A Suction Bucket Trunk Lid

The present disclosure relates to a suction bucket trunk lid. The disclosure further relates to a method for mounting a suction bucket trunk lid on a trunk of a suction bucket of an anchoring system on a soft ocean floor.

The anchoring system may for example be used as foundation for offshore wind turbines to generate electricity. Alternatively, the anchoring system may be used for constructing other types of offshore installations, such as wind farm control units, or offshore oil/gas platform, or the like. Moreover, the anchoring system may also be used as anchor for floating offshore platforms.

In the area of offshore anchoring system, bucket foundations have been used for decades within the offshore oil and gas industry for anchoring and fixed platform foundations. In the last couple of years, the concept has also been used for offshore wind Turbine (OWT) foundations.

However, the suction bucket has sometimes complex and costly equipment installed on the suction bucket for closing a water suction outlet in the suction bucket. Furthermore, after water evacuation from the suction bucket is completed, the water suction outlet generally needs to be closed and sealed by an underwater Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV).

Consequently, in the area of offshore anchoring system in form of a suction bucket jacket, for example for being used for offshore wind foundation, there is demand for further improvements in terms of cost-efficient equipment and faster and more convenient installation process.

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a suction bucket trunk lid, and associated method for mounting a suction bucket trunk lid on a trunk of a suction bucket of an anchoring system on a soft ocean floor, that enables further improvements in terms of cost-efficient equipment and faster and more convenient installation process. This object is at least partly achieved by the features of the independent claims.

According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a suction bucket trunk lid for being fitted in or on an outlet opening of a trunk of a suction bucket of an anchoring system for soft ocean floors, wherein the suction bucket trunk lid comprises a locking arrangement that is moveable between an unlocked state, in which the suction bucket trunk lid is arranged to be removed from the trunk, and a locked state, in which the suction bucket trunk lid is arranged to be secured to the trunk, wherein the locking arrangement has a lock control interface for shifting the locking arrangement from the unlocked state to the locked state, and wherein the suction bucket trunk lid is a detachable unit.

According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method for mounting a suction bucket trunk lid on a trunk of a suction bucket of an anchoring system on a soft ocean floor, the method comprises: loading a detached suction bucket trunk lid into a suction pump skid; releasably connecting the skid on a trunk of a suction bucket; fitting the suction bucket trunk lid in or on an outlet opening of the trunk; and shifting a locking arrangement of the suction bucket trunk lid from an unlocked state to a locked state for detachably fastening the lid to the trunk.

In this way, it becomes possible to load a detached suction bucket trunk lid into the suction pump skid and subsequently using the suction skid for transporting, mounting and fastening the lid to the trunk, thereby eliminating the need for a ROV or similar type of underwater vehicle for closing and locking a suction bucket lid on a trunk of the suction bucket after completed water evacuation, thereby providing a faster and more convenient installation process.

Furthermore, the trunk of the suction bucket may also be provided with a less complex design, i.e. more cost-efficient equipment, because the trunk may be designed without an integrated suction bucket trunk lid. In addition, since the lid is detached from the suction bucket, e.g. not pivotally attached to the suction bucket, the type of lid may more easily be selected according to the specific circumstances of the installation.

A suction bucket trunk lid that is a detached unit means herein that the lid is a separate part that is free to become separated from the trunk as soon as the locking arrangement is set in the unlocked state. In other words, the lid is not pivotally, or otherwise, attached to the trunk, when the locking arrangement is set in the unlocked state. This enables transportation of the detached lid by the suction pump skid to the trunk, and subsequent mounting and locking of the lid to the trunk.

In other words, having a detachable suction pump skid with integrated lid holding equipment for holding and installing a detached suction bucket trunk lid on the trunk of a suction bucket, a ROV-free operation for closing and locking the suction bucket trunk lid is accomplished, thereby enabling a faster installation at lower cost. Furthermore, the risk of ROV-downtime due to for example lack of clear ROV sight in muddy waters, and/or strong water currents, is eliminated.

