Patent ID: 12233991

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

FIG.1depicts a buoy100in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the buoy100is a buoy of 3 meters diameter, although different size buoys may be used in accordance with the invention.

The buoy100comprises a core110, a collar comprised of eight collar components120, a pair of tie bars or a tie bar assembly130for mooring the buoy100to an anchor, and a tower140. The core110and collar components120are all molded plastic components, preferably formed of polyethylene. This means that the core110is buoyant. Both the plastic molded core or core110and collar components120have internal cavities, which may be filled with air, but depending on the particular application may also be filled with foam and/or a ballast material such as concrete. In this embodiment, the core110is more likely to be filled with ballast to suit some applications. Functional equipment can be mounted to the buoy as desired—for example, a light can be mounted at the top of the tower140. The tower140in this embodiment may also be a molded plastic component, although the buoyancy of the core110and collar120means that the tower may be formed of other materials, such as steel.

FIGS.2to4depicts the core110in more detail. This component is generally cylindrical with a circular cross section. In this embodiment, it has a diameter of no greater than about 2.35 meters, so that it can fit in a standard shipping container.

The core110may include a downward lip projection112, around a periphery of the core component. A recess113is formed behind the lip projection112. This forms a downward facing engagement portion, to engage with a mating formation on each collar component120, which is described further below.

The core110further includes a tower mount116towards the top of the core110, and a mooring formation118towards the bottom of the core110, on the underside. Lifting holes115are also provided towards the top of the core110, with mooring holes119provided in the mooring formation on the underside of the core110. A cavity or channel114extends through the core110, to receive a tie bar assembly130. The tie bar assembly, described in more detail below, is formed of steel and provides strength and rigidity to allow the core110to withstand loads associated with lifting (e.g., during transport, retrieval and maintenance) and whilst moored (particularly in large swells).

FIGS.5and6depict a collar component120in more detail. Collectively, eight of these collar components120create a collar around the periphery of the core110, as shown inFIG.1. The eight collar components surround the core, and form a cylinder or ‘donut’ to support the core and provide additional stability and buoyancy. Of course, different shapes and configurations of collar components120may be used in different embodiments of the invention.

Each collar component120is detachable from the core110(particularly for transport), and formed of plastic. The collar components120provide additional buoyancy to the buoy100, and also ensure that the buoy100has a wide base to improve stability in large swells. The resulting wide base helps the buoy100support a tower and/or have more functional equipment (such as sensors or lights) mounted to it. However, because the collar components are detachable, this means the buoy can be transported in a disassembled state, significantly reducing transport costs—in this embodiment, the assembled buoy (3 meters in diameter) would not fit within a standard shipping container of 2.35 meters width.

Towards the top of each collar component, an upper lip128is provided, projecting inwards. In use, this lip will locate over a corresponding ledge of the core110, where it will help maintain the collar component120on the core110(primarily when out of the water, and the components are not buoyed upward).

Towards the bottom or each collar component120, there is also an upward lip projection122, along an inner edge of the collar component120. A recess123is formed behind the lip projection122. Together, these provide an upward facing engagement formation to engage with the corresponding formation (or projection112and/or recess113) of the core110.

FIG.7depicts the core110and collar component120as assembled, in cross section. This engagement resists outward motion of the collar components120relative to the core110, and also resists downward motion of the core relative to the collar components120, meaning that the buoyancy of the collar components120directly supports the core110.

To secure the collar in place, the collar components120are fixed together using a nut and bolt arrangement, through bolt apertures124, around the circumference of the collar. Optionally, tie straps may be provided around the outside of the collar, and located in external channels125on the collar components120, although tie straps will often be unnecessary in many embodiments.

Assembly of the buoy100of the present invention is therefore much simpler and faster than the assembly process for conventional large marine buoys. Typically, such buoys have a heavy steel superstructure, and may have complicated fixing means to secure flotation components to the superstructure. This makes them very difficult to assemble in the field.

In addition, the components of the buoy100described above are formed of plastic, without the requirement for a steel superstructure. This significantly reduces the manufacturing cost of the buoy100.

Furthermore, the buoy100of the present invention is likely to be more reliable and more easily serviced than conventional large marine buoys. The use of multiple (preferably three or more) detachable flotation components or collar components120means that there is more redundancy in the buoy itself. If one collar component120is damaged, this does not greatly affect the buoyancy of the buoy100itself. The buoy100will also be less expensive to repair in such circumstances, as only the damaged collar component120need be replaced. The ease of replacement is also likely to address occupation health and safety concerns.

Furthermore, in some cases, the use of multiple collar components120may allow a buoy100to be more easily reconfigured with additional functional equipment. Functional equipment can be installed in a specific collar component120, which can then be secured to the buoy—either at the time of assembly for a particular function, or to add functionality or reconfigure a buoy already in use. In a most basic configuration, the core110could be used as a buoy in its own right, without any additional collar components120. In other embodiments, functionality (as well as additional width and buoyancy) could be provided by customized/specific collar components.

For example,FIG.10shows a customized collar component120having an additional through-hole129, which can be used to receive environmental monitoring equipment, for example to measure salinity or heavy metal in the water below the buoy. In conventional buoys, environmental monitoring probes must either be located around the outside of the buoy (highly undesirable, as it makes them more susceptible to damage) or an entire buoy must be customized to include a cavity to receive the probe within it. This typical modification means that significant additional costs are incurred to customize a large buoy for an environmental monitoring application—and results in additional transport costs, because the entire buoy is first transported to a location for the environmental probes to be installed, and then to the port for deployment. Utilizing the present invention, however, transport and customization costs are reduced because only a collar component120(not the entire buoy100) needs to be customized and transported.

The figures depict a tie bar assembly130according to an embodiment of the invention. The tie bar assembly includes a pair of outer bracing rods134, with a middle bracing rod135also provided. Bolts136are passed through forks at the end of rod138, and connector pieces on the end of rods134are used to connect the rods together. All of the components of tie bar assembly130are formed of strengthened steel. In other embodiments, different materials and/or different connection means may be used.

Importantly, bracing mounts132are provided at the top and bottom of the tie bar assemblies130. Each bracing mount132is generally T-shaped, and includes a vertical support for securing to the rest of the tie bar assembly130, and a cross member having a cross channel133therethrough.

In use, a pair of tie bar assemblies130are mounted within channels or cavities of the core110. At the top of the tie bar assembly130, the upper bracing mount132is located in lifting holes115of the core component or core110. At the bottom of the tie bar assembly130, the lower bracing mount is secured by a pin through the mooring holes119, as shown inFIG.1.

The upper bracing mount132will provide a lifting point for lifting the core110during transport, deployment and retrieval, with a cable or chain received in the channel133of the upper bracing mount132. The channel of133of lower bracing mount132can likewise receive a cable or chain for mooring purposes, or a pin to secure a bridle plate200using an additional shackle210as shown inFIG.1. The tie bar assembly130provides sufficient strength to withstand the significant loads and stresses experienced by the buoy during handling and when moored. By providing a pair of tie bar assemblies, this means that the mooring and lifting loads can be spread evenly.

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

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