Jack-up Vessel Leg Inflatable Containers for Mud Adherence
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Jack-up vessels face challenges in efficiently positioning and retrieving from underwater bottoms due to adherence of soft materials like mud and silt, which requires time-consuming operations and increased pulling forces, especially in cohesive soils.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating closable, inflatable containers made of flexible material along the legs, positioned above the foot sections, to prevent accumulation of underwater materials by adjusting pressure and using non-stick coatings, and optionally vibrating the containers to aid in material removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the legs are lowered to engage the underwater bottom, then the jack-up vessel can be positioned for work, but underwater bottom material adheres to the legs and foot sections requiring time-consuming removal operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the extraction principle by using inflatable containers to remove bottom material from the leg surface before retrieval operations begin. The containers are inflated to contact and scrape off adhered material, extracting it from the leg-foot section assembly before the legs are pulled from the bottom, thereby eliminating time-consuming post-retrieval cleaning operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by performing material removal operations while the legs are still in their lowered support position. The inflatable containers are deployed and inflated to remove adhered material before the legs need to be retrieved, preparing the legs for efficient extraction without subsequent cleaning delays
2Reliability
If the legs are lowered to engage the underwater bottom, then the vessel can perform work, but higher pulling forces are required to retrieve the legs due to adhered material weight
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies extraction by removing adhered bottom material from the legs using inflatable containers before retrieval. By extracting the material while the legs are still positioned, the weight and adhesion forces are eliminated, reducing the pulling force required to retract the legs to significantly lower levels
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary material removal while the legs are in their support position, eliminating adhered material before the retrieval operation begins. This preliminary cleaning action reduces the force requirement for leg retraction by removing the additional weight and adhesion resistance that would otherwise be present during pulling operations
3Ease of operation
If divers are used to remove adhered material, then the legs can be retrieved, but the operation becomes time-consuming and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the legs to remove their own adhered material through the inflatable container system. The containers are inflated to contact and scrape off material from the leg surfaces, allowing the structure to clean itself without requiring diver intervention, thereby simplifying the operation and reducing time requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical system of diver-operated cleaning with an automated inflatable container system. The containers are inflated using compressed gas to mechanically scrape and remove adhered material, substituting human labor with a mechanical system that operates automatically during the positioning and retrieval cycle
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 solution allows for faster and more efficient positioning and retrieval of jack-up vessels by reducing material adherence, minimizing pulling forces, and enabling quicker operations by inflating or deflating containers as needed, thus reducing operational time.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one container is made of a flexible material and is inflatable with the medium between an empty state and an inflated state... in which the at least one container is configured to shield a volume around the leg from bottom material ingress
Implementation Method 2
whereby the jack-up vessel further comprises vibratory means for bringing the at least one container in vibration
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A
AI summary
A jack-up vessel is described comprising a horizontal work deck and a number of legs for supporting the work deck on an underwater bottom. A lower end of the legs comprises an enlarged foot section adapted to engage or penetrate an underwater bottom, and the legs are provided with at least one closable container for a compressed medium, the container being positioned above the foot section. A method for positioning the jack-up vessel on an underwater bottom is also described. In such method, the at least one container prevents that underwater bottom material adheres to a lower portion of the legs, thereby facilitating retrieval of the legs from the underwater bottom.