Underwater Pipe Weight Assembly Using a Buoyancy Ferry
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for laying underwater pipes require laborious and costly procedures for anchoring weights, involving heavy cranes and multiple trips, which increase the weight and space requirements of the ferry, and are inefficient due to the need for lifting and placing weights above the waterline.
Innovation Solution
A ferry arrangement with a beam and winch system that allows weights to be attached and transferred underwater, maintaining the center of gravity aligned with the ferry, enabling horizontal transfer and placement on underwater pipes without the need for a crane, allowing remote release and adjustment of weight positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If weights are lifted and transferred above the waterline using heavy cranes, then weights can be securely attached to the ferry, but the ferry's weight and space requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes water buoyancy as a counterweight force to support the weights during transfer. By keeping weights submerged, the buoyant force of water offsets their weight, eliminating the need for heavy cranes and reducing the ferry's structural weight requirements while maintaining secure attachment capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces water as an intermediary medium for weight transfer. Instead of direct air-based crane lifting, weights are transferred through the water medium which provides both support and transport capability, reducing the mechanical lifting equipment needed on the ferry
2Quantity of substance
If multiple trips are made to transfer all weights to the assembly site, then all weights can be delivered, but the process takes a lot of time and becomes very costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple weight transfer operations into a single trip by enabling the ferry to carry and transfer multiple weights simultaneously underwater. The beam structure allows concurrent attachment and transfer of multiple weights, merging what would otherwise require sequential multiple trips into one efficient operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables continuous weight transfer operation by keeping weights submerged throughout the process. The ferry can continuously attach, transfer, and deploy weights without the interruptions and repositioning required by above-water operations, maintaining continuous productive action throughout the transfer process
3Manufacturing precision
If a crane is installed on the ferry to lift and lower weights, then weights can be positioned accurately, but the crane increases the ferry's weight and takes space from the weight to be carried
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the heavy crane function from the ferry system and replaces it with a simpler winch mechanism that operates underwater. The complex above-water crane structure is removed entirely, with its positioning function replaced by underwater beam manipulation and weight placement, freeing up significant deck space and reducing ferry weight
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the complex mechanical crane system with a simpler winch-based system that operates in the water medium. The mechanical advantages previously requiring a large crane are achieved through water-based operations, replacing a complex mechanical lifting system with a simpler retrieval and placement mechanism
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
This method reduces the weight and space requirements on the ferry, enables more efficient weight transfer with fewer trips, and eliminates the need for a crane, utilizing buoyancy to lighten the weights and streamline the anchoring process.
Implementation Method 1
a winch for lifting up and/ or lowering said beam with said set of weights attached thereto under the ferry
Implementation Method 2
utilizing buoyancy to lighten the weights and streamline the anchoring process
Implementation Method 3
the center of gravity of the weights directs about the center of the ferry
Data Source
Figure 1a~5b
Figure 6
AI summary
The invention relates to an arrangement and a method for assembling weights (102) on underwater pipes. Prior art solutions require the use of large vessels with cranes. A method according to the invention for assembling weights on underwater pipes comprises at least following steps: arranging said weights in a set of weights, attaching said set of weights to a ferry (103) so that the weights are at least partially under the water line, floating said set of weights to an assembly site, and arranging said weights on an underwater pipe. The present invention also comprises an arrangement for assembling weights on underwater pipes. As the weights are transferred while in water, the use of a small vessel is sufficient.