WAVE MITIGATION STRUCTURE AND PROCESS OF MANUFACTURING

A wave-force mitigation structure, comprising at least one cluster section having at least one longitudinal passageway, the longitudinal passageway having at least one center point, the at least one center point defined by one of: an imaginary circumference; and, an internal edge of the at least one longitudinal passageway, the cluster section having a longitudinal opening in fluid communication with at least one adjacent passageway, and at least one reinforcement structure embedded within the at least cluster section and arranged proximate the internal edge of the at least one longitudinal passageway, wherein the cluster section is formed by the process of 3D printing.

FIELD

The present invention relates to a wave mitigation structure, specifically a wave mitigation structure produced via additive manufacturing.

BACKGROUND

Generally, three-dimensional (“3D”) printing is a process that extrudes material layer by layer, forming an article of manufacture from the completed extrusion layers, also known as additive manufacturing. This process is used to manufacture smaller items, such as prototypes to full scale structures. The extrusion of material from the 3D printer must have a stable surface in order for the bead to accurately and precisely match a particular model. The model refers to a digital model, such a CAD model, which a 3D printer will use to guide the extrusion layers to create the particular configuration of each required layer, eventually “printing” the entire component or components.

Many known articles of manufacture are created via precast techniques, with concrete or stone. Precast articles are construction products produced by casting concrete in a reusable mold, or “form”, which is then cured in a controlled environment, transported to the construction site and maneuvered into place; examples include precast beams, and wall panels for tilt up construction. Alternatively, cast-in-place concrete is poured into site-specific forms and cured on site.

Wave mitigation structures can come in a variety of forms such as breakwaters, seawalls, coastal dikes, buffer blocks, and recurved seawalls. Generally, these are physical structures that are positioned in locations, allowing the particular structure to physically brace against oncoming waves. These structures can be placed underwater, at sea level, or a combination thereof. It is common for these structures to be constructed via precast techniques.

Precast manufacturing techniques however can introduce a variety of issues with the finished articles, including, but not limited to: failure in sealing joints (e.g., joints can separate from one another which can compromise and weaken the structure); potential shipping issues (e.g., weight, size, and damage-avoidance precautions); offloading and rigging concerns (e.g., the need for large commercial-scale cranes); lack of flexibility (e.g., precast articles are built to drawing specifications that may not meet the dimensions of the installation, therefore making the article useless); and, repairing spalls, or cracks (e.g., spalls can occur from poor form construction, rough removal from forms, improper storage, early removal of the structure, and poor handling methods of the structure). Typically, wave-force mitigation structures are constructed via precast manufacturing techniques and can experience any of the aforementioned issues. Thus, there is a long felt need for an improved wave-mitigation structure.

Further background information is presented in the Appendix of U.S. Patent Application No. 63/505,901.

SUMMARY

Disclosed is an inventive concept for wave mitigation structures that is constructed via additive manufacturing; printed on site; and does not require a form.

The wave-mitigation structure can encompass a variety of sub-structures that are integrally formed as a singular structure.

One embodiment of the wave-mitigation structure is formed by the process of 3D printing and includes a plurality of apertures and/or at least one passageway in communication with at least some of the plurality of apertures, wherein at least one of the plurality of apertures and/or at least one passageway is arranged to accept water flow, current, waves, etc., therein and dissipate the water pressure and/or force by redirecting the water through the at least one of the plurality of apertures and/or at least one passageway. Apertures may also be termed perforations. In other embodiments, longitudinal openings are disposed between adjacent longitudinal passageways, putting them in fluid communication with each other—the longitudinal passageways which may be reinforced by solid portions within the longitudinal openings and physically connecting adjacent longitudinal passageways. These embodiments are designed so that longitudinal pathways can be 3D printed wherein printing can be contiguous or nearly so without needing to lift associated print heads.

The present invention generally comprises the wave-force mitigation structure, comprising at least one cluster section having at least one longitudinal passageway, the longitudinal passageway having at least one center point, the at least one center point defined by one of: an imaginary circumference; and, an internal edge of the at least one longitudinal passageway, the cluster section having a plurality of apertures in fluid communication with the at least one passageway or longitudinal openings disposed between adjacent longitudinal passageways. At least one reinforcement structure may be embedded within the at least one cluster section and arranged proximate to the internal edge of the at least one longitudinal passageway, wherein the cluster section is formed by the process of 3D printing.

