Modular Floating Structures with Sliding Dovetail Wave Adaptation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods do not effectively utilize waste materials, particularly plastic waste, to create flexible and adaptable floating structures that can accommodate wave movement and provide habitable territory.

Innovation Solution

The invention uses recycled plastic waste to create floatable building components with dovetail guides and interlocking features, allowing for semi-rigid assemblies that can move relative to each other, and are assembled on-site to form floating islands or peninsulas, which can be filled with water or materials to adjust buoyancy and shape.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If rigid floating platforms are used to create stable territory on water, then structural stability is improved, but adaptability to wave movement deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidadaptability to wave movement

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The floating structure is divided into multiple modular floating components (FC1, FC2, etc.) that can move independently. Each component maintains structural stability while the modular arrangement allows the overall structure to adapt to wave movements through relative motion between segments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment elements are designed to provide a stable yet dynamic connection between floating components. The system allows controlled relative movement between modules while maintaining overall structural integrity, enabling the structure to dynamically respond to wave conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If waste materials like plastic are used to create floating structures, then resource utilization is improved, but structural strength deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource utilizationVSAvoidstructural strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses waste plastic materials to create floating components that achieve sufficient structural strength through clever design. The modular architecture and interlocking attachment elements compensate for the lower inherent strength of plastic waste, creating a functional floating structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transforms waste plastic material, which is normally harmful to the environment, into useful floating structure components. The design converts the availability of waste material into a benefit by creating a sustainable construction solution that addresses both environmental and structural needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Stability of the object's composition

If interlocking shapes are added in multiple directions to reduce play between components, then structural rigidity is improved, but device complexity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural rigidityVSAvoidattachment element complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment elements feature localized interlocking shapes at specific connection points rather than complex multi-directional interlocking throughout. This provides sufficient rigidity where needed while keeping the overall design simple and manageable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 enables the creation of floating territories that follow wave movements, providing habitable spaces and can be used for various activities, while utilizing waste materials efficiently and adaptively.

Implementation Method 1

a first floatable building component (1100) and a second floatable building component (1100) made from a material of relatively low mechanical resistance, such as recycled plastic waste

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Implementation Method 2

the attachment elements comprising dovetails and dovetail grooves for sliding attachment to adjacent complementary attachment elements of an adjacent component

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical guidance: Geometry

Data Source

PatentUS12454336B2Modular floating structure and method of construction

Publication Date: 2025.10.28 LEGACY FOUNDRY AG

AI summary

A floating territory is made of at least two floatable building components having the shape of a prism with a regular polygon base, such as a triangle, a square, a pentagon, a hexagon, etc. combined with sliding dovetails and dovetail grooves for sliding attachment to neighboring construction elements. The attachments allow the floatable building components to slide vertically relative to each other, thereby permitting the floating territory to follow the upward and downward movement of the waves. A method of converting floating ocean waste into structures, in particular, floating territories is also provided.