Abstract:
A floating ocean platform stabilized in position by energy produced from wave energy. In one embodiment, the platform may be used to support a roadway to build a floating bridge. The platform may also include a wave break mechanism for additional stability and may submerge for storm survival. The platform may be constructed in modules to permit reconfiguration and management of resources. In other embodiments, the platform may support communities. The bridge may also provide transmission lines for conducting wave generated electricity back to the mainland.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit under 35 USC 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application 62/096,853 titled “Ocean Platform”, filed Dec. 24, 2014 by Kennamer, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention pertains generally to the field of oceanic structures, more particularly, to floating structures. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Brief Description 
     Briefly, the present disclosure pertains generally to an ocean platform capable of providing multiple features and benefits. The platform is a floating platform stabilized in position by energy produced from wave energy. In one embodiment, the platform may be used to support a roadway to build a floating bridge. The platform may also include a wave break mechanism for additional stability and may submerge for storm survival. The platform may be constructed in modules to permit reconfiguration and management of resources. In other embodiments, the platform may support communities. The bridge may also provide transmission lines for conducting wave generated electricity back to the mainland. 
     In various variations, the platform may be a stabilized ocean platform comprising a deck, and a deck support structure supporting the deck, a plurality of vertical ballast tanks attached to said deck support structure, the vertical ballast tanks providing flotation for said deck support structure and capable of floating said deck above a water surface. 
     Further, the vertical ballast tanks may be coupled to wave coupling floats movable relative to said ballast tanks, and said wave coupling floats movable vertically responsive to wave motion. The vertical motion may be coupled to a generator configured to generate electrical energy responsive to the vertical motion. 
     Further, an energy storage unit in the stabilized ocean platform may be coupled to the generator for receiving and storing the electrical energy. 
     A navigation unit may be provided capable of determining a position of said stabilized ocean platform. 
     A stabilizer may be provided comprising at least one axis of thrust for stabilizing a position of the stabilized ocean platform. The stabilizer may be powered from the energy storage unit. 
     A controller may be provided responsive to the navigation unit and configured for controlling the stabilizer to maintain a stabilized position of the stabilized platform. 
     Further, the stabilized platform may include a wave modifier comprising a structure deployed in a path of an incoming wave to reduce wave amplitude during high seas to prevent damage to said wave coupling floats. 
     The wave modifier may comprise a vertical tapered structure having a narrow top and a wider base configured for storage below the waves and during operation raised to the wave surface to interfere with the waves and reduce wave amplitude arriving at the wave coupling floats 
     The wave modifier may comprise a hollow structure capable of being filled with an adjustable amount of ballast to float the wave modifier at a desired level. The hollow structure comprises a shell comprising concrete. 
     The stabilized platform may be configured to be linked together with one or more additional platforms to form a highway or a structure supporting dwellings for a community. 
     The stabilized platform may be configured to be submerged below sea level for storm survival. The vertical ballast tanks may be configured to contain variable ballast to submerge and stabilize said stabilized platform below the waves for storm survival. The stabilized platform may include a compressed air system comprising a compressor and a compressed air tank to re-inflate the ballast tanks to float the platform above the sea surface. 
     The stabilized platform may include a sea anchor for additional stabilization. 
     The stabilizer may comprises at least one propeller thruster or jet thruster. 
     The disclosure further relates to associated methods. 
     These and further benefits and features of the present invention are herein described in detail with reference to exemplary embodiments in accordance with the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       The present invention is described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements. Additionally, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the drawing in which the reference number first appears. 
         FIG. 1  shows a side view of an exemplary platform. 
         FIG. 2  shows an isometric view of the platform of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3 a    and  FIG. 3 b    show two views of an exemplary wave modifier. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present invention relates to a floating platform to be deployed at sea that may remain in a fixed position indefinitely, relying on wave energy to provide the power to maintain position of the platform. The wave energy may also produce excess power. The excess power may be used on the platform for other uses, for example to serve a community, for industrial manufacturing, for lighting, desalination of water, for office use or any other on site use. In one embodiment, multiple platforms may be joined together to form a bridge or highway across the ocean. The platform, being self sufficient and self stabilized, may be used to build highways across great expanses of the ocean or even to join continents. Along the way, there may be rest stops, which may grow to small communities to provide services necessary for the rest stops—gas stations, restaurants, hotels, plumbers, electricians, laundries an so on to include services needed by the services. In addition, manufacturing or other industry may be attracted to the presence of excess electrical power. Transmission to the mainland may be costly and direct on site use may be most economical. 
