Floating Platform With Pneumatic Buoyancy Members
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large floating platforms face undesirable dynamic and static stresses due to wave excitations, which can lead to structural failure, as concrete structures are susceptible to stress-induced failure, and existing solutions fail to adequately mitigate these stresses.
Innovation Solution
A floating platform design featuring a continuous or semi-continuous bottom plate structure with interconnected cylindrical or polygonal tubular buoyancy members and interstitial volumes that allow for controlled air communication and distribution, enhancing pneumatic compliance and stability by resisting wave-induced bending moments and providing reserve buoyancy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the floating platform is tightly coupled to the water surface by buoyancy, then the platform gains structural support and stability, but wave excitations impart undesirable motions and induce dynamic and static stresses that can lead to structural failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces air as an intermediary substance between the water and the platform structure. Air-filled cylinders act as mediators that decouple the platform from direct wave contact, allowing the platform to maintain buoyancy while reducing the transmission of wave-induced stresses to the concrete structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs pneumatic principles by using compressed air in cylindrical buoyancy elements. The compressibility of air provides a cushioning effect that absorbs wave energy, reducing the transmission of dynamic stresses to the platform structure while maintaining adequate buoyant support
2Force
If air is trapped in cylinders and pressurized to displace water, then buoyancy is provided for the platform, but the platform becomes susceptible to stress-induced failure when concrete structures are stressed in certain ways
Solution Approach 1:
The air-filled cylinders serve as intermediaries between the water and the concrete platform structure. This decoupling mechanism allows the concrete structure to remain relatively stress-free while the air cushions absorb and dissipate wave-induced stresses, preventing stress-induced failure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the compressibility parameter of air to create a flexible buoyancy system. By allowing the air pressure and volume to change in response to wave motions, the system provides buoyant support while accommodating dynamic loads without transmitting excessive stresses to the concrete structure
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 solution effectively reduces wave-induced heave motion, enhances structural stability, and increases the platform's ability to maintain a level attitude and support static loads, even under asymmetric damage or loss of buoyancy, thereby ensuring safety and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The air trapped in the cylinders, when pressurized, displaces water from the cylinders providing buoyancy for the platform
Implementation Method 2
The compressibility of the air and its ability to move from one cylinder to an adjacent cylinder helps to desensitize or decouple the platform from buoyant wave excitations
Data Source
AI summary
A floating platform is provided. The floating platform includes a top surface (14), a plurality of buoyancy members (12) interconnected to the top surface and extending downwardly into a body of water, a bottom plate (16) and a plurality of interstitial volumes (24) that are sealed at a bottom end by the bottom plate to prevent the flow of water into the interstitial volume.