In some embodiments, the present invention may comprise the wave-force mitigation structure having the at least one cluster section having the at least one longitudinal passageway, the longitudinal passageway having at least one center point, the at least one center point defined by one of: the imaginary circumference; and, the internal edge of the at least one longitudinal passageway, the cluster section having the plurality of apertures in fluid communication with the at least one passageway or longitudinal openings disposed between adjacent longitudinal passageways. The at least one reinforcement structure may be embedded within the at least one cluster section and arranged proximate the internal edge of the at least one longitudinal passageway.

In other embodiments, the present invention may generally comprise the wave-force mitigation structure, including the at least one cluster section having the at least one external body and the at least one internal body arranged with the external body, each of the at least one external body and the at least one internal body having the plurality of apertures arranged therein or longitudinal openings disposed between adjacent longitudinal passageways, and the at least one longitudinal passageway arranged within the at least one internal body, the longitudinal passageway having the at least one center point, the at least one center point defined by one of: the imaginary circumference; and, the internal edge of the at least one longitudinal passageway, wherein at least some of the plurality of apertures are in communication with the at least one passageway or longitudinal openings are disposed between adjacent longitudinal passageways.

In other embodiments, the present invention may have alternative design configurations substantially similar to those disclosed in at least one of U.S. Design Pat. Nos. 29/919,935, 29/919,935, and a combination thereof.

These and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent upon a review of the following detailed description, in view of the drawings and appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains. It should be understood that any methods, devices or materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the example embodiments. As such, those in the art will understand that in any suitable material, now known or hereafter developed, may be used in forming the present invention described herein.

It should be noted that the terms “including”, “includes”, “having”, “has”, “containing”, and “contains”, are to be interpreted as substantially synonymous with the terms “comprising” and/or “comprises”.

It should be understood that use of “or” in the present application is with respect to a “non-exclusive” arrangement, unless stated otherwise. For example, when saying that “item x is A or B,” it is understood that this can mean one of the following: (1) item x is only one or the other of A and B; (2) item x is both A and B. Alternately stated, the word “or” is not used to define an “exclusive or” arrangement. For example, an “exclusive or” arrangement for the statement “item x is A or B” would require that x can be only one of A and B. Furthermore, as used herein, “and/or” is intended to mean a grammatical conjunction used to indicate that one or more of the elements or conditions recited may be included or occur. For example, a device comprising a first element, a second element and/or a third element, is intended to be construed as any one of the following structural arrangements: a device comprising a first element; a device comprising a second clement; a device comprising a third element; a device comprising a first element and a second clement; a device comprising a first element and a third element; a device comprising a first element, a second element and a third element; or, a device comprising a second element and a third element.

Moreover, as used herein, the phrases “comprises at least one of” and “comprising at least one of” in combination with a system or element is intended to mean that the system or element includes one or more of the elements listed after the phrase. For example, a device comprising at least one of: a first element; a second element; and, a third element, is intended to be construed as any one of the following structural arrangements: a device comprising a first element; a device comprising a second element; a device comprising a third element; a device comprising a first element and a second element; a device comprising a first element and a third element; a device comprising a first element, a second element and a third element; or, a device comprising a second element and a third element. A similar interpretation is intended when the phrase “used in at least one of:” is used herein.

The following description should be taken in view ofFIGS.1through9.FIGS.3through5illustrate an embodiment of the present invention fully-assembled, mitigation structure100.FIGS.1through3generally illustrate “layers” printed by a machine known in the art of additive manufacturing, which layers will comprise mitigation structure100.FIG.6illustrates a perspective view of sub-structure50aof mitigation structure100.FIGS.7and8both illustrate an alternative embodiment of mitigation structure100.

