AU737837B3 - Wave attenuation device - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION PETTY PATENT Invention Title: WAVE ATTENUATION DEVICE Name of Applicant: ECOFLEX AUSTRALIA PTY LIMITED The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: 2 WAVE ATTENUATION DEVICE Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a wave attenuation device including one or more tyres, wherein at least one of the tyres includes a flotation means.

Background of the Invention Wave attenuation is necessary in many locations adjacent to large bodies of water, such as seas, oceans, lakes and rivers. Wave attenuation involves absorbing at least some of the energy of a wave prior to its reaching the shore or a structure originally located in the water, primarily to prevent destruction or damage by the wave, but to still allow the passage of water.

Wave attenuation devices are known in the art. Known timber devices are prone to rot and fouling, and require constant maintenance to prevent failure. Wave attenuation devices employing tyres are also known in the art.

Examples are shown in US 3884042, FR 2303119, SU 829764, DE 3422888, SU 1176007, WO 90/12155 and AU 16519/95. It would be advantageous if an alternative attenuation device could be provided.

Summary of the Invention The present invention, provides a floatable unit for use in a wave attenuation device, the unit including two or more tyres, at least one of the tyres including a flotation device associated therewith, wherein a peripheral element extends circumferentially around the outside of the two or more tyres and is. joined to the tyres to define the unit.

The employment of tyres as part of a floatable unit ina wave attenuation device has a number of.benefits.

Firstly, used tyres present an increasing environmental problem and they are generally difficult to dispose of.

Secondly, tyres are inherently strong and resilient, and the applicants have discovered that they are highly suitable for wave attenuation. Thirdly, tyres are relatively resistant to rot and fouling.

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0 3 Preferably the flotation device is located in the hollow circumferential interior of the tyre, and typically in a manner that still leaves an opening through the tyre.

This allows the easy tieing together of tyres, and also allows the device to readily sit above and below the water line. It also allows for ease of cleaning (described below).

Typically the two or more tyres abut at their treads and lie within the same plane. In one preferred variation, four co-planar tyres are provided in a generally square configuration, with each tyre abutting two other adjacent tyres at the treads thereof.

Preferably each tyre in the same plane includes a flotation means.

In another variation, the floatable unit includes a main or central flotation plane defined by a plurality of tyres, each provided with a flotation device. Preferably the or each tyre in this flotation plane has an additional tyre located over and/or under it, with each additional tyre abutting the or each flotation plane tyre at adjacent respective side walls, or at its tread.

Preferably the unit includes a tie means to tie the one or more additional tyre(s) to the or each same plane tyre. The tie means may be in the form of a chain, rope, bolts, etc. formed from appropriate water and corrosion resistant materials.

Preferably the peripheral element can additionally extend around the additional tyre(s) employed with the or each tyre. Typically the peripheral element is defined by one or more lengths of tyre tread or conveyor belt which are then affixed to the plurality of tyres by bolting).

Preferably a plurality of floatable units are tied together to define an elongate wave attenuation device.

Preferably the flotation device is a length of buoyant polymeric foam material that is flexible for bending) for location in the hollow circumferential interior of the tyre. A suitable material is a buoyant polypropylene or polystyrene foam.

4 Brief Description of the Drawings Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall in the scope of the present invention, preferred forms of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a plan view of a basic floatable unit for use in a wave attenuation device in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 shows a perspective view of an alternative floatable unit in accordance with the present invention; Figures 3 and 4 show perspective, in-use views of a plurality of the units of Figure 1, joined to define an elongate wave attenuation device, with Figure 3 showing the device in use in relatively small waves, and Figure 4 showing the device in use in relatively larger waves; Figure 5 shows a plan view of an alternative way of using the unit of Figure 1; Figure 6 shows a similar view to Figure 5, but employing a modified unit to that of Figure 1, with Figures 7 and 8 showing front and side elevations respectively of one of the units of Figure 6 to illustrate the modification; Figure 9 shows a plan view of a further modification to the unit of Figure 1, with Figures 10 and 11 showing front and side elevations respectively of one of the units of Figure 9 to illustrate the further modifications to the unit; Figures 12 and 13 show plan and side elevations of a alternative wave attenuation device; Figure 14 shows a plan view of a pair of alternative Sfloatable units, joined end to.end; Figure 15 shows a plan view of another floatable unit, joined with like units to define an.alternative wave attenuation device, with Figure 16 showing a sectional side elevation of one of the units of Figure 15 taken on the line 15-15; and Figure 17 shows a plan view of yet another floatable unit, with Figures 18 and 19 showing alternative sectional side elevations through the unit of Figure 19 and taken on the lines 18-18 and 19-19 respectively.

40729 5 Modes for carrying out the Invention Referring firstly to Figure 1, a floatable unit for use in a wave attenuation device is shown in the form of a wave absorption unit 10. A unit can be defined by a single tyre 12 having a flotation element 14 located therein.

