment device 70, but the upper end surface 2f of the foundation 2 does not come into contact with the lower surface 50b of the first height adjustment device 60.

Figure 13 is a diagram showing a schematic arrangement of the height adjustment device 50 (first height adjustment device 60 and second height adjustment device 70) in a plan view. As shown in Figures 12 and 13, the first height adjustment device 60 and the second height adjustment device 70 are arranged alternately along the circumferential direction D2, for example.

For example, the height adjustment structure 100 includes three first height adjustment devices 60 and three second height adjustment devices 70. The lower end of each second height adjustment device 70 is located below an imaginary horizontal plane S that includes the lower ends of the three first height adjustment devices 60. As an example, the height of the lower end of each second height adjustment device 70 is approximately 10 cm lower than the height of the imaginary horizontal plane S.

The three second height adjustment devices 70 are arranged in a position where the center of gravity G of the transition piece 3 is inside an imaginary triangle T connecting the three second height adjustment devices 70 in a plan view. The three second height adjustment devices 70 may be arranged in a position where the triangle T is an acute triangle or a right triangle. In this case, when the transition piece 3 is placed on the foundation 2, the lower surfaces 50b of the three second height adjustment devices 70 at three points abut against the upper end surface 2f of the foundation 2, making it possible to stably place the transition piece 3 on the foundation 2.

Next, a height adjustment method of this embodiment for adjusting the height of the transition piece 3 when installing the transition piece 3 on the foundation 2 will be described. First, one or more first height adjustment devices 60 and three second height adjustment devices 70 are installed along the circumferential direction D2 (step of installing the height adjustment devices).

For example, three first height adjustment devices 60 and three second height adjustment devices 70 are installed so that the first height adjustment devices 60 and the second height adjustment devices 70 are alternately arranged along the circumferential direction D2. Next, the foundation 2 is abutted from below against the three second height adjustment devices 70 (abutting the foundation process). At this time, the transition piece 3 is placed on the foundation 2 so that the upper end surface 2f of the foundation 2 abuts against the lower surface 50b of each bracket 51 of the three second height adjustment devices 70. At this point, the upper end surface 2f of the foundation 2 is not abutting against the lower surface 50b of each first height adjustment device 60, and the upper end surface 2f of the foundation 2 faces the lower surface 50b of the first height adjustment device 60.

Then, the first height adjustment device 60 and the second height adjustment device 70 are brought into contact with the foundation 2 to adjust the inclination of the transition piece 3 (process of adjusting the inclination of the transition piece). Specifically, the abutment member 52 of the first height adjustment device 60 and the abutment member 52 of the second height adjustment device 70 are lowered vertically downward to bring each abutment member 52 into contact with the upper end surface 2f of the foundation 2, thereby adjusting the inclination of the transition piece 3 relative to the foundation 2. At this time, the inclination of the transition piece 3 is adjusted so that the transition piece 3 extends along the vertical direction D1.

After the inclination of the transition piece 3 has been adjusted, the height of each abutment member 52 is fixed by the height fixing means 54 (step of fixing the height of the abutment members). Specifically, the bolt 54b of the height fixing means 54 is lowered so that the bolt 54b abuts against the abutment portion 54g, and the first nut 54c and the second nut 54d are fastened to the bolt 54b, thereby firmly fixing the height of the abutment member 52. After going through the above steps, the series of steps is completed.

Next, the effects obtained from the height adjustment method and height adjustment structure 100 according to this embodiment will be described. In the height adjustment method according to this embodiment, the height and inclination of the transition piece 3 are adjusted using four or more height adjustment devices 50. By adjusting the height and inclination using four or more height adjustment devices 50, the height and inclination of the transition piece 3 can be adjusted with high precision.

The four or more height adjustment devices 50 include a first height adjustment device 60 against which the foundation 2 abuts, and a second height adjustment device 70 against which the foundation 2 abuts at a position lower than the first height adjustment device 60. One or more first height adjustment devices 60 and three second height adjustment devices 70 are installed so as to be aligned along the circumferential direction D2 of the platform 3c (lower platform 40) of the transition piece 3, and the foundation 2 abuts against the three second height adjustment devices 70 from below. The first height adjustment device 60 and the second height adjustment device 70 then abut against the foundation 2 to adjust the inclination of the transition piece 3.

Therefore, before adjusting the inclination, the foundation can be abutted against the three second height adjustment devices 70 aligned along the circumferential direction D2 of the platform 3c, so that the transition piece 3 can be stably placed on the foundation 2 by three-point support. Then, since the inclination of the transition piece 3 is adjusted while the transition piece 3 is stably placed on the foundation 2, the transition piece 3 can be stably installed on the foundation 2 and the inclination can be adjusted in a stable state.

