EP3003847A1

EP3003847A1 - Pontoon platform and arrangement having the pontoon platform

Info

Publication number: EP3003847A1
Application number: EP13886568.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jarkko Valtanen
Original assignee: Valtanen Jarkko
Current assignee: Nextbase Offshore Oy
Priority date: 2013-06-03
Filing date: 2013-06-03
Publication date: 2016-04-13
Also published as: US20160083052A1; WO2014195559A1; EP3003847A4; CN204110329U

Abstract

A pontoon platform (300) is constructed from at least one container (100) or plurality of interconnected containers (100), such as shipping or standard freight containers, especially consistent with ISO standard. At least some of the containers (100) are adapted to float on water, either they are waterproof containers or they comprise a float arrangement (101a-101f). The intra-container water-displacing volume (101a-101f), such as an inflatable bag, can be used for displacing water from the container (100) when the inflatable bag is filled or letting more water entering into the container (100) when the inflatable bag is emptied, and thereby manipulating the buoyancy or draft of the container (100) and thus also the same of the pontoon platform (300) comprising said container(s) (100).

Description

PONTOON PLATFORM AND ARRANGEMENT HAVING THE PONTOON PLATFORM

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a pontoon platform having at least one container or advantageously a plurality of interconnected containers as well as to an arrangement comprising the pontoon platform.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION There is a clear need for temporary, semi permanent or permanent constructions all over the world, e.g. due to very rapid reconstructions or for building new constructions for substituting constructions lost or destroyed for example by earthquakes, natural catastrophe or the like. For example the earthquakes may destroy roads, bridges, buildings, harbours, airfields or other infrastructure completely. In addition after the natural catastrophe there is a great need for building new constructions, which might be a very demanding task, because often even boats are not able to docking and transport building material due to destroyed harbours. Anyway additionally there is also need for new construction for example to wet or swamp like or similar areas, where the new construction should be built very rapidly (often only for few years (meaning semi permanent)).

The invention relates to developing of constructions especially into the areas, where the infrastructure is destroyed by the natural catastrophe or the like, but also to areas for developing new buildings and constructions very rapid way. Especially the invention relates to developing the constructions over the water or unstable area by using a pontoon platform.

Solutions for rapid and also overwater construction are known already from prior art by utilizing different kinds of floating modules for providing floating pontoons, over which the constructions are then developed. However, there are still problems related to the known prior art, namely the floating modules utilized to provide the floating pontoons should be first transported or shipped to the construction area and if the infrastructure in the area has been destroyed or there are no streets or other solid groundwork in the area, the rapid transportation is very challenging or even impossible and thus also rapid construction is not possible.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is to alleviate and eliminate the problems relating to the known prior art. Especially the object of the invention is to provide a very rapid construction method for developing a pontoon platform over the water or similar unstable area, which again allows developing buildings and constructions over the pontoon platform. In particularly the object of the invention is to overcome the transportation or shipping problems of the floating modules to the construction area, as well as the problem how to develop even totally new infrastructure very quickly and inexpensively.

The object of the invention can be achieved by the features of independent claims.

The invention relates to a pontoon platform according to claim 1. In addition the invention relates to an arrangement according to claim 22 comprising the pontoon platform.

According to an embodiment of the invention a pontoon platform is constructed from at least one container, advantageously from a plurality of interconnected containers. The containers are advantageously shipping or standard freight containers, especially consistent with ISO standard, such as ISO 668 (40 ft or 20 ft or the like) containers or RACE, ACTS, PODS, SECU or EILU containers, at least some of which are adapted to float on water, such that at least some of said containers are waterproof containers (floating as such) and/or at least some of the containers comprise a float arrangement.

According to an example the containers are modified into a form of floating containers for example by sealing joints and gaps of the container in order to obstruct possible water flow into the container. As an example, also the doors of the container can be replaced by a fixed plate or the like so that a waterproof container is provided, which can float as such. In addition according to an example the container may be provided with an intra-container, such as an inflatable bag, which water-displacing volume can be changed for displacing water from the container when the inflatable bag is filled or for letting more water entering into the container when the inflatable bag is emptied, and thereby manipulating the buoyancy or draft (draught) of the container and thus also the same of the pontoon platform comprising said container(s).