In Figure 1, the unit is defined by four tyres which abut at their treads 16 to define a generally square pattern (as shown in plan in Figure Thus, one tyre touches two other tyres at the treads.

The four tyres can be bolted to each other by stainless steel nuts and bolts) or tied together by chains 17 (Fig. 2) such as stainless steel chains, nylon ropes) etc. Any automotive tyre can be employed, including car tyres, truck tyres, tractor tyres, etc.

For greater structural integrity of the unit, one or more lengths of tyre tread or conveyor belt 18 is wrapped around the unit as shown. The tread is appropriately cut from one or more discarded tyres, and typically two or more tyre tread lengths are required, but advantageously only a single length of conveyor belt need be employed.

The tread or belt length 18 is typically bolted 20 to the four tyres at various positions therearound (as better shown in Figures 2 to 4).

The flotation element 14 is typically a length of cylindrically shaped polymeric foam material a flotation device used in pools, and life saving etc.) Typically the element is formed from a polymeric foam having high buoyancy characteristics, such as polystyrene foam, polypropylene foam, etc. and may be closed or open cell (but is typically closed cell to maximise its buoyancy characteristic). The element 14 is cut to an appropriate length such that it substantially fits within the hollow circumferential interior of a tyre, right round the inner circumference thereof. The element may be affixed therein as appropriate by adhesive, ties, staples, etc.).

Typically the unit 10 is defined by two parallel planes of four tyres each, one overlaying the other. This 40729 6 arrangement can be better gleaned from Figure 2, which although showing a different unit, illustrates the tyres in stacked relation.

Referring again to Figure 1, a mooring line 22 can be attached to the unit as shown, for tying off the unit to an appropriate support (described below).

Referring now to Figure 2, where like reference numerals are used to denote similar or like parts, a unit is defined by two sets of tyre pairs, one pair of tyres overlaying a parallel pair of tyres. As can be seen, belt length 18 spans the join of the two pairs of tyres, with bolts 20 extending through and connecting the belt to a respective one of the tyres in each plane.

Figure 2 also illustrates how each tyre in one plane is joined to its underlying tyre in the other plane, using chain 17. Unit 30 is in other aspects similar to unit of Figure 1.

Referring now to Figures 3 and 4, where like reference numerals are used to denote similar or like parts, a plurality of units 10 are joined end to end to define a wave attenuator 40. The wave attenuator is generally arranged between a pair of poles P (only one pole is shown in Figures 3 and and is connected thereto by mooring lines 22. Figure 4 shows a similar view to Figure 3, but for rougher wave conditions.

As can clearly be seen from the Figures, rough water RW is located on one side of the attenuator (e.g.

generated by the wind), and the waves contacting the attenuator on that side have the bulk of their energy absorbed thereby. This results in a body of still water SW on the other side of the attenuator.

Referring now to Figure 5, where like reference numerals are used to denote similar or like parts, another way of forming an elongate attenuator is to have a plurality of units 10 hitched by mooring lines 22 to a hitching rail HR disposed on a pair of posts P. The lines 22 typically have their lengths equal so that the units are disposed adjacent to each other as shown. Optionally, the units can be tied to each other by a connecting mechanism 44.

40729 7 Referring now to Figures 6 to 8, where like reference numerals are used to denote similar or like parts, Figure 6 shows a similar view to Figure 5. However, in this case, the unit 10 is a double unit 43 having an upper plane of tyres 44 and a lower plane 46). Also, the unit can be further modified by including a downwardly projecting attenuator unit 30 defined the unit of Figure 2) extending orthogonally downwards from the lower plane of tyres 46. Unit 30 is connected to the unit 10 by tyre tread or conveyor belt ties 48 (Figure 7) The downwardly extending unit 30 functions to dissipate a substantial proportion of wave energy, a significant part of which can be carried under the surface of the water. Also, instead of employing flotation elements 14, unit 30 can include weights 50 disposed within the tyres to help maintain the unit in a generally vertical and submerged orientation. The tyre central hole can also be closed to fluid flow therethrough.

Figure 8 depicts schematically the operation of the modified unit 43 of Figures 6 to 8. A post (pile) P is driven into the sea bed SB, and the modified unit 43 sits at or around the water level WL. Waves W impinge upon the unit at the post side thereof. Because the connection to the hitching rail HR via line 22 has considerable play, the modified unit 43 can move up and down within a tidal range TR.

Referring now to Figures 9 to 11, where like reference numerals are used to denote similar or like parts, a further modified unit 52 is depicted. In this case, the unit 52 includes upper 54, middle 56 and lower 58 planes of tyres, each plane having four. tyres in a generally square configuration. The submerged vertical unit 30 is replaced with a unit 10' modified over unit. Unit 10' is modified by having weights 50 disposed within the tyre, which can optionally close up the hole through the tyre.

