WO2013182863A1

WO2013182863A1 - Floating dock for manufacturing of floating platforms by artificially freezing of water

Info

Publication number: WO2013182863A1
Application number: PCT/HR2013/000014
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tomislav Debeljak
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-06-04
Filing date: 2013-06-04
Publication date: 2013-12-12
Anticipated expiration: 2014-12-04

Description

FLOATING DOCK FOR MANUFACTURING OF FLOATING

PLATFORMS BY ARTIFICIALLY FREEZING OF WATER

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical field

This invention refers to a floating dock which is used for the manufacturing of floating platforms of exceptionally large dimensions using the procedure of artificially freezing water.

The technical area to which the subject invention refers is denoted according to the International patent classification as F25C and B63C.

2. Technical problem

The technical problem solved with the subject invention consists of defining the technical solution for a floating dock for manufacturing floating platforms by artificially freezing water, whereby the mentioned platforms are of exceptionally large dimensions, which extend over a surface area of a number of tens of thousands m2, while the masses of immense quantities of frozen water reach up to millions of tonnes.

As an integral part of the solution of the technical problem is also achieving, after finalising the manufacturing of one floating platform by artificially freezing water, that it is possible to begin manufacturing the following floating platforms by artificially freezing water, in the same floating dock.

3. State of the art

The state of the art encompasses an exceptionally large number of solutions and execution of floating docks which, almost exclusively, refer to construction, repairs and maintaining ships, however it's not known that there is any technical solution which refers to a floating dock in which the procedure for manufacturing floating platforms by artificially freezing water of exceptionally large dimensions is conducted, which extends over a surface area of a number of ten thousands m2, while the masses of immense quantities of frozen water reach up to millions of tonnes.

4. Essence of the invention

The subject invention, as the solution of the indicated technical problem, primarily defines the technical solution of a floating dock which is used for the manufacturing of floating platforms of exceptionally large dimensions using the procedure of artificially freezing water, whereby the essence of this invention consists of defining the technical solution of the ballast tank and formwork mould which comprise the main two components and represent the backbone of the floating dock. The fact that floating platforms of artificially frozen water are of large dimensions and masses of immense quantities of frozen water, means that the floating docks for manufacturing these floating platforms, with ballast tanks and formwork mould, must also be of such dimensions so that such platforms are able to be manufactured in these floating docks, which need to have such technical solutions with systems, assemblies and a large number of component parts of large dimensions that satisfy the requirements ensuing therefrom.

Therefore, with the technical solution of the floating dock for manufacturing floating platforms of artificially freezing water, that is, formwork mould with ballast tank, as component parts of the aforementioned dock, it should be possible to achieve manufacturing of floating platforms by artificially freezing water regardless of whether it is a case of floating platforms of enormously large dimensions and masses of immense quantities of frozen water.

It is important to point out that the formwork mould of the floating dock from the bottom and lateral sides, in terms of shape and dimension, should follow the surface area of the ice floating platform which shall be manufactured and formed in the aforementioned formwork of the floating dock, whereby the bottom and lateral sides of this surface area may be of enormous dimensions and arbitrary forms of geometrical shapes or their combinations.

Although, in principle, the surface area of floating ice platforms which will be formed and manufactured by artificially freezing water in the formwork mould of the floating dock, may be of arbitrary forms of geometrical shapes or their combinations, manufacturing technology and economic reasons mean that almost regularly there will be cases where the floating platforms of artificially frozen water will be formed in the shape of rectangles of arbitrarily large dimensions of length and width, and with the desired thickness which, as a rule, is many times smaller than the length and width dimensions, whereby their purpose and use require that they are exceptionally long dimensions, with surface areas of a number of tens of thousands m2, while masses of immense quantities of frozen water in these dimensions reach up to millions of tonnes.

In resolving the indicated technical problem with the subject invention, the definition of a technical solution of a suitable floating dock with ballast tank and formwork mould with bottom and lateral sides represents a priority, so that first and foremost, requirements must be complied with regarding firmness, load bearing capacity and durability of the dock without the onset of deformation, and this not only of the floating dock independently as a constructed whole but also for the duration of the procedure of freezing the water into a ice platform, and particularly after this procedure where the formation of a floating ice platform of these dimensions is finalised, when the floating dock of large dimensions and mass, floats on the water surface. As one of the key parts of the floating dock (10) is the ballast tank (7) which, depending on the ratio of gaseous and liquid medium of essentially different density in the ballast tank, in a programmed way the desired surfacing or submersion is achieved, but also the levelling of the floating dock.

