Rotating Floating Barrier Sections for Vessel Strike Absorption

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing floating barriers are inadequate in controlling vessel access and effectively managing water-borne threats, particularly in absorbing the energy of vessel strikes and maintaining a continuous barrier presence.

Innovation Solution

A floating barrier system comprising elongated buoyant flotation tubes with outwardly radiating fence sections, made of non-corrosive materials, that rotate to ensure at least one fence section remains above water to obstruct vessel passage, utilizing energy absorption and rotational stability through ballast or stabilizer members.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a single fence section is used in existing floating barriers, then the structure is simpler, but the barrier fails to maintain continuous obstruction after vessel strikes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous barrier presenceVSAvoidmultiple fence sections

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The barrier is divided into multiple independent fence sections (at least three) that can rotate independently around the flotation tube. Each section acts as a separate obstacle, ensuring that if one section is knocked down by a vessel strike, the other sections remain upright to continue providing barrier functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The fence sections are designed to rotate dynamically around the flotation tube rather than being fixed in position. This rotational capability allows the sections to absorb impact energy and automatically reposition themselves, maintaining barrier presence without requiring manual intervention or complex mechanical locking mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Use of energy by moving object

If existing floating barriers are designed to be simple, then manufacturing is easier, but they cannot effectively absorb vessel strike energy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevessel strike energy absorptionVSAvoidbarrier structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system converts the harmful vessel strike energy into beneficial rotational motion of the fence sections. When a vessel strikes a fence section, the impact force causes the section to rotate around the flotation tube, dissipating the vessel's kinetic energy and reducing damage to both the barrier and the vessel.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The fence sections are designed with specific structural parameters (length, material properties, connection mechanisms) that allow them to flex and rotate under impact loads. These parameter optimizations enable effective energy absorption while maintaining manufacturing feasibility using standard materials and assembly methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Strength

If fence sections are made rigid to maintain barrier strength, then obstruction capability is improved, but the barrier cannot rotate to absorb impact energy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefence section strengthVSAvoidrotational stability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The fence sections are segmented into multiple components (fence members, connecting elements, mounting mechanisms) that allow controlled rotation at the connection points while maintaining the structural integrity and strength of the fence sections themselves during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connection between fence sections and flotation tubes is designed to be dynamically rotatable rather than rigidly fixed. This allows the strong fence sections to maintain their obstruction capability while being able to rotate freely when subjected to vessel impacts, converting static strength into dynamic energy absorption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 system effectively manages vessel strikes by maintaining a continuous barrier presence and absorbing energy, ensuring obstacle presence even after multiple impacts, enhancing safety and control of vessel access.

Implementation Method 1

the flotation tube has sufficient buoyancy to support the flotation tube and the fence sections at the surface of a waterbody

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Implementation Method 2

in the event of a vessel strike the system (namely, the float sections) rotates about the longitudinal axis of the main flotation tube; this rotation absorbs the energy of the vessel strike

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEnergy absorption through rotation: Angular Momentum

Data Source

PatentUS12455147B2Waterfront barrier system

Publication Date: 2025.10.28 OCEANETICS

AI summary

A floating barrier float section, and a waterfront barrier system formed from a number of connected float sections. An elongated main flotation tube has radially outwardly extending fence posts with connecting members, such as nets, between them, forming multiple longitudinal net sections about the circumference of the flotation tube, at least one of the net sections extending upwardly and forming a barrier to vessel passage. A vessel strike tends to rotate the flotation tube about its longitudinal axis, absorbing the energy from the strike and rotating the flotation tube to bring another net section into position. An underwater ballast member and a stabilizer float member may be added for additional resistance to rotation.