The invention offers remarkable advantages over the known prior art solutions, namely at first, when using shipping or standard freight containers, there are essentially no need for transportation of the containers into the disaster area from outside or abroad, because there are always lots of shipping or standard freight containers all over the world in harbours and transportation, and in addition they are extended quite equally to coastal areas worldwide. For example in 2009 there were over 15 million ISO 668 (40 ft) containers in the transportation worldwide. Also there is no need for prefabricate containers or store them beforehand, whereupon significant savings can be achieved. The invention enables to achieve a standard construction method of how globally temporary and permanent floating platforms can be made and thereby helps to organize international aid work, for example.

In addition the pontoon platform is very quick and easy to build of the standard containers because due to the standard they are very compatible with each other for example with dimensions and strength. Thus the inventive concept of the current invention makes possible to offer and give aid to the disaster area extremely quick, as well as to build essential constructions very easy, such as residential areas, apartments, hospitals, harbours, bridges, a logistics arrangements or airfields.

Furthermore, according to the invention it is also possible to construct a flight support arrangements or military or social infrastructural arrangements, a jetty, a utility work machine platform, a drilling derrick, a bridge building site, temporary structures, a pontoon bridge or a bridge support structures over the pontoon platform constructed from the containers, as is described in this document. Also permanent and semi permanent residential and commercial structures and buildings can easily be constructed according to the embodiments of the invention. One possible destination is also to construct a floating farming or plant grooving platforms. Especially many advantages can be achieved when the platforms are constructed over the water since the free land area is very expensive especially in the vicinity of big cities.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Next the invention will be described in greater detail with reference to exemplary embodiments in accordance with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figures 1A-1 C illustrate principles of exemplary containers for a pontoon platform according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention,

Figure 2 illustrates an exemplary attaching means for attaching containers with each other according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, Figure 3 illustrates an exemplary pontoon platform comprising a plurality of the containers according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention,

Figures 4A-4G illustrate exemplary embodiments for anchoring and stabilizing the pontoon platform according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention,

Figures 5A-5B illustrate exemplary embodiments for bridges of the pontoon platform according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention,

Figures 6A-6D illustrate exemplary embodiments for the pontoon platform, such as for a harbour or movable harbour, according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention,

Figure 7 illustrates an exemplary sealing arrangement for sealing the gaps between the containers of the pontoon platform according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, Figure 8 illustrates an exemplary pontoon platform arrangement according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention,

Figures 9A-9B illustrate exemplary breakwater arrangements according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, Figure 10 illustrates an exemplary pontoon platform arrangement with moving equipment according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention,

Figure 1 1 illustrates an exemplary principle of expandability of the pontoon platform arrangement according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention,

Figure 12 illustrates another exemplary pontoon platform arrangement according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, and

Figure 13 illustrates still another exemplary pontoon platform arrangement according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figures 1A-1 C illustrate a principle of an exemplary containers 100 for a pontoon platform or arrangement according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention and described e.g. in connection with the Figures 3-12, where said containers 100 are advantageously shipping or standard freight containers consistent with the ISO standards. At least some of the containers utilized in said pontoon platform or arrangement are waterproof containers or comprises a float arrangement 101 a-101f. The waterproof containers are containers, which are advantageously converted into the waterproof containers, such as where the joint, seals or doors 102 and other leaky portions are welded so that to be waterproof, or the doors 102 are replaced by a fixed plate or the like already before utilizing. The sealing may also be implemented with a mechanical and/or chemical means, for example by sizing, curing, coating with an adhesive tape or a watertight protective bag to cover the container with.

