SKRIPECZ, Dezső (Tőlgyfa u. 3, Törökbálint, H-2045, HU)
SKRIPECZ, Dezső (Tőlgyfa u. 3, Törökbálint, H-2045, HU)
| CLAIMS 1. A water transport base unit including at least two identical tanks that in default position are placed adjacent to one another, in parallel, at proportional distances, that are capable of floating in water, and that serve the transport primarily of liquids of a specific weight less than one, characterised by each tank (1) is produced of a flexible material capable of bending with the waves, has a perpendicular cross-section of closed contour, has two ends sealed in water-tight fashion by identical, hydrodynamically shaped caps (11), has a shell furnished with a number of filling/evacuating fittings (12) as per technical specifications, and includes a spacing structure (2) manufactured from a flexible material capable of bending with the waves such as moves freely on a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tank (1), serves to maintain a proportional distance between tanks (1), and is joined to the shell of the tank (1) along its length via retaining loops (13) that are attached to the tank (1) in fixed fashion at distances at least ten times and at most twenty times the reciprocal value of the weighted diameter of the tank (1). 2. The base unit according to Claim 1, characterised by the tank (1) is preferably of two-layered plastic construction and a closed-contour cross section, with an interior wall layer constructed to be durable, resistant to damage by antistatic, and abrasion resistant, and an exterior surface that is immune to damaging environmental effects and exhibits long-term resistance to UV light, cosmic radiation, and ozone. 3. The base unit according to Claims 1 or 2, characterised by the spacing structure (2) includes spacing elements (22) that, disposed above the retaining loops (13), incorporate a connecting element (21) and are approximately vertical with respect to the tank (1); a convergence-preventing element (23) of a flexible material that is threaded onto the connecting element so as to be parallel to the surface of the water and whose length is at least one and a half times and at most three times the weighted diameter of the tank (1) is arranged between the two retaining loops (13); and a flow-way (3), whose size depends on and is at least half and at most twice the size of the weighted diameter of the tank (1) is fashioned between the two tanks. 4. The base unit according to any of Claims 1 through 3, characterised by the connecting element (21) is manufactured of a flexible material capable of handling the tensions involved. 5. The base unit according to any of Claims 1 through 4, characterised by a reinforcing element (24) of a size corresponding to approximately half the length of the convergence-preventing (23) element is included along its middle section. 6. The base unit according to any of Claims 1 through 5, characterised by the retaining loops (13) are attached to the shell of the tank (1) using an adhesive material with a tensile strength equal to that of the material of the tank (1). 7. The base unit according to any of Claims 1 through 6, characterised by fastening elements (4), preferably clamps, are attached near the retaining loops (13) in removable fashion for the purposes of joining base units (E) to one another in the lateral direction. 8. The floating tow fashioned of base units (E) according to any of Claims 1 through 7, characterised by an arbitrarily selected number of base units (E) are coupled together by placing them side by side, in parallel to one another, using the connecting element (21) threaded through the retaining loops (13), the spacing element (22), and the convergence-preventing element (23) with or without the aid of the removable fastening elements (4). 9. The floating tow fashioned of base units (E) according to any of Claims 1 through 8, characterised by the minimum number of base units (E) is determined based on the flow capacity of the shipping route or the volume required to be transported, while the maximum number of units is determined by the tractive power and manoeuvrability of the vessel that is towing them. 10. The raft assembled of tows according to Claims 8 or 9, characterised by the back end of each tank (1) of the tow (V) in the front is tightly coupled to the front end of the tank (1) behind it by means of a towing element (5) threaded through the towing eyes (14). |
This subject matter of this invention is a water transport base unit, a floating tow constructed of such base units, and a floating raft made of such tows.