Moreover, the integrated lid holding equipment of the suction pump skid may also be arranged to position the suction bucket trunk lid spaced apart from the trunk during a submerging state, i.e. when the suction bucket is lowered through the splash zone and down to the seabed, for providing large flow opening area of the trunk for ventilation of the suction bucket. After the suction bucket has self-penetrated the sea bed is certain distance, the integrated lid holding equipment of the suction pump skid may shift the lid to a closed and sealed position before the suction operation can start, which involves operating a suction pump for evacuating water out from the suction bucket for lowering the suction bucket deeper into the seabed. Consequently, the suction bucket trunk lid and the suction pump skid according to the present disclosure jointly enable the suction bucket to be provided with a single trunk for both self-ventilation and powered water evacuation, thereby reducing cost and time for manufacturing.

Further advantages are achieved by implementing one or several of the features of the dependent claims.

In some example embodiments, the suction bucket trunk lid further comprises a holding interface configured for being engaged by a lid hoist mechanism of a suction pump skid for holding the suction bucket trunk lid while the suction bucket trunk lid is being placed in or on said outlet opening of the trunk by said lid hoist mechanism, and wherein the lock control interface of the locking arrangement is configured for being engaged by a locking actuator of the suction pump skid for shifting the locking arrangement from the unlocked state to the locked state. By means of the holding interface and the locking arrangement the lid may be reliably and accurately displaced and locked to the trunk using only the skid, thereby providing a cost-efficient ROV free system for installing offshore suction buckets.

In some example embodiments, that may be combined with any one or more of the above-described embodiments, the locking arrangement does not protrude outside of a periphery of the suction bucket trunk lid when the locking arrangement is set in the unlocked state, and wherein the locking arrangement protrudes outside of a periphery of the suction bucket trunk lid when the locking arrangement is set in the locked state. Thereby, the lid may first be easily inserted into the outlet of the trunk, and subsequently reliably locked to the trunk using the locking arrangement.

In some example embodiments, that may be combined with any one or more of the above-described embodiments, the locking arrangement comprises at least one moveable locking member that is configured to be displaced outwards or inwards in a plane of the suction bucket trunk lid when the locking arrangement is moved from the unlocked state to the locked state. Having an outwards/inwards moveable locking member provides reliable locking with an interior or exterior groove or flange of the trunk.

In some example embodiments, that may be combined with any one or more of the above-described embodiments, the at least one moveable locking member is configured to be displaced outwards into an interior groove of the trunk when the locking arrangement is moved from the unlocked state to the locked state. This enables cost-efficient and reliable locking of the lid to the trunk.

In some example embodiments, that may be combined with any one or more of the above-described embodiments, the at least one moveable locking member is configured to be displaced inwards under a trunk flange or trunk collar when the locking arrangement is moved from the unlocked state to the locked state. This enables cost-efficient and reliable locking of the lid to the trunk.

In some example embodiments, that may be combined with any one or more of the above-described embodiments, the locking arrangement comprises at least two locking members that are pivotally fastened to the suction bucket trunk lid, and wherein displacement of the lock control interface for shifting the locking arrangement from the unlocked state to the locked states results in pivotal outwards motion of each locking member in a plane of the lid. Pivotal locking motion of the locking member provides efficient and cost-effective locking of the locking arrangement.

In some example embodiments, that may be combined with any one or more of the above-described embodiments, the locking arrangement comprises two elongated locking members, wherein each locking member is pivotally fastened to the suction bucket trunk lid at a first end region of the locking member and connected to the lock control interface via a linkage arm at a second end region of the locking member, wherein displacement of the lock control interface for shifting the locking arrangement from the unlocked state to the locked states results in pivotal outwards motion of each locking member in a plane of the lid. Pivotal motion of the locking members, with one end region secured to lid and the other end coupled to a locking the lock control interface provides efficient and cost-effective locking of the locking arrangement.

In some example embodiments, that may be combined with any one or more of the above-described embodiments, the lock control interface comprises a vertical control pin configured to engage a hole or recess of the locking actuator. Thereby, the locking actuator may be more easily connected to the lock control interface.

In some example embodiments, that may be combined with any one or more of the above-described embodiments, the lock control interface comprises a hole or recess configured to engage a vertical control pin of the locking actuator. Thereby, the locking actuator may be more easily connected to the lock control interface.

In some example embodiments, that may be combined with any one or more of the above-described embodiments, the suction bucket trunk lid has a flow passage extending through the lid for enabling evacuation of water from the interior of the suction bucket via said flow passage through the lid. As a result, the suction bucket requires merely a single outlet opening arranged for both initial ventilation of the suction bucket, as well as the subsequent water evacuation using the suction pump.