As shown inFIG.3, mitigation structure100comprises at least three layers including a first outer layer, an inner layer, and a second outer layer. In some embodiments, mitigation structure100comprises first outer layer10, at least one inner layer30, and second outer layer40. Mitigation structure100also includes distal end10a,proximal end10b,front end10c,and back end10d.FIG.3illustrates mitigation structure100having four (4) inner layers.

As shown inFIG.1, first outer layer10is the first layer of mitigation structure100that is printed by the machine. First outer layer10generally includes cluster layer20which may comprised of a plurality of sub-structure portions20a-20f,and base sections16and17. Each of sub-structure portions20a-20fincludes external body11and internal body12. External body11includes external surface11aand internal surface11b.Internal surface11bdefines space14therein. Internal body12has external surface12aand internal surface12band is arranged within space14of external body11. Internal surface12bof internal body12defines passageway section13therein. In a preferred embodiment, external surface12aof internal body11has at least one contact point15with internal surface11bof external body11. Base section16includes edge16aand side faces16band16c.Base section17includes edge17aand side faces17band17c.

Contact point15should be construed as a blending, combination, or merging, of material of internal body12and external body11, such that, internal body12and external body11are a singular component. The same can be said for sub-structure portions20a-20f,and base sections16and17, which cure from the printed material and form a singular structure. As such, the lines between the aforementioned components and layers, shown inFIGS.1through3, are merely illustrative to distinguish individual portions of the present invention and should not be considered restrictive on the scope of the appending claims.

In some embodiments, before first outer layer10cures, mesh21is added to sub-structure portions20a-20fsuch that mesh21covers passageway section13and stirrup22is added to the exposed surface of external body11. Stirrup22is a reinforcement structure and may be comprised of a rebar—either metal, plastic, polymer, combinations thereof, or other like material. Stirrups23are also added to side faces16band17bof bases16and17, respectively.

Inner layers30are either printed on top of first outer layer10or on top of another respective inner layer. Inner layer30comprises essentially all of the same components of first outer layer10, expect that inner layer30is thicker than first outer layer10(generally shown inFIGS.3and4). As such, external body11and internal body12of sub-structure portions20a-20fof internal layer30include apertures24, which are arranged to be in fluid communication with passageway section13of the respective sub-structure portion. Passageway sections13of each sub-structure portions20a-20fform passageway52of each of sub-structures50a-50f.Spaces14of each sub-structure portions20a-20fform spaces53of each of sub-structures50a-50f.Each of apertures24includes external section24aand internal section24barranged within external body11and internal body12, respectively. External section24ais in communication with the external environment and internal section24b,while internal section24bis in communication with passageway section13b(of passageway52) and external section24a.In some embodiments, aperture24is located at each respective contact point15of each of sub-structure sections20a-20fof inner layer30. In some arrangements, each of sub-structure sections20a-20fhas a substantially hexagonal cross-section, where aperture24is arranged within each of the planar faces of the substantially hexagonal cross-section. External sections24aof apertures24may be in communication with external section24aof aperture24of an adjacently arranged external body11, as generally shown inFIG.5.

Once each of inner layers30has been printed and/or cured, second outer layer40is printed on top of inner layer30arranged farthest from first outer layer. Second outer layer40comprises essentially all of the components of first inner layer10. In some embodiments, second outer layer40does not include mesh21, stirrups22, and stirrups23.

Once all of layers10,30, and40have cured, mitigation structure100is assembled and ready to be reoriented. As shown inFIGS.4and5, mitigation structure100is tipped such that it rests on distal end10a.Mitigation structure100, once fully printed, comprises cluster section50and bases51aand51b.Cluster section50comprises at least one of sub-structures50a-50f.Each of the sub-structures include the sub-structure portion of first outer section10, the sub-structure portion of at least one inner layer30, and the sub-structure portion of second outer section40(e.g., sub-structure50acomprises sub-structure portion20aof first outer section, sub-structure portion20aof at least one inner layer30, and sub-structure portion20aof second outer section40). The bases (either51aand/or51b) each include the base section of the first outer section10, the base section of at least one inner layer30, and the base section of the second outer section40. In some arrangements, cluster section50may comprise a plurality of sub-cluster sections, i.e., a first sub-cluster section comprising sub-structures20a-20cand a second sub-cluster section comprising sub-structures20d-20f,or a first sub-cluster section comprising sub-structures20a-20cand base51aand a second sub-cluster section comprising sub-structures20d-20fand base51b,etc. In a preferred embodiment, cluster section50comprises at least two sub-structures.

