Tilting-Arm Mooring Layout for Stable Floating Platforms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mooring systems for floating platforms, such as TLPs and platforms with counterweights and pulleys, face issues with high tension leading to line wear and breakage, or uncontrolled vertical and lateral movements due to tidal changes, respectively.
Innovation Solution
A mooring system with tilting arms and a central counterweight that absorbs stress, allowing the bottom sections of mooring lines to maintain tension while enabling vertical and lateral movements, eliminating the need for pulleys and reducing cable wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If high tension is applied to mooring lines to keep them vertical and prevent pitch/roll motions, then platform stability is improved, but cable wear and breakage risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mooring line is divided into two functional segments: a vertical section that maintains tension for stability, and a lateral section that allows horizontal movement. This segmentation enables the system to achieve both stability and reduced cable wear by directing different functions to different segments.
Solution Approach 2:
A pulley system is introduced as an intermediary mechanism between the vertical mooring line and the lateral movement requirement. The pulley allows the cable to change direction and enables lateral platform movement without increasing tension in the vertical section, thus preventing cable wear while maintaining stability.
2Strength
If mooring lines are made thicker or more numerous to withstand high tension from rising tides, then cable strength is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows dynamic vertical movement of the platform in response to rising and falling tides. The mooring lines are designed to accommodate this movement without excessive tension, eliminating the need for overly thick or numerous cables. The dynamic nature of the system enables standard cables to handle tidal variations effectively.
3Adaptability or versatility
If counterweights and pulleys are used to allow vertical movement, then adaptability to tides is improved, but cable wear from bending increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pulley system is localized at specific points where direction change is needed, rather than being distributed throughout the entire mooring line. This localized approach allows the cable to bend only at controlled locations with proper support, reducing overall wear while maintaining tide adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The pulley acts as an intermediary that facilitates controlled cable bending and direction change. By providing a dedicated support point, the pulley protects the cable from uncontrolled bending and wear, enabling the system to adapt to tidal changes while maintaining cable integrity.
4Stability of the object's composition
If mooring lines are kept tight to prevent lateral movement, then platform stability is improved, but risk of capsizing from wind and waves increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mooring line is segmented into vertical and lateral components with distinct functions. The vertical section maintains tension for stability, while the lateral section, guided by pulleys, allows horizontal movement to accommodate wind and wave forces. This segmentation prevents capsizing by enabling the platform to move laterally in response to environmental loads.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static, tightly constrained configuration to a dynamic system that allows controlled lateral movement. The pulley-guided lateral sections enable the platform to adapt its position in response to wind and waves, reducing capsizing risk while maintaining vertical stability through the tensioned vertical mooring sections.
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 stabilizes floating platforms by reducing cable wear and preventing breakage, while allowing for controlled movements with smaller cable cross sections and minimizing the risk of capsizing.
Implementation Method 1
Each mooring line also comprises a central section joined to a counterweight (which makes it possible to stabilise the platform and ensure that there is always tension in the bottom sections of the mooring lines)
Implementation Method 2
Each tilting arm is joined by means of an articulated joint to a main structure (or central structure) of the floating platform
Implementation Method 3
TLPs comprise a set of floats designed to produce excess buoyancy of the platform (taking into account the weight of the structure that rests on the platform). This excess buoyancy guarantees a high degree of tension in the cables
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a mooring system comprising a floating platform (1) with a plurality of mooring lines (7) configured to fix or anchor the floating platform (1) to the seabed by means of a bottom section (71) of each mooring line (7), wherein each mooring line (7) also comprises a central section (72) joined to a counterweight (8), wherein tilting arms (2) are joined by means of an articulated joint (3) to a main structure (4) of the floating platform (1), wherein each tilting arm (2) comprises an inner section (21) and an outer section (22), wherein the bottom section (71) and the central section (72) of each mooring line (7) are respectively joined to a terminal end of the outer section (22) and to a terminal end of the inner section (21) of each tilting arm (2).