Abstract:
A connector for connecting a floating module to a beached module of a modular wharf, the connector comprising: a resilient member adapted for resiliently opposing movement of the floating module toward the beached module; a sliding connector for slidably connecting said floating module to said beached module to allow vertical movement of the floating module relative to the beached module during tides of said body of water while restricting horizontal and lateral movement of said floating module.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority under 35USC§119(e) of U.S. provisional patent application 61/380,610 filed Sep. 7, 2010, U.S. provisional patent application 61/405,857 filed Oct. 22, 2010, U.S. provisional patent application 61/409,726 filed Nov. 3, 2010, U.S. provisional patent application 61/411,243 filed Nov. 8, 2010 and U.S. provisional patent application 61/414,745 filed Nov. 17, 2010, the specifications of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The invention relates to a modular wharf. More specifically, it concerns a connector which links a floating module to a beached module of a modular wharf. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE ART 
       [0003]    Modular wharves can be used wherever there is a need to compensate for the lack of infrastructures or to improve existing installations. Floating wharves can be built using barges. Examples of barges that can be used are sectional barges, deck barges, hopper barges, dump scow barges, dredging barges, crane barges, steel caisson, etc. They are an alternative to permanent wharves which require dredging, dynamiting, pouring concrete, rock filling and lengthy, costly construction. Modular wharves can be dismantled and removed once their purpose is over. They are used for loading and unloading of all types of cargo or for docking ships. They are accessible in all tide conditions. Cargo handling systems such as cranes, conveyors, lifts and others are provided on the floating wharf. 
         [0004]    Resilient connectors are used between the modules which make up the pathways or the docking section to ensure a stable, solid and flexible wharf. The energy caused by the movements of the wharf units is dissipated at the resilient connector thereby allowing a solid yet flexible structure. The resilient connector may be pre-compressed during installation to add or to increase the wharf stability and rigidity. The connectors may be of different types. They include a compressible element, such as rubber, and a tension element which is, for example, adjustable using a tightening assembly, a hydraulic cylinder, etc. 
         [0005]    In some situations according to bathymetry pattern, there is a need for the use of a beached wharf module together with the floating modules which could reduce the environmental impact of the modular wharf by reducing the amount of embankment, reducing installation costs and providing a sound and stable abutment. There would therefore be a need for a resilient connector between the beached module and the floating module(s) which would be designed to respond to tide movements without compromising the resilient connection behavior. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    According to one broad aspect of the present invention, there is provided a connector for connecting a floating module to a beached module of a modular wharf, the connector comprising: a resilient member adapted for resiliently opposing movement of the floating module toward the beached module; a wall member having a resilient member side and a slider side; a fastening assembly to secure the wall member to a first wharf module chosen from the floating module and the beached module and to sandwich the resilient member between the resilient member side of the wall member and a face of the first wharf module, the resilient member side facing the face of the first wharf module; a slider assembly having two sliding sections, one sliding section of the two sliding sections being affixed to the slider side of the wall member and another sliding section of the two sliding sections being affixed to a face of a second wharf module, the second wharf module being a different one of the floating module and the beached module, the slider side of the wall member facing the face of the second wharf module, the sliding sections being adapted to be slidably interconnected thereby securing the wall member to the second wharf module and being adapted to slide with respect to one another to allow vertical displacement of the wall member with respect to the second wharf module. 
         [0007]    In one embodiment, the first wharf module is a floating module and the second wharf module is a beached module. 
         [0008]    In one embodiment, the connector further comprises a chain assembly for securing the resilient member to the first wharf module, the chain assembly including chains. 
         [0009]    In one embodiment, the fastening assembly further includes a tension loader, the tension loader being adapted to move the wall member towards the face of the first wharf module thereby compressing the resilient member. 
         [0010]    In one embodiment, the resilient member is a pneumatic fender. 
         [0011]    In one embodiment, the resilient member side of the slider member is concave between a top of the slider member and a bottom of the slider member. 
         [0012]    In one embodiment, one of the two sliding sections of the slider assembly comprises a roller support with rollers and another one of the two sliding sections comprises at least one channel for receiving the rollers. 
         [0013]    In one embodiment, one of the two sliding sections of the slider assembly comprises a protruding elongated flange and another one of the two sliding sections comprises a recessed elongated member for receiving the protruding elongated flange. 
         [0014]    In one embodiment, the flange is one of trapeze-shaped, H-shaped, T-shaped, C-shaped and O-shaped. 
         [0015]    In one embodiment, the connector further comprises an elongated connector, wherein both of the two sliding sections of the slider assembly comprise a recessed elongated member each for receiving a side of the elongated connector. 
         [0016]    In one embodiment, the connector further comprises an elongated connector, wherein both of the two sliding sections of the slider assembly comprise a protruding elongated member and the elongated connector has an elongated recessed channel on each side for receiving both the protruding elongated members. 
         [0017]    In one embodiment, the elongated connector is made of a resilient material. 
         [0018]    In one embodiment, the connector further comprises a stopper provided on at least one of the sliding section, and the wall member for limiting displacement of at least one of the sliding sections of the slider assembly. 
         [0019]    In one embodiment, the wall member is buoyant. 
         [0020]    In one embodiment, the wall member is hollow and sealed. 
         [0021]    In one embodiment, the wall member is made of a buoyant material. 
