Pivotable Coupling Assembly for Spar-Type Fish Farm
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current semi-submersible spar-type offshore fish farms face limitations in diameter expansion due to structural and transportation constraints, leading to increased stress on connections and reduced lifespan, as well as challenges in handling the overhang of the netted rigid cage during transportation.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a semi-submersible spar-type offshore fish farm design featuring detachable and pivotable coupling assemblies between elongated connecting elements and buoyancy/sleeve structures, allowing for radial and circumferential movement and enabling the cage to be assembled and disassembled for easier transportation and installation, thereby reducing stress on connections and facilitating larger diameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the diameter of the semi-submersible netted rigid cage is increased to enable larger harvesting volumes, then the harvesting volume is improved, but the construction and transportation become cumbersome due to limited dock sizes, construction bay sizes and gantry crane widths
Solution Approach 1:
The semi-submersible spar-type offshore fish farm is divided into multiple modular components including the center column, buoyancy elements, netted rigid cage, and connecting elements. These segments can be manufactured separately in smaller facilities and then assembled at the installation location, overcoming the limitations of dock and gantry crane sizes while achieving large overall dimensions for increased harvesting volume
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from horizontal assembly constraints to vertical assembly by raising the fish farm structure vertically during construction and installation. The center column is erected first, followed by attachment of buoyancy elements and the netted rigid cage at elevated positions, allowing components to be assembled above ground level rather than being constrained by horizontal dock space
2Volume of moving object
If elongated connecting elements are fixedly connected to the buoyancy sleeve to increase cage diameter, then the harvesting volume is improved, but the connections experience increased vertical loads and torque resulting in reduced lifespan due to fatigue
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting elements are designed with pivotable connections at both ends, allowing them to rotate and adjust their orientation dynamically. This dynamic capability enables the connecting elements to accommodate vertical loads and torque by pivoting to optimal angles, distributing stresses more effectively and reducing fatigue on the connection points while maintaining the increased cage diameter for larger harvesting volume
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the connection parameter from fixed to pivotable, allowing the connecting elements to alter their angular position in response to varying load conditions. This parameter change enables the structure to adapt to dynamic ocean conditions, reducing stress concentration and fatigue at connection points while maintaining the structural integrity needed for larger cage diameters
3Volume of moving object
If the semi-submersible spar-type offshore fish farm is designed with large diameter to increase harvesting volume, then the harvesting volume is improved, but transportation is hampered by the overhang of the netted rigid cage that cannot touch or go through the water surface during vessel roll and pitch motions
Solution Approach 1:
The structure is segmented into the center column, buoyancy elements, and netted rigid cage as separate transportable modules. During transportation, these segments are configured in a compact arrangement that minimizes overhang and fits within the vessel's stability parameters. At the installation location, the segments are assembled into the final large-diameter configuration to achieve the desired harvesting volume
Solution Approach 2:
The pivotable connections allow the structure to dynamically adjust during transportation and installation. When the vessel experiences roll and pitch motions, the pivotable joints enable the netted rigid cage and connecting elements to move relative to the center column, preventing rigid overhang constraints and allowing the structure to adapt to vessel movements while maintaining structural integrity
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A~2B
AI summary
The invention relates to a semi-submersible spar-type offshore fish farm (1) for cultivating fish at open sea, comprising an elongated center column (2) having one of a circular and polygonal cross-section. The elongated center column comprising a first end part (3) and a second end part (4), a buoyancy sleeve (5) and a harvesting sleeve (6) that are coaxially arranged around the elongated center column, wherein the buoyancy sleeve is arrangeable at positions along the elongated center column between the first end part and the harvesting sleeve and the harvesting sleeve is arrangeable at positions along the elongated center column between the buoyancy sleeve and the second end part. Said fish farm further comprises a semi-submersible netted rigid cage(7) that is coaxially arranged around the elongated center column and comprises a first frame (8) that is coaxially arranged around the elongated center column, a first set of elongated connecting elements (9), wherein each of which is arranged to interconnect the buoyancy sleeve and the first frame via at least one detachable and pivotable coupling assembly (10), a second frame (11) that is coaxially arranged around the elongated center column and, in use of said fish farm, is arranged below the first frame, a second set of elongated connecting elements (12), wherein each of which is arranged to interconnect the first frame and the second frame,a third frame (13) that is coaxially arranged around the elongated center column between the first frame and the second frame, a third set of elongated connecting elements (14), wherein each of which is arranged to interconnect the harvesting sleeve and the third frame via at least one detachable and pivotable coupling assembly.