Articulated Bed-Mounted Finned-Spar-Buoy Designed for Current Energy Absorption & Dissipation

摘要

A constrained buoy experiencing vortex-induced, in-line and transverse angular motions and designed to absorb and attenuate the energies of streams, rivers and localized ocean currents is described. Referred to as a Finned-Spar-Buoy (FSB), the buoy design can be considered an exoskeleton, in that vertical fins are externally mounted on a vertical cylindrical float. The fins increase the drag coefficient by enhancing the wake losses. The FSB operates as a single unit or as a component of an array, depending on the application. The FSB can adjust to high-water events caused by tides, storm surges or spring-melting runoffs because the FSB can move axially along a center-staff which is attached to an anchor pole at a pivot point. The buoy-staff system is allowed to rotate in any angular direction from the vertical, still-water orientation of the center-staff. The FSB has a relatively small diameter-to-draft ratio, analytically qualifying the buoy as a slender-body.

主权项

1. A method for reducing the energy in a stream or river current, said method comprising:
locating a plurality of buoys upstream of an object that is at least partially submerged and exposed to the stream or river current; anchoring said plurality of buoys to a bed in the stream or river; and permitting said plurality of buoys to pivot about said anchor due to exposure of said plurality of buoys within the stream or river that causes buoy movement and vortex shedding, thereby dissipating energy of the stream or river current.