151results about "Buoyancy means" patented technology

The invention describes a barge for assembly of a floating support structure (1) comprising a lower buoyancy section (2) with a lower buoyancy volume VL and a working deck (3) comprising support elements (4) for receiving parts of the floating support structure to be assembled. The barge further comprises a ballasting system (7) for lowering and elevating the barge (1). The barge is characterized by a divisional section (6) holding the lower buoyancy section (2) and the working deck (3) in a vertical distance from each other and having a divisional buoyancy volume VD considerably smaller than lower buoyancy volume VL, such that the ballasting system, by pumping a quantity of water equal to VD in or out, is able to move the barge (1) between a lower position with a bottom side of the working deck (3) in the waterline, and an upper position with the top side of the lower buoyancy section (2) in the waterline.

A floating body for an offshore wind turbine includes: one first column; two second columns; two lower hulls connecting the first column to each of the second columns; and a beam member connecting the two lower hulls. The beam member is disposed within a height range between an upper surface and a lower surface of each lower hull.

The present disclosure provides a cleaning device and a cleaning device system. The cleaning device includes a cleaning device body. The cleaning device body includes a filtering mechanism, a drive mechanism, an adjustment assembly, a moving assembly, and a propulsion assembly. The filtering mechanism is at least partially disposed inside the cleaning device body. The drive mechanism is configured to generate a suction force to drive liquid to flow through the at least one filtering mechanism. The adjustment assembly is configured to adjust an action force applied to the cleaning device in a first direction or a second direction, so that the cleaning device is switched between a first motion state and a third motion state. The moving assembly is disposed at the bottom of the cleaning device body and configured to drive the cleaning device to move on a to-be-cleaned surface. The propulsion assembly is configured to drive the cleaning device to move away from the to-be-cleaned surface. The cleaning device can be switched between the first motion state and the third motion state to perform underwater cleaning and water surface cleaning to meet different use requirements.

Systems for real-time wave monitoring, which provide real-time updates of wave conditions to users who wish to access the beach for leisure or sporting activities, are described. One example system includes a plurality of buoys and a transceiver. Each of the plurality of buoys includes a sensor array configured to continuously monitor one or more characteristics of the wave conditions, and the transceiver is configured to transmit, to a remote server, information corresponding to the one or more characteristics of the wave conditions over a wireless communication channel. The information from each of the plurality of buoys is combined with a user preference to provide a user with a message regarding the wave conditions in response to a user request, and a duration between the user request and transmission of the information from each of the plurality of buoys is less than a predetermined value.

A swimming pool robot and a method for controlling a swimming pool robot are disclosed. The swimming pool robot includes a liquid intake portion including at least a first intake and a second intake. During a process of switching the swimming pool robot from a first motion state to a third motion state, the swimming pool robot is first switched from the first motion state to a second motion state and subsequently switched from the second motion state to the third motion state. No matter whether when the swimming pool robot is in the first motion state or when the swimming pool robot is in the third motion state, the first intake faces a bottom of a swimming pool, and / or a posture of the swimming pool robot in the first motion state is substantially identical to the posture of the swimming pool robot in the third motion state.

The present disclosure provides a pool cleaning robot, comprising a dust box and a mode switching member configured to achieve a position switching between above the water surface and below the water surface, wherein the mode switching member comprises: a buoyancy cavity and a buoyancy force adjustment member, and configured to adjust buoyancy magnitude of the pool cleaning robot; and a first propeller, configured to adjust a first drive force which is opposite to a first preset direction; and wherein the position switching between above the water surface and below the water surface at least comprises: the pool cleaning robot moves to a position close to the water surface based on the first drive force generated by the first propeller; and the buoyancy force adjustment member increase a volume of gas in the cavity.

The present application relates to a wind turbine foundation, a wind turbine generator system and a control method. The wind turbine foundation can be arranged in seawater and is configured to support a tower. The wind turbine foundation comprises: floating bodies, the number of which is n, the floating bodies being spaced apart from each other, lines for connecting the centers of the floating bodies forming a polygon, and n≥3; and a connection body, which is connected between two adjacent floating bodies, wherein each floating body has a static chamber and a dynamic chamber which are independently provided; a first medium is sealed in the static chamber; each floating body is provided with a first opening and a first control valve, which are in communication with the dynamic chamber; and the first control valve controls the opening and closing of the first opening, so as to adjust the volume of seawater that enters inside the dynamic chamber. In the wind turbine foundation, the wind turbine generator system and the control method provided in the embodiments of the present application, the wind turbine foundation has a fast response speed and a good stabilizing effect.

