BUOY WITH BUOYANT CORE AND COLLAR HAVING MULTIPLE FLOTATION COMPONENTS

Abstract

The invention relates to a buoy comprising a buoyant, plastic core component, and a plurality of detachable flotation components that support and surround the core component. The buoy is preferably more than 2.5 meters diameter, but the diameter of the core component is preferably less than or equal to 2.35 meters diameter. This facilitates transport in a single shipping container. A novel tie bar assembly and novel lifting/mooring mounts are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A buoy comprising: a core component, wherein the core component is a buoyant core component; and at least two detachable flotation components surround and support the core component.

2. The buoy according to claim 1, wherein each detachable floatation component and the core component include respective engagement formations to engage with each other, and wherein at least one engagement formation on the core component includes a downward lip projection, around a periphery of the core component, and each detachable floatation component includes an upward lip projection, whereby the respective lip projections may engage in recesses behind another lip projection.

3. The buoy according to claim 1, wherein the buoy is more than 2.6 meters diameter.

4. The buoy according to claim 1, wherein the core component is a plastic core component.

5. The buoy according to claim 1, wherein the core component is substantially circular in cross section, and each detachable floatation component forms a substantially cylindrical collar around the core component.

6. The buoy according to claim 1, further comprising at least three detachable floatation components.

7. The buoy according to claim 1, wherein each detachable floatation component comprises an upper lip to engage on a ledge of the core component.

8. A buoy comprising: a core component, wherein the core component is a buoyant core component, two or more detachable flotation components that surround and support the core component, and at least one tie bar assembly.

9. The buoy according to claim 8, further comprising a pair of tie bar assemblies, the tie bar assemblies being mounted within the core component and providing a lifting point towards the top of the buoy and a mooring point towards the bottom of the buoy.

10. The buoy according to claim 8, wherein each tie bar assembly comprises: a rod assembly comprising one or more rods extending substantially a height of the core component; a first bracing mount fixed to a top of the rod assembly for securing to a lifting assembly, for lifting of the core component; and a second bracing mount fixed at a bottom of the rod assembly for securing to a mooring assembly, for mooring of the buoy during use.

11. The buoy according to claim 10, wherein the first and second bracing mounts each comprise: a vertical support for securing to a rod assembly; and a cross-member having a cross channel therethrough, wherein a channel receives a cable, chain or pin for at least one of mooring and lifting of the buoy.

12. A detachable floatation component for a buoy comprising: an upper lip formation to engage a ledge of a core component of the buoy; and a lower lip formation to engage with a corresponding formation around a periphery of the core component, wherein the lower lip formation includes an upward lip projection, and a recess behind the upward lip projection.

13. A detachable floatation component according to claim 12, wherein the upper lip formation faces toward a vertical center of the core component.

14. A detachable floatation component according to claim 12, wherein the recess is a downward recess that is behind the upward lip projection away from a center of the core component.

15. A detachable floatation component according to claim 12, wherein the lower lip formation is adapted to engage a downward lip projection and an upward recess of a corresponding lip formation of the core component of the buoy.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0052] Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

[0053] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a buoy according to an embodiment of the

[0054] invention.

[0055] FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of a core component of the buoy of FIG. 1.

[0056] FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the core component of the buoy of FIG. 1.

[0057] FIG. 4 is a detailed cross section of a lip towards the underside of the core component shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

[0058] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a collar component of the buoy of FIG. 1.

[0059] FIG. 6 is a vertical cross section of the collar component of FIG. 5.

[0060] FIG. 7 is a vertical cross section of the assembled buoy of FIG. 1.

[0061] FIG. 8 is a front view of a tie bar assembly for the buoy of FIG. 1.

[0062] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a mounting component of the tie bar assembly of FIG. 8.

[0063] FIG. 10 is a transparent perspective view of a collar component modified for particular environmental applications.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0064] FIG. 1 depicts a buoy 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the buoy 100 is a buoy of 3 meters diameter, although different size buoys may be used in accordance with the invention.