The float arrangement comprises according to an embodiment at least one intra-container water-displacing volume 101 a-101f (especially when the container is not the waterproof container), as is described especially in Figures 1A and 1 B, for example a gas-inflatable or foam-inflatable gas bag, e.g. at least one airbag. The intra-container water-displacing volume 101 a can be introduced 101 b into the container and filled at least partly 101 c in order to at least partially providing a water-displacing volume inside the container and thereby provide a floating container for the floating arrangement, such as the pontoon platform or arrangement. By controlling the water-displacing volume of the intra-container, the buoyancy and draft of the container and thereby also the same of the pontoon platform and arrangement can be controlled.

The float arrangement advantageously comprises also means 103 for changing the capacity of at least one intra-container water-displacing volume, such as valve or vent 103, 103a, 103b coupled with the intra- container water-displacing volume, such as an airbag. The valve or vent 103, 103a, 103b may be controllable so that it can be opened or closed for example to deflate the airbag. According to an embodiment the float arrangement may also comprise a pump 104 or the like for providing filling medium into said intra-container water-displacing volume, such as air into the airbag via said valve 103b or vent 103a and thereby providing the floating container. When deflating the bag and thereby allowing water flow into the container, the buoyancy is decreased and the container is sink more; and conversely, when inflating the bag and thereby displacing water out of the container the buoyancy is increased and draft decreases (lifting the container higher in the water). According to an embodiment the float arrangement may also comprise a foaming means for at least partially filling an intra-container volume or container with water-displacing foam, for example a chemical agent reacting with water or other water-displacing medium, such as ping-pong balls.

According to an embodiment the container 100 may also comprise the vent 103a via which the water can freely flow into/out of the container, whereupon the stabilizing container 302 can be achieved. The container 100 may also comprise the valve 103b for controlling the flow of the water into/out of the container 100. Still according to an embodiment the pump 104 may be configured to pump water into the container e.g. in order to decrease buoyancy or to pump water out of the container 100 (or at least portion of the container) in order to increase buoyancy. A pontoon platform or arrangement described especially in Figures 3-12 comprises advantageously a plurality of the containers 100. The number of containers depends on the need, where a smaller platform or arrangement, such as a bridge, jetty or breakwater construction may comprise few containers, whereas a bigger structure, such as a flight support arrangement or some other military or social infrastructural arrangement may comprise hundreds or thousands of containers 100 interconnected with each other. The containers are secured to each other e.g. by using locking members, clamps 201 , mounting frames 203, mounting rods 202 (Figure 2) and/or cable tensioning, and/or by welding or sizing, as an example, in order to provide the pontoon platform 300 of a plurality of the containers, as is illustrated in Figure 3 for example.

The containers may also have means for increasing the torsional rigidity inside and/or outside the container, such as having latticed wires, partition walls or panels, supporting elements, such as iron pipes or frameworks.

The containers can be secured and connected to each other e.g. on the ground, on the ferry, which might be a ferry to be immersed at least partially so that the provided containers can be floated away from the ferry after they are modified into a form of floating containers and possibly connected to each other.

As can be seen e.g. on Figures 1A-1 C the container 100 may comprise also a plurality of the intra-container volumes, such as inflatable fluid bags 101 e, 101f, which are advantageously gas-inflatable gas bags, such as airbags. Using of the plurality of bags 101 a-101f or the like makes the system more safe and reliable. In addition according to an embodiment the inflatable bags can be operated separately and independently of each other so that the bags located at the first end of the container can be filled differently than the bags located at the second end of the container, whereupon the buoyancy or draft of the container at the first end differs from the same at the second end thereby allowing a tilting or inclination function of the container. The systems then advantageously comprises in addition to plurality of bags also a pump or the like and/or a controlled valve for supplying gas at least into one of the bags or for delivering water into/out of the container and for thereby adjusting the tilt, alignment, angle of bank or displacement of the container by means of different buoyancies in different parts of the container. Figures 4A-4G illustrate exemplary embodiments for anchoring and/or stabilizing the pontoon platform or arrangement 300 according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, where some of the containers 100 may function as anchoring containers 301 , and some of the containers 100 may function as stabilizing containers 302. The anchoring containers 301 may be filled by water, sand or other medium so that the containers sink to the bottom 303. The water may be pumped into the container by the pump 104 for example, or the container may comprise vent 103a or valve 103b for flowing water into the container and thereby make the container as the anchoring or stabilizing container 301 , 302. The floating portion of the arrangement 300 is advantageously coupled with the anchoring containers 301 by suitable connecting means 304, such as wires (e.g. Fig 4A). The pontoon platform arrangement may also comprise other supporting means, such as supporting rods or bars elongating to the bottom (see e.g. Figs 4D- 4G). Additionally the connecting means 304 may be connected to any other connecting points arranged into an appropriate location at the bottom, such as an external anchor or a concrete spacer block, or anchoring container 301.

