US3689953A

US3689953A - Stabilized floating structure

Info

Publication number: US3689953A
Application number: US126287A
Authority: US
Inventors: Costas E Markakis
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1971-03-19
Filing date: 1971-03-19
Publication date: 1972-09-12
Anticipated expiration: 1989-09-12

Abstract

A floating structure adapted to maintain a predetermined orientation including a floating body at least partially immersed in a fluid, means mounted in the body at selected loci for varying the buoyant forces acting on the selected loci, means responsive to displacements of the floating body relative to the predetermined orientation for actuating the means for varying the buoyant forces whereby the buoyant forces are varied at selected loci to produce counteracting forces tending to return the floating body to the predetermined orientation and the actuating means including means for sensing displacements of the floating body relative to the predetermined orientation.

Description

United States Patent Markakis Sept. 12, 1972 [54] STABILIZED FLOATING STRUCTURE [72] Inventor: Costas E. Markakis, 12 Aravantinou St., Athens, Greece 22 Filed: Mareh19,1971 21 Appl.No.: 126,287

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation of Ser. No. 751,463, Aug, 9,

1968, abandoned.

[52] US. Cl ..l4/27, 114/125 [51] Int. Cl. ..E0ld 15/08 [58] Field of Search .;l 14/121, 122, 125; 14/27 [5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 399,693 3/1889 Poore ..114/l6.3 1,382,073 6/1921 Fort ..114/16.3 1,700,406 1/1929 Hammond ..114/125 1,888,667 11/1932 Hort ..114/125 Hort ..1 14/125 Parks ..1 14/125 X Field ..114/122 Primary Examiner-Jacob L. Nackenoff Att0meyMason, Fenwick & Lawrence [57] ABSTRACT A floating structure adapted to maintain a predetermined orientation including a floating body at least partially immersed in a fluid, means mounted in the body at selected loci for varying the buoyant forces acting on the selected loci, means responsive to displacements of the floating body relative to the predetermined orientation for actuating the means for varying the buoyant forces whereby the buoyant forces are varied at selected loci to produce counteracting forces tending to return the floating body to the predetermined orientation and the actuating means including means for sensing displacements of the floating body relative to the predetermined orientation.

28 Claims, 23 Drawing Figures PATENTEDSEP 12 1972 SHEEI 1 BF 9 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS Cos-ms E.MAR\ AK\5 YnaaailiiMamw PATENTEDSEP 12 m2 SHEET 3 BF 9 z l/V vs/vrae PATENTED 3.689853 SHEET 7 OF 9 QOSTASEMARKAIQS m o mnm ATTORNEYS FATENTEDSEPIZIWZ 3.689853 SHEET 8 [IF 9 FONTQOL 7 INVENTOR COSTASEMARKA k. s

ATTORNEYS STABILIZED FLOATING STRUCTURE This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 751,463 filed Aug. 9, i968 and now abandoned.

This invention relates to an improved floating structure and more particularly to a novel floating structure which is adapted to be stabilized under adverse environmental conditions. The invention further contemplates novel floating bridges, vessels and aviation landin g decks having stabilized characteristics.

In the use of conventional floating structures such as floating bridges and marine vessels, it has been found that the stability of such structures is affected considerably by the effects of environmental conditions. The stability of conventional floating bridges commonly is affected by the effects of traffic loads, tides and the upsetting forces of winds, waves and seismic disturbances. Similarly, the stability of conventional marine vessels commonly is affected by the effects of upsetting forces of winds and waves.

The instability of conventional floating structures has had the effect of retarding the development of various types of structures such as floating bridges and aviation landing decks. The few existing installations of floating bridges have been limited to geographic regions where the environmental conditions tending to produce upsetting or disturbing forces are minimal. It thus has been found to'be desirable to provide a floating structure which is stable under any adverse environmental conditions.

Accordingly, the principal object of the present invention is to provide an improved floating structure.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a stabilized floating structure.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a novel floating structure which may be stabilized under adverse environmental conditions.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide an improved floating structure which will be stabilized when subjected to the upsetting or disturbing forces of winds and waves.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel floating structure which will remain stabilized when subjected to the upsetting or disturbing effects of variable traffic loads, tides and seismic phenomena.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a novel, stabilized floating bridge.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a novel, stabilized floating vessel.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel, stabilized floating aviation landing deck.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a novel, stabilized floating structure which is comparatively simple in construction, relatively easy to construct and install and inexpensive to maintain.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent to those persons skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains, from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, having a portion thereof broken away to expose the interior construction thereof;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view of an actuating unit utilized in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 3;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagrammatic view of the control system and the actuating units utilized in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 3;

FIG. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 8-8 in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 9-9 in FIG. 7;

FIGS. 10 and 10a are schematic diagrammatic views of the control systems and actuating units employed in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 7 through 9;

FIG. 11 is a vertical cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagrammatic view of the control system and actuating units of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a vertical cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 14 is a view similar to the view shown in FIG. 13, illustrating the embodiment subject to upsetting forces;

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagrammatic view of the control system and actuating units for the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14;

FIG. 16 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of a further embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 17 is a side elevational view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is an enlarged crosssectional view taken along line 1818 in FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 19-19 in FIG. 17;

FIG. 20 is a partial vertical cross-sectional view of a modification of the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 16 through 19;

FIG. 21 is another partial, vertical cross-sectional view of the modification illustrated in FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is a front elevational view of still another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 23 is a side elevational view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG 22, having a portion thereof broken away; and

- FIG. 24 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 24-24 in FIG. 23.

Briefly described, the present invention relates to a floating structure adapted to maintain a predetermined orientation generally comprising a floating body at least partially immersed in a fluid, means mounted in the body at selected loci for varying the buoyant forces acting on the selected loci, means responsive to displacements of the floating body relative to the predetermined orientation for actuating the means for varying the buoyant forces whereby the buoyant forces are varied at selected loci to produce counteracting forces tending to return the floating body to the predetermined orientation and the actuating means including means for sensing displacements of the floating body relative to the predetermined orientation. More specifically, the means mounted at selected loci for varying the buoyant forces acting on the floating body comprise immersed variable volume chambers communicating with the fluid in which the body is immersed, and the sensing means includes means for detecting external forces applied to the floating body tending to disturb the predetermined orientation of the body.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 5 of the drawings, there is illustrated a first embodiment of the invention. FIG. 1 specifically illustrates a pair of land bodies and 11, a body of water 12 between the land bodies, a pair of aligned

pier structures

13 and 14 connected to the land bodies and a floating bridge structure 15 interconnecting the two pier structure. The bridge structure 15 consists of a plurality of aligned floating bridge spans 16 which are secured together in end to end relation and which also are anchored by a plurality of transversely extending lines 17 moored to the bottom of the body of water, as shown at 18. The lines 17 function to prevent transverse movements of the bridge structure when lateral forces are applied, and permit vertical movement of the spans while limiting their upper displacement.

As best illustrated in FIG. 3, each component span consists of an upper platform section 19 whose position or orientation is sought to be stabilized when subjected to external disturbing forces, and a lower stabilizing section 20 which is at least partly immersed in the body of water 12. The sections 19 and 20 are movable relative to each other and are interconnected by a plurality of transversely and longitudinally spaced actuating units 21. The upper platform section 19 includes a frame structure 22 seated on the upper ends of the actuating units 21, a pair of

roadways

23 and 24 disposed on the frame structure 22 and separated by a divider wall 25, a pair of

pedestrian walkways

26 and 27 extending longitudinally along the outer sides of the

roadways

23 and 24, and a pair of

guard rails

28 and 29 extending along the outer sides of the

walkways

26 and 27.