In some example embodiments, that may be combined with any one or more of the above-described embodiments, the suction bucket trunk lid is configured for establishing a fluid connection between a suction pipe of a suction pump skid and the flow passage of the suction bucket trunk lid for enabling evacuation of water from the interior of the suction bucket via said trunk, said flow passage through the lid and said suction pipe. As a result, the suction bucket requires merely a single outlet opening arranged for both initial ventilation of the suction bucket, as well as the subsequent water evacuation using the suction pump.

In some example embodiments, that may be combined with any one or more of the above-described embodiments, the suction bucket trunk lid has a valve for controlling, such as opening and closing, a flow area of the flow passage extending through the suction bucket trunk lid. In a slightly other wording, the suction bucket trunk lid has a valve for controlling, such as opening and closing, the flow passage extending through the suction bucket trunk lid. Thereby, the outlet opening of the trunk may be effectively closed by the valve.

In some example embodiments, that may be combined with any one or more of the above-described embodiments, the valve is a gate valve. This type of valve is cost-efficient and compact.

In some example embodiments, that may be combined with any one or more of the above-described embodiments, the valve has a valve control interface for controlling motion of the valve. Thereby, control of the valve is simplified.

In some example embodiments, that may be combined with any one or more of the above-described embodiments, the valve control interface is configured for engagement by a valve actuator of a suction pump skid for controlling actuating position of the valve. By having the valve controllable by the skid, the need for a ROV to control valve position is eliminated.

In some example embodiments, that may be combined with any one or more of the above-described embodiments, the valve control interface of said valve comprises a hole or recess configured to be engaged by a vertical control pin of a valve actuator of a suction pump skid. Thereby, an automatic operable connection between the valve actuator and the valve control interface may be accomplished upon loading of the lid in the skid.

In some example embodiments, that may be combined with any one or more of the above-described embodiments, the valve control interface of said valve comprises a vertical control pin configured to be engaged in a hole or recess of a valve actuator of the suction pump skid. Thereby, an automatic operable connection between the valve actuator and the valve control interface may be accomplished upon loading of the lid in the skid.

In some example embodiments, that may be combined with any one or more of the above-described embodiments, the holding interface comprises a recess in the suction bucket trunk lid configured for being engaged by the lid hoist mechanism of the suction pump skid, in particular by an expanding clamping member of the lid hoist mechanism, for holding the suction bucket trunk lid while the lid is being placed in or on said outlet opening of the trunk by said lid hoist mechanism. Thereby, the lid holding tool may engage and hold the lid also when the lid is mounted within the outlet opening of the trunk.

In some example embodiments, that may be combined with any one or more of the above-described embodiments, the holding interface comprises two recesses located on opposite sides of a central hole of the lid, wherein the central hole defines a flow passage through the lid. This provides a reliable holding interface of the lid and reduces the likelihood that the lid becomes inclined and causes interference with the suction pipe of the skid during vertical displacement of the lid within the skid.

The present disclosure also concerns an assembly comprising a trunk of a suction bucket for an anchoring system for soft ocean floors, and a detached lid as described above, wherein the suction bucket trunk lid is removable from the trunk in the unlocked state of the locking arrangement, and wherein the suction bucket trunk lid is secured to the trunk in the locked state of the locking arrangement.

In some example embodiments, that may be combined with any one or more of the above-described embodiments, the at least one moveable locking member is displaced outwards into an interior groove of the trunk when the locking arrangement is moved from the unlocked state to the locked state.

In some example embodiments, that may be combined with any one or more of the above-described embodiments, the at least one moveable locking member is displaced inwards under a trunk flange or trunk collar when the locking arrangement is moved from the unlocked state to the locked state.

The present disclosure also concerns an assembly comprising a detached lid according to above, wherein a suction pump skid comprising a lid hoist mechanism, wherein the lid hoist mechanism comprises a lid hoist actuator connected to a lid holding tool, wherein the lid hoist actuator is configured for raising and lowering a vertical position of the lid holding tool, wherein the lid holding tool holds the detached lid, and wherein the lid hoist mechanism is configured for placing the detached lid in or on the outlet opening of the trunk.

