JP2009503298A - Artificial leaf and method for constructing artificial leaf - Google Patents

Abstract

A method for constructing an artificial leaf, the method comprising attaching a leaf element (2) to a support structure (100). Next, the support structure (100) and the attached leaf element (2) are transported to a position on the surface of the water mass above the installation position of the seabed. While the support structure (100) and the leaf element (2) are in the surface position, the support means (100) is secured to the seabed using the coupling means (4). Next, using the coupling means (4), the support structure (100) and the leaf element (2) are moved from the surface to the installation position on the seabed.
[Selection] Figure 6

Description

  The present invention relates to an artificial leaf assembly and a method for constructing an artificial leaf.

  Multipurpose reefs and offshore breakwaters are used for recreational purposes such as coastal protection and / or surfing. These are usually constructed at a depth of 2-15 m, about 100-400 m from the low tide line. However, this can vary depending on the location.

  Reef designs are usually established from a number of physical laboratory studies that determine the optimal seafloor shape to generate the required quality waves. Different seafloor shapes produce different types of waves.

  A problem with these shapes generated by sophisticated computers is that no technology is available to accurately build these shapes.

  In the past, breakwaters were built by simply dropping large rocks and forming barriers. However, these rocks have large undulations on the surface that are dangerous for surfers and can destroy the quality of surfing waves. As one attempt to improve the quality of the construction, a geotextile container with a maximum diameter of 3-5 m and a length of about 20 m was employed. It was filled into the hull of a dredger and dropped onto the seabed to form a reef. Over 300 containers may be dropped.

  However, this method lacks accuracy, resulting in large irregularities and undulations on the surface of the reef, and the quality of surfing waves deteriorated. According to laboratory tests, irregular leaf shapes can cause "bubbles" on the surface of the water, and wave "tubes" can partially or wholly collapse, making surfing more uncomfortable.

  Another method that has been adopted is to use divers and ropes to place geocontainers, also known as megacontainers, on the seabed and to properly fill each geocontainer. The cost of doing this with many individual containers is high, especially if each container needs to be carefully placed.

  Another problem arises when there is a gap between megacontainers. The action of a certain wave erodes the sand between the containers and eventually leaves the sand in the sand. Therefore, accurate placement of the container is very important for the quality of the surf wave and the future sustainability of the leaf shape.

  As used herein, the term “seabed” refers to a bed of water bodies, whether sea, lake, man-made, or otherwise.

  As used herein, the term “artificial reef” is placed in a body of water and can or is intended to change the pattern of waves in the body of water, eg, artificial breakwaters, as well as artificial reefs Or any subsidized structure, such as fully submerged or only partially submerged.

  Throughout the description and claims herein, terms such as “comprising”, “comprising”, etc. are not meant to be exclusive or exhaustive, unless explicitly required otherwise by context. Rather, it is to be interpreted in a comprehensive sense, i.e., including, but not limited to.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an artificial leaf and / or a method for constructing an artificial leaf in which the leaf can be deployed more easily and with higher accuracy than prior art artificial leaves.

  An alternative object of the present invention overcomes one or more problems of artificial leaf assemblies and / or methods of constructing artificial leaf assemblies and / or artificial leaves and / or prior art or at least provides useful options. It is to provide a method for constructing an artificial leaf.

  Other objects of the present invention can be understood from the following description. However, this description is merely illustrative.

  According to a first aspect, the invention comprises a plurality of containers capable of receiving a filling material, each container being connected to at least one other container by connecting means, and in use, the connecting means is necessary An artificial leaf assembly is provided in which a container is filled with a requisite amount of filler material to hold a plurality of containers in a configured configuration and form the requisite leaf shape.

  According to a second aspect, the invention comprises at least one leaf element and a support structure, the at least one leaf element being coupled to the support structure, the support structure being transported to an installation position. Providing an artificial leaf assembly that supports at least one leaf element while being secured and is secured to the seabed so that at least one leaf element can be placed on the seabed at a desired location to form at least a portion of the artificial leaf To do.

  The artificial leaf assembly preferably further comprises coupling means connected to the support structure and capable of coupling the support structure to the seabed.

