Flexible Curtain Wave Attenuator for Floating Docks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wave attenuators for floating docks are costly, cumbersome, and require anchoring to the lake bottom, leading to ongoing adjustments and structural damage, while also being expensive to install and maintain, and do not effectively prevent wave action from interfering with dock usage.

Innovation Solution

A wave attenuator system comprising a substantially rectangular curtain made of water-impermeable flexible material, secured along the dock's sides and weighted to maintain a vertical orientation in the water, redirecting waves downward to reduce impact on the dock, thus eliminating the need for anchoring and minimizing maintenance costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If deep-water anchors are used to secure the dock, then the dock stability is improved, but the device complexity and maintenance cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedock stabilityVSAvoidanchor system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the anchoring component from the wave attenuator system entirely. The curtain is held in position by buoyancy forces and tension from the dock structure itself, eliminating the need for separate anchors, cables, and winches that characterize traditional deep-water anchor systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The wave attenuator curtain is self-positioning and self-adjusting through the action of waves and currents. The flexible material naturally conforms to wave patterns and maintains optimal positioning without requiring external adjustment mechanisms or licensed personnel for installation and maintenance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Stability of the object's composition

If deep-water anchors are used to secure the dock, then the dock stability is improved, but the installation cost and permit requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedock stabilityVSAvoidinstallation ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The wave attenuator is divided into modular sections that can be independently installed and configured. Each section of the curtain can be attached to the dock structure separately, allowing for flexible installation that adapts to various dock configurations without requiring complex anchor systems or specialized equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses changes in physical parameters - specifically the flexibility and permeability of the curtain material - to achieve wave attenuation without the rigid, heavy infrastructure of traditional anchors. This allows installation in protected habitats where deep-water anchors would be prohibited.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Strength

If a traditional dock structure is used, then the structural strength is maintained, but the wave action causes damaging stresses and uncomfortable motion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedock structural strengthVSAvoidwave action impact

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible curtain acts as an intermediary element between the waves and the dock structure. It absorbs and dissipates wave energy through its flexible material properties, preventing direct transmission of damaging stresses to the dock while still allowing the dock to maintain its structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The wave attenuator utilizes a flexible curtain made of thin film material that can bend and deform to absorb wave energy. This flexible barrier redirects waves away from the dock structure, reducing both the force of impact and the uncomfortable motion experienced by users.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 wave attenuator system effectively reduces wave action against floating docks, minimizing structural damage and uncomfortable motion, while being more cost-effective and requiring less maintenance compared to traditional anchoring methods, enhancing dock usage and reducing installation and repair expenses.

Implementation Method 1

The bottom edge includes a weighted material to maintain the curtain in a substantially vertical orientation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

The wave attenuator is operable to redirect waves impacting the curtain downward to reduce wave action against the dock

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWave energy redirection:

Data Source

PatentUS11603637B1Wave attenuator system

Publication Date: 2023.03.14 BILLINGS DAVID

AI summary

A wave attenuator system for protecting a floating dock or other structure from incoming wake created by wind or vessel is disclosed herein, in various aspects. The wave attenuator system may include a substantially rectangular curtain made of a water-impermeable flexible material, in various aspects. The curtain top edge may be secured along the length of at least one of the sides of a dock, in various aspects. The curtain bottom edge may be suspended in a body of water a predetermined distance below the water surface, in various aspects. The bottom edge may include a weighted material to maintain the curtain in a substantially vertical orientation, in various aspects. The wave attenuator system is operable to redirect waves impacting the curtain downward to reduce wave action against the dock or other structure, in various aspects.