Disclosed is a flow-guide device for an offshore platform, comprising a flow-guide column base, a ballast level control device and a spiral side belt system, wherein the flow-guide column base is located at the bottom of an offshore platform, and multiple flow-guide column bases are arranged symmetrically and distributed in a ring array; the flow-guide column base is rotatably connected to the offshore platform; a ballast compartment is arranged in the flow-guide column base, and the ballast level control device is used for controlling a ballast level in the ballast compartment; and the spiral side belt system is arranged outside the flow-guide column base and used for restraining vortex-induced resonance. The flow-guide column base and the offshore platform can be kept in a relatively fixed state by means of a clamping device, such that the offshore platform is able to rotate synchronously with the flow-guide column base.

The invention describes a wind turbine vessel (1) which autonomously sails at high sea by means of wind turbines (2) and produces, stores and transports energy. The wind turbine vessel (1) is a multi-hull vessel having three or more hulls (3), between which at least one wind turbine (2) is installed. The hulls (3) are installed rotationally symmetrically parallel to the longitudinal axis of the wind turbine vessel (1). This makes it possible for the wind turbine vessel (1) to pivot, that is to say to rotate about its own longitudinal axis, in order to be resilient in the case of sea storms. In the event that it capsizes in strong winds or waves, it retains its complete structural and functional integrity as a result of its rotationally symmetrical design. The wind turbines (2) are used simultaneously in two ways. Firstly, they are used for the production of electrical energy which is stored on board in the hulls (3), for example in batteries or with power-to-hydrogen. Secondly, the wind turbines (2) are used as sails for driving and controlling the wind turbine vessel (1) by means of yawing movements. It can thus sail autonomously at high sea in areas in which the wind conditions are favourable for energy production, that is to say it can use stronger and more uniform winds, and transport the energy stored on board to a location where it can be fed into the energy grid.

A gravity-based structure (GBS) includes central and protruding parts having a common base slab. For the central part, outer and inner walls and a top slab are cast in concrete so that the GBS forms a rectangular prism. As casting of individual outer wall sections is completed, a reinforcement cage is assembled, formwork is installed, and protruding part outer and inner walls are cast, the outer walls being formed along the base slab perimeter with a height lower than the central part outer wall height. As separate protruding part wall sections are cast, a reinforcing cage is assembled, formwork is installed for a protruding part top slab, and then cast. Post-tensioning of central part base and top slabs and central and protruding part outer and inner walls is done as central and protruding part top slab casting is completed and the concrete is cured, increasing buoyancy and reducing submersion.

A semisubmersible offshore support structure for a wind turbine carries an adjustable-ballast reservoir above sea level fillable with water for providing extra load on a part of the support structure. By adjusting the water volume in the adjustable-ballast reservoirs, the wind turbine can be maintained in vertical orientation despite wind pressure. A drain is provided for draining water from the reservoir into the sea by gravity only for emptying the reservoir passively in case of power failure.

A mooring system for mooring a vessel floating on a surface of a body of water. In some embodiments, the system can include a base structure configured to be secured to a seabed, a yoke configured to be pivotably connected at a first end to the base structure about an axis of the base structure, a weight connected to the yoke, a turntable that can include a rotating part configured to be disposed on the vessel and a fixed part, a link arm that can include a first end configured to be connected to a second end of the yoke and / or the weight and a second end configured to be connected to the fixed part of the turntable such that the vessel is rotatable with respect to the link arm about a central axis of the turntable.

The present invention relates to the field of port and waterway engineering technology, and discloses a dynamic support structure of a movable pontoon steel bridge, wherein two support legs are arranged at the bottom of one end of the steel bridge, and an arched box is arranged at the bottom of the other end of the steel bridge, and the lower surface of the arched box is a lower arch, and the arched box is located on the pontoon. The dynamic support structure of the movable pontoon steel bridge of the present invention can greatly reduce or even eliminate the torsional load on the bridge body when the supporting planes at both ends of the steel bridge are not parallel, and ensure that the steel bridge can work safely and reliably in various complex working environments.

The present application relates to a wind turbine foundation, a wind turbine generator system and a control method. The wind turbine foundation is capable of being arranged in seawater and configured to support a tower, wherein the wind turbine foundation includes: floating bodies, wherein a number of the floating bodies is n, the floating bodies are arranged at intervals from each other, and lines connecting centers of the floating bodies form a polygon as a whole, where n≥3; connecting bodies, wherein a corresponding one of the connecting bodies is connected between every two adjacent floating bodies; wherein each of the floating bodies has a static chamber and a dynamic chamber that are independently arranged, a first medium is enclosed within the static chamber, each of the floating bodies is provided with a first opening connected to the dynamic chamber and a first control valve, and the first control valve controls opening and closing of the first opening to adjust a volume of the seawater entering the dynamic chamber. According to the wind turbine foundation, wind turbine generator system and control method provided in the embodiments of the present application, the wind turbine foundation has a fast response speed and a good stability effect.

