Foundation for a structure
AssigneeØrsted Wind Power A/S
InventorsJens Schupp, Jens Gengenbach, Jan Pedersen
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A foundation (1) for a structure. The foundation (1) has a body (2) for insertion into a soil in an insertion direction during installation. The body (2) has a toe (8) at its distal end. The toe (2) defines an aperture (11) into an internal cavity (15). Movement of the toe (2) through the soil displaces soil laterally into a displaced soil region within the internal cavity (15). One or more nozzles (10) are provided for directing a fluid to the displaced soil region during installation for transporting soil away from the displaced soil region. A pumping system (24) is also provided for evacuating fluid from the internal cavity (15) during installation for reducing the soil suspension pressure within the displaced soil region.
Claims14
A monopile for a wind turbine comprising:
- a body for insertion into a soil in an insertion direction during installation, the body having a toe at its distal end, and the toe defining an aperture into an internal cavity, wherein movement of the toe through the soil displaces soil laterally into a displaced soil region within the internal cavity;
- one or more nozzles for directing a fluid to the displaced soil region during installation for transporting soil away from the displaced soil region, wherein the one or more nozzles are configured for localising the fluid within the internal cavity;
- and
- a pumping system for evacuating fluid from the internal cavity during installation for reducing the soil suspension pressure within the displaced soil region.
A wind turbine foundation system, comprising:
- a monopile for a wind turbine comprising:
- a body for insertion into a soil in an insertion direction during installation, the body having a toe at its distal end, and the toe defining an aperture into an internal cavity, wherein movement of the toe through the soil displaces soil laterally into a displaced soil region within the internal cavity;
- one or more nozzles for directing a fluid to the displaced soil region during installation for transporting soil away from the displaced soil region, wherein the one or more nozzles are configured for localising the fluid within the internal cavity;
- and
- a pumping system for evacuating fluid from the internal cavity during installation for reducing the soil suspension pressure within the displaced soil region;
- and
- a pressurised fluid supply for supplying the fluid to the nozzles.
A method of installing a monopile for a wind turbine, the monopile comprising a body for insertion into a soil in an insertion direction during installation, the body having a toe at its distal end, and the toe defining an aperture into an internal cavity, wherein movement of the toe through the soil displaces soil laterally into a displaced soil region within the internal cavity;
- the monopile further comprising:
- one or more nozzles for directing a fluid to the displaced soil region during installation for transporting soil away from the displaced soil region, wherein the one or more nozzles are configured for localising the fluid within the internal cavity;
- and a pumping system for evacuating fluid from the internal cavity during installation for reducing the soil suspension pressure within the displaced soil region, the method comprising:
- inserting the toe into the soil;
- forcing the body in the insertion direction;
- supplying the fluid to the one or more nozzles to direct the fluid at the displaced soil region;
- and
- driving the pumping system to evacuate fluid from the internal cavity to reduce the soil suspension pressure within the displaced soil region.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.