CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS AND CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application claims the benefit under 35 USC § 119 of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0081004, filed with the Korean Intellectual Property Office on Jul. 1, 2022, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

BACKGROUND
1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to a buoy assembly having a carbon fiber body, more particularly to a buoy assembly with a carbon fiber body that allows a convenient way of inspecting the lantern and has a decreased weight and an increased structural strength.

2. Description of the Related Art

To ensure the safety of a ship at sea, it is necessary to periodically check the location of the ship.

This may require artificial facilities for aiding navigation in places of high maritime traffic, and one example of a facility installed for this purpose is the navigation mark.

A navigation mark is a navigational aid for allowing ships to sail with greater safety and may include an artificial marker facility, such as a lighthouse or a light buoy equipped with a lantern, to provide ships with accurate location information. A navigation mark may emit light that provides guidance regarding sea routes, and the navigator can obtain information on the sea routes from the perceived light.

A lantern for a navigation mark may emit light from a light source to provide location information, where identification methods related to the illumination (light), illumination cycle (light characteristics), and location of the signaling station (lighthouse or light buoy, etc.) make it possible to measure the location of a ship and aid the navigator in maintaining a course and sailing safely to the destination.

An example of a device invented for the above purpose includes the “LED light buoy with multi emission angle” disclosed in Korean Registered Patent No. 10-1330696 (hereinafter referred to as “prior art”).

The prior art involves providing suitable visibility from a single light buoy without dark areas, so that an observer may perceive the light buoy according to distance.

However, with the existing light buoy, including the prior art above, there is the distinct limitation that it is difficult to modify the structure of the initial design, so that the height of the light source cannot be adjusted.

Also, the existing light buoy, including the prior art above, is formed as such that a first body for conferring a buoyant force is incorporated within an integrated body. Thus, if the light buoy were to be damaged from a collision with a ship, an iceberg, or other floating object such that its buoyancy is lost, the entire part or the entire device has to be replaced with a new product.

SUMMARY

An objective of the present invention, which was conceived to resolve the problems described above, is to provide a buoy assembly having a carbon fiber body that not only enables a convenient way of inspecting the lantern but also has a decreased weight and an increased structural strength.

To achieve the above objective, an aspect of the invention can provide a buoy assembly with a carbon fiber body, where the buoy assembly may include: a first unit including a core rod, a weight, and an anchor connection part, with the core rod having a hollow form, the weight provided on a lower end of the core rod, and the anchor connection part formed on one side of the weight for connecting to a chain or a holding wire; a second unit including a multiple number of interior sections and a multiple number of exterior sections, with the interior sections made from carbon fibers and arranged radially along an outer perimeter of the core rod to form a cylindrically shaped hollow interior barrel, and the exterior sections made from carbon fibers and arranged radially along an outer perimeter of the interior barrel to form a cylindrically shaped hollow exterior barrel; and a third unit including an elevator pole, a lantern, a gear assembly, and an inspection house, with the elevator pole configured to move up and down through an upper end of the core rod, the lantern mounted on an upper end of the elevator pole, the gear assembly engaged with an outer perimeter of the elevator pole to move the elevator pole up and down, and the maintenance chamber holding the elevator pole and enclosing the gear assembly therein.

The interior section may include: a first upper panel formed in a fan-like shape to have a first inner edge and a first outer edge, with the first inner edge facing an outer perimeter of the core rod and the first outer edge facing an inner perimeter of the exterior barrel; a first lower panel disposed under the first upper panel and formed in a fan-like shape to have a second inner edge and a second outer edge, with the second inner edge facing the outer perimeter of the core rod and the second outer edge facing the inner perimeter of the exterior barrel; a first inner panel connecting the first inner edge and the second inner edge to each other and having an arc-shaped cross section to form an inner surface facing the outer perimeter of the core rod; and a first outer panel connecting the first outer edge and the second outer edge to each other and having an arc-shaped cross section to form an outer surface facing the inner perimeter of the exterior barrel.

Here, the interior section may further include: a multiple number of reinforcing coupler grooves formed parallel to one another and recessed in the first outer panel such that annularly shaped recesses are formed parallel to one another along the outer perimeter of the interior barrel, where the reinforcing coupler grooves may mate with reinforcing coupler ribs formed protruding along the inner perimeter of the exterior barrel.

