Abstract: Floats having a buoyant portion and a chamber portion hold liquid within their chambers above the interface of the surrounding body of liquid and gas which creates a downward force which stabilizes the float. If the liquid is water, the float holds water in the inner chamber which is disposed above the waterline of the body of water in which the float is suspended. The elevated water exerts a downward force that acts against rocking, swaying, and other destabilizing forces.

Abstract: A mainframe for a float structure is described. The mainframe is detachably connectable to the dorsal surface of the float structure inflatables and comprises: a plurality of segmented and connectable cross-structure support members transversely attached to a plurality of segmented and connected longitudinal connector members via a connector member. Each of the longitudinal members and crossmembers may be made up of a plurality of detachable sections.

Abstract: A buoyant walkway or island and its method of manufacture. In a preferred embodiment, the buoyant walkway comprising: an internal frame comprising semi-rigid members that are attached to one another, said internal semi-rigid frame having openings; an internal block disposed in each of said openings, said internal blocks being spaced apart from one another by gaps and forming a top surface and a bottom surface; cured thermoplastic foam disposed in said gaps that attach said internal blocks to said semi-rigid internal frame and to one another; a permeable top layer that is attached to said top surface; and a bottom layer that is attached to said bottom surface.

Abstract: A floating technical hollow body (1), in particular for covering open liquid areas, comprises a shell, which is formed by at least two interconnected shell parts (1A, 1B), which at least comprises one opening (2.2) for filling the shell interior with liquid, and in which at least a fluid-in particular an air-tight inner hollow body (4; 4?) is arranged.

Abstract: A wave energy conversion system includes a barge support frame having a frame superstructure and a plurality of frame support legs selectively extendable from the frame superstructure, a barge carried by the barge support frame and at least one wave energy conversion pump comprising a water transfer conduit carried by the barge support frame and having a filter port and an inner water transfer space disposed in fluid communication with the filter port, a pressure conduit mounted for displacement on the water transfer conduit and having an outer water transfer space disposed in fluid communication with the inner water transfer space and a buoyancy vessel carried by the pressure conduit. Also disclosed are a power generation pumping system and a river or stream fed system having tanks to contain and pressurize water to a force sufficient to drive turbine generators for electric power production and potable water use.

Abstract: A floating module and fastening system for interconnecting a row of modules while allowing relative movement of the modules resulting from wave action. The present invention provides a system for interconnecting floating structures to form breakwaters and other integrated floating structures. The interconnection system includes one or more cables or other securing lines extending longitudinally through a row of floating structures and fastened at the ends of the row. Two or more socket members, through which the cables pass, are secured in and project outwardly from each end wall of the floating structures. Each of the socket members defines a recess, which extends into the end walls of the floating structures. Opposed socket members projecting from adjacent floating structures are sized so that an end of a first of the socket members fits within an opposed end of a second of the socket members.

Abstract: A method and device for installing wind energy converters at sea is disclosed, whereby the wind energy converter is carried by a setup of buoyant bodies, characterized in that the wind energy converter is connected to ships by outriggers, in a way that allows to give the angle between outrigger and the vertical axis, in order to control the orientation of swimming.

Abstract: A marine structure comprises a supporting member adapted to be located at least partially immersed in water. The supporting member comprises a wall at least partially delimiting the supporting member such that an inner side of the wall at least partially delimits an inner hollow volume of the supporting member and an outer side of the wall is adapted to be in contact with the ambient environment of the supporting member. The supporting member further comprises a stiffening web frame attached to the wall in order to modify the structural capacity of the supporting member, which stiffening web frame comprises a rib and a flang.

Abstract: A float (1) comprising a hollow pneumatically pressurisable ovoid shell (5) is provided with a damping plate (12) extending laterally outwardly around the shell (5) for damping vertical upward and downward movement of the float in water during stormy conditions, thereby minimising the effect of the buoyant upward propulsion force acting on the float when the float is submerged in stormy conditions. A keel (18) extends downwardly from the float (5) for minimising rolling movement of the float (1). A pair of coupling plates (22) extending from front and rear ends (19,20) of the shell (5) facilitate coupling of the float (1) between a pair of spaced apart tethering ropes used in mussel growing. A plurality of the floats (1) may be secured between a pair of spaced apart tethering ropes at spaced apart intervals along the tethering ropes for supporting the tethering ropes so that crop ropes impregnated with mussel spawn may be suspended from the tethering ropes for growing mussels.

