Float With Leveling Ballast Chambers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional floating barriers, or floats, are prone to tilting and flipping due to environmental factors like wind and waves, and often become stuck in a vertical orientation due to the unconstrained movement of ballast matter, which shifts the center of gravity, reducing their effectiveness as a barrier.

Innovation Solution

The design includes a central chamber and a peripheral chamber with ballast matter constrained to maintain the center of gravity near the geometric center of the float, preventing tilting and ensuring the float remains horizontally oriented, even in turbulent conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If ballast matter is allowed to move freely within the float, then the float can accommodate environmental factors like wind and waves, but the center of gravity shifts to the periphery causing the float to tilt and flip

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to environmental factorsVSAvoidstability against tilting and flipping

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The float is divided into multiple chambers (central chamber and peripheral chambers) that are separated by partitions. The ballast matter is confined to specific chambers rather than being free to move throughout the entire float. This segmentation prevents the center of gravity from shifting to the periphery while still allowing the float to respond to environmental factors through the chamber design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different chambers are designed with different properties - the central chamber and peripheral chambers have specific configurations that allow localized movement or confinement of ballast matter. The partitions create zones where ballast matter can be restricted to maintain stability while still permitting controlled adaptation to environmental conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If ballast matter collects on one side of the float, then the float can respond to environmental forces, but the center of gravity shifts causing the float to become stuck in a vertical orientation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresponse to environmental forcesVSAvoidreliability of horizontal orientation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The partitioned chamber structure prevents ballast matter from concentrating on one side of the float. By dividing the internal space into separate compartments, the design ensures that ballast matter remains distributed in a way that maintains the center of gravity near the geometric center, preventing the float from becoming stuck in a vertical orientation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The partitions act as intermediaries that control and regulate the movement of ballast matter. These internal structures mediate between the external environmental forces and the ballast matter, preventing direct interaction that would cause unwanted shifting of the center of gravity while still allowing the float to respond appropriately to environmental conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Stability of the object's composition

If the float becomes stuck in a vertical orientation, then it can be stabilized by collected ballast matter, but the float covers less area and is less effective as a barrier

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability in vertical orientationVSAvoidarea covered by the float

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The multi-chamber partitioned structure prevents the float from stabilizing in a vertical orientation by distributing ballast matter across multiple compartments. This segmentation ensures the center of gravity remains centrally located, maintaining horizontal orientation and maximizing the area covered by the float as a barrier.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

This configuration enhances the stability and effectiveness of the float as a barrier by preventing tilting and flipping, allowing it to maintain a horizontal orientation and cover more area, thereby improving its functionality.

Implementation Method 1

The ballast matter operates to maintain the center of gravity of the float proximate to the geometric center of the float when the float tilts relative to the horizontal plane

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCenter of gravity: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

The float is buoyant and configured to float on an external liquid surface in a substantially horizontal plane

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Data Source

PatentUS11584482B2Floats with leveling ballast matter chambers

Publication Date: 2023.02.21 ALIROL MATTHIEU

AI summary

Floats including a central chamber, a peripheral chamber, and a ballast matter. The peripheral chamber is radially spaced from the central chamber proximate a radial periphery of the float in a substantially common plane with the central chamber. The ballast matter is disposed in either the central chamber or the peripheral chamber. The float is buoyant and configured to float on an external liquid surface in a substantially horizontal plane. The ballast matter operates to maintain the center of gravity of the float proximate to the geometric center of the float when the float tilts relative to the horizontal plane.