Pipes (1) which comprise the ballast tank (7), in the case of the aforementioned floating platform in the shape of a rectangle are of a flat form. These pipes on the edges of the ballast tank are connected by T - segment pipes (3) with three extensions and cross connecting elements (5) with four extensions, while at the top of the ballast tank are comer segments (4) with three extensions, whereby these pipes are stiffened horizontally (9.1) and vertically (8.1) by rod brackets and diagonal bracing (10.1).

The ballast tank (7) consists of one or more bundles of parallel positioned straight steel pipes and pipe elements of such forms and cross-section dimensions, lengths, number and arrangement so that it is possible to manufacture floating platforms of artificial freezing of water of the desired dimensions.

The aforementioned ballast tank, which is comprised of pipes and pipe elements, may be divided into multiple sections: (7.1), (7.2), (7.3) and (7.4) which comprise multiple separate chambers in which it is possible to achieve the necessary ratio of gaseous or liquid medium for the purpose of surfacing or submerging, as well as levelling the floating dock.

Each section of the pipes (7.1), (7.2), (7.3) and (7.4), as part of the ballast tank (7) of the floating dock (10), on its upper side contains electrical valves (13) which through pipes (13.2) for gaseous medium are connected to the compressor system (10.3) and through electrical connections (10.4) and (10.5) with the control-management system (10.2), while on the bottom side it contains one or more openings (6.1) for input, that is, output of liquid medium.

The division of ballast tanks into multiple sections enables the creation of the same number of chambers with the aid of which we can in a programmed way achieve the desired submersion, surfacing but also levelling of the floating dock.

Horizontal (9) and vertical (8) latticed rod brackets, which may be built from mutually welded steel profiles of corresponding dimensions, arrangement and cross-section forms, connected with pipes (1) so that with their sides which are suitably shaped, lean on these pipes and are connected to them, which additionally stiffen and strengthen the formed ballast tank (7).

The vertical (8) and horizontal (9) latticed rod brackets, connected to the pipes (1) of the ballast tank (7) in the described manner, so that with their sides (8.1) and (9.1) they form the formwork mould for manufacturing floating platforms of artificially frozen water. The unit with the control - management system (10.2), which contains the computer system for operating the compressor system with compressor unit (10.3) which is connected to the aforementioned computer system of the aforementioned control- management unit (10.2) and electrical valves (13), and other parts of equipment as required, may be located on the shore, and via pipelines of compromised gaseous medium according to the defined procedure, which is conducted through the control- management system (10.2), is blown into the aforementioned pipes (1) of the ballast tank (7) which facilitates the surfacing of the floating dock.

On the upper side of the floating dock (10), there is a work surface on the shore (10.7) which serves for the transport of workers, machinery, equipment, parts and other things necessary for manufacturing floating platforms of artificially frozen water.

Before commencing construction of the floating platform by artificially freezing water, the aforementioned chambers are filled with gaseous medium so they float on the water, so that the aforementioned area which represents the formwork mould for creation of floating platforms by artificially freezing water is entirely above the surface area of the water. While creating the mentioned floating platforms and increase in mass by artificially freezing water, the floating dock ( 0) shall sink but to the measure that the surface on which work is currently being done will always be sufficiently above the water level. Upon completing the construction of floating platforms of artificially frozen water, the floating dock (10) additionally sinks under weight however still keeping all the above surface areas above the water level.

Throughout the entire cycle of manufacturing floating platforms by artificially freezing water, the floating dock (10), with the aid of which the aforementioned floating platform is manufactured, basically occupies four basic positions:

- 11.A: Floating dock with the formwork mould and ballast tank, in the position before manufacturing of the floating platform by artificially freezing of water;

11.B: Floating dock with manufactured floating platform by artificially freezing water;

11.C: Floating dock with the formwork mould and ballast tank submerged in the water;

- 11.D: Manufactured platform of artificially frozen water on the water.