As shown inFIG.4, each of sub-structures50a-50fcomprise passageway52(comprised of passageway sections13of outer layers10and40and at least one inner layer30) within internal body56(comprised of internal bodies12of outer layers10and40and at least one inner layer30), external body55(comprised of external bodies11of outer layers10and40and at least one inner layer30), at least one space53(comprised of spaces14of outer layers10and40and at least one inner layer30), and at least one contact point54(comprised of contact points15of outer layers10and40and at least one inner layer30). External body55includes external surface55aand internal surface55b,and internal body includes external surface56aand internal surface56bwhich defines passageway52of the respective sub-structure. It should be noted that aperture24extends into external body55and internal body56, such that aperture24is in communication with passageway52.

In some embodiments, the present invention may comprise wave-force mitigation structure100, mitigation structure100comprising: at least one cluster section50having at least one longitudinal passageway52, longitudinal passageway52having at least one center point, the at least one center point defined by one of: an imaginary circumference; and, internal edge12bof at least one longitudinal passageway52, cluster section50having plurality of apertures24in fluid communication with at least one passageway52, and at least one reinforcement structure22embedded within at least one cluster section50and arranged proximate internal edge12bof at least one longitudinal passageway52, wherein cluster section50is formed by the process of 3D printing. In some arrangements, cluster section50of wave-force mitigation structure100may further comprise external body55having internal surface55band external surface55a,and at least one internal body56having internal surface56band external surface56a,at least one internal body56arranged within external body55and further arranged to have at least one contact point54with internal surface55bof external body55, at least one internal body56including at least one longitudinal passageway52therein, wherein at least one space53is formed between internal surface55bof external body55and external surface56aof at least one internal body56.

In some embodiments, sub-structure50a(or all of sub-structures50a-50f) may include longitudinal reinforcement60(shown inFIG.6) arranged within each of space53of each respective sub-structure, such that longitudinal reinforcement60extends through at least each of inner layers30of the respective sub-structure. Longitudinal reinforcement60is rebar that can be comprised of a metal, polymer, metal and plastic combination, composite, or the like.

The following description should be taken in view of the previous described figures andFIGS.7and8.FIGS.7and8illustrate a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of mitigation structure100.FIG.7generally shows the alternative embodiment of mitigation structure100without the grout infills andFIG.8generally shows the alternative embodiment of mitigation structure100with grout infills. In some embodiments, mitigation structure may further comprise at least one of sea wall101, redirect curve102, and footer103. Sea wall101is arranged to extend from end10dof mitigation structure100and includes base101c,wall101d,top platform101b,and space101a.In some arrangements, sea wall101may also include redirect curve102which may extend from end10dof mitigation structure100and connect to a lower surface of top platform101b.In a preferred embodiment, one end of redirect curve102extends from external surface55aof sub-structure50a.Footer103is arranged to extend from wall101dof sea wall101. Footer103includes base103c,wall103dextending from base103c,top surface103d,thereby forming space103a.Alternatively, footer103could be arranged to extend from end10dof mitigation structure100.

As generally illustrated inFIG.8, each of spaces53of sub-structures50a-50f,space101a,and space103a,are arranged to be filled with grout such that the present invention comprises a singular piece. The grout infill may be comprised of the same material as mitigation structure100, sea wall101, redirect curve102, and footer103. The material may be concrete; however, it should be noted that those in the art will understand that in any suitable material, now known or hereafter developed, may be used in forming any of the components of the present invention described herein.

The following description should be taken in view of the aforementioned figures andFIGS.9A through9D.FIGS.9A through9Dillustrate a further embodiment of mitigation structure100shown inFIGS.7and8. In some embodiments, mitigation structure100may also include at least one of bench106extending from platform101bof sea wall101, railing107extending from platform101bof seawall101, and groove108and protrusion109extending from opposite side faces of wall101d.Groove108is arranged to accept protrusion109of an adjacent mitigation structure to limit movement when placed.

