Pontoon Platform and Arrangement Having the Pontoon Platform

Abstract

A pontoon platform is constructed from at least one container or plurality of interconnected containers, such as shipping or standard freight containers, especially consistent with ISO standard. At least some of the containers are adapted to float on water, either they are waterproof containers or they comprise a float arrangement. The intra-container water-displacing volume, such as an inflatable bag, can be used for displacing water from the container when the inflatable bag is filled or for letting more water entering into the container when the inflatable bag is emptied, and thereby manipulating the buoyancy or draft of the container and thus also the same of the pontoon platform comprising said container(s).

1 . A pontoon platform, comprising at least one container, wherein said containers are shipping containers, at least one of which is adapted to float on water, at least one of said containers is waterproof container or at least one of the containers comprises a float arrangement. 
     
     
         2 . The pontoon platform as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the float arrangement comprises device for changing the capacity of at least one intra-container water-displacing volume or a foaming device for at least partially filling an intra-container volume with water-displacing foam. 
     
     
         3 . The pontoon platform as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein joints of a container are sealed for waterproofness with a mechanical or chemical device, by welding, sizing, curing, or coating, or with an adhesive tape or a watertight protective bag, to cover the container with. 
     
     
         4 . The pontoon platform as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the float arrangement is:
 an active float arrangement, comprising a controlled valve or pump for pumping a gas into or out of a gas-inflatable gas bag provided inside a container, or for pumping water into or out of the interior of a container, or   a passive float arrangement, in which the container comprises at least one vent or valve adapted for water to flow thereby both into and out of the container.   
     
     
         5 . The pontoon platform as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein at least one container comprises a gas inflatable gas bag and at least one vent or valve, and wherein the container buoyancy and thereby the pontoon platform draft are adapted for being regulated by changing the gas bag capacity. 
     
     
         6 . The pontoon platform as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein at least one container comprises at least two gas inflatable gas bags and a pump or a controlled valve for supplying gas at least into one of the bags or for delivering water into or out of the container and for thereby adjusting the tilt of a container by means of different buoyancies in different parts of the container. 
     
     
         7 . The pontoon platform as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein the pontoon platform with a passive float arrangement comprises a stabilizing container provided with at least one vent at a specific height of the container wall so that the water can freely flow into or out of the container or so that the container space above said vent is made airtight in such a way that, when water is let in through said vent, the container space above the vent is left with an air lock preventing the container from being completely filled with water. 
     
     
         8 . The pontoon platform as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the pontoon platform comprises an anti-corrosion arrangement associated with the containers. 
     
     
         9 . The pontoon platform as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the containers comprise a container identifying tag or a wirelessly remote readable tag. 
     
     
         10 . The pontoon platform as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the pontoon platform comprises deck elements installed on top of the containers, or on assembly frames for coupling said deck elements to the containers or a constructed deck, making it useful as a roadway or pathway 
     
     
         11 . The pontoon platform as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the pontoon platform comprises at least one anchoring container coupled to the pontoon platform, which is a container filled with water, sand, gravel or a cement-based material. 
     
     
         12 . The pontoon platform as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein the platform comprises an active anchoring system, said active anchoring system comprising at least one elongated member, the first point of which being supported at the bottom of the water by anchoring device and the second point of which being coupled with the platform structure or a container, wherein the active anchoring system additionally comprises actuating device configured to change the distance of at least one end of the container of the platform from the bottom or the water surface by actuating said elongated member. 
     
     
         13 . The pontoon platform as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein the elongated member comprises a piece of support equipment adapted to be variable in length and fitted between at least one floating container and the anchoring device, by changing whose length the system is adapted to change the distance of at least one end of the container or wherein the elongated member is fixed in length and the actuating device is configured to change the position of the at least one end of the container in relation to said fixed elongated member. 
     
     
         14 . The pontoon platform as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the containers of the pontoon platform are secured to each other by using clamps, mounting frames, mounting rods or cable tensioning, by welding or sizing. 
     
     
         15 . The pontoon platform as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein at least one container comprises the active and controlled float arrangement, and wherein the pontoon platform further comprises a) weight measuring equipment for determining a weight arriving on or departing from the pontoon platform, b) measuring equipment for draft or a distance to surface, c) measuring equipment for pontoon platform distortion or measuring equipment for wind direction or speed; and control elements, which are adapted, in response to a signal produced by the measuring equipment of items a), b) or c), to generate a control signal for the active float arrangement for controlling the floating capacity of at least one container so as to achieve a desired draft, distance to or inclination from the surface. 
     
     
         16 . The pontoon platform as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein in the process of being secured to the bottom, the container is capable of being set at a specific angle by means of said active anchoring system. 
     
     
         17 . The pontoon platform as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein at least one container comprises container moving equipment, by means of which the container or several containers or the pontoon platform is or are adapted to be balanced or moved in vertical or horizontal direction. 
     
     
         18 . The pontoon platform as set forth in  claim 17 , wherein the pontoon platform is configured to receive positioning information signal, whereby, in response to the signal, said moving equipment is adapted to be controlled for enabling the pontoon platform either to remain stationary or to shift over a desired distance in a desired direction. 
     
     
         19 . The pontoon platform as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein at least one container is a jetty container disposed at a distance from the pontoon platform, which is either adapted to be linked with one other container of the pontoon platform by way of a shock absorber or a spring or is independently anchored container. 
     
     
         20 . The pontoon platform as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein between at least two containers is fitted an elastic coupling structure. 
     
     
         21 . The pontoon platform as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein between at least two containers is fitted a sealing joint, which is implemented by means of a deck element, a securing or clamping element or a separate packing. 
     
     
         22 . An arrangement, comprising a pontoon platform comprising at least one container, wherein said containers are shipping containers, at least one of which is adapted to float on water, at least one of said containers is waterproof container or at least one of the containers comprises a float arrangement, wherein said arrangement is a harbor arrangement, a bridge arrangement, a logistics arrangement, a flight support arrangement or military or social infrastructural arrangement, a jetty, a utility work machine platform, a drilling derrick, a bridge building site, a temporary structure, a pontoon bridge or a bridge support structure.