         [0022]    In one embodiment, the two sliding sections of the slider assembly are elongated and extend generally vertically. 
         [0023]    According to another broad aspect of the present invention, there is provided a modular wharf comprising: a beached module secured to a bottom of a body of water to prevent vertical movement of the beached module during tides of the body of water; a floating module disposed on a surface of the body of water, near the beached module; a resilient member adapted for resiliently opposing movement of the floating module toward the beached module; a sliding connector for slidably connecting the floating module to the beached module to allow vertical movement of the floating module relative to the beached module during tides of the body of water while restricting horizontal and lateral movement of the floating module. 
         [0024]    According to another broad aspect of the present invention, there is provided a connector for connecting a floating module to a beached module of a modular wharf, the connector comprising: a resilient member adapted for resiliently opposing movement of the floating module toward the beached module; a sliding connector for slidably connecting said floating module to said beached module to allow vertical movement of the floating module relative to the beached module during tides of said body of water while restricting horizontal and lateral movement of said floating module. 
         [0025]    In one embodiment, the sliding connector further comprises: A wall member having a resilient member side and a slider side; A fastening assembly to secure said wall member to a first wharf module chosen from said floating module and said beached module and to sandwich said resilient member between said resilient member side of said wall member and a face of said first wharf module, said resilient member side facing said face of said first wharf module; A slider assembly having two sliding sections, one sliding section of said two sliding sections being affixed to said slider side of said wall member and another sliding section of said two sliding sections being affixed to a face of a second wharf module, said second wharf module being a different one of said floating module and said beached module, said slider side of said wall member facing said face of said second wharf module, said sliding sections being adapted to be slidably interconnected thereby securing said wall member to said second wharf module and being adapted to slide with respect to one another. 
         [0026]    In one embodiment, the sliding connector further comprising two sliding sections, each sliding section of said two sliding sections being affixed to one of said floating module and beached module each of said sliding sections being adapted to receive a portion of said resilient member and to be slidably interconnected using said resilient member thereby interconnecting said floating module to said beached module and being adapted to slide with respect to one another to allow vertical displacement of said floating module with respect to said s beached module. 
         [0027]    In one embodiment, the resilient member is made of an elastomeric resilient material. 
         [0028]    In one embodiment, the resilient member has a cross-sectional shape with two opposed protruding ends and each protruding end of the connector is received in a corresponding recessed section of one of said sliding sections. 
         [0029]    In one embodiment, the resilient member has a cross-sectional shape with two opposed recessed ends, wherein both of said two sliding sections have a protruding elongated member and said recessed ends of said resilient member receiving both said protruding elongated members. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0030]    Having thus generally described the nature of the invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, showing by way of illustration example embodiments thereof and in which: 
           [0031]      FIG. 1  includes  FIG. 1A ,  FIG. 1B  and  FIG. 1C  and shows example modular wharf arrangements for mooring, loading or unloading a Vessel,  FIG. 1A  shows a T-shaped arrangement,  FIG. 1B  shows a n-shaped arrangement and  FIG. 1C  shows a section view of a Spuded Barge; 
           [0032]      FIG. 2  includes  FIG. 2A ,  FIG. 2B ,  FIG. 2C  and  FIG. 2D  and shows the relevant details of the Modular Wharf,  FIG. 2A  is an Isometric view,  FIG. 2B  is a Plan view,  FIG. 2C  is a Section view at low tide and  FIG. 2D  is a Section view at high tide; 
           [0033]      FIG. 3  includes  FIG. 3A ,  FIG. 3B ,  FIG. 3C ,  FIG. 3D ,  FIG. 3E ,  FIG. 3F ,  FIG. 3G ,  FIG. 3H ,  FIG. 3K ,  FIG. 3J  and shows the relevant details of example Tide Self Tuning Resilient Connectors,  FIG. 3A  is an Isometric view of a first example connector,  FIG. 3B  is an Exploded view of the first example connector of  FIG. 3A ,  FIG. 3C  is a Plan view of the first example connector of  FIG. 3A ,  FIG. 3D  is a Section view at high tide of the first example connector of  FIG. 3A  and  FIG. 3E  is a Section view at low tide of the first example connector of  FIG. 3A ,  FIG. 3F  is an Isometric view of a second example connector,  FIG. 3G  is a Plan view of the second example connector of  FIG. 3F ,  FIG. 3H  is a Section view at high tide of the second example connector of  FIG. 3F ,  FIG. 3J  is a Section view at low tide of the second example connector of  FIG. 3F ,  FIG. 3K  is a detail of the cables of the second example connector of  FIG. 3F ; 