According to an embodiment the connecting means 304 is as an elongated member, the first point of which is supported at the bottom 303 of the water by anchoring means, such as the external anchor or a concrete spacer block, or anchoring container 301. In addition the second point of the elongated member is coupled with the platform structure, such as a container 100. The anchoring system is according to an embodiment of the invention the active anchoring system additionally comprising actuating means 307 configured to change the distance of at least one end of the container 100 of the platform from the bottom 303 or the water surface 305 by actuating said elongated member 304. The elongated member 304 may be a wire, chain or rope (as in Fig 4A) or fixed elongated member (as in Fig 4D-4G) According to an example the system may change the distance of at least one end of the container, such as tilt the pontoon platform or wherein the elongated member is fixed in length and the actuating means is configured to change the position of the at least one end of the container in relation to said fixed elongated member The stabilizing container 302 may be provided with at least one vent at a specific height of the container wall, such that the container 302 space above said vent is made airtight in such a way that, when water is let in through said vent and the container space above the vent is left with an air lock preventing the container from being completely filled with water, which allows an exemplary passive stabilization. The stabilizing container 302 may also be filled completely with water and coupled in a fixed manner with the floating containers 100 in order to increase the mass and thereby inertia of the floating system 300 and thereby more effectively suppressing any possible motions or oscillation for example due to waves of the water 305. In addition water flowing freely into and from the container via the vent damps and thereby stabilizes the motions of the container 302.

According to an embodiment the stabilizing container 302 may also comprise the intra-container water-displacing volume 101 a-101f, which volume can be controlled as described elsewhere in this document, and thereby the buoyancy and thereby the pontoon platform draft are adapted for being regulated by changing the gas bag capacity.

Additionally the pontoon platform or the arrangement 300 comprises also the floating containers 100, which advantageously comprises floating arrangement 101 a-101f, as is described elsewhere in this document, in order to enables the arrangement to float. The platform or the arrangement 300 may also comprise other types of containers 306, such as a protection container filled for example by sand or the like and thereby providing e.g. splinter protection.

Figures 5A-5B illustrate exemplary arrangements 500 for a bridge utilizing the pontoon platform 300 according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, where the arrangement comprises floating and/or stabilizing containers 101 , 302 (provided and operated as described elsewhere in this document), which buoyancy, draft, tilt or the like parameters might be controlled according to an example. The bridge arrangement 500 may also comprise other containers 501 advantageously having suitable covering plate or deck elements 902 (such as disclosed in connection with Figure 1 1 ) along which the traffic is considered to pass. In addition or alternatively the bridge arrangement 500 may comprise also conventional bridge beams 502. The containers 501 or bridge beams 502 are configured to be positioned over the containers forming the floating pontoon platform 300. Figures 6A-6D illustrate another exemplary floating arrangements 600, such as for a harbour, movable harbour structure, a flight support arrangement or some other military or social infrastructural arrangement, a jetty, a utility work machine platform, a drilling derrick, a bridge building site, a temporary structure or the like according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, where the arrangement utilizes the floating pontoon platform 300 described elsewhere in this document. The arrangement advantageously comprises the floating containers 100 provided with the floating arrangements 101 a-101f according to the embodiments of the invention. In addition the arrangement may also comprise the stabilizing containers 302 or containers the buoyancy of which are controllable (as described elsewhere in this document) so that the containers may be converted into the anchoring containers 301 e.g. by flowing water into the containers so that they sink to the bottom 303. According to an exemplary embodiment the floating arrangements 600 or the pontoon platform 300 on which the arrangement is constructed may be moved along the water e.g. by displacing water from the containers 100 (Fig 6A). When the arrangement 600 or platform is at a desired position the water may be let to flow into the containers 100, 302 so that the arrangement or platform is stabilised (Fig 6B, Fig 6C) and possibly also anchored (Fig 6D) at least partially. Again if there is need to move the arrangement or platform the floating arrangements 101 a-101 f may be applied as described in this document to increase buoyancy and to enabling the moving. According to an embodiment the arrangement or platform may also comprise at least one transferring container having transferring means for moving the arrangement or platform, such as power source and suitable propeller or the like.

