Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
  • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
  • B63B22/00—Buoys
  • B63B22/18—Buoys having means to control attitude or position, e.g. reaction surfaces or tether
  • B63B22/20—Ballast means

Definitions

• the carrier member comprises a tubular member having a bore extending therethrough, and preferably, the carrier member extends through the hollow interior region of the ballast housing with the bore of the carrier member extending substantially vertically, and in some embodiments of the invention an opening is formed in the ballast housing communicating the bore extending through the carrier member adjacent a lower end thereof with the exterior of the ballast housing.
• each side member is configured for securing at least one of the at least one flotation element thereto, and preferably, each side member is configured for securing a pair of flotation elements thereto, and preferably, the pair of flotation elements are secured to the corresponding side member, with the side member sandwiched between the two flotation elements.
• each flotation housing comprises a buoyant material located within the hollow interior region thereof, and in one embodiment of the invention the buoyant material comprises an expanded buoyant material, which preferably, when expanded the buoyant material comprises a plurality of closed cells.
• the expandable material comprises an expandable plastics material, and preferably, a closed cell expandable material.
• each flotation housing is filled with the buoyant material, and preferably, is completely filled with the buoyant material.
• the buoyant material is cast in the hollow interior region of each flotation housing.
• each flotation element comprises a plastics material, and preferably, each flotation element is formed by rotational moulding.
• the ballast material comprises a concrete material, and preferably, a fibre reinforced concrete material.
• the ballast housing comprises a plastics material, which preferably, is formed by rotational moulding.
• the ballast housing comprises a base and a side wall extending upwardly from and around the periphery of the base.
• the side wall terminates in an inwardly directed upper lip, and preferably, the base, the side wall and the upper lip define the hollow interior region.
• the upper lip extends around the side wall, and preferably, defines the open mouth to the hollow interior region of the ballast housing.
• the ballast housing is circular in plan view.
• each fastener comprises a threaded bolt, and preferably, each fastener is adapted to extend through a corresponding bore extending through the ballast element, and preferably, extending through the ballast housing.
• the fastener is located in the ballast element, and preferably, the securing means is adapted for securing to the main support structure by at least one, and preferably, a plurality of fasteners, and advantageously, by a plurality of fastening elements.
• the securing means is located in the ballast housing during casting of the ballast element in the ballast housing, and preferably, the securing means is adapted for securing to the main support structure by at least one fastener, and preferably, by a plurality of fastening elements.
• the main support structure comprises at least one coupling element adapted for coupling to an anchor chain or cable for anchoring the buoy.
• at least two coupling elements are provided for coupling to respective anchor chains or cables.
• the coupling elements are located spaced apart circumferentially around the main support structure.
• the main support structure comprises a pair of connecting elements for connecting lifting cables to the buoy.
• the connecting elements are located spaced apart circumferentially around the main support structure.
• the upper structure is configured for carrying electronic equipment, and preferably, a microcontroller for controlling equipment carried on the upper structure.
• the invention also provides a method for producing a buoy, the method comprising providing a main support structure, providing at least one flotation element and securing the at least one flotation element to the main support structure, providing a ballast element and securing the ballast element to the main support structure below the at least one flotation element, the ballast element being housed in a ballast housing, and being cast in the ballast housing.
• the ballast element is secured to the main support structure by keying thereto.
• an upper structure is supported on the main support structure, and preferably, extends upwardly therefrom.
• the ballast housing is formed to define a hollow interior region and an upwardly facing open mouth communicating with the hollow interior region.
• the ballast material is cast in the hollow interior region of the ballast housing through the open mouth thereof to form the ballast element.
• a securing means extends into the hollow interior region of the ballast housing through the open mouth thereof for securing the ballast element to the main support structure.
• the securing means extends from the main support structure and is located in the hollow interior region of the ballast housing during casting of the ballast element therein.
• a keying means is secured to the securing means and is located in the hollow interior region of the ballast housing during casting of the ballast element therein forkeying the ballast element to the main support structure.
