Floating Structure Coupling System With Rigid Arm Joints
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for coupling floating structures, such as offshore drilling platforms, fail to maintain a safe distance and prevent collision under harsh weather conditions, and often require complex mechanisms or hazardous manual intervention for disconnection.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a combination of joints and arms with pivotable and rotatable configurations, along with a hydraulic piston and skid assembly, allows for easy coupling and quick disconnection of floating structures, maintaining a safe distance and accommodating wave movements without the need for hawsers or manual handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a nylon hawser rope system is used to couple floating structures, then the structures can be linked together to restrict relative movement, but the system cannot prevent collision and requires increasing rope length (reducing control precision) under harsh conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the physical state of the coupling mechanism from a flexible rope to a rigid arm assembly with adjustable degrees of freedom. The rigid arms maintain structural integrity while the joints allow controlled movement, transforming the coupling system from passive (rope) to active (mechanical linkage with controlled stiffness).
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling system is segmented into multiple rigid arms connected by joints with different degrees of freedom. This segmentation allows each component to handle specific movement types (surge, sway, heave, pitch, roll, yaw) independently, providing both collision prevention and precise distance control through the coordinated action of multiple segments.
2Reliability
If a rigid coupling system is used to maintain safe distance, then collision is prevented, but the system cannot accommodate wave-induced movements of floating structures
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling system transitions from a static rigid connection to a dynamic mechanism with multiple joints that can adapt their configuration. The first joint allows movement in the surge direction, the second joint accommodates sway movements, and the third joint handles heave movements, enabling the rigid arms to maintain safe distance while dynamically accommodating all six degrees of freedom of floating structure movements.
3Reliability
If complex engagement mechanisms are used to ensure secure coupling, then reliability is improved, but the disconnection process becomes complicated and may require manual intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement mechanism is designed to be self-actuating through the natural relative movement between floating structures. When structures approach each other, the receiving member automatically engages with the engaging member through the conical receptacle guidance, eliminating the need for complex manual engagement procedures while maintaining secure coupling.
4Measurement precision
If manual intervention is required for disconnection, then control is precise, but safety is reduced during extreme weather conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The manual mechanical disconnection process is replaced with an automated mechanical system. The receiving member can be rotated or moved automatically to disengage from the engaging member, eliminating the need for personnel to manually handle coupling mechanisms during extreme weather while maintaining precise control over the disconnection process.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a coupling system for coupling two floating structures together. The coupling system is able to accommodate the relative rotational and translation motions between the two floating structures without becoming disconnected. Furthermore, the coupling system has an engagement and disengagement mechanism that may be implemented remotely and efficiently.