Marine Drain Pipe Integrated Wall Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional drain pipes on marine structures are prone to damage from water waves, underwater currents, and wind forces, which can lead to detachment and structural damage, and lack efficient designs for fluid guidance and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A robust drainage system with a drain pipe integrated into a supporting member where the outer side of the wall forms part of the pipe's periphery, featuring a variable cross-sectional area for enhanced flow and reduced loads, and includes features like removable covers, filter means, and a hoisting arrangement for maintenance, with guiding means to direct fluid flow and prevent splash damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a drain pipe is fixedly attached to a supporting member by welded connecting means, then the drain pipe is securely mounted to the marine structure, but the drain pipe is vulnerable to damage from water waves, underwater currents, and wind forces that can cause detachment and structural damage
Solution Approach 1:
The drain pipe is integrated with the supporting member such that the outer side of the wall of the supporting member forms part of the periphery of the drain pipe. This merging of the supporting member and drain pipe creates a unified structure that resists environmental forces more effectively than separate connected components, eliminating the weak point at connection joints while maintaining secure mounting.
2Ease of manufacture
If the drain pipe has a constant cross-sectional area, then the structure is simple to manufacture, but the fluid flow efficiency is reduced and loads are not optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The drain pipe features a variable cross-sectional area where different sections have different dimensions optimized for their specific functions. The upper portion has a larger cross-sectional area for receiving and distributing fluid, while the lower portion has a smaller cross-sectional area for efficient discharge. This local variation in geometry optimizes fluid flow efficiency and load distribution while maintaining manufacturability through standard fabrication techniques.
3Strength
If the drain pipe is designed as a single integrated structure, then maintenance and inspection are difficult, but structural integrity is improved
Solution Approach 1:
The drain pipe is divided into distinct sections: an upper portion and a lower portion, with the outer side of the supporting member wall forming part of the periphery. This segmentation allows different sections to be optimized for different functions while maintaining overall structural integrity. The modular design also facilitates maintenance by allowing access to specific sections without compromising the entire structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The outer side of the wall of the supporting member serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for the marine structure, forms part of the periphery of the drain pipe, and contributes to the variable cross-sectional area design. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, simplifying the overall structure while maintaining structural integrity and ease of maintenance.
Data Source
AI summary
A marine structure comprising a supporting member that comprises a wall at least partially delimiting said supporting member such that an inner side of said wall is arranged to at least partially delimit an inner volume of said supporting member and an outer side of said wall is arranged to face the ambient environment of said supporting member. The marine structure further comprises a drain pipe adapted to guide fluid from said marine structure to a body of water at least partially surrounding said marine structure. At least a portion of said outer side of said wall partially delimits said drain pipe.