Floating Marine Structure with Segmented Buoyancy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing floating marine structures face instability and reduced capability to withstand wave-induced forces during installation due to the connection of buoyancy elements, which also introduces dynamic loads and additional installation costs.
Innovation Solution
A floating marine structure design featuring a sub-structure with a single leg and a float element, where the buoyancy is arranged to allow relative motion between them, minimizing wave-induced heave actions by positioning the first buoyancy means below the wave zone, and using separate buoyancy elements for stability and payload support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If buoyancy elements are connected vertically with a lifting or jacking system to provide buoyancy and stability during lowering, then the marine structure can be lowered to the sea bottom, but the structure shows the same wave induced heave motions which reduce the capability to withstand wave-induced forces and motions during installation
Solution Approach 1:
The buoyancy system is divided into separate buoyancy elements that are not vertically connected through a rigid lifting system. Each buoyancy element can move independently relative to the marine structure, allowing them to absorb wave-induced heave motions separately rather than transmitting them together to the structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The buoyancy elements are designed to have relative motion capability with respect to the marine structure during lowering. This dynamic configuration allows the buoyancy elements to move independently in response to wave actions, preventing synchronized heave motions that would otherwise be transmitted to the structure.
2Ease of operation
If a lifting or jacking system is used to connect buoyancy elements to the marine structure, then the structure can be lowered and positioned, but large dynamic loads are introduced due to wave actions
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the buoyancy elements from the marine structure through independent positioning mechanisms, eliminating the need for a rigid lifting or jacking system that would transmit large dynamic loads. Each buoyancy element can be positioned and held independently without mechanical connection to the structure.
Solution Approach 2:
An intermediary positioning mechanism is introduced between the buoyancy elements and the marine structure, allowing the buoyancy elements to provide support without creating direct rigid connections that would transmit wave-induced dynamic loads to the structure.
3Stability of the object's composition
If temporary buoyancy means are provided to increase stability during installation, then stability is improved, but extra steps are involved during installation of the marine structure
Solution Approach 1:
The buoyancy elements are designed to serve multiple functions throughout the installation process. They provide both the lifting capability to lower the structure and the stability support during installation, eliminating the need for separate temporary buoyancy means and reducing the number of installation steps.
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 design enhances stability during installation, reduces wave-induced heave actions, and eliminates the need for complex lifting systems, allowing for self-floating and potentially self-installing capabilities without additional lifting equipment.
Implementation Method 1
a first buoyancy means (4a) arranged in a lower part of the leg (4) to provide a first buoyancy, wherein the first buoyancy is sufficient to keep the sub-structure (2) afloat
Implementation Method 2
a float element (3) having second buoyancy means (3a) to provide a second buoyancy, wherein the second buoyancy is sufficient to keep the float element (3) afloat
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a~3c
Figure 4a~5c
AI summary
The invention provides a sub - structure (2) comprising at least one leg (4) having first buoyancy means (4a) arranged in a lower part of the at least one leg to provide a first buoyancy, and a float element (3) having second buoyancy means to provide a second buoyancy, wherein the sub - structure and the float element are constructed to allow relative wave induced motion with respect to each other in a substantially vertical direction wherein the leg is movable from a pre-installation position to an installation position by a substantially downwards movement of the leg with respect to the float element, and wherein during at least a second part of the downwards movement of the leg towards the installation position and/or in the installation position the first buoyancy means are substantially located below a wave zone to substantially decrease heave action on the first buoyancy means.