The technical solution of a floating dock for manufacturing of floating platforms by artificially freezing water should be of such construction that, after the conducted artificial freezing of water into an integral floating platform, it is possible to sink the floating dock with the formwork mould and ballast tank (7) in water to a depth that enables independent floating on the water of the floating platform of artificially frozen water and its extraction outside the area occupied by the floating dock, after which the aforementioned floating dock with the formwork mould and ballast tank (7) can once again rise above the water level and continue with new cycles of manufacturing floating platforms by artificially freezing water.

5. Brief description of the figures

Figure 1. Illustration of pipes of the ballast tank

Figure 2. Illustration of the arrangement of pipes and pipe elements of the ballast tank

Figure 3. Illustration of T - pipe elements of the ballast tank

Figure 4. Illustration of the corner pipe elements of ballast tanks

Figure 5. Illustration cross pipe elements of ballast tanks

Figure 6. Illustration of the openings for input and output of liquid medium

Position 6.1 : Opening for input and output of liquid medium;

Figure 7. Illustration of the ballast tank with four chambers;

Position 7: Ballast tank;

Position 7.1 : First transversal section of the ballast tank, as one chamber; Position 7.2: Second transversal section of the ballast tank, as the second chamber;

Position 7.3: First longitudinal section of the ballast tank, as a third chamber; Position 7.4: Second longitudinal section of the ballast tank, as a fourth chamber;

Figure 8. Illustration of vertical latticed brackets with two pipes of the ballast tank

Position 8.1 : The side of the latticed bracket which forms part of the lateral surface of the formwork mould

Figure 9. Illustration of horizontal latticed brackets with two pipes of the ballast tank

Position 9.1 : The side of the horizontal latticed bracket which forms the bottom surface of the formwork mould

Figure 10. Illustration of the floating dock with formwork mould and ballast tank for manufacturing floating platforms by artificially freezing water

Position 10: Floating dock with formwork mould and ballast tank for

manufacturing floating platforms by artificially freezing water

Position 10.1 Diagonal bracing;

Position 0.2 Unit for control - management system;

Position 10.3 Compressor unit; Position 10.4: Electrical cables;

Position 10.5: Bundle of electrical connections

Position 10.6: Bundle of flexible pipes for air;

Position 10.7: Working surface on the shore;

Position 10.8: Water surface;

Position 10.9: Upper surface of the floating dock;

Figure 11. Illustration of the floating dock in various positions during manufacturing of a floating platform by artificially freezing water

11. A Floating dock before commencing manufacturing of the floating platform by artificially freezing water;

11.B Floating dock with manufactured floating platform of artificially frozen water;

11.C Floating dock submerged in water;

11.D A manufactured platform of artificially frozen water floats on the water surface;

Figure 12. Illustration of the ring

Position 12.1 : Ring for fastening the floating dock at the shore, ship, etc.;

Figure 13. Illustration of the electrical valve assembly

Position 13.1 : Electrical valves for opening and closing the flow of gaseous medium under pressure into individual ballast tanks;

Position 13.2: Pipes for the flow of gaseous medium under pressure into individual sections of ballast tanks;

Position 13.3: Electrical connection for operating electrical valve

6. Mode for carrying out of the invention

Actualisation of the technical solution according to the invention, that is, the floating dock with ballast tank and formwork mould for manufacturing a floating platform by artificially freezing water is achieved by using generally known material and by applying classic technological procedures of mechanical processing of metals.

Application of the technical solution according to the invention is possible first and foremost for the needs of manufacturing floating platforms by artificially freezing water and establishing new dry-land areas on them which float on the seas, lakes and rivers, with the possibility of establishing all forms of content businesses and activities as are a known and exist on dry-land surfaces.

The manufacturing all components of technical solutions according to the invention are realised through usual technological procedures which are known and represent many decades of practice in the engineering industry. The manner of industrial use of the invention is obvious already from the description and very nature of the technical solution according to the invention which also encompasses all the component parts which additionally explain the procedure for actualising the technical solution according to the invention. The industrial use of the invention, other than not being doubtful, points particularly that the technical solution according to the invention represents an absolute innovation in relation to the known state of the art.