Abstract: A system to protect structures in a marine environment from the effects of an impact force. The system includes a plurality of floatable devices (panels) and a plurality of fibrous networks. The fibrous networks include high tenacity fibers which extend at least in a generally horizontal direction and are in communication with the plurality of floatable panels. The plurality of fibrous networks are disposed in a generally parallel arrangement with respect to each other and are vertically spaced apart by a distance not exceeding about 12 inches (30.5 cm). The system is designed to be spaced from the structure to be protected.

Abstract: Methods of producing precast concrete structures, installing them to form larger structures along shorelines or underwater and the structures produced thereby are disclosed. Certain preferred embodiments can be employed as underwater shellfish habitats for raising oysters, mussels and the like.

Abstract: Column-stabilized floating offshore platform structures (10) having spaced apart buoyant main vertical columns (11) joined at lower ends by horizontal lower truss members (13) in a pin connection and joined at upper ends by a buoyant deck mount structure (14), and/or by horizontal truss members, to form a moment connection. A buoyant keel tank (15) having a central moon pool (15A) can be retracted and extended relative to the main columns between a retracted transport mode and an extended operating mode. Ballast of the columns and keel tank can be adjusted to raise or lower the center of gravity of the structure with respect to its center of buoyancy to stabilize the structure and compensate for variable or fixed loads, deck payloads, environmental conditions, and operational and installation stages. A three-sided deck mount allows on-site float-over deck installation.

Abstract: A floating vessel is equipped with perforated plates which exhibit both an added-mass effect and a damping effect. The addition of porosity to an added mass plate phase-shifts the added mass force so that it becomes at least partially a damping force which does not depend on large velocities to develop a large damping force. Preferred porosity is in the range of about 5% to about 15% of total plate area. A semi-submersible drilling rig may have damper plates fitted between its surface-piercing columns and/or extending from the sides of its pontoons. A truss spar offshore platform may have damper plates installed within its truss structure intermediate its hull and ballast tank. Drill ships and similar vessels may be equipped with damper plates extending from the sides of their hulls to reduce both heave and roll. In certain embodiments, the damper plates are retractable so as not to interfere with docking and to reduce drag while the vessel is underway.

Abstract: A process for the production of a frame for a construction adapted to float includes the steps consisting in: forming a flotation element (12) whose upper portion includes a network of grooves adapted to form formwork for beams (14) of concrete as well as wells, passing through the flotation element (12), adapted to form formwork for concrete columns (16); preferably, arranging reinforcing iron in the formworks and adding at the periphery a formwork to form a belt; and pouring the concrete.

Abstract: Disks configured to float on the surface of a body of liquid, including a top member configured to float substantially above the surface of the body of liquid, a bottom member spaced from the top member and configured to float substantially below the surface of the body of liquid, a sidewall extending between the top member and the bottom member along the periphery of the top member and along the periphery of the bottom member, wherein the top member, the bottom member, and the sidewall collectively define a cavity, a chamber mounted within the cavity, the chamber enclosing a predetermined volume of a gas, and a port defined in the sidewall to allow liquid from the body of liquid to enter the cavity, wherein the predetermined volume of gas enclosed in the chamber is selected to impart a buoyancy force sufficient to maintain the disk afloat on the body of liquid with the bottom member a predetermined depth below the member of the body of liquid.

Abstract: A floating dock is formed from a fabricated frame including a pair of longitudinal extruded side rails and a plurality of cross rails interconnecting the side rails to form a rigid generally rectangular structure arranged to receive buoyancy members for floating the frame on a body of water. A plurality of floor planks bridge the side rails for forming a floor surface on the frame to be supported above the water. The rails include grooves in each surface defining a fastener having a nut to be located in the groove and a co-operating male fastener for engaging into the nut. The outer surface fastens to a rail along the outer surface and the inner surface carries the ends of the floor planks and attaches to fastening brackets of corner members.

