Round and/or Oval Shaped Floating Platforms, Using Controlled

Trapped Air Mechanism from Underneath, for Stability, Lifting,

Moving and Docking Purposes

Technical field

Traditional filling techniques, used in the process of artificial island construction was and will always be a major sin towards our environment, destroying the habitats of millions of living things and contributing to the pollution nightmare that the world is suffering from. Such techniques require enormous finance, work load, machinery, and a huge amount of time to achieve the target. In addition; they result in a dangerous rise in sea water level.

The extreme expense, scarcity, and the difficulties in getting any piece of land around coastlines or sea-boards, and the general lack of land in big, over crowded cities aided the use of such techniques, overcoming the dangers and the disadvantages that directly affect our valuable and vulnerable earth.

Our environmental concern and the will to overcome this threatening barrier gave us the right vision to give the world a newly born idea, a solution that utilizes what nature provides without destruction and pollution.

We came up with a breakthrough in the world of constructions and off-shore applications. We came up with the Round and Oval Shaped Floating

Platforms and Constructions (FPC)

Floating Platforms are independent, mobile floating artificial bases with the ability to obtain, hold and host a wide range of constructions including hotels, buildings, private villas, tourist attractions, and many more vital human needs, especially designed to maintain any load and to give the required space, stability and safety for those interested in owning reasonably priced real estate in unique locations.

Previous attempts to formulate constructions on water surfaces could not maintain stability and safety features. This is due to its rough outside design and week base or platform. Existing floating houses are square or rectangular with edgy roofs mat provide a vertical drag surface on which wind can easily maneuver and blow away. They are also based on square or rectangular platforms that tend to abruptly stop and break waves which

results in an unstable and dangerous carrier for the construction. In addition, old platforms have a flat base from underneath that does not provide a reliable docking and balancing mechanism on which those constructions are built.

The Round and Oval Shaped Floating Platforms and Constructions redefine the traditional concept of floating houses. The newly designed base of the platform is round or oval with an inner cone shape which provides an air and water barrier from underneath (Refer to Plan 3). It also gives additional surface area for lifting in comparison to the flat bases of older platforms. With the overall round or oval shape of the new base, it can smooth and decrease wave resistance in comparison to the vertical, edgy, square or rectangular traditional platforms.

The new platforms can handle a larger weight capacity, thus different constructions with different sizes can be built on top. In case of larger constructions such as big hotels, the platform can be designed to have multiple inner cones that resemble the shape of multiple ring buoys. Here, the platforms will posses from underneath multiple air trapping and releasing mechanism (trapped air between water surface and platform) which allows for more stability, movement and weight baring capability. Constructions on those new platforms are wisely designed to maintain the round or oval shape of the platforms. With the smooth, oval, pyramid or round surface of those constructions, they become less resistant to wind above sea water level. Older constructions are square or rectangular, thus giving a vertical and rough drag surface on which strong wind and/or wave can easily maneuver and result in instability or even flipping of the construction.

Not only will the floating platforms provide additional and comfortable area for living or other life needs, but the quality and safety features involved in the unique design of those structures will increase and ease the standard of living. Natural Catastrophes similar to what the world observed in the year 2004 with the Tsunami tragedy that swiped away every house or building, killing thousands of innocent victims can be avoided and/or diminished with the safety features, strength and stability of the newly invented Round and Oval Shaped Floating Platforms and Constructions (FPC). Massive waves like those experienced in Tsunami can be absorbed by the strength and flexibility of the platforms which are enforced by anchors linking them to the ground or sea bed, where they can float above and resist destruction. Furthermore, the Round and Oval Shaped Floating Platforms and Constructions (FPC) are not only qualified to float on water, but they are rather amphibian constructions that can also be placed on any land surface

whether stable or unstable, then anchored to the ground for stability and balance. The earthquake resistance qualities of those platforms can make them ideal for countries suffering from continuous threats of earthquakes and land instability. The platform flexibility and less wind resistance can give a better hope for those people living in countries that experience continuous threats of tornadoes where solid and rigid traditional constructions tend to shatter and demolish against such natural catastrophes. It is important to add that the platforms are designed to be mobile, thus can move on water from a place to another, from land to water or the opposite and from country to country with ease.