Figure 7 illustrates exemplary sealing arrangements 700 for sealing the gaps 701 between the containers of the pontoon platform according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention. The sealing the gaps 701 between the containers might be necessary for example due to rough seas and waves, because otherwise the water may slosh very pressurized via said gaps on the deck of the pontoon platform arrangement or to other areas to be kept as dry as possible. The sealing 702 may be implemented e.g. by fitting a sealing joint between at least two containers, by means of a deck element, a securing or clamping element and/or a separate packing, as an example.

Figure 8 illustrates an exemplary pontoon platform arrangement 800 according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, where the arrangement 300 may comprise a plurality of sub-arrangements 300a, 300b, between which another movable pontoon platform arrangement 300c is arranged. According to an embodiment the moving pontoon platform arrangement 300c may also be arranged between any floating pontoon platform arrangement 300 and ground, shore, island, boat or any other end. The moving pontoon platform arrangement 300c is connected to the other arrangements 300a, 300b or any other end e.g. by a motorized wire so that the moving pontoon platform arrangement 300c can be towed by the motorized wire to the desired direction. The sub-arrangements 300a, 300b may be floating arrangement and possibly anchored and stabilized, as is described elsewhere in this document.

Figures 9A-9B illustrate exemplary breakwater arrangements 850, 860 according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, where the pontoon platform 300 with its container(s), 1009 is used as a breakwater or jetty arrangement. The jetty or breakwater 1009 is advantageously located at a distance from the other pontoon platform 300 and the jetty or breakwater 1009 may be as an independent and separate pontoon platform arrangement possibly anchored at the bottom, as is the case in breakwater arrangement 850 in Figure 9A, or mechanically coupled with the pontoon platform arrangement 1000 via a suspending system 861 , such as a spring or shock damper, as is the case in breakwater arrangement 860 in Figure 9B.

Figure 10 illustrates an exemplary pontoon platform arrangement 300 with moving equipment 1001 according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, wherein the moving equipment 1001 may be a motor with a suitable propeller or turbine or the like, as an example, which is suitable for moving the pontoon platform arrangement 300 in the water either horizontally and/or vertically (when the buoyancy of the pontoon platform arrangement 300 is suitably controlled by the float arrangement described in this document elsewhere so that e.g. the displacement or draft is suitable for moving). For example moving equipment 1001 can be configured to change the state of the pontoon platform 300, such as situation or angle in relation to sun so that a certain part or side of the pontoon platform 300 is always towards to sunshine or always in the shadow.

Figure 1 1 illustrates an exemplary principle of expandability of the pontoon platform 300 arrangement according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, where a plurality of the pontoon platforms 300 can be coupled with each other to make expanded system.

Figure 12 illustrates another exemplary pontoon platform arrangement 900 according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, where the arrangement 900 comprises the pontoon platform 300 having a plurality of containers 100 and floating arrangements 101 a-101f as is described elsewhere in this document so that the buoyancy and thereby also the displacement of the whole arrangement can be controlled and manipulated by controlling the floating arrangements 101 a-101 f. The exemplary pontoon platform arrangement 900 of Figure 12 advantageously comprises also other auxiliary containers 901 , which might be as apartment or residential containers, store containers, medical container, military container or other infrastructural container. The said auxiliary containers 901 may also comprise energy production means in an energy production container, as well as water supply service equipment, such as pumps, filters and purification means, in a water supply container, as an example. The auxiliary containers 901 may be modified also for other purposes needed, and the above mentioned are only as examples.