The invention describes a wind turbine vessel (1) which autonomously sails at high sea by means of wind turbines (2) and produces, stores and transports energy. The wind turbine vessel (1) is a multi-hull vessel having three or more hulls (3), between which at least one wind turbine (2) is installed. The hulls (3) are installed rotationally symmetrically parallel to the longitudinal axis of the wind turbine vessel (1). This makes it possible for the wind turbine vessel (1) to pivot, that is to say to rotate about its own longitudinal axis, in order to be resilient in the case of sea storms. In the event that it capsizes in strong winds or waves, it retains its complete structural and functional integrity as a result of its rotationally symmetrical design. The wind turbines (2) are used simultaneously in two ways. Firstly, they are used for the production of electrical energy which is stored on board in the hulls (3), for example in batteries or with power-to-hydrogen. Secondly, the wind turbines (2) are used as sails for driving and controlling the wind turbine vessel (1) by means of yawing movements. It can thus sail autonomously at high sea in areas in which the wind conditions are favourable for energy production, that is to say it can use stronger and more uniform winds, and transport the energy stored on board to a location where it can be fed into the energy grid.

A wave-activated buoyancy regulator for structures positioned in a body of water, wherein a wave-activated pump is used to provide neutral, negative and positive buoyancy in response to prevailing ambient wave conditions, through the variation of the ratio of a first fluid to a second fluid within a ballast tank.

A battery system for a marine vessel is disclosed, the marine vessel including a hull, the battery system including a flow battery including an ion exchange element, and a first ballast tank disposed within the hull and defining a first ballast tank chamber for storing an electrolyte for the flow battery.

Examples relate to wave-propelled vehicles adapted to float at the surface of a body of fluid, wherein a vehicle comprises a hull; the hull comprising an upper hull portion and a lower hull portion; the lower hull portion comprising a hydrofoil structure defining an upward facing concavity; the vehicle generating thrust in response to waves on the body of fluid.

Water buoys sense water characteristics and wirelessly transfer the water characteristics for delivery to a computer system. The computer system receives the water characteristics wirelessly transferred by the water buoys. The computer system receives a location and a user water condition preference transferred by a user communication device. The computer system processes the water characteristics, the location, and the user water condition preference, and in response, generates and transfers water condition information for the location for delivery to the user communication device.

It is described a method of damping a rolling movement of a ship (1). The method comprises loading a load (2) onto the ship (1); and mounting at least one tank (3) to the ship (1), the tank (3) is partly filled by a fluid (5) so that a natural frequency of a rolling motion of the loaded ship (1) including the mounted tank (3) is adjusted to a predetermined rolling frequency.

The invention describes a barge for assembly of a floating support structure (1) comprising a lower buoyancy section (2) with a lower buoyancy volume VL and a working deck (3) comprising support elements (4) for receiving parts of the floating support structure to be assembled. The barge further comprises a ballasting system (7) for lowering and elevating the barge (1). The barge is characterized by a divisional section (6) holding the lower buoyancy section (2) and the working deck (3) in a vertical distance from each other and having a divisional buoyancy volume VD considerably smaller than lower buoyancy volume VL, such that the ballasting system, by pumping a quantity of water equal to VD in or out, is able to move the barge (1) between a lower position with a bottom side of the working deck (3) in the waterline, and an upper position with the top side of the lower buoyancy section (2) in the waterline.

The invention provides a fuel consumption rate calculation device and a ship. The purpose of the present invention is to reduce fuel consumption when the posture of a ship reaches a target angle. The present invention is provided with: two propulsive force generating devices respectively provided on both sides of a hull; the steering engine is used for controlling the turning of the ship body; a turning command acquisition unit that acquires a turning command value including a turning direction and a turning amount; a speed acquisition unit that acquires a speed command value of the hull; and a turning control unit that, when the speed command value acquired by the speed acquisition unit is equal to or greater than a speed threshold value, sets the steering engine to a neutral position and controls the two propulsive force generation devices such that the propulsive force of the propulsive force generation device on the inner side in the turning direction is smaller than the propulsive force of the propulsive force generation device on the outer side in the turning direction. Therefore, the ship turns according to the turning instruction value.

This invention relates to a modular structure for a floating infrastructure. The modular structure comprises a base slab; a basement slab; a base cell form between the base slab and the basement slab; a platform deck; an external waterproof wall extending from a perimeter of the base slab to a perimeter of the platform deck; a honeycomb double wall provided along an internal surface of the external waterproof wall; a bottom hull defined between the base slab and basement slab, wherein the base cell form is between the base slab and the basement slab; and a top hull defined between the basement slab and platform deck.