The following description should be taken in view of the aforementioned figures andFIG.10A through10C, which generally illustrate an even further embodiment of mitigation structure100shownFIGS.9A through9Dand/orFIGS.7and8. In one arrangement, mitigation structure comprises all of the components of structure100shown inFIGS.7and8and further includes front wall101econnected to and positioned between platform101band proximal end10bof mitigation structure100, chamber101f,and conduit101ghaving passageway101htherein. The embodiment shown inFIGS.10A through10Cis formed to have an oscillating water column (hereinafter “OWC”), i.e., chamber101fin combination with conduit101gand an air turbine in communication with conduit101g.

Generally, oscillating water columns (OWC) use an air turbine housed in a duct well (chamber101fand conduit101g) above the water surface. Chamber101fof mitigation structure100shown inFIGS.10A through10Cis at least partially open to a body of water such that incident waves force water inside chamber101f,thereby oscillating in the vertical direction. As a result, the air above the surface of the water in chamber101fmoves in phase with the free surface of the water inside chamber101fand drives the air turbine positioned within conduit101g.In some embodiments of mitigation structure100shown inFIGS.10A through10C, conduit101ghas a cross-sectional area that is less than the cross-sectional area of chamber101g,thereby enhancing the speed of airflow within conduit101g.A key feature of the OWC-ready mitigation structure100, is the design of conduit101gand chamber101f,which collectively allow the air turbine to be positioned at least partially within conduit101g.In some arrangements may be a “Wells turbine”, or other suitable turbines. A turbine that may be used within conduit101gmay include an axis, which a hub is rotatable secured thereon, and a plurality of turbine blades (preferable unidirectional) positioned and extending from the hub.

Additional illustrations and information regarding the turbine are detailed in the Appendix of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 63/505,901.

In operation, the turbine within conduit101gis rotated in a first direction (about its axis) within conduit101gwhen the water level rises within chamber101f(due to the water creating air pressure within chamber101fand thereby forcing the air past the blades) and when the water level recedes within chamber101f,the turbine within conduit101gis rotated in a second direction (due to the receding water creating opposite air pressure within chamber101fand thereby forcing the air part of the blades in the opposite direction).

The following description should be taken in view of the aforementioned figures andFIGS.11A and11B, which generally illustrate a further embodiment of mitigation structure100shown inFIGS.7and8, mitigation structure100′. The difference between mitigation structure100and mitigation structure100′ is cluster section50′, which is substantially equivalent to cluster section50of mitigation structure100(such that in some arrangements it may also comprise, some, or all, of the same components) except that it has been reoriented approximately 90°-thereby eliminating the need to reorient the structure after the printing is completed, unlike mitigation structure100.

The following description should be taken in view ofFIGS.12A through12Dwhich generally illustrate a first embodiment of an offshore embodiment of the present invention, mitigation structure200(shown inFIGS.12A and12B), and an alternative embodiment of mitigation structure200, mitigation structure300(shown inFIGS.12C and12D). Mitigation structure200may include all of, or some, of the components of mitigation structure100, as described supra and shown inFIGS.1through8. Similarly, mitigation structure200may be configured substantially identical to mitigation structure100, i.e., spaces between inner and outer bodies, etc. As such, mitigation structure200includes cluster section202which is comprised of sub-structures2021,2022, and2023. Sub-structure2021includes outer body202aand inner body204ahaving passageway210atherein. Sub-structure2022includes outer body202band inner body204bhaving passageway210btherein. Sub-structure2023includes outer body202cand inner body204chaving passageway210ctherein. Mitigation structure200also includes base208, which is substantially sandwiched between sub-structures2021,2022, and2023. In a preferred embodiment, sub-structures2021,2022, and2023, along with base208, are a joined body, i.e., connected, similar to cluster section50. It should be noted that cluster section202may be comprised of any number of sub-structures and bases. Each of outer bodies202a,202b,and202cand base208include plurality of apertures206. Each of inner bodies204a,204b,and204cinclude plurality of apertures206a,where each aperture of plurality of apertures206ais in communication with a respective aperture of plurality of apertures206, where further each aperture of plurality of apertures206ais in communication with at least one of passageways210a,210b,and/or210c.