           [0034]      FIG. 4  includes  FIG. 4A ,  FIG. 4B ,  FIG. 4C ,  FIG. 4D ,  FIG. 4E  and shows an embodiment of the sliders with rollers,  FIG. 4A  is an Exploded view,  FIG. 4B  is an Isometric view, first side,  FIG. 4C  is an Isometric view, opposite side,  FIG. 4D  is a Section view and  FIG. 4E  is a Plan view; 
           [0035]      FIG. 5  includes  FIG. 5A ,  FIG. 5B ,  FIG. 5C ,  FIG. 5D ,  FIG. 5E  and shows an embodiment of the sliders with a Male and Female Part,  FIG. 5A  is an Exploded view,  FIG. 5B  is an Isometric view, first side,  FIG. 5C  is an Isometric view, opposite side,  FIG. 5D  is a Section view and  FIG. 5E  is a Plan view; 
           [0036]      FIG. 6  includes  FIG. 6A ,  FIG. 6B ,  FIG. 6C ,  FIG. 6D ,  FIG. 6E  and shows an embodiment of the sliders with a Rod inserted into Sleeves,  FIG. 6A  is an Exploded view,  FIG. 6B  is an Isometric view, first side,  FIG. 6C  is an Isometric view, opposite side,  FIG. 6D  is a Section view and  FIG. 6E  is a Plan view; 
           [0037]      FIG. 7  includes  FIG. 7A ,  FIG. 7B ,  FIG. 7C ,  FIG. 7D ,  FIG. 7E  and shows an embodiment of the sliders with a “T” slot in which an “H” Beam will slide up and down,  FIG. 7A  is an Exploded view,  FIG. 7B  is an Isometric view, first side,  FIG. 7C  is an Isometric view, opposite side,  FIG. 7D  is a Section view and  FIG. 7E  is a Plan view; 
           [0038]      FIG. 8  includes  FIG. 8A ,  FIG. 8B ,  FIG. 8C ,  FIG. 8D ,  FIG. 8E  and shows an embodiment of the sliders with a Slotted Tube,  FIG. 8A  is an Exploded view,  FIG. 8B  is an Isometric view, first side,  FIG. 8C  is an Isometric view, opposite side,  FIG. 8D  is a Section view and  FIG. 8E  is a Plan view; 
           [0039]      FIG. 9  includes  FIG. 9A ,  FIG. 9B ,  FIG. 9C ,  FIG. 9D ,  FIG. 9E  and shows an embodiment of the sliders with a Slotted Tube,  FIG. 9A  is an Exploded view,  FIG. 9B  is an Isometric view, first side,  FIG. 9C  is an Isometric view, opposite side,  FIG. 9D  is a Section view and  FIG. 9E  is a Plan view; 
           [0040]      FIG. 10  includes  FIG. 10A ,  FIG. 10B ,  FIG. 10C ,  FIG. 10D ,  FIG. 10E  and shows an embodiment of the sliders with a male and female part,  FIG. 10A  is an Exploded view,  FIG. 10B  is an Isometric view, first side,  FIG. 10C  is an Isometric view, opposite side,  FIG. 10D  is a Section view and  FIG. 10E  is a Plan view; 
           [0041]      FIG. 11  includes  FIG. 11A ,  FIG. 11B ,  FIG. 11C ,  FIG. 11D ,  FIG. 11E  and shows an embodiment of the sliders with a Flat Plate with Angle Bars,  FIG. 11A  is an Exploded view,  FIG. 11B  is an Isometric view, first side,  FIG. 11C  is an Isometric view, opposite side,  FIG. 11D  is a Section view and  FIG. 11E  is a Plan view; 
           [0042]      FIG. 12  includes  FIG. 12A ,  FIG. 12B ,  FIG. 12C ,  FIG. 12D ,  FIG. 12E  and shows an embodiment of the sliders with a “t-slot”,  FIG. 12A  is an Exploded view,  FIG. 12B  is an Isometric view, first side,  FIG. 12C  is an Isometric view, opposite side,  FIG. 12D  is a Section view and  FIG. 12E  is a Plan view; 
           [0043]      FIG. 13  includes  FIG. 13A ,  FIG. 13B ,  FIG. 13C ,  FIG. 13D ,  FIG. 13E  and shows an embodiment of the sliders with elastomer,  FIG. 13A  is an Exploded view,  FIG. 13B  is an Isometric view, first side,  FIG. 13C  is an Isometric view, opposite side,  FIG. 13D  is a Section view and  FIG. 13E  is a Plan view; 
           [0044]      FIG. 14  includes  FIG. 14A ,  FIG. 14B  and shows the relevant details of another example Modular Wharf,  FIG. 14A  is an Isometric view and  FIG. 14B  is an isometric view of another example Tide Self Tuning Resilient Connector with two back walls per connector; 
           [0045]      FIG. 15  includes  FIG. 15A ,  FIG. 15B  and shows the relevant details of another example Modular Wharf,  FIG. 15A  is an Isometric view and  FIG. 15B  is an isometric view of another example Tide Self Tuning Resilient Connector with two fenders per Sliding &amp; Floating Back Wall Assembly; 
           [0046]      FIG. 16  includes  FIG. 16A ,  FIG. 16B ,  FIG. 16C  and shows the relevant details of another example Modular Wharf,  FIG. 16A  is an Isometric view,  FIG. 16B  is a Section view at low tide of another example Tide Self Tuning Resilient Connector in which the fender is attached to the beached module and the Sliding &amp; Floating Back Wall Assembly is towards the floating modules and  FIG. 16C  is a Section view at high tide; and 
           [0047]      FIG. 17  includes  FIG. 17A ,  FIG. 17B ,  FIG. 17C ,  FIG. 17D  and shows the relevant details of another example Modular Wharf,  FIG. 17A  is an Isometric view of the Modular Wharf,  FIG. 17B  is a perspective view of another example Tide Self Tuning Resilient Connector in which the resilient member forms part of the sliders and there is no Sliding &amp; Floating Back Wall Assembly,  FIG. 17C  is a Section view at low tide of the connector and  FIG. 17D  is a Section view at high tide. 
