Titanium Fastening Device for Floating Anchors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing anchoring systems for floating structures face issues with corrosion, particularly crevice corrosion in screw joints, and material costs, as well as operational inefficiencies and health risks due to the use of steel and screw joints, which lead to functional failures and increased expenses when using titanium alternatives.

Innovation Solution

A fastening device made from titanium with a design that minimizes screw joints, utilizing a resilient unit with adjustable elastic elements and a locking mechanism that includes a titanium frame with T-shaped holes and a clamping sleeve, reducing material usage and preventing crevice corrosion, while maintaining structural integrity and flexibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If steel is used in anchoring systems, then material cost is reduced, but corrosion resistance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial costVSAvoidcorrosion resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses titanium instead of steel, representing a material substitution that provides superior corrosion resistance while maintaining structural integrity. Titanium forms a protective oxide layer that prevents crevice corrosion in marine environments, directly addressing the corrosion resistance deterioration issue while the design optimizes material quantity to control costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If titanium is used in anchoring systems, then corrosion resistance is improved, but material cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecorrosion resistanceVSAvoidmaterial cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening device is divided into multiple components (frame, clamping sleeve, elastic elements) that can be optimized individually. This segmentation allows for efficient use of expensive titanium material only where critical for corrosion resistance and structural function, while reducing overall titanium quantity through optimized design and material distribution throughout the device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the material parameter from steel to titanium, which fundamentally alters the corrosion resistance property. This parameter change is complemented by design modifications that reduce the total volume of titanium required, thereby improving corrosion resistance while controlling material costs through optimized material usage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If screw joints are used in fastening devices, then ease of assembly is improved, but crevice corrosion increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of assemblyVSAvoidcrevice corrosion
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and removes screw joints from the fastening device design. Instead of using traditional screw connections that create crevices susceptible to corrosion, the device employs a clamping sleeve mechanism with elastic elements that achieve secure fastening without penetrating fasteners, thereby eliminating the crevice corrosion problem while maintaining ease of assembly through a simplified single-piece titanium construction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Reliability

If multiple working operations are performed for tightening screw joints, then fastening reliability is improved, but worker health risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefastening reliabilityVSAvoidworker health risks
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening device employs elastic elements (springs) that automatically provide the necessary clamping force and maintain fastening reliability without requiring manual tightening operations. The elastic elements self-adjust to maintain proper fastening pressure, eliminating the need for workers to perform repetitive tightening operations with tools, thereby reducing health risks while preserving fastening reliability through the self-regulating elastic mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 titanium fastening device effectively reduces crevice corrosion and material costs, enhances operational safety by minimizing screw joint usage, and provides a durable, corrosion-resistant solution for anchoring systems, ensuring reliable performance in aquatic environments.

Implementation Method 1

resilient unit with adjustable elastic elements

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2969733B1Fastening device for an elastic element in a resilient unit included in an anchoring system
Publication Date: 2019.05.22 SEAFLEX INVEST
  • EP2969733B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP2969733B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2969733B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Fastening device (1), for anchoring elements in an anchoring system for floating structures, comprised of at least one first attachment device (9) in which at least one elastic element (3) is connected, and at least one second attachment device (10) in which at least one anchoring element is connected. Attachment devices (9) and (10) are intended to be connected together and be mutually locked with at least one locking device (11). The first attachment device (9) includes at least one frame (14), which is provided with attachment elements (25) for attachment of the elastic element's (3) connecting parts (30), and that attachment device (10) includes at least one bracket support (37) which stretches from the one side of the frame (14) through holes in the frame (14) to the frame's (14) other side, where the bracket support (37) includes at least one attachment device for the anchoring element.