Patent Application
20150110546
Land based assets adjacent to waterbodies, such as dock facilities, harbor facilities, ports, etc., referred to generally as “ports” herein, require protection from water-conveyed threats. In response, a number of types of Port Security Barriers (“PSBs”) have been developed. While designs vary, many PSBs comprise metal and/or composite structures which float offshore of the port facilities, by virtue of flotation modules fixed to the PSB structures.
Many PSBs comprise a plurality of sections, each floating in the water, and joined together to create a linked-together floating structure of a desired length. Traditional means of connecting the floating PSB sections included metal chain and cable, referred to generally as “chain.” However, chain connectors exhibit various limitations. Since the connectors are in a marine environment, typically a saltwater environment, corrosion of the metal chain is always an issue. The chain is relatively heavy, which makes installation, servicing and replacement more difficult. In addition, chain link connectors inherently possess concentrated wear points, with metal to metal contact.
There is accordingly a need for improved connectors to attach floating PSB sections, one to the other.
The present invention comprises a non-metallic, flexible material PSB connector for joining floating sections of PSBs. Although various materials could prove suitable for fabrication of the connector, urethane is a presently preferred material. Preferably, the connector is fabricated as a monolithic cast urethane member, suitably shaped to provide for connecting via bolts or other suitable means to the floating PSB sections. For example, the connection may generally have an I-shaped cross section shape, with a central portion joining two spaced apart, transverse end sections. One embodiment is solid urethane with no embedments. A second embodiment is a composite structure with reinforcing embedments (which may be metal or high-strength non-metallic materials) in the end flanges or sections for additional strength.
The relatively light weight, non-corrosive connectors exhibit a number of other benefits over conventional chain link or similar connector, as will be further described below. The connector is easy to retrofit on existing structures.
While various changes may be made to form different embodiment of the present invention, by way of illustration and not limitation some of the presently preferred embodiments can be described in connection with the drawings. It is to be noted that any dimensions, materials, tolerances, etc. noted on the drawings are by way of illustration only, and do not constitute any limitation on the scope of the invention.
The present invention comprises a solid, preferably monolithic or unitary cast connector, suitable for connecting floating sections of PSBs. While various materials may be suitable for fabrication of the connector, urethane is a presently preferred material, and the following description will focus on that material. Two embodiments of the invention will be described: a first embodiment, comprising a solid urethane structure with no additional embedments; and a second embodiment, very similar to the first in overall configuration but adding strengthening embedments to form a stronger, composite structure.
The dimensions, shape (cross-sectional and otherwise), and material properties of connector 10 may be varied and tuned to provide specific needed mechanical characteristics (e.g., breaking strength, bending resistance on each axis, elongation, energy absorption, creep, etc.).
By way of example, this first embodiment, all urethane, may yield an average breaking strength of 75 kips.
Embedments 50 and 60 may be made of metal or high strength non-metal material (e.g. composites, plastics, fiberglass, etc.). If the embedments are metal, typically a bonding agent would be used to augment the bond between the urethane body and the embedment; use of a bonding agent may be desirable for non-metal embedments as well. Preferably, particularly for metal embedments, the embedment is completely encapsulated within the urethane, to protect it from the marine environment.
It is to be understood that the embedments may also take the form of rods or other extended members, in combination with plate-shaped embedments if desired. The scope of the present invention covers embedments of any shape, number or configuration.
By way of example, this second embodiment, with embedments within the urethane body, may yield an average breaking strength of 150 kips.
Certain applications of the invention may dictate a higher strength connector, yet one which still provides the corrosion resistance of the above-described embodiments.
Another embodiment may have only a single bracket on each embedment, with a hole through which tension member 33 runs. Various other means of connecting tension member 33 to embedments 50 and 60 may be readily envisioned by those of skill in the relevant art field.
As can be readily appreciated, when connector 10 is fastened to PSB sections by bolts, etc., linear loads are transferred to embedments 50 and 60, thence by brackets 51 and 61 and pins 52 and 62 to tension member 33.
Tension member 33 may be formed in various manners, from high-strength fibers such as Aramid and the like, by means known in the relevant art. It is understood that many other fibers can serve for tension member 33.
In one preferred embodiment, the various components of the connector shown in
As noted above, various types of non-metallic materials may be used for the body of the connector, with urethane (sometimes referred to as polyurethane) being a presently preferred embodiment. However, it is understood that connectors embodying the principles of the present invention may be made of other materials, including those including advanced formula polymers, fiber reinforced materials, rubbers, plastics, other elastomers, etc. Additives may be included to increase light or UV ray resistance, or to decrease unwanted biodegradation. All of such materials are referred to at times herein as “urethane.”
The monolithic cast construction, whether in urethane or other suitable material, exhibits a number of desirable attributes. Typically, the urethane connector of the present invention is 30 to 50% lighter than prior art connectors, making installation and service easier. The urethane or other non-metallic construction eliminates corrosion. Impulse tensile loads between the PSB sections are better absorbed by the urethane material. A higher bending modulus of the urethane connector, compared to prior art connectors, improves performance characteristics of the PBS.
While the preceding description contains many specificities, it is to be understood that same are presented only to describe some of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, and not by way of limitation. Changes can be made to various aspects of the invention, without departing from the scope thereof. For example, various materials can be used for the connector, including but not limited to urethane and other suitable materials; dimensions, shapes and strengths can be varied to suit particular applications; embedments may be made of different materials and in different shapes, to yield the force-transfer characteristics desired.
Therefore, the scope of the invention is to be determined not by the illustrative examples set forth above, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.
This regular United States Patent Application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/891883, filed Oct. 16, 2013, for all purposes. The disclosure of that provisional patent application is incorporated herein by reference, to the extent that it is not inconsistent with any portion of this regular patent application.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61891883 | Oct 2013 | US |