• a pair of flotation elements are secured to the main support structure with the main support structure sandwiched between the two flotation elements.
• At least two side members are provided extending radially outwardly from a central member of the main support structure, the two side members being located equi- spaced apart circumferentially around the central member.
• at least one of the flotation elements is secured to one of the side members.
• a pair of flotation elements are secured to the corresponding side member, with the side member sandwiched between the two flotation elements.
• four side members extend radially from the central member, and four flotation elements are provided, and a pair of adjacent ones of the flotation elements are secured to an adjacent one of the side members with side member sandwiched between the corresponding pair of the flotation elements.
• each flotation element comprises a hollow flotation housing defining an airtight hollow interior region.
• the ballast material comprises a concrete material.
• the ballast material comprises reinforced concrete material.
• each fastener comprises a threaded bolt extending through a corresponding bore extending through the ballast element.
• each fastener extends through a corresponding bore extending through the ballast housing.
• the advantages of the buoy according to the invention are many.
• the buoy according to the invention may be used as a marker buoy for marking a shipping lane.
• the buoy according to the invention may be used as a weather buoy for monitoring weather conditions at sea.
• the buoy according to the invention may also be used for monitoring wave height in the ocean.
• the buoy according to the invention may be used for monitoring ocean currents, and additionally, the buoy according to the invention may be used for monitoring the state of the water in which the buoy is located.
• a particular important advantage of the invention results from the construction of the buoy, whereby the buoy in the majority of embodiments of the invention comprises a main support structure with at least one, and preferably, at least two flotation elements secured to the main support structure, and in particular, secured to respective opposite sides of the main support structure with the main support structure substantially tightly sandwiched between the flotation elements.
• This construction provides a significantly robust buoy which is significantly more robust than conventionally known buoys.
• ballast element Another particularly important advantage of the invention results from the construction of the ballast element.
• housing the ballast element in a ballast housing by casting the ballast element into the ballast housing produces a particularly advantageous form of the buoy, since the buoy can be readily easily manufactured with precision.
• ballast housing By forming the ballast element from concrete, and in particular, from a fibre reinforced concrete, a particularly robust buoy is produced.
• a particularly important advantage of casting the ballast from reinforced concrete in a ballast housing provides the additional advantage that the ballast element of the reinforced concrete, being a relatively brittle material, is protected by the ballast housing.
• the ballast housing comprising a plastics material, since in general, plastics materials are non-brittle, and capable of withstanding knocks and shocks, the ballast housing protects the ballast concrete element located in the hollow interior region of the ballast housing.
• Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a buoy according to the invention
• Fig. 2 is a front ele vational view of the buoy of Fig. 1 ,
• Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the buoy of Fig. 1,
• Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the buoy of Fig. 1
• Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional front elevational view of the portion of the buoy of Fig. 1 ,
• Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of Fig. 5 of the buoy of Fig. 1 ,
• Fig. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional front elevational view of a detail of the portion of Fig. 5 of the buoy of Fig. 1,
• Fig. 8 is a front elevational view of a part of the portion of Fig. 5 of the buoy of Fig. 1 ,
• Fig. 9 is an underneath plan view of the part of Fig. 8 of the buoy of Fig. 1 ,
• Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a portion of the buoy of Fig. 1 ,
• Fig. 11 is a side elevational view of the portion of Fig. 10 of the buoy of Fig. 1 ,
• Fig. 13 is a top plan view of the portion of Fig. 10 of the buoy of Fig. 1,
• Fig. 14 is a perspective view of a buoy according to another embodiment of the invention.
• Fig. 15 is a front elevational view of the buoy of Fig. 14,
• Fig. 19 is an exploded perspective view of the portion of Fig. 18 of the buoy of Fig. 14,
• Fig. 22 is a front elevational view of the buoy of Fig. 21 .
• Fig. 24 is a top plan view of the buoy of Fig. 21 .