[0065] The buoy 100 comprises a core 110, a collar comprised of eight collar components 120, a pair of tie bars or a tie bar assembly 130 for mooring the buoy 100 to an anchor, and a tower 140. The core 110 and collar components 120 are all molded plastic components, preferably formed of polyethylene. This means that the core 110 is buoyant. Both the plastic molded core or core 110 and collar components 120 have internal cavities, which may be filled with air, but depending on the particular application may also be filled with foam and/or a ballast material such as concrete. In this embodiment, the core 110 is more likely to be filled with ballast to suit some applications. Functional equipment can be mounted to the buoy as desired—for example, a light can be mounted at the top of the tower 140. The tower 140 in this embodiment may also be a molded plastic component, although the buoyancy of the core 110 and collar 120 means that the tower may be formed of other materials, such as steel.

[0066] FIGS. 2 to 4 depicts the core 110 in more detail. This component is generally cylindrical with a circular cross section. In this embodiment, it has a diameter of no greater than about 2.35 meters, so that it can fit in a standard shipping container.

[0067] The core 110 may include a downward lip projection 112, around a periphery of the core component. A recess 113 is formed behind the lip projection 112. This forms a downward facing engagement portion, to engage with a mating formation on each collar component 120, which is described further below.

[0068] The core 110 further includes a tower mount 116 towards the top of the core 110, and a mooring formation 118 towards the bottom of the core 110, on the underside. Lifting holes 115 are also provided towards the top of the core 110, with mooring holes 119 provided in the mooring formation on the underside of the core 110. A cavity or channel 114 extends through the core 110, to receive a tie bar assembly 130. The tie bar assembly, described in more detail below, is formed of steel and provides strength and rigidity to allow the core 110 to withstand loads associated with lifting (e.g., during transport, retrieval and maintenance) and whilst moored (particularly in large swells).

[0069] FIGS. 5 and 6 depict a collar component 120 in more detail. Collectively, eight of these collar components 120 create a collar around the periphery of the core 110, as shown in FIG. 1. The eight collar components surround the core, and form a cylinder or ‘donut’ to support the core and provide additional stability and buoyancy. Of course, different shapes and configurations of collar components 120 may be used in different embodiments of the invention.

[0070] Each collar component 120 is detachable from the core 110 (particularly for transport), and formed of plastic. The collar components 120 provide additional buoyancy to the buoy 100, and also ensure that the buoy 100 has a wide base to improve stability in large swells. The resulting wide base helps the buoy 100 support a tower and/or have more functional equipment (such as sensors or lights) mounted to it. However, because the collar components are detachable, this means the buoy can be transported in a disassembled state, significantly reducing transport costs—in this embodiment, the assembled buoy (3 meters in diameter) would not fit within a standard shipping container of 2.35 meters width.

[0071] Towards the top of each collar component, an upper lip 128 is provided, projecting inwards. In use, this lip will locate over a corresponding ledge of the core 110, where it will help maintain the collar component 120 on the core 110 (primarily when out of the water, and the components are not buoyed upward).

[0072] Towards the bottom or each collar component 120, there is also an upward lip projection 122, along an inner edge of the collar component 120. A recess 123 is formed behind the lip projection 122. Together, these provide an upward facing engagement formation to engage with the corresponding formation (or projection 112 and/or recess 113) of the core 110.

[0073] FIG. 7 depicts the core 110 and collar component 120 as assembled, in cross section. This engagement resists outward motion of the collar components 120 relative to the core 110, and also resists downward motion of the core relative to the collar components 120, meaning that the buoyancy of the collar components 120 directly supports the core 110.

[0074] To secure the collar in place, the collar components 120 are fixed together using a nut and bolt arrangement, through bolt apertures 124, around the circumference of the collar. Optionally, tie straps may be provided around the outside of the collar, and located in external channels 125 on the collar components 120, although tie straps will often be unnecessary in many embodiments.