The solution according to this invention may be used to advantage for the transport by water of arbitrary volumes of materials in liquid, powder, or crushed form, or even of materials in a gaseous state, in the region directly below the surface of the water, in the wave zone, so as to adapt to wave action, with primary reference to the transport of oil by sea or river, securely, in a manner that is resistant to the incurring of leaks or damage by collision or running aground, without sinking, in a manner that is protected from terrorist attacks, so as to proceed silently, unnoticed, and in an environmentally friendly fashion, and to be easily usable on shallow, narrow waterways or in waters where the waves are strong or the temperature is too low, and to be economical to produce.
It is commonly known that prior art in marine transport and shipping is represented by solid floating structures such as have been used for thousands of years, which, from the standpoint of hydrodynamic engineering, are defined by their three primary dimensions (length, width, and submersion depth), their shape, and the roughness of the portion of their surface that comes into contact with the water. With these commonly known floating structures, stability is preserved via the storage of a significant quantity of ballast (sea water). In the course of technical development, designers have striven to increase the amount of water displaced by increasing the mass of the structure, as only a larger force or wave of greater energy (higher, wider) is able to significantly move or stress a larger mass. Sequential disasters have motivated developers to impose even stricter technical specifications, as a result of which it has been decided that hazardous, environmentally pollutant materials can only enter European ports in double-walled (double-hulled) structures.
Deficiencies associated with these solid floating structures are as follows:
- Material fatigue from stress is generally discovered only when it is too late and a disaster has occurred,
- For structures that submerge to a depth of 10 to 25 metres, the removal of rough materials deposited on the portion of the surface of the structure that comes into contact with the water is very expensive, costly, and time-consuming,
- The ballast that provides stability causes considerable loss of both energy and useful volume,
- Processes that cause structural fatigue remain hidden, stresses that overload the material of the structure are discovered too late, fatigue is undetectable, and material deformation and weakening are also hidden,
- The relatively large mass of the floating structure is affected by relatively large forces, which load the corners of the structure more and can even overload them, causing them to fatigue more quickly than other areas,
- Given the open structure of the tank and the height of the liquid surface, when a leak develops, material is always lost,
- With double-hulled structures, damage to or holes in the external wall will not be discovered immediately; that is, the double wall does not actually imply improved safety, - Boats of solid structure such those used to date are unnecessarily expensive and complicated for transporting liquids; in addition, they are underutilised, measures taken to protect them are vulnerable and can be eluded, making it virtually impossible to keep them safe, and they consume large amounts of energy,
- There are no special floating structures developed specifically for this task; all floating structures are of the same mould as regards the forces exerted by the sea,
- All floating structures constructed and used to date must "combat" the forces of the sea and its waves, causing fatigue to the material of its structure, all unnecessarily,
- There is no floating structure constructed and used to date for which the designer has incorporated solutions found in nature,
- None of the floating structures constructed and used to date are flexible in responding to wave action, that is, can adapt and elude the force of the waves,
- None of the floating structures constructed and used to date can disappear within the wave zone, nor proceed in hidden fashion, so as to be safe from piracy,
- None of the floating structures constructed and used to date can safely navigate waters as shallow as 1.5 metres deep, narrow waterways, or channels,
- None of the floating structures constructed and used to date permit the determination of transport volume via size and/or number of tanks, nor permit the decrease or increase of said volume,
- The surfaces of all floating structures constructed and used to date are safe to walk on and may therefore be occupied,
- The manufacture of all floating structures constructed to date is a custom procedure requiring considerable preparatory work, complicated systems, numerous parts, unusually expensive technologies, and great precision; they are unnecessarily, but unavoidably expensive, - It is a mistake to believe it necessary that personnel be able to walk above properly manufactured liquid-transport tanks; if the tanks are completely and securely sealed, this obsolete idea need not be taken into consideration in their construction,
- It is a mistake to believe, based on considerations of hydrodynamic engineering, that a tank system consisting of separate parts must be placed within the closed hull of a single ship,
- The use of important commercial channels and straits is becoming increasingly problematic, as congestion has become the norm and larger ships that ride deeper cannot even use them, so that ships with larger hulls capable of carrying larger volumes must circumnavigate bodies of land in order to reach their destinations,
- The conditions described above are growing worse, so that forced waiting periods and circumnavigation significantly and unnecessarily increase the costs of transport,
- The use of large ship mass to thwart wave action is insufficient for attaining the desired result, as the forces involved are too large anyway, defects and fatigued material remain hidden, and larger masses simply result in larger potential catastrophes,
- Floating structures constructed to date cannot be cheaply serially produced.
