Hose Arrangement for Bubble Curtain with Segmented Ballast
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hose arrangements for creating bubble curtains in bodies of water face issues with ballast systems that impede air flow and hose handling, leading to damage and limited variability in hole placement, and require additional processing steps that can be damaging.
Innovation Solution
A hose arrangement where the air hose is jacketed with a support sheath comprising material bars and intermediate openings, connected to a ballast receptacle via the sheath, allowing secure affixation without impeding air flow and eliminating the need for extensive mechanical or chemical treatment of the air hose.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If metal sleeves and chains are used as ballast for the air hose, then the air hose can be secured at the bottom of the body of water, but the chain impedes the introducing and recovering of the air hose and the sleeves may damage the air hose by scrubbing and bending
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the ballast system into separate segments: the air hose is separated from the chain by incorporating the chain into a receptacle that is distinct from the hose itself. This segmentation allows the air hose to be introduced and recovered without the chain impeding its movement, while the chain remains contained in the receptacle to provide ballast function.
Solution Approach 2:
The receptacle acts as an intermediary between the air hose and the chain. It provides a protective interface that allows the chain to fulfill its ballast function while preventing direct contact between the chain and the air hose, thereby eliminating scrubbing and bending damage.
2Strength
If the air hose is made from rubber or polymer with fabric layer or mesh wire inlay to increase strength, then tensional and compressive strength are improved, but additional processing steps are required that can damage the air hose or impede bubble discharge
Solution Approach 1:
The invention separates the reinforcement function from the bubble discharge function by placing the mesh wire inlay only in specific regions of the air hose wall. This segmentation allows the hose to maintain strength where needed while preserving bubble discharge capability in other areas, eliminating the need for damaging additional processing steps.
3Reliability
If chain is arranged within the air hose to prevent buoyancy, then the hose can be held at the bottom of the body of water, but the chain impedes air flow within the hose and facilitates water entering through the bores when pressurized air flow is switched off
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segregates the chain from the air flow path by placing it in a dedicated receptacle rather than within the air hose lumen. This spatial segmentation allows air to flow freely through the hose without chain interference, while the chain remains positioned to provide ballast function.
Solution Approach 2:
The receptacle serves as an intermediary structure that holds the chain in a position where it can provide ballast without interfering with air flow. It mediates between the conflicting requirements of maintaining hose position and ensuring unobstructed air flow for bubble curtain generation.
4Reliability
If air hose is connected to ballast receptacle with sleeves and chains, then ballast function is achieved, but the connection requires mechanical or chemical processing that may damage the air hose
Solution Approach 1:
The receptacle acts as an intermediary connection structure between the air hose and the ballast chain. It provides a protected interface that allows secure attachment of the ballast system while preventing direct mechanical or chemical processing of the air hose, thereby eliminating damage risks during connection.
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 solution provides a secure, damage-resistant, and easily assembled hose arrangement that maintains air flow and bubble curtain functionality while simplifying the connection process and reducing the risk of hose damage during handling and operation.
Implementation Method 1
the air hose is supplied with pressurized air via at least one compressor
Implementation Method 2
a ballast receptacle (20) for a ballast element (21) by means of which the hose arrangement (100) can be secured at the bottom of the sea (3)
Implementation Method 3
The pressurized air will leak through the punctures thereby creating a bubble curtain rising up from the air hose
Implementation Method 4
The bubble curtain of air bubbles forms a physically-acoustically absorbing barrier for the sound waves occurring during hammering
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a hose arrangement for creating a bubble curtain in bodies of water, comprising at least one air hose including an interior space enclosed by a wall, where a perforation consisting of individual punctures is introduced in the wall at least in an upper, first circumferential area, from which air can be discharged, when the interior space is pressurized, for creating a bubble curtain extending in the longitudinal direction of the air hose, and a ballast receptacle including a receiving area extending in the longitudinal direction, in which an elongated ballast element is received.