[0001] The invention relates to prefabricated unit for the construction of immobile floating
platforms for use in sea and lake watersconsisting of a slab joined by means of pillars
to the top of a buoy wherein rings are provided for the anchoring of the unit.
[0002] To date, similar constructions for use in water have been founded on the seabed.Floating
and yet immobile structures have not, to date, been described. The existing floating
units can be used only for structures where vertical movement can be tolerated.
[0003] Construction with foundations on the bottom of a lake or on the seabed entails very
high costs, especially in deep waters. Moreover, the progress of the construction
is often hindered by local wheather conditions resulting in even higher costs and
longer times of completion.
[0004] The invention,as claimed, overcomes these drawbacks. It solves the problem of how
to construct speedily and at low cost an immobile floating platform by use of floating
prefabricated units specifically designed to be unaffected by waves.
[0005] The advantages offered by the invention are mainly low cost and high speed of construction.
[0006] One way of carrying out the invention is described in detail below with reference
to the attached drawing which illustrates only one specific embodiment, in which:
Figure 1 is an axonometric view of a unit in operation in accordance with the invention.
The unit consists essentially of a slab (6) joined by means of pillars (2, 3,4,5)
to the top of a buoy (1) wherein rings (8,9,10,11) are provided for the anchoring
of the unit through ropes (12,13,14,15) to anchoring elements (16,17,18,19).
[0007] The volume of the buoy and the weight of the entire unit are such that the free-floating
level (7) of the unit is situated between the top and the bottom of the buoy. The
following requirements must be met for the proper functioning of the unit:
a. The unit must be kept submerged to a level (20) above the top of the buoy (1) and
below the slab(6), preferably around midheight of the pillars (2,3,4,5), i.n order
to achieve that the ropes (12,13,14,15) are under tension.
b.The height of the pillars must be greater than the maximum expected height of the
waves in the region where the unit has been installed.
c. The horizontal cross section of the pillars must be substantially smaller than
that of the buoy.
d. The buoyance of the buoy(l) minus the weight of the entire unit and minus the weight
of the ropes(12,13,14, 15) must be greater than the maximum expected load to be borne
by the unit.
[0008] If these requirements have been met the unit will remain immobile regardless of the
presence of waves or fluctuations of the load exerted on the unit.
[0009] In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the unit has fastening
means (21,22,23,24) for the joining of units together in any desired fashion.
l.Prefabricated unit for theconstruction of immobile floating platforms consisting
of a slab(6) joined by means of pillars (2,3,4,5) to the top of a buoy(6), wherein
rings (8,9,10,11) are provided for the anchoring of the unit, characterised in that
the volume of the buoy and the weight of the entire unit are such that the line of
free-floating (7) of the unit is between the top and the bottom of the buoy (1), that
the height of the pillars (2,3,4,5) is greater than the expected maximum height 01
the waves in the region where the unit has been installed and that the horizontal
cross section of the pillars (2,3,4,5) is substantially smaller than the horizontal
cross section of the buoy(6).
2. A prefabricated unit as claimed in claim 1 characterised in that on the unit there
are fastening means (21,22,23,24) for the joining in any desired fashion of units
together.