As concerns documents protecting industrial property, prior art is represented, for example, by patent specification HU P9302046, which describes a water transport vessel with a buoyant reservoir usable primarily for the transport of large-scale tankers carrying, for example, large quantities of oil or drinking water. Essentially, this water transport vessel consists of a hollow hull of inverted T-shaped cross section, the lower, wider portion of which has an upper surface constructed on both sides to be usable as a storage area for the placement of buoyant tanks. The storage area is best suited to the placement and securing of cylindrical tanks and is designed with a curved loading surface suited to this purpose. The hull with the tanks placed on its loading platform is supplemented to form a floating body of U-shaped cross section. The buoyant tank is a tank of cylindrical shape and a diameter appropriate to the loading surface of the transport vessel that can be sealed in water-tight fashion, equipped with a fitting to which a tow rope can be connected. Deficiencies inherent in this familiar solution are that both the tanks and ship are required in order for it to function as a water transport vehicle, that the tanks are secured to the ship in fixed fashion, that they increase the width of the ship's hull, and that their length is limited so that their capacity may not be increased as need requires.
Also representing prior art is a floating marine terminal for the storage of petroleum, petroleum products, or other liquids as described by patent specification US 3839977. The marine terminal includes cylindrical storage units positioned to float side by side. Structural members such as rigid tubular frames hold the tanks together and support a deck that overlies the cylindrical tanks. The terminal enables ships to moor in deep water, as large ships are not able to dock in the shallow waters of today's ports. Thus, these terminals are moored to and may swing about a buoy. The terminal's internal tanks can be used to hold petroleum or other liquids, while its external tanks can be filled with sea water to act as dead weight without resulting in the type of foreign deposits or damage to the vessel that collisions usually cause. The deficiencies and disadvantages in this familiar solution include the ones described above: solid construction, stability achieved using ballast of considerable mass (sea water), collisions' resulting in environmental pollution, non-usability in shallow water, and the inability to tow petroleum-filled tanks ashore or onto icebergs without damaging them.
Another solution representing prior art is an invention described by patent specification number US 5588387, the subject of which is a floating platform. The platform consists of a plurality of floating modules that are coupled to one another in flexible fashion. Each module includes at least one flexible, buoyant hull that is removeably attached to the underside of the module and is capable of vertical and rotational movement, enabling it to absorb the action of the ocean's waves. In one preferred embodiment of this invention, buoyancy is attained by pivotally attaching pairs of pontoons to a walking beam hinged to the underside of the platform. In addition, each pontoon is equipped with splash trays and scuppers to minimize the impact of waves striking the underside of the module. Male/female couplers and tie lines are used that enable a quick and safe connection of each additional module to the floating structure. This familiar solution is of fixed design and solid structure, with horizontal flexibility provided only by the couplers between modules. A further weakness of the floating platform is that when used at sea, waves may break the couplers used to connect the modules to one another.
The present invention has set as its objective the elimination of all deficiencies inherent in previously known solutions and the creation of a water transport base unit, floating tow composed of such units, and raft composed of such tows that can be used for the transportation of liquids with specific weights of less than 1, preferably petroleum; that is capable of bending with the waves, adjusts to and eludes the forces exerted by the largest of waves, and aligns itself in the direction of such forces; that is capable of disappearing within the wave zone; that is resistant to the development of leaks; that cannot be sunk; that in the case of damage or the development of a leak, prevents any outflow of the material transported; that is friendly both to the environment, and to humankind; that remains hidden both on the surface of the ocean, and within the wave zone; whose surface cannot be walked on and that cannot be occupied by pirates or terrorists; that is "terror-proof and vandal-proof; that can navigate shallow waters, narrow waterways, channels, and waters of low temperature; that can change capacity in accordance with transport needs; that requires relatively little power to tow; that is simple in construction and can be serially manufactured; and that can be both produced economically, and operated safely.
