• 专利附录
  • 专利说明
  • 权利要求
  • 类似技术
  • 同族专利
  • 引用文献
  • 法律状态
  • 优先权
    • 专利摘要:

    公开号:SE0900185A1
    申请号:SE0900185
    申请日:2009-02-13
    公开日:2010-08-14
    发明作者:Daniel Aastrand；Thomas Kullander；Tommy Lager
    申请人:Gva Consultants Ab；
    IPC主号:
    专利说明:

    15 20 25 30 35 PG17876EN00 2 it provides a waterline area whose size and location provide an appropriately high straightening moment for the unit.
    Parameters relating to: the displacement, the center of gravity of the displacement as well as the size and location of the waterline area of the unit, when the unit floats in a body of water, can be considered as parameters regarding the hydrostatic properties of the unit. Thus, in the design and construction of a unit arranged to float in a body of water, it is generally interesting to ensure that the actual hydrostatic properties of the unit meet the hydrostatic properties needed for the unit to function properly, e.g. ex. to be able to provide a certain load-bearing capacity.
    However, during the design and / or construction phase of a unit, it is quite often realized that the initial hydrostatic properties of the unit must be modified to meet new requirements of the unit. Traditionally, the need to modify the hydrostatic properties is often caused by - but not limited to - the facts that: the size and center of gravity of the lightweight unit built do not correspond to the values assumed when the unit was designed or the size and / or center of gravity of the load-bearing capacity changes during the design and / or construction phase of a unit. It should also be noted that the specified load-bearing capacity of a unit can sometimes change after the construction phase of a unit has been completed.
    In order to change the hydrostatic properties of the unit during its construction, prior art suggests that the unit be provided with external extensions, such as sponsors or fenders, which extensions protrude from the original unit and which are arranged to be at least partially immersed in water when the unit floats in a body of water. Depending on the location of the extensions, at least one parameter regarding the hydrodynamic properties, such as the displacement and / or waterline area, of the unit can be modified so that the modified unit exhibits hydrostatic properties that meet the new requirements of the unit.
    Although the extensions of the unit are useful for obtaining the desired hydrostatic properties, however, the extensions also often present problems for the unit. For example, the expansions usually result in the unit being exposed to increased environmental loads, such as loads from waves and currents, and these increased loads may in turn result in the need to reinforce the unit. In addition, additional devices of the unit, such as arrangements for propulsion and / or anchoring of the unit, may also need to be modified to meet the increased environmental loads arising from the above-mentioned extensions.
    Furthermore, the unit must usually be in a safe place, such as a dock or at a quay, when the unit is provided with the extensions. Thus, the provision of the extensions of the unit usually results in an increased construction time for the unit, which in turn can result in increased construction costs.
    As may be appreciated from the foregoing, there is a need to improve the procedure for modifying the hydrostatic properties of the device.
    SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A first object of the present invention is to provide a method of building a liquid unit arranged to float in a body of water, which method ensures that the hydrostatic properties of the unit can be modified in a simple manner, even in a late stage of the construction phase of the unit.
    A second object of the present invention is to provide a method of building a liquid unit which is arranged to float in a body of water, which method ensures that the hydrostatic properties of the unit can be modified in such a way that other properties, such as hydrodynamic properties, of the device is not unduly affected.
    A third object of the present invention is to provide a method of building a floating unit which is arranged to float in a body of water, which method ensures that the hydrostatic properties of the unit can be modified outside a dock or a quay.
    A fourth object of the present invention is to overcome or improve at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art, or to provide a useful alternative. At least one of the above objects is achieved with a method for building a liquid unit arranged to float in a body of water according to claim 1. Thus, the present invention relates to a method for building a liquid unit which is arranged floating in a body of water, the method comprising the steps of: - providing a cavity in the unit so that the cavity is open to the surrounding environment of the unit, at least a portion of the cavity being arranged to be below a still water surface when the unit floats in the body of water, and - determining a first value of at least a first parameter regarding the required hydrostatic properties of the unit.
    As used herein, the term "hydrostatic property" includes, but is not limited to, at least one of the following properties of the unit: the displacement, the center of gravity of the displacement, the waterline area, and the inertia moment of the waterline area.
    According to the invention, the method further comprises the step of sealingly closing at least a portion of the cavity from the environment to thereby form an enclosed volume so that a second value of the first parameter is obtained, so that the absolute value of the difference between the first value and the second value falls below a predetermined value.