     The platform may have additional features for survival at sea. The platform may be provided with a system of wave controllers to moderate the power of the waves in high seas. The wave controllers may be large concrete structures that may be lowered below the waves or raised to the wave surface to break up wave energy as needed. In addition, the platform may be submersible in the event of a hurricane or other severe weather. When severe weather is anticipated, ballast tanks may be filled and the platform lowered below the wave action. 
     In one embodiment, the platform is a highly stabilized platform. For applications forming an extensive platform, for example, a highway, multiple platforms may be combined to form the highway. The roadway on top should be as stable as practical. Vehicles cannot maintain stable operation at top speed when the roadway beneath them is moving back and forth even just a few inches. Thus, the platform may include thrusters capable of thrusting in lateral, vertical, and rotational axes to stabilize the platform. Radio Frequency and inertial reference sensors may be used to sense platform motion to stabilize the platform. 
       FIG. 1  shows a side view of an exemplary platform. Referring to  FIG. 1 , the platform comprises a platform deck section  102 , floating support columns  104 , wave coupling floats  106 , and a stabilizer arm  120 . The platform deck section  102  supports a top surface, which may support numerous usages, including roadway ( FIG. 2, 202 ), park, rest area, agriculture, wind farm, and industrial usage. A four lane roadway example is shown in  FIG. 2, 202 . Below the top deck, the platform deck section may support machinery and interior space as desired. The interior may include batteries  114 , generators, compressors and compressed air tanks  116 . The interior may also include office space, utility rooms, control equipment  118 , navigation equipment, and other functions as necessary. 
     The floating support columns  104  are rigid columns with compartments usable as ballast tanks. The floating support columns may also house compressors, compressed air tanks, generators and other equipment. 
     Exemplary wave coupling (riding) floats  106  are shown surrounding the floating support columns  104 . The wave riding floats  106  move up and down according to wave action. The up and down motion is coupled to a generator using exemplary cable coupling  108  as shown. Other coupling methods may be used. The three wave riding floats are shown responding to a wave  112  relative to mean sea level  110 . Other systems for wave energy conversion may be used. Generated power may be stored in the battery  114 . Excess power may be distributed to the shore or to other platforms, or used to support industrial functions on the platform, if so configured. The power is also used to stabilize the platform  100 . 
     The stabilizer arm  120  extends from the platform deck  102  to deeper ocean, preferably below the principle wave action region that drives the wave coupling floats—i.e., preferably below ½ wavelength (wave height), more preferably below 1 wavelength (wave height) referred to the nominal design wave for the platform, for example 30 feet (10 meters) for typical seas. The stabilizer arm  120  may include thrusters  122  capable of thrusting vertically and horizontally to move the platform in any direction or orientation. The thrusters should be capable of high frequency servo performance to respond to disturbances and maintain the platform at a precision location with precision stability. The thrusters may be propeller or jet pump driven or other type of thruster. The thruster control may also be used with additional servo mounts for the roadway for precision control. In addition, a sea anchor  124  may be used for additional stability. The sea anchor may be articulating to adjust for sea and current states. 
     The platform controller  118  may stabilize the platform based on a number of available navigation and stabilization sources included in the controller, including but not limited to GPS, LORAN, satellite, and dedicated ground based positioning systems tailored to the platform application. The navigation and stabilization system may include inertial sensors including accelerometers and gyros, inclinometers and other sensors. 
     Configurations 
     The platform may be configured for numerous applications. As a roadway, the sections may be linked end to end. A flexible joint may be used with a pivot at the roadway surface to allow for some variation in position as each section maneuvers to maintain position. 