The pontoon platform arrangement 900 may also comprise deck elements 902 installed on top of the containers or a constructed deck 1008 (in Fig. 10), making it useful as a roadway or pathway or other area.

Figure 13 illustrates still another exemplary pontoon platform arrangement 1000 according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, where the arrangement advantageously comprises the pontoon platform 300 and over it a constructed deck 1008. The arrangement may be, comprise or form at least portion of a harbor arrangement 1001 , logistics arrangement 1002, a flight support arrangement 1003, medical or hospital arrangement 1004, bridge arrangement 1005 with a road for transportation 1006, or some other military or social infrastructural arrangement, such as apartments 1007. In addition the pontoon platform arrangement 1000 may comprise a jetty or breakwater 1009, which might be as a separate pontoon platform arrangement possibly anchored at the bottom, as described elsewhere in this document, or mechanically coupled with the pontoon platform arrangement 1000 via a suspending system, such as a spring or shock damper. In addition the pontoon platform arrangement 1000 may also comprise according to an embodiment a utility work machine platform, a drilling derrick, a bridge building site, a temporary structure, a pontoon bridge and/or a bridge support structure. It is to be understood that these are only examples and the inventive concept can also be utilized in other pontoon platform arrangements 900, 1000.

In addition it is to understood that the pontoon platform arrangement 900, 1000 may comprise any of the pontoon platforms 300 with any auxiliary devices described in this document to e.g. to provide the basis for the pontoon platform arrangement 900, 1000 or maintain or change the state of the container 100, pontoon platform 300 and/or the pontoon platform arrangement 900.

Furthermore the pontoon platform or arrangement according to any of previous embodiment may additionally comprise a container identifying tag, preferably a wirelessly remote readable tag and information related to the container type, such as floating container with inflatable bag(s), anchoring container, container with motor+propeller or the like so that the container type are connectable with said ID. In addition at least some of the containers (depending on the container type) may comprise different kinds of gauges for measuring state of the container, such as a pressure gauge, load gauge, torque force meter, angle meter, positioning means or the like.

The platform or arrangement may also comprise a controlling system for controlling the state of the at least one container and thereby also the state of the whole platform or arrangement, such as tilting angle, displacement, moving angle, or the like. In the system the measurement of the measuring means is advantageously configured to be transferred to the controlling system of the platform or arrangement with the container ID representing the state information related to the corresponding container or the arrangement. When the controlling system knows, based on the ID, the location of said container and its state information, it may make an appropriate control command for example to obtain a desired state, such as opening a valve or pumping water in/out a certain container so that the desired displacement is achieved or maintained.

In addition according to an embodiment the pontoon platform or arrangement may comprise also active anchoring system comprising a piece of support equipment adapted to be variable in length and fitted between at least one floating container and the anchoring means, such as anchoring container or concrete body at the bottom. In this embodiment the system is adapted to tilt the pontoon platform and thereby the arrangement e.g. by changing the length of the supporting means, such as winding the rope between the ends by a motor or hydraulically operating the supporting equipment when said supporting equipment is e.g. hydraulically operable supporting means. This is especially important in tidewater areas, whereupon the controlling system may compensate at least partially the tilting effects due to tidewaters by operating the active anchoring system as described above.

Still according to a further embodiment the pontoon platforms or arrangement described above may comprise at least one container, which comprises an active and controlled float arrangement 101 a-101f, and wherein the pontoon platform further comprises a) weight measuring equipment for determining a weight arriving on or departing from the pontoon platform, b) measuring equipment for draft or a distance to surface, c) measuring equipment for pontoon platform distortion and/or measuring equipment for wind direction/speed; and control elements, which are adapted, in response to a signal produced by the measuring equipment of items a), b) and/or c), to generate a control signal for the active float arrangement for controlling the floating capacity of at least one container so as to achieve a desired buoyancy, draft, distance to and/or inclination from the surface of the sea or water where the platform is floating.