The solution according to this invention is based on the realisation that if a base unit is created, which consists of at least two securely water-proofed tanks produced from a flexible material capable of bending with the waves, such that the unit includes no superstructure, and such that a flow-way is provided between the two tanks; and furthermore such that filling/evacuating fittings and spacing structures made of a flexible material capable of bending with the waves, the latter serving the purpose of proportional spacing, are disposed on the exterior shell of the tank to be used for coupling tanks / base units to create tows and tows to create rafts and which, connected to a towing vessel, are floated under the water or in the immediate vicinity of the surface of the water, then the objective set for the solution according to this invention has been met.
Thus, the subject of this invention is a water transport base unit, a floating tow created of such units, and a raft formed of such tows.
The water transport base unit according to this invention includes at least two identical tanks that in default position are placed adjacent to one another, in parallel, at proportional distances, that are capable of floating in water, and that serve the transport primarily of liquids of a specific weight less than one. The base unit has the characteristic property that each tank is produced of a flexible material capable of bending with the waves, has a cross-section of closed contour, and has two ends sealed in water-tight fashion by identical, hydrodynamically shaped caps. The shell of the tank is furnished with a number of filling/evacuating fittings as per technical specifications and includes a spacing structure manufactured from a flexible material capable of bending with the waves such as moves freely on a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tank and serves to maintain a proportional distance between tanks. This spacing structure is joined to the shell of the tank along its length via retaining loops that are attached to the tank in fixed fashion at distances at least ten times and at most twenty times the reciprocal value of the tank's weighted diameter.
One preferred embodiment of the base unit according to this invention has the characteristic property that the tank is preferably of two-layered plastic construction and a closed-contour cross section, with an interior wall layer constructed to be durable, resistant to damage, antistatic, and abrasion resistant, and an exterior surface immune to damaging environmental effects and exhibits long-term resistance to UV light, cosmic radiation, and ozone.
A second preferred embodiment of the base unit according to this invention has the characteristic property that the spacing structure includes spacing elements that, disposed above the retaining loops, incorporate a connecting element and are approximately vertical with respect to the tank. Arranged between the two retaining loops is a convergence-preventing element of a flexible material that is threaded onto the connecting element so as to be parallel to the surface of the water and whose length is at least one and a half times and at most three times the weighted diameter of the tank. Constructed between two tanks is a flow-way, whose size depends on the weighted diameter of the tank, being at least half and at most twice the size thereof.
A third preferred embodiment of the base unit according to this invention has the characteristic property that the connecting element is manufactured of a flexible material capable of handling the tensions involved.
A fourth preferred embodiment of the base unit according to this invention has the characteristic property that a reinforcing element of a size corresponding to approximately half the length of the convergence-preventing element is included along its middle section.
Yet another preferred embodiment of the base unit according to this invention has the characteristic property that the retaining loops are attached to the shell of the tank using an adhesive material with a tensile strength equal to that of the material of the tank.
Another preferred embodiment of the base unit according to this invention has the characteristic property that fastening elements, preferably clamps, are attached near the retaining loops in removable fashion for the purposes of joining units to one another in the lateral direction.
The subject of this invention also includes a floating tow composed of base units of the type described in the foregoing. The floating tow has the characteristic property that an arbitrarily selected number of base units are coupled together by placing them side by side, in parallel to one another, using the connecting element threaded through the retaining loops, the spacing element, and the convergence-preventing element with or without the aid of the removable fastening elements.
