We’ve seen the VersaBuoy videos, and also those of Vince’s Multispar design. They impressively demonstrate how multiple ballasted spars moving independantly keep a structure horizontal even in large waves. However, they don’t do much for the vertical motions caused by these waves.
We’ve seen how a single ballasted spar, with a large heave plate, do a great job lessening these vertical motions, but without multiple spars working independantly, it doesn’t stay horizontal well, and, in severe weather, can capsize.
I recommend we consider combining the best of the two technologies into one structure, a SingleSpar/MultiSpar-Hybrid (SS/MS-H) system.
I am piss-poor with creating pictures in programs, even MSPaint, but I’ll try to demonstrate visually more of what I am talking about later. But until then, basically, imagine the Clubstead design, but instead, where the four big, fixed spars were, there are eight, smaller ballasted spars acting like VersaBuoys (but as the patent is with the connection to the structure, we would either have to license the technology, or come up with a different way to attach them – a well lubricated ball and socket design, perhaps). In the center of the structure is a single, large fixed spar. This spar will have a ballast acting as a heave plate minimizing the vertical motions caused by the waves.
So, to sum up, multispar design to tackle horizontal movements (pitch?… yaw?… roll?… I don’t know the proper term here) and a basically a large heave plate to lessen the up and down.
Thoughts?
However, they don’t do much for the vertical motions caused by these waves
They don´t? If I recall the videos of the versabuoy models correctly they looked quite stable, in all directions.
I´m not a big fan of heave plates either, as they stress the structure. I prefer avoiding the force of the waves rather than resisting them.
Not that I could say either way whether a hybrid platform would have some advantages worth the extra complexity of two systems.
Just a couple of thoughts.
The models in the VersBuoy video were tethered to the wave tank floor, as is intended for the structures the use the system. Vince’s videos of the multispar system show just how much up and down movements occur as the waves roll in.
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There is no fate but what we make for ourselves. Each to his fate.
I think the findings that one can have a floating magnet outside of a :”stationary” pole spar is a great thing for at sea energy collection.
This could be done at all scales: for small dc power, use almost nano scale energy collectors, on up to the industrial metal melting heat machines (what I am imagining would have to be used is actually a collection of steam, wind, etc… per kiln heat up. )
So, a seastead could go around collecting metal and scrapping it 
This is my plan at least .
David Walen
Attempting to Leave Living Footprints
http://tribes.tribe.net/acce
Just a quick thought: a spar could include a flexible buoy near the surface, that would compress and dilate with wave heaving (when wave soars, the pressure on it increases and thus its buoyancy decreases, damping the heaving effect, and inversely when the water level drops at the wave trough). Make it a compressed air inverted bell section, for example.
Anything on water is going to move. No matter what the design is. …
Of course, yes… I’m just thinking of ways to limit that movement while possibly capture the kinetic energy and convert it to something usable.
That… or scrap this whole idea and live 60 feet underwater. That’s where my heart is, actually, but the costs will be prohibative for quite some time.
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There is no fate but what we make for ourselves. Each to his fate.
But, where is the fun in it,…(living 60′ under). And what is to be achived from it? Is like being on life support every second…
I get you Thorizan, I think if you take a look at how Kites function, and imagine a heavy stable person, or ballast object deep beneath the surface, with combined functions of Ballast, and pull, you will see what I am dreaming of.
David Walen
Attempting to Leave Living Footprints
http://tribes.tribe.net/acce
Completely avoiding storms and waves would be nice. The view of the wildlife will be better, and if aquaculture is your intention (as it is with me), the enclosed nets would be right at eye level, and checking on them every day would be as easy as swimming out your moon pool, instead of travelling down 30 feet to the surface, then another 60 to the cages.
Respecting the ocean, by being part of it, instead of lording over her with your spars and boats, would go a long way to the proper mindset in that environment, I would think.
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There is no fate but what we make for ourselves. Each to his fate.
Thorizan 3 years, 7 months ago.
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