The lower immersed section 20 includes a bottom wall 30 on which the actuating units 21 are mounted, a pair of

side walls

31 and 32 and a pair of end walls (not shown), defining a partially immersible, floating section having an open upper end. As best illustrated in FIG. 2, the lower immersed section 20 is provided with a plurality of transversely extending partition walls 33 forming transversely disposed compartments 34 in which the actuating units 21 are mounted. The lower section 20 further is provided with a plurality of longitudinally extending, transversely spaced walls 35 interconnecting spaced transverse walls 33, defining a plurality of compartments 36. The plurality of longitudinal and

transverse partition walls

33 and 35 define a compartmental immersed section 20 which affords structural water tight integrity to each bridge span.

in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 5, it is intended to maintain the upper platform section 22 in a predetermined orientation, i.e., in a horizontal position at a predetermined level when the bridge structure and its component spans are subjected to exterior forces such as traffic load, and the effects of tides, waves and winds applied at various points. This is accomplished by sensing the disturbing forces and adjusting the buoyant forces acting on the partially immersed lower section 20 of each span 16. Vertical loads resulting from traffic traversing the bridge structure tending to cause the upper platform section 22 to lower, are sensed and counteracted by a plurality of control systems 37 as illustrated in FIG. 5, which includes the actuating units 21. External forces such as those caused by winds and waves, tending to cause upsetting moments, are sensed and counteracted by a plurality of compensating units 38.

Each control system 37 includes a sensing unit 39 and a pneumatic system 40 connected to a plurality of actuating units 21. As best illustrated in FIG. 4, each actuating unit 21 consists of a base plate member 41 bolted to the bottom wall 30 of a partially immersed lower section 20, an upstanding piston member 42 rigidly mounted at its lower end on the base plate member 41, a compression spring 43 mounted around the piston member 42 and seated on the base plate member 41, and a fluid housing 44 which is adapted to receive the upper end of the piston member 42 in sliding relation therewith, and be seated on the upper end of the compression spring 43.

The housing member 44 includes a cylindrical section 45 having the upper end closed with a wall 46 and the lower end open for receiving the upper end of the piston member 42. The lower end of the cylindrical section 45 is provided with an annular flange 47 which is seated on the upper end of the compression spring 43 to support the entire housing member 44. The upper end of the cylindrical housing section 45 provides a fluid chamber 48 which is sealed from the exterior of the unit by means of a pair of seals 49 and 50 disposed between the piston member 42 and the lower end of the cylindrical housing section 45. It will be appreciated that the cylindrical housing section 45 will slide vertically relative to the piston member 42, depending upon the fluid pressure in the chamber 48, typical of conventional hydraulic cylinder assemblies.

The housing member 44 further includes an upper rectangular shaped housing section 51 which is rigidly mounted on the upper end of the cylindrical housing section 45. The housing section 51 includes an upper wall member 52 on which there is provided a mounting plate 53 for seating the frame structure 22 of the upper platform section 19, side walls 54 and a bottom wall 55 defining a fluid chamber 56 disposed about the upper end of the cylindrical housing section 45. lntercommunicating the

fluid chambers

48 and 56 are conduits 5 7.

The pneumatic system 40 comprises a compressed air system which is adapted to supply air under pressure to'the fluid chambers 56 of the actuating units 21. The system includes a compressor 58, a compressed air supply line 59 having a cut-off valve 60, a compressed air tank 61, an air supply line 62 having a two-way valve 63 and connecting to branch lines 64 and 65, and a manifold line 66 having outlets communicating with the upper portions of the fluid chambers 56 in the actuating units 21. It will be appreciated that when the two-way valve 63 is in the position of as illustrated in FIG. 5, and the compressor 58 is operating, air under pressure will be supplied to the fluid chambers 56 of the actuating units 21, forcing the liquid in such chambers through the conduits 57 into the fluid chambers 48, thus displacing the housing members 44 and, correspondingly, the upper platform section 22 of the component span, relative to the piston members 42 and, correspondingly, the partially immersed lower secoperated by a computer device 68. The selector valve 63 also is operated by the computer device responsive to input signals from the sensing units 39.

Each sensing unit 39 includes an electrical input circuit 69 connected to the computer 68 which is provided with a variable rheostat-70. The rheostat 70 has a movable contact 71 actuated by a link 72 rigidly secured to a weighing platform 73. As best illustrated in FIG. 1, a plurality of weighing platforms 73 are employed on the roadways 74 and 75 on the

pier structures

13 and 14. A pair of weighing platforms 73 is mounted on each pier structure adjacent the floating bridge structure, one in each lane of the roadway. Computer device 68 is adapted to receive signals from

input circuits

69, 69b and 69c of sensing units 39 including the weighing platforms 73, compute corrective signal outputs and transmit corrective signals to one or more motors 67 and selector valves 63 to operate the fluid systems controlling the actuator units in the component spans.

The unit 38, adapted to sense exterior disturbing forces of wind and waves, includes detecting vanes 76 and 77 disposed on opposite sides of the component span and pivotally connected to the lower ends of the

side walls

31 and 32 of the lower section as at 78 and 79. The vanes 76 and 77 have large plane surface areas extending above and below the water line which are adapted to be engaged by winds and waves normally applying upsetting forces to the component'span. The vanes are adapted to pivot in a vertical plane and are interconnected by a rigid linking member 80 which is pivotally and slidably connected at its outer ends to the vanes as at 81 and 82. The interconnecting member 80 extends through suitable openings 83 and 84 in

side walls

31 and 32 in the lower section 20, which are disposed above the water line. The upper ends of the vanes are connected to the upper ends of

side walls

31 and 32 by

cables

85 and 86 which are operatively connected to take-up

reels

87 and 88.

Mounted within the lower section 20 on the

side walls

31 and 32 substantially below the water line, are aligned cylinders 89 and 90 which communicate with the body of water. Disposed in the cylinders 89 and 90 are piston members 91 and 92 which are provided with rods pivotally and slidably connected at their outer ends to the vanes 76 and 77 as at 93 and 94. It will be noted that whenever a lateral force is applied to the component span, such force will be detected by a vane 76 or 77 and will cause the vane to move toward the component span and simultaneously to cause the other vane to move away from the component span. As the vanes pivot in such manner, the pistons 91 and 92 also will move, thus varying the displaced volumes of water on opposite sides of the component span. The variations in the displaced volumes of water will vary the buoyant forces acting on opposite sides of the component span, thus producing counteracting forces tending to oppose the upsetting moment caused by the later forces applied to the span.

In the operation of the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 5, for stabilizing the position of the upper platform section 19 horizontally and at a predetermined level, the buoyant forces acting on the lower section 20 are varied selectively to counteract the disturbing effects caused by the varying vertical load placed on the upper platform section 19 by the vehicles traversing the bridge structure, and the lateral loads applied to the component spans by waves and wind. It will be appreciated that the upper movement of the platform section 19 is limited by the anchor lines 17 which are secured at their upper ends to the platform section. Vertical loads tending to alter the vertical position of the upper platform section 19 are counteracted by the system illustrated in FIG. 5. Asymmetrical loads applied to the component span are counteracted by the system 38 including the sensing vanes 76 and 77.

It will be appreciated that as vehicles enter upon and are removed from the floating bridge structure, the vertical loads applied to the component spans of the bridge will vary. These variations are sensed by the weighing platforms 73 located on the roadways on the

pier structures

13 and 14 as the vehicles enter and exit the bridge structure. As previously mentioned, the vertical movements of the weighing platforms 73 are sensed by electrical sensing units 39 which transmit signals to computer 68. The computer is adapted to compute a correction for the displacement caused by the vertical load and transmit signals to motors 67 and valves 63 of the component spans to vary the supply of air to the actuating units 21. The variations of air supplied to the actuating unitswill vary the displacement between the upper platform section 19 and the lower section 20 of each component span. The variation in the displaced volume of water by the lower section 20 of each component span will alter the buoyant forces acting on the lower sections 20 of the component spans, thus counteracting the variations in vertical load applied to the bridge structure by traversing vehicles.