In this embodiment, each of the first height adjustment device 60 and the second height adjustment device 70 has a bracket 51 that extends vertically downward. In the process of abutting the foundation 2, the foundation 2 abuts against the lower surface 50b of each of the brackets 51 of the three second height adjustment devices 70. Therefore, each of the brackets 51 of the first height adjustment device 60 and the second height adjustment device 70 can be effectively used as the part against which the foundation 2 abuts.

In addition, when the first height adjustment device 60 and the second height adjustment device 70 have a jack 53, the foundation 2 can be abutted against the underside 50b of the bracket 51 before the jack 53, thereby reducing the load on the jack 53 when the transition piece 3 is placed on the foundation 2.

In this embodiment, in the process of installing the height adjustment devices 50, three or more first height adjustment devices 60 and three second height adjustment devices 70 are installed so as to be aligned along the circumferential direction D2 of the transition piece 3. In this case, three or more first height adjustment devices 60 and three second height adjustment devices 70 are installed along the circumferential direction D2 of the transition piece 3, so that the height and inclination of the transition piece 3 can be adjusted with even higher precision using a total of six or more height adjustment devices 50.

Each of the first height adjustment device 60 and the second height adjustment device 70 may have an abutment member 52 that is movable in the vertical direction D1. In the process of adjusting the inclination, the abutment member 52 of the first height adjustment device 60 and the abutment member 52 of the second height adjustment device 70 may be abutted against the foundation 2 to adjust the inclination of the transition piece 3. In this case, the inclination of the transition piece 3 is adjusted by a plurality of abutment members 52 that are movable in the vertical direction D1, so that the height and inclination of the transition piece 3 can be adjusted with even higher precision.

In this embodiment, each of the first height adjustment device 60 and the second height adjustment device 70 has a jack 53 that moves the abutment member 52 in the vertical direction D1 and a height fixing means 54 that fixes the height of the abutment member 52. The height adjustment method according to this embodiment further includes a step of fixing the height of each of the abutment members 52 of the first height adjustment device 60 and the second height adjustment device 70 by the height fixing means 54 after the step of adjusting the inclination of the transition piece 3. Therefore, after the abutment member 52 is abutted against the foundation 2 to adjust the inclination of the transition piece 3, the height of the abutment member 52 abutting against the foundation 2 is fixed by the height fixing means 54. Therefore, since the height of the abutment member 52 abutting against the foundation 2 can be fixed by the height fixing means 54, even if a malfunction occurs in the jack 53 that moves the abutment member 52 in the vertical direction D1, the height of the abutment member 52 can be prevented from changing. Therefore, the transition piece 3 can be more reliably maintained in a stable state.

The height adjustment structure 100 according to this embodiment includes four or more height adjustment devices 50, each of which includes one or more first height adjustment devices 60 and three second height adjustment devices 70. Since the height and inclination of the transition piece 3 are adjusted by the four or more height adjustment devices 50, the height and inclination of the transition piece 3 can be adjusted with high precision.

The first height adjustment device 60 has a bracket 51 facing the foundation 2, and the second height adjustment device 70 has a bracket 51 that abuts against the foundation 2. One or more first height adjustment devices 60 and three second height adjustment devices 70 are installed so as to line up along the circumferential direction D2 of the platform 3c of the transition piece 3, and the height of the lower surface 50b of the bracket 51 of the second height adjustment device 70 is lower than the height of the lower surface 50b of the bracket 51 of the first height adjustment device 60. Therefore, since the foundation 2 can be abutted against the lower surfaces 50b of the brackets 51 of the three second height adjustment devices 70 lined up along the circumferential direction D2 of the platform 3c, the transition piece 3 can be stably placed on the foundation 2 by three-point support, as in the height adjustment method described above. Therefore, the transition piece 3 can be stably installed on the foundation 2, and the inclination of the transition piece 3 can be adjusted in a stable state.

The above describes embodiments of the height adjustment method and height adjustment structure according to the present disclosure. However, the height adjustment method and height adjustment structure according to the present disclosure are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and may be modified as appropriate within the scope of the gist of the claims. In other words, the content and order of the steps of the height adjustment method, as well as the configuration, shape, size, number, material and arrangement of each part of the height adjustment structure are not limited to the above-described embodiments and may be modified as appropriate.

For example, in the above embodiment, the height adjustment structure 100 including three first height adjustment devices 60 and three second height adjustment devices 70 has been described. However, as described above, for example, the number of first height adjustment devices 60 can be changed as appropriate. As shown in FIG. 14(a), the height adjustment structure 100A may include one first height adjustment device 60 and three second height adjustment devices 70. Also, as shown in FIG. 14(b), the height adjustment structure 100B may include nine first height adjustment devices 60 and three second height adjustment devices 70. In the example of FIG. 14(b), three first height adjustment devices 60 are arranged between two second height adjustment devices 70 adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction D2. However, the arrangement of the first height adjustment devices 60 is not limited to the above example and can be changed as appropriate.