  According to a third aspect, the invention comprises at least one leaf element and a coupling means for coupling the leaf element to the seabed while the leaf element is at the sea surface, thereby subsequently using the coupling means. Providing an artificial leaf assembly capable of moving at least one leaf element to the seabed.

  The leaf assembly further comprises a support structure, preferably the at least one leaf element is coupled to the support structure and the support structure is connected to the coupling means.

  The artificial leaf assembly preferably comprises a number of leaf elements.

  In one example of the present invention, two or more leaf elements are coupled to a single support structure. Alternatively, however, it is possible to install one support structure for each leaf element.

  According to a fourth aspect, the invention provides an artificial leaf comprising a plurality of containers filled with the required amount of filling material, each container connected to at least one other said container by means of connection. To do. The connecting means holds a plurality of containers with a required configuration so that the containers form a leaf having a required shape.

According to a fifth aspect, the present invention provides a method for constructing an artificial leaf assembly. This method
(I) determining the required shape of the artificial leaf to be generated from the leaf assembly;
(Ii) determining the required configuration of multiple containers to produce the required shape when filled with the required amount of filler material;
(Iii) a step of connecting a plurality of containers to each other by a connecting means so that each of the containers is connected to at least one other container, the connecting means having a configuration that requires a plurality of containers at the time of use. Steps that can be held.

According to a sixth aspect, the present invention provides a method for constructing an artificial leaf. This method
(I) coupling the coupling means to a leaf element located on the surface of the water body;
(Ii) securing the coupling means to the seabed while the leaf element is disposed on the surface;
(Iii) using a coupling means to move the leaf element from the surface to the seabed.

  Preferably, the leaf element is attached to the support structure and the coupling means is attached to the support structure.

According to a seventh aspect, the present invention provides a method for constructing an artificial leaf. This method
(I) attaching the leaf element to the support structure;
(Ii) conveying the support structure and the attached leaf element to a position on the surface of a water mass above the installation position on the seabed;
(Iii) securing the support structure to the seabed using coupling means while the support structure and the leaf element are in the surface position;
(Iv) using the coupling means to move the support structure and the leaf element to an installation position on the seabed.

  Preferably, the method further comprises the step of determining the shape required for the artificial leaf.

  In general, the size and shape of the leaf elements can be determined from the required shape.

  Suitably the leaf element is preferably provided with a container that is preferably flexible and can be formed from a textile material such as a geotextile material. Usually, the container is a mega container.

Typically, the leaf element can have a volume of 30 m ³ to 1600 m ³ .

  Usually, the leaf elements can have a length of 10 m to 80 m, preferably 30 m to 60 m.

Usually, the cross-sectional area of the leaf elements may be 1 m ² to 25 m ² . Preferably, the cross-sectional area is substantially constant along the length of the leaf element. However, the cross-sectional area can also vary along the length of the leaf element.

  Suitably, the support structure is in the form of a web that supports the leaf elements.

  If the leaf element is a container, the container is filled with a filling material. Preferably, the container is preferably filled with a filling material when the container is placed at an installation location on the seabed.

  The artificial leaf is preferably constructed from several leaf elements.

  In one example of the invention, one leaf element is attached to one support structure, but in an alternative embodiment of the invention, two or more leaf elements are attached to the support structure. Artificial reefs are constructed with several leaf elements and support structures, for example with one leaf element per support structure or with several support structures with two or more leaf elements per support structure be able to.

According to an eighth aspect, the present invention provides a method for constructing an artificial leaf. The method
(I) determining a shape required for the artificial leaf;
(Ii) determining the required shape of the plurality of containers to produce the required shape when filled with the required amount of filler material;
(Iii) a step of connecting a plurality of containers to each other by a connecting means so that each of the containers is connected to at least one other container, wherein the connecting means has a configuration that requires a plurality of containers at the time of use. Steps that can be held,
(Iv) moving the container at the required location into the required configuration;
(V) filling each container with the required amount of filling material.

  Preferably, prior to the filling step, there is a step of temporarily securing to at least one of the plurality of containers anchored adjacent to the required position.

  The connecting means may be provided with an attachment line, and the method preferably comprises the steps of anchoring a plurality of anchor means next to the required position and using the anchor means as pulley means of the attachment line.