    Thus, by providing a method of building a unit which method comprises the step of modifying a parameter relating to the hydrostatic properties of the unit by closing at least a portion of a cavity, the hydrostatic properties of the unit can be modified at a late stage of the construction phase, and to and even after the completion of the construction of the unit in a dock or quay, in a simple and straightforward manner.
    In addition, since the hydrostatic properties of the unit - according to the method of the present invention - are modified without having to provide the unit with protruding extensions, the hydrodynamic properties of the unit are modified only marginally which reduces, and often even eliminates, the need for reinforcements of the unit and / or modifications of additional arrangements, such as anchoring arrangements, due to changes in the hydrostatic properties of the unit. 10 15 20 25 30 35 PG17876EN00 5 The surface expression "modify the hydrostatic properties of a unit" is intended to mean that a first parameter can be increased, decreased or redistributed across the unit.
    According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the method comprises the step of providing a plurality of cavities in the unit.
    By providing a plurality of cavities in the unit, the flexibility regarding how the hydrostatic properties can be modified is increased.
    In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the step of securely sealing at least one portion of the cavity is performed for at least two of the plurality of cavities. This further increases the flexibility regarding how the hydrostatic properties can be modified.
    According to a further embodiment of the invention, the unit comprises a floating body arranged to be below the still water surface, the floating unit further comprising a plurality of support columns, each of the support columns extending from the floating body and being arranged to cut the still water surface, the cavity being provided on at least one of the support columns. In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, at least one cavity is provided in each of the support columns. In accordance with a further embodiment of the invention, the step of determining the first value comprises a step of determining the weight and / or center of gravity of the unit. In accordance with a further embodiment of the invention, the step of determining the first value comprises a step of determining the displacement and / or the center of gravity of the displacement of the unit. In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the step of determining the first value comprises a step of determining the load-bearing capacity of the unit. In accordance with a further embodiment of the invention, the step of firmly closing at least a portion of the cavity comprises the steps of providing the unit with a sealing member, such as a panel, and securely connecting the sealing member to the unit. PG17876SEOO A second aspect of the invention relates to a unit arranged to float in a body of water, the unit comprising a cavity so that said cavity is open to the surrounding environment of the unit, wherein at least a portion of the cavity is arranged to be located under a still water surface when the unit floats in the body of water. According to the second aspect of the present invention, the cavity is arranged to receive at least one sealing member so as to thereby firmly close at least a portion of the cavity from the environment. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the second aspect of the present invention, the unit comprises control means for guiding the closing member in place in the cavity.
    A third aspect of the present invention relates to the use of a cavity in a unit arranged to float in a body of water, the cavity being open to the surrounding environment of the unit, at least a portion of the cavity being arranged to be below a still water surface when the unit floats in the body of water, the use comprising modifying at least one hydrostatic property of the unit by securely sealing at least a portion of the cavity from the environment.
    BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will be further explained below by means of non-limiting embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a schematic side view of a floating unit in accordance with the second aspect of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a view showing a cross-section of a portion of the unit of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a view showing a cross-section of a portion of the unit of Fig. 1 illustrating a step of the method of the present invention; Fig. 4a is a view showing a cross-section of a portion of the unit of Fig. 1 when a sealing member has been attached to the unit; Fig. 4b is a view from above showing a cross section of a portion of the unit of Fig. 4a; PG17876SEO0 Fig. 5 is a view showing a section of a portion of the unit of Fig. 1 illustrating a step of the method of the present invention; Fig. 6 is a view showing a section of a portion of another embodiment of the unit according to the present invention; Fig. 7 is a view showing a section of a portion of a further embodiment of the unit according to the present invention; Fig. 8 is a view showing a section of a portion of yet another embodiment of the unit according to the present invention; Fig. 9 is a top view of the unit of Fig. 8; Fig. 10 illustrates a perspective view of a ring wall type unit.
    DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The invention will be described by way of examples of embodiments. It is to be understood, however, that the embodiments have been introduced only to explain principles of the invention and not to limit the scope of the invention, as determined by the appended claims.
    Fig. 1 shows a unit 10 arranged to float in a body of water 12, during the execution of the construction method according to the present invention. In Fig. 1, the unit 10 is a semi-submersible unit 10, but it should be noted that the construction method according to the present invention is also applicable to other types of floating units, such as, for example, ships and spar buoys (not shown in Fig. 1). By way of example only, the displacement of the unit 10 may be over 10,000 metric tons and may in some cases be over 100,000 metric tons.