Abstract: A floatation collar for a sensor forming part of a detection array comprises two halves that when joined together act as a protective casing that secures and orients a sensor in the optimal configuration, thus forming a positioning system for said sensor. The casing provides protection, buoyancy, and trawl-resistance and comprises a shell filled with syntactic foam with voids for improved sonar reflectance. The collar top portion includes a series of projections strategically placed to protecting the sensor's transducers against mechanical damage. These are positioned in such a manner as to minimize the degree to which the sensors are occluded, and the case's collar is shaped so as to not occlude any of the downward “field of view” that is not already occluded by the air-filled pressure casing for the instrument.

Abstract: A floating platform is provided. The floating platform includes a top surface (14), a plurality of buoyancy members (12) interconnected to the top surface and extending downwardly into a body of water, a bottom plate (16) and a plurality of interstitial volumes (24) that are sealed at a bottom end by the bottom plate to prevent the flow of water into the interstitial volume.

Abstract: A free floating canopy shade system for use in a pool or at a beach. The canopy has four legs each leg supported by an open top float, each float having an outer tapered cylindrical wall and an inner cylindrical wall, the inner cylindrical wall being sized to receive a leg, an attachment to attach the leg to the float. The float being water tight and open at the top. Wherein an open shaded area is created beneath the canopy bounded only on four corners by each float.

Abstract: A floating dock structure is comprised of a pair of single-piece side rails secured together in spaced-apart substantially parallel relationship by a plurality of single-piece cross-members connected between the side rails to a lower tubular portion thereof. The side rails are hollow, tubular aluminum extruded side rails defining a top wall, an exterior side wall, a bottom wall and an interior side wall spaced inwardly from the exterior side wall. Elongated deck support stringers are secured in spaced-apart relationship on a top wall of the cross-members. Decking floor members are supported by the deck support stringers elevated from the top face of the cross-members a distance of up to about five inches (5 inches) to create underfloor passages adapted for the passage of conduits and services material. Floatation support casings are secured under the cross-members.

Abstract: Novel prefabricated structural components such as precast concrete boxes having forms including rectangular parallelepipeds and hexagonal cylinders are disclosed which can be assembled together and/or with structural shapes disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,697,736 and 6,491,473 to form waterfront structures such as seawalls, levees and breakwaters. Novel methods of waterborne transport and installation of the boxes and arrays thereof are disclosed, including modular vessels having bow and stern sections which can be connected directly together or mounted to a mid-section containing assemblies of such boxes, other structural elements or other vessels such as floating drydocks. Modular vessels can be assembled with any or all of the bow, midship and stern sections comprising honeycomb arrays of vertically-oriented hexagonal boxes.

Abstract: In a liquid container used in an automatic analyzer, a float that makes it possible to prevent liquid from making contact with a liquid collection opening of the liquid container to form a film thereon is provided. A float is floated on the liquid surface of a reagent placed in a reagent container for use with an automatic analyzer. The float is equipped with a float body and a required number of buoyancy adjusters. The float body is equipped with a liquid surface cover that covers substantially the entire liquid surface, and a side wall portion positioned so as to project beneath the liquid surface from the liquid surface cover. The side wall portion constitutes a device for the purpose of suppressing swaying motions of the liquid surface cover by making contact with or engaging an inner wall of the reagent container when the reagent sways.

Abstract: A bridge and pier structure are disclosed for extending over a waterway, wherein the pier structure includes a chamber filled with air or other buoyant material such that a buoyancy force is produced. The chamber is sized and filled such that the buoyancy force offsets at least eighty or ninety percent of the weight of the bridge that is supported by the pier. The pier structure includes a footing portion that is embedded into the bed of the waterway, and an optional piling extends downwardly from the footing to engage more stable strata. In an embodiment of the invention, the pier includes a relatively large upper portion that defines the buoyant chambers, and a relatively narrow portion that extends down to the footing portion of the pier. In an embodiment, a bumper assembly is disposed about the pier, to protect the pier and provide a platform for other activities.