• Fig. 26 is an exploded perspective view of the portion of Fig. 25 of the buoy of Fig. 21 ,
• Fig. 28 is a perspective view of a portion of the buoy of Fig. 21 .
• Fig. 30 is a side elevational view of the portion of Fig. 28 of the buoy of Fig. 21,
• Fig. 31 is a top plan view of the portion of Fig. 28 of the buoy of Fig. 21,
• Fig. 32 is a perspective view of a buoy according to another embodiment of the invention.
• Fig 33 is a front elevational view of the buoy of Fig. 32,
• Fig. 34 is a side elevational view of the buoy of Fig. 32,
• Fig. 35 is a top plan view of the buoy of Fig. 32,
• Fig. 36 is a cross-sectional front elevational view of a portion of the buoy of Fig. 32
• Fig. 37 is an exploded perspective view of the portion of Fig. 36 of the buoy of Fig. 32,
• Fig. 38 is an enlarged cross-sectional front elevational view of a detail of the portion of Fig 36 of the buoy of Fig. 32,
• Fig. 39 is a perspective view of a portion of a buoy according to another embodiment of the invention.
• Fig. 40 is a perspective view of a part of the portion of the buoy of Fig. 39,
• Fig. 41 is a perspective view of a part of the portion of Fig. 39 of the buoy of Fig. 39,
• Fig. 42 is a perspective view of a detail of the buoy of Fig. 39,
• Fig. 43 is a perspective view of a portion of a buoy according to a further embodiment of the invention.
• Fig. 44 is a perspective view of a part of the portion of Fig. 43 of the buoy of Fig. 43,
• Fig. 45 is a perspective view of another part of the portion of Fig. 43 of the buoy of Fig. 43,
• Fig. 46 is a perspective view of a portion of a buoy according to a still further embodiment of the invention.
• a pair of side members in this embodiment of the invention a pair of side plates 19 of galvanised steel are welded to and extend radially outwardly from the central tubular member 14 and are equi-spaced apart circumferentially around the central tubular member 14 at 180° intervals.
• Each side plate 19 is profiled in order to reduce weight and forms an upper cross-member 20 and a lower cross-member 21 spaced apart downwardly below the upper cross-member 20, and an upstanding side member 22 extending upwardly from the lower cross-member 21 to the upper cross-member 20 and spaced apart from the central tubular member 14.
• the upper and lower cross-members 20 and 21 are welded to the central tubular member 14.
• the upper platform 15 is welded to the central tubular member 14 and to the upper cross-member 20, while the lower platform 17 is welded to the central tubular member 14 and to the lower cross-member 21.
• a pair of reinforcing gusset plates 23 of galvanised steel plate material extend radially outwardly from the central tubular member 14 and are welded to the central tubular member 14 and to the upper platform 15, and along with the upper cross-members 20 of the side plates 19 act to support the upper platform 15 on the support framework 3.
• the ballast element 9 is also keyed and retained within the hollow interior region 45 to the ballast housing 7 by virtue of the inwardly directed upper lip 44.
• the ballast housing 7 and the ballast element 9 define a longitudinally extending central axis which coincides with the main central axis 13 defined by the central tubular member 14.
• the concrete of the ballast element 9 comprises fibre reinforced concrete, and is reinforced by strands of plastics and/or metal materials, but may be reinforced by other suitable reinforcing means, and in some cases the concrete may not be reinforced.
• Each flotation housing 50 is of semi-circular shape when viewed in plan, and comprises a semi-circular base 51 and a semi-circular top wall 52.
• a short semi-circular lower outer side wall 54 extends upwardly from the base 51 and terminates in an upwardly and outwardly diverging lower intermediate wall 55.
• a main semi-circular outer side wall 56 extends upwardly from the lower intermediate wall 55 to the top wall 52.
• An inner side wall 58 extends upwardly from the base 51 to the top wall 52 and extends between opposite ends 60 of the lower outer side wall 54, the lower intermediate wall 55 and the main outer side wall 56.
