FLOATING MOORING STRUCTURE

Abstract

The invention relates to a floating mooring structure comprising a framework formed by a first plurality of equidistant parallel tubes (1), having tubes (2) belonging to a second plurality of tubes (2) extending across the top thereof and tubes (3) belonging to a third plurality of tubes (3) extending across the bottom thereof. The structure also comprises peripheral berthing beams (7, 7) and additional flotation tanks (9 and 10) with shock-absorbing fenders (13) and with vent tubes (1) that help stabilise the structure and serve as mooring posts (12 and 12) for vessels.

Claims

1. Floating mooring structure, that includes a frame made up of a first plurality of tubes (1) and of a second plurality of tubes (2), in which each tube (1) in the first plurality of tubes (1) has a pair of holes (4, 4) aligned longitudinally on its periphery, the respective pairs of holes (4, 4) opposite each other on the tubes (1) are crossed by corresponding tubes (2) in the framework; including, first (9) and second (10) flotation tanks and perimetral berthing beams (7) in the framework, characterized because it consists of: a third plurality of tubes (3) that extend in a corresponding way under the second plurality of tubes (2) and the parallel tubes (2) and (3) are kept apart longitudinally by spacers (6) that connect them, and the cross-tubes (3) go through their respective pairs of holes (5, 5) at the end of a line that crosses transversally the longitudinal axis of each tube (1) under the horizontal plane that divides it into two semi-cylindrical sections, and the pairs of holes opposite each other (5, 5) on the plurality of tubes (1) crossed by corresponding tubes (3) respectively from this third plurality of tubes (3); said proposed first flotation tanks (9) inserted on the berthing beams (7) or (7, 7) on at least two opposing sides of the perimeter of the structure, longitudinally spaced, mounted vertically and connected to the mouths of the tubes (1) on each one of said at least two sides for plugging; and said second flotation tanks (10) connected with the tubes (1) via tubular extensions (14) to assure the connection of the ends of the adjacent berthing beams (7) or (7, 7).

2. Floating mooring structure, according to claim 1, characterized because the mouths at the ends of the tubes (2) on the second plurality of tubes (2) are connected in holes (8) aligned on the berthing beams (7) or (7, 7) opposite each other on the perimetral fence for berthing.

3. Floating mooring structure, according to claim 1, characterized because said first (9) and second (10) flotation tanks make up shock-absorbing fenders (13) that go around the periphery, or at least part of the periphery.

4. Floating mooring structure, according to claim 1, characterized because the vent tubes (11) cross the respective connecting parts (2) and (3) of the tubes (2) and (3) inside the tubes (1) and peripheral zones vertically opposite on the tubes (1).

5. Floating mooring structure, according to claim 1, characterized because the vent tubes (11) extend vertically over the top of said first (9) and second (10) flotation tanks to act as mooring posts (12) and (12).

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] An example of the embodiment of the floating mooring structure upgraded to a cultivation platform, but not limited to this, is shown in the accompanying drawings, where:

[0018] FIG. 2 is a side-view of the floating structure corresponding to FIG. 1;

[0019] FIG. 3 illustrates, at larger scale, a detail of the framework of tubes on the floating mooring structure;

[0020] FIG. 4 illustrates, corresponding to FIG. 1, an additional example of the elevation of the floating structure with pairs of mooring beams;

[0021] FIG. 5 illustrates an additional example of assembly that shows in partial detail a part of a corner and its connection to the floating mooring structure.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0022] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a floating mooring structure is essentially made up of plastic material that is highly resistant to the marine environment but in the proposed example is of made of low-density polyethylene.

[0023] Referring to FIG. 1, the rectangular floating mooring structure in the example is seen as a plan and has the first tubular frame mounted (1) from tubes of between 800 mm-1200 mm in diameter, these are crossed by the second plurality of tubes (2) and, as is illustrated in FIG. 4, also crossed underneath by the third plurality of tubes (3), which give the structure a greater stability when being towed. Both pluralities of tubes (2) and (3) have a diameter that is significantly smaller, between 100 mm-350 mm.