The detecting vanes 76 and 77 normally are in the positions illustrated by the phantom lines illustrated in FIG. 3. Assuming the component span illustrated in FIG. 3 is subjected to winds or waves from the port side, such forces would tend to cause the span to list to starboard. To counteract this lateral force applied to the span, the lateral component of force is detected by the vane 76 which is caused to pivot about its pivotal connection with the lower section 20 to the position as shown by solid lines in FIG. 3. Upon such pivotal movement, the vane 77 is caused to move from its position shown in phantom lines to the position shown in solid lines in FIG. 3. Simultaneous with the pivotal movements of the vanes 76 and 77, the pistons 91 and 92 will be caused to move to starboard to decrease the volume of displaced water in the cylindrical chamber 89 and correspondingly increase the volume of displaced water in the cylindrical chamber 90. This action will have the effect of decreasing the buoyant force acting on the port side of the span and increasing the buoyant forces acting on the starboard side of the span. The cumulative effect of the decrease and increase of the buoyant forces acting on opposite sides of the span, will be to create a righting force opposing the lateral forces of the wind or waves applied to the span, tending to return the span to its predetermined level orientation.

FIG. 6 illustrates a vertical cross-sectional view of a component span 100 comprising a second embodiment of the invention. The component span 100 is similar to the span described in connection with the first embodiment. The span 100 differs from the span 16 of the first embodiment, in that it comprises an integral structure and utilizes alternate means for counteracting the variations in vertical load applied to the span. As illustrated in FIG.'6, the span 100 is adapted to be partially immersed in a body of water and is anchored by means of

suitable anchor lines

101 and 102. The span consists of a bottom wall 103, a pair of

side walls

104 and 105, end walls (not shown), a plurality of transversely disposed partition walls 106, and a plurality of longitudinally disposed partition walls 107, providing a plurality of water tight compartments 108. Rigidly supported on the upper ends of the'partition walls and'the

side walls

104 and 105 is a frame structure 109 supporting a pair of roadways 110 and 111 separated by a divider 112, and a pair of

walkways

113 and 114 provided with guard rails l and 1 16.

Variations in vertically applied loads are counteracted by a system 117, while component lateral nicate with the body of water and are provided with pistons 121 and 122 which are movable within the chambers 1 19 and 120 to vary the displaced volumes of water in the chambers and, correspondingly, the buoyant forces acting on the span at the locations of the chambers.

The piston members 121 and 122 are actuated by

hydraulic cylinder assemblies

123 and 124 which are connected to a distributor valve 125 by fluid supply lines 126 through 129. The valve 125 is supplied with a working fluid under pressure by means of a pump 130 and a fluid supply line 131. It will be appreciated that the valve 125 will distribute fluid under pressure to the

hydraulic cylinder assemblies

123 and 125 to move the pistons 121 and 122 in the chambers 119 and 120 to vary the displaced volume of water in the chambers. The valve 125 is operated by a computer (not shown) which is adapted to receive signals from a vertical load detecting device such as described in connection with the first embodiment, compute counteracting forces sufficient to alter the buoyant forces acting on the span, thus varying the vertical displacement of the span, and transmit a signal to the control means for the valve 125 to supply predetermined amounts of working fluid under pressure to the hydraulic cylinders I23 and 124. It will be seen that whenever a vertical load is applied to the bridge structure, causing the spans to displace downwardly, the control system will operate the valve 125 to supply fluid under pressure through supply lines 126 and 128, moving the pistons 119 and 120 outwardly. The increase in the displaced volume of water in the chambers 119 and will increase the buoyant forces acting at such points, thus causing the entire span to move upwardly to its predetermined position.

Similar to the system described in connection with the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 5, the system 118 includes a pair of detecting vanes 131 and 132 mounted on opposite sides of the span. The vanes are pivotally connected to the lower ends of the

side walls

104 and 105 as at 133 and 134, and are disposed both below and above the water line so as to enable them to detect lateral forces applied to the span by waves or winds. The upper ends of the vanes are interconnected by a rigid linking member 135 which extends through aligned openings in

side walls

104 and 105 and is pivotally and slidably connected to the vanes as at 136 and 137. The upper ends of the vanes are urged into their normal positions by cable 138 and 139 which are operatively connected to take-up reels 140 and 141.

The component span 101 also is provided with a pair of

variable volume chambers

143 and 144 which communicate with the body of water below the water level and adjacent the vanes 131 and 132. Slidably mounted in the

chambers

133 and 134 are

piston members

145 and 146 having connecting rods pivotally and slidably connected to the adjacent vanes as at 147 and 148. It will be seen that as the vanes 131 and 132 pivot about their

pivot points

133 and 134 the

pistons

145 and 146 will move correspondingly to vary the displaced volume of water in the immersed

chambers

143 and 144.

In the operation of the system 118 to counteract the effects of wind or waves tending to disturb the stability of the component span, whenever the vane 131 is subjected to a lateral force of winds or waves, it will pivot to starboard, causing the vane 132 to pivot in the same direction. The movement of the vanes will cause

pistons

145 and 146 to move to starboard, thus decreasing the displaced volume of water in chamber 143 and, correspondingly, increasing the displaced volume ofwater in chamber 144. Such variations in displaced volumes will have the effect of decreasing the buoyant force acting on the port side of the span and increasing the buoyant force acting on the starboard side of the span. The combination of the increased and decreased buoyant forces acting on opposite sides of the span will have the effect of providing a righting force counteracting the lateral force of winds or waves applied to the span, thus tending to maintain or return the span to its predetermined level position. It will be appreciated that the

systems

117 and 118 are adapted to operate simultaneously to maintain the component span in a stabilized condition.

A third embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 7 through 10. Specifically referring to FIG. 7, there is illustrated a horizontal cross-sectional view of a component span 200 of a floating bridge structure similar to the bridge structure shown in FIG. 1. The component span 200 consists of a floating body anchored to the bottom of a body of water by means of

anchor lines

201 and 202, and includes a bottom wall 203,

side walls

204 and 205, and end

walls

206 and 207. The interior of the span is provided with a plurality of longitudinally disposed partition walls 208 and a plurality of transversely disposed partition walls 209 defining a plurality of watertight compartments 210.

Rigidly mounted on the side and partition walls is a frame structure 211 which supports a pair of roadways 212,212 separated by a divider 213. Also mounted on the frame structure along the outer sides of the roadways are pedestrian walkways214 and 215 provided with

guide rails

216 and 217.

As best illustrated in FIG. 7, the span is provided with two

systems

218 and 219 which are adapted to maintain the component span stabilized in a predetermined orientation under the influence of loads applied to the component span by traffic traversing the span and external forces such as winds and waves also tending to disturb the stability of the span. The system 218 is adapted to counteract vertical displacements of the component span caused 'by vehicles traversing the span and includes a plurality of pairs of

variable volume chambers

220 and 221 disposed on opposite sides of the span, below the water line and communicating with the body of water. The

variable volume chambers

220 and 221 are provided with sliding

pistons

222 and 223 which are actuated by a pair of

hydraulic cylinders

224 and 225. As best illustrated in FIG. 10, the rear ends of the cylinders 224 and- 225 are interconnected with a fluid line 226, which communicates with a fluid supply line 227, and the front ends of the cylinders are interconnected with a fluid line 228 which communicates with a fluid supply line 229. Fluid under pressure for actuating the

hydraulic cylinders

224 and 225 is provided by a pump 230. The pump is operated by a motor 231 and supplies fluid under pressure to

fluid supply lines

227 and 229 through a distribution valve 232. The operations of the motor 231 and the distribution valve 232 are controlled by a computer 233 which computes output signals for the motor valve as a result of input signals provided by the weighing platforms 234 located on the roadways of the piers adjacent the opposite ends of the floating bridge structure.