  It is preferred that at least one of the connecting means is an elongated flexible connecting means.

  The connecting means preferably comprises ropes and / or straps and / or chains and / or steel cables.

  It is preferable that a web can be formed by connecting a plurality of connecting means.

  Preferably, each of the containers is a flexible container. However, it is possible for the container to be rigid or semi-rigid. It is also possible that any combination of flexible, rigid and semi-rigid containers can be used for the same leaf assembly or to construct one artificial leaf.

  Preferably, a mat is installed and attached to the connecting means. This feature has the advantage of preventing or minimizing container shrinkage and / or sand leakage.

  Other aspects of the present invention are all considered to be novel and can be understood from the following description given by way of examples of possible embodiments of the invention.

  Next, an example of an artificial leaf assembly and an artificial leaf construction method according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows a support structure formed from a plurality of interconnecting means 1 connected to each other to form a web or network having a reference numeral 100 as a whole. In this example, the connecting means 1 is webbing or woven tape. However, the connection means can use any suitable material such as a rope or cable. A number of coupling means 4 in the form of ropes are attached along the periphery of the web 100.

  A first example of an artificial leaf assembly 300 is illustrated in FIGS. The leaf assembly 300 is generally 200 when the web 100 is held in the required position and the container 2 is filled with the required or predetermined amount of filler material, as shown in FIGS. It is formed by attaching the container 2 to the web 100 so as to form a predetermined necessary leaf shape with the reference numeral. Although container 2 is schematically illustrated in FIG. 5 as having a circular cross-section, it should be understood that a container typically employs an elliptical cross-section as shown in FIG.

Each container 2 is connected to at least one other container 2 by connection means 1. Typically, the container 2 is a flexible container and can be manufactured from geotextile material. The container 2 may be of any size, but is preferably a mega container. Usually, the container 2 has a length of 10 m to 80 m, preferably 30 m to 60 m. The container can have a volume ranging from 30 m ³ to 1600 m ³ . The container can have a cross-sectional area ranging from 1 m ² to 25 m ² . However, any suitable material can be used for the container, and the container may be any suitable size determined according to the particular location of the artificial leaf and any installation requirements.

  The breaking strains of the various connecting means 1 can be varied depending on the load expected to be applied to each particular connecting means 1 in use.

  The container 2 is attached to the web 100 by a tag 3 which is attached to the side, preferably by sewing, to form a leaf assembly. The tags 3 are preferably spaced from 1 m to 10 m, but other intervals may be appropriate.

  The manufacture of leaf assemblies can be performed on land, thereby saving time and reducing costs. FIG. 3 shows the leaf assembly before installation, with the container 2 empty and folded.

  In use, the leaf assembly, generally numbered 300, is conveyed to the desired position in a folded state, preferably on a ridge or other flat surface ready to be deployed. Next, the web 100 is preferably spread on the surface of the water by the attachment line 4 connected to the web 100 at a predetermined interval. A winch (not shown) can be used to spread the web 100.

  Other ropes or lines (not shown) can be used to more reliably secure the container 2 to the web 100 to provide stability to the waved container 2. These additional ropes or lines can later be unwound while filling the container 2 with filling material or after filling.

  A suitable side-by-side anchor, such as anchor 5, is moored to the seabed adjacent to the reef location. The attachment line is fed through the anchor 5 and the leaf assembly is pulled to the seabed and further to the required position using the anchor as a pulley means. The mounting line 4 can be routed through the anchor 5 and then sent out to a surface vessel such as a dredge, so that the tension of the line is adjusted by appropriate tension adjusting means on the dredging, thereby allowing the leaf assembly to be installed at the seabed installation position. Can be drawn into. The anchor 5 can be used as a permanent anchor for the leaf and / or as an attachment point that temporarily holds the leaf assembly 300 in place prior to filling the container 2.

  If there is a wave effect, a tensioned strap (not shown) can be laid throughout the leaf assembly 300 to improve stability prior to filling the container. A temporary sandbag (not shown) can also be placed on top of the leaf assembly 300 if required by the undulations.

  With the web 100 in a predetermined position on the seabed, the container 2 is held in a predetermined required configuration by the connecting means 1. Next, the container 2 is filled with the filling material by any suitable means.