Also characteristic of the floating tow fashioned of base units as described in the foregoing is that the minimum number of base units is determined based on the flow capacity of the shipping route or the volume required to be transported, while the maximum number of units is determined by the tractive power and manoeuvrability of the vessel that is towing them. The subject of this invention also includes a raft of floating tows of the type described in the foregoing, wherein the back end of each tank of the tow in the front is tightly coupled to the front end of the tank behind it by means of a towing element threaded through the towing eyes.
The solution according to this invention is described in greater detail by means of the following drawings:
Figure 1 is an axonometric schematic view of the base unit according to this invention;
Figure 2 is a schematic view of the manner in which the tow according to this invention adapts to water waves;
Figure 3 is a schematic drawing showing how the raft according to this invention proceeds over water waves;
Figure 4 is an axonometric view of one preferred embodiment of the removable connecting element according to this invention;
Figure 5 shows a top view of the coupling of two separate tows according to this invention.
Figure 1 shows a top view axonometric schematic drawing of the base unit according to this invention.
The base unit (E) according to this invention includes at least two identical tanks (1) that in default position are placed adjacent one another, in parallel, at proportional distances, that are capable of floating in water, and that serve the transport primarily of liquids of a specific weight less than one. [Proportional distance is understood to mean a flow- way (3) between the two tanks (1) of a size dependent on and, in fact, proportional to the weighted diameter of the tank (1), as is clearly seen on the drawing.]
The uniformly sized tanks (1) are produced of a flexible material capable of bending with the waves and are preferably of two-layered plastic construction and a closed- contour cross section, with an interior wall layer constructed to be durable, resistant to damage, antistatic, and abrasion resistant, and an exterior surface is immune to damaging environmental effects and exhibits long-term resistance to UV and cosmic radiation, and ozone. The tank (1) has a perpendicular cross-section of closed contour, with two hydrodynamically shaped ends that are sealed in water-tight fashion by caps (11), each cap (11) having one towing eye (14). The shell of the tank (1) has a number of filling/evacuation fittings (12) as per technical specifications. The base unit (E) has a spacing structure (2) manufactured from a flexible material capable of bending with the waves such as moves freely on a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tank (1) and serves to maintain a proportional distance between tanks. This spacing structure (2) is joined to the shell of the tank (1) along its length via retaining loops (13) that are attached to the tank (1) in fixed fashion at distances at least ten times and at most twenty times the reciprocal value of the tank's weighted diameter. Each spacing structure (2) is assembled from two spacing elements (22) and a convergence- preventing element (23) threaded onto the connecting element (21) placed between the two spacing elements (22). Thus, the spacing structure (2) includes spacing elements (22) that, disposed above the retaining loops (13), incorporate a connecting element (21) and are approximately vertical with respect to the tank (1). Arranged between the two retaining loops is (13) a convergence-preventing element (23), shown in the drawing as a dashed line, that is threaded onto the connecting element (21), is made of a flexible material, and is oriented in parallel with the surface of the water. The length of the convergence-preventing element (23) is at least one and a half times and at most three times the weighted diameter of the tank (1). Located between two tanks (1) is a flow- way (3), whose size depends on the weighted diameter of the tank (1), being at least half and at most twice the size thereof. The convergence-preventing element (23) has along its middle section a reinforcing element (24) of a size corresponding to approximately half the length of the convergence-preventing element (23), as is clearly shown on the drawing. The retaining loops (13) are attached to the shell of the tank (1) using an adhesive material with a tensile strength equal to that of the material of the tank (1); also shown on the drawing are a number of removable fastening elements (4) attached to the retaining loops (13) for the purposes of joining base units (E) to one another in the lateral direction.
Figure 2 is a schematic drawing showing how the tow according to this invention adapts to water waves, on which are depicted five tanks (1) placed side-by-side to form two and a half base units (E). The base units (E) are joined together in the lateral direction with the aid of removable fastening elements (4) attached to the retaining loops (13) by a connecting element (21) threaded through the retaining loops (13), the spacing element (22), and the convergence-preventing element (23). [The base units (E) can be coupled together without the removable fastening elements (4), as well.]
