Anchoring System With Flexible Pressure Walls
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing anchoring systems face challenges in providing effective anchoring on soft ocean floors, such as sandy or silt surfaces, where suction-based methods are insufficient.
Innovation Solution
A novel anchoring system comprising multiple piles with longitudinal channels, a connecting structure, and a ballasting unit with flexible walls to maintain pressure differential, along with a suction element and hydraulic system for sinking and stabilizing the anchor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If suction-based methods are used to hold an anchor in the sea floor, then the anchoring system can be deployed, but the anchoring effectiveness is insufficient on soft ocean floors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state and pressure parameters within the piles by introducing air chambers that maintain positive pressure differential relative to the surrounding seabed. This parameter change transforms the anchoring mechanism from passive suction to active pressure-driven penetration and holding, enabling effective anchoring on soft ocean floors where traditional suction methods fail.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies pneumatic principles by using compressed air or gas-filled chambers within the piles to create pressure differentials. The air chambers expand against the soft seabed material, providing anchoring force through pneumatic pressure rather than relying solely on suction, thereby improving adaptability to soft ocean floors.
2Stability of the object's composition
If multiple piles with longitudinal channels are used to improve anchoring, then anchoring stability is enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The anchoring system is segmented into multiple identical piles, each with its own longitudinal channel and air chamber. This segmentation allows the system to achieve enhanced stability through distributed anchoring points while maintaining modular simplicity, as each pile is a self-contained unit that can be manufactured and deployed independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting structure serves multiple functions: it connects the individual piles, provides additional anchoring capability itself, and maintains the structural integrity of the entire system. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity by combining several roles into a single component rather than requiring separate elements for each function.
3Stress or pressure
If flexible walls are used to maintain pressure differential, then pressure containment is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible walls or membranes within the piles to contain the air chambers and maintain pressure differentials. These flexible elements are designed to expand and contract as needed while maintaining structural integrity, providing effective pressure containment without requiring extremely tight manufacturing tolerances, as the flexibility itself compensates for minor variations.
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
The system effectively anchors on soft ocean floors by creating a pressure differential and using hydraulic systems to displace water with denser materials, ensuring stability and resistance to undersea pressures.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible wall separating the first end of the housing from a second end to define an air chamber at the second end, the flexible wall comprising a material selected to withstand undersea pressure, and to maintain a pressure differential in use of the ballasting unit
Implementation Method 2
These functions could also be provided by separate elements, for example a suspension element to deploy and retrieve the anchoring system and a suction element
Data Source
AI summary
An anchoring system using hollow piles connected with a cap, the hollow piles open at the top and closed at the bottom. A skirt extends from the cap. In use, the anchoring system is lowered to an ocean floor and a suction element removes water and ocean floor material from under the cap to lower the anchoring system into the ocean floor. Flexible walls at closed ends of the hollow piles may provide pressure differentials separating the undersea pressure to which the interiors of the hollow piles are exposed from air chambers at the closed ends of the piles at substantially lower pressures.