• the inner side wall 58 is shaped to form a central vertically extending recess 61 of semi-circular cross-section for accommodating a semi-circular portion of the central tubular member 14.
• the inner side wall 58 defines with the base 51, the top wall 52, the lower outer side wall 54, the lower intermediate wall 55 and the main outer side wall 56, the airtight hollow interior region (not shown).
• a gusset accommodating recess 62 extends into each flotation housing 50 from the top wall 52 and from the inner side wall 58 adjacent the central vertically extending recess 61 for accommodating the gusset plates 23 which support the upper platform 15 therein.
• each flotation housing 50 Six bolt accommodating recesses 64 are formed in the main outer side wall 56 of each flotation housing 50 terminating in bolt accommodating bores 65 for accommodating the bolts 25 therethrough.
• the flotation housings 50 are secured to the support framework 3 on opposite sides thereof and between the lower platform 17 and the upper platform 15, with the side plates 19 sandwiched between the flotation housings 50 and with the inner side walls 58 of the respective flotation housings 50 abutting the side plates 19.
• the central tubular member 14 is recessed into the central vertical recesses 61 formed in the inner side walls 58 of the respective flotation housings 50 and into the base 51 and the top wall 52.
• the upper structure 10 is secured to the upper platform 15 by suitable fixing means, for example, screws and the like.
• the upper structure 10 may be of any suitable or desired construction, in this embodiment of the invention the upper structure comprises a hollow housing 70 of square transverse cross-section and of plastics material formed by rotational moulding.
• the lantern 12 is mounted on top of the hollow housing 70.
• Control electronics and an electrical power supply typically, an electrical battery, none of which are shown, are located in the hollow housing 70.
• a suitable access door (not shown) may be provided in the hollow housing 70 to provide access to the control electronics and the power supply located within the hollow housing 70.
• a top framework 72 extends upwardly from the top of the hollow housing 70 and supports a top marker 74.
• the lantern 12 is located within the top framework 12.
• a ladder 77 of stainless steel material is secured to the hollow housing 70 and extends upwardly from the upper platform 15 to a location 78 adjacent the top of the hollow housing 70 to provide access to the lantern 12.
• Sacrificial anodes 75 are secured to lower portions 76 of the lower cross-members 21 which extend downwardly below the flotation elements 5 when the flotation elements 5 are secured to the support framework 3.
• the fibre reinforced concrete is poured into the hollow interior region 45 of the ballast housing 7 through the open mouth 47 until the concrete fills the hollow interior region 45 of the ballast housing 7 up to and including the open mouth 47 to form the ballast element 9.
• the concrete is allowed to cure and set to form the ballast element 9.
• the jig (not shown) is removed from the support framework 3 and the ballast housing 7.
• the flotation elements 5 are then secured to the support framework 3 between the upper and lower platforms 15 and 17 by the bolts 25 and nuts (not shown) with the support framework 3 tightly sandwiched between the flotation elements 5.
• the upper structure 10 is then secured to the upper platform 15 and the lantern 12 is then secured to the top of the hollow housing 70 of the upper structure 10.
• the control electronics and power supply are then located in the housing 70 of the upper structure 10, and the lantern 12 is connected to the control electronics and the power supply.
• the ladder 77 is secured to the hollow housing 70 of the upper structure 10.
• the coupling shackles 27 are then secured to the lower cross member 21 of the side plates 19, and the sacrificial anodes 75 are also secured to the lower cross-members 21.
• a marker buoy according to another embodiment of the invention indicated generally by the reference numeral 80.
• the marker buoy 80 is substantially similar to the marker buoy 1 described with reference to Figs. 1 to 13, and similar components are identified by the same reference numerals.
• the main differences between the marker buoy 80 and the marker buoy 1 relate firstly, to the keying means for keying the ballast element 9 to the support framework 3.
• a single keying plate 34 is provided on the tubular carrier member 34.