       
    
    
       [0048]    It will be noted that throughout the appended drawings, like features are identified by like reference numerals. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0049]    The present invention concerns a modular wharf design with a tide self tuning resilient connector.  FIG. 1A  and  FIG. 1B  show example arrangements of a proposed installation. 
         [0050]      FIG. 1A  (T-shaped arrangement) and  FIG. 1B  (π-shaped arrangement) show example modular wharf arrangements for mooring, loading or unloading a Vessel  101  such as a Panamax. The Vessel  101  leans on Fenders  113  which are attached to Floating Modules  103 . Two Spuded Barges  104 , secured by Spuds  105 , provide stable points to secure Floating Modules  103  with Cables  106 . The Modular Wharf  103  is also linked to Shore Anchors  109  with Cables  106  and to Beached module  102  via the Tide Self Tuning Resilient Connectors  115 . The Beached module  102  is secured with two Spuds  105  and Cables  106  to Shore Anchors  109  as well. Furthermore, Spuded Barges  104  offer additional mooring bollards satisfying different vessel lengths or positions, giving wharf operation flexibility. Spuded Barges  104  are themselves linked to Off Shore Anchors  108  via an Anchor Chain  107  and to Shore Anchors  109  via Cables  106 . 
         [0051]    The Embankment  111  gives access from the ground to the Modular Wharf. Two Ramps  110  allow vehicle or pedestrian circulation between wharf modules. Shore Boundary Line  112  will move back and forth according to tide level.  FIG. 1C  shows a section view of a Spuded Barge  104 . Two Spuds  105  penetrate Sea Floor  113  and restrict translation movements of Spuded Barge  104 . Spuds  105  let Spuded Barge  104  move vertically according to Water Line  114  changing with tide. 
         [0052]    On  FIG. 2A  (Isometric view),  FIG. 2B  (Plan view),  FIG. 2C  (Section view, low tide) and  FIG. 2D  (Section view, high tide), the relevant details of an example Modular Wharf are shown. The Beached module  102  provides a sound and stable abutment. The Floating Modules  103  are connected to Beached module  102  through the Tide Self Tuning Resilient Connectors  115 . A different type of Resilient Connector  203 , like rubber tubes with rectangular or trapezoidal section or other fender types well known in the art of wharf design, is used between the two Floating Modules  103  because tide has no effect at that location. Basically, this junction reduces the bending moment created between the two Floating Modules  103  when compared to what would occur with one elongated floating module. Retaining Cables  205  keep both Floating Modules  103  together by withstanding tension forces. To allow pedestrians and vehicles to access Floating Modules  103  from Beached module  102 , Ramps  110  are attached to Floating Modules  103  and just laid on Beached module  102  in order to response to tide as shown on  FIG. 2C  and  FIG. 2D . 
         [0053]    On  FIG. 3A  (Isometric view),  FIG. 3B  (Exploded view),  FIG. 3C  (Plan view),  FIG. 3D  (Section view, high tide) and  FIG. 3E  (Section view, low tide), the relevant details of an example Tide Self Tuning Resilient Connector  115  are shown. On  FIG. 3F  (Isometric view) and  FIG. 3H  (Plan view), a variant of X Cable Assembly  301  is shown.  FIG. 3I  (Section view, high tide) and  FIG. 3J  (Section view, low tide) show the same information as  FIG. 3D  and  FIG. 3E  except that Fender Assembly  303  is flattened out by a compression load. 
         [0054]    The Fender Assembly  303  transfers and absorbs loads from Floating Module  103  to Sliding &amp; Floating Back Wall Assembly  304 . X-Cables Assembly  301  attaches Sliding &amp; Floating Back Wall Assembly  304  to Floating Modules  103 . The Sliding &amp; Floating Back Wall Assembly  304  moves on Sliders Assembly  302  which are attached on the vertical wall of Beached module  102 . One Cable end of both cables of the X-Cables Assembly  301  is attached to a Tension Puller  305 . Wear Pads  306  can be installed where the cables cross to protect them from wear. The other ends of both cables of X-Cables Assembly  301  are affixed to Retainers  307  which are themselves attached to the top of the Sliding &amp; Floating Back Wall  308 . The Pneumatic Fender  309  leans on the vertical surface of the Floating Module  103  and is retained to it by Chains  310 . It also leans on the other side on the Sliding &amp; Floating Back Wall  308 . 
         [0055]    On  FIG. 3F ,  FIG. 3G ,  FIG. 3H ,  FIG. 3I  and  FIG. 3J , the relevant details of a variant of X-Cables Assembly  301  is shown. The Pneumatic Fender  309  is shown flattened. Basically, Pulleys  311  are used to redirect the cable into Damping Device  312  which is affixed on Floating Modules  103 . 
         [0056]    Depending on the load cases and/or situations, it is possible to choose the most adequate sliding device. Examples of such sliding devices are shown in  FIGS. 4 to 13 .  FIG. 4A  to  FIG. 13A  are Exploded views,  FIG. 4B  to  FIG. 13B  are Isometric views,  FIG. 4C  to  FIG. 13C  are Isometric views, other side,  FIG. 4D  to  FIG. 13D  are Section views and  FIG. 4E  to  FIG. 13E  are Plan views. 
