Floating Holding Structure for Controlled Aquatic Disassembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Disassembling aquatic structures from the bottom of water poses risks of wave-induced dangers to surrounding ships, contamination scattering, and structural sinking, which existing methods fail to address effectively.

Innovation Solution

A holding device with a floating body, holding mechanism, and supporting portion that rotates to detach and tilt aquatic structures from the water bottom, minimizing contamination and ensuring safe detachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the structure is cut at the root to topple it for disassembly, then disassembly cost is reduced and high-place work is avoided, but waves generated may pose danger to surrounding ships

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisassembly costVSAvoidwave danger to ships
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a holding device as an intermediary system between the aquatic structure and the disassembly process. This device includes holding portions that grip the structure, supporting portions that provide rotation support, and a floating body that serves as a stable platform. This intermediary mechanism allows controlled tilting and disassembly without the structure falling freely into water, thereby preventing wave generation that would endanger surrounding ships while maintaining cost-effective disassembly operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If the structure is toppled for disassembly, then disassembly process is simplified, but contaminants may scatter or flow out into the water causing pollution

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisassembly process simplicityVSAvoidcontaminant scattering
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The holding device acts as a mediator that prevents direct contact between the aquatic structure and water during disassembly. The holding portions secure the structure, the supporting portions enable controlled rotation, and the floating body provides a stable platform above water. This intermediary system allows contaminants to be contained and managed during the tilting and disassembly process, preventing them from scattering into the water while maintaining process simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by securing the aquatic structure with holding portions before initiating the disassembly process. The structure is held in a controlled position, then tilted using the supporting portions and floating body before contaminants can scatter. This preliminary securing and controlled tilting prevents contamination release while keeping the disassembly process straightforward.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If the structure is allowed to fall into water for disassembly, then disassembly operation is simplified, but the structure may sink and cannot be recovered

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisassembly operationVSAvoidstructure recoverability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The holding device serves as an intermediary that prevents the aquatic structure from falling directly into water. The holding portions maintain secure grip, the supporting portions provide controlled rotation support, and the floating body offers a stable platform. This intermediary system enables simplified disassembly operations while ensuring the structure remains recoverable by preventing uncontrolled sinking.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by securing the structure with holding portions before disassembly begins. The structure is then tilted in a controlled manner using the supporting portions and floating body, preventing it from falling into water and sinking. This preliminary securing ensures both operational simplicity and structure recoverability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 device allows safe detachment and disassembly of aquatic structures without posing dangers to surroundings and preventing contamination, enabling stable transfer to land for further disassembly.

Implementation Method 1

a floating body (110) floating on the water

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Data Source

PatentEP4206404B1Holding device and disassembly method for aquatic structure
Publication Date: 2025.11.19 MITSUBISHI HEAVY IND LTD
  • EP4206404B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4206404B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4206404B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Object Provided is a holding device and a disassembly method by which an aquatic structure can be detached from the bottom of water and disassembled without posing a danger to surroundings and without causing contaminants attached to the aquatic structure and contaminants contained in the aquatic structure to scatter or flow out into water. Solving Means A holding device for holding an aquatic structure (200) of a bottommounted type extending from a bottom of water to above the water includes a floating body structure (110) floating on the water, a holding mechanism (120) configured to hold the aquatic structure (200), and a supporting mechanism (130) disposed at the floating body structure (110) and configured to rotatably support the holding mechanism (120) about an axis X. The holding mechanism (120) is rotated such that the aquatic structure (200) is tilted over.