ES2645314B2 - Oceanographic buoy with low vertical / horizontal displacement and tilt angle reduction of anchor lines - Google Patents

Abstract

Oceanographic buoy with low vertical / horizontal displacement and reduction of angle of inclination of the anchorage lines whose central body is shaped like a drop and has orientable appendages on both sides of the central body.

Description

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DESCRIPTION

Oceanographic buoy with low vertical / horizontal displacement and reduction of angle of inclination of the anchorage lines.

Technical sector

Maritime technology and oceanographic instrumentation.

State of the art

The current oceanographic anchorage systems allow us to know, through appropriate sensors, the physical and chemical parameters of the sea. In said anchorages, in order to properly maintain the measuring devices and auxiliary equipment thereof, it is necessary to arrange suitable mooring lines and one or more buoys (floats) that provide the desired buoyancy.

The vast majority of these anchoring systems have a simple configuration, with a single anchor point to the seabed, which reduce their cost and make implantation easier.

Due to the nature of the environment where these equipment are immersed, there is therefore a phenomenon that will condition the success or not of said anchorages, the drag due to the current. The mooring lines will be inclined to a greater or lesser extent, depending on the magnitude of said current (among other factors), causing errors in the temporary measurements of the oceanographic variables.

The design of these anchorages requires the study of the minimum buoyancy necessary to keep the mooring lines straight in the vertical. Therefore, the degree of inclination of the same is a critical factor in the error of the measurements of the instruments.

When high inclination values are reached, some instruments begin to measure erroneously or even increase uncertainty in measurement due to large vertical variations. This effect is especially evident in the funding of current meters [Vidal, J., López, O., and Penagos, G. (2011). Study of a mooring line with a SSBO buoy. Instrumentation viewpoint, 11 (69)].

This inclination of the lines will consequently cause a displacement (both vertical and horizontal) of the buoy, called "excursion". These horizontal "excursions" cause a variation of the initial measurement point, which can be several tens of meters. A similar case occurs with vertical "excursions", which produce a variation in the depth of the devices.

Dynamic loads in funding lines are also an important factor to consider [Berteaux, H. O. (1976). Buoy Engineering New York, Maryland: John Wiley & Sons]. When the lines do not have large wingspan, there are large dynamic loads due to waves and large static tensions due to the current. When the wingspan of the lines increases, these loads and tensions are reduced, but at the cost of increasing the "excursions".

Traditionally, flotation elements have cylindrical or spherical shapes. The size, shape and material of the buoys vary depending on the funding requirements and installation depth.

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This problem of inclination in the lines of oceanographic anchorages has been tried to solve in different works.

Patent application US14356794 describes an oceanographic data collection system, and incorporates a main buoy, which can easily float and sink, with an elongated and cylindrical shape whose longitudinal direction is arranged in the direction of flow (in order to remain parallel to the current). This arrangement in the direction of the flow reduces the pressure (drag) exerted by the current. It also incorporates stabilizing fins in the stern area to facilitate orientation with the current.

The US359063SA patent uses an aerodynamic housing to reduce drag, placing a series of spherical buoys inside, and coupling it to the line by means of a roller guide. It incorporates a keel to maintain the horizontal trim. Similarly, the US5707265A patent, to reduce drag installs floating spherical bodies inside an aerodynamic housing which is attached to the anchoring line by means of a pivoting connection, which allows the buoy to remain horizontal when the mooring line is inclined It incorporates a rear stabilizer to facilitate its correct alignment.

On the other hand, the US5007285A patent describes a low cost drift buoy system, which includes a flattened sphere-shaped surface buoy in order to provide low drag (minimizing measurement error).

Patent US8817574B2, to reduce drag induced by the submerged buoy, provides the buoy with an elongated aerodynamic "torpedo" type or the like, with one or more fins that provide directional stability. Note the SU-663621-A1 patent that introduces a form of unconventional oceanographic buoy, which resembles a ship hull shape with bow bulb.

Description of the invention

The technical problems that occur in conventional oceanographic anchoring systems are determined by the drag of the larger bodies (buoys and floats) due to the current.

This drag causes both horizontal and vertical movement of the float, with the consequent inclination of the anchoring line. Due to the fact that the measuring instruments are housed in said line, this inclination determines the validity or not of the measurements, and has even caused important errors in different samples, invalidating the results obtained.

Therefore, to ensure the success of the data obtained by the devices, there is a need to reduce the inclinations of the lines and the displacements of the float.

The buoys traditionally used in oceanographic anchorages have cylindrical or spherical shapes; and its size varies depending on the funding requirements and installation depth. These buoys have the disadvantage that their drag coefficient is such that it considerably affects the inclination and "excursion" of the buoy.

With all the above, the solution to this problem is to use buoys with drag coefficients lower than traditional buoys, which must obviously provide the required buoyancy.