         [0057]    As shown on  FIGS. 4A , B, C, D and E, the Slider Plate  404  is welded on Beached module  102 . The Slider Plate  404  supports two Vertical Channel Beams  405  reinforced by Gussets  406  on their sides. These channels act as a guide for the rollers. The Roller Plate  401  is welded on Sliding &amp; Floating Back Walls  308 . It secures the Roller Supports  403  in place, in which Rollers  402  rotate freely. The Sliding &amp; Floating Back Wall Assembly  304  is inserted and slid from the top or bottom into Vertical Channel Beams  405 . Rollers allow up and down back wall displacement. Rollers rotate freely by ensuring that they are in contact with only one inner flange surface of the Vertical Channel Beams  405  at a time. 
         [0058]    As shown on  FIGS. 5A , B, C, D and E, the Guiding Plate  503  is welded on Beached module  102 . The Guiding Plate  503  has a Female Part  504  (for example a machined metal piece). The Sliding Plate  501  bears the Male Part  502  and this last assembly is welded on Sliding &amp; Floating Back Walls  308 . The Sliding &amp; Floating Back Wall Assembly  304  is united to Beached module  102  by inserting and sliding the Male Part  502  from the top or bottom into Female Part  504 . Proper lube can then be applied into the mating assembly to reduce friction and let Sliding &amp; Floating Back Walls Assembly  304  move adequately. 
         [0059]    As shown on  FIGS. 6A , B, C, D and E, the Guiding Plate  607  is welded on Beached module  102 . The Guiding Plate  607  has Brackets  606  (for example, six brackets are used) supporting Sleeves  605  (for example three sleeves are used) in which Rod  602  slides up and down. The Rod Support  603  is welded on Sliding Plate  601  and secured by Gussets  604 . To build the final assembly, the Sliding Plate  601  without the Rod  602  is welded on Sliding &amp; Floating Back Walls  308 . Then, the Rod  602  is inserted into the Sleeves  605  and temporarily held in place. Next, the Sliding &amp; Floating Back Walls Assembly  304  is set close to the Beached module  102  and the Rod  602  is bolted or otherwise attached to the lowest and highest Rod Supports  603 . Proper lube can be finally applied on the Rod  602  to reduce friction and let Sliding &amp; Floating Back Walls Assembly  304  move adequately. In use, the displacement of the Sliding &amp; Floating Back Walls Assembly  304  is stopped at the highest and lowest position when Rod Supports  603  gets in contact with Brackets  606 . This stopping mechanism is useful to allow movement of the Sliding &amp; Floating Back Walls Assembly  304  within a restricted range. 
         [0060]    As shown on  FIGS. 7A , B, C, D and E, the Guiding Plate  703  is welded on Beached module  102 . The Guiding Plate  703  supports parts designed to form a “T” slot in which “H” Beam  702  welded on the Sliding Plate  701  will slide in up and down. The slot is composed of Vertical Plates  704  and reinforced by Gussets  705  on both sides. The Sliding Plate  701  is welded on Sliding &amp; Floating Back Walls  308 . The Sliding &amp; Floating Back Wall Assembly  304  is inserted and slid from the top or bottom into the “T” slot welded on Guiding Plate  703 . Proper lube can then be applied into the slot to reduce friction and let Sliding &amp; Floating Back Walls Assembly  304  move adequately. 
         [0061]    As shown on  FIGS. 8A , B, C, D and E, the Guiding Plate  801  is welded on Beached module  102 . The Guiding Plate  801  supports a Slotted Tube  803  reinforced on both sides by Gussets  802 . A Stopper Plate  804  and Gusset  809  are welded at the bottom of the Guiding Plate  801 . The Sliding Plate  810  also supports a Slotted Tube  803  reinforced on both sides by Gussets  802 . The Sliding Plate  810  is welded on Sliding &amp; Floating Back Wall  308 . The Slider  811  is made of Rods  805  (for example, two rods are used) welded each side of the vertical edges of the Plate  806 . A Hook  807  is welded at the top of the Slider  811 . Once Sliding &amp; Floating Back Walls Assembly  304  is adequately positioned, the Slider  811  is inserted into both Slotted Tubes  803  to create a linked assembly. The Slider  811  is bolted in the back wall Slotted Tube  803 . Proper lube can then be applied into the slot to reduce friction and let the Sliding &amp; Floating Back Walls Assembly  304  move adequately. 
         [0062]    As shown on  FIGS. 9A , B, C, D and E, the Guiding Plate  904  is welded on Beached module  102 . The Guiding Plate  904  supports a Slotted Tube  905  reinforced on both sides by Gussets  906 . The Sliding Plate  901  has a “Bulb Flat”  902  reinforced on both sides by Gussets  903 , and it is welded on Sliding &amp; Floating Back Walls  308 . The Sliding &amp; Floating Back Wall Assembly  304  is inserted and slid from the top or from the bottom into Slotted Tube  905 . Proper lube can then be applied into slot to reduce friction and let the Sliding &amp; Floating Back Walls Assembly  304  move adequately. 
