NO344547B1 - Flexible joint for a floating bridge construction consisting of a floating element with an extension joint between two bridge elements. - Google Patents

Description

Denomination:

"Flexible link for a floating bridge construction consisting of a floating element with a joint between two bridge elements"

Application:

Flexible link for a floating bridge structure works together with other floating elements to create floating bridges without length limitation.

The task of the flexible link is to ensure that lateral forces from current, wind and ice flow become tensile forces in the bridge itself, and we achieve the same effect as when high-voltage cables form an arch during long air stretches.

State of the art:

Floating bridges for crossing fjords are known, but floating bridges with flexible joints are not known. Floating bridges, submerged tube bridges and high bridges, so that ship traffic can pass, are known. Floating elements are known, both from floating docks and floating bridges.

Anchors and plumb bobs are used for anchoring floating piers, and are applicable together with a flexible link to reduce the lateral load from current and wind.

Scissor jack(h1, h2, h3, h4) is known as a lifting mechanism, but used to hold back something that moves apart is not known.

Patent GB 2259727 B uses a scissor jack mounted on 2 rafts to lift a bridge structure, and is the traditional use of a scissor jack.

Patent NO 336028 B1 uses links mounted on rafts to create a walkway from shore to ship. Here, the point is to make joints with a large projection to increase the length of the bridge.

The new:

The element for which patent protection is sought has the task of making floating bridges flexible, so that the forces from current, wind and ice flow are converted into tensile forces in the bridge itself, by the bridge forming an arch one way or the other.

The theoretical basis for the floating bridge is then similar to the theory for high-voltage cables with long air spans, and more flexible links increase the span of the bridge.

Figure designation:

Figure 1: Flexible joint.

(a1 and a2) bridge elements on each side of flexible joint.

(d1 and d2) The end pieces of the bridge elements (a1, a2) on the opposite side of (j1, j2).

b Floating element for flexible joint.

e Opening for weight partially in water.

A Scissor jack mechanism.

k Running plate that moves vertically.

Figure 2: Same as Figure 1, seen from the side.

(j1 and j2) The end pieces of the bridge elements (a1 and a2) at the flexible joint.

Figure 3: Same as Figure 1 and Figure 2, but in 3D representation. Figure 4: Flexible joint, seen from the side.

(m1 and m2) Arms between scissors and j1 and j2.

(h1, h2, h3, h4) Scissor Jack

v Storage of scissor jack in frame g

n Center block.

p Sliding block with end stops.

g Frame for scissor jack.

Figure 5: 3D representation of the same as Figure 4, but with the addition of weight (r).

x Opening for steering pin y

r Weight that is partially submerged in water

A Scissor jack mechanism, [consisting of scissor jack (h1, h2, h3, h4), frame for scissor jack (g), storage of scissor jack (v), arm (s) and (m), spacer (t)]

s Arm between scissor jack and weight (r).

Figure 6: Close-up in 3D with focus on scissor jack mechanism (A). t Spacer between arm (m) and end of bridge element (j).

Figure 7: Running plate (k).

Figure 8: Center block (n)

Figure 9: The end (j) of bridge element (a) at a flexible joint.

y Steering pin

Figure 10: Sliding block (p1 and p2) with the slot (x) for sliding pin (y).

Explanation:

A close-up of the flexible joint is shown in figures 4, 5 and 6.

Flexible joint allows floating bridges to move sideways and form an arch.

This means that the floating bridge will have no length limitation if the flexible link and anchor with weights together ensure that the tensile forces in the floating bridge are kept within what the bridge was designed for. The patent application only deals with the element that constitutes a flexible joint.

It is (j1 and j2) on the bridge elements (a1 and a2) that are part of the patent application.

d1 and d2 lock the floating bridge to land or to other elements of the floating bridge and are outside what is sought to be patented.

Scissor jack (h1, h2, h3, h4) in Figure 4 is not part of the patent application, as this is known technology.

The flexible link that is sought for patent protection then consists of the raft (b), with opening (e) in figure 3, and the weight (r) mounted in opening (e) of raft (b), shown in figure 5 outside the scissor jack (h1, h2 , h3, h4).

Scissor jack (h1, h2, h3, h4) is attached to frame (g) at point (v). Furthermore, the scissor jack (h1, h2, h3, h4) is attached to the weight (r) at the opposite end of (v) through the arm (s).

The weight (r) is adapted to the opening (e) on the raft (b) and is partially in the water, causing the tensile forces to gradually increase when the weight is raised out of the water as a result of the scissor jack mechanism (A).

The sides of the sliding block (p) stop the movement of a1 and a2 when the floating bridge reaches its maximum range. Sliding block (p) allows little movement in the joint, so that the curve on the floating bridge does not become problematic for cars at high speed.

The spacer (t) in figure 6 has the task of preventing skewed loading between the bridge element and scissor jack mechanism (A).

Running plate (k) is adapted to end pieces j1 and j2 and center block (n), so that when the distance between brake elements a1 and a2 increases, running plate (k) lowers. The groove in the center block (n) is adapted to the keel in the running plate (k) so that the movement is vertical.

Center block (n) also has the task of stopping the movement of the bridge elements a1 and a2 when the bridge is pressed together.

Sliding blocks (p1 and p2) are mounted with a small distance (x) so that pin (y) has space, and prevents the bromine elements (a1 and a2) from moving sideways.

With a scissor jack mechanism (A) on each side of the running plate (k), the floating bridge can curve in both directions.

Claims (1)

Patent claim: "Flexible joint for a floating bridge structure consisting of a floating element (b) with a joint between two bridge elements (a1 and a2), and that the joint uses a scissor jack mechanism A) with scissor jacks (h1, h2, h3, h4) mounted on the floating element (b) in the floating bridge construction, characterized by a weight (r) moving in an opening (e) in the floating element (b) using scissor jacks (h1, h2, h3, h4), the weight (r) rising in the opening (e) when the bridge elements (a1 , a2) pull apart as a result of the fact that the scissor jack (h1, h2, h3, h4) is firmly anchored in a bolt (v) in a frame (g1 hhv g2), and furthermore a road plate (k) is adapted to the shape of the end pieces (j1 and j2) of the bridge elements (a1, a2) and the groove in the center block (n), so that the road plate (k) lowers and rises vertically, and further sliding blocks (p1, p2) are mounted with a distance (x) for to make room for a pin (y) on the end pieces (j1, j2) so that the bridge elements (a1, a2) are not allowed to move sideways, and that the sliding blocks (p1 and p2) function as sliding surfaces for the bridge elements (a1, a2) and at the same time functions as a stop at maximum tension, and further that the center block (n) constitutes a stop for the bridge elements (a1, a2) when the floating bridge structure contracts.