    The semi-submersible unit 10 in Fig. 1 comprises a floating body 14, a deck structure 16 and at least one support column 18 extending from the floating body 14 to the deck structure 16. A support column 18 usually has a cylindrical shape whose cross section is usually circular or rectangular, also if, of course, there may be other types of cross-sections. The unit 10 in Fig. 10 has four support columns, a first 18 and second support columns being visible. The unit 10 in Fig. 1 has a longitudinal extent which is indicated by arrow L and a vertical extent which is indicated by arrow V.
    As may be seen from Fig. 1, when the unit 10 floats in a body of water 12 having a still water surface 22, the floating body 14 is arranged to be at least partially below the still water surface 22 and the deck structure 16 is arranged to be at least partially above the still water surface 22. In that position as illustrated in Fig. 1, the entire floating body 14 is below the still water surface 22 and the deck structure 16 is completely above the still water surface 22. In addition, each of the columns 18, 20 intersects the still water surface 22 resulting in a waterline area WPA ', WP "for each and one of the columns which is included in the total waterline area WPA of the unit 10.
    Furthermore, in Fig. 1 the center of gravity of the displacement 10B of the unit 10 is indicated. As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, when the unit 10 floats in a body of water 12, the displacement B of the unit is defined as the mass of the water displaced by the unit 10. In addition, the center of gravity of the displacement CoB is the center of gravity of the above displaced water.
    Fig. 1 also shows the location of the center of gravity CoG of the unit 10. Typically, the mass M of the unit 10 - which mass M is also associated with the center of gravity CoG - includes the light weight of the unit, the weight of operating fluids required for the unit to function properly as well. the carrying capacity of the unit 10.
    As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, for the unit 10 to float on a straight keel, there must be a balance between the mass M and the displacement B of the unit 10. For example, if there is a difference between the center of gravity CoG and the center of gravity of the displacement CoB in a direction parallel with the longitudinal extent L of the unit 10, the unit 10 will be subjected to a heeling. Such tilting is generally undesirable, for example when at least a portion of the deck structure 16 will be closer to the still water surface 22 than at a "straight keel" position which makes this portion more prone to being subjected to wave loads. deviations between the center of gravity CoG and the center of gravity of the displacement CoB have previously been corrected by providing, for example, the floating body 14 with one or more sponsors (not shown in Fig. 1), i.e. one or more displacing extensions projecting from the floating body 14. 10 15 20 25 PG17876ENO0 9 In addition, if the mass M of the unit exceeds the displacement B of the unit 10 when the unit floats a draft 24 at which the unit is designed to float, the unit 10 will sink deeper into the body of water 12 until a balance is reached between the mass M and the displacement B, which results in the unit 10 floating at a new draft 24 'as indicated by a dotted line in Figs. 1.
    Furthermore, without going into details, the stability of the unit 10 - that is, the ability to withstand heeling moments - depends on, among other things, the center of gravity CoG, the center of gravity of the displacement CoB, the magnitude of the moment of inertia of the waterline area. , which distances are measured in a plane parallel to the still water surface, between the mutual waterline areas WPA ', WPA'. In this regard, it should be noted that a high vertical center of gravity usually requires a kind of surface inertia of the waterline area. This can be achieved, for example, by a large waterline area WPA - i.e. a waterline area which in itself has a large moment of inertia - and / or a waterline area WPA which consists of a plurality of individual waterline areas WPA ', WPA "whose mutual distances are large.
    Thus, for example, if it is understood that the vertical center of gravity CoG of the unit is higher than assumed when the unit 10 was constructed, the unit 10 may need to be modified to compensate for the aforementioned increase in the vertical center of gravity CoG. In this regard, the prior art suggests that fenders (not shown in Fig. 1) be attached to at least one of the support columns 18, 20 with the fender being displaced and arranged to cut the still water surface 22 to provide additional waterline area WPA "to the unit 10.
    As may be appreciated from the foregoing, during its construction, the unit 10 may need to be modified for a variety of reasons to obtain the required hydrostatic properties of the unit 10. In order to modify the unit 10 in a preferred manner, the present invention presents a method of manufacturing a unit. 10, which method comprises the steps of providing a cavity in the unit so that the cavity is open to the surrounding environment of the unit 10. At least a portion of the cavity is arranged to be below a still water surface 22 when the unit floats in the body of water 12.