[0024] As can also be seen in FIG. 3, each tube (1) in the first plurality of tubes (1) includes pairs of holes that are aligned (4, 4) and (5, 5) that extend longitudinally on opposing sides, upper and lower, on the periphery of each tube (1) and vertically opposite the pairs of holes (4, 4) and (5, 5), in such a way that the holes 4 and 5, just like holes 4 and 5 are also aligned and facing. The holes are equidistant in each pair (4, 4) and (5, 5). Each pair of equidistant holes (4, 43 in the alignment of pairs of holes (4, 4) present on the upper zone of each tube (1) is crossed by a tube from the (2) second plurality of tubes (2), and each pair of equidistant holes (5, 53 in the alignment of pairs of holes (5, 5) present on the lower zone of each tube (1) is crossed by a tube from (3) the third plurality of tubes (3), and fitted with parts for connection (2) and (3) for the tubes (2) and (3) on the inside of the tube (1) respectively. The respective ends of the connecting parts (2) and (3) are welded to the periphery of the holes (4, 4) and (5, 5) that cross above and below the tube (1) respectively, creating a single solid block in which the tubes (1) in the first plurality of tubes (1) are maintained longitudinally equidistant and parallel in relation to the tubes in the second (2) and third (3) plurality of tubes.

[0025] Each tube (3) in the third plurality of tubes (3) crosses the corresponding pairs of opposing holes transversally (5, 5) at both ends of an imaginary line that goes transversally along the longitudinal axis of the tubes (1) in the first plurality of tubes (1) at the lower part of the structure, that is, under the horizontal plane that divides the tube (1) into two semi-cylindrical sections. Moreover, each tube in the third plurality of tubes (3) can be seen extending longitudinally in parallel under a corresponding tube (2) in the second plurality of tubes (2) and the tubes (2) and (3) are connected by spacers (6), tubular in the example to allow internal communication between the tubes (2) and (3), if this is the case.

[0026] The floating structure includes, at the sides of the frame made by the tubes (1), (2) and (3), a fence whose perimeter can be observed consisting of berthing beams (7) and (7) which, as can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 4 respectively, are an example of single berthing beams (7) or pairs of single berthing beams (7, 7), upper (7) and lower (7), both having alignments of holes (8) where the corresponding tubes (2) and (3) are connected.

[0027] The ends of the tubes (2) connected in holes aligned (8) on single berthing beams (7) or in holes (8) on the upper berthing beams (7) on the pairs of opposing berthing beams (7, 7) on the perimetral fence are connected in such a way that there is internal communication between them all. The ends of the tubes are connected in holes (8) aligned on the lower beams (7), located on the pairs of berthing beams (7, 7) on the perimetral fence for berthing. The first flotation tanks (9) are located on the two opposing sides of the structure, inserted vertically and fixed equidistant from the berthing beams (7) as is shown in FIG. 2, or on pairs of berthing beams (7, 7) as can be seen in FIG. 4, they are fitted against the mouth of the tubes (1) for connection and closing. Second flotation tanks (10), of a larger volume than flotation tanks (9), can be seen vertically on the corners of the structure connecting the ends of the berthing beams (7), (FIG. 2), or the ends of adjacent pairs of berthing beams (7, 7), (FIG. 4), inserted on their interior.

[0028] As is shown better in FIG. 3, vent tubes (11) centrally cross their respective connecting parts (2) and (3) of the tubes (2) and (3) inside the tubes and opposing peripherical zones on the tubes (1), strengthening the joint. The vent tubes (11) are extended vertically above the flotation tanks (9) and (10), their extra length is for use as mooring posts (12) and (12). The mooring posts and vent tubes (12) are connected vertically on the periphery of the tanks (9), whereas the mooring posts and vent tubes (12) cross the flotation tanks (10) at the upper and lower bases.

[0029] Said first (9) and second (10) flotation tanks can be seen mounted with shock-absorbing fenders (13), in the example made with rubber profiles that surround part of the periphery.

[0030] In an additional embodiment illustrated in a schematic manner in FIG. 5, the floating mooring structure shows corner sections that include flotation tanks (10) with tubular extensions (14) made up of connecting parts (15) for the creation of a subsequent joint that is flanged or welded to the berthing beams (7, 7) and the tubes (1) in the first plurality of tubes close to the structure.

[0031] The floating mooring structure can be upgraded to a mollusc fattening platform (balea de cultivo) and should be fitted with accessories needed to carry out these duties, for example, the addition of steering gear and for control, as well as stabilizers and levellers, such as compartments with inner walls on all or part of the tubes, a valvular system for selective emptying and flooding, and others such as buoys for signalling, anchors and supports for nets and cages or any other accessory typical on this type of platforms.