Segmented Inflatable Buoyant Rim for 3D Pollutant Containment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for containing and filtering pollutants in fluid environments, such as those around vessels in harbors, are inefficient and often require harmful conditions for divers, with pollutants spreading in three-dimensional directions and requiring costly containment systems.
Innovation Solution
A containment system comprising a segmented inflatable buoyant rim with inflation/deflation valves, ballast weights, and a submersible wall and floor, allowing for remote operation and filtration of pollutants, with the ability to segregate and filter pollutants from the surrounding water, using materials like flexible synthetic fibers and impermeable plastics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional floating booms are used for containment, then the system is simple to deploy, but pollutants spread in three-dimensional directions and divers face harmful conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from two-dimensional surface containment (floating booms) to three-dimensional containment by adding a submersible enclosure with walls and floor that extends below the water surface. This vertical dimension creates a fully enclosed space that prevents pollutant escape in all directions, protecting divers while containing contaminants effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The containment system employs a nested structure where the submersible enclosure (with walls and floor) is positioned within and supported by the floating boom structure. This nested arrangement integrates simple surface floating elements with complex submersible containment, achieving comprehensive 3D pollution control while maintaining deployment simplicity.
2Reliability
If a fully enclosed submersible containment system is used, then pollutant containment is effective, but the system becomes less portable and more difficult to deploy
Solution Approach 1:
The containment system is divided into separate functional segments: floating boom sections that form the surface support structure, and submersible enclosure components (walls, floor, and access hatches) that create the underwater containment volume. These segmented modules can be independently transported and assembled, improving portability while maintaining effective 3D containment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates dynamic elements including inflatable buoyancy chambers for adjustable flotation, removable ballast weights for controlled sinking and positioning, and telescopic or hinged wall sections that can expand or contract during deployment. These dynamic features enable easy transformation from a compact transport state to a fully deployed containment configuration.
3Strength
If rigid containment structures are used, then structural strength is high, but the system cannot adapt to various sizes and shapes of targets
Solution Approach 1:
The submersible enclosure utilizes flexible membrane walls and floor made of reinforced polymer or metal mesh that can bend and conform to different geometries while maintaining structural integrity. These flexible shells provide sufficient strength for containment while allowing the structure to adapt to various target sizes and shapes, including irregularly shaped vessels or pollution sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The containment system incorporates adjustable parameters including inflatable buoyancy elements for size adjustment, telescopic wall sections for length modification, and reconfigurable modular components that can be assembled in different configurations. These parameter changes enable the same basic structure to accommodate various target dimensions and shapes while maintaining structural strength through controlled inflation, expansion, or modular assembly.
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
Effectively contains and filters pollutants, allowing for safe maintenance and repair of vessels while preventing pollution spread, with the system being portable and adaptable to various sizes and shapes of targets, and capable of monitoring pollutant output.
Implementation Method 1
a segmented inflatable buoyant rim surrounding a void
Implementation Method 2
the ballast weight is configured to weigh down and sink the at least one buoyant rim segment
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments disclosed here include a containment system and methods of containment which may include a segmented buoyant rim. Certain embodiments also include an inflatable rim with at least one inflation/deflation valve in the rim segments and ballast in the rim segments. Additionally, certain embodiments include material connected to the rim segments, to enclose a void created in the rim and to hang below the buoyant rim.