Elastomeric Mooring Component with Composite Stress-Strain Response
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mooring systems, particularly those used in deep water and high variability environments, face challenges in withstanding large tidal and wave-induced forces while maintaining a low scope and small footprint, often resulting in high costs and increased fatigue due to the limitations of existing elastomeric and steel-based solutions.
Innovation Solution
A mooring component comprising a plurality of different elastomeric elements with unique elastic responses, arranged in parallel to provide a composite non-linear stress-strain response, allowing for a tailored load distribution that absorbs forces smoothly across a wide range of conditions, reducing material usage and minimizing the footprint.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If steel bypass cable is used to prevent over-extension of elastomeric mooring, then strength and load protection are improved, but shock loads and fatigue damage increase due to the almost infinite slope of steel compared to elastic core
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from steel (infinite slope) to elastomeric material (finite slope), transforming the bypass element from a rigid protective structure to a flexible energy-absorbing component that matches the elastic properties of the core
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite structure where multiple elastomeric elements with different elastic moduli work together - the core elastomeric material provides primary elongation while the stiffer elastomeric bypass elements engage at higher loads, creating a progressive load distribution that avoids shock loads
2Strength
If conventional steel cable or hawser is used for deep water mooring, then strength to withstand tidal and wave forces is improved, but scope and footprint increase leading to higher costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material from traditional steel cable or hawser to elastomeric material, fundamentally altering the stress-strain characteristics to enable large elongations that reduce the required scope while maintaining strength through the non-linear elastic response
3Strength
If braided nylon or polyester ropes are used to increase load capacity, then strength is improved, but wear issues increase under cyclic load environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite structure of multiple elastomeric elements with different elastic moduli arranged to engage progressively, creating a system that distributes cyclic loads more evenly and reduces wear on individual elements while maintaining high load capacity
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 enables the mooring component to effectively manage large wave and tidal movements with reduced material and cost, providing a stable and adaptable response to varying environmental loads, thereby enhancing the durability and efficiency of the mooring system.
Implementation Method 1
A mooring component comprising a plurality of different elastomeric elements with unique elastic responses, arranged in parallel to provide a composite non-linear stress-strain response
Data Source
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AI summary
A mooring component (20) comprises a plurality of different deformable elements (22a-22f) formed of an elastomeric material. The component has a tensile length L and at least one of the elements has a length L' < L. As the mooring component (20) comprises a plurality of different elastomeric elements (22a-22f), each having its own unique elastic (i.e. reversible) stress-strain response, the overall response of the component (20) is a composite elastic response resulting from a combination of the responses of each of the plurality of elastomeric elements (22a-22f). The mooring component (20) can form part of a mooring system for floating devices and sea-based structures such as renewable energy devices, including wave energy conversion devices, tidal turbines and tidal platforms, fish farms, oil rigs and off-shore wind farms, especially in low scope or high variability environments.