Quay Wall Absorption Blocks with Inter-Chamber Flow Paths

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional quay wall designs face limitations in wave-energy absorption and long-term durability due to chamber-to-chamber pressure differences in honeycomb structures, leading to reduced effectiveness and durability.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates half-octagonal columnar walls with defined chamber surfaces and mating surfaces to form closed-end octagonal flow chambers, connected by inter-chamber flow paths that reduce pressure differences, enhancing wave-energy absorption and durability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional honeycomb quay wall designs are used, then wave energy absorption is provided, but chamber-to-chamber pressure differences reduce durability and effectiveness

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovedurabilityVSAvoidchamber-to-chamber pressure differences

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

Flow paths are introduced as intermediary channels connecting adjacent flow chambers, allowing pressure equalization between chambers. These flow paths act as mediators that transmit water and pressure differences between chambers, eliminating the harmful pressure disparities that compromised durability in conventional designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The quay wall incorporates porous or permeable flow paths that allow water to move between chambers while maintaining structural integrity. This porous configuration enables pressure equalization through the wall structure itself, improving durability without requiring additional sealing components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

2Use of energy by moving object

If conventional honeycomb structures are used, then wave energy absorption is achieved, but effectiveness is reduced due to pressure differences

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewave energy absorptionVSAvoideffectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Flow paths serve as intermediary structures that enable effective wave energy absorption by allowing pressure equalization between chambers. This intermediary system ensures that wave energy is distributed effectively across the entire honeycomb structure, maintaining high effectiveness while improving durability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The flow paths provide continuous communication between adjacent flow chambers, ensuring that wave energy absorption remains effective throughout the structure. This continuous flow path system maintains useful action across the entire quay wall, preventing the effectiveness degradation that occurred in conventional designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Use of energy by moving object

If closed-end flow chambers are used, then wave energy absorption is improved, but pressure equalization between chambers is hindered

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewave energy absorptionVSAvoidpressure equalization

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

Flow paths are introduced as intermediary connections between closed-end flow chambers, enabling pressure equalization while preserving the wave energy absorption benefits of closed chambers. These pathways allow pressure to equalize without compromising the closed-end configuration that enhances energy absorption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The quay wall is segmented into multiple closed-end flow chambers connected by flow paths. This segmentation allows each chamber to independently absorb wave energy while the connecting flow paths enable pressure equalization between chambers, resolving the contradiction between closed-end benefits and pressure equalization needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 configuration increases wave-energy absorption by 30% to 50% compared to conventional walls, improving the long-term durability of the quay wall by dissipating wave energy over a larger surface area and equalizing pressure between chambers.

Implementation Method 1

The half-octagonal columnar wall also defines a plurality of flow paths that extends therethrough to fluidly connect the plurality of closed-end octagonal flow chambers on opposite sides thereof

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow:

Implementation Method 2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWave energy absorption:

Data Source

PatentUS9896814B2Quay wall with absorption blocks and inter-chamber flow paths

Publication Date: 2018.02.20 SMITHGRPJJR

AI summary

A quay wall absorption block includes a back wall, a cap, and a half columnar wall extending between the back wall and cap. The half columnar wall defines a plurality of chamber surfaces and mating surfaces on opposite sides thereof such that the chamber surfaces define portions of a plurality of closed-end flow chambers on opposite sides of the half columnar wall when the mating surfaces are in contact with corresponding mating surfaces of other quay wall absorption blocks. The half columnar wall also defines a plurality of flow paths that extends therethrough to fluidly connect the plurality of closed-end flow chambers on opposite sides of the half columnar wall.