In the above embodiment, a misalignment correction jack 90 for the transition piece 3 has been described. Below, a specific example of the correction jack 90 will be described with reference to Figures 15(a) and 15(b). As shown in Figures 15(a) and 15(b), the correction jack 90 includes a jack body 91 and a fixing structure 92 that fixes the jack body 91.

The jack body 91 expands and contracts along the radial direction D4 of the transition piece 3, and adjusts the horizontality of the transition piece 3 relative to the foundation 2 (the inclination of the transition piece 3 relative to the vertical direction D1) by contacting the outer surface of the foundation 2 located inside the radial direction D4 of the transition piece 3. The jack body 91 has, for example, a cylindrical shape extending along the radial direction D4 of the transition piece 3.

The fixing structure 92 has a pair of outer wall portions 93 arranged along the circumferential direction D5 of the transition piece 3 and sandwiching the jack body 91, and a first plate 94 and a second plate 96 arranged along the radial direction D4 between the pair of outer wall portions 93. The fixing structure 92 further has a base portion 98 on which the jack body 91 is placed, and a fixing member 95 that fixes the jack body 91 placed on the base portion 98.

The outer wall portion 93 is, for example, plate-shaped in the vertical direction D1 and the radial direction D4. The first plate 94 is located outside the second plate 96 in the radial direction D4 of the transition piece 3. The first plate 94 and the second plate 96 extend in the vertical direction D1 and the circumferential direction D5. The first plate 94 has a through hole 94b through which the jack body 91 is passed, and the through hole 94b passes through the first plate 94 in the radial direction D4. In this embodiment, the diameter of the through hole 94b is larger than the diameter of the screw hole 96b described later and is larger than the diameter of the recess 98b described later. Therefore, the jack body 91 can be easily inserted into the through hole 94b.

The base 98 has a recess 98b recessed along the outer periphery of the jack body 91. As an example, the jack body 91 has a cylindrical shape, and the recess 98b is recessed in an arc shape. The fixing member 95 has a clamp portion 95b extending in the circumferential direction D6 of the jack body 91 along the outer periphery of the jack body 91, a bolt 95c that fixes the end of the clamp portion 95b in the circumferential direction D6 to the base 98, and a washer 95d interposed between the bolt 95c and the clamp portion 95b.

The bolt 95c and washer 95d are provided on both ends of the clamp portion 95b in the circumferential direction D6. A hole is formed on each end of the clamp portion 95b, and the bolt 95c is passed through the hole and screwed into the base portion 98. This allows the fixing member 95 to firmly fix the jack body 91 to the base portion 98.

15(a), 15(b), 16(a) and 16(b), the second plate 96 has a screw hole 96b into which the jack body 91 passed through the first plate 94 is screwed. The jack body 91 has a screw portion 91b on its outer circumferential surface, and the screw portion 91b is screwed into the screw hole 96b. The upper surface of the recess 98b of the base 98 and the inner circumferential surface defining the screw hole 96b extend horizontally. Therefore, the jack body 91 placed on the recess 98b and screwed into the screw hole 96b extends horizontally. As described above, in the correction jack 90, the jack body 91 can be fixed by the fixing structure 92 in a state in which it extends horizontally. Furthermore, the jack body 91 can be easily attached to the fixing structure 92, and the position and orientation of the jack body 91 can be stabilized.

In the above embodiment, as shown in Figures 10 and 11, a height adjustment device 50 including a bracket 51, abutment member 52, a jack 53, and height fixing means 54 has been described. The shape, size, number, material, and arrangement of the bracket 51, abutment member 52, jack 53, and height fixing means 54 are not limited to those of the height adjustment device 50 described above and can be changed as appropriate. For example, the height fixing means 54 can be omitted.

In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the upper end surface 2f of the foundation 2 abuts against the lower surface 50b of the second height adjustment device 70, and then the abutting member 52 abuts against the upper end surface 2f. However, it is also possible to have the abutting member 52 of the second height adjustment device 70 abut against the upper end surface 2f of the foundation 2 first, and the configuration of the portion where the upper end surface 2f of the foundation 2 abuts can be changed as appropriate.

In the above embodiment, a transition piece 3 having a docking facility 3g, a ladder 3h, an electrical wiring pipe 3k, and a grout pipe 3m has been described. However, the components of the transition piece are not limited to the above example of the transition piece 3 and can be modified as appropriate. The structure of the platform 3c of the transition piece 3 can also be modified as appropriate.