Mitigation structure200is ideally arranged to be placed off-shore and its arrangement forces water, moved by tidal current, waves, etc., to be passed through at least one of: 1. At least one of passageways210a,210b,and/or210c;2. Plurality of apertures206; 3. Plurality of apertures206a;and/or, a combination thereof, thereby decreasing and/or dissipating the force associated with various water movements.

Mitigation structure300generally comprises cluster section302and at least one of base308. In some arrangements, cluster section302comprises external body304having plurality of apertures310therein and internal body306positioned within external body304, where internal body306includes plurality of apertures314therein. Passageway312is arranged within internal body306and is bounded by an internal edge of internal body306. In some embodiments, passageway312comprises at least one center point defined by an imaginary circumference defined by the internal edge of internal body306. In other embodiments, passageway312comprises center points CP1, CP2, and CP3which are defined by imaginary circumferences C1, C2and C3, respectively. Imaginary circumferences C1, C2and C3are defined by the internal edge of internal body306. In a preferred arrangement, plurality of apertures310are in communication with plurality of apertures314, whereas plurality of apertures314are in communication with passageway312. In other arrangements, base308may comprise a plurality of apertures therein, which apertures may be in communication with some of plurality of apertures314. The apertures, e.g.,310and/or314, are not intended to be restrictive to any specific shape and thus, may be formed in a variety of different geometrics, e.g., substantially square, triangular, irregular polygonal, tapered or non-taper, a combination thereof, and/or the like.

Mitigation structure300is arranged in a manner where a printer device, which prints the structure, does not need to execute multiple “lifts”. Lifts occur when the printer device cannot continually print, therefore needing to shut off and reposition a nozzle to begin printing again. As shown inFIGS.12C and12D, at least one of external body304and base308is a continuous component, therefore the printing machine does not need to lift in order to complete the printing. Similarly, internal body306is also a continuous component. Therefore, in 3D printing mitigation structure300, the printing device may only need to execute one lift, thereby reducing the print time of the structure.

Embodiments ofFIG.12C and12Dmay include longitudinal openings333disposed between adjacent longitudinal passageways312, putting them in fluid communication with each other, the longitudinal passageways312which may be reinforced by solid portions334within the longitudinal openings and physically connecting adjacent longitudinal passageways312. It should be noted that “solid portions” is referring to an additional reinforcement structure, such as at least one rebar-like member or the like, which still affords fluid communication between adjacent longitudinal passageways, and such additional reinforcement structure may comprise any combination of known reinforcement techniques or devices which maintains the aforementioned design goal. These embodiments, e.g., those shown inFIGS.12C and12D, are designed so that longitudinal pathways312can be 3D printed wherein printing can be contiguous without needing to lift associated print heads.

It should be noted that the structure arrangement of mitigation structure300may be applied to mitigation devices100and/or200, i.e., singular component external body and singular component internal body.

The following description should be taken in view ofFIGS.13A and13Bwhich generally illustrate an alternative embodiment of mitigation structure300(shown inFIGS.12C and12D), mitigation structure400. Mitigation structure400includes mitigation structure300and further includes top surface302aof mitigation structure300, oscillating generator402, support structure404, and flap406. Support structure404is fixed secured to top surface302aand is arranged to pivotably connect flap406thereon. Flap406is pushed back and forth by water flow direction or by a flowing current to create a hydraulic pump. This pump, within generator402transfers its energy to a motor, also within generator402, which then turns generator402and creates electricity. Oscillating generator402, support structure404, and flap406, essentially function like a linear alternator. Linear alternators convert back-and-forth motion (i.e., of flap406from the water flow direction) directly into electrical energy.

The inventive concept mitigates wave energy that may be described in terms of wave vectors or wavevectors used to describe a wave, with a typical wave vector unit being cycle per a distance such as a meter in which further there is a magnitude and direction. The magnitude is typically the wavenumber of the wave (inversely proportional to the wavelength), and its direction is perpendicular to the wavefront. In isotropic media, this is also the direction of wave propagation. A closely related vector is the angular wave vector (or angular wavevector), with a typical unit being radian per meter. The wave vector and angular wave vector are related by a fixed constant of proportionality, 2π radians per cycle and wave mitigation may involve angular wavevectors, radial wave vectors, and linear wave vectors or by what other terms may be used to describe wave vectors.

