Device and method for upending a tubular element with a longitudinal direction at an outer end

1. A device for upending a tubular element with a longitudinal direction at an outer end, wherein the device comprises:

a cross-shaped support structure of mutually coupled beams;

a lifting member, connected pivotally to the support structure, for connection to a lifting means; and

clamping members slidable along the beams from a clear position to a clamping position for coupling to a wall part of the outer end of the tubular element in the clamping position, in which clamping position the beams extend transversely of the longitudinal direction of the tubular element,

wherein the clamping members are slidable from the clear position to the clamping position, located further away from a centre of the cross of the support structure than the clear position, for coupling to an internal wall part of a hollow outer end of the tubular element,

wherein the device further comprises support members, connected to the beams, for a wall part of the tubular element,

wherein the support members are configured to support an outer wall part of the tubular element, and a support structure differing from the support members and from the cross-shaped structure and extending at least along a part of a periphery of the tubular element, and

wherein the support structure is connected to at least two beams of the cross-shaped support structure.

2. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the support members are connected to the beams at adjustable predetermined positions of the beam.

3. The device according to claim 2 , further comprising means for adjusting the angular position of the support structure relative to the lifting member which is pivotally coupled to the support structure.

4. The device according to claim 2 , wherein the lifting member is situated on an upper side of the cross-shaped support structure for connection to the lifting means, and the clamping members are slidable along a lower side of the support structure.

5. The device according to claim 1 , further comprising means for adjusting the angular position of the cross-shaped support structure relative to the lifting member which is pivotally coupled to the cross-shaped support structure.

6. The device according to claim 5 , wherein the angle adjusting means comprises a hydraulic piston cylinder extending between the lifting member and the support structure.

7. The device according to claim 5 , wherein the lifting member is situated on an upper side of the cross-shaped support structure for connection to the lifting means, and the clamping members are slidable along a lower side of the support structure.

8. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the lifting member is situated on an upper side of the cross-shaped support structure for connection to the lifting means, and the clamping members are slidable along a lower side of the support structure.

9. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the clamping members are slidable by means of a hydraulic piston cylinders extending between a clamping member and the support structure.

10. The device according to claim 1 , wherein surfaces, which can come into contact with wall parts of the tubular element, are provided with shock-absorbing elements.

11. The device according to claim 10 , wherein with shock-absorbing element is a rubber covering.

12. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the cross-shaped support structure is X-shaped.

13. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the lifting means is carried by a carrier structure for taking up the support structure by the lifting member.

14. The device according to claim 13 , wherein the carrier structure comprises a floating vessel.

15. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the tubular element is a foundation pile of a wind turbine.

16. An assembly comprising a device according to claim 1 and a tubular element coupled to the device.

17. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the lifting means comprises a crane.

18. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the support structure extends at least along a part of an outer periphery of the tubular element, the outer periphery being a periphery opposing the internal wall part of the tubular element.

19. A method for upending a tubular element with a longitudinal direction at an outer end, wherein the method comprises the steps of:

providing a device according to claim 1 ;

taking up the support structure by the lifting member using a lifting means;

carrying the device to an outer end of the tubular element;

sliding the clamping members along the beams from a clear position to a clamping position for coupling to a wall part of the outer end of the tubular element in the clamping position, in which clamping position the beams extend substantially transversely of the longitudinal direction of the tubular element;

upending the tubular element coupled to the device, wherein the support structure pivots relative to the lifting member;

lifting the tubular element coupled to the device into a desired position; and

sliding the clamping members along the beams from the clamping position to the clear position in order to uncouple the device from the tubular element.

20. The method according to claim 19 , wherein the support structure is actively pivoted relative to the lifting member using the angle adjusting means.

21. The method according to claim 19 , wherein the distance from the clear position to the clamping position is adjusted in accordance with the diameter of the tubular element.