         [0063]    As shown on  FIGS. 10A , B, C, D and E, the Guiding Plate  1006  is welded on Beached module  102 . The Guiding Plate  1006  supports the Base Plate  1005  on which Angle Bar  1003  reinforced by Gussets  1004  is welded. It creates a female part. The Sliding Plate  1001  has Flat Bars  1002  and  1007  which form a t-shaped member acting as the male part of the mating assembly. The Sliding Plate  1001  is welded on Sliding &amp; Floating Back Walls  308 . The Sliding &amp; Floating Back Wall Assembly  304  is inserted and slid from the top or the bottom into the female part. Proper lube can then be applied into the mating assembly to reduce friction and let Sliding &amp; Floating Back Walls Assembly  304  move adequately. 
         [0064]    As shown on  FIGS. 11A , B, C, D and E, the Guiding Plate  1101  is welded on Beached module  102 . The Sliding Plate  1107  is welded on the Sliding &amp; Floating Back Wall  308 . The Guiding Plate  1101  and the Sliding Plate  1107 , both have Flat Bars  1102  and  1108  which form a t-shaped member. The Slider  1109  is made of a Flat Plate  1105  on which two Angle Bars  1103  are welded and reinforced by Gussets  1104 . A Hook  1106  is welded at the top of the Slider  1109 . Once Sliding &amp; Floating Back Walls Assembly  304  is adequately positioned, the Slider  1109  is displaced to catch the t-shaped members and create a linking assembly. The Slider  1109  is bolted in the back wall Flat Bar  1102 . Proper lube can then be applied between moving part surfaces to reduce friction and let the Sliding &amp; Floating Back Walls Assembly  304  move adequately. 
         [0065]    As shown on  FIGS. 12A , B, C, D and E, the Guiding Plate  1201  is welded on Beached module  102 . The Sliding Plate  1206  is welded on the Sliding &amp; Floating Back Wall  308 . The Guiding Plate  1201  and the Sliding Plate  1206 , both have T-shaped Beam  1202  and Square Tube  1203  in a way to form a “t-slot”. The Slider  1207  is made of an H-Beam  1204 . A Hook  1205  is welded at the top of the Slider  1207 . Once Sliding &amp; Floating Back Walls Assembly  304  is adequately positioned, the Slider  1207  is displaced through the “t-slot” in order to create a linking assembly. The Slider  1207  is bolted in the back wall T-shaped Beam  1202  and Square Tube  1203 . Proper lube can then be applied between moving part surfaces to reduce friction and let the Sliding &amp; Floating Back Walls Assembly  304  move adequately. 
         [0066]    As shown on  FIGS. 13A , B, C, D and E, the Guiding Plate  1309  is welded on Beached module  102 . The Guiding Plate  1309  supports two Tubes  1305  reinforced on both sides by Plates  1306  and Gussets  1303 . Stopper Plates  1307  are welded at the top and the bottom of the Guiding Plate  1309 . The Sliding Plate  1301  supports two Tubes  1304  also reinforced on both sides by Plates  1302  and Gussets  1303 . The Sliding Plate  1301  is welded on Sliding &amp; Floating Back Wall  308 . The Slider  1308  is made of an elastomeric material adding resilient behavior to the whole assembly. After having installed the bottom Stopper Plate  1307 , the Slider  1308  is inserted at its final location and the top Stopper Plate  1307  is then attached to temporarily prevent Slider  1308  from moving up and down. The Sliding &amp; Floating Back Walls Assembly  304  is then displaced to let Slider  1308  be inserted and create a linking assembly. Proper lube can then be applied on sliding surfaces to reduce friction and let the Sliding &amp; Floating Back Walls Assembly  304  move adequately. 
         [0067]    As will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art, the guiding plates and corresponding sliding plates of the example embodiments of  FIG. 4  to  FIG. 13  could be interchanged and be affixed to the other of the beached module  102  and the sliding and floating back wall without departing from the present invention. 
       Other Embodiments 
       [0068]    As will be readily understood, different configurations of the Tide Self Tuning Resilient Connector are possible without departing from the present invention.  FIG. 14 ,  FIG. 15 ,  FIG. 16  and  FIG. 17  show other example configurations to illustrate different embodiments. 
         [0069]      FIG. 14  includes  FIG. 14A ,  FIG. 14B  and shows the relevant details of another example Tide Self Tuning Resilient Connector  1400  with two Sliding &amp; Floating Back Walls Assemblies per Connector. The Sliding &amp; Floating Back Walls Assemblies  1404  of each Connector  1400  do not need to be attached to one another. Each Sliding &amp; Floating Back Walls Assembly has at least one Slider  1402 . In  FIG. 14 , the Sliding &amp; Floating Back Walls Assemblies  1404  are not attached to one another and can move vertically independently using their own sliders. The Pneumatic Fender  1403  is received in both Sliding &amp; Floating Back Walls Assemblies. Shown on  FIG. 14  are two sliders per Sliding &amp; Floating Back Walls Assembly with a total of four sliders per Connector. As will be readily understood, any appropriate number of Sliding &amp; Floating Back Walls Assembly could be used for each Connector and any appropriate number of sliders per Sliding &amp; Floating Back Walls Assembly could be used for each Connector. In this example, a single X-Cable Assembly is used for both Sliding &amp; Floating Back Walls Assemblies  1404 . The anchoring points  1401  of the X-Cable Assembly could be moved as deemed appropriate on floating module  103  and on Sliding &amp; Floating Back Walls Assemblies  1404 . In other configurations, a X-Cable Assembly could be provided for each Sliding &amp; Floating Back Walls Assemblies  1404 . 