Our world is traumatized by increasing expenses and cost of raw and building material. Traditional constructions require ample costly material, plenty of time, manpower and logistics to be completed. Here, the Round and Oval Shaped Floating Platforms and Constructions (FPC) where invented to minimize the overall cost and manpower building time involved. The advantages of those platforms do not only stop here, but if someone would compare the furnishing expenses of a traditional yacht or ship; it will clearly show the exaggerated overpriced costumed furniture and finishing of even the cheapest current available products in the market. In addition, furniture for yachts and ships are tailed and manufactured all together, restricted with space and height and results in 90% increase in building time compared to a similar size floating platform. The intelligent design of the platforms gives sufficient space and layout to allow typical furnishing from regular traditional home furniture stores where the budget and cost can be determined by the owner without the need to refer to custom made furniture. Whether the Round and Oval Shaped Floating Platforms and Constructions (FPC) are made to be houses, hotels, restaurants or any desired creation, the finishing and furnishing cost will be equivalent to traditional expenses and not that of the exaggerated custom made furniture prices. This results in time efficiency and overcomes the restricted small size of custom furniture in traditional yachts.

The concept of the platforms is meant to create the most flexible, independent, safe and strong base to build different constructions on while sharing the features of future living. Constructions built on such platforms can be equipped with high performance solar panels to supply the necessary energy requirements including water heating and electric appliances. The overall round, oval or diamond shape of those constructions gives a breathtaking, beautiful futuristic impression and defines and new perception in design and stability.

Definitions:

• Round and/or oval shaped:

Refers to general spherical shapes, whether circular, round, oval, octagon, hexagon, pentagon, diamond shape, or any shape that would fit or give a spherical appearance.

• Construction:

Ranges from houses, villas, buildings, stores, warehouses, restaurants or any other possible construction. Further examples are listed in Method of industrial application.

• Inner cone:

The space or cone created from underneath the platform. It is designed to created and air space cavity between the platform and water or any other surface that the platform is placed on. This inner cone can be filled with an air cushion which has the ability to inflate or deflate as required.

Technical background

Floating platforms engineered and designed to cope with water and aerodynamics. It uses the forces of nature (The Air Tapping and Releasing Mechanism- described in Detailed Description of the Invention) to float, the water and air current for movement and the sun light for energy. They can be built in any assigned location (e.g. China, ideal for huge projects) where building expenses are low and no roads or traffic jams paralyzing the building location, as in traditional city constructions, or they can even be built locally in assigned factories around coastlines. The desired constructions are built on top of the platform then the whole structure is pulled and carried to the required location, where they can be mounted and stabilized using the Air docking suction system (described in Detailed Description of the Invention). If needed, these Platforms have the ability to be relocated according to the circumstances and the requirements via an air

cushion located below to create a smooth surface to minimize draft and friction.

Floating platforms are designed in two types. Type one platform is made to suit required constructions close to safe coastlines with no or little threat to high tidal waves or earthquakes. Type two platforms are made to fit high tidal areas and is based on a trimiran or swath to facilitate movement.

The floating platforms are professionally designed to give the following advantages:

1- Cost effective: standard furnishing and finishing.

2- Huge savings in the use of scarce raw materials, like iron, cement for foundation, etc

3- Less man power

4- Efficient and fast building time in comparison to traditional constructions.

5- Easily assembled and provides flexibility in terms of building material choice. Whether wood, bamboo, concrete, positive concrete, stainless steel, fiber glass,... material can be chosen in respect to availability and budget.

6- Logistics and transfer of building material costs are diminished as the platforms are built in assigned locations and easily transferred to the desired site.

7- Environmental friendly compared to the damage resulting from traditional artificial island constructions.