The floating dock with ballast tank and the formwork mould for manufacturing of floating platforms by artificially freezing water, with the corresponding parts, are located primarily on the water while one of its parts is also on the shore.

As a rule, the control - management unit (10.2), with the corresponding system, as well as the compressor unit (10.3), mutually connected by electrical connections (10.4), are located on the land.

The floating dock with ballast tank, comprised of one or more pipes (1) and pipe elements (3), (4) and (5), all appropriately connected, are located on the water.

The mutually connected and appropriately arranged pipes (1) are additionally connected and stiffened by horizontal (9) and vertical (8) rod brackets and diagonal bracing (10.1).

The pipes of the ballast tank (7) are divided into a corresponding number of sections (7.1), (7.2), (7.3) and (7.4), and in this way a corresponding number of separate chambers are available which can be, independently of one another, filled with gaseous or liquid medium with the objective submerging, surfacing and levelling the floating dock. Each group of pipes of the ballast tank (7) which comprise an individual chamber on its upper side contains electrical valves (13) which through air pipes (13.2) are connected to the compressor system of the compressor unit (10.3) and through electrical connections (10.4) with the control-management system (10.2) while on the bottom side it has one or more openings for input of water when releasing the air from the chambers, that is, output of water while filling air into the chambers.

On the upper side of the floating dock (10) is the upper surface (10.9) which serves for the transport of workers, machinery, equipment, parts and everything else necessary to construct the floating ice platform.

The horizontal (9), as well as the vertical rod brackets (8) serve as bracing for the ballast tank (7) which simultaneously, in the central part of the floating dock, border the area which represents the formwork mould, within which the manufacturing of the floating platform by artificially freezing water is conducted. Before commencing construction of the floating ice platform, the aforementioned chambers are filled with a gaseous medium so the ballast tank (7) of the floating dock (10) floats on the water so that the area formed by the formwork mould, within which the floating platform by artificially freezing water is manufactured, is completely above the water surface. During the construction of the floating platform and increase of mass by artificially freezing water, the floating dock will gradually sink but in the manner that the surface on which work is being currently done will always be sufficiently above the water level. Upon completion of the construction of the floating ice platform, the floating dock sinks under the weight to a certain measure, however always keeping upper surfaces above the water surface.

Using the system for filling and emptying the pipes of the ballast tank (7), by creating the a corresponding ratio of liquid and gaseous medium of varying specific weights, results in the floating dock (10) floating on water, and with the aid of this system it is possible to submerge it underneath the surface of the water to a depth as required, and then raise it up again.

The pipes of the ballast tank (7) may be mutually connected by screws, and can comprise a system of sections and chambers, whose filling with liquid and gaseous medium of various specific weight achieves submersion or surfacing but also levelling of the floating dock (10). For this purpose, the pipes of the ballast tank (7) of the floating dock (10) are fastened to the corresponding valve, flanges and manometers.

The horizontal (9) and vertical (8) latticed brackets connect opposite facing pipes of the ballast tank (7) of the floating dock (10), and they may be connected by welding.

The diagonal bracing (10.1 ) connects the diagonal parts with specific surfaces of the floating dock (10), and they may be connected by welding.

Rings (12.1 ) are located on the pipes of the ballast tank (7) at locations which comprise the lateral sides of the floating dock, and they may be connected by welding.

The compressor unit (10.3) together with the compressor system may be located on the floating dock (10), auxiliary vessel, on the shore or similar location, and the bundles of pipes for air (10.6) are connected with pipes (13.2) of the ballast tank (7) of the floating dock (10).

The control management unit (10.2) with the control management system may also be located on the floating dock (10), auxiliary vessel, on the shore or similar location, and is connected with appropriate connections with the aforementioned parts, and in this way controlling individual parameters, as well as managing operations. The pipes (1) of the ballast tank (7) may be made from round steel seamed or seamless pipes of a length as required, and on the frontal edges may have extensions in the form of flanges with holes for screws for possible mutual connection, so in this way they may be mutually joined with other pipes and pipe elements of the ballast tank (7). Similarly individual pipes of the ballast tank (7) may be closed, for example by welding steel sheet metal, whereby a system of sections and chambers are formed inside the ballast tank (7).