The system 219 includes a plurality of pairs of

variable volume chambers

235 and 236 disposed on opposite sides of the span below the water line which communicate with the body of water. The

chambers

235 and 236 are provided with

pistons

237 and 238 which are actuated by

hydraulic cylinders

239 and 240. As best illustrated in FIG. 10a, a fluid line 241 interconnects the front end of hydraulic cylinder 239 and the rear end of hydraulic cylinder 240, and ,commu nicates with a fluid supply line 242 connected to a distributor valve 243. Similarly, a fluid line 244 interconnects the rear end of hydraulic cylinders 239 and the front end of hydraulic cylinder 240, and communicates with a fluid supply line 245 which also is connected to the distributor valve 243. Fluid under pressure is supplied to the

fluid supply lines

242 and 245 through the distributor valve 243 by means of a pump 246 which is driven by a motor 247. The operations of the motor 247 and the distributor valve 243 are controlled by output signals from a computer 248. The computer is adapted to receive input signals from a gyroscopic device 249 sensing a variation of position due to the effects of winds or waves, and transmit command signals to the distributor valve 243 and the drive motor 247.

In the operation of the system 219 illustrated in FIG. 10a, whenever the component span 200 is subjected to the forces of wind or waves from the port side, the span will tend to list to starboard, causing the port side to rise unless restrained by the anchor line 201. Such variation in position will be sensed by the gyroscopic device 249 which will transmit a signal to the computer 248. Upon receipt of the input signal from the gyroscopic device, the computer 248 will compute the appropriate correction and will energize the motor 247 and set the distributor valve in the proper position. Under such circumstances, fluid under pressure will flow through supply line 242 and fluid line 241 to the front end of hydraulic cylinder 239 and the rear end of hydraulic cylinder 240 to cause the pistons to move to starboard. The movement of the pistons to starboard will have the effect of decreasing the displaced volume of water in variable chamber 235 and increasing the displaced volume of water in variable chamber 236 and, correspondingly, decreasing the buoyant force acting on the span at the point of the chamber 235 and increasing the buoyant force acting on the span at the point of the chamber 236. This alteration of the buoyant forces acting on the span at opposite sides thereof will have the effect of producing a counteracting righting force opposing the forces of the winds or waves applied to the port side of the span.

It is to be noted that the

systems

218 and 219 function concurrently to counteract the disturbing effects of vertical loads applied to the span by traversing vehicles and the lateral loads applied to the span by winds or waves. It further will be seen that the effects of tides which may vertically displace the span may be sensed by any suitable sensing device which would transmit a signal to the computer 233 which in turn will transmit a command signal to the distributor valve 232 to alter the buoyant forces acting on the span, thus counteracting the effects of tides tending to vertically displace the span.

Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12. In this embodiment, pneumatic means are provided for altering the buoyant forces acting on a span 300 at selected points to counteract the effects of vertical loads, tides, winds and waves acting on the span and tending to upset it. The component span 300 consists of a framework including an upper wall 301 on which there is provided a roadway 302 and

pedestrian walkways

303 and 304, a pair of

side walls

305 and 306 and a pair of end walls (not shown). The span further is provided with a plurality of longitudinal partition walls 307 and transverse partition walls 308. The inboard walls are provided with bottom walls 309 providing a plurality of closed chambers 310 and a plurality of chambers 311 communicating with the body of water. The outboard sections of the transverse walls 308 are provided with bottom walls 312 providing closed chambers 313 and

outboard chambers

314 and 315 which communicate at their lower ends with the body of water.

The upper and lateral movement of the component span 300 is limited by means of a pair of

anchor lines

316 and 317 anchored to the bottom of the body of water as at 318 and 319. The component span also is provided with a pair of upwardly and outwardly projecting

vanes

320 and 321 which are utilized to detect forces of wind and waves applied to the span tending to upset it from its normal position.

Generally, the span illustrated in FIG. 11 is stabilized by varying the amount of air under pressure supplied to the

variable volume chambers

311, 314 and 315 to counteract the effects of vertical displacement of the span due to vehicle loads applied to the bridge, and tides. It will be appreciated that by supplying or exhausting air under pressure to the variable volume chambers the displaced volume of water and, correspondingly, the buoyant forces acting on the span, can be varied to counteract vertical loads applied to the span. Similarly, lateral forces caused by winds or waves tending to cause the span to list, can be offset by selectively supplying air under pressure and exhausting the

variable volume chambers

314 and 315.

FIG. 12 illustrates a controlsystem 322 for supplying and exhausting air from the

variable volume chambers

311, 314 and 315 to counteract forces applied to the span 300 and-thus stabilize the span. The system includes a sensing device 323 which detects variations of orientation of the span and transmits a signal to a computer 324. The computer operates a motor 325 which drives a compressor 326. The compressor is connected to a compressed air tank 327 by means of a fluidline 328 including a relief valve 329.

Compressed air is supplied to the outboard chamber 314 by means .of a fluid supply line 330 and branch lines 331. The supply line 330 is provided with a valve 332 and the branch lines 331 are provided with twoway valves 333 which are operated by the computer 324. The two-way valves 333 are adapted to be operated to either supply air under pressure to the chamber 314 or to exhaust air in the chamber through exhaust lines 334.

Air under pressure similarly is supplied to outboard chamber 315 by means of a fluid supply line 335 and branch lines 336. The supply line 335 is provided with a valve 337 and the branch lines 336 are provided with two-way valves 338 which are operated by the computer 324. The two-way valves 338 are operable either to provide air under pressure to the outboard chamber 315, or to exhaust air therefrom through exhaust lines 339.

To provide air under pressure to. all of the variable volume chambers including the

outboard chambers

314 and 315 and the inboard'chambers 311, there is provided a fluid supply line 340, a manifold 341 and branch lines 342 which communicates with the inboard chambers 31], a fluid line 343 which communicates with the outboard chamber 314 and a fluid line 344 which communicates with the. outboard chamber 315. The fluid supply line 340 is provided with a valve 345, the branch lines 342 are provided with two-way valves 346, the branch line 343 is provided with a two-way valve 347, and the branch line 344 is provided with a two-way valve 348, all of which are operated by the computer 324. It will be noted that the two-

way valves

346, 347 and 348 are provided with

exhaust lines

349, 350 and 351, respectively, so that air may be supplied to or exhausted from the chambers 311,314 and 315.

In the operation of the system 322, whenever the component span 300 is displaced vertically as a result of any loading on the bridge or the effect of tides, the sensing device 323 detects the displacement and transmits a signal to the computer 324. The computer 324 continuously computes the corrective action for counteracting the displacement and transmits a command signal to the

valves

345, 346, 347 and 348, either to supply air under pressure or to exhaust-the chambers,

thus varying the volume of displaced water in the chambers and, correspondingly, varying the buoyant forces acting on the component span. The variation in the buoyant forces acting on the span will operate either to maintain or return the span to its predetermined level.