The pontoon platform or arrangement may also comprise a moving equipment (motor + propeller) in a certain container, by means of which the container or several containers of the pontoon platform or arrangement is or are adapted to be balanced and/or moved also in vertical and/or horizontal direction. According to an embodiment the pontoon platform or arrangement may also comprise positioning devices, whereby, in response to a signal produced by said devices, the moving equipment is adapted to be controlled for enabling the pontoon platform either to remain stationary or to shift over a desired distance in a desired direction, for example in order to compensate for shifting caused by tidal currents or consistent wind. The controlling system of the platform or the arrangement may be configured to receive e.g. weather forecast information and at least partially based on this to provide a control signal for controlling the state of the platform or the arrangement as desired beforehand.

Still according to an embodiment between at least two containers may be fitted an elastic coupling structure, such as a securing or clamping element made of an elastic material in order to suppress any mechanical vibration or shocks e.g. due to waves.

Furthermore the pontoon platform or arrangement may comprise an anti- corrosion arrangement associated with the containers for preventing corrosion of the containers, where the a nti -corrosion arrangement may be implemented e.g. by electric arrangement, noble/base metal pair and/or by a special coating.

The invention has been explained above with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, and several advantages of the invention have been demonstrated. It is clear that the invention is not only restricted to these embodiments, but comprises all possible embodiments within the spirit and scope of the inventive thought and the following patent claims. For example, even if the gas bags or airbags are demonstrated in connection with many embodiments in this document, it is clear that they are only examples of the intra-container water-displacing volumes utilized in the containers in order to provide floating containers, and also other types of intra- container water-displacing volumes can be used with these embodiments, as is described in this document, such as foaming means for at least partially filling an intra-container volume or container with water-displacing foam, for example a chemical agent reacting with water or other water-displacing medium, such as ping-pong ball, or combination of these.

Claims

1 . A pontoon platform, comprising at least one container, advantageously a plurality of interconnected containers, characterized in that

said containers are shipping containers, at least one of which is adapted to float on water, such that at least one of said containers is waterproof containers and/or at least one of the containers comprises a float arrangement.

2. A pontoon platform as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the float arrangement comprises means for changing the capacity of at least one intra-container water- displacing volume and/or a foaming means for at least partially filling an intra- container volume with water-displacing foam.

3. A pontoon platform as set forth in either of the preceding claims, wherein the joints of a container are sealed for waterproofness with a mechanical and/or chemical means, for example by welding, sizing, curing, coating, with an adhesive tape or a watertight protective bag to cover the container with.

4. A pontoon platform as set forth in any of the preceding claims, wherein the float arrangement is:

- an active float arrangement, comprising a controlled valve or pump for pumping a gas into or out of a gas-inflatable gas bag provided inside a container, and/or for pumping water into or out of the interior of a container, or

- a passive float arrangement, in which the container comprises at least one vent or valve adapted for water to flow thereby both into and out of the container.

5. A pontoon platform as set forth in any of the preceding claims, wherein at least one container comprises a gas inflatable gas bag and at least one vent or valve, and wherein the container buoyancy and thereby the pontoon platform draft are adapted for being regulated by changing the gas bag capacity.

6. A pontoon platform as set forth in any of the preceding claims, wherein at least one container comprises at least two gas inflatable gas bags and a pump or a controlled valve for supplying gas at least into one of the bags or for delivering water into/out of the container and for thereby adjusting the tilt of a container by means of different buoyancies in different parts of the container.

7. A pontoon platform as set forth in claim 4-6, wherein the pontoon platform with a passive float arrangement comprises a stabilizing container provided with at least one vent at a specific height of the container wall, such that the water can freely flow into/out of the container or such that the container space above said vent is made airtight in such a way that, when water is let in through said vent, the container space above the vent is left with an air lock preventing the container from being completely filled with water.