Also indicated on the drawing are the spacing structure (2), the reinforcing element (24), and - shown using a dashed line - the flow- way located between the two tanks (1) of the base unit (E).
The floating tow (V) fashioned of base units (E) is capable of adapting to the waves. For example, as regards the base unit (E) on the right side of the drawing, the connecting element (21), preferably a length of rope, that is drawn through the retaining loops (13) a single time, proceeds from the lower tank (1) to the upper tank (1), then to the next tank (1), as well, within the vertical spacing elements (22) and convergence- preventing element (23). The connecting element (21) always runs perpendicularly to the tanks (1) through the spacing elements (23) from one side of the floating tow (V) to the other. Joining by means of the connecting element (21) prevents one tank (1) from floating away from the other, while providing a perfectly flexible connection for the purposes of adapting to wave patterns. As is clearly shown on the diagram, for the base unit (E) depicted on the right side, a wave has raised the upper tank (1) with respect to the lower tank (1) in accordance with its height - e.g. by 1.5 meters measured perpendicularly to the calm water surface. In this case, with the solution according to this invention, the upper tank (1) is capable of remaining on the water's surface with respect to the lower tank (1), as a result of which it eludes the destructive force of the waves. In this way, the solution reacts to even the smallest wave forces, resulting in the smallest possible loads on the tow (V), which therefore incurs no damage and requires as little energy as possible in order to proceed.
In the event the positions of the two tanks (1) are switched, so that the upper tank (1) moves into the 1.5 meter deep trough of the wave, then the flexible connection permits what was formerly the lower tank (1) to move to the crest of the wave, where the flexible connection permits it to continue to remain on the surface of the water, as a result of which it, too, eludes the destructive power of the waves and, additionally, reacts to even the minutest of wave forces. Figure 3 offers a schematic drawing of the manner in which the raft according to this invention proceeds over the waves. In the drawing, a raft assembled from a plurality of tows (V) is shown with base units (E) each composed of two tanks (1); also indicated are the spacing structures (2) manufactured from a flexible material capable of bending with the waves such as moves freely on a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tank (1) and serves to maintain a proportional distance between tanks, and the towing elements (5) threaded through the towing eyes (14), used to tightly couple tows (V), of which the towing elements (5) of the first tow (V) are connected to the towing vessel. The greatest difference in levels between tanks (1) arises when the tanks (1) pass over the peaks of the waves. In this case, although a shift in levels of as much as 80 degrees may arise between the two tanks, the convergence-preventing elements (23) seen in Figure 2 are always parallel to the surface of the water below them. Thus, no matter what the wave pattern, the raft is capable of remaining on the surface of the water. Forces exerted by the water affect it but little, barely loading it, unable to fatigue or damage it, so that the raft, due to its flexibility, adapts to any wave pattern, even very steep waves, virtually without resistance.
Figure 4, an axonometric drawing of a preferred embodiment of the removable fastening element (4) according to this invention, clearly shows how 2 connecting elements (21) are joined using a removable fastening element (4), preferably a clamp.
Figure 5 clearly shows the towing eyes (14) located on the caps (11) of the tows (2), through which the towing element (5) is threaded, its ends fastened securely using the removable fastening element (4).
Beyond what has been presented above, the individual units of the solution according to this invention accomplish the following tasks and function in the following manner:
The essence of the solution is represented by the base unit (E), composed of two identical tanks (1).
Each tank (1) is an elongated body of closed-contour cross section, capable of changing its form and cross section under the effect of external forces, preferably made of plastic, which is sealed at its ends to form a perfect, durable structure. The tank (1) preferably has double-layered walls of a material that is flexible and resilient, with a minimum radius of curvature of 5 meters. The interior wall layer is enduringly resistant to damage by hydrocarbons, petroleum products, acids, and other chemical materials, and is both antistatic, and abrasion resistant. The exterior wall layer is manufactured to be immune to damaging environmental effects and exhibits long- term resistance to UV light, cosmic radiation, and ozone
The tanks (1) are hermetically sealed, subject to a safety factor of 7 up to a pressure limit of 3 Mpa. Since the water pressure on the exterior surface of the shell of the tank (1) is greater everywhere than the internal pressure, and the tank (1) is hermetically sealed, if it is punctured for any reason, then the liquid transported inside the tanks - oil, for example - will remain inside regardless. Accordingly, use of the sealed tank (1) according to this invention represents a major improvement in environmental protection.