In the above-described embodiment, the transition piece 3 of the wind power generator 1 is described, which includes a foundation 2, a transition piece 3, a tower 4, a nacelle 5, and blades 6. However, the configurations of the foundation, transition piece, tower, nacelle, and blades are not limited to those of the above-described embodiment and can be modified as appropriate. Furthermore, the height adjustment method and height adjustment structure according to the present disclosure can be applied to structures other than the transition piece 3 of the wind power generator 1. The height adjustment method and height adjustment device according to the present disclosure can be applied to other offshore structures, such as oil platforms, or structures other than offshore structures, for example.

Reference Signs List 1...wind turbine generator, 2...foundation, 2b...hole, 2f...upper end surface, 3...transition piece, 3b...columnar portion, 3c...platform, 3g...landing equipment, 3h...ladder, 3j...rest platform, 3k...electrical wiring piping, 3m...grout piping, 3p...pole, 3q...joint member, 3r...electrode, 3x...ladder, 3y...lower flange, 4...tower, 4b...opening, 4c...flange portion, 5...nacelle, 6...blade, 7...scour prevention work, 10...external platform, 10b...crane , 10c...power supply unit, 10d...staircase, 20...cable termination platform, 30...airtight platform, 40...lower platform, 40A...joint, 40b...hole, 41...first handrail, 42...second handrail, 43...floor, 50...adjustment device, 50b...lower surface, 51...bracket, 51b...side, 51c...connection, 51d...fixing portion, 51f...protrusion, 51g...bottom, 51h...first end surface, 51j...main surface, 51k...second end surface, 51m...third end surface, 51 p...fourth end surface, 51q...main surface, 51s...upper surface, 51t...fifth end surface, 51v...flat surface, 51w...curved surface, 51x...flat surface, 51y...curved surface, 51z...installation portion, 52...contact member, 52b...upper surface, 52c...lower surface, 52d...first end surface, 52f...second end surface, 52g...third end surface, 52h...projection portion, 53...jack, 54...height fixing means, 54b...bolt, 54c...first nut, 54d...second nut, 54f...washer, 54g...contact portion, 54h...head portion, 60...first height adjustment device position, 70...second height adjustment device, 90...misalignment correction jack, 91...jack body, 92...fixing structure, 93...outer wall portion, 94...first plate, 94b...through hole, 95...fixing member, 95b...clamp portion, 95c...bolt, 95d...washer, 96...second plate, 96b...screw hole, 98...base portion, 98b...recess, 100, 100A, 100B...height adjustment structure, B...seabed, D1...vertical direction, D2...circumferential direction, D3...radial direction, G...center of gravity, S...virtual horizontal plane, T...triangle, W...underwater.

Claims (6)

A height adjustment method for adjusting a height of a cylindrical transition piece when the transition piece is installed on a foundation using four or more height adjustment devices,
The four or more height adjustment devices include one or more first height adjustment devices with which the base abuts, and three second height adjustment devices with which the base abuts at a position lower than the first height adjustment devices,
Installing one or more of the first height adjustment devices and three of the second height adjustment devices on a platform of the transition piece so as to be aligned along a circumferential direction of the transition piece;
abutting the foundation from below against the three second height adjustment devices;
a step of adjusting an inclination of the transition piece by abutting the first height adjustment device and the second height adjustment device against the foundation;
A height adjustment method comprising: Each of the first height adjustment device and the second height adjustment device has a bracket extending vertically downward,
In the step of abutting the foundation, the foundation abuts against a lower surface of each of the brackets of the three second height adjustment devices.
The height adjustment method according to claim 1 . In the installing step, three or more of the first height adjustment devices and three of the second height adjustment devices are installed so as to be aligned along a circumferential direction of the transition piece.
The height adjustment method according to claim 1 or 2. Each of the first height adjustment device and the second height adjustment device has a contact member that is movable in a vertical direction,
In the step of adjusting the inclination, the abutment member of the first height adjustment device and the abutment member of the second height adjustment device are brought into contact with the foundation to adjust the inclination of the transition piece.
The height adjustment method according to any one of claims 1 to 3. Each of the first height adjustment device and the second height adjustment device has a jack that moves the abutment member in a vertical direction and a height fixing means that fixes the height of the abutment member,
The method further includes a step of fixing the heights of the contact members of the first height adjustment device and the second height adjustment device by the height fixing means after the step of adjusting the inclination of the transition piece.
The height adjustment method according to claim 4. A height adjustment structure for adjusting the height of a cylindrical transition piece when the transition piece is installed on a foundation using four or more height adjustment devices,
The four or more height adjustment devices include one or more first height adjustment devices having a bracket facing the base, and three second height adjustment devices having a bracket against which the base abuts;
The one or more first height adjustment devices and the three second height adjustment devices are installed on the platform of the transition piece so as to be aligned along a circumferential direction of the transition piece,
The height of the lower surface of the bracket of the second height adjustment device is lower than the height of the lower surface of the bracket of the first height adjustment device.
Height adjustment structure.

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