Inter-floater connection device

Abstract

This invention belongs to the field of floating structure technology, specifically relating to a connecting device for floating bodies, comprising a first base, a first rotating body, a connecting bridge, a second base, and a second rotating body. The floating body connecting device of this invention has a simple structure and low cost. The connecting device does not restrict the degrees of freedom of movement of the floating bodies; the phase translation between the floating bodies is released by the movement of the sliding body, and the relative rotation between the floating bodies is released by the rotation of the rotating body. Therefore, the connected floating bodies can move freely relative to each other, thus solving the problem of stress concentration and damage that easily occurs in rigid or hinged connections of floating bodies. This improves the floating bodies' resistance to wind, waves, and currents, and is particularly suitable for connecting multiple floating bodies in marine environments.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of floating structure technology, and specifically relates to a connection device for connecting floating bodies. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, rigid or hinged connections are commonly used between floating structures at sea. Rigid connections involve multiple rigid connecting devices between the floating bodies. A typical rigid connecting device includes rigid pins and connecting plates located on the upper part of the connecting surface of the floating bodies, and pairs of Phillips and Phillips hooks located on the lower part of the connecting surface, thus achieving a rigid connection between the floating structures. Clearly, rigid connecting devices restrict the movement of all degrees of freedom between the floating bodies.

[0003] Another common connecting device is the hinge mechanism, which includes a hinge and a pin. When connecting floats, the corresponding hinges are connected using a pin. The hinge restricts the five degrees of freedom of the connected floats, allowing the floats to rotate only along the hinge axis of the hinge.

[0004] Due to the harsh marine environment, different floating structures are subject to environmental factors such as wind, waves, and currents, resulting in significant relative and translational motion. Whether it is a rigid or hinged connection device, it restricts the movement of multiple degrees of freedom of the connected floating body. Therefore, a large stress concentration phenomenon will occur at the connection device. Once the stress exceeds the normal bearing capacity of the connection device, it will damage the device, and may even lead to the destruction of the floating structure and a safety accident. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to address the deficiencies mentioned in the background art by providing a connection device between floating bodies, thereby solving the technical problems such as the tendency of existing floating body structures connected by rigid or hinged connection devices to be damaged due to stress concentration at the connection point, and poor resistance to marine environmental conditions such as wind, waves, and currents.

[0006] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0007] A connection device between floats, comprising:

[0008] First base, first rotating body, connecting bridge, second base and second rotating body;

[0009] The first base is a stepped box-shaped structure symmetrical about the first axis, and is provided with a first recess symmetrical about the first axis for accommodating the first rotating body. The periphery of the first recess includes a first arc with an arc greater than 180°.

[0010] The first rotating body is a stepped box-shaped structure symmetrical about the second axis, and its periphery includes a second arc with an arc greater than 180°. The diameter of the second arc is between the diameter of the first arc and the chord length of the first arc.

[0011] The second base is a stepped box-shaped structure symmetrical about the third axis, and is provided with a second recess symmetrical about the third axis for accommodating the second rotating body. The periphery of the second recess includes a third arc with an arc greater than 180°.

[0012] The second rotating body is a stepped box-shaped structure symmetrical about the fourth axis, and its periphery includes a fourth arc with an arc greater than 180°. The diameter of the fourth arc is between the diameter of the third arc and the chord length of the third arc.

[0013] The first end of the bridge is hinged to the first rotating body, and the second end of the bridge is hinged to the second rotating body.

[0014] Furthermore, the depth of the first recess at the high platform of the first pedestal is greater than or equal to the height of the high platform of the first rotating body.

[0015] The depth of the first recess at the lower platform of the first pedestal is equal to the height of the lower platform of the first rotating body.

[0016] Furthermore, the depth of the second recess at the high platform of the second pedestal is greater than or equal to the height of the high platform of the second rotating body;

[0017] The depth of the second recess at the lower platform of the second pedestal is equal to the height of the lower platform of the second rotating body.

[0018] Furthermore, the radian of the first arc is less than or equal to the radian of the second arc.

[0019] Furthermore, the radian of the third arc is less than or equal to the radian of the fourth arc.

[0020] Furthermore, a pair of first eye plates symmetrical about the second axis are provided at the lower platform of the first rotating body, and a pair of second eye plates that cooperate with the first eye plates of the first rotating body are provided at the first end of the connecting bridge. The first end of the connecting bridge is hinged to the first rotating body by means of a pin passing through the first eye plates and the second eye plates.

[0021] A pair of third eye plates symmetrical about the fourth axis are provided at the lower platform of the second rotating body. A pair of fourth eye plates that cooperate with the third eye plates of the second rotating body are provided at the second end of the connecting bridge. The second end of the connecting bridge is hinged to the second rotating body by means of a pin passing through the third eye plates and the fourth eye plates.

