Oct 28, 2025

US12455147 - Waterfront barrier system

A floating barrier float section, and a waterfront barrier system formed from a number of connected float sections. An elongated main flotation tube has radially outwardly extending fence posts with connecting members, such as nets, between them, forming multiple longitudinal net sections about the circumference of the flotation tube, at least one of the net sections extending upwardly and forming a barrier to vessel passage. A vessel strike tends to rotate the flotation tube about its longitudinal axis, absorbing the energy from the strike and rotating the flotation tube to bring another net section into position. An underwater ballast member and a stabilizer float member may be added for additional resistance to rotation.

Assignee: OCEANETICS, INC.
Inventors: Matt Marcy, Erick Knezek, James Douglas Andersen, William Newton Seelig, David Delleart, Mark Herbert Wood, Christopher Paul Pacheco
Filing date: 2020-12-19

The patent describes a waterfront barrier system featuring a buoyant flotation tube with radially extending fence sections that create an obstacle to vessel passage. The design allows the flotation tube to absorb energy from vessel strikes and rotate, repositioning the fence sections for continued protection.

Claim 1

An apparatus, comprising: an elongated buoyant flotation tube having a length and a longitudinal axis; a plurality of fence sections attached to said flotation tube spaced apart around a circumference of said flotation tube and extending radially outwardly therefrom, said fence sections spanning substantially the entirety of said length of said flotation tube, each of said fence sections comprising: a plurality of fence posts attached to said flotation tube and extending radially outwardly therefrom, and fence connecting members spanning the space between said fence posts, said flotation tube having sufficient buoyancy to support said flotation tube and said fence sections at the surface of a waterbody, and wherein when said flotation tube and fence sections are positioned on said waterbody surface at least one of said fence sections extends a sufficient distance radially outward from said flotation tube and above said waterbody surface so as to create an obstacle to vessel passage over said flotation tube, the direction of vessel movement toward said flotation tube defining an approach side of said flotation tube, with the opposite side of said flotation tube defining a protected side. an elongated buoyant flotation tube having a length and a longitudinal axis; a plurality of fence sections attached to said flotation tube spaced apart around a circumference of said flotation tube and extending radially outwardly therefrom, said fence sections spanning substantially the entirety of said length of said flotation tube, each of said fence sections comprising: a plurality of fence posts attached to said flotation tube and extending radially outwardly therefrom, and fence connecting members spanning the space between said fence posts, a plurality of fence posts attached to said flotation tube and extending radially outwardly therefrom, and fence connecting members spanning the space between said fence posts, said flotation tube having sufficient buoyancy to support said flotation tube and said fence sections at the surface of a waterbody, and wherein when said flotation tube and fence sections are positioned on said waterbody surface at least one of said fence sections extends a sufficient distance radially outward from said flotation tube and above said waterbody surface so as to create an obstacle to vessel passage over said flotation tube, the direction of vessel movement toward said flotation tube defining an approach side of said flotation tube, with the opposite side of said flotation tube defining a protected side.

Google Patents

https://patents.google.com/patent/US12455147

USPTO PDF

https://image-ppubs.uspto.gov/dirsearch-public/print/downloadPdf/12455147