The exterior section may include: a second upper panel formed in an arc-like shape to have a third inner edge and a third outer edge, with the third inner edge facing an outer perimeter of the interior barrel and the third outer edge formed parallel to the third inner edge and forming an outer edge of the exterior barrel; a second lower panel disposed under the second upper panel and formed in an arc-like shape to have a fourth inner edge and a fourth outer edge, with the fourth inner edge facing the outer perimeter of the interior barrel rod and the fourth outer edge formed parallel to the fourth inner edge and forming an outer edge of the exterior barrel; a second inner panel connecting the third inner edge and the fourth inner edge to each other and having an arc-shaped cross section to form an inner surface facing the outer perimeter of the interior barrel; and a second outer panel connecting the third outer edge and the fourth outer edge to each other and having an arc-shaped cross section.

Also, the exterior section may further include: a multiple number of reinforcing coupler ribs formed parallel to one another and protruding from the second inner panel such that annularly shaped protrusions are formed parallel to one another along the outer perimeter of the interior barrel; a multiple number of outer fastening grooves formed parallel to one another and recessed in the second outer panel such that annularly shaped recesses are formed parallel to one another along the outer perimeter of the exterior barrel; and a securing band placed in the outer fastening groove to secure neighboring exterior sections with each other and thereby secure the interior barrel and the exterior barrel to the core rod.

Also, the securing band may include: a band body having a width and length smaller than or equal to a width and length of the outer fastening groove, with the band body having an arc-shaped cross section and placed within the outer fastening groove; a securing piece extending in a bent form from either end of the band body to protrude in a direction of the outer perimeter of the exterior barrel; a multiple number of fastening holes formed in the securing piece; and a fastener configured to be fastened through the fastening hole to detachably secure the securing piece with a neighboring securing piece.

In addition, the third unit may include: a lifting rack gear formed along a vertical direction by an outer perimeter of the elevator pole and having a multiple number of gear teeth; a lifting pinion forming a part of the gear assembly, with the lifting pinion configured to rotate in engagement with the lifting rack gear and enclosed within the inspection house; a support shaft forming a part of the gear assembly, with the support shaft supporting a forward and reverse rotation of the lifting pinion and enclosed within the inspection house; a transmission worm wheel forming a part of the gear assembly, with the transmission worm wheel coupled to the support shaft to undergo forward and reverse rotation together with the support shaft and the lifting pinion and enclosed within the inspection house; a transmission worm forming a part of the gear assembly, with the transmission worm having a worm shaft to engage the transmission worm wheel and undergo forward and reverse rotation, and with the transmission worm enclosed within the inspection house; a drive motor forming a part of the gear assembly, with the drive motor coupled to an end of the worm shaft to transfer a driving force to the transmission worm; and a solar panel module provided on one side of the maintenance chamber and including a multiple number of solar power cells for transferring power to the drive motor and the lantern.

An embodiment of the invention having the above features can provide the following effects.

First, an embodiment of the invention can include a first unit, which may include a core rod, a weight provided on a lower end of the core rod, and an anchor connection part formed on one side of the weight, and a second unit, which may include an interior barrel composed of multiple interior sections coupled to the core rod and an exterior barrel composed of multiple exterior sections coupled to the interior barrel. As the interior barrel and exterior barrel are made from carbon fibers, an embodiment of the invention can provide a reliable product that has lightweight and compact parts as well as a greatly improved structural strength.

Also, an embodiment of the invention can include a third unit, which may include an elevator pole capable of moving up and down through an upper end of the core rod, a lantern for emitting light from the upper end of the elevator pole, a gear assembly that moves the elevator pole up and down with respect to the core rod, and a maintenance chamber enclosing the elevator pole and gear assembly. By virtue of the third unit, an embodiment of the invention makes it possible to inspect and maintain the lantern in a very convenient manner, greatly improving the convenience of the maintenance work.

In particular, an embodiment of the invention may utilize a structure that includes an interior barrel composed of multiple interior sections and an exterior barrel composed of multiple exterior barrels. With such a structure, even if a part is damaged or cracked from an impact by a ship, iceberg, or other floating object, there is no need to replace the entire part or even replace the entire device as is the case with an existing light buoy, including the prior art above. Thus, an embodiment of the invention can eliminate or minimize the problems of wasted resources and inconvenient work procedures associated with the replacement of the part and can provide the effects of maximizing efficiency in the use of resources as well as maximizing the convenience and efficiency of the maintenance work.

