Offshore Deeply Embedded Anchors With Pivoting Flaps for Seabed Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional embedded anchors for moored floating structures face challenges such as high cost, environmental impact, and limited adaptability to different seabed conditions, particularly in deep-water environments, leading to uncertainties in installation and load capacity.
Innovation Solution
The development of deeply embedded anchors with a foundation and pivotable flaps that transition from a vertical to a horizontal position, enhancing load capacity and stability by increasing the cross-sectional area within the seabed, utilizing a follower mechanism for controlled embedment and extraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional embedded anchors are used for moored floating structures, then installation is simpler, but load capacity and stability are insufficient in deep-water environments
Solution Approach 1:
The flaps are designed to be movable rather than fixed, transitioning from a vertical run-in configuration during installation to a horizontal installed configuration that engages with the seabed. This dynamic transformation allows the anchor to adapt its geometry to maximize load capacity while maintaining installation simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The flaps extend from the foundation body in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, adding a transverse dimension to the anchor structure. When deployed, these flaps increase the cross-sectional area within the seabed by approximately 90%, providing enhanced resistance to both vertical and horizontal loads without significantly increasing the longitudinal footprint.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional anchors are used, then installation cost is lower, but environmental disruption is greater
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor system changes the physical state and configuration of the flaps from vertical to horizontal, and the follower from connected to disconnected, to achieve setting. This parameter change allows for controlled seabed engagement that minimizes unnecessary disruption while ensuring adequate load capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The flaps automatically engage with the seabed through their own weight and the extraction force applied to the follower, without requiring additional setting equipment or complex installation procedures. The follower mechanism itself provides the extraction force needed to deploy the flaps and set the anchor, eliminating the need for separate setting operations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional anchors are used, then adaptability to different seabed conditions is limited, but installation process is more certain
Solution Approach 1:
The flaps serve multiple functions: they increase cross-sectional area for vertical load resistance, provide horizontal load resistance through seabed engagement, and enable adaptability to different seabed conditions through their deployable geometry. The follower mechanism universally applies to different anchor sizes and seabed types, providing a standardized installation approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The flaps are pre-positioned in a vertical run-in configuration that facilitates smooth insertion into the seabed without resistance. This preliminary positioning ensures certain installation by preventing snagging or binding, while the subsequent deployment to horizontal configuration provides adaptability to various seabed conditions.
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 increased vertical and horizontal load capacities, reduces installation costs, and minimizes environmental disruption, making it suitable for various seabed conditions and dynamic marine environments.
Implementation Method 1
a keying flap assembly comprising one or more flaps pivotably coupled to the foundation body, wherein each of the one or more flaps are pivotable relative to the foundation body between a vertical position corresponding to a run-in configuration of the deeply embedded anchor and a horizontal position angularly spaced from the vertical position and corresponding to an installed configuration of the deeply embedded anchor
Implementation Method 2
a foundation connectable to a follower for installing the foundation beneath the seabed
Data Source
AI summary
A deeply embedded anchor installable in a seabed positioned beneath a water column including a foundation connectable to a follower for installing the foundation beneath the seabed. The foundation includes a foundation body extending longitudinally between a first end and an opposing second end, and a keying flap assembly including one or more flaps pivotably coupled to the foundation body, wherein each of the one or more flaps are pivotable relative to the foundation body between a vertical position corresponding to a run-in configuration of the deeply embedded anchor and a horizontal position angularly spaced from the vertical position and corresponding to an installed configuration of the deeply embedded anchor.