[0075] Assembly of the buoy 100 of the present invention is therefore much simpler and faster than the assembly process for conventional large marine buoys. Typically, such buoys have a heavy steel superstructure, and may have complicated fixing means to secure flotation components to the superstructure. This makes them very difficult to assemble in the field.

[0076] In addition, the components of the buoy 100 described above are formed of plastic, without the requirement for a steel superstructure. This significantly reduces the manufacturing cost of the buoy 100.

[0077] Furthermore, the buoy 100 of the present invention is likely to be more reliable and more easily serviced than conventional large marine buoys. The use of multiple (preferably three or more) detachable flotation components or collar components 120 means that there is more redundancy in the buoy itself. If one collar component 120 is damaged, this does not greatly affect the buoyancy of the buoy 100 itself. The buoy 100 will also be less expensive to repair in such circumstances, as only the damaged collar component 120 need be replaced. The ease of replacement is also likely to address occupation health and safety concerns.

[0078] Furthermore, in some cases, the use of multiple collar components 120 may allow a buoy 100 to be more easily reconfigured with additional functional equipment. Functional equipment can be installed in a specific collar component 120, which can then be secured to the buoy—either at the time of assembly for a particular function, or to add functionality or reconfigure a buoy already in use. In a most basic configuration, the core 110 could be used as a buoy in its own right, without any additional collar components 120. In other embodiments, functionality (as well as additional width and buoyancy) could be provided by customized/specific collar components.

[0079] For example, FIG. 10 shows a customized collar component 120 having an additional through-hole 129, which can be used to receive environmental monitoring equipment, for example to measure salinity or heavy metal in the water below the buoy. In conventional buoys, environmental monitoring probes must either be located around the outside of the buoy (highly undesirable, as it makes them more susceptible to damage) or an entire buoy must be customized to include a cavity to receive the probe within it. This typical modification means that significant additional costs are incurred to customize a large buoy for an environmental monitoring application—and results in additional transport costs, because the entire buoy is first transported to a location for the environmental probes to be installed, and then to the port for deployment. Utilizing the present invention, however, transport and customization costs are reduced because only a collar component 120 (not the entire buoy 100) needs to be customized and transported.

[0080] The figures depict a tie bar assembly 130 according to an embodiment of the invention. The tie bar assembly includes a pair of outer bracing rods 134, with a middle bracing rod 135 also provided. Bolts 136 are passed through forks at the end of rod 138, and connector pieces on the end of rods 134 are used to connect the rods together. All of the components of tie bar assembly 130 are formed of strengthened steel. In other embodiments, different materials and/or different connection means may be used.

[0081] Importantly, bracing mounts 132 are provided at the top and bottom of the tie bar assemblies 130. Each bracing mount 132 is generally T-shaped, and includes a vertical support for securing to the rest of the tie bar assembly 130, and a cross member having a cross channel 133 therethrough.

[0082] In use, a pair of tie bar assemblies 130 are mounted within channels or cavities of the core 110. At the top of the tie bar assembly 130, the upper bracing mount 132 is located in lifting holes 115 of the core component or core 110. At the bottom of the tie bar assembly 130, the lower bracing mount is secured by a pin through the mooring holes 119, as shown in FIG. 1.

[0083] The upper bracing mount 132 will provide a lifting point for lifting the core 110 during transport, deployment and retrieval, with a cable or chain received in the channel 133 of the upper bracing mount 132. The channel of 133 of lower bracing mount 132 can likewise receive a cable or chain for mooring purposes, or a pin to secure a bridle plate 200 using an additional shackle 210 as shown in FIG. 1. The tie bar assembly 130 provides sufficient strength to withstand the significant loads and stresses experienced by the buoy during handling and when moored. By providing a pair of tie bar assemblies, this means that the mooring and lifting loads can be spread evenly.

[0084] Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprise”, and variations such as “comprises” and “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

[0085] The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavor to which this specification relates.