3D-Printed Reef Structure for Underwater Sheet Pile Biodiversity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing biodiversity-improving solutions for marine environments are not optimal in terms of efficiency, reliability, sustainability, and resistance, and there is a need for a more economical and durable method to enhance underwater biodiversity, particularly in areas affected by maritime infrastructure projects.
Innovation Solution
An underwater structure composed of stone materials like concrete or clay, manufactured using additive manufacturing, is designed to fit into indentations of sheet piles, providing a 3D printed artificial reef with complex geometries that promote marine life habitation and hydrodynamic optimization, using attachment means such as brackets or magnets for secure attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional biodiversity-improving solutions are used in marine environments, then some ecological benefit is achieved, but the solutions are not optimal in terms of efficiency, reliability, sustainability, and resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The artificial reef structure is divided into modular components that can be manufactured separately using additive manufacturing and then assembled on-site. This segmentation allows for standardized production of reliable components while reducing the complexity of manufacturing the entire structure in one piece, directly addressing the contradiction between reliability and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes additive manufacturing technology to create structures with optimized geometric parameters and complex internal geometries that cannot be achieved with traditional manufacturing methods. This enables precise control over structural parameters to maximize ecological functionality while maintaining manufacturing efficiency, resolving the contradiction between reliability and device complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If complex geometries are designed to promote marine life habitation, then biodiversity improvement is enhanced, but manufacturing difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical manufacturing methods with additive manufacturing technology, enabling the creation of complex geometries that promote marine life habitation without the manufacturing difficulties associated with conventional methods. This substitution directly resolves the contradiction between adaptability and ease of manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
Additive manufacturing enables precise control over geometric parameters, allowing the design of complex internal structures, cavities, and surface features that optimize habitat suitability while maintaining manufacturing efficiency. This parameter control resolves the contradiction between adaptability and ease of manufacture.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If structures are designed to be durable and resistant to underwater conditions, then longevity is improved, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The structure is segmented into modular components manufactured with additive technology, allowing each module to be optimized for durability while simplifying the overall manufacturing process. This segmentation resolves the contradiction between longevity and device complexity by enabling standardized production of durable components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials suitable for underwater environments that provide enhanced durability and resistance to corrosion and biofouling. The use of composite materials achieves longevity without requiring overly complex structural designs, resolving the contradiction between duration and device complexity.
4Adaptability or versatility
If additive manufacturing is used to create optimal 3D printed artificial reef, then biodiversity improvement and habitat creation are enhanced, but manufacturing technology requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional manufacturing systems with additive manufacturing technology, enabling the creation of optimized 3D printed artificial reefs with complex geometries that enhance biodiversity improvement and habitat creation. This substitution directly addresses the contradiction between adaptability and ease of manufacture.
Data Source
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AI summary
An assembly is disclosed comprising at least one underwater sheet pile (200) and a structure (100) attached to the sheet pile (200). The structure (100) includes one or more attachment means, such as a mounting bracket (500) or magnets (300), and is at least partially composed of stone material, such as concrete, clay, or cement. The structure (100) is at least partially additively manufactured and is shaped to fit within the indentation (250) of a single sheet pile (200) or an array of interlocking sheet piles (200). The structure (100) may have a varying cross-section along its length (L) and can include an at least substantially quadrangular, preferably trapezoidal, cross-section. It may further comprise cavities or channels (400), which may be open-ended (450) at the top (210) and/or bottom (220), to facilitate water flow and marine life colonization. The structure (100) may also include interconnected curved segments forming a wave-like profile with internal passageways to promote turbulence, sediment accumulation, and marine life habitation. A method for attaching the structure (100) to one or more sheet piles (200) is also provided, including securing the structure (100) using a mounting bracket (500) and optionally inoculating or coating the structure (100) with marine organisms.