[0022] Furthermore, the first rotating body is identical to the second rotating body;

[0023] The first platform is the same as the second platform.

[0024] The floating body structure connection device of the present invention has a simple structure and low cost. The connection device does not restrict the degree of freedom of movement of the floating body. The phase translation between the floating bodies is released by the movement of the sliding body, and the relative rotation between the floating bodies is released by the rotation of the rotating body. Therefore, the connected floating bodies can move freely relative to each other, thereby solving the problem that rigid or hinged connection devices of floating bodies are prone to stress concentration and damage. It improves the ability of the floating body to resist wind, waves and currents, and is especially suitable for the connection between multiple floating bodies in marine environments. Attached Figure Description

[0025] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the inter-float connection device of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the first base of the inter-float connection device of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 3 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the first base AA of the inter-float connection device of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the first rotating body of the inter-float connection device of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 5 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the first rotating body BB of the inter-float connection device of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the second base of the inter-float connection device of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 7 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the second base of the inter-float connection device of the present invention (CC section).

[0032] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the second rotating body of the inter-float connection device of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 9 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the second rotating body DD of the inter-float connection device of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the bridge connecting the floats of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0035] To further illustrate the technical means and effects of the present invention in achieving its intended purpose, the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and preferred embodiments. Through the description of the specific embodiments, a more in-depth and specific understanding of the technical means and effects of the present invention in achieving its intended purpose should be gained. However, the accompanying drawings are for reference and illustration only and are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0036] Figure 1 The diagram shown is a structural diagram of an embodiment of the inter-float connection device of the present invention. This connection device does not restrict the degrees of freedom of movement of the floats, and can release the phase translation and relative rotation between the floats. The connected floats can move freely relative to each other, thereby solving the problem that the inter-float connection device is prone to stress concentration and damage, and improving the floats' ability to resist wind, waves and currents.

[0037] The floating body connection device in this embodiment includes a first base 1, a first rotating body 2, a connecting bridge 3, a second base 5, and a second rotating body 4.

[0038] The first rotating body 2 is placed inside the first base 1 and can rotate freely within the first base 1; the second rotating body 4 is placed inside the second base 5 and can rotate freely within the second base 5; the two ends of the connecting bridge 3 are respectively hinged to the first rotating body 2 and the second rotating body 4, so that the connecting bridge 3 can rotate around the hinge position; through the above mechanism, the two floats connected by this connecting device can move relatively and rotate relatively within a certain range without causing stress concentration on the connecting device, thereby ensuring the structural safety of the connecting device.

[0039] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the first unit, 1. Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the AA cross section of the first base 1. The first base 1 is a stepped box-shaped structure symmetrical about the first axis 11, and is provided with a first recess 13 symmetrical about the first axis 11 for accommodating the first rotating body 2. The periphery of the first recess 13 includes a first arc 15 with an arc greater than 180°.

[0040] In this embodiment, the first base 1 is a stepped box-shaped structure, that is, it has a high platform 12 and a low platform 14, thus forming a stepped structure. The first recess 13 is used to place the first rotating body 2.

[0041] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the first rotating body 2. Figure 5This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the first rotating body 2 (BB section). The first rotating body 2 is a stepped box-shaped structure symmetrical about the second axis 21, that is, it has a high platform 22 and a low platform 23, thus forming a stepped structure. The periphery of the first rotating body 2 includes a second arc 24 with an arc greater than 180°, and the diameter of the second arc 24 is between the diameter of the first arc 15 and the chord length of the first arc 15.

[0042] In this embodiment, the first rotating body 2 is placed in the first recess 13 of the first base 1. The diameter of the second arc 24 around the periphery of the first rotating body 2 is smaller than the diameter of the first arc 15 around the periphery of the first recess 13 of the first base 1, so that the first rotating body 2 can rotate freely in the first recess 13 of the first base 1.

[0043] Since the arc of the first arc 15 and the arc of the second arc 24 are both greater than 180°, and the diameter of the second arc 24 is greater than the chord length of the first arc 15 but less than the diameter of the first arc 15, when the first rotating body 2 translates in the first recess 13 of the first base 1, the first recess 13 can hold the first rotating body 2 in place, so that the first rotating body 2 will not completely detach from the first recess 13, thereby ensuring that the first base 1 and the first rotating body 2 will not detach due to relative movement after installation.

[0044] In a preferred embodiment, the depth of the first recess 13 of the first base 1 at the high platform 12 of the first base 1 is greater than or equal to the height of the high platform 22 of the first rotating body 2; simultaneously, the depth of the first recess 13 of the first base 1 at the low platform 14 of the first base 1 is equal to the height of the low platform 23 of the first rotating body 2. This arrangement allows the first recess 13 to completely accommodate the first rotating body 2, meaning that after installation, the high platform 22 of the first rotating body will not protrude from the first recess 13 of the first base 1. Furthermore, the top elevations of the low platform 23 of the first rotating body and the low platform 14 of the first base 1 are the same, facilitating installation and use.