Whenever lateral forces caused by winds or waves are applied to the port side of the span, causing the span to list to starboard, the sensing device 323 detects the listing condition and transmits a signal to the com puter 324. The computer computes the corrective action and actuates a plurality of valves to vary the buoyant forces to provide a righting force, tending to return the span to its predetermined level orientation. In doing so,

valves

332 and 345 are closed and valve 337 is opened. Simultaneously, valves'338 are operated to supply air under pressure to the outboard chamber 315 and the valves 333 are operated to vent the outboard chamber 314 to the atmosphere. This action will have the effect of increasing the displaced volume of water in outboard chamber 315, thereby increasing the buoyant force applied to the starboard side of the span, and decreasing the displaced volume of water in outboard chamber 314, thereby decreasing the buoyant force applied to the port side of the span, providing a righting moment, tending to maintain or return the span to its predetermined level position.

It will be appreciated that lateral forces applied to the starboard side tending to cause the span to list to port, can be counteracted in a similar manner by increasing the displaced volume of water in chamber 314 and decreasing the displaced volume of water in chamber 315.

FIGS. 13 through 15 illustrate a modification of the embodiment shown in FIG. 11. The modification consists of a component span 400 including a bottom wall 401,

side walls

402 and 403 and endwalls (not shown). The interior of the span is provided with a plurality of longitudinal partition walls 404 and transverse partition walls 405, defining a plurality of watertight compartments 406. Supported on the

partition walls

404 and 405 is a frame structure 407 on which there is mounted a roadway 408 and

walkways

409 and 410.

Mounted on the outboard sides of

side walls

402 and 403 are variable volume chambers .411 and 412 which communicate at their lower ends with the body of water. The displaced volume of water in the

variable volume chambers

411 and 412 can be varied to correspondingly vary the buoyant forces acting at different points on the span to provide corrective forces tending to counteract the effects of vertical and lateral loads applied to the span.

FIG. 15 illustrates a control system 413 utilized in the modification illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14. The system includes a motor 414 which drives a compressor 415 to pressurize an air tank 416. Air under pressure is supplied through a line 417 including a relief valve 418 to fluid supply line 419 and 420. Pairs of

branch lines

421 and 422 provided with

valves

423 and 424 interconnect supply line 419 with the starboard chambers 412. Similarly, pairs of

branch lines

425 and 426 provided with

valves

426a and 427 interconnect the supply line 420 with port chamber 411. In addition, there are provided equalizing

lines

428 and 429, provided with

valves

430, 431, 432 and 433 which intercommunicate port and

starboard chambers

411 and 412. The port chambers 411 are provided with

vents

435 and 436, having

valves

437 and 438. Similarly, the starboard chambers 412 are provided with

vents

439 and 440 having

valves

441 and 442.

Each of the valves in the fluid supply lines and the vent lines are electrically operated. As illustrated in FIG. 15, the valves 430v and 433 are connected to an electrical supply circuit 443,

valves

423 and 424 are connected to supply circuit 446 and

valves

440 and 441 are connected to supply circuit 447, which are selectively energized either by a control computer 444 or a gyroscopic device 445. Similarly,

valves

431 and 432 are connected to an electrical supply circuit 443a,

valves

426a and 427 are connected to a supply circuit 446a and

valves

437 and 438 are connected to supply circuit 447a, which are selectively energized by the control computer 444 and the gyroscopic device 445.

In the operation of the modification illustrated in FIGS. 13 through 15, whenever the span 400 is displaced vertically from its predetermined level, a sensing device of the type as previously described with respect to the aforementioned embodiments, will transmit a signal to the control computer 444, indicating the nature and degree of displacement. The control computer will compute the appropriate correction and selectively energize

supply circuits

446 and 446a or 447 and 4470, and circuits 443 and 443a to supply or exhaust air from the variable volume chambers 41 1 and 412. It will be appreciated that by either increasing or decreasing the displaced volume of water in the

chambers

411 and 412 symmetrically, the buoyant forces acting on the span will correspondingly be varied to provide a counteracting force, tending to return the span to the predetermined position. It further will be seen that the

valves

430, 431, 432 and 433 will be open during correction for vertical displacement to intercommunicate the port and starboard chambers, thereby preventing the formation of asymmetrical forces tending to cause the span to list either to port or starboard.

When the span is subjected to lateral forces of winds or waves as illustrated in FIG. 14, this condition is sensed by the gyroscopic device which operates to energize the starboard supply circuit 446, causing

valves

423 and 424 to open, and air under pressure to be supplied to the starboard chambers 412 and, simultaneously, to energize supply circuit 447a, causing

valves

437 and 438 to open, thereby exhausting air from the port chambers 411. The effect of such action will be to increase the displaced volume of water in the starboard chambers 412 and decrease the displaced volume of water in the port chambers 411. This, correspondingly, will increase the buoyant force acting on the starboard side of the span and decrease the buoyant force acting on the port side of the span, thereby developing a righting force tending to return the span to its predetermined level position. It will be seen that when the span is subjected to lateral forces applied to the starboard side that a similar remedial action occurs to provide a righting force to return the span to its predetermined level position. It further will be appreciated that correction for vertical displacement and list can occur simultaneously to counteract a multitude of random forces applied to the span, tending to disturb its stability.

FIGS. 16 through 19 illustrate an embodiment of the invention as applied to a vessel for stabilizing the vessel by eliminating or decreasing the effects of roll and pitch. Referring to FIGS. 16 and 17, there is illustrated a vessel 500, having a hull 501 including a bow section 502, a stern section 503 and an amidship section 504. As best seen in FIG. 16, there is provided a roll control system 505 located amidship, and

pitch control systems

506 and 507 located in the bow and stem sections. The

pitch control systems

506 and 507 are similar in construction and operation, although they are operated to produce opposite effects to eliminate pitching of the vessel. I

Referring to FIG. 18, there is illustrated the pitch control system 507. This system includes a variable volume chamber 508 disposed on the starboard side below the waterline and communicating with the water, and a variable volume chamber 509 mounted on the port side below the waterline and communicating with the water. The ends of the

variable volume chambers

508 and 509 opened to the sea, are provided with

space plate members

510 and 511 which readily permit flow of water into and out of the chambers, yet prevent entry of any foreign undesirable matter which might cause damage to the interior of the chambers. The starboard chamber 508 is provided with a piston member 512, which is actuated by a hydraulic cylinder 513. Similarly, the port chamber 509 is provided with a piston member 514 which is actuated by a hydraulic cylinder 515. The front and rear ends of the hydraulic cylinder 513 are connected by fluid supply lines 516 and 517 to a distributor valve 518. Similarly, fluid supply lines 519 and 520 interconnect the front and rear ends of the hydraulic cylinder 515 with the distributor valve 518. Fluid under pressure is supplied to the distributor valve 518 through a fluid circuit 521 provided with a pump 522 driven by a motor 523. The distributor valve 518 and the motor 523 are operated by a gyroscopic device 524.

In the operation of the control system 507, whenever a vertical displacement of the stern section of the hull is sensed by the gyroscopic device 524, command signals are transmitted to the motor 523 and the distributor valve 518 to supply fluid under pressure either to the front or rear ends of the

hydraulic cylinders

513 and 515 to move the

piston members

512 and 514 either outwardly or inwardly to vary the volume of displaced water in the port and

starboard chambers

508 and 509. The variation in the displaced volume of water in the

chambers

508 and 509 will vary the buoyant forces acting on the stern section of the hull, thus tending to return the hull section to a predetermined level position. As previously mentioned, the control system. 506 functions similarly to the control section 507 producing a complementary action tending to maintain the hull of the vessel on even keel.