Abstract: A modular floating construction comprises one or more floating bodies having platforms including removable latching means, thereby providing floating stages, wharfs, working platforms to be used on water surfaces in general.

Abstract: A configurable, multi-function vessel that comprises first and second pontoon barges and a plurality of interconnecting barges. The first and second pontoon barges have a plurality of connection members disposed on the inboard sides thereof. The plurality of interconnecting barges are disposable between the inboard sides of the first and second pontoon barges so that a plurality of connection members disposed on opposite sides of the interconnecting barges are adjacent to the connection members on either said first or second pontoon barge. A plurality of connectors releasably couple adjacent connection members so that the pontoon barges and the interconnecting barges form a unitary, oceangoing vessel.

Abstract: A marine structure comprises a supporting member adapted to be located at least partially immersed in water. The supporting member comprises a wall at least partially delimiting the supporting member such that an inner side of the wall at least partially delimits an inner hollow volume of the supporting member and an outer side of the wall is adapted to be in contact with the ambient environment of the supporting member. The supporting member further comprises a stiffening web frame attached to the wall in order to modify the structural capacity of the supporting member, which stiffening web frame comprises a rib and a flang.

Abstract: There is provided a dock having a pair of primary frame members and a pair of secondary frame members. The primary and secondary frame members are formed of a fiber-reinforced resin material. The primary frame members extend parallel to a primary axis and are arranged in opposed, spaced parallel relation to each other. Likewise, the secondary frame members extend parallel to a secondary axis and are arranged in opposed, spaced parallel relation to each other. Each secondary frame member is connected to the pair of primary frame members. The dock also includes a plurality of cross members. Each cross member is connected to and extends between the pair of primary frame members. Each cross member includes an upper platform contact face disposed within a common upper platform contact plane.

Abstract: An inflatable barrier system halts an approaching boat. A barrier support platform houses a pressurized gas source and a power supply and has a winch connected to a pair of cables. An inflatable barrier body member having a bow and stern is coupled to the pressurized gas source for inflation of the body member and the cables are connected to the bow and stern to deploy the inflated body member at the surface of the water and to maintain the bow above the surface and the stern below the surface of the water. A barrier controller provides signals indicative of the approaching boat to initiate the inflation of the inflatable barrier body member and the deployment of the inflated barrier body member at the surface with the bow above the surface and the stern below the surface without inflicting excessive damage to the boat or injury to its occupants.

Abstract: Novel prefabricated structural components such as precast concrete boxes having forms including rectangular parallelepipeds and hexagonal cylinders are disclosed which can be assembled together and/or with structural shapes disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,697,736 and 5,697,473 to form waterfront structures such as seawalls, levees and breakwaters. Novel methods of waterborne transport and installation of the boxes and arrays thereof are disclosed, including modular vessels having bow and stern sections which can be connected directly together or mounted to a mid-section containing assemblies of such boxes, other structural elements or other vessels such as floating drydocks. Modular vessels can be assembled with any or all of the bow, midship and stern sections comprising honeycomb arrays of vertically-oriented hexagonal boxes.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a buoyant device includes multiple buoyant members with each buoyant member defining a first aperture and a second aperture. Each buoyant member is coupled to an elongate member such that the elongate member extends from that first aperture to that second aperture.

Abstract: A pontoon crawler track assembly intended to be used as a crawler-track-driven undercarriage in a working machine. The assembly includes a mounting frame and pontoon members. The mounting frame includes a coupler to couple the pontoon crawler track assembly with the working machine and a fastener for attachment of box-structured, hollow pontoon members at the sides of the mounting frame. Each pontoon member includes a crawler track arrangement, which is arranged moveable by way of an internal power transmission arrangement. The breadth of the pontoon crawler track assembly is adjustable. Actuators adjust a breadth of the assembly in a way that a working machine equipped with the pontoon crawler track assembly may be brought, by changing the distance between its pontoon members with the actuators, operating by auxiliary power, first into a narrowed position particularly and on the other hand into a broadened position.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an energy production system comprising a liquid reservoir in which a liquid periodically changes its level, at least one float at least partially immerged in liquid within said liquid reservoir, a lock system operable to maintain said float at a predetermined base level in said liquid, and a controller system comprising a floating trigger system operable to selectively trigger said lock system to release the float from the base level to wave crest thus enabling an outburst and creating high mechanical energy, thereby producing energy power from the liquid level difference within said liquid reservoir.

