Modular Floating Platform With Adjustable Buoyancy for Port Construction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Port construction expansions face challenges due to the variability and unknown conditions of the sea floor, requiring costly improvements in bearing capacity to support new structures, as existing methods lack knowledge about the sea floor conditions and involve high costs and complications.
Innovation Solution
A modular floating structure with a steel reinforcement framework that includes inflatable active floats, passive floats, and anchoring mechanisms to adjust buoyancy and height, allowing for the construction of port platforms independently of the sea floor, enabling flexible adaptation to existing conditions and reducing the need for extensive sea floor modifications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional port expansion methods are used that rely on sea floor bearing capacity, then the platform can be built directly on the sea floor, but the cost and complexity increase due to the need to improve sea floor conditions and the variability of sea floor characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a modular floating structure as an intermediary element between the sea floor and the port platform. This floating structure has a steel framework with concrete infill and adjustable buoyancy systems, allowing it to float independently of sea floor conditions. The structure can be positioned over the sea floor without requiring direct support from it, thereby eliminating the need for costly sea floor improvement works while providing stable platform support
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs adjustable buoyancy parameters through inflatable air chambers and ballast tanks within the modular floating structure. By changing the buoyancy parameters, the structure can be raised or lowered to accommodate varying sea floor conditions and adjust its position independently, eliminating the need to modify sea floor bearing capacity while maintaining platform stability
2Reliability
If sea floor conditions are investigated and improved to ensure adequate bearing capacity, then the platform can be supported on the sea floor, but the cost and time required for site preparation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The modular floating structure serves as a mediator that transfers the platform load from the sea floor to the floating structure itself. The structure includes a steel framework with concrete infill providing inherent stability and support, eliminating the need for extensive sea floor investigation and preparation while ensuring reliable platform support through its own structural integrity and buoyancy
Solution Approach 2:
The floating structure is pre-assembled with integrated buoyancy control systems and structural components before deployment. The steel framework is pre-reinforced with concrete infill to provide immediate structural support upon placement, eliminating the need for time-consuming sea floor preparation and allowing rapid deployment while ensuring reliable support from the outset
3Ease of manufacture
If the platform is built independently from the sea floor using a floating structure, then the need for sea floor improvement is reduced, but the complexity of the floating structure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The floating structure is divided into modular segments that can be independently manufactured, assembled, and deployed. Each module contains standardized steel framework components with integrated concrete infill sections and buoyancy chambers. This segmentation reduces overall complexity by allowing standardized manufacturing of individual modules that can be easily assembled on-site without requiring complex integrated structures
Solution Approach 2:
The modular floating structure is designed with universal components that serve multiple functions: the steel framework provides structural support, the concrete infill adds weight and stability, and the integrated air chambers provide buoyancy control. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized components, thereby reducing overall structural complexity while maintaining ease of construction through standardized multi-purpose elements
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 modular structure allows for efficient and cost-effective construction of port platforms by adjusting to varying sea floor conditions, improving bearing capacity without high costs, and enabling flexible placement and expansion of port infrastructure.
Implementation Method 1
several floats, divided into active floats, which raise or lower the base structure (1) or the reinforcement structure (2), and passive floats, which maintain flotation of the base structure (1), the reinforcement structure (2), or both
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Modular floating device for building platforms in ports that comprises a base structure (1) that receives the mass of concrete (35), a reinforcement structure (2) that supports the base structure (1), several inflatable active floats (5) for raising and lowering the whole of the base structure (1) and the reinforcement structure (2), several passive floats (4) for maintaining the whole of the base structure (1) and the reinforcement structure (2) and several mechanisms for anchoring (3) the reinforcement structure (2) to a static base (6). Depending on the relative position of the base structure (1) and the reinforcement structure (2), depending on the arrangement of the base structure (1), the arrangement of the reinforcement structure (2), the number and position of the floats, both active (4) and passive (5), and depending on the arrangement of the mechanisms for anchoring (3) to the static base (6), four different embodiments of this device are devised.