Offshore Protective Structure for Ice Vibration Isolation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Offshore installations in arctic and sub-arctic regions face significant challenges due to ice-generated vibrations, which existing technologies have not effectively addressed, preventing the use of fixed platforms in these areas.
Innovation Solution
A protective structure is disposed around the primary structure of offshore installations, featuring protrusions to break ice and a support system to absorb vibrations independently of the primary structure, utilizing materials like carbon steel and visco-elastic coatings to dissipate ice-induced vibrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If fixed platforms are used in arctic and sub-arctic regions, then hydrocarbon exploration and production can be achieved, but ice-generated vibrations will damage the primary structures
Solution Approach 1:
A protective structure is introduced as an intermediary element between the ice environment and the primary structure. This protective structure includes protrusions that interact with ice to break it, while the primary structure remains isolated from direct ice contact, thus mediating the harmful vibration transmission
Solution Approach 2:
The system is divided into distinct functional segments: the protective structure (with ice-breaking protrusions) and the primary structure (supporting the platform). This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function - the protective structure handles ice interaction while the primary structure provides stable support
2Object-affected harmful factors
If protective structures with protrusions are added to break ice, then ice-generated vibrations are reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protective structure features localized protrusions at specific positions and orientations tailored to the expected ice conditions. Rather than a uniformly complex structure, the protrusions are strategically placed to address the specific ice-breaking needs at those locations, optimizing protection while controlling overall complexity
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 protective structure effectively absorbs and dissipates ice-generated vibrations, reducing the impact on primary structures and allowing for safe operation in arctic and sub-arctic conditions.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing materials like carbon steel and visco-elastic coatings to dissipate ice-induced vibrations
Data Source
AI summary
Protective structures for offshore installations and methods for using same are provided. The protective structure can include a body adapted to be disposed at least partially about a primary structure of an offshore installation, and a support system can be disposed on the body. One or more protrusions can be disposed about an outer surface of the body. The protrusions can have a first end adapted to break ice. The support system can be adapted to isolate the one or more bodies from the primary structure such that the one or more bodies can absorb at least a portion of ice generated vibrations.