Abstract: A semi-submersible structure. The hull includes four columns that are supported by two pontoons. The columns support the topsides and the topsides structural framing serves as horizontal framing between the columns. A truss frame is attached to the columns. The truss frame preferably includes heave plates. The truss frame extends downward below the pontoons a sufficient distance in the water such that it minimizes motions caused by environmental forces. The hull section and the truss space frame are constructed separately and assembled together at the offshore site where the structure is used for drilling and/or production.

Abstract: A marine water conversion apparatus capable of pumping ocean surface water several hundred feel below the surface to cause sufficient cooler water to rise to the surface to prevent formation of or to moderate hurricanes. The apparatus is remotely controlled and includes a propulsion system for moving it to a new location or in predetermined patterns through use of a global positioning system and computerized controls. Power for driving the pumps may be provided by a wind turbine driven electric generator at the upper end of an upper tube section pivotally connected to a float tank on a vertical axis.

Abstract: The invention relates to a flotation element for vessels, consisting of concrete comprising closed-cell expanded foam beads, such as polypropylene beads, which are coated with a flexible binder, such as polyurethane, whereby the unfilled inter-bead volumes do not exceed approximately 20% of the volume of the floatation element. Preferably, one such floatation element comprises a concrete core as indicated above, a polyurethane coating around the core and a bonding film, such as polyurethane, which is disposed between the core and the coating. The invention is suitable for the construction of vessel floats.

Abstract: The invention relates to the design of floating structures for the installation of equipments such as wind turbines and solar power plants.

Abstract: The invention is related to a floatable structure as a rigid unit for carrying loads and especially to such a structure which is composed of floatable single bodies being connected by longitudinal connecting members provided with cavities.

Abstract: Flotation device which comprises an exterior receptacle which is designed to be supported on the external surface of a ship, cargo container or floating structure in such a manner that it extends substantially within the ship, cargo container or floating structure, leaving its open end oriented toward the outside; and, inside of said exterior receptacle, an interior receptacle whose open end corresponds to the open end of said exterior receptacle and which houses inflatable means and expulsion means for expelling said inflatable means from the open end of said interior receptacle following the activation of the flotation device of the present invention.

Abstract: A floating boat lift has a platform, first and second parallel spaced apart arms and a boat holding region defined therebetween, the defined boatholding region having a linking strip of half-blocks with an aligned groove for accepting and guiding a boat keel. The lift includes adjustable buoyancy.

Abstract: A pontoon crawler track assembly intended to be used as a crawler-track-driven undercarriage in a working machine. The assembly includes a mounting frame and pontoon members. The mounting frame includes a coupler to couple the pontoon crawler track assembly with the working machine and a fastener for attachment of box-structured, hollow pontoon members at the sides of the mounting frame. Each pontoon member includes a crawler track arrangement, which is arranged moveable by way of an internal power transmission arrangement. The breadth of the pontoon crawler track assembly is adjustable. Actuators adjust a breadth of the assembly in a way that a working machine equipped with the pontoon crawler track assembly may be brought, by changing the distance between its pontoon members with the actuators, operating by auxiliary power, first into a narrowed position particularly and on the other hand into a broadened position.

Abstract: A method and a building system for manufacturing a floating structure, for instance a watercraft, in which method the hull part for the floating structure is formed, it is provided with deck structures or similar support structures, and space units are prefabricated and installed between said deck structures or similar support structures. In the method such space units are manufactured, which comprise engineering units, which are provided at least with WC-equipment, as well as room units so that an engineering unit interconnected with a room unit forms a cabin unit. The engineering units of two adjacent cabin units are prefabricated and joined together to form an engineering unit pair and the thus accomplished engineering unit pair is transferred to and installed in its place on the floating structure.

