# US 8,739,343 B2 · Fenders for pier protection against vessel collision > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,739,343 B2 - Document ID: US8739343B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/908,236 - Filed: 2013-06-03 - Published: 2013-10-03 - Granted: 2014-06-03 - Earliest claimed: 2009-03-25 - Assignees: Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanics College - Applicants: Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College - Inventors: George Z. Voyiadjis; Sherif El-Tawil - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8739343B2 ## CPC - E01D 19/02: Piers {(E01D19/005 takes precedence; towers for suspension bridges E01D19/14)}; Abutments (foundations E02D ){; Protecting same against drifting ice (against colliding vehicles E01F15/00)} - E02B 3/26: Fenders ({fenders for protecting offshore constructions E02B17/003}; fenders integral with waterborne vessels or specially adapted therefor B63B59/02) - F16F 7/12: using plastic deformation of members {(F16F9/30 takes precedence; yieldable means for mounting bumpers on vehicles B60R19/26; yieldable or collapsible steering columns B62D1/192)} - E01D: CONSTRUCTION OF BRIDGES, {ELEVATED ROADWAYS} OR VIADUCTS; ASSEMBLY OF BRIDGES (bridges extending between terminal buildings and aircraft for embarking or disembarking passengers B64F1/305; {tracks for special kinds of railways E01B25/00; culverts E01F5/005}) - E02B: HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING (ship-lifting E02C; dredging E02F) - F16F: SPRINGS; SHOCK-ABSORBERS; MEANS FOR DAMPING VIBRATION ## Abstract A system is disclosed for protecting supporting structures, such as those of a bridge or other such marine supporting structure, from the force of an impact of a vehicle/vessel. Such a system includes a plurality of modular components arranged in series and configured to dissipate the energy of the force through the progressive buckling of one or more of the modular components. Each modular component contains an energy dissipation unit that includes a plurality of adjacent cells. The energy of the force is dissipated in the buckling of the walls of the cells of the energy dissipation units through the formation of one or more plastic hinges and/or volume reduction of the cells. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for dissipating an applied force, comprising: providing a system, comprising: a plurality of modular components comprising; a left side plate; a right side plate; a front strut; a rear strut; a front left column joining the left side plate and the front strut; a front right column joining the right side plate and the front strut; a rear left column joining the left side plate and the rear strut; a rear right column joining the right side plate and the rear strut; a plurality of energy dissipation units disposed inside each modular component, each energy dissipation unit comprising a plurality of cells; a first end; and a second end, the modular components arranged in series between the first end and the second end such that the applied force contacts a first modular component of the series; dissipating the applied force by buckling at least one cell wall of the cells of the energy dissipation unit of the first modular component of the series; upon the buckling of at least one cell wall of the cells of the energy dissipation unit of the first modular component, transferring remaining force to a next adjacent modular component in the series until at least one of all of the applied force has been dissipated and no further adjacent modular components remain in the series; wherein the plurality of modular components is configured to attach to a marine structure. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the cells are hollow tubes. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, wherein the hollow tubes are arranged rows such that each hollow tube may buckle or hinge without contacting an adjacent hollow tube of the same row. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of modular components are configured to rest on a surface of a body of water. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the applied force is an impact of a marine vessel. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the marine structure is one of a pier and a piling. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of modular components are configured to telescope as the plurality of modular components are compressed. ### Claim 8 A method of dissipating a force, comprising: providing a plurality of modular components, each of said modular components containing an energy dissipation unit positioned inside each modular component, each energy dissipation unit comprising a plurality of cells; arranging the plurality of modular components in a series between a first end and a second end and such that the force is applied to the second end; and dissipating the force applied to the second end through progressive buckling of at least one modular component and buckling of at least one cell wall of the cells; wherein the plurality of modular components attach to a marine support structure. ### Claim 9 A method of protecting a marine structure from an applied force, comprising: arranging a plurality of modular components in series having a first end and a second end; attaching the first end of the series to the marine structure such that the plurality of modular components are in proximity to a water line and the second end extends away from the marine structure; wherein the plurality of modular components each have at least one energy dissipation unit disposed inside; and wherein each energy dissipation unit comprises a plurality of cells. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein the cells are hollow tubes. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the hollow tubes are arranged in rows such that each hollow tube may buckle or hinge without contacting an adjacent hollow tube of the same row. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein the plurality of modular components are configured to rest on a surface of a body of water. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein the marine structure is one of a pier and a piling. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein the plurality of modular components are configured to telescope as the plurality of modular components are compressed. ### Claim 15 A marine fender, comprising: a plurality of modular components; a plurality of energy dissipation units disposed inside each modular component; wherein each energy dissipation unit comprises a plurality of cells; wherein the plurality of modular components is arranged in series having a first end attached to a marine structure and a second end extending away from the marine structure; and wherein the fender is configured to dissipate impact energy applied to the second end through progressive buckling of at least one modular component and buckling of at least one cell wall of the plurality of cells. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The fender of claim 15, wherein the plurality of cells are comprised of hollow tubes arranged in rows. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The fender of claim 16, wherein the hollow tubes are arranged such that each but may buckle or hinge without contacting an adjacent tube. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The fender of claim 15, wherein each modular component comprises: a left side plate; a right side plate; a front strut; a rear strut; a front left column joining the left side plate and the front strut; a front right column joining the right side plate and the front strut; a rear left column joining the left side plate and the rear strut; and a rear right column joining the right side plate and the rear strut.