  As can be seen from FIGS. 4 and 7, the containers 2 are arranged on the web 100 so as to overlap, thereby forming between the adjacent containers 2 when the flexible container 2 having an elliptical cross section is used. Hollow can be minimized. Suitably, the overlap is about 1/8 or less of the maximum filling width of the container 2. This also helps to ensure that there are no gaps between the containers 2.

  When filling, to prevent the container 2 from tipping over due to the force of the next filled container, first fill every other container 2a and then fill the middle container 2b (see Fig. 7) It is preferable to do.

  In many embodiments, the artificial leaf, generally designated with reference numeral 200, is stable due to its own weight, and if the anchor 5 is used, it can be removed once the container 2 is filled.

  If necessary, a mat (not shown) can be installed between the web 100 and the container 2. The mat can prevent the leakage of sand from between the containers 2 that would cause the containers 2 to sink into the seabed.

  If necessary, another tag row (not shown) can be placed on the first row of tags. This can strengthen the connection between the container 2 and the web 100 and can also help to suppress the tendency of the container to move around when it is empty or partially filled.

  A second example of a leaf assembly 500 is illustrated in FIG. In this case, a second example of a support structure in the form of a web 600 is used. The web 600 is manufactured in the same way as the web 100 from the connecting means 1. However, in this example, only one container 602 is attached to the web 600. Container 602 is attached to web 600 in the same manner that container 2 is attached to web 100. That is, the tag 3 (not shown in FIG. 8) is used.

  In this example, the leaf assembly 500 can be used when only one container is needed to construct an artificial leaf. However, the leaf assembly 500 may be installed in areas of high tides, large swells, or other difficult environmental conditions that make it difficult or impossible to construct artificial reefs using one web 100 and multiple containers 2. There are also uses. In this case, several leaf assemblies 500 can be installed to construct an artificial leaf. This can reduce water time, installation time and filling time, thereby making it easier to install the leaf assembly and fill the container 602 in difficult environmental conditions. The leaf assembly 500 also has applications with limited space for leaf assembly construction and / or leaf assembly deployment.

Several leaf assemblies can be used to construct an artificial leaf, each leaf assembly comprising a single support structure having one or more containers (or leaf elements) attached to individual support structures. It is also possible.
The material / container 2 can be made of any suitable durable material. Examples include geotextile, high load bearing polypropylene, durable plastic or concrete.
The container may be tubular and may be circular, elliptical, rectangular, triangular, or any other suitable shape in plan or cross section.
The container may be flexible, rigid or partially rigid (eg semi-rigid).
-The filling material is preferably sand, but mud, stones, gravels, etc. can be used.
-At least one of the connecting means 1 is preferably an elongate flexible connecting means, and any suitable material can be used including ropes, straps, chains, steel cables. In an alternative embodiment, some of the connecting means may be substantially rigid.
The tag can be made of a strap or any suitable material and tied to a strap, rope or latch.
The mat can be made of canvas, polypropylene, geotextile or any other suitable material.

  In the illustrated embodiment, the connecting means has been illustrated in the form of a web, but in some embodiments the container is sufficiently strong or reinforced so that the connecting means connects only to adjacent containers. can do.

  Those skilled in the art will recognize that the present invention presented herein is a novel method for improving the accuracy of artificial leaf construction while reducing the cost of construction. Standard mega-containers can be used, but most of the construction is carried out on land, which greatly reduces the cost of the costly sea floor and depends on the period when the waves are small to perform the work The degree to do can be minimized.

In this way, the container
・ Accurately with respect to each other,
At the same time, and can be deployed more quickly, which saves time on divers and the sea.

  This method does not require many days with low undulations, and therefore can complete the entire leaf in a short period of time with low undulations. There is no need to remove and remove many deadman weights on the seabed, and the safety of the diver is greatly improved. The leaves can be deployed once as a unit, but the leaves can also be deployed in stages in separate sections of the web.

  Although the foregoing description refers to particular components or completeness of the invention having known equivalents, such equivalents are hereby incorporated by reference as if individually set forth. .