The roll control system 505 illustrated in FIG. 19 includes a pair of

variable volume chambers

525 and 526 mounted on the starboard and port sides of the hull below the waterline and communicating with the open sea. The open ends of the

chambers

525 and 526 are provided with spaced plate members 527 and 5 28 which similarly to the

plate members

510 and 511 permit flow of water into and out of the

chambers

525 and 526, yet prevent the entry of foreign objects tending to cause damage to the interior of the chambers. The

chambers

525 and 526 are provided with

piston members

529 and 530 which are actuated by

hydraulic cylinders

531 and 532. The front and rear ends of the hydraulic cylinder 531 are connected to a distributor valve 533 by means of fluid lines 534 and 535. Similarly, the front and rear ends of hydraulic cylinder 532 are connected to the distributor valve 533 by means of fluid lines 536 and 537. Fluid under pressure is supplied to the-distributor valve 533 by means of a fluid circuit 538 which includes a pump 539 driven by a motor 540. The operation of the distributor valve 533 and the motor 540 is controlled by a gyroscopic device 541 which is adapted to sense rolling conditions, compute corrective measures and transmit command signals to the distributor valve and motor. It will be appreciated that a single gyroscopic device can be employed to sense both roll and pitch conditionsand control the distributor valves and motors for each of the

control systems

505, 506 and 507.

In the operation of the control system 505, when the vessel tends to roll to starboard, the gyroscopic device 541 senses the condition and transmits a signal to the motor 540 and the distributor valve 533 to supply fluid under pressure to the rear end of hydraulic cylinder 531 and the front end of hydraulic cylinder 532 to extend the piston member 529 and retract the piston member 530. The result of such piston action will be to increase the displaced volume of water in chamber 525 and decrease the displaced volume of water in the chamber 526, as illustrated in FIG. 19, to increase the buoyant forces acting on the starboard side of the vessel and decrease the buoyant forces acting on the port side of the vessel. Such variation in the buoyant forces will produce a righting moment tending to counteract the roll of the vessel to starboard. It will be appreciated that the control system 505 operates in a similar manner to counteract the vessel rolling to port. In addition, it will be seen that the

pitch control systems

506 and 507 will operate in a complementary manner simultaneously with the operation of the roll control system 505 to maintain the vessel in a stabilized position. In operating the

control systems

506 and 507 to stabilize the vessel, the control system 506 controls the buoyant forces acting on the bow section 502 of the vessel while the control system 507 controls the buoyant forces acting on the stern section 503 of the vessel. The inlets of the variable volume chambers of the pitch control system 506 are shielded by spaced plate members 542 and 543 as best illustrated in FIG. 16.

FIGS. 20 and 21 illustrate a modification of the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 16 through 19. More specifically, FIG. 20 illustrates a roll control system adapted to be positioned amidship in a vessel, and FIG. 21 illustrates a pitch control system adapted to be positioned in the bow and stern sections of a vessel.

The roll control system 600 is mounted in the amidship section 601 of a vessel and includes a starboard chamber 602 mounted in the hull of the vessel below the waterline and communicating at the lower end thereof with the open sea, and a port chamber 603 which also is positioned below the waterline and communicates at its lower end with the open sea. The lower openings in the chambers 602 and 603 are provided with spaced shield plates 604 and 605 to readily permit the flow of water into and out of the chambers 602 and 603, yet prevent the entry of any foreign objects which would tend to cause damage to the interior of the chambers. The system 600 also includes a compressor 606 which provides a reservoir of compressed air in a tank 607 for the entire system. The tank 607 is connected to the variable volume chambers 602 and 603 by' means of an air supply line 608 having a valve 609 and an air line 610 having

valves

611 and 612 for controlling the air supplied to the chambers 602 and 603. Also interconnecting the chambers 602 and 603 is a fluid supply line 613 having valves 614 and 615 adjacent the chambers 602 and 603. The variable volume chambers also are adapted to be vented to the atmosphere through

vent conduits

616 and 617 provided with

valves

618 and 619, respectively.

The various control valves for supplying and exhausting air under pressure in the variable volume chambers 602 and 603 are electrically actuated by a gyroscopic device 620 and a control unit 621.

The roll control system 600 is operative when the vessel rolls to starboard, as illustrated in fig. 20, to vent the air in the port chamber 602 and supply air under pressure to the starboard chamber 603. This will have the effect of decreasing the displaced volume of water in the port chamber 602 and increasing the displaced volume of water in the starboard chamber 603 to correspondingly decrease the buoyant forces acting on the port side of the vessel and increase the buoyant forces acting on the starboard side of the vessel. The variation of buoyant forces on the starboard and port sides of the vessel will develop a righting force, tending to counteract the roll of the vessel to starboard.

The roll conditions of the vessel are detected by the gyroscopic device 620 which energizes the appropriate electrical circuits to open and close the appropriate valves to either supply or exhaust air under pressure in the variable volume chambers 602 and 603.

The pitch control system 622, as illustrated in FIG. 21 is intended to be positioned in the bow and stem sections of the vessel, so that a pair of systems operates in a complementary manner to counteract the effects of the pitching motion of the vessel. The system 622 includes a port chamber 623 positioned below the waterline and communicating at its lower end with the open sea, and a starboard chamber 624 also positioned below the waterline and having a lower opening communicating with the open sea. The openings in the chambers 623 and 624 are provided with

shield plates

625 and 626 which readily permit the flow of water into and out of the chambers, yet prevent foreign objects from entering the chambers. The chambers 623 and 624 are supplied with air under pressure from a compressed air tank 627 through a fluid supply line 628 having a valve 629 and an air line 630 having two-

way valves

631 and 632 disposed adjacent the chambers 623 and 624. The chambers also may be vented to the atmosphere through two-

way valves

631 and 632 and vent

conduits

633 and 634. The compressor 635 and two-

way valves

631 and 632 are operated by a gyroscopic device 636 and a control unit 637, either to supply air under pressure to the chambers 623 and 624, or to exhaust air therefrom through

vent conduits

633 and 634.

In the operation of the pitch control system 622, whenever a pitching condition is detected by a gyroscopic device 636, the two-way valves 623 and 632 are operated either to supply or exhaust air in the

chambers

633 and 624, thereby varying the displaced volume of water in the chambers. The variation of the displaced volume of water'in the chambers 623 and 624 will have the effect of varying the buoyant forces acting on the bow and stern sections of the vessel. Such variations in buoyant forces are utilized to counteract the pitching motion of the vessel, thereby stabilizing the vessel. It will be noted that the roll control system 600 and the pitch control systems 622 are operated simultaneously to counteract the roll-and pitch motions of the vessel, thereby stabilizing the orientation of the vessel.

FIGS. 22 through 24 illustrate the application of the invention in stabilizing a floating section 700 of an aircraft take-off and landing deck. As illustrated in FIGS. 22 and 23, the floating section 700 includes a plurality of component spans 701, each of which are anchored to the bottom of a body of water 702 by means of anchor cables 703. Each span 701 includes a plurality of stabilizing systems 704 which are operative to prevent the span from listing either to starboard or port as a result of lateral forces applied to the span by winds or waves. The system 704 consists of a chamber 705 disposed below the waterline of the body of water and communicating with the open sea. Mounted in the chamber 705 is a piston member 706 having a pair of piston rods 707 and 708, guided in bearing members 709 and 710 and interconnected at their rearward ends by a member 711. The piston member 706 is normally biased outwardly by a pair of springs 712 and 713 and is adapted to be moved inwardly by a hydraulic cylinder 714 operatively connected to the cross piece member 711.

Pivotally mounted on the lower submerged side of the span 701 is a detecting vane 715 which extends above the waterline. The vane 715 has a plane surface which is engaged by wind and waves, so that it may detect the degree of such forces applied to the side of the span. The vane 715 is provided with an actuating rod 716 slidably connected at one end to the vane as at 717 and rigidly connected to a piston member 718 at the opposite end thereof, slidably mounted in a cylinder 719 in the side of the span 701. The closed end of the cylinder 719 is provided with a working fluid and communicates with the front end of the hydraulic cylinder 714 through a closed fluid line 720.