    The unit 10i Fig. 1 is provided with a plurality of cavities, where two of the cavities 26, 28 are located in the support columns 18, 20 of the unit 10 while two cavities 30, 32 are located in the floating body 14. Preferred embodiments of the cavities 26, 28, 30, 32 will be presented in detail below. However, as a general note, the cavities are preferably designed to prevent fluid flow through the unit 10, for example through the support columns 18, 20 or the floating body 14. Thus, a component of the unit 10, such as a support column 18, 20 or the floating body 14, is provided with a cavity to be used in the method of the present invention preferably a closed circumference throughout the area of the location of the cavity: in other words, a cavity to be used in the method of the present invention preferably does not include a through opening in the unit 10.
    Fig. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a part of the unit 10 in Fig. 1, showing two of the cavities 26, 30 of the unit 10, namely a first 26 and a second cavity.
    As can be seen from Fig. 2, the first cavity 26 is located on the support column 18 and the first cavity 26 is arranged to cut the still water surface 22, which is indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 2, when the unit 10 floats in a body of water. Furthermore, Fig. 2 illustrates that the first cavity 26 is located in the outermost corner of the first column 18, i.e. the corner 32 of the first column 18 which is located at the greatest distance from the center of the unit 10. This is a preferred location of the first cavity 26 since a subsequent step of closing at least a portion of the first cavity 26 from the surrounding environment will result in increased stability of the unit 10. However, in other embodiments of the unit 10, the first cavity may 26 are in second positions of the first support column 18.
    Fig. 2 further shows that the first cavity 26 is delimited by a plurality of panels, namely a bottom panel 34, a top panel 36 and a first and second side panel 38, 40. As may be seen when Fig. 2 is considered, by the panels delimiting the first cavity 26, the bottom panel 34 is closest to the surface body 14 in the vertical direction V while the top panel 36 is furthest from the float body 14 in the vertical direction V.
    In addition, the first and second side panels 38, 40 extend from the bottom panel 34 to the top panel 36. The panels are preferably steel sheets and the panels are preferably attached to each other by tight-fitting joints, such as welded joints.
    By way of example only, the volume of the first cavity 26 may be in the range of 0.02 - 0.001, preferably 0.01 - 0.004 of the total volume that the unit 10 displaces as the unit 10 floats at an operating draft. In addition, again only as an example, the horizontal cross-section of the first cavity may be in the range 0.1 - 0.005, preferably 0.07 - 0.01 of the total waterline area of the unit 10.
    In a manner similar to the first cavity 26, the second cavity 30 is defined by a plurality of panels forming a recess in the buoyancy body 14. The second cavity 30 is preferably located on the outside of the floating body 14 so that a subsequent step of closing at least a portion of the second cavity 30 from the surrounding environment will generally result in the substantial change of the center of gravity of the displacement CoB of the unit 10. By way of example only, the volume of the second cavity 30 may be in the range 0.1 - 0.001, preferably 0, 01 - 0.004 of the total volume displaced by the unit 10 when the unit 10 flows in an operating draft.
    The method of the present invention also includes a step of determining a first value of at least one parameter regarding a required hydrostatic property of the unit 10.
    As discussed above, the hydrostatic properties can relate to a variety of properties. Thus, the step of determining the above-mentioned first value may, in certain embodiments of the method of the present invention, include a step of determining the mass M and / or the center of gravity CoG of the unit 10. This step may be performed by actually weighing the unit 10, by procedures known in the art. by a professional, or by compiling information on the mass and center of gravity of components - which components are considered to be of interest by weight - which form part of the unit 10.
    In addition to, or instead of, the step presented above, in embodiments of the method of the present invention, the step of determining the first value may include a step of determining the carrying capacity of the unit 10.
    It should be understood that none of the above steps, even if it is a step of determining the mass or load-bearing capacity of the unit, need to be performed when the unit is in a dock or at a quay.
    Instead, the steps as presented above may be performed after the unit 10 has left the construction site, and in certain embodiments of the method of the present invention, the step of determining the first value of a first parameter may actually be performed when the unit is in its PG17876SEO0 12 operating position, e.g. traveling at sea or being anchored at a specific operating position, and even when the unit 10 is in an operating position.