  Although the invention has been described by way of example and in terms of possible embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

It is a schematic plan view of the 1st example of the support structure of the form of the web of the connection means of an artificial leaf. FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of a first example of a leaf assembly that uses the support structure shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a schematic isometric cross-sectional view of the artificial leaf assembly of FIG. 2 prior to installation. FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view of an artificial leaf formed from the leaf assembly of FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a substantially isometric cross-sectional view of the artificial leaf of FIG. 3 taken along line AA of FIG. 3. It is a top view of the leaf assembly arrange | positioned in the installation position of a seabed, and shows arrangement | positioning of an anchor. FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the artificial leaf of FIG. 3 through line AA. FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view of a second example of an artificial leaf assembly and a second example of a support structure.

Claims (56)

  An artificial leaf assembly comprising a plurality of containers capable of receiving a filling material, each container being connected to at least one other said container by connecting means, and in use, said connecting means being required An artificial leaf assembly in which the containers are filled with a required amount of filler material to hold the plurality of containers in a configuration and form the required leaf shape. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the container has a volume of 30 m ³ to 1600 m ³ .   Assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the container has a length of 10m to 80m.   The assembly according to claim 3, wherein the container has a length of 30 to 60 m. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the container has a cross-sectional area of 25 m ² from 1 m ^2.   6. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the leaf element has a cross-sectional area that is substantially constant along the length of the leaf element.   An artificial leaf assembly comprising at least one leaf element and a support structure, wherein the at least one leaf element is coupled to the support structure and the support structure is moved to the installation position while the at least one An assembly that supports one leaf element and is secured to the seabed so that the at least one leaf element can be placed on the seabed at a desired location to form at least a portion of an artificial leaf.   The assembly of claim 7, further comprising coupling means connected to the support structure and capable of coupling the support structure to the seabed.   At least one leaf element and coupling means for coupling the leaf element to the seabed while the leaf element is on the water surface, whereby the coupling means is then used to attach the at least one leaf element. An artificial leaf assembly that can move to the seabed.   The assembly of claim 9, further comprising a support structure, wherein the at least one leaf element is coupled to the support structure, and the support structure connects to the coupling means.   11. An assembly according to any of claims 7 to 10, wherein the artificial leaf assembly comprises a number of leaf elements.   12. An assembly according to claim 11 when dependent on claim 7 or claim 10, wherein two or more leaf elements are coupled to the support structure.   12. Assembly according to claim 11 when dependent on claim 7 or claim 10 or claim 12, wherein there are several support structures.   The assembly of claim 13, wherein one leaf element is coupled to each support structure. Assembly according to any of claims 7 14 in which the leaf element has a volume of 1600 m ³ from 30 m ^3.   16. An assembly according to any of claims 7 to 15, wherein the leaf element has a length of 10m to 80m.   17. An assembly according to claim 16, wherein the leaf element has a length of 30m to 60m. Assembly according to any one of claims 7 17, wherein the leaf element has a cross-sectional area of 25 m ² from 1 m ^2.   19. An assembly according to any of claims 7 to 18, wherein the leaf element has a cross-sectional area that is substantially constant along the length of the leaf element.   20. An assembly according to any of claims 7 to 19, wherein the leaf element comprises a container that can be filled with a filling material.   16. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the container is flexible.   The assembly of claim 21, wherein the container is formed from a woven material.   23. The assembly of claim 22, wherein the container is formed from a geotextile material.   24. An assembly according to any of claims 1 to 6 or 20 to 23, wherein the container is a mega container. A method for constructing an artificial leaf assembly comprising:
(Iv) determining the required shape of the artificial leaf to be generated from the leaf assembly;
(V) determining the required configuration of multiple containers to produce the required shape when filled with the required amount of filler material;
(Vi) a step of connecting the plurality of containers to each other by a connecting means so that each of the containers is connected to at least one other container, wherein the connecting means is configured to use the plurality of containers in use. Can be held in the required configuration. A method for constructing an artificial leaf,
(I) coupling the coupling means to a leaf element located on the surface of the water body;