Also, an embodiment of the invention can be regarded as a highly energy-efficient invention in that it provides a means of actively adapting to various installation environments by allowing both manual and automatic operation of the gear assembly in moving the lantern up and down and also by utilizing solar power and wind power generation to supplement the power needed for lighting the lantern and moving the lantern up and down.

Moreover, whereas the models mentioned in the standard light buoy design plans issued by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, such as the LL-24, LL-26, LL-28, LL-30 models, etc., weigh approximately 6 to 10 tons, the overall weight of a light buoy assembly including an interior barrel and exterior barrel according to an embodiment of the invention is only about 1.5 to 3 tons, so that the light buoy can be transported quickly and installed simply with a crane.

The costs for installing, removing, and inspecting a buoy assembly according to an embodiment of the invention are about only 25% of the costs involved in installing, removing, and inspecting the LL models mentioned above. As such, the invention also provides advantages in economy.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view conceptually illustrating the overall structure of a buoy assembly having a carbon fiber body according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are exploded perspective views conceptually illustrating the overall coupling relationships of the second unit, which is a main component of a buoy assembly having a carbon fiber body according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view conceptually illustrating the overall structure of the third unit, which is a main component of a buoy assembly having a carbon fiber body according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view conceptually illustrating the overall structure of a buoy assembly having a carbon fiber body according to another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view conceptually illustrating the overall structure of a buoy assembly having a carbon fiber body according to still another embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The advantages and characteristics of the invention, as well as the methods of achieving such, will be made apparent from the embodiments of the invention described below and the appended drawings.

It should be noted, however, that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed herein and can be implemented in various different forms.

In the present specification, the embodiments are described to provide a complete disclosure of the invention, as well as to inform the person skilled in the field of art to which the invention pertains of the complete scope of the invention.

The invention is to be defined only by the scope of the claims.

Thus, in order that the invention may not be interpreted in an ambiguous manner, certain well-known elements, actions, and technologies may not be described in detail in the descriptions of embodiments below.

Throughout the specification, like reference numerals refer to like elements, and terms used (mentioned) in the specification are intended merely to describe the embodiments, not to limit the invention in any way.

In the present specification, an expression used in the singular encompasses the expression of the plural. In the present specification, it is to be understood that an expression relating to “including” or “having” an element or action does not preclude the possibility that one or more other elements and actions may exist or be added.

Unless defined otherwise, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meanings as those commonly recognized by the person having ordinary skill in the relevant field of art.

Terms such as those that are defined in generally used dictionaries are not to be interpreted as having idealistic or excessively formal meanings unless clearly defined within the specification.

Certain preferred embodiments of the invention will be described below in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First, FIG. 1 is a perspective view conceptually illustrating the overall structure of a buoy assembly having a carbon fiber body according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are exploded perspective views conceptually illustrating the overall coupling relationships of the second unit 200, which is a main component of a buoy assembly having a carbon fiber body according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view conceptually illustrating the overall structure of the third unit 300, which is a main component of a buoy assembly having a carbon fiber body according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view conceptually illustrating the overall structure of a buoy assembly having a carbon fiber body according to another embodiment of the invention.

In FIG. 1, numeral 321 refers to a top mark that is placed on an upper side of the lantern 320 and has a retroreflective function for maintaining visibility. In FIG. 3, numeral 342 refers to the entrance door provided on the maintenance chamber 340, and numeral 343 refers to the door handle provided on the entrance door 342.

First, from FIG. 1, it can be seen that an embodiment of the invention relates to a structure in which a first unit 100 is coupled with a second unit 200 and the lantern 320 of a third unit 300 is configured to be capable of upward and downward movement.

First, the first unit 100 may include a hollow core rod 110, a weight 120 provided at the lower end of the core rod 110, and an anchor connection part 130 formed on one side of the weight 120 for connecting a chain or holding wire.

It is possible to install a single anchor connection part 130 to a lower surface of the weight 120 as in FIG. 1 or to install multiple anchor connection parts 130 to a side surface of the weight 120 as in FIG. 4.

The second unit 200 may include a multiple number of interior sections 210 and a multiple number of exterior sections 220. Here, the interior sections 210 may be arranged radially along the outer perimeter of the core rod 110 to form a cylindrically shaped hollow interior barrel 201 and may be made from carbon fibers, and the exterior sections 220 may be arranged radially along the outer perimeter of the interior barrel 201 to form a cylindrically shaped hollow exterior barrel 202 and may be made from carbon fibers.

