GB2485556A - Toothed fender for offshore transfers at sea, eg to/from a wind turbine - Google Patents

Toothed fender for offshore transfers at sea, eg to/from a wind turbine Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2485556A
GB2485556A GB1019463.7A GB201019463A GB2485556A GB 2485556 A GB2485556 A GB 2485556A GB 201019463 A GB201019463 A GB 201019463A GB 2485556 A GB2485556 A GB 2485556A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
fender
toothed
wind turbine
sea
rubber blocks
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB1019463.7A
Other versions
GB201019463D0 (en
Inventor
Robin Barnaby Mottram Stowell
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to GB1019463.7A priority Critical patent/GB2485556A/en
Publication of GB201019463D0 publication Critical patent/GB201019463D0/en
Publication of GB2485556A publication Critical patent/GB2485556A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03D—WIND MOTORS
    • F03D13/00—Assembly, mounting or commissioning of wind motors; Arrangements specially adapted for transporting wind motor components
    • F03D13/20—Arrangements for mounting or supporting wind motors; Masts or towers for wind motors
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E06—DOORS, WINDOWS, SHUTTERS, OR ROLLER BLINDS IN GENERAL; LADDERS
    • E06C—LADDERS
    • E06C9/00—Ladders characterised by being permanently attached to fixed structures, e.g. fire escapes
    • E06C9/02—Ladders characterised by being permanently attached to fixed structures, e.g. fire escapes rigidly mounted
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B27/00—Arrangement of ship-based loading or unloading equipment for cargo or passengers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B39/00—Equipment to decrease pitch, roll, or like unwanted vessel movements; Apparatus for indicating vessel attitude
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02B—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING
    • E02B17/00—Artificial islands mounted on piles or like supports, e.g. platforms on raisable legs or offshore constructions; Construction methods therefor
    • E02B17/0017—Means for protecting offshore constructions
    • E02B17/003—Fenders
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02B—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING
    • E02B17/00—Artificial islands mounted on piles or like supports, e.g. platforms on raisable legs or offshore constructions; Construction methods therefor
    • E02B17/0034—Maintenance, repair or inspection of offshore constructions
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02B—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING
    • E02B3/00—Engineering works in connection with control or use of streams, rivers, coasts, or other marine sites; Sealings or joints for engineering works in general
    • E02B3/20—Equipment for shipping on coasts, in harbours or on other fixed marine structures, e.g. bollards
    • E02B3/26—Fenders
    • F03D11/04—
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03D—WIND MOTORS
    • F03D13/00—Assembly, mounting or commissioning of wind motors; Arrangements specially adapted for transporting wind motor components
    • F03D13/40—Arrangements or methods specially adapted for transporting wind motor components
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B27/00—Arrangement of ship-based loading or unloading equipment for cargo or passengers
    • B63B27/19—Other loading or unloading equipment involving an intermittent action, not provided in groups B63B27/04 - B63B27/18
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B59/00—Hull protection specially adapted for vessels; Cleaning devices specially adapted for vessels
    • B63B59/02—Fenders integral with waterborne vessels or specially adapted therefor, e.g. fenders forming part of the hull or incorporated in the hull; Rubbing-strakes
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
    • F05B—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
    • F05B2240/00—Components
    • F05B2240/90—Mounting on supporting structures or systems
    • F05B2240/95—Mounting on supporting structures or systems offshore
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02A—TECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02A30/00—Adapting or protecting infrastructure or their operation
    • Y02A30/30—Adapting or protecting infrastructure or their operation in transportation, e.g. on roads, waterways or railways
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
    • Y02E10/70—Wind energy
    • Y02E10/72—Wind turbines with rotation axis in wind direction
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
    • Y02E10/70—Wind energy
    • Y02E10/727—Offshore wind turbines

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Sustainable Energy (AREA)
  • Sustainable Development (AREA)
  • Wind Motors (AREA)

Abstract

A transfer system comprises a fender having rubber blocks in a toothed configuration connected to a structure in the sea, eg a wind turbine, against which a vessel can engage to reduce motion while eg personnel are transferring to or from the structure. The fender may comprise alternating thin and thick rubber blocks A held in place by bolts B. A pair of toothed fenders may be provided on respective sides of an access ladder C. The rubber blocks A allow a vesselâ s bow to engage at a constant position while the vessel uses its engine to thrust against the support structures to prevent the bow from dropping or rising as personnel access and egress the offshore wind turbine.

Description

TOOTHED FENDERS FOR OFFSHORE TRANSFERS
Background
Next generation offshore wind farms will be larger, further from shore, installed in deeper water and in harsher sea conditions than before. It is estimated that as many as 6,000 turbines in the UK and 15,000 globally will be installed over the next decade. The structures are large, measuring 220m from the sea bed to the tip of the blade. At an average distance of 65 km from shore, but extending as far as 300 km from the coast, wind farms will be operating in a harsh marine environment. Installation and servicing of these turbines will be challenging.
New technology will therefore be required to safely, reliably and cost-effectively provide access to the turbines for planned and unscheduled maintenance activities. It is expected that new strategies will also be employed for operation and maintenance. For example, rather than using vessels to transport personnel directly from ports to turbines, in-field bases or mother-ships accommodating maintenance personnel may be used with smaller daughter craft to move personnel and equipment to and from the turbines.
Statement of Invention
A transfer system consisting of toothed fenders on an offshore wind turbine's access ladder tubular support structure enables vessels improved contact and reduced relative movement for safer personnel transfer in more challenging marine environments.
Advantages The ability to access the turbines to conduct maintenance activities in harsher sea conditions increases the availability of the turbines to generate electricity.
Toothed fenders have no moving parts, electrical power requirements, pressure systems, hazardous substances or environmental hazards. Therefore simple to manufacture; maintenance is limited to visual inspection; repairs are straight-forward; overall capital and through-life costs are low.
Drawing Figure 1 shows a pair of toothed fenders as seen from the front with alternating thin and thick rubber blocks (A) up the length of the fender and held in place by bolts (B). Each fender is on either side of a wind turbine access ladder (C).
Figure 2 shows the fenders as seen from above with the access tubular ladder support structure (D) connected to the turbine foundation or transition piece (E) by the backing plate (F) and welded brackets (G).
Figure 3 shows a side view of the fender arrangement.
Key Features Rubber blocks on the access ladder tubular support structures allow the vessel's bow to engage at a constant position. The vessel uses its engines to thrust forward and maintain a stable position against the support structures. This prevents the bow from unexpectedly dropping or rising as personnel access and egress the offshore wind turbine.
Other Features The rubber blocks continue up the length of ladder support structure so that access can be achieved throughout the full tidal range and expected wave heights for a specified wind farm.