It thus will be seen that when the lateral forces of winds or waves are applied to the detecting vane 715, tiwill be caused to pivot towards the span 701, moving the piston member 718 inwardly to force working fluid from the chamber 719 to the hydraulic cylinder 714. The admission of working fluid into the cylinder 714 will cause the piston rods 707 and 708 and the piston member 706 to move inwardly, thereby decreasing the displaced volume of water in chamber 705. The decrease in the displaced volume of water in chamber 705, will have the effect of decreasing the buoyant force acting on the span at the point of the chamber 705, thus counteracting the lateral force applied to the span, tending to lift the span upwardly. The cooperation of the various systems 704 located on the starboard and port sides of each span 701 will have the effect of stabilizing the landing deck 700.

lclaim:

1. A floating structure adapted to maintain a predetermined orientation comprising a body only partially immersed in a fluid, said body having a plurality of constantly totally immersed, vertically disposed chambers communicating at the lower ends thereof with said fluid, means for supplying air under pressure to and venting said chambers, means for controlling the supply of air under pressure to and the venting of said chambers, means for sensing variations of said floating structure relative to said predetermined orientation, and said control means being operable responsive to said sensing means to selectively supply air under pressure to and vent said chambers to provide variable pressures in said chambers to vary the volumes of displaced fluid in said chambers and correspondingly vary the buoyant forces acting on said floating structure, while maintaining constant the resultant buoyant force applied to said floating structure, acting through the center of gravity thereof, to return said structure to said predetermined orientation.

2. A floating structure according to claim 1 wherein said sensing means includes means for sensing vertical loads applied to said floating body.

3. A floating structure according to claim 2 wherein said means for sensing vertical loads applied to said floating body comprises weighing means.

4. A floating structure according to claim 1 wherein said sensing means includes means for sensing lateral loads applied to said floating body.

5. A floating structure according to claim 2 including a second plurality of constantly totally immersed, vertically disposed chambers, disposed on opposite sides of said body, having the lower ends thereof communicating with said fluid, means for supplying air under pres sure to and venting said chambers second means for sensing variations of said body relative to said predetermined orientation to lateral forces applied to said body, and said control means being operable responsive to said second sensing means to selectively supply air under pressure to and vent said second plurality of chambers to provide variable pressures in said chambers and thereby vary the volumes of displaced fluid therein and correspondingly vary the buoyant forces acting on said body to counteract the upsetting effects of said lateral forces, and return said body to said predetermined orientation.

6. A floating structure according to claim 1 wherein said sensing means includes means for sensing both vertical and lateral loads applied to said floating body.

7. A floating structure adapted to maintain a predetermined orientation comprising a floating body only partially immersed in a body of water, having longitudinal and transverse center lines and a plurality of vertically disposed chambers communicating at the lower ends thereof with said body of water, disposed on each side of at least one of said center lines, said chambers being disposed constantly below the water line, means for supplying air under pressure to and venting said chambers, means for sensing variations of said floating body relative to said predetermined orientation, and control means responsive to said sensing means for selectively supplying air under pressure to means for limiting the upper displacement of said first body section, a second body section supporting said first body section said first body section being displaceable relative to said second body section, said second body section having a portion thereof partly immersible in a fluid to produce a buoyant force acting on said structure, means for varying the displacement between said body sections, means responsive to variations of said first body section relative to said predetermined orientation for actuating said means for varying the displacement between said bodies thereby varying the immersed volume of said second body section whereby the buoyant forces acting on said structure are varied to produce counteracting forces tending to return said first body section to said predetermined orientation and said actuating means including means for sensing variations of said first body section relative to said predetermined orientation. 7

9.'A floating structure according to claim 8, wherein said means for varying the displacement between said bodies comprises at least one variable volume chamber disposed between said body sections and said actuating means comprises a system of fluid under pressure connected to said chamber for varying the volume thereof whereby a variation of volume of said chamber will cause displacement between said body sections thus producing corresponding variations in the buoyant forces acting on said structure.

10. A floating structure according to claim 8, wherein said sensing means includes a weighing means for sensing vertical loads applied to said first body section.

11. A floating structure adapted to maintain a predetermined orientation comprising a floating body at least partially immersed in a fluid, means mounted in said body at selected loci varying the buoyant forces acting on said selected loci, means responsive to variations of said floating body relative to said predetermined orientation for actuating said means for varying said buoyant forces whereby said buoyant forces are varied at selected loci to produce counteracting forces tending to return said floating body to said predetermined orientation and said actuating means including means for sensing variations of said floating body relative to said predetermined orientation, said sensing means including a weighing means for sensing vertical loads applied to said floating body.

12. A floating structure according to claim 11 wherein said means mounted at selected loci for varying the buoyant forces acting on said floating body comprise a plurality of immersed chambers communicating with said fluid, each of said chambers having a piston for varying the displaced volume of fluid therein, said piston being operatively connected to said actuating means, and wherein said actuating means comprises a fluid system including a source of fluid under pressure, fluid operated actuators for extending and retracting said pistons to vary the displaced volume of said fluid selectively, and control means responsive to said sensing means for selectively supplying fluid under pressure to said fluid operated actuators.

13. A floating structure according to claim 11 wherein said means mounted at selected loci for varying the buoyant forces acting on said floating body comprise a plurality of immersed chambers communicating with said fluid, each of said chambers having a piston for varying the displaced volume of fluid therein, said piston being operatively connected to said actuating means, and wherein said sensing means comprises a weighing ,means for sensing vertical loads applied to said floating body.

14. A floating structure adapted to maintain a predetermined orientation comprising a floating body at least partially immersed in a fluid, means mounted in said body at selected loci for varying the buoyant forces acting on said selected loci, means responsive to variations of said floating body relative to said predetermined orientation for actuating said means for varying said buoyant forces whereby said buoyant forces are varied at selected loci to produce counteracting forces tending to return said floating body to said predetermined orientation and said actuating means including means for sensing variations of said floating body relative to said predetermined orientation, said means mounted at selected loci for varying the buoyant forces acting on said floating body comprising a plurality of immersed chambers communicating at the lower ends thereof with said fluid, said actuating means comprising a pneumatic system including a source of gas under pressure, circuit means interconnecting said source of gas under pressure with said chambers, means for venting said chambers and control means responsive-to said sensing means for selectively supplying fluid under pressure to and venting said chambers, and said sensing means comprising a weighing means for sensing vertical loads applied to said floating body.

15. A floating structure adapted to maintain a predetermined orientation comprising a floating body having longitudinal and transverse center lines, said floating body being at least partially immersed in a fluid, at least one means for varying the buoyant forces acting on said floating body mounted in said floating body on each side of at least one of said center lines, means responsive to variations of said floating body relative to said predetermined orientation for actuating said means for varying the buoyant forces whereby said buoyant forces are varied to produce counteracting forces tending to return said floating body to said predetermined orientation and said actuating means including means for sensing variations of said floating body relative to said predetermined orientation, said sensing means including a weighing means for sensing vertical loads applied to said floating body.

16. A floating structure adapted to maintain a predetermined orientation comprising a floating body having longitudinal and transverse center lines, said floating body being at least partially immersed in a fluid, at least one means for varying the buoyant forces acting on said floating body mounted in said floating

Claims

5. A floating structure according to claim 2 including a second plurality of constantly totally immersed, vertically disposed chambers, disposed on opposite sides of said body, having the lower ends thereof communicating with said fluid, means for supplying air under pressure to and venting said chambers second means for sensing variations of said body relative to said predetermined orientation to lateral forces applied to said body, and said control means being operable responsive to said second sensing means to selectively supply air under pressure to and vent said second plurality of chambers to provide variable pressures in said chambers and thereby vary the volumes of displaced fluid therein and correspondingly vary the buoyant forces acting on said body to counteract the upsetting effects of said lateral forces, and return said body to said predetermined orientation.