The wave-force mitigation structure as described can have at least one perforated cylindrical cluster section adapted to be parallelly abutted to at least one additional perforated cylindrical cluster section by substantially planner outer surface portions of the perforated cylindrical cluster sections wherein at least one or more of water and air may pass through and between the at least one perforated cylindrical cluster sections. Such abutment allows the elimination of excess space and geometric arrangements such as assuring perforation is lined up or are deliberately misaligned so as to affect dissipation of wave energy. Inner surface portions and the substantially planner outer surface portions of the perforated cylindrical cluster sections are adapted to at least partially dissipate wave energy from at least one primary wave vector into a plurality of smaller wave vectors, typically by such ways as reflecting waves, restricting wave passage, changing wave magnitude, changing wave frequency, creating turbulence, absorbing energy, and other ways by which wave energy can be dissipated when compared to arriving wave vectors. The at least one perforated cylindrical cluster section is formed and formable from a plurality of 3D printed, substantially planar layers disposed orthogonal to a longitudinal center axis of each perforated cylindrical cluster section wherein each layer can be assigned a unique plane parallel to the plans of preceding or following printed layers.

The wave-force mitigation structure cylindrical cluster section may further include at least one perforated inner cylinder disposed within a perforated polygonal outer cylinder. The perforated polygonal outer cylinder may further be hexagonal such that the at least on cylindrical cluster sections may be assembled in parallel rows to, cross-sectionally, appear as a honeycomb-like structure.

It should be noted that the perforations and/or apertures may be formed post-printing by any means capable of boring, drilling, cutting, or otherwise creating the plurality of perforations and/or apertures within the wave-force mitigation structure.

Alternatively, lintel-like means may be placed during the printing process of the wave-force mitigation structure at the respective locations of each of the plurality of perforations and/or apertures. Generally, a lintel is a beam, support structure, filling, matrix unit, which placed across openings in buildings like doors, windows, etc., to support the load from the structure above, i.e., to support the load of the extruded material from a 3D printing system or 3D printer—as shown in the Appendix of U.S. Patent Application No. 63/505,901. These lintels may be permanent structures, or temporary structures which are removed after the printing process is completed and material has cured.

However, the present inventive concept may use an inflatable lintel-like structure, which is generally inflated during the printing process to fill a location in the structure to be printed, thereby creating, voids, apertures, through-bore, spaces, gaps, etc., which extruded material from the printing system or printer may then print over. The inflatable structure is then deflated and removed from the completed and cure structure, leaving the desired voids, apertures, through-bore, spaces, gaps, etc., within the structure. In one embodiment, the inflatable lintel structure generally will include a main body and at least one sub-body extending therefrom. The main body and the sub-body have at least one internal cavity which is arranged to be inflated via a gas, i.e., air, oxygen, etc. The inflatable structure will be arranged such that it may support extremely high PSI within the internal cavity to maintain the shape of at least: the main body; and at least one sub-body, such that the weight of printed material thereon, will not collapse, or otherwise deform, the shape and configuration of the main body and at least one sub-body (if any). See Appendix, U.S. Patent Application No. 63/505,901.

Lastly, one having ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that although the present invention is best implemented by means of additive manufacturing, e.g., 3D printing, and particular embodiments are optimized for such manufacturing means, as discussed supra, methods of constructing the present invention are not limited to 3D printing and may be implemented by other known techniques, e.g., dry-casting, wet-casting, and other building techniques now known or hereafter developed. The is same true with respect to materials selected to form the present invention, and those in the art will understand that any suitable material, now known or hereafter developed, may be used in forming the present invention described herein.

The shown and described embodiments are merely exemplary and various alternatives, combinations, omissions, of specific components, or foreseeable alternative components, understood by one having ordinary skill in the art, described in the present disclosure or within the field of the present disclosure, are intended to fall within the scope of the appending claims.