The tank (1) has a number of filling/evacuation fittings (12), as per technical specifications, joined to the tank (1) in sealed fashion and usable for the purposes of filling the tank (1) with liquid.
The materials of which the tank (1) of closed-contour cross section is made are of nearly the same specific weight as water, while the materials that may be transported in them must produce a combined specific weight that is scarcely less than that of water. It is advisable that the tank (1) always be filled completely, as in this way the entire tank (1) will remain under the water during transport, and its position in the water will always be stable, balanced, and hidden. The retaining loops (13) must be attached to the shells of the tanks (1) at appropriate distances with a given force, so that the connecting elements (21) (e.g. ropes) may be drawn through both these and the approximately vertical spacing elements (22).
The material of the tank (1) of closed-contour cross section has the following major properties:
- a hardness of 42 Shore A,
- a tensile strength of 11 N/mm2,
- an elongation at failure of 600% - ultimate tensile strength 18 N/mm,
- density 1.12 g/cm3,
- highly resistant to water, ozone, UV radiation, and atmospheric forces,
- adaptive temperature limits -50 and +200 degrees Celsius.
For a safety factor of 5, under maximum load, the short-term maximum tensile load of the tank (1) of closed-contour cross section is 2.08 Mpa.
The mean tensile strength, however, is only 0.7 Mpa, giving a safety factor of fifteen for the mean load at failure.
The 600% elongation at failure (ultimate elongation) provides the necessary degree of elasticity.
Another important part of base unit (E) is its spacing structure (2), assembled from three main parts.
These are: - The connecting element (21),
The spacing element (22),
The convergence-preventing element (23).
The purpose of the convergence-preventing element (horizontal spacer) is to prevent any two adjacent tanks (1) of base unit (E) from moving closer to one another. The convergence-preventing element (23) is a body of a specific length, made of plastic, that has a closed-contour cross section and is open at both ends, whose length determines the horizontal length of the spacing structure (2). [If the weighted diameter of the tank (1) is 1.14 meters, for example, then the length of the convergence-preventing element (23) is approximately 2 meters.] The material of the convergence-preventing element (23) is elastic and flexible, regaining its original shape once stresses are removed, with diagonally cut ends that butt against the vertical spacing element (22). Along the middle section of the convergence-preventing element (23) is a reinforcing element (24) of a size corresponding to approximately half the length of the convergence-preventing element (23) that is fit onto the external surface of the convergence-preventing element (23). The connecting element (21) is a long, non-elastic, failure-proof body that is flexible in all directions and that is drawn through the interior length of the closed- contour cross section of the convergence-preventing elements (23) and the retaining loops (13), thus preventing the tanks (1) from separating from one another. The vertical spacing elements (22) serve to raise the horizontal convergence-preventing elements (23) above the waves to prevent the generation of resistance. The connecting element (21), preferably a rope, chain, or belt, is made of a material that is both flexible and capable of handling the tensile forces involved, whose purpose is to connect the spacing structures (2) and to ensure that this connection is adequate to the task.