8. A pontoon platform as set forth in any of the preceding claims, wherein the pontoon platform comprises an anti-corrosion arrangement associated with the containers.

9. A pontoon platform as set forth in any of the preceding claims, wherein the containers comprise a container identifying tag, preferably a wirelessly remote readable tag.

10. A pontoon platform as set forth in any of the preceding claims, wherein the pontoon platform comprises deck elements installed on top of the containers, or on assembly frames for coupling said deck elements to the containers or a constructed deck, making it useful as a roadway or pathway

1 1 . A pontoon platform as set forth in any of the preceding claims, wherein the pontoon platform comprises at least one anchoring container coupled to the pontoon platform, which is most preferably a container filled with water, sand, gravel or a cement-based material.

12. A pontoon platform as set forth in claim 1 1 , wherein the platform comprises an active anchoring system, said active anchoring system comprising at least one elongated member, the first point of which being supported at the bottom of the water by anchoring means and the second point of which being coupled with the platform structure, such as a container, wherein the active anchoring system additionally comprises actuating means configured to change the distance of at least one end of the container of the platform from the bottom or the water surface by actuating said elongated member.

13. A pontoon platform as set forth in claim 12, wherein the elongated member comprises a piece of support equipment adapted to be variable in length and fitted between at least one floating container and the anchoring means, by changing whose length the system is adapted to change the distance of at least one end of the container, such as tilt the pontoon platform or wherein the elongated member is fixed in length and the actuating means is configured to change the position of the at least one end of the container in relation to said fixed elongated member.

14. A pontoon platform as set forth in any of the preceding claims, wherein the containers of the pontoon platform are secured to each other by using clamps, mounting frames, mounting rods and/or cable tensioning, by welding or sizing.

15. A pontoon platform as set forth in any of the preceding claims, wherein at least one container comprises the active and controlled float arrangement, and wherein the pontoon platform further comprises a) weight measuring equipment for determining a weight arriving on or departing from the pontoon platform, b) measuring equipment for draft or a distance to surface, c) measuring equipment for pontoon platform distortion and/or measuring equipment for wind direction/speed; and control elements, which are adapted, in response to a signal produced by the measuring equipment of items a), b) and/or c), to generate a control signal for the active float arrangement for controlling the floating capacity of at least one container so as to achieve a desired draft, distance to and/or inclination from the surface.

16. A pontoon platform as set forth in any of the claims 12 or 13, wherein in the process of being secured to the bottom, the container is capable of being set at a specific angle, for example in a horizontal plane, by means of said active anchoring system.

17. A pontoon platform as set forth in any of the preceding claims, wherein at least one container comprises container moving equipment, such as motor with a propeller, by means of which the container or several containers or the pontoon platform is or are adapted to be balanced and/or moved in vertical and/or horizontal direction.

18. A pontoon platform as set forth in claim17, wherein the pontoon platform is configured to receive positioning information signal, whereby, in response to the signal, said moving equipment is adapted to be controlled for enabling the pontoon platform either to remain stationary or to shift over a desired distance in a desired direction.

19. A pontoon platform as set forth in any of the preceding claims, wherein at least one container is a jetty container disposed at a distance from the pontoon platform, which is either adapted to be linked with one other container of the pontoon platform by way of a shock absorber, for example a spring or is independently anchored container.

20. A pontoon platform as set forth in any of the preceding claims, wherein between at least two containers is fitted an elastic coupling structure.

21 . A pontoon platform as set forth in any of the preceding claims, wherein between at least two containers is fitted a sealing joint, which is implemented by means of a deck element, a securing or clamping element and/or a separate packing.

22. An arrangement, comprising a pontoon platform, characterized in that said arrangement comprises a pontoon platform as set forth in any of the preceding claims, and that the arrangement is a harbor arrangement, a bridge arrangement, a logistics arrangement, a flight support arrangement or some other military or social infrastructural arrangement, a jetty, a utility work machine platform, a drilling derrick, a bridge building site, a temporary structure, a pontoon bridge and/or a bridge support structure.