    Regardless of when the step of determining the first value is performed, the first value is preferably compared with an actual value of the first parameter regarding the hydrostatic properties of the built unit 10, i.e. the unit including the cavities 26, 30. If, from the above comparison, , it will be appreciated that there is a difference between the first value and the actual value of the first parameter, the unit may need to be modified to correct the above difference.
    The above method steps are exemplified below by means of non-limiting examples.
    In the first example, the first parameter regarding the required hydrostatic properties is the displacement B1 of the unit 10. Thus, the step of determining a value of the first parameter may include a step of determining the mass M of the unit 10 and the first value B1 should then correspond to mass M. If the mass M is greater than the actual displacement BA of the unit 10, when the cavities are open, at least a portion of at least one of the cavities is closed so that a second value of the displacement BZ is obtained so that the difference | B2-B1 | between the first and second values is below a predetermined value, which predetermined value can be considered as a tolerance for the method. In a second example, the first parameter is the horizontal center of gravity of the displacement HCB1 of the unit 10. Thus, the step of determining a first value of the parameter may include a step of determining the horizontal center of gravity HCG of the unit 10 and the first value HCB1 should usually substantially correspond to the horizontal center of gravity HCG. If the horizontal center of gravity HCG differs from the actual horizontal center of gravity of the displacement HCBA of the unit 10, when the cavities are open, at least one of the cavities is closed so that a second value of the horizontal center of gravity of the displacement HCB; obtained so that the difference | HCB2-HCB1 | between the first and second values is below a predetermined value.
    It should be understood that in the second example above, the horizontal center of gravity HCB of the displacement usually consists of two components, the longitudinal center of gravity LCB of the displacement and a transverse center of gravity TCB. Similarly, the horizontal center of gravity HCG also usually consists of two components, a longitudinal center of gravity LCG and a transverse center of gravity TCG. However, in some embodiments of the second alternative, the first parameter may be selected to refer to only one of the above components, for example either the longitudinal center of gravity LCB of the displacement or transverse center of gravity TCB which is thus to be compared with the corresponding component of the horizontal center of gravity.
    In a third example, the first parameter regarding required hydrostatic properties of the hull is the waterline area WPA1 - for example both the size and location of the waterline area - of the unit 10. Thus, the step of determining a first value of the parameter may include a step of determining the vertical center of gravity VCG of the unit 10 and from this information determine the required size and position of the waterline area WPA1 to obtain a unit 10 with sufficient stability properties. If the waterline area WPA1 differs from the actual waterline area WPAA of the unit 10, when the cavities are fully open, at least a portion of at least one of the cavities is closed so that a second value of the waterline area WPA2 is obtained so that the difference | WPAZ - WPA1 j between the first and second values is below a predetermined value.
    It should be understood that the first parameter regarding the required hydrostatic properties of the unit in certain embodiments can be determined by combining some or all of the parameters from the above examples.
    As previously mentioned, the above predetermined value can be considered as a tolerance for the method. The size of the predetermined value can be selected from case to case based on, among other things, the construction of the unit as well as the hydrostatic property in question. By way of example only, the predetermined value may be selected as a percentage of the first value of the first parameter. Thus, again only as an example, the predetermined value may be chosen to be 10%, preferably 5%, even 1% of the first value.
    The method of the present invention further comprises a step of firmly closing at least a portion of at least one cavity 26, 30 from the surrounding environment to thereby form an enclosed volume so that a second value of the first parameter is obtained, so that the absolute amount of the difference between the the first value and the second value are below a predetermined value. Examples of how this is done are shown in Fig. 3.
    Fig. 3 illustrates how a first panel 42 is inserted into the first cavity 26. The first panel 42 is preferably a metal plate which is similar or the same as the metal of the column 18 and / or the panels 34, 36, 38, 40 which partially delimit it. the first cavity 26. the first panel 42 can be inserted into the cavity 26 by using a lifting arrangement such as a crane (not shown). Alternatively, the first panel 42 may be inserted into the first cavity 26 when the unit 10 floats in a body of water at a suitable draft so that the first panel 42 can be floated in place, for example by using a barge (not shown). To facilitate insertion of the first panel 42 into the first cavity 26, the first column 18 preferably includes guide means (not shown), such as outwardly extending pins, for guiding the panel into the first cavity 26. In addition, the first the panel 42 be provided with auxiliary control means (not shown), such as openings, which are adapted to cooperate with the control means of the first column. Fig. 3 also shows that the unit 10 is provided with a second panel 44 for closing the second cavity 30.