Thus, the second unit 200 may include an interior barrel 201 and an exterior barrel 202 that are hollow and are made from carbon fibers so as to create a buoyant force.

The third unit 300 may include an elevator pole 310 that is capable of moving upward and downward through the upper end of the core rod 110, a lantern 320 mounted on the upper end of the elevator pole 310, a gear assembly 330 engaged with an outer perimeter of the elevator pole 310 to move the elevator pole 310 up and down, and a maintenance chamber 340 that holds the elevator pole 310 and encloses the gear assembly 330.

The present invention can be applied in the manner of the embodiment set forth above and can also be applied in the manner of various other embodiments, some of which are set forth below.

Taking a more detailed look at the interior sections 210 with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 2B, an interior section 210 according to an embodiment of the invention can employ a structure that includes a first upper panel 211, a first lower panel 212, a first inner panel 213, and a first outer panel 214.

The first upper panel 211 may be formed in a fan-like shape, with a first inner edge facing the outer perimeter of the core rod 110 and a first outer edge facing the inner perimeter of the exterior barrel 202.

The first lower panel 212 may be disposed under the first upper panel 211 and may be formed in a fan-like shape, with a second inner edge facing the outer perimeter of the core rod 110 and a second outer edge facing the inner perimeter of the exterior barrel 202.

The first inner panel 213 may connect the first inner edge and the second inner edge to each other and may have an arc-shaped cross section to form an inner surface that faces the outer perimeter of the core rod 110.

The first outer panel 214 may connect the first outer edge and the second outer edge to each other and may have an arc-shaped cross section to form an outer surface that faces the inner perimeter of the exterior barrel 202.

To provide a structure for coupling with the exterior barrel 202 while at the same time increasing the overall structural strength, the interior sections 210 may further include reinforcing coupler grooves 215 that are formed parallel to one another, recessed in the first outer panels 214, such that annularly shaped recesses are formed parallel to one another along the outer perimeter of the interior barrel 201.

Here, the reinforcing coupler grooves 215 may mate with the reinforcing coupler ribs 225 described later on, which may be formed in a protruding manner along the inner perimeter of the exterior barrel 202.

On the other hand, an exterior section 220 can include a second upper panel 221, a second lower panel 222, a second inner panel 223, and a second outer panel 224.

The second upper panel 221 may be formed in an arc-like shape, with a third inner edge that faces the outer perimeter of the interior barrel 201 and a third outer edge that is parallel to the third inner edge and forms the outer edge of the exterior barrel 202.

The second lower panel 222 may be disposed under the second upper panel 221 and may be formed in an arc-like shape, with a fourth inner edge that faces the outer perimeter of the interior barrel 201 and a fourth outer edge that is parallel to the fourth inner edge and forms the outer edge of the exterior barrel 202.

The second inner panel 223 may connect the third inner edge and the fourth inner edge to each other and may have an arc-shaped cross section to form an inner surface that faces the outer perimeter of the interior barrel 201.

The second outer panel 224 may connect the third outer edge and the fourth outer edge to each other and may have an arc-shaped cross section.

To provide a structure for coupling with the interior barrel 201 and coupling and securing the multiple exterior sections 220 while at the same time increasing the overall structural strength, the exterior sections 220 may further include reinforcing coupler ribs 225, outer fastening grooves 226, and securing bands 227.

First, the reinforcing coupler ribs 225 may be formed parallel to one another, protruding from the second inner panel 223, such that annularly shaped protrusions are formed parallel to one another along the inner perimeter of the exterior barrel 202.

The outer fastening grooves 226 may be formed parallel to one another, recessed in the second outer panels 224, such that annularly shaped recesses are formed parallel to one another along the outer perimeter of the exterior barrel 202.

Also, the securing bands 227 may be placed in the outer fastening grooves 226 to secure neighboring exterior sections 220 with each other, to thereby secure the interior barrel 201 and the exterior barrel 202 to the core rod 110.

Here, a securing band 227 can include a band body 227b, which may have a width and length that are smaller than or equal to the width and length of the outer fastening groove 226, and which may have an arc-shaped cross section that can be placed within the outer fastening groove 226.

The securing band 227 can include securing pieces 227a, which may extend in a bent form from both ends of the band body 227b to protrude in the direction of the outer perimeter of the exterior barrel 202.