(Ii) securing the coupling means to the seabed while the leaf element is disposed on the surface;
(Iii) using the coupling means to move the leaf element from the surface to the seabed.   27. The method of claim 26, further comprising attaching the leaf element to a support structure and attaching the coupling means to the support structure.   28. The method of claim 27, further comprising transporting the support structure to the location on the surface of the water mass with the leaf element attached to the support structure. A method for constructing an artificial leaf,
(I) attaching the leaf element to the support structure;
(Ii) conveying the support structure and the attached leaf element to a position on the surface of a water mass above the installation position on the seabed;
(Iii) securing the support structure to the seabed using coupling means while the support structure and the leaf element are in the surface position;
(Iv) using the coupling means to move the support structure and the leaf element to the installation position on the seabed.   30. A method according to any of claims 26 to 29, further comprising determining a shape required for the artificial leaf.   31. The method of claim 30, wherein the size and shape of the leaf element is determined from the required shape.   32. A method according to any of claims 26 to 31, wherein the leaf element comprises a container, and the container is filled with a filling material.   33. The method of claim 32, wherein the container is filled with a filling material when the leaf element is in the installed position on the seabed. The method according to any of claims 26 33, wherein the leaf element has a volume of 1600 m ³ from 30 m ^3.   35. A method according to any of claims 26 to 34, wherein the leaf elements have a length of 10m to 80m.   36. The method of claim 35, wherein the leaf element has a length of 30 to 60 m. The method according to any one of the leaf elements of the cross section claims 26 a 25 m ² from 1 m ² 36.   38. A method according to any of claims 26 to 37, wherein the leaf element has a cross-sectional area that is substantially constant along the length of the leaf element.   39. A method according to any of claims 26 to 38, wherein the artificial leaf is constructed from several leaf elements.   40. A method according to any of claims 26 to 39, wherein one leaf element is attached to one support structure.   40. A method according to any of claims 26 to 39, wherein two or more leaf elements are attached to the support structure.   42. A method according to any of claims 26 to 41, wherein the artificial leaf is constructed from a number of leaf elements and a number of support structures.   43. A method according to any of claims 27 to 29, or when dependent on any of claims 27 to 29, wherein the support structure comprises connecting means. A method for constructing an artificial leaf,
(Vi) determining a shape required for the artificial leaf;
(Vii) determining a required shape of a plurality of containers to produce the required shape when filled with a required amount of filler material;
(Viii) connecting the plurality of containers to each other by connection means so that each container is connected to at least one other container, wherein the connection means connects the plurality of containers in use. Steps that can be held in the required configuration;
(Ix) moving the container into the required configuration at an installation location;
(X) filling each container with the required amount of filling material.   45. The method of claim 44, wherein prior to the filling step, there is a step of temporarily securing at least one of the plurality of containers to anchor means anchored adjacent to the installation location.   The connecting means may be provided with a mounting line, and the method includes anchoring a plurality of anchor means adjacent to the required position and using the anchor means as pulley means for the mounting line. 46. A method according to any of claims 43 to 45, comprising.   47. A method according to any of claims 43 to 46, wherein the connecting means comprises an elongated flexible connecting means.   48. A method according to claim 47, wherein the connecting means can comprise ropes and / or straps and / or chains and / or steel cables.   49. A method according to any of claims 43 to 48, wherein the connecting means are connected to form a web.   43. Any of claims 32, 33, 44, 45, if dependent on claim 32 or 33, or any of claims 34 to 43 or claim 32, 33, 44 or 50. A method according to any one of claims 46 to 49 when dependent on any of 45.   51. The method of claim 50, wherein the container is formed from a woven material.   52. The method of claim 51, wherein the container is formed from a geotextile material.   43. Any of claims 32, 33, 44, 45, 50 to 52, if dependent on claim 32 or 33, or any of claims 34 to 43, or 32, 33, wherein the container is a mega container. 50. A method according to any one of claims 46 to 49 when dependent on any one of.   54. A method according to any of claims 44, 45, or when dependent on any of claims 44 or 45, wherein a mat is installed between the connecting means and the container. .   44. A mat according to any one of claims 27 to 29, or when dependent on any of claims 27 to 29, wherein a mat is placed between a support structure and the leaf element. Method.   An artificial leaf comprising a plurality of containers filled with a required amount of filling material, each container being connected to at least one other said container by connecting means, said connecting means requiring said container An artificial leaf that holds the plurality of containers in a required configuration so as to form the shaped leaf.

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