[0045] In a preferred embodiment, the arc of the first arc 15 is less than or equal to the arc of the second arc 24. After installation, the first rotating body 2 completely covers the first base 1, increasing the contact area between the first base 1 and the first rotating body 2. This makes the connection device between the floats of the present invention stable in contact, runs smoothly, and ensures safe use.

[0046] In this embodiment, the structure of the second base 5 is similar to that of the first base 1. Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the second base 5. Figure 7This is a CC cross-sectional view of the second base 5. The second base 5 is a stepped box-shaped structure symmetrical about a third axis 51, and is provided with a second recess 53 symmetrical about the third axis 51 for accommodating the second rotating body 4. The periphery of the second recess 53 includes a third arc 55 with an arc greater than 180°. In this embodiment, the second base 5 is a stepped box-shaped structure, that is, it has a high platform 52 and a low platform 54, thus forming a stepped structure. The second recess 53 is used to place the second rotating body 4.

[0047] In this embodiment, the structure of the second rotating body 4 is similar to that of the first rotating body 2. Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the second rotating body 4. Figure 9 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the second rotating body 4 (DD section). The second rotating body 4 is a stepped box-shaped structure symmetrical about the fourth axis 41, that is, it has a high platform 42 and a low platform 43, thus forming a stepped structure. The periphery of the second rotating body 4 includes a fourth arc 44 with an arc greater than 180°, and the diameter of the fourth arc 44 is between the diameter of the third arc 55 and the chord length of the third arc 55.

[0048] In this embodiment, the second rotating body 4 is placed in the second recess 53 of the second base 5. The diameter of the fourth arc 44 around the periphery of the second rotating body 4 is smaller than the diameter of the third arc 55 around the periphery of the second recess 53 of the second base 5, so that the second rotating body 4 can rotate freely in the second recess 53 of the second base 5.

[0049] Since the arc of the third arc 55 and the arc of the fourth arc 44 are both greater than 180°, and the diameter of the fourth arc 44 is greater than the chord length of the third arc 55 but less than the diameter of the third arc 55, when the second rotating body 4 translates in the second recess 53 of the second base 5, the second recess 53 can hold the second rotating body 4 in place, so that the second rotating body 4 will not completely detach from the second recess 53, thereby ensuring that the second base 5 and the second rotating body 4 will not detach due to relative movement after installation.

[0050] In a preferred embodiment, the depth of the second recess 53 of the second base 5 at the high platform 52 of the second base 5 is greater than or equal to the height of the high platform 42 of the second rotating body 4; simultaneously, the depth of the second recess 53 of the second base 5 at the low platform 54 of the second base 5 is equal to the height of the low platform 43 of the second rotating body 4. This arrangement allows the second recess 53 to completely accommodate the second rotating body 4, meaning that after installation, the high platform 42 of the second rotating body will not protrude from the second recess 53 of the second base 5. Furthermore, the top elevations of the low platform 43 of the second rotating body and the low platform 54 of the second base 5 are the same, facilitating installation and use.

[0051] In a preferred embodiment, the curvature of the third arc 55 is less than or equal to the curvature of the fourth arc 44. After installation, the second rotating body 4 completely covers the second base 5, increasing the contact area between the second base 5 and the second rotating body 4. This makes the connection device between the floats of the present invention stable in contact, runs smoothly, and ensures safe use.

[0052] Figure 10 The diagram shows the connecting bridge 3. In this embodiment, the first end 31 of the connecting bridge 3 is hinged to the first rotating body 2, and the second end 32 of the connecting bridge 3 is hinged to the second rotating body 4. The connecting bridge 3 can rotate relative to the first rotating body 2 and the second rotating body 4 along the hinged parts, thereby releasing the relative heave motion between the two floats and avoiding stress concentration at the connecting device, which could easily damage the connecting device.

[0053] The specific form of the hinged connection between the first end 31 and the second end 32 of the bridge 3 and the first rotating body 2 and the second rotating body 4 is not limited, and commonly used hinges can be used for the hinged connection.

[0054] In a preferred embodiment, a pair of first eye plates 25 symmetrical about the second axis 21 are provided at the lower platform 23 of the first rotating body 2, and a pair of second eye plates 33 that cooperate with the first eye plates 25 of the first rotating body 2 are provided at the first end 31 of the connecting bridge 3. The first end 31 of the connecting bridge is hinged to the first rotating body 2 by means of a pin passing through the first eye plates 25 and the second eye plates 33.

