Semi-Submersible Hull Segmentation for Stable Deck Mating

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Solution Overview

Problem

The construction of semi-submersible units with side walls or ring wall types faces challenges such as excessive loading, low stability, and residual stresses during the mating procedure, and requires significant ballast water and time in dry docks.

Innovation Solution

A method involving placing a hull with an opening in the water, connecting a deck structure, and then floating and attaching an end piece to form a semi-submersible unit, ensuring stability and reducing residual stresses by performing the mating procedure when the hull has optimal hydrostatic characteristics, and allowing for dry welding for efficient attachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the complete hull structure is lowered into water to perform mating procedure, then the deck structure can be connected to the hull, but the hull structure is subjected to large loads and exhibits low stability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemating procedureVSAvoidhull structure stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The hull structure is divided into two parts: a submerged portion (pontoon) and an emerging portion (column). The mating procedure is performed on the emerging portion which has high stability, while the submerged portion provides buoyancy. This segmentation allows the deck to be mated to the column rather than the entire hull, avoiding the stability problems of lowering the complete hull structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of manufacture

If the complete hull structure is lowered into water to perform mating procedure, then the deck structure can be connected to the hull, but a large amount of ballast water is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemating procedureVSAvoidballast water

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The hull is segmented into submerged and emerging portions. Only the necessary emerging portion (column) needs to be lowered into water for mating, rather than the complete hull structure. This dramatically reduces the volume of ballast water required to achieve the necessary waterline position for deck connection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of manufacture

If the complete hull structure is lowered into water to perform mating procedure, then the deck structure can be connected to the hull, but excessive loading occurs on the hull structure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemating procedureVSAvoidload on hull structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The hull structure is divided into a submerged pontoon and an emerging column. The deck mating procedure is performed on the emerging column which has much lower weight and smaller dimensions. This segmentation transfers the mating loads from the heavy complete hull structure to the lightweight emerging portion, dramatically reducing excessive loading on the hull.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Ease of manufacture

If conventional lifting arrangements are used to lift the deck structure, then the deck can be positioned, but the deck structure is too heavy and large to be lifted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeck positioningVSAvoiddeck structure weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of lifting the heavy deck structure up to the hull using conventional cranes, the approach is inverted: the hull's emerging column is lowered down to meet the deck structure which remains in its fabrication position. This eliminates the need for powerful lifting arrangements and allows the deck to be positioned by the movement of the column rather than by lifting the deck itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 method minimizes excessive loading, ensures high stability during construction, reduces residual stresses, and reduces construction time by allowing for efficient attachment techniques like dry welding, while potentially eliminating the need for additional floating members.

Implementation Method 1

lowering the hull into the body of water

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Implementation Method 2

lowering the hull into the body of water

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Implementation Method 3

floating the end piece into the opening

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Data Source

PatentUS8613570B2Method and a kit for constructing a semi-submersible unit

Publication Date: 2013.12.24 KELLOGG BROWN & ROOT INC

AI summary

A method of constructing a semi-submersible unit with a side wall. To construct the semi-submersible unit, the method can include placing a hull in a body of water and connecting a deck structure to the hull. In addition, there is a kit for constructing a semi-submersible unit, with a side wall.