         [0070]      FIG. 15  includes  FIG. 15A ,  FIG. 15B  and shows another example Tide Self Tuning Resilient Connector  1500  with two Pneumatic Fenders  1503  per Sliding &amp; Floating Back Walls Assembly  1504 . In the example shown in  FIG. 15 , the Sliding &amp; Floating Back Walls Assembly  1504  has three sliders  1502 . As will be readily understood, any appropriate number of Pneumatic Fenders  1503  could be used for each Connector  1504 . A X-Cable Assembly  1501  is provided for the Sliding &amp; Floating Back Walls Assemblies  1504 . 
         [0071]    As will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art, the fender of the resilient connector could be attached to the beached module, the Sliding &amp; Floating Back Walls Assembly  304  could face the floating module and the guiding plate could be provided on the wall of the floating module without departing from the present invention.  FIG. 16  includes  FIG. 16A ,  FIG. 16B ,  FIG. 16C  and shows another example Tide Self Tuning Resilient Connector  1600  in which the Pneumatic Fender  1603  is attached to the beached module  102  and the Sliding &amp; Floating Back Walls Assembly  1604  has its slider side towards the floating module  103 . Four sliders  1601  are used for each Connector  1600 . The behavior of this minor arrangement  1600  of the Tide Self Tuning Resilient Connector is shown in  FIG. 16B  (low tide) and  FIG. 16C  (high tide). A X-Cable Assembly  1602  is provided for the Sliding &amp; Floating Back Walls Assembly  1604 . In this example embodiment, an additional X-Cable or Chain Assembly  1605  is provided at the bottom of the Sliding &amp; Floating Back Walls Assembly  1604 . This additional X-Cable or Chain Assembly  1605  retains the bottom of the Sliding &amp; Floating Back Walls Assembly  1604  towards the Pneumatic Fender  1603  and the beached module  102  even when the tide exerts pressure on the floating module  103  to pull the Sliding &amp; Floating Back Walls Assembly  1604  away from the beached module  102 . This additional X-Cable or Chain Assembly  1605  is optional and could be used on any configuration of the Connector. 
         [0072]    The embodiment of  FIG. 17  is related to that of  FIG. 13 . Indeed, in  FIG. 13 , the Slider  1308  is made of an elastomeric material adding resilient behavior to the whole assembly. If the Slider  1308  is proportioned and its shape is designed adequately, it could be sufficiently resilient to act as a bumper to avoid the collision of the floating module with the beached module. The Pneumatic Fender  309  then becomes somewhat useless and can be omitted. If the Pneumatic Fender  309  is omitted, the Sliding &amp; Floating Back Walls Assembly  304  also can be omitted. The Guiding Plate  1309  is then welded on Beached module  102 . Sliding Plate  1301  can then be welded directly on Floating module  103 . 
         [0073]    Such an embodiment where the Pneumatic Fender  309  is omitted is shown in  FIG. 17 .  FIG. 17  includes  FIG. 17A ,  FIG. 17B ,  FIG. 17C ,  FIG. 17D  and shows the relevant details of another example Modular Wharf.  FIG. 17A  is an Isometric view of the Modular Wharf.  FIG. 17B  is a perspective view of another example Tide Self Tuning Resilient Connector in which the resilient member forms part of the slider assembly and there is no Sliding &amp; Floating Back Wall Assembly.  FIG. 17C  is a Section view at low tide of the connector and  FIG. 17D  is a Section view at high tide. Connector  1700  includes two Guiding plates  1701 ,  1703  and a resilient Slider  1702 . The Guiding plates  1701 ,  1703  are directly welded to either the Floating module  103  or the Beached module  102 . The slider  1702  is adapted to be received in the guiding plates. 
         [0074]    Versions of the embodiments of  FIG. 8 ,  FIG. 11 ,  FIG. 12  could also be designed with a resilient Slider  811 , Slider  1109 , Slider  1207  and the Pneumatic Fender  309  and the Sliding &amp; Floating Back Walls Assembly  304  could be omitted. 
         [0075]    As will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art, any means could be used to affix parts to other parts, such as welding, screwing, attaching, fusing, gluing, etc. 
         [0076]    As will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art, parts shows as separate components attached to one another could be manufactured as a single integral piece and vice versa. 
         [0077]    As will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art, different combinations of illustrated configurations can be used and other configurations can be implemented without departing from the present invention. 
       In Use 
       [0078]    The Beached module  102  provides a sound and stable abutment from which Tide Self Tuning Resilient Connectors  115  move up and down in a synchronized way with Floating Modules  103 , according to the tide level. Sliding &amp; Floating Back Walls Assembly  304  is attached, using X-Cables Assembly  301 , to the Floating Modules  103 . These walls ensure a proper seat for Pneumatic Fenders  309  by having a concave shape which contains (acting as movement stopper) the Pneumatic Fenders  309  and transmits compression loads to the Beached module  102  under any tide levels. As will be readily understood, the concave shape of the wall is optional and the resilient connector would still be useful with a straight wall. 
         [0079]    The vertical up and down movements of Sliding &amp; Floating Back Wall Assembly  304 , created by its own buoyancy, can be optionally limited in both directions by stoppers or shock absorbers (not shown here) in order to dampen wall movements and provide restrictions on the possible displacement of the wall. 
