Adjustable Ballast for Semi-Submersible Spar Offshore Fish Farms
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Semi-submersible spar-type offshore fish farms face stability issues during normal, storm, and maintenance modes of operation due to limitations in the arrangement of clump weights and buoyancy tanks, which are constrained by transportation and construction limitations.
Innovation Solution
The fish farm design allows for adjustable spacing between the clump weight and buoyancy tank, using a connecting element and filling medium to maintain stability, with a control system to adjust this distance based on operational needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the distance between clump weight and buoyancy tank is increased to improve stability, then stability is improved, but transportation and construction become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The ballast system is divided into separable components (clump weight and buoyancy tank) that can be transported independently and assembled at the installation site, allowing the optimal distance for stability to be achieved without transportation constraints
Solution Approach 2:
The ballast system is designed to be adjustable after assembly, allowing the distance between clump weight and buoyancy tank to be modified based on operational conditions, thus achieving optimal stability without being constrained by fixed transportation limitations
2Ease of manufacture
If the distance between clump weight and buoyancy tank is decreased to facilitate transportation, then transportation becomes easier, but stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The ballast components are segmented for separate transportation and later assembled at the optimal distance for stability
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows dynamic adjustment of the ballast configuration after assembly to achieve optimal stability
3Ease of manufacture
If a fixed ballast system is used to simplify construction, then construction becomes easier, but stability in different operational modes is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The ballast system is designed with adjustability features that allow modification of the clump weight-buoyancy tank distance based on operational mode (normal, storm, or maintenance), achieving optimal stability across different conditions without complicating construction
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows changing the physical parameters of the ballast configuration (distance between components) to optimize performance for different operational scenarios
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances stability during normal, storm, and maintenance operations by optimizing the distance between the clump weight and buoyancy tank, mitigating transportation challenges and ensuring structural integrity.
Implementation Method 1
The filling medium is supplied into the clump weight to increase the weight of the clump weight
Implementation Method 2
a ballast system that comprises a buoyancy tank and a clump weight
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
The invention relates to a semi-submersible spar-type offshore fish farm (1) for cultivating fish at open sea, comprising an elongated center column (2) that comprises a first end part (3), and a ballast system (4) that is arranged at the first end part and that comprises at least one buoyancy tank (5) and at least one clump weight (6) that are movably interconnected, wherein in use of said fish farm the at least one buoyancy tank and the at least one clump weight are arranged at a distance, D, with respect to each other.