Suction Pile Vent Plug Locking for Watertight Anchoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Suction pile anchors face challenges in maintaining a secure seal during installation and operation, which affects their ability to resist axial and lateral loads and secure mooring lines effectively.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a vent plug system with a latching and locking mechanism, along with a fluidic port and coupling system, to ensure a watertight seal and efficient water removal, allowing for secure anchoring to the ocean floor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a simple vent opening is used, then ease of operation is improved, but sealing capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The vent plug is nested within a recess in the suction pile wall, creating a protected chamber that maintains sealing capability while providing access. The plug fits into the recess like a nested component, allowing vent access without compromising the overall seal integrity of the suction pile.
Solution Approach 2:
The vent plug acts as an intermediary component between the internal suction pile environment and the external water. It provides a controlled interface that can be opened for venting while maintaining sealing capability when closed, resolving the contradiction between accessibility and sealing.
2Reliability
If a complex locking mechanism is added to ensure sealing, then sealing capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vent plug incorporates a self-latching mechanism that automatically engages and secures itself when inserted into the recess. This self-service feature ensures reliable sealing without requiring complex external locking systems or multiple components, thus maintaining sealing capability while minimizing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking function is extracted as a separate, simple self-latching mechanism integrated into the vent plug itself, rather than being part of a complex overall system. This extraction allows the sealing capability to be ensured through a focused, simple component design.
3Reliability
If the vent is permanently closed to maintain seal, then sealing capability is improved, but adaptability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The vent system transitions from a static permanently closed state to a dynamic system where the vent plug can be inserted and removed as needed. This dynamic capability allows the system to adapt between sealed and vented states, providing both sealing capability and operational flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The recess is pre-formed in the suction pile wall during manufacturing, preparing the structure in advance to receive the vent plug. This preliminary action enables easy installation and removal of the plug, providing adaptability without compromising the sealing capability when the plug is in place.
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 solution enhances the sealing capabilities of suction pile anchors, improving their stability and load resistance, enabling secure mooring and anchoring for offshore installations.
Implementation Method 1
suction pile anchors... efficient water removal
Implementation Method 2
maintaining a secure seal during installation and operation... resist axial and lateral loads
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed embodiments include a suction pile vent plug having a cylindrically-shaped body having a sealing element, a plurality of coupling features, and a handle connected to the cylindrically-shaped body. The sealing element is configured to form a watertight seal with walls of a suction pile vent into which the vent plug is installed. The plurality of coupling features are configured to engage with corresponding coupling features of the suction pile vent. The movable handle is configured to be moved into one or more locked configurations. Disclosed embodiments further include a suction pile vent having a hollow cylindrically-shaped body having coupling features. The coupling features are configured to engage with corresponding coupling features of a suction pile vent plug to thereby mechanically couple the suction pile vent plug to the suction pile vent. Disclosed embodiments further include a fluidic port that fluidically couples a suction pile to a removable fluidic coupling.