    The first 42 and second 44 panels can be fixedly connected to the unit by means of one or more connections. By way of example only, such a joint may be a welded joint or a bolted joint. When the panels 42, 44 are attached to a portion of the unit 10 that is at least partially below the still water surface, a habitat can be used to provide a substantially dry environment for the attachment operation.
    Fig. 4b illustrates a cross-section seen from above of the removed column 18 when the first panel 42 has been inserted into the first cavity 26. In addition, the first panel 42 has been connected to the first column 18 by means of tight joints. As can be seen from Fig. 4b, once the first panel 42 is connected to the first column 18, an enclosed volume 45 is formed in the first cavity 26. The enclosed volume 45 will be displaceable when it is at least partially immersed in a body of water, thus increases the enclosed volume 45 displacement, as well as the waterline area WPA, of the unit 10.
    In addition, as may be appreciated from Fig. 4b, a portion 46 of the cavity 26 is still open to the surrounding environment of the unit 10. The open portion 46 may be considered as an additional displacement and / or waterline array reserve, which may be fixedly closed at 20 25 30 35 PG17876EN00 15 a later stage during the life of the unit 10, if increased displacement and / or increased waterline area is needed later.
    Fig. 5 illustrates an alternative procedure for securely sealing at least a portion of a cavity from the surrounding environment. In Fig. 5, the second cavity 30 is used as an example, although it should be understood that the procedure is equally applicable to any of the cavities in the unit 10. As indicated in Fig. 5, rather than closing the entire second cavity 30 with a panel, only one portion - in this case in the longitudinal direction L - of the second cavity 30 from the surrounding environment is closed. In this regard, in the embodiment of the method shown in Fig. 5, the method comprises a step of providing a case 48 - or end piece - which is inserted into the second cavity 30 and then fixedly connected to the float body 14. Preferably, the case 48 is displaceable so that it can be flowed into the second cavity 30.
    Instead of, or in addition to, the provision of the suitcase as discussed with reference to Fig. 5 above, it should be possible to close only a portion of a cavity in its longitudinal extent - which extent may coincide with the longitudinal extent L of the unit 10 as is the case of the second cavity 30 in Fig. 5 - the cavity can be divided into a plurality of compartments. An example of a cavity which is divided into a plurality of compartments is presented in Figs. 6, where the second cavity 30 comprises a first 50 and a second 52 compartments. Thus, in the configuration shown in Fig. 6, the second cavity 30 has been divided by an additional panel 54 or partition wall. Thus, any, or both, of the abutment 50 and other 52 cavities may later be permanently sealed by a corresponding sealing member. In Fig. 6, the sealing means are exemplified by two panels 56, 58, but in other embodiments of the method according to the present invention, the sealing means may be suitcases (not shown in Fig. 6) similar to that illustrated in Fig. 5, for example. In this regard, Fig. 7 illustrates another embodiment of a closure member that may be used to close the first compartment 50. The closure member of Fig. 7 is a case 60 whose depth d may be less than the depth D of the first compartment. 50. In addition, the case 60 in Fig. 7 comprises an outer flange 62 which is provided with openings 64 for fasteners such as bolts (not shown in Fig. 7). The case 60 in Fig. 7 will thus act as a plug when it is inserted into the first compartment 50 and attached to the unit by means of, for example, a bolted connection. An advantage of the case 60 in Fig. 7 is that it can be used to close the first compartment 50 in a straightforward manner even if the first compartment is below the still water surface. A method of closing the first compartment 50 by means of the suitcase may comprise the steps of: filling the suitcase 60 with water so that it is immersed in the water, guiding the suitcase into the first compartment 50, attaching the suitcase to the unit 10 and removing water from the first compartment 50 (and possibly also from the suitcase 60).
    Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 illustrate an alternative configuration of the cavity 26. As may be seen from Fig. 8, instead of providing a cavity whose opening is substantially the same size as the cavity itself, the cavity 26 in Fig. 8 is open to the surrounding environment by means of a plurality of openings 66, 68 in a panel 70 which outwardly delimits the cavity 26. In the design shown in Fig. 8 and Fig. 9, the panel 70 has two openings. Thus, if the two openings 66, 68 had not been present in the panel 70, the panel 70 would have formed part of the outer board of the unit. The openings 66, 68 are large enough to allow a free seawater flow in and out of the cavity 26. If the additional displacement and or waterline area of the cavity 26 is needed, the cavity 26 from the surrounding environment is closed by firmly closing the openings 66, 68, for example by to use sealing means such as sealing panels (not shown).