8- Provides additional land space where it is mostly needed.

9- Amphibian design of the platforms giving the constructions the possibility to be placed on water, any land surface, areas threatened by flood or earthquakes.

10- Different sizes ranging from small single construction platforms to multiple huge platforms.

11- The mobility of the platforms, allows it to be transferred anywhere in the world or to reposition at any desired time.

12- The possibility to attach or detach more than one platform with no limitation to the desired amount.

13- Stability and safety of the structure and its remarkable resistance to wind and waves.

14- It's weight baring properties and it's ability to hold a wide and different range of structures.

15- It has a 600% -800% Area advantage over Yachts. In addition, a similar advantage in cubic meter area due to the dome or round shape of the construction.

16- 1000% lift capacity more than any ship or yacht. The comparison is based on the ship length which is equivalent to the diameter of the Oval or round construction.

17- Attractive futuristic overall design.

Disclosure of the invention

Round and Oval Floating mobile platforms and constructions is a new definition in the field of engineering and design. The platform has an oval or round, concave base with a single inner cone design for smaller constructions, as illustrated in plan 3-description of drawings, while in large constructions, the design takes the shape of multiple ring Buoys. This gives the structure the advantage to spread the weight and pressure on a larger air and water surface area.

The base is equipped with a specially designed Air Trapping and Releasing Mechanism which can be aided with an air filled Pillow tank- depending on the size and weight of the construction- refer to detailed description of the invention- to oppose the upward air pressure applied by the water under the platform.

When building the construction above the platform, the main weight targets the circumference of the structure in order to provide the optimal balancing. Pyramid shaped or cone shaped constructions are the preferred choice for the floating platforms; this helps to decrease wind and wave resistance. Traditional floating houses are square or rectangular causing a decrease in stability and balancing against wind and waves.

This unique design surpassed the traditional ship designs, from rectangular non dynamic upper surfaces to oval or round mobile structures, and gives the ability of a bigger space that can be used for hotels, buildings and other beneficial constructions. The added surface area can go up to 800% with a similar increase in cubic meter area due to dome or round construction shape. The weight capacity can exceed 1000% in comparison to yachts or ships with similar size. Most important, the higher security level, stability, weight load ability, wave bearing and higher level of safety from sinking.

Description of drawings

Kindly refer to the attached Nine (9) FPC Plans.

Attached to the following document, a set of Nine (9) plans or drawings of the Round and/or Oval Shaped Floating Platforms and Constructions. The drawings present an example of the overall structure and design of the platform with construction and clarify the weight distribution concept. In addition, it presents the inner cone design of the platform and explains the air docking mechanism together with the air cushion functions.

Plans 1.1-/1.2:

This is an example of an overall end result for the Round and Oval Shaped Floating Platform and Construction. In this plan, a two floor villa with a diameter of 12.4 meters is shown to clarify the concept. Different structures with different sizes and heights can be constructed based on the technology and design of the platform. As it is visible, the construction is based on the floating platform that provides the stability and balance against air, wind and other environmental influences. The construction can be completely independent from any land structure and floats autonomously on water. The end result of this design provided a suitable setting for different human needs, including floating houses, hotels, restaurants, stores, warehouses or any other requirement. (Kindly refer to Method of industrial application of the Round and/or Oval Shaped Floating Platforms and Constructions).

Plans 2.1/2.2/2.3:

This drawing shows the skeleton of the Round and/or Oval Shaped Floating

Platforms and Constructions based on the same example provided in Plan

One. The skeleton, which can be made out of stainless steel, wood, fiberglass or any other desired material provides the inner backbone of the structure.

Arrow (1) points out the outer skeleton of the construction.

Arrow (2) shows the middle or central backbone of the construction.

Arrow (3) clarifies the general layout of the platform and base. Note the inner cone structure that is formulated by this design.

Arrow (4) shows the base of the second floor of the villa.