In some example embodiments, that may be combined with any one or more of the above-described embodiments, the holding interface of the suction bucket trunk lid is engaged by the lid holding tool of the suction pump skid for holding the suction bucket trunk lid while the suction bucket trunk lid is being placed in or on said outlet opening of the trunk by said lid hoist mechanism, and wherein the lock control interface of the locking arrangement is engaged by a locking actuator of the suction pump skid for shifting the locking arrangement from the unlocked state to the locked state.

In some example embodiments, that may be combined with any one or more of the above-described embodiments, the valve control interface is engaged by a valve actuator of a suction pump skid for controlling actuating position of the valve.

The disclosure also relates to a method for installing a suction bucket of an anchoring system on a soft ocean floor, wherein the method comprises: mounting a detached suction bucket trunk lid on a trunk as described above, wherein a step of lowering the suction bucket to the ocean floor is performed after the step of releasably connecting the skid on a trunk of a suction bucket but before the step of fitting the suction bucket trunk lid in or on an outlet opening of the trunk, after the step of shifting the locking arrangement of the suction bucket trunk lid from an unlocked state to a locked state, activating a suction pump of the skid for evacuating water from the interior of the suction bucket via said trunk and a suction pipe of the skid, and releasing the skid from the trunk and lifting the skid out of the water. Thereby, a lid is provided that enables use of a more cost-efficient equipment and use of faster and more convenient installation processes.

In some example embodiments, that may be combined with any one or more of the above-described embodiments, the suction bucket trunk lid has a flow passage extending through the lid and a valve for controlling a flow area of said flow passage, wherein the method further comprises a step of closing the valve of the detached suction bucket trunk lid after the step of activating a suction pump of the skid for evacuating water from the interior of the suction bucket, and before the step of releasing the skid from the trunk and lifting the skid out of the water. By having a flow passage extending through the lid, the outlet of the trunk may function both as ventilation opening and suction opening, thereby eliminating the need for two separate openings.

Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent when studying the appended claims and the following description. The skilled person in the art realizes that different features of the present disclosure may be combined to create embodiments other than those explicitly described hereinabove and below, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Various aspects of the disclosure will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings to illustrate and not to limit the disclosure, wherein like designations denote like elements, and variations of the described aspects are not restricted to the specifically shown embodiments, but are applicable on other variations of the disclosure.

Detachable suction pump skids for operation with a suction bucket, also known as Suction Bucket Jacket (SBJ), of an anchoring system for ocean floors may be used for a variety of purposes, such as anchoring and fixed platform foundations, as well as offshore wind turbine foundations.

schematically show some steps of an installation of an offshore wind turbine foundationusing a set of suction bucketsand associated detachable suction pump skids.

An offshore wind turbine foundationis first transported on waterto a desired installation site using some type of cargo transport vessel. With reference, a lifting platform, such as floating lifting platform or seabed supported lifting platform, thereafter lifts the foundationusing a lifting craneor the like to the desired installation position.

The foundationmay have various alternative designs. For example, the foundationmay include a rigid support structure made of metal or other type of rigid material. The foundationmay have a top support surfacearranged for supporting an offshore wind turbine, and a plurality of bottom support feetarranged for anchoring and supporting the foundation to the seabed, for ensuring that the offshore wind turbine will remain standing primarily in a vertical position. Each bottom support feetmay be provided with suction bucketfor anchoring in the seabed.

shows schematically a top view of an example embodiment of a foundationresting on a transport vesselnext to a lifting platform. The foundationmay of course alternatively be transported by the lifting platformitself.

The foundationhas a top support surfaceand three bottom support feet, each rigidly connected to an individual suction buckethaving a suction pump skiddetachably installed thereon.

The suction buckethas circumferential continuous side wall, in particular a circular side wall, a top wall closing the upper surface of the suction bucket, and an open lower side facing the seabed. As a result, the suction bucket may first self-penetrate the seabed to a certain extent upon being lowered to the seabed, and subsequently made to further embed into the seabed by evacuating the water/mud that is trapped within the suction bucket. Consequently, the suction bucket includes a trunk with a through opening for enabling further evacuation of water/mud from the suction bucket. The trunk, i.e. the suction bucket interface, is arranged for receiving a suction pump skidfor pumping out water/mud from the interior of the suction bucket until the suction bucket has become embedded sufficiently deep into the seabed.