Abstract: A flexor connector drive system for mechanical flexors of a modular causeway system includes a linear slide mechanism coupled to a linear drive located within a well on a first section of the causeway system. The linear slide mechanism is adapted to be driven out of the well by the linear drive and couple to a flexor located within a well on a second section of the causeway. Upon reversal of the linear drive, the linear slide mechanism pulls the flexor into the well on the first section, for interconnecting the two sections. The linear drive includes a high helix screw that provides high torque under high speed conditions for quickly moving the heavy flexor between the two sections.

Abstract: A float structure having supplementary floating bodies that is comprised of a cavitary body, the hollow internal aspect of which enables buoyance and floatation in water, and a plurality of floating bodies disposed within the cavitary body. Given such a structure, when a float, containing the plurality of floating bodies in its cavitary body, incurs collision and wear damage that results in leakage and a loss of the floating body capability it should possess, the supplementation provided by the invention herein constitutes another source of buoyance that supports the entire float in retaining a major portion of its buoyance, thereby preventing the float from sinking and maintaining a set buoyant force.

Abstract: A float structure having a mainframe and pontoons is described. The mainframe includes floor support beams transversely attached to pontoon connector beams. The pontoon connector beams are operatively connected to the pontoons such that there are no weak points in the mainframe. A motor mount is removably mounted to the connector beams and is adjustable to accommodate various lengths of motor shafts.

Abstract: A method of assembling a dock is provided. The method includes positioning a first dock module adjacent a second dock module wherein each dock module includes a top surface, a bottom surface, and a plurality of sidewalls extending therebetween. Each top surface includes at least one channel extending between opposed sidewalls, each bottom surface includes at least one pocket therein, and each sidewall includes at least one coupling slot extending from the top surface. A first coupling slot of the first dock module is substantially aligned with a first coupling slot of the second dock module. The method also includes inserting a first coupler into the first coupling slot of the first dock module and into the first coupling slot of the second dock module such that the dock modules are secured to one another.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multidirectional floating element. The multidirectional floating element is preferably a polyhedron in overall shape including a first generally planar surface adapted for use a deck, a second surface having a V-shaped channel adapted for receiving and guiding a watercraft keel and a plurality of side walls for adjoining and maintaining spacing between the first surface and the second surface.

Abstract: A frame adapted to receive containers, particularly empty plastic beverage containers, such as two-liter plastic pop bottles, and adapted to be attached to a dock structure. When the dock structure, frame and bottles are in mutual cooperation, the containers provide buoyancy to the dock structure. The containers are preferably screwed into the frame and may be removed.

Abstract: Method for producing a floating base, which base is made up of a number of coupled-together base elements, characterized in that floating elements and rigid elements are supplied first, after which a number of floating elements and a number of rigid elements are joined together, wherein each base element is assembled from floating elements and rigid elements that have been joined together in this manner, after which a number of base elements thus formed are coupled together so as to form the floating base.

Abstract: Disclosed is a vessel comprising at least two parallel hulls at a predetermined mutual distance. A deck structure is supported on the hulls. Fluid storage tanks are placed in the at least two hulls, at least partly below the deck structure. The deck structure carries fluid processing and/or production equipment. The fluid is a hydrocarbon. The ratio of length to width of the vessel being at least 3, preferably at least 4. The length of the vessel being at least 150 m, preferably at least 250 m, more preferably at least 350 m.

Abstract: A structural flotation device formed of two elongated shear panels embodied as substantially planar sheets of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) that are spaced apart by two or more substantially parallel and spaced apart heavy-gauge HDPE buoyancy tubes. The buoyancy tubes are transversely oriented relative to the elongated shear panels. All of the buoyancy tubes are of a substantially identical length that is foreshortened relative to the elongated shear panels. The openings in both ends of each buoyancy tube are joined to a substantially planar and unbroken surface of each of the elongated shear panels with substantially water-tight structural seams along its entire circumference.