Underwater Platform Anchoring via Rotary Screw Legs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing underwater working platforms face challenges in maintaining reliable positioning and anchoring, especially in the presence of strong currents or uneven seabeds, leading to undesired movement and repositioning requirements.
Innovation Solution
The underwater working arrangement features rotatably mounted support feet with rotary drives and integrated cutting devices, drill helices, and adjustable cylinders, allowing for secure screwing or drilling into the seabed, enhancing anchoring by applying axial forces and torque, and enabling efficient leveling and alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If hydraulic supports are used to align the work platform on the seabed, then the platform can be leveled on uneven seabeds, but the platform may shift position in strong currents or during work operations
Solution Approach 1:
The support legs are driven into the seabed before the work platform begins operations to establish secure anchoring points. The rotary drives screw the support legs into the seabed substrate, creating firm anchors that prevent platform movement during subsequent work operations or exposure to strong currents
Solution Approach 2:
The support legs act as intermediary elements between the work platform and the seabed. These legs transfer and distribute the platform's weight and operational forces to the seabed through their anchored bases, providing stable support while allowing the platform to remain positioned and leveled
2Productivity
If the work platform is raised after drilling completion, then the hydraulic supports must be repositioned and realigned, causing loss of time
Solution Approach 1:
The support legs are anchored into the seabed before drilling operations begin, establishing a stable, fixed support structure that remains in place throughout the entire work cycle. This preliminary anchoring eliminates the need for repositioning or realignment when the platform is raised or lowered after drilling completion
Solution Approach 2:
The support legs are driven into the seabed to a depth greater than initially required for simple support, providing excessive anchoring capacity that ensures the platform remains stable even when raised during operations. This over-anchoring prevents any potential shifting or realignment needs
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 solution provides a robust and reliable anchoring system that prevents unwanted movement of the work platform, ensuring stable operation even in challenging underwater conditions, facilitating efficient drilling and maintenance tasks.
Implementation Method 1
an actuating cylinder (50) located on the support leg (30), with which an axial force can be exerted on the support leg (30)
Implementation Method 2
at least one support leg (30) is rotatably mounted relative to the working platform (12) and that a rotary drive (60) associated with the support leg (30) is provided, with which the support leg (30) is driven to rotate into the bottom of the water
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The arrangement (10) has a set of tubular supporting legs (30) adjustably mounted on a retractable working platform (12) for mounting on a body of water and extended and retracted by an adjusting cylinder opposite to the working platform. One of the supporting legs is rotatably mounted opposite to the working platform, where a rotary drive (60) is associated with the supporting legs. The supporting legs are rotationally driven by the rotary drive for rotating in a base of water. A ring-shaped cutting device (46) is attached to an underside of one of the supporting legs. An independent claim is also included for a method for anchoring an underwater operating arrangement with a working platform in a body of water.