Claims (3)

  1. Claims 1. A transfer system comprising rubber blocks in a toothed configuration attached to a structure in the sea.
  2. 2. A transfer system according to Claim 1, into which a vessel's transfer position can engage.
  3. 3. A transfer system according to Claim 2, reduces the motion between a vessel and the structure.
GB1019463.7A 2010-11-18 2010-11-18 Toothed fender for offshore transfers at sea, eg to/from a wind turbine Withdrawn GB2485556A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1019463.7A GB2485556A (en) 2010-11-18 2010-11-18 Toothed fender for offshore transfers at sea, eg to/from a wind turbine

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1019463.7A GB2485556A (en) 2010-11-18 2010-11-18 Toothed fender for offshore transfers at sea, eg to/from a wind turbine

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB201019463D0 GB201019463D0 (en) 2010-12-29
GB2485556A true GB2485556A (en) 2012-05-23

Family

ID=43431584

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB1019463.7A Withdrawn GB2485556A (en) 2010-11-18 2010-11-18 Toothed fender for offshore transfers at sea, eg to/from a wind turbine

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2485556A (en)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2014053107A1 (en) * 2012-10-05 2014-04-10 Kme Germany Gmbh & Co. Kg Landing stage for a boat
ES2716003A1 (en) * 2017-12-07 2019-06-07 Esteyco S A P MARINE CONSTRUCTION WITH CONCRETE PIERCING STRUCTURE (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)
EP4206068A4 (en) * 2021-02-22 2023-11-22 Sustainable Works Corporation Offshore structure, fender device for offshore structure, and method for moving toward structural body constituting offshore structure

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1695902A2 (en) * 2005-06-14 2006-08-30 Windcat Workboats Limited Method of stabilizing a boat against a stationary structure
WO2010034429A2 (en) * 2008-09-23 2010-04-01 Stefan Leske METHOD AND ASSEMBLY FOR THE SAFE TRANSFER OF PERSONNEL e.g. FOR OFFSHORE WIND TURBINES
EP2316721A1 (en) * 2009-10-30 2011-05-04 Presign Holding B.V. Method for stabilizing a floating vessel against a stationary object
GB2476858A (en) * 2010-11-19 2011-07-13 Ronald Stephen Mattey Apparatus for stabilising a floating craft against a stationary structure

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1695902A2 (en) * 2005-06-14 2006-08-30 Windcat Workboats Limited Method of stabilizing a boat against a stationary structure
WO2010034429A2 (en) * 2008-09-23 2010-04-01 Stefan Leske METHOD AND ASSEMBLY FOR THE SAFE TRANSFER OF PERSONNEL e.g. FOR OFFSHORE WIND TURBINES
EP2316721A1 (en) * 2009-10-30 2011-05-04 Presign Holding B.V. Method for stabilizing a floating vessel against a stationary object
GB2476858A (en) * 2010-11-19 2011-07-13 Ronald Stephen Mattey Apparatus for stabilising a floating craft against a stationary structure

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2014053107A1 (en) * 2012-10-05 2014-04-10 Kme Germany Gmbh & Co. Kg Landing stage for a boat
KR20150058334A (en) * 2012-10-05 2015-05-28 케엠이 저머니 게엠베하 운트 코. 카게 Landing stage for a boat
CN104703873A (en) * 2012-10-05 2015-06-10 Kme德国有限及两合公司 Landing stage for a boat
JP2015535772A (en) * 2012-10-05 2015-12-17 ケイエムイー・ジャーマニー・ゲゼルシャフト・ミト・ベシュレンクテル・ハフツング・ウント・コンパニー・コマンデイトゲゼルシャフト Boat berthing equipment
KR101653934B1 (en) * 2012-10-05 2016-09-02 케엠이 저머니 게엠베하 운트 코. 카게 Landing stage for a boat
US9434457B2 (en) 2012-10-05 2016-09-06 Kme Germany Gmbh & Co. Kg Boat launch
TWI593856B (en) * 2012-10-05 2017-08-01 Ｋｍｅ德國股份有限公司 Boat dock
CN104703873B (en) * 2012-10-05 2017-09-22 Kme德国有限及两合公司 Canoe harbour
ES2716003A1 (en) * 2017-12-07 2019-06-07 Esteyco S A P MARINE CONSTRUCTION WITH CONCRETE PIERCING STRUCTURE (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)
WO2019110859A1 (en) * 2017-12-07 2019-06-13 Esteyco S.A.P. Marine construction with concrete pier structure
EP4206068A4 (en) * 2021-02-22 2023-11-22 Sustainable Works Corporation Offshore structure, fender device for offshore structure, and method for moving toward structural body constituting offshore structure

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB201019463D0 (en) 2010-12-29

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)