U.S. patent application number 13/699265 was filed with the patent office on 2013-04-04 for method for developing land.
This patent application is currently assigned to STATICE CO., LTD.. The applicant listed for this patent is Akihiro Hoshino. Invention is credited to Akihiro Hoshino.
Application Number | 20130081354 13/699265 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43566537 |
Filed Date | 2013-04-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130081354 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hoshino; Akihiro |
April 4, 2013 |
METHOD FOR DEVELOPING LAND
Abstract
Provided is a method for developing land through the workings of
nature. An island (1) is covered with a sealing dome (3) larger
than an aboveground part (1a) of the island such that a space (s1)
is created between the island (1) and the sealing dome (3) and a
lower edge (3a) of the sealing dome (3) is located in the sea,
i.e., below the sea level (2). Subsequently, with a gap (s2)
between the lower edge (3a) of the sealing dome (3) and a sea
bottom (1b), a pile (4) secured to the lower edge (3a) of the
sealing dome (3) with a bolt (not shown) is driven into the sea
bottom (1b) to secure the sealing dome (3). Then, a pump (5)
provided in the sealing dome (3) is actuated to reduce the air
pressure of the sealing dome (3). According to the Pascal's law,
this causes the seawater to be drawn into the sealing dome (3),
allowing the sea level (2a) inside the sealing dome (3) to rise
above the aboveground part (1a) of the island (1). With the island
(1) left under this condition, coral (6) will naturally grow
thereon.
Inventors: |
Hoshino; Akihiro; (Tokyo,
JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Hoshino; Akihiro |
Tokyo |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
STATICE CO., LTD.
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
43566537 |
Appl. No.: |
13/699265 |
Filed: |
May 31, 2011 |
PCT Filed: |
May 31, 2011 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2011/003070 |
371 Date: |
November 20, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/745.07 ;
405/224 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04B 1/32 20130101; E02B
3/00 20130101; A01G 15/00 20130101; E02D 29/06 20130101; Y02A 40/81
20180101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/745.07 ;
405/224 |
International
Class: |
E02D 29/09 20060101
E02D029/09; E04B 1/32 20060101 E04B001/32 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 18, 2010 |
JP |
2010-139276 |
Claims
1. A method for developing land, comprising: covering an island
with a sealing dome larger than an aboveground portion of the
island such that a space is created between the island and the
sealing dome and such that a lower edge of the sealing dome is in
the sea; securing the sealing dome, while leaving a gap between the
lower edge of the sealing dome and a sea bottom; and reducing the
air pressure inside the sealing dome such that a sea level inside
the sealing dome rises above the island to allow coral to naturally
grow on the island, thereby developing land.
2. The method for developing land according to claim 1, wherein the
sealing dome has an arc-shaped cross section.
3. A method for developing land, comprising: covering an underwater
rock with a sealing dome larger than a portion of the underwater
rock that becomes an aboveground portion such that a space is
created between the underwater rock and the sealing dome and such
that a lower edge of the sealing dome is located in the sea;
securing the sealing dome, while leaving a gap between the lower
edge of the sealing dome and a sea bottom; and increasing the air
pressure inside the sealing dome such that a water level inside the
sealing dome lowers and the underwater rock is exposed above
sea-level, thereby increasing an area of land.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a method for developing
land such as an island.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] In small islands such as Okinotori Islands, for example,
coastlines are disappearing due to coastal erosion and rising sea
level caused by global warming, and these islands are at risk of
going underwater. To deal with this, measures for solving the
problem of coastal erosion have been taken, which include placing a
plurality of concrete blocks on the sea bottom near the coast so as
to absorb the force of approaching waves.
[0003] In Patent Document 1, for example, a method of building a
natural rock block that is formed by mounting natural rocks on the
surface of a concrete block is disclosed. By placing these natural
rock blocks on the ground, the current velocity and wave force can
be stabilized while maintaining the natural ecosystem, without
sacrificing the natural landscape.
[0004] As a solution to the problem of disappearing coastline, a
method of placing concrete blocks on the sea bottom and growing
coral thereon has been implemented. In Patent Document 2, for
example, a method for naturally developing coastline is disclosed.
In this method, blocks for growing coral that have implantation
surfaces on which coral is to be implanted are prepared, live coral
is implanted on the implantation surfaces by an adhesive agent, and
those blocks are stacked on the sea bottom near the coast to allow
the coral to grow thereon, thereby naturally expand the
coastline.
RELATED ART DOCUMENTS
Patent Documents
[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open
Publication No. H7-331636
[0006] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open
Publication No. 2008-017789
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0007] However, the above-mentioned methods for building natural
rock blocks and growing coral had the following problem.
[0008] The function of the natural rock block is nothing more than
that of a general concrete block that breaks approaching waves.
Also, because coral can only grow in the water, with the
conventional coral growing method, which is designed to be
implemented underwater, it is not possible to allow coral to grow
above water. Therefore, those methods