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The oceanographic buoy object of this invention has a special shape that considerably reduces the drag force produced therein, compared to a traditional spherical or cylindrical buoy. In addition, it incorporates aerodynamic appendages, in order to increase the lift force (extra vertical force), which added to the buoyant force, makes the buoy's performance improve. These appendices incorporate an orientation system with quick and easy adjustment, which allows you to adjust your angle of attack based on oceanographic conditions. This adjustment ensures minimum drag and maximum lift in each case.

These characteristics make this oceanographic buoy present advantages over those traditionally used:

- Reduction of the drag, with the consequent reduction of the vertical / horizontal displacement of the buoy.

- Reduction of the angle of inclination of the lines, with the consequent reduction of the measurement error of the instruments.

- Eliminates the need to use large spherical buoys to achieve the necessary buoyancy, thus reducing the great tensions they cause in the anchoring lines.

- Thanks to the aerodynamic appendages, a vertical lifting force is achieved that adds to the buoyant force of the buoy itself.

- The orientation of the appendages optimizes the behavior of the buoy according to the oceanographic conditions.

Description of the content of the figures

Figure 1.- Exploded view of the proposed oceanographic buoy, where the following components can be seen:

1. Central body of the buoy.

2. Adjustable streamlined appendix.

3. Axis

4. Elastic joint.

5. Elastic seal (washer).

6. Metal washer.

7. Metal tightening nut.

8. Tightening nut with fixing eyes.

9. Through hole.

10. Waterproof holes.

11. Stems.

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Figure 2.- Scheme of the oceanographic buoy, where you can see the shape of the buoy with the appendages mounted.

Embodiment of the invention

This oceanographic buoy is basically formed by three main elements; the central body of the buoy (1), the appendages (2) and the axis (3); In addition to a series of secondary elements.

The central body of the buoy (1) has a special shape that reduces the drag coefficient. This shape, inspired by the moonfish, can resemble the naval form or drop form, inspired by the shape of the moonfish, studied in many hydrodynamic cases. The minimum drag of the buoy is achieved when the longitudinal axis is parallel to the direction of the flow and the blunt end is oriented upstream, the buoy itself has an area inside to house the measuring devices, so as not to have to place the devices in the funding line.

The appendices (2) are aerodynamic elements strategically placed in order to provide support to the whole, with minimal drag.

The union of the central body of the buoy (1) and the appendages (2) is done by a rigid bar (shaft) (3), which in addition to unifying these two elements (1) and (2), is responsible for being the connection link with the anchoring line by means of the locknut ring (8), so all the forces and loads transmitted by the line will be supported by this axis (3).

The central body of the buoy (1) has a hole (9) that crosses completely from one side to the other. This hole (9) is where the shaft (3) passes through. Near said hole (9), there are smaller sealed holes (10) on each side. These holes (10) serve as the "witness" location (11) for the orientation of the appendix (2); and are clearly marked with the corresponding orientation angle in each case.

Each of the appendages (2) have a through hole that cross them transversely. This axis is where the shaft (3) passes through. Near said hole in the inner face, there are two stems (11) that serve as "witness" for the orientation of the appendix (2); which will be located in the holes (10) described above.

The shaft (3) has at its ends a clamping mechanism with nut (7), metal washer (6) and elastic seal (5); together with a locknut system (8) to prevent the system from loosening and becoming free. Between the central body of the buoy (1) and the appendages (2), an elastic seal (4) is placed, with the shape of the appendix. Once the central body (1) and the appendages (2) are placed in their location, by slightly tightening each end the assembly can be made firm, and the appendages can be changed quickly, simply loosening and tightening again.

Industrial application

The design of this buoy allows it to be used in oceanographic anchorage systems, guaranteeing the decrease of the drag of the whole and providing an extra vertical force (lift). Thanks to its design, the user can quickly and easily orient the appendages and adapt them to the present oceanographic conditions (simply loosening the end nuts, placing the appendages at the corresponding angle and tightening the nuts again). In this way, they are reduced

the "excursions" and the inclinations of the anchorage lines, considerably reducing the error in the measurements.

Claims (1)

ES 2 645 314 A1 10 fifteen twenty 25 1. Oceanographic buoy with low vertical / horizontal displacement and angle reduction of inclination of the anchorage lines, which includes: • A central body of the buoy (1) of naval or drop shape, inspired by the shape of the moonfish, to reduce the drag coefficient, inside which the measuring instruments are housed, which has a through hole (9) transverse through which the shaft (3) and several watertight holes (10) that serve as housing for the witness (11) for orientation of the appendages (2). • Two adjustable aerodynamic appendages (2) strategically placed on both sides of the central body in order to provide support with minimum drag, which have a through hole through which the axis (3) runs, and small stems (11) which serve as a witness for the orientation of the appendix (2) with the body (1). • An axis (3) that crosses the central body of the buoy (1), as well as the two aerodynamic appendages (2). • Two elastic joints (4), which will be placed between the central body of the buoy (1) and the aerodynamic appendages (2), and have through holes through which the shaft (3) and the rods (11) will run. . • Tightening mechanisms at both ends of the shaft, formed by nut (7), metal washer (6), elastic seal (5) and tightening locknut with fixing rings (8).