It is vital to stress out that the main design is based on the formation of the inner cone from underneath. The construction above can be in different size or shape. In case that large construction is required, the design takes the shape of multiple ring Buoys. Here, the design starts with a single ring which is followed by others that are targeted away from the center of the circle. (Refer to Plan 7)

Plan 3.1/3.2:

This plan shows an inner x-ray like shot of the same villa provided in Plan One. The inner cone design creates an air filled barrier between water and the platform {Arrow (1)} When the Round and/or Oval Shaped Floating Platform and Construction is placed on water, the air is trapped between the water surface and the area provided by the inner cone {Arrow (1)}. The trapped air can then be sucked to create vacuum thus giving the necessary stability for the platform. This is called the air docking suction system. When it is desired to relocate or move the platform with the construction, the air is released back to the concave compartment, reversing vacuum into air.

Plan 4:

The efficiency and stability of the design comes from the weight distribution of the whole structure which is concentrated on the circumference of the platform. The central weight- arrow (1) - which comes from the main weight of the construction above the platform, spreads downwards toward the base. As it is clearly shown, the central weight is dispersed among the skeleton of the inner cone of the platform — arrow (2 and 3), see also Plan Five. Together with the remaining weight indicated by arrow (4) that comes from the sides of construction above, the whole weight of the structure is concentrated on the circumference of the spherical shaped platform. The distribution of weight on the circumference formulates the stability and weight baring capacity of the platform.

Plan 5:

This Plan adds more understanding to the principle of central weight distribution via the backbone of the inner cone design of the platform. Arrows (1) clearly indicates how the weight spreads from the center to the circumference of the platform. The circumference which is indicated by

arrow (2) absorbs all the weight coming from the center, through the inner cone and from the sides of the construction (arrow 3).

Plan 6:

Shows a two dimensional cross section of the same floating villa presented in plan 1. This plane provides the size and measurements used to construct the platform and the villa. Note the inner cone design which gives the air cavity between the base of the platform and water surface. An air cushion (which can be made out of rubber similar to the type of rubber used in car tires) can be placed inside where it can be inflated for movement or deflated for docking and safety purposes. In addition, it is vital in case of emergency or accidents to avoid sinking.

Plan 7:

This plan presents an example of a larger platform where it takes the shape of multiple ring buoys. Here, the air filled cavities are covered with air cushions indicated with arrow (1). Those cushions are inflated to facilitate the movement of the platform where it minimizes the water friction and centralizes the weight of platform from the circumference to disperse it among the surface of the cushion. Note the cross section view of the platform, it visibly shows a zigzag shape resembling the multiple inner cones. The number of rings or cavities depends on the required weight load and size of the platform.

Plan 8:

This is a lower view of a large platform with multiple ring buoys shape (arrow 1). The air cushions are all inflated covering the inner cavities of the cones to facilitate movement In case docking is required, the air is pumped out of the air cushions thus the water returns to original level and air is trapped in the inner cone between water surface and platform.

Plan 9:

This is an example of a large construction (in this case, it presents a floating hotel) built on the platform with multiple rings from underneath.

Detailed description of the invention

As the technology and the strength behind the Round and Oval Shaped Floating Platforms and Constructions lie in its unique design, the details in describing this invention shall be made in points and aided with drawings.

1- The base resembles the heart of the floating platforms. It is designed to be oval, round or diamond in shape as illustrated in plan 1. The bottom of the base is made concave with a single inner cone design facing downwards. In large constructions, the design takes the shape of multiple ring Buoys. The concave inner cone design creates the first step to aid the trapped air mechanism which is used to anchor and stabilize the platform in addition to giving it the high life needed. When the construction is placed on water, the air is trapped between the water surface and the area provided by the inner cone. The trapped air can then be sucked to create vacuum thus giving the necessary stability for the platform. This is called the air docking suction system.