[0055] A pair of third eye plates 45 symmetrical about the fourth axis 41 are provided at the lower platform 43 of the second rotating body 4. A pair of fourth eye plates 34 that cooperate with the third eye plates 45 of the second rotating body 4 are provided at the second end 32 of the connecting bridge 3. The second end 32 of the connecting bridge 3 is hinged to the second rotating body 4 by means of a pin passing through the third eye plates 45 and the fourth eye plates 34.

[0056] In the floating body connecting device of the present invention, the first rotating body 2 and the second rotating body 4 can be of different sizes, and the first base 1 and the second base 5 can be of different sizes to accommodate floating bodies of different sizes and structural types to be connected. In a preferred embodiment, when the two floating bodies to be connected are identical, the first rotating body 2 and the second rotating body 4 can be identical, and the first base 1 and the second base 5 can be identical, thereby reducing additional processing work and making construction and processing more convenient.

[0057] The following steps can be taken to connect two floats using the float-to-buoy connection device described in the above embodiment:

[0058] Step S1: Modify and process the connection ends of the two floats to be connected to create mounting grooves;

[0059] Step S2: Place the first and second bases of the float-to-buoy connection device into the mounting slots of the two floats to be connected, respectively;

[0060] Step S3: Place the first rotating body of the float-to-buoy connecting device into the first recess of the first base, place the second rotating body into the second recess of the second base, and adjust the position of each component;

[0061] Step S4: Adjust the distance between the two floats to be connected, and hinge the first end of the bridge to the first rotating body and the second end of the bridge to the second rotating body.

[0062] After the two floats connected by the present invention are installed, the relative rotation angle between the two connected floats in the horizontal plane can reach up to 24°, and the connecting bridge in the vertical plane can rotate along the hinge position of the first end and the second end, thereby adapting to the heave motion between the two floats.

[0063] Therefore, the floating body connection device of the present invention is equivalent to a "universal hinge" that can adapt to various displacements and rotations between two floating bodies. Since the movement of each degree of freedom of the floating body is completed within this connection device, it will not constrain the free movement of the floating body and basically eliminates the phenomenon of stress concentration at the floating body joint.

[0064] While preferred embodiments of the invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will recognize that various modifications, additions, and substitutions are possible, and therefore the scope of the invention should not be limited to the above embodiments. For those skilled in the art, several modifications can be made without departing from the principles of the invention, and these modifications should also be considered within the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims

1. A device for connecting floating bodies, characterized in that, include: First base, first rotating body, connecting bridge, second base and second rotating body; The first base is a stepped box-shaped structure symmetrical about the first axis, and is provided with a first recess symmetrical about the first axis for accommodating the first rotating body. The periphery of the first recess includes a first arc with an arc greater than 180°. The first rotating body is a stepped box-shaped structure symmetrical about the second axis, and its periphery includes a second arc with an arc greater than 180°. The diameter of the second arc is between the diameter of the first arc and the chord length of the first arc. The second base is a stepped box-shaped structure symmetrical about the third axis, and is provided with a second recess symmetrical about the third axis for accommodating the second rotating body. The periphery of the second recess includes a third arc with an arc greater than 180°. The second rotating body is a stepped box-shaped structure symmetrical about the fourth axis, and its periphery includes a fourth arc with an arc greater than 180°. The diameter of the fourth arc is between the diameter of the third arc and the chord length of the third arc. The first end of the connecting bridge is hinged to the first rotating body, and the second end of the connecting bridge is hinged to the second rotating body; The radius of the first arc is less than or equal to the radius of the second arc; The radius of the third arc is less than or equal to the radius of the fourth arc.

2. The floating body connection device as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The depth of the first recess at the high platform of the first pedestal is greater than or equal to the height of the high platform of the first rotating body. The depth of the first recess at the lower platform of the first pedestal is equal to the height of the lower platform of the first rotating body.

3. The floating body connection device as described in claim 2, characterized in that: The depth of the second recess at the high platform of the second pedestal is greater than or equal to the height of the high platform of the second rotating body; The depth of the second recess at the lower platform of the second pedestal is equal to the height of the lower platform of the second rotating body.

4. The floating body connection device as described in claim 1, characterized in that: A pair of first eye plates symmetrical about the second axis are provided at the lower platform of the first rotating body. A pair of second eye plates that cooperate with the first eye plates of the first rotating body are provided at the first end of the connecting bridge. The first end of the connecting bridge is hinged to the first rotating body by means of a pin passing through the first eye plates and the second eye plates. A pair of third eye plates symmetrical about the fourth axis are provided at the lower platform of the second rotating body. A pair of fourth eye plates that cooperate with the third eye plates of the second rotating body are provided at the second end of the connecting bridge. The second end of the connecting bridge is hinged to the second rotating body by means of a pin passing through the third eye plates and the fourth eye plates.

5. A floating body connection device as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The first rotating body is the same as the second rotating body; The first platform is the same as the second platform.

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