Modular Offshore Framework Assembly for Scalable Floating Structures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing floating platforms with large surface areas are difficult to assemble and maneuver offshore, requiring significant auxiliary resources and high costs due to their complex construction and limited modularity.
Innovation Solution
A buoyant framework constructed in a planar manner with modular components, including bars, posts, and connection elements, allowing for easy assembly and extension without tools, using bands and tensioning devices to maintain shape and buoyancy, and adaptable to form two- or three-dimensional structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If floating platforms are constructed with large surface areas, then they can support more equipment and applications, but they become difficult to assemble and maneuver offshore, requiring significant auxiliary resources and high costs
Solution Approach 1:
The floating platform is divided into multiple modular framework units that can be independently assembled and then connected together. Each module contains standardized connection elements that allow for easy coupling, enabling the platform to be constructed in sections rather than as a single large structure, thus maintaining ease of operation while achieving large total surface area
Solution Approach 2:
The framework structure utilizes nested modular components where smaller framework units can be integrated within or alongside larger ones. The standardized connection elements allow modules to be nested or stacked, creating scalable platform configurations that remain manageable during assembly while providing extensive surface area when fully deployed
2Strength
If floating platforms are constructed with complex construction, then they can achieve required structural integrity and load-bearing capacity, but they require significant auxiliary resources and high costs for assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The complex structural requirements are distributed across multiple identical or similar modular units rather than requiring a single complex design. Each module maintains full structural integrity independently, and the repetition of standardized components simplifies the overall construction process while achieving the required load-bearing capacity through modular redundancy
Solution Approach 2:
The framework units are designed as universal modules that can serve multiple functions and be deployed in various configurations. The standardized connection elements and modular design allow the same basic unit to fulfill different structural roles, reducing the need for specialized complex components while maintaining required strength and load-bearing capacity
3Strength
If floating platforms are assembled on land in assembled state, then they can ensure structural integrity, but they are limited in size due to transport constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The platform is segmented into transportable modular units that can be moved to the offshore location and then assembled in situ. Each module maintains its structural integrity independently during transport, and the standardized connection elements ensure that the assembled platform achieves the required overall structural strength, effectively removing transport size constraints
Solution Approach 2:
The modular framework units are pre-assembled and tested on land to ensure structural integrity, then transported to the offshore location where they are quickly connected using the standardized connection elements. This preliminary assembly of individual modules maintains strength requirements while enabling the final platform to exceed transport size limitations through offshore consolidation
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
Facilitates cost-effective, flexible, and robust offshore assembly with reduced effort, enabling scalable and stable load-bearing structures for various applications, including renewable energy installations and wave power plants.
Implementation Method 1
The framework can be held in shape respectively diagonally tensioned by means of two bands
Implementation Method 2
If the first and/or the second bar is made of a hollow body, the flanges can close the bars in a fluid-tight manner so that a volume of air enclosed in them generates a corresponding buoyancy force
Data Source
AI summary
Framework structure and method for modular construction of an offshore framework structure comprising frameworks with a first bar functioning as a floating body, a second bar, with two posts for parallel support of the bars and two bands for tensioning the framework. A connection element is arranged at each end of the bars, each of which has a single flange for attaching a single bar to the connection element. In the connection elements, receiving areas are arranged transversely to the longitudinal direction of the bars for attaching the posts. The connection elements are constructed with respect to the longitudinal direction of the bars in such a way that an extension is configured on one side and a holder can be arranged on the opposite side so that the extension of a connection element of a framework can be joined with the holder of another connection element of a further framework.