• the ballast housing 7 is not completely circular, but comprises two flat sides 82.
• the spacing between the flat sides 82 is such as to accommodate the forks of a forklift truck or other suitable forklift mechanism with the ballast housing 7 located between the forks of the forklift, and with the forks located to engage the underside of the lower platform 17 of the support framework 3.
• the upper platform 15 is formed by a single plate as opposed to the double plate upper platform 15 of the embodiment of the marker buoy 1 described with reference to Figs. 1 to 13.
• the upper lip 44 extending inwardly from the side wall 42 of the ballast housing 7 terminates in a downwardly extending inner side wall 83, which extends around and downwardly from the upper lip 44, and defines the open mouth 47 to the hollow interior region 45 of the ballast housing 7.
• the upper structure 10 which is also of rotational moulded plastics material, is provided with an access opening 85 to the hollow interior region of the upper housing 70 which is sealably closed by a hingedly mounted door 87 which is secured in the closed state by a latch 88.
• the marker buoy 80 is provided with a Saint Andrews Cross 89 mounted on top of the top framework 72 of the upper structure 10. Otherwise, the marker buoy 80 and its manufacture, construction and use is substantially similar to the marker buoy 1.
• a marker buoy according to another embodiment of the invention indicated generally by the reference numeral 90.
• the marker buoy 90 is substantially similar to the marker buoy 1 described with reference to Figs. 1 to 13, and similar components are identified by the same reference numerals.
• the main difference between the marker buoy 90 and the marker buoy 1 lies in the support framework 3, the flotation elements 5 and in the tubular carrier member 32.
• the marker buoy 90 comprises four flotation elements 5, and the support framework 3 comprises four side plates 19 extending radially from the central tubular member 14 and equi-spaced apart circumferentially around the central tubular member 14 at 90° intervals.
• the flotation elements 5 in this embodiment of the invention instead of being of semi-circular shape when viewed in plan are of quarter circular shape, and adjacent ones of each pair of the flotation elements 5 are secured to a corresponding one of the side plates 19 with the side plate 19 sandwiched tightly between the pair of the flotation elements 5.
• the upstanding members 22 of the side plates 19 are of arcuate shape defining respective outer concave arcuate side edges 91.
• the recesses 98 are of depth such that when the adjacent pairs of the flotation housings 50 are secured together with the corresponding side plates 19 located in the recesses 98, the side plates 19 are tightly sandwiched between the respective pairs of the flotation housings 50.
• a marker buoy according to another embodiment of the invention indicated generally by the reference numeral 100.
• the marker buoy 100 is substantially similar to the marker buoy 1 described with reference to Figs. 1 to 13, and similar components are identified by the same reference numerals.
• the only significant difference between the marker buoy 100 and the marker buoy 1 lies in the support framework 3.
• the marker buoy is of a smaller size than the marker buoy 1 of Figs. 1 to 13, and the support framework 3 is provided without the central tubular member 14, and is formed from a single plate, namely, a single plate 101 which forms the two side plates 19.
• the single plate 101 is profiled to form a lower cross-member 102, a pair of spaced apart upstanding side members 103 extending upwardly from the lower cross-member 102, and a pair of reinforcing struts 105 extending from the upper ends of the respective upstanding side members 103, to the lower cross-member 102 adjacent the other ones of the upstanding side members 103.
• the lower platform 17 is welded to the lower cross-member 102 for supporting the corresponding flotation elements 5 thereon.
• a tubular carrier member 32 similar to the tubular carrier member 32 of the marker buoy 1 extends downwardly from and is welded to the lower platform 17 and carries a keying plate 34 extending around the tubular carrier member 32 spaced apart downwardly from the lower platform 17 for keying the ballast element 9 to the support framework 3.
• the keying plate 34 is substantially similar to the keying plates of the marker buoy 1 and comprises a plurality of keying openings 35 for accommodating concrete therethrough for keying the ballast element 9 to the support framework 3.