The horizontal (9) and vertical (8) latticed brackets may be made form steel profiles that contain surfaces for resting on the pipes of the ballast tank (7) with which they are connected by welding.

Diagonal bracing (10.1) may be made from steel profiles, and may contain elements for tightening, as well as elements which rest on the pipes of the ballast tank (7) with which they can be connected by welding.

The rings (12.1 ) may be made from flat steel of an appropriate thickness and shape, and may be connected with the pipes of the ballast tank by welding.

The unit with the control - management system (10.2) which contains the computer system for operating the compressor system with the compressor unit (10.3), which is connected with the aforementioned computer system of the aforementioned control- management unit (10.2) and electrical valves (13), and other parts of equipment as required, may be located on the shore, and through pipelines compromised gaseous medium according to the defined procedure, which is conducted by the control- management system (10.2), is blown into the aforementioned pipes (1 ) of the ballast tank (7), in which manner the surfacing of the floating dock is enabled.

Claims

1. The floating dock for manufacturing floating platforms by artificially freezing water, whereby the mentioned platforms are of enormously large dimensions and masses, is characterized in that the floating dock (10) consists of a ballast tank (7) and formwork mould, as its main component parts, where together they form a unique function unit (1 1 .A).

2. The floating dock for manufacturing floating platforms by artificially freezing water, according to patent application 1 , is characterized in that the ballast tank (7) is formed of pipes (1) and pipe elements (3), (4) and (5).

3. The floating dock for manufacturing floating platforms by artificially freezing water, according to above patent applications, is characterized in that the aforementioned pipes (1 ) which comprise the ballast tank (7) of the floating dock (10) are connected with horizontal (9) and vertical (8) latticed brackets, which may be made from mutually welded steel profiles, so that the aforementioned latticed brackets (8) and (9) on one side are formed so that one girth encompasses and connects the pipes of the ballast tank (7) of the floating dock (10) thereby additionally strengthening it, whereby these latticed brackets with their surfaces (8.1 ) and (9.1 ) form the formwork mould.

4. The floating dock for manufacturing floating platforms by artificially freezing water, according to above patent applications, is characterized in that the ballast tank (7) may be singular or divided into multiple sections: (7.1 ), (7.2), (7.3) and (7.4), which each form a separate chamber, where on the upper side of each section (7.1 ), (7.2), (7.3) and (7.4) of the ballast tank (7) there are electrical valves (13) located for gaseous medium, while on the bottom side there are one or multiple openings (6.1 ) for input of liquid medium when releasing the gaseous medium from the chambers, that is, output of liquid medium during blowing in of the gaseous medium into the chambers.

5. The floating dock for manufacturing floating platforms by artificially freezing water, according to above patent applications, is characterized in that the opening and closing of the electrical valves (13) is achieved in a programmed way through the operations of the control-management (10.2) and compressor (10.3) system, whereby it is enabled that the aforementioned chambers, independently of each other, be filled with gaseous or liquid medium with various specific weights with the objective of achieving surfacing or submersion, as well as levelling of the floating dock.

6. The floating dock for manufacturing floating platforms by artificially freezing water, according to above patent applications, is characterized in that the pipes of the ballast tank (7), first and foremost, are of made of steel, however they may also be of a different material, round but also any other cross- sectional shape, whereby the number of pipes, as well as their dimension and arrangement enable that, in a programmed manner, the desired submersion, surfacing but also levelling of the floating dock (10) are achieved, while manufacturing floating platforms of the desired dimensions of artificially freezing water.

7. The floating dock for manufacturing floating platforms by artificially freezing water, according to above patent applications, is characterized in that the technical solution of the floating dock for manufacturing floating platforms enables that, after completion of the manufacture of floating platforms of artificially frozen water, it is possible to submerge the floating dock in water to the depth which enables independent floating on water of the floating platform of artificially frozen wate,r, and its extraction from the area which the floating dock occupies, after which the aforementioned floating dock (10) may once again be brought to the surface and achieve new cycles of manufacturing floating platforms by artificially freezing water.