2- The desired constructions, ranging from small houses to buildings or multiple structures can be built as an extension or continuation to those platforms. The main weight of these constructions is dispersed among the circumference from center of the floating platform as shown in plan 3. The exerted round load or pressure creates the balanced stability needed. It also works simultaneously with the trapped air mechanism which is centered in the middle of the platform. Additional stability can be provided by traditional anchors and tying methods. A rubber air tube or cushion can also be fitted from underneath to facilitate the movement of the platform with less friction and drag.

3- Once the floating platform is stabilized and anchored, it becomes resistant to external factors such as wind or wave. When it is desired to relocate or move the platform with the construction, the air is released back to the concave compartment, reversing vacuum into air. As a result, the construction will slightly rise and become more flexible. This process is followed by removing the other supporting anchors where the construction becomes free to move. The platform can then be easily pushed, driven with a built in engine or towed to

any other desired location together with the aid of the rubber air cushion. See plan 7.

4- More than one platform can be attached to each other resembling a beehive. Those structures can be attached or detached at any desired time, each being independent of the other. Energy supply and sewage disposal can be made independent or shared.

In smaller platforms, where a single inner cone is present, an air cushion which could be made of rubber or any other suitable material is placed within the inner cone below the platform. An air pressure pump is then used to pump air in and out of the cushion as required. For docking and stability purposes, air is pumped or sucked out of the air cushion where as a result, it diminishes in size and creates the air/water cavity that stabilizes the floating platform and construction. When it is required to move the platform, air is pumped into the air cushion, where it enlarges and covers the inner cone to protrude into water, thus creating a smooth lower surface that minimizes water friction to facilitate the movement of the platform. Note that when the air cushion is deflated, the weight of the platform and construction is focused on the circumference of the structure for stabilization and safety while when inflated, the weight becomes spread over complete cone surface to ease movement.

In larger platforms where it takes the form of multiple ring buoys ( refer to plan 7), multiple air cushions are placed to follow the same inflating and deflating concept which are required for safety , docking or movement. Air cushions can be designed, to have multiple compartments, where each of which can be inflated or deflated upon request. This is important for balancing, movement or even in case of emergency. In addition, the central, lower end of those cushions which is in touch with water surface is designed in (V) shape rather man round. This is to minimize water friction and to allow the platform to cut through water while moving. The air cushion mechanism can be manual or fully automated based upon request. Additional safety and stability measurements can also implemented within the floating platform. Water tanks can be mounted inside within the platform for and balancing purposes. Water can be released from or sucked into those tanks which are placed inside on each side of the platform. This concept can be used to help air cushions in balancing, especially in case of emergency situations like strong wind or wave.

Method of industrial application of the invention

The rising level of sea water yearly engulfs a noticeable amount of scarce land. The floating platforms replace the above mention loss without increasing sea water level and give the rare advantage of additional land and space where it could be needed the most.

Furthermore, it forms an ideal solution for countries with high risk of natural disasters such as tidal waves, floods or hurricanes. It is a flexible invention that accustoms itself to the needs of its owner and has the ability to move anywhere. Having such advantages, a huge list of uses can be dictated:

• Floating hotels, a huge tourist attraction in the most desirable location. With the ability to relocate if needed.

• Floating Buildings where more accommodation is required like in coastal big overcrowded cities.

• Ideal for offices and private companies.

• Private houses, villas and islands for real estate lovers with beautiful futuristic shapes.

• Floating museums, malls, stadiums, etc.

• Floating water cities.

• They can replace traditional private yachts and can come in different sizes

• Factories, especially those preferred to be built far from living areas

• Parks, leisure lands, zoo and other tourist attractions

• Control points or relay stations for all kinds of ships and other service centers

• Floating stores and/or warehouses

• Governmental buildings, embassies, and other high security foundations.

• For military and marine purposes, their offices or practice fields.

• Isolation camps.

• Hospitals, especially those related to infective diseases.

• Clubs, night clubs, gym, restaurants, coffee shops and other leisure facilities especially around newly developed islands or coastlines.

• Mobile Workers accommodation

• For on- shore oil-field support