| 摘要 |
A flotation assembly (30) made up of a load bearing structure which can be an off-shore platform, and also a flotation section (42) comprising a plurality of flotation tubes (54). Each of the flotation tubes comprises a surrounding side wall (78) defining a vertically aligned elongate pressure chamber and having an upper end closure portion (80) that has a downwardly facing surface exposed to pressure in the chamber. The tubes (54) are positioned at laterally spaced locations and arranged relative to the load bearing structure so as to create upwardly directed flotation forces that bear against the load bearing structure. A source of pressurized gas is transmitted to the flotation tubes (54) to a level where the gas pressure within each tube (54) creates a force against the side walls (78) to alleviate compressive force of the surrounding water pressing inwardly against the side walls (78) of the flotation tubes (54). There are various arrangements of the flotation tubes (54), and these are provided in various forms, either with closed lower ends, open lower ends exposed to ambient pressure, etc. |