A variable buoyancy platform including a support frame having a plurality of bottom pontoons fixedly mounted to a bottom side thereof. Each bottom pontoon includes at least an opening disposed in a bottom portion thereof and at least a bottom pontoon air conduit port disposed in a top portion thereof. A plurality of top pontoons are fixedly mounted to a top side of the support frame. Each top pontoon includes at least an opening disposed in a bottom portion thereof and at least a top pontoon air conduit port disposed in a top portion thereof. A bottom air supply conduit system is connected to the at least a bottom pontoon air conduit port of each bottom pontoon. The bottom air supply conduit system includes at least an air supply valve for controlling air flow therethrough and a connector adapted for being connected to a pressurized air supply. At least a top pontoon air valve is connected to the at least a top pontoon air conduit port of each top pontoon. The at least a top pontoon air valve enables controlling ambient air flow therethrough.

The invention pertains to fabrication of gravity-based structures (GBS) and can be used as part of development of various kinds of near-shore and offshore production (including natural gas liquefaction, ammonia, methanol, hydrogen production, and power generation), transportation, transshipment, and storage facilities. The GBS production method is as follows: a reinforcement cage is assembled for a rectangular base slab, formwork is installed and the base slab is then concreted. As separate sections of the base slab are concreted, reinforcement cages for inner and outer walls are assembled and concreted by slipforming. As separate wall sections are concreted, a reinforcement cage for a top slab is assembled, formwork is installed and then the top slab is concreted and the top slab and base slab, as well as inner and outer walls are post-tensioned with reinforcement strands. The feature of the method is that GBS is fabricated, including a central part and protruding part that have a common base slab. The inner and outer walls as well as the top slab are concreted for the central part of GBS, that takes form of a rectangular prism. As separate sections of outer walls of the central part are concreted, a reinforcement cage is assembled, formwork is installed and concreting is performed for inner and outer walls of the GBS protruding part, the outer walls of which are made along the perimeter of the base slab, and at the same time the height of the outer walls of the protruding part is lower than the height of the outer walls of the central part. As separate wall sections of the protruding part are concreted, a reinforcement cage is assembled and formwork is installed for a top slab of the protruding part and then concreted. The base and top slabs of the central part, as well as the inner and outer walls of the central part and protruding part are post-tensioned as the top slabs of the central part and protruding part are concreted and the concrete of the post-tensioned structures is cured. A protruding part adds to buoyancy of the GBS and the entire structure, as well as reduces its submersion during transportation to an installation site.

A High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) marine boom includes an elongated generally cylindrical shell including inner and outer layers formed from HDPE with the same formulation. The inner layer includes at least 2% carbon black by mass and the outer layer does not include carbon black. The outer layer includes a colorant with ultraviolet stabilizers and the inner layer does not include the colorant. The inner layer is thicker than the outer layer and they have been coextruded to form a unitary body. First and second caps, each including a radially extending circumferential annular flange, formed from the same material as the outer layer are fusion welded to the shell across the full thickness and around a full circumference of first ends and second ends of the shell and form a watertight seal. A floatation billet is in the shell. A lug plate for the HDPE marine boom is also disclosed.

A system includes a first jacket (202) that contains water and a first tank (206) storing a first fluid under pressure. A second jacket (204) contains water and a second tank (208) storing a second fluid under pressure. An actuator cylinder (214) defines a space that receives the fluids from the first and second tanks. The actuator cylinder includes an actuator piston (234) that divides the space into a first volume for the first fluid and a second volume for the second fluid. A hydraulic cylinder (216) includes a hydraulic piston (236) configured to move and change an amount of hydraulic fluid (218) in the hydraulic cylinder, where the hydraulic piston is fixedly coupled to the actuator piston. A buoyancy plug (108) changes a position in connection with the amount of the hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic cylinder, where the position of the buoyancy plug affects a buoyancy of a vehicle (100).

The present invention a buoyant actuator (11) for use in a system which converts wave motion to energy. The buoyant actuator (11) comprises a body (19) which presents an exterior surface. The body (19) provides at least one first tank (23) and at least one second tank (25), whereby an upper portion (21) of the body (19) is located above a fluid surface (12) of a fluid body (13) when the buoyant actuator is in a transportation position. When in the transportation position a volume of each of the at least one first tank (23) and the at least one second tank (25) above a waterline (112) of the buoyant actuator (11) is substantially empty.

A floating area consisting of a semi-rigid floating structure, capable of following the ups and downs of the waves. It can be located close to the shore as well as in high seas, carrying a rigid structure, which acts like a bridge between the waves and provides a substantially stable surface for mounting structures for human activities, which remains above the water level. The floating area can be mechanically fixed in position by propellers that compensate for current and / or wind movements, by underwater weights attached to the rigid structure, or by ground posts attached to the rigid structure, so that the vertical degree of freedom of movement follows the movements of the waves or tides.