Floating Marine Platform Template Assembly Under Thermal Variation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manufacturing of large floating marine platforms for offshore wind turbines is inefficient and costly due to the need for precise alignment of components, thermal expansion issues, and the scarcity of large shipyards, making it difficult to economically scale up to support larger turbines.
Innovation Solution
A method using templates to manufacture floating marine platforms in multiple locations with controlled temperatures, ensuring precise alignment and assembly of components, allowing for efficient production and assembly at different yards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional concrete or steel platforms are used, then structural strength is achieved, but weight is excessive and assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs thin-walled polymeric foam structures that provide structural strength through optimized geometry and material properties rather than mass. The cellular structure of the foam provides strength-to-weight ratio improvements while maintaining structural integrity for marine platform applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite polymeric foam materials combining multiple polymers or polymer-matrix composites to achieve both lightweight properties and structural strength. These composite foams provide enhanced mechanical properties while maintaining low density compared to traditional concrete or steel.
2Strength
If traditional concrete or steel platforms are used, then structural strength is achieved, but manufacturing complexity and assembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The marine platform is divided into modular segments that can be manufactured separately using moldable polymeric foam materials and then assembled. This segmentation enables simplified manufacturing processes, reduced assembly complexity, and easier transportation compared to monolithic traditional structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes changes in material parameters by employing moldable polymeric foam that can be formed into complex shapes during manufacturing. This allows for integrated manufacturing of complex structural elements in single operations, reducing assembly steps and manufacturing complexity.
3Stability of the object's composition
If traditional platforms are used, then structural integrity is maintained, but environmental impact from materials and construction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs polymeric foam materials with controlled cellular structures and material compositions that provide structural integrity while being environmentally compatible. The material parameters are optimized to achieve required strength and stability while minimizing environmental impact during construction and operation.
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
Enables efficient and cost-effective manufacturing of large floating marine platforms by ensuring precise alignment and assembly, reducing the need for highly accurate tools and minimizing the impact of thermal expansion, thus supporting the growth of large wind farms.
Implementation Method 1
Floating marine platform and the manufacturing thereof
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a floating marine platform by means of templates. The floating marine platform comprises a central column, multiple peripheral circumferentially around the central column, and radially extending outriggers from the central column that connect the peripheral columns with the central column. The templates comprise an inner outrigger template, an outer outrigger template, a central column template and a peripheral column template, wherein on a first location under a first temperature a first pair with the inner outrigger template and the central column template is formed, and on a second location under a second temperature a second pair with the outer outrigger template and the peripheral column template is formed. Subsequently the central column, the peripheral columns and the outriggers are formed by means of the templates, under different temperatures.