         [0080]    The movement of the Sliding &amp; Floating Back Wall Assembly  304  is guided by the Sliders Assembly  302  which can take different configurations as shown in  FIG. 4  to  FIG. 13 . Pneumatic Fenders  309  are soundly supported and attached with Chains  310  on Floating Modules  103 . Both ends of Chains  310  are fastened with robust shackle or other attachment means. 
         [0081]    One end of both cables of the X-Cable Assembly  301  is connected to a Tension Puller  305  which is soundly welded on the deck of the Floating Module  103  in order to set and pre stress X-Cables. The pre-stress is used to change the connection behavior by limiting allowed displacement for instance. The other ends of these cables are equipped with spelter sockets which are inserted into Retainer  307 . A trade-off between the displacement and the amount of load transferred is to be taken into account at the time of selecting the specific embodiment. Wear Pads  306  installed on the X-Cable Assembly remove some of the friction in case of cable contact. They protect cables against harmful wear. Wear Pads  306  can be two half sleeves fastened together at equidistance from both cable ends. They can be made of Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), for example. 
         [0082]    The Tide Self Tuning Resilient Connectors  115  let the Floating Modules  103  move almost independently and freely (having their own trim and heel angle) under waves, wind or vessel impact loads. The Tide Self Tuning Resilient Connectors  115  damp displacement of the Floating Modules, ensuring rapid energy dissipation and an adequate load transfer from Floating Modules  103  to Beached module  102 . The Tide Self Tuning Resilient Connectors  115  behave as a displaceable ball-and-socket joint through interplay between X-Cables Assembly  301  which withstand tension stresses and Fender Assembly  303  which withstand compression loads. This behavior is the same at any tide level because the Tide Self Tuning Resilient Connectors  115  follow tide, providing conditions to let the ball-and-socket joint work properly. 
       Example Application 
       [0083]    A modular wharf has been designed according to  FIG. 1A . Three modules of 270 ft long, 75 ft wide, 18 ft high and 1500 ton of displacement, forming the Modular Wharf, were arranged to allow 75 000 ton Panamax Vessels  101  to be docked and loaded with cargo. Two Spuded Barges  104  of 120 ft long, 40 ft wide and 10 ft high were also provided. 
         [0084]    The Floating Modules  103  were designed to support two 250 ton shiploaders in a way to allow loading operations under the following conditions: 30 knots wind speed and 2 knots water current for a total longitudinal drag force of 325 ton and transversal drag force of 135 ton applied horizontally on Floating Modules  103 ; 5 feet wave height; Wave length with short breaking wave up to 20 feet; 7 feet tide; Mooring impact of 320 ton; 25 years of operations. All components have been calculated with a safety factor of 3. The maximum floating module longitudinal movement (displacement) allowable was less than 3.5 ft. 
         [0085]    Off Shore Anchors  108 , Shore Anchor  109  and Cables  106  should withstand 300 ton tension loads. The Anchor Chain  107  has a proof test load of 450 ton and Spuds  105  should resist to 270 ton radial load. Fenders  102  have an 11 ft diameter and are 21 ft long and can withstand compression loads of 320 ton. They are supported both sides by Chains with chainmail rod of 2 inches diameter. 
         [0086]    Tide Self Tuning Resilient Connectors  204  are made of Pneumatic Fenders  309  of 11 feet diameter and 21 feet long. These fenders can withstand compression loads of 320 ton. They are supported on both sides by Chains  310  with chainmail rod of 2 inch diameter. The Sliding &amp; Floating Back Wall  308  is 40 feet long, 18 feet high, 40 inch thick at the top and bottom, and 25 inch thick at the middle height. The back wall exterior skin is watertight and made of ⅜ inch sheet metal thickness. The wall is reinforced in a way to withstand a compression distributed load of 320 ton and 320 ton tension load applied at the top under any tide conditions. Each Slider Assembly  302  is attached on vertical wall of Beached module  102 . The Slider Assembly  302  is about 18 feet high, 30 inch wide and 14 inch thick. A pair of Sliders Assembly  302  can withstand tension and compression load of 320 ton to any position between low tide and high tide cases. One end of both cables of the X-Cable Assembly  301  is connected to a Tension Puller  305  which can sustain 300 ton. The other ends of both cables of X-Cables Assembly  301  are affixed to 300 ton capacity Retainers  307  which are themselves welded on the top of the Sliding &amp; Floating Back Wall  308 . X-Cables are 2 inch diameter steel wire rope. They are pre stressed at 10% of their tension load capacity. A distance of 3 inches is maintained between cables but in the case of cable contact, Wear Pads  306  allow friction free relative movement. Wear Pads  306  are UHMW half sleeves ½ inch thick and 24 inch long that are fastened together with screws at equidistance from both cable ends. 
         [0087]    For the first year installation of the Modular Wharf, all components are installed and assembled. In most applications installed where water can freeze, the Beached module will be kept in place year-round, even during the winter and the rest of the Module Wharf will be dismantled for winter. During the next year installation, the Modular Wharf will be reassembled and attached to the existing Beached module. 
         [0088]    The embodiments described above are intended to be exemplary only. The scope of the invention is therefore intended to be limited solely by the appended claims.