     For a long roadway, it may be desirable to provide a rest stop. The rest stop may be built by linking platforms end to end and side to side. In addition, some platforms may be constructed as double deck platforms. The rest stops may also provide gas stations, restaurants and other services. 
     Since the bridge is at water level, it may block the passage of ships or boats of any size. Thus, sections may be adapted to disconnect and move laterally to form a horizontal drawbridge—allowing the passage of ships. After the passage of ships, the sections may be joined again to form the roadway. 
     The platforms may be made substantially identical for ease of maintenance. A defective section may be removed and a replacement section maneuvered into place. The defective section may then be returned to a service dock for repair. 
     Storms 
     The platform may be operable over a wide range of wave heights and wave lengths; however, the sea can deliver waves and winds to exceed most any given design maximum. In the case of a severe storm, the platform may be adapted to be submergible. The vertical tanks may be filled with water to the point where the platform can submerge below the most severe wave action, for example, ½ to 1 wave length below the average surface, for example 90 feet (30 meters) deep for hurricane winds. 
     Wave Modifier 
     In one variation, the platform may be protected by a wave modifier. One exemplary wave modifier is shown in  FIG. 3 . The wave modifier is a device that can provide adjustable attenuation for incoming waves to prevent overload and possible damage to the platform and wave energy conversion system. For sea states that are too large for the wave energy conversion system to handle, the wave modulator may reduce the size of the waves reaching the platform. For example, the wave modifier may be greater than 30 feet (10 meters) in height, or preferably greater than 60 feet (20 meters). For sea states too large for the wave modifier, the platform may retreat by submerging below the waves. 
       FIG. 3 a    and  FIG. 3 b    show two views of an exemplary wave modifier.  FIG. 3 a    shows a wave front view, showing the side facing the oncoming waves.  FIG. 3 b    shows a side cross section identified in  FIG. 3 a   . Referring to  FIG. 3 a    and  FIG. 3 b   , the wave modifier  302  may be a shell  304  having a hollow interior  306 , possibly fabricated of concrete in the manner of a concrete boat hull, for example concrete and steel mesh. The shell may be fillable with water or air to float the shell at a desired height. If the shell is below the waves, there is no effect on the waves. As the shell is floated higher a larger and larger portion of the shell is at the water line  110  and interfering with the waves, dissipating and reflecting wave energy. 
     As shown, the exemplary wave modifier may have a substantially triangular face view, having a wide base tapering to a narrow top. The vertices may be rounded. The side view may be tilted toward the oncoming wave by an angle, for example zero to 45 degrees. The top may be curved toward an oncoming wave. 
     In Operation 
     In operation, the platform is established in a desired height and level configuration by inflation of the vertical ballast tanks. Once a rough level is obtained, the stabilization thrusters may be engaged to achieve and maintain precision stabilization. If a steady bias is noted in the vertical stabilization control, the ballast may be adjusted to neutralize the bias. 
     The wave coupling floats move vertically in response to wave action. The floats are coupled to a generator that generates electricity. The electricity is stored in the batteries and/or delivered for use. In particular, the power is delivered as necessary to the stabilization system to maintain the platform at the desired position and orientation. 
     As the seas increase in magnitude, it may be necessary to deploy the wave modifier system. The wave modifiers are raised into the wave region and act to attenuate the waves. As the waves get stronger, the wave modifiers may be raised further to further attenuate the waves. If the waves get stronger than can be attenuated by the wave modifiers, the platform may be submerged. The ballast tanks are filled and the platform submerges to a depth as necessary for survival in the presence of the waves. The wave modifiers may then be retracted (submerged) to protect them form the storm. Once the storm has passed, the ballast tanks may be drained using the compressed air previously stored. Once the platform is established again on top, normal operations may resume. 
     The present invention has been described above with the aid of functional building blocks illustrating the performance of specified functions and relationships thereof. The boundaries of these functional building blocks have been arbitrarily defined herein for the convenience of the description. Alternate boundaries can be defined so long as the specified functions and relationships thereof are appropriately performed. Any such alternate boundaries are thus within the scope and spirit of the claimed invention. 
     While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.