    In addition, it will be appreciated that the step of firmly closing said at least a portion of the cavity from the surrounding environment may include a step of at least partially emptying that portion of the cavity of seawater. Such a step may be performed, for example, after a sealing member has been attached to the unit 10 to close the portion of the cavity. The step of emptying the portion of the cavity from seawater can typically be performed for a cavity where at least a portion of it is below the still water surface 22 during the connection of the sealing member to the unit.
    With respect to embodiments of the present invention as presented above, it is to be understood that although a semi-submersible unit 10 comprising a plurality of columns 18, 20 has been used as an example of the unit 10 of the present invention, the method for which protection is sought in claims 1 is also applicable to other types of units 10. As an example, Fig. 10 shows a unit 10 of a so-called ring wall type which has an inner 60 and an outer wall 62 which forms a hollow structure 64. The unit 10 in Fig. 7 is provided with a first cavity 26 and a second cavity 30, the first cavity 26 being arranged to cut a still water surface when the unit 10 floats a body of water while the second cavity 30 is arranged to be below the still water surface. Thus sold, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and illustrated in the drawings. Rather, one skilled in the art will recognize that many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the appended claims.
    权利要求:
    Claims (1)
    [1]
    A method of building a floating unit (10) arranged to float in a body of water (12), said method comprising the steps of: - providing a cavity (26, 30) in said unit (10) so that said cavity (26, 30) is open to the surrounding environment of said unit (10), at least a portion of said cavity (26, 30) being arranged to be below a still water surface when said unit (10) floats in said body of water (12); - determining a first value of at least a first parameter regarding the required hydrostatic properties of said unit (10); characterized in that said method further comprises the steps of: - firmly closing at least a portion of said cavity (26, 30) from the environment to thereby form an enclosed volume (44) so that a second value of said first parameter is obtained, so that the absolute value of the difference between said first value and said second value is below a predetermined value. The method of claim 1, wherein the method comprises the step of providing a plurality of cavities (26, 30) in said unit (10). The method of claim 2, wherein said step of firmly closing at least a portion of said cavity is performed for at least two of said plurality of cavities (26, 30). The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said unit (10) comprises a floating body (14) arranged to be below said still water surface, said floating unit further comprising a plurality of support columns (18, 20), each of said support columns ( 18, 20) extend from said floating body (14) and are arranged to cut said still water surface, said cavity (26) being provided on at least one of said support columns (18, 20). The method of claim 4, wherein at least one cavity (26, 28) is provided in each of said support columns (18, 20). The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said step of determining said first value comprises a step of determining the weight and / or center of gravity of said unit (10). The method of any of the preceding claims, wherein said step of determining said first value comprises a step of determining the displacement and / or center of gravity of said displacement of said unit (10). The method of any of the preceding claims, wherein said step of determining said first value comprises a step of determining the carrying capacity of said unit (10). The method of any of the preceding claims, wherein said step of sealingly sealing at least a portion of said cavity (26, 30) comprises the steps of providing said unit (10) with a sealing member (42), such as a panel, and securely connecting said sealing member (42) with said unit (10). The use of a cavity (26, 30) in a unit (10) arranged to float in a body of water (12), said cavity (26, 30) being open to the surrounding environment of said unit (10), wherein at least a portion of said cavity (26, 30) is arranged to be below a still water surface when said unit (10) floats in said body of water (12), the use comprising modifying at least one hydrostatic property of said unit (10) by fixing closing at least a portion of said cavity (26, 30) from the environment.
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    同族专利:
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    US20100206213A1|2010-08-19|
    SE535055C2|2012-03-27|
    WO2010093315A1|2010-08-19|
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    法律状态:
    2017-10-03| NUG| Patent has lapsed|
    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    SE0900185A|SE535055C2|2009-02-13|2009-02-13|Method of building a floating unit|SE0900185A| SE535055C2|2009-02-13|2009-02-13|Method of building a floating unit|
    PCT/SE2010/050130| WO2010093315A1|2009-02-13|2010-02-03|Method for constructing a floating unit|
    US12/703,486| US20100206213A1|2009-02-13|2010-02-10|Method for Constructing a Floating Unit|
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