• the flotation elements 5 are secured to the support framework 3 in a similar manner as described with reference to the marker buoy 1.
• a lower circular opening 108 is formed in the base 40 of the ballast housing 7, and an upwardly extending lip 107 extends from the base 40 around the lower opening 106.
• the lip 107 engages the bore 16 of the tubular carrier member 32 for centrally aligning the tubular carrier member 32 and the keying plate 34 in the hollow interior region 45 of the ballast housing 7.
• a portion indicated generally by the reference numeral 110 of a marker buoy according to another embodiment of the invention is substantially similar to the marker buoy 90 described with reference to
• Figs. 46 and 47 there is illustrated a portion indicated generally by the reference numeral 140 of a marker buoy according to another embodiment of the invention.
• the portion 140 of the marker buoy according to this embodiment of the invention is substantially similar to the portion 130 of the marker buoy described with reference to Figs. 43 to 45.
• the only difference between the portion 140 of the marker buoy according to this embodiment of the invention and the portion 130 of the marker buoy of Figs. 43 to 45 is that four channel members 142 of galvanised steel are provided extending from the tubular carrier member 32 equi-spaced apart circumferentially around the tubular carrier member 32.
• the buoys described with reference to Figs. 1 to 47 may be of any suitable height from the base of the ballast housing to the top of the top marker carried on the upper structure, although, in general, the height of the buoys from the base of the ballast housing to the top of the top marker will range from 3 metres to 6 metres, and in some cases may be up to 8 metres.
• the diameter of the buoys adjacent the flotation elements typically will lie in the range of 0.8 metres to 3 metres, and typically, the diameter of the ballast housing will lie in the range of 0.6 metres to 3 metres, and the height of the ballast housing will range from 0.2 metres to 0.7 metres.
• the support framework has been described as comprising galvanised coated steel material, the support framework may be of any other suitable material, and if of a metal material, may be of stainless steel, aluminium, or any other suitable metal or metal alloy material appropriately coated against rust and corrosion, if necessary.
• ballast concrete of the ballast elements has been described as being fibre reinforced, the concrete of the ballast elements may be reinforced or may not be reinforced, and when reinforced may be reinforced by any other suitable reinforcing means besides fibre reinforcing.
• the ballast concrete may be reinforced by steel reinforcing, for example, by steel mesh reinforcing material.
• an opening may be provided in the base of the ballast housing which would communicate with the bore extending through the tubular carrier member 32 to accommodate water in which the buoy is floating into the bore of the tubular carrier member 32 and upwardly into the bore 16 of the central tubular member 14 of the support framework of the main support structure.
• This would allow monitoring of, for example, wave height and/or the quality of the water in which the buoy is floating, and would allow monitoring for pollutants, pathogens and other undesirable elements in the water.
• Such monitoring of the water would be carried out by appropriate sensors located in the bore of the central tubular member 14, and the sensors would be read by suitable electronic monitoring equipment and control circuitry, which typically, would be located in the upper structure.
• the keying means may comprise a plurality of elongated members extending radially outwardly from the securing means or the carrier member and in which case, in general, it is envisaged that such elongated radially extending members would be located at equi-spaced apart intervals around the securing means or the carrier member, although, while it would generally be desirable, it would not be essential that the elongated radially extending members be equi-spaced apart around the securing means or the carrier member.
• two keying plate members have been described as being located one above the other, in some embodiments of the invention a single plate member may be provided, or indeed, in other embodiments of the invention three or more plate members or other suitable keying means may be provided.

Landscapes

• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
• Artificial Fish Reefs (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=90479443

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (3)

Family Cites Families (4)

• 2023
  • 2023-08-24 AU AU2023331282A patent/AU2023331282A1/en active Pending
  • 2023-08-24 EP EP23821023.1A patent/EP4577450A2/de active Pending
  • 2023-08-24 WO PCT/IE2023/000008 patent/WO2024042505A2/en not_active Ceased

Also Published As

Similar Documents

Legal Events