7. A floating structure adapted to maintain a predetermined orientation comprising a floating body only partially immersed in a body of water, having longitudinal and transverse center lines and a plurality of vertically disposed chambers communicating at the lower ends thereof with said body of water, disposed on each side of at least one of said center lines, said chambers being disposed constantly below the water line, means for supplying air under pressure to and venting said chambers, means for sensing variations of said floating body relative to said predetermined orientation, and control means responsive to said sensing means for selectively supplying air under pressure to and venting said chambers to provide variable pressures in said chambers, for varying the displaced volumes of water in said chambers and correspondingly varying the buoyant forces acting on said fluid body, while maintaining constant the resultant force applied to said floating structure, acting through the center of gravity thereof, to provide counteracting forces operable to return said floating body to said predetermined orientation.

8. A floating structure comprising a first body section adapted to maintain a predetermined orientation, means for limiting the upper displacement of said first body section, a second body section supporting said first body section said first body section being displaceable relative to said second body section, said second body section having a portion thereof partly immersible in a fluid to produce a buoyant force acting on said structure, means for varying the displacement between said body sections, means responsive to variations of said first body section relative to said predetermined orientation for actuating said means for varying the displacement between said bodies thereby varying the immersed volume of said second body section whereby the buoyant forces acting on said structure are varied to produce counteracting forces tending to return said first body section to said predetermined orientation and said actuating means including means for sensing variations of said first body section relative to said predetermined orientation.

9. A floating structure according to claim 8, wherein said means for varying the displacement between said bodies comprises at least one variable volume chamber disposed between said body sections and said actuating means comprises a system of fluid under pressure connected to said chamber for varying the volume thereof whereby a variation of volume of said chamber will cause displacement between said body sections thus producing corresPonding variations in the buoyant forces acting on said structure.

13. A floating structure according to claim 11 wherein said means mounted at selected loci for varying the buoyant forces acting on said floating body comprise a plurality of immersed chambers communicating with said fluid, each of said chambers having a piston for varying the displaced volume of fluid therein, said piston being operatively connected to said actuating means, and wherein said sensing means comprises a weighing means for sensing vertical loads applied to said floating body.

14. A floating structure adapted to maintain a predetermined orientation comprising a floating body at least partially immersed in a fluid, means mounted in said body at selected loci for varying the buoyant forces acting on said selected loci, means responsive to variations of said floating body relative to said predetermined orientation for actuating said means for varying said buoyant forces whereby said buoyant forces are varied at selected loci to produce counteracting forces tending to return said floating body to said predetermined orientation and said actuating means including means for sensing variations of said floating body relative to said predetermined orientation, said means mounted at selected loci for varying the buoyant forces acting on said floating body comprising a plurality of immersed chambers communicating at the lower ends thereof with said fluid, said actuating means comprising a pneumatic system including a source of gas under pressure, circuit means interconnecting said source of gas under pressure with said chambers, means for venting said chambers and control means responsive to said sensing means for selectively supplying fluid under pressure to and venting said chambers, and said sensing means comprising a weighing means for sensing vertical loads applied to said floating body.

16. A floating structure adapted to maintain a predetermined orientation comprising a floating body having longitudinal and transverse center lines, said floating body being at least partially immersed in a fluid, at least one means for varying the buoyant forces acting on said floating body mounted in said floating body on each side of at least one of said center lines, means responsive to variations of said floating body relative to said predetermined orientation for actuating said means for varying the buoyant forces whereby said buoyant forces are varied to produce counteracting forces tending to return said floating body to said predetermined orientation and said actuating means including means for sensing variations of said floating body relative to said predetermined orientation, said actuating means being operable selectively to actuate both of said varying means simultaneously to counteract any vertical displacement of said floating body thus returning said floating body to said predetermined orientation, to actuate said varying means selectively to produce righting forces about said center line to counteract external forces applied to said floating body tending to produce upsetting moments about said center line thus returning said floating body to said predetermined orientation, and to actuate said varying means to produce opposed forces acting vertically and about said center line to counteract a combination of forces tending to displace said floating body vertically and simultaneously producing an upsetting moment about said center line thus returning said floating body to said predetermined orientation, and said sensing means including a weighing means for sensing vertical loads applied to said floating body.

17. A floating structure adapted to maintain a predetermined orientation comprising a floating body having longitudinal and transverse center lines and at least a portion thereof immersed in a fluid, at least one set of first reaction means mounted in said floating body, disposed symmetrically relative to at least one of said center lines for varying the buoyant forces acting on said floating body, at least one set of second reaction means mounted in said floating body, symmetrically relative to one of said center lines, for varying the buoyant forces acting on said floating body, means responsive to variations of said floating body relative to said predetermined orientation for actuating said first and second reaction means for varying the buoyant forces whereby said buoyant forces are varied to produce reaction forces tending to return said floating body to said predetermined orientation and said actuating means including means for sensing variations of said floating body relative to said predetermined orientation, and said sensing means including a weighing means for sensing vertical loads applied to said floating body.

18. A floating structure adapted to maintain a predetermined orientation comprising a floating body at least partially immersed in a body of fluid, a platform supported on said floating body, said floating body having a first plurality of spaced chambers, means for detecting loads applied to said platform, means for varying fluid in said first plurality of chambers in response to loading of said platform to vary the buoyant forces acting on said floating body in counteracting the effects of said loading and returning said structure to said predetermined orientation, said floating body having a second plurality of spaced chambers communicating with said body of fluid, means for displacing fluid in said seCond plurality of chambers, and means responsive to exterior forces applied to said structure tending to displace said structure from said predetermined orientation for actuating said displacing means to vary the buoyant forces produced by said second plurality of chambers to counteract the upsetting effects of said exterior forces and returning said structure to said predetermined orientation.

19. A floating structure adapted to maintain a predetermined orientation according to claim 18 wherein said detecting means comprises weighing means.

20. A floating structure adapted to maintain a predetermined orientation according to claim 18 wherein said displacing means comprise pistons.

21. A floating structure adapted to maintain a predetermined orientation according to claim 18 wherein said actuating means comprise vanes operatively connected to said displacing means.

22. A floating structure adapted to maintain a predetermined orientation according to claim 18 wherein said displacing means comprise pistons and said actuating means comprise vanes operatively connected to said pistons.

23. A floating structure adapted to maintain a predetermined orientation according to claim 22 wherein said vanes are pivotally connected to said floating body and are engageable by wind and waves acting on said structure.

24. A floating structure adapted to maintain a predetermined orientation according to claim 18 including means for limiting the upward movement of said floating body.

25. A floating structure adapted to maintain a predetermined orientation according to claim 18 wherein said detecting means comprises weighing means, said displacing means comprise pistons, said actuating means comprise vanes pivotally to said floating body and operatively connected to said pistons, and including means for limiting the upward movements of said floating body.

26. A floating structure adapted to maintain a predetermined orientation according to claim 18 wherein said chambers operable to vary the buoyant forces acting on said floating body are disposed on opposite sides of at least one center line of said floating body to produce selectively vertical and righting forces counteracting upsetting forces applied to said structure.

27. A floating structure adapted to maintain a predetermined orientation according to claim 26 wherein said chambers are disposed equidistantly relative to said center line.

28. A floating structure adapted to maintain a predetermined orientation according to claim 26 wherein said vanes are disposed on opposite sides of said floating structure and are operatively interconnected to simultaneously actuate at least two displacing means producing cooperative righting forces.