Also, the securing band 227 can include a multiple number of fastening holes 227c in the securing pieces 227a.

Of course, the securing band 227 can further include fasteners 227d that may be fastened through the fastening holes 227c to detachably secure a securing piece 227a with a neighboring securing piece 227a.

Taking a more detailed look at the third unit 300 with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, the third unit 300 can further include a lifting rack gear 311, which may have a multiple number of gear teeth, and which may be formed along the vertical direction by the outer perimeter of the elevator pole 310, for engaging the gear assembly 330 to move the elevator pole 310 up and down.

Here, the elevator pole 310 can serve to adjust the height of the lantern 320 with respect to the upper surface of the maintenance chamber 340 during a typhoon or stormy weather, so as to thereby prevent the buoy, including the lantern 320, from becoming lost or damaged.

The elevator pole 310 can also serve to allow easy access to the lantern 320, when a technician has to inspect, replace, or fix the lantern 320, and thus can prevent accidents involving falls from the height of the lantern 320.

The lantern 320 can be provided in a hybrid type suitable for various usages, such as for 3 nautical miles, 5 nautical miles, 7 nautical miles, 9 nautical miles, etc.

Here, a hybrid type refers to a structure that can be operated with electrical power produced by solar power generation using the solar panel module 341 described later on or by wind power generation using a wind power housing 370, etc.

The gear assembly 330 can include a lifting pinion 331 and a support shaft 332, where the lifting pinion 331 may rotate in engagement with the lifting rack gear 311 and may be enclosed within the maintenance chamber 340, and the support shaft 332 may support the forward and reverse rotation of the lifting pinion 331 and may be enclosed within the maintenance chamber 340.

Also, the gear assembly 330 can include a transmission worm wheel 333 and a transmission worm 334. The transmission worm wheel 333 may be coupled to the support shaft 332 to undergo forward and reverse rotation together with the support shaft 332 and the lifting pinion 331 and may be enclosed within the maintenance chamber 340. The transmission worm 334 may include a worm shaft 335 to engage the transmission worm wheel 333 and undergo forward and reverse rotation and may be enclosed within the maintenance chamber 340.

Also, the gear assembly 330 can include a drive motor 336, which may be coupled to an end of the worm shaft 335 to transfer a driving force to the transmission worm 334.

Also, the third unit 300 may preferably further include a solar panel module 341, which may be provided on one side of the maintenance chamber 340 and may include a multiple number of solar power cells that transfer power to the drive motor 336 and the lantern 320.

In addition, the third unit 300 may preferably further include a lifting crank lever 337, which may be selectively connected to and disconnected from the worm shaft 335 and which may allow the worm shaft 335 to undergo forward or reverse rotation by manual operation in emergency situations such as where the drive motor 336 is broken or is unable to provide the power necessary for raising the lantern 320.

Referring to FIG. 4, the third unit 300 can also further include weather observation equipment 350, which may be disposed at an upper side of the maintenance chamber 340 to collect meteorological data in the vicinity of the buoy assembly in real time.

The third unit 300 can also further include a battery 360, which may be encased in one of the multiple interior sections 210 and may store the electrical energy produced by the solar panel module 341 that is provided on one side of the maintenance chamber 340 to transfer power to the drive motor 336 and the lantern 320.

Also, the third unit 300 can further include a wind turbine (not shown), which may be mounted on one side of the maintenance chamber 340 and electrically connected with the battery 360 and which may be rotated by the wind around the maintenance chamber 340 to produce electrical power.

In addition, the third unit 300 can also further include a wind power housing 370, which may be connected with the wind turbine, and which may include a multiple number of blades 371 that are disposed radially for rotating with the wind.

From the above, it should be appreciated that the present invention.

As set forth above, it can be seen that the basic technical spirit of the present invention is to provide a buoy assembly having a carbon fiber body that not only allows a convenient way of inspecting the lantern but also provides a lighter weight and an increased structural strength.

Within the scope of the technical spirit of the invention, a person having ordinary skill in the art can apply the first unit 100 and the third unit 300 to the lower body 230 of a standard buoy manufactured from steel (SS400) as specified by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, as illustrated in FIG. 5, instead of applying the first unit 100 and third unit 300 to the second unit 200 composed of an interior barrel 201 and exterior barrel 202 as illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4. Thus, an embodiment of the invention can provide greater utility by way of application to a buoy of standard specifications and allows for numerous variations and adaptations.