Unit 52 is typically used in waters of greater depth than unit 43, with the triple layered flotation portion of the unit supporting the longer vertical submerged portion 1/40 40729 8 Referring now to Figures 12 to 14, where like reference numerals are used to denote similar or like parts, in Figure 12 a wave attenuator is defined by a row of tyres 60 (a number of rows are shown) joined by a line 62, with each row suspended between a pair of piles P.

Typically each tyre in a row has a flotation element 14 disposed therewithin. Figure 12 shows two parallel series of tyre rows, illustrating how a wave flow is dissipated by the first row, and essentially completely dissipated by the second row.

Figure 13 shows the arrangement of Figure 12 schematically in side sectional elevation, illustrating the tidal range of operation of tyre row 60. In addition, a safety rope 64 is provided should line 62 fail.

Referring now to Figure 14, a modified wave absorption unit 70 is depicted, including six tyres within a conveyor belt envelope 71. Figure 14 illustrates the joining of like units 70, wherein a connecting rope 72 passes through the centre of each unit 70 and is connected at region 74 to the connecting rope of an adjacent unit.

The rope 72 is attached to its respective unit via an envelope 76 in which the rope is fastened via polyethylene staples). The operation of the resulting attenuation device is in other respects similar to that as depicted in Figures 3 and 4.

Referring now to Figures 15 and 16, a further wave absorption unit 80 includes a row of three or more tyres aligned in central plane 82 (Figure 16). Each tyre in this row has a modified flotation device element 84 disposed therewithin and extending completely across the tyre. Additional upper and. lower tyres. 85, 86 are mounted above and under the central tyre 87 of unit 80, and these can be unfilled (to-decrease the buoyancy of the unit) filled with a flotation element (to increase the buoyancy of the unit) or filled with a weight (to more significantly decrease the buoyancy of the unit). Whilst three tyres have been shown in the unit 80, any number of tyres can be used to increase or decrease the length thereof.

Also, three adjacent units are shown to define a wave 9 attenuation device 88. The units are tied together (at each end) by an end belt 90. Projecting members 92 extend from a plate 94 mounted at the end of each unit, the members extending through an appropriate aperture in the end belt, with the protruding ends thereof being fastened on the other side of the belt.

Referring now to Figures 17 to 19, a further modified wave absorption unit 100 is depicted. The central part 102 of the unit 100 is defined by a unit that is essentially like unit 10. The upper part 104 and lower part 106 are each defined by a unit that is essentially like unit 30. The units are joined together by connecting straps 108, typically formed by a tyre tread or conveyor belt.

The various wave absorption units and wave attenuation devices described above have a variety of applications. A most preferred application is in the protection of marine environments which are disturbed by wave force but require regular water supply, such as oyster trays and shelves, and similar arrangements for mussels, abalone and other crustaceans.

The units can be secured to piled structures as described above, or may be connected to the sea bed via anchors, etc. The units can be readily inverted for cleaning and servicing and to prevent fouling (the holes in the tyres allowing easy drainage when inverting). The units can be employed in a wide variety of water bodies, including seas, oceans, bays, lakes, rivers, etc.

Certain advantages flow from the various wave absorption units described above. These include: uninterrupted tidal -flow; capacity for reversal (flipping), allowing for self cleaning; longevity of material life compared to traditional wave absorption walls (such as timber walls); transportability able to be towed by water borne vessels); ease of assembly and service (able to be constructed and maintained on site); 0 can be used in various weather conditions; 10 low mooring costs; low installation costs compared to existing wave absorption barriers; more cost effective to manufacture than existing wave absorption walls; environmentally beneficial, requiring less piles, and no environmentally harmful materials (existing walls use organic based tars, etc. to be waterproof), and consuming used tyres and conveyor belts.

Whilst the invention has been described with reference to a number of preferred embodiments, it should be appreciated that the invention can be embodied in many other forms.

Claims (3)

1. A floatable unit for use in a wave attenuation device, the unit including two or more tyres, at least one of the tyres including a flotation device associated therewith, wherein a peripheral element extends circumferentially around the outside of the two or more tyres and is joined to the tyres to define the unit.

2. A unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flotation device is located in the hollow circumferential interior of the tyre, and is optionally a length of buoyant polymeric foam material, which is bent into location in the hollow circumferential interior, and wherein the peripheral element is defined by one or more lengths of tyre tread or conveyor belt.

3. A unit as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the two or more tyres abut at their treads and lie within the same plane, with each tyre in the same plane including a flotation device, and wherein each same plane tyre has an additional tyre located over and/or under it, each additional tyre abutting a respective same plane tyre at adjacent respective side walls, or at the tread of the additional tyre and the side wall of a same plane tyre. Dated this 1 2 th day of July 2001 ECOFLEX AUSTRALIA PTY LTD By its Patent Attorneys GRIFFITH HACK