The tow (V) is created by placing the required number of base units (E) side by side and joining them in parallel using (or not using) the removable fastening elements (4), such that the base units (E) are joined using a connecting element (21) threaded through the retaining loops (13), the spacing elements (22), and the convergence-preventing elements (23). First, the second base unit (E) must be placed adjacent and in parallel to, then joined to the first base unit (E) using the spacing structure (2), followed by successive base units (E), until the maximum number is reached. The maximum number of base units (E) is determined on the basis of the tractive power and manoeuvrability of the towing vessel, while the minimum number is determined based on the flow capacity of the shipping route or volume required to be transported. (This can be modified mid-journey, e.g. when straits are encountered.) Using the spacing structures (2), for a weighted diameter of 1.14 meters, a flow- way (3) (an area across which water flows freely) between closed-contour tanks (1) of approximately one meter can be created to handle oncoming waves of significant force, being of sufficiently large surface area that these waves - as they raise the tow (V) - may pass through. In this way, the tow (V), given the solution according to this invention, is capable of eluding the forces of the waves.
As the resultant specific weight of the tow (V) is less than one, it is a physical fact that it will reside on the surface of the water, but not significantly above it, and is therefore capable of remaining hidden.
Crested waves that encounter the tow (V) from the lateral direction, given the nature of such waves and the laws of physics, hit the tow (V) from above, pressing it downward, for which force the buoyant force compensates once the wave has passed. The raft according to this invention is assembled from tows (V) by Joining them end to end, as a result of which the raft will retain all the properties characteristic of the tow (V). Said raft is created by attaching the back end of each tank (1) of the tow (V) at the front of the raft to the front end of the tank of the tow (V) behind it using a towing element (5), preferably towing rope, threaded through the towing eyes (14) disposed on the caps (11). The tows (V) must be coupled tightly, so that the second tank (1) in each coupling does not encounter water resistance and the streamline adjacent to the shells of the tanks (1) is unbroken along the length of the raft. The result of coupling the tows (V) in this way is that the shells of the tanks (1) are hydrodynamically continuous, thus reducing the power required for towing.
The solution according to this invention has achieved its objectives and succeeded in offering numerous advantages, of which the following are merely the most important:
- It is flexible, is capable of bending with the waves, and both adapts to and eludes the action of the largest waves,
- It exhibits long-term resistance to chemical materials, UV and cosmic radiation, and ozone,
- It is at least 60% cheaper and requires at least 60% less time and resources to produce than are solid-structured floating structures of similar capacity,
- Neither the largest marine waves, nor floating icebergs, nor other objects on the surface of the water can damage it,
- Due to its minimal degree of submersion, it takes approximately fifteen times less energy to move it,
- It can navigate even narrow, shallow waterways, as the tows may be disassembled mid-journey,
- It doesn't sink or develop leaks, nor is it damaged by enormous waves; thus, it permits no spillage of oil,
- Even when filled completely, the tanks may be dragged ashore or over ice without damaging them, - It is not affected by wind due to the manner in which it proceeds underwater,
- The number of base units can be changed at any time as transport needs demand,
- It withstands extreme weather and water conditions, including frozen seas,
- It is undetectable by radar, sonar, satellite, heuristic military equipment, or optical devices,
- It is resistant to terrorist attack and firearms, as the tanks travel 97% below the surface of the water, so that it is protected both by the layer of water above, and the curved, flexible surface of the tank,
It is unsinkable, can survive being thrown ashore or dashed on the rocks, or colliding with icebergs or solid objects undamaged,
It does not develop leaks, spill oil, or pollute the environment,
- It withstands corrosion,
- It is simple to construct and can be produced serially with short lead times in an easy-to-organise fashion,
- Arbitrary transport volumes can be attained by coupling base units to one another,
- Based on the ratio of useful load to largest quantity of water displaced, 20 percent more freight can be transported for the same gross loadability as can be with vessels of solid construction,
- Useful net volume exceeds that of the largest modern oil transport vessels of solid construction,
It offers a transport capacity that adjusts to meet immediate needs,
- It is safe to operate,
- And it is economic to produce. LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS
1 tank
11 cap
12 filling/evacuating fitting
13 retaining loop
14 towing eye
2 spacing structure
21 connecting element
22 spacing element
23 convergence-preventing element
24 reinforcing element
3 flow-way
4 removeable fastening elements
5 towing element
E base unit
V tow
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