Neutral Buoyancy Underwater Structure Forming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for forming underwater structures using flowable setting materials are limited by the need for structures to sink and settle, which restricts shaping freedom and requires heavy, rigid casings to withstand water pressure, making it difficult to create lightweight structures with neutral buoyancy for easy relocation.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a flowable, settable material with a density equal to that of water, allowing direct injection into the water body, enabling free forming or use within flexible casings, and utilizing non-compressible particles to maintain shape and structure without sinking or floating, thus achieving neutral buoyancy and simplifying structure placement and relocation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If traditional flowable setting material with higher density than water is used, then the structure sinks and settles on the bottom, but the structure becomes heavy and requires rigid casings to withstand water pressure, limiting shaping freedom
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the density parameter of the flowable setting material to match the density of water, achieving neutral buoyancy. This allows the structure to remain suspended in water without sinking or floating, eliminating the need for heavy casings and enabling free forming in three-dimensional space without gravitational settling constraints
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the buoyant force of water to counterbalance the weight of the structure by matching densities. The neutral buoyancy condition creates a state where the structure experiences no net gravitational force, allowing it to be positioned and shaped freely in the water column without requiring structural reinforcement to resist compression from water pressure
2Ease of operation
If material density is matched to water density for neutral buoyancy, then structure placement and relocation become easy, but the material must maintain structural integrity and cohesion without sinking or floating
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite materials consisting of cementitious binder, aggregate, and air voids in specific proportions to achieve the target density matching water. The composite structure maintains cohesion through the binder while the air voids reduce overall density to achieve neutral buoyancy, satisfying both ease of relocation and compositional stability requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different material properties to different components: the binder provides cohesion and structural integrity, the aggregate provides bulk and strength, and the air voids provide density reduction. This local differentiation of material qualities allows the overall composite to achieve neutral buoyancy while maintaining sufficient structural integrity for placement and relocation operations
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
Enables the creation of lightweight, freely shaped underwater structures that remain neutrally buoyant, simplifying placement and relocation, reducing material weight and the need for heavy casings, while maintaining structural integrity and cohesion.
Implementation Method 1
the material used has a density which is substantially equal to the density of the liquid in which the structure is formed
Implementation Method 2
The flowing material has to be insoluble in the water and have to drive any water from the cast while being inserted. The flowing material will pour into the cast at least by gravity, pushing the water out.
Implementation Method 3
The setting of the material provides for a lasting shape of the structure, whereas the flowing capacity prior to setting provides for the possibility of shaping the structure
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure is related to a method for forming structures in a liquid, preferably underwater using a flowing, settable material, wherein the material used has a density which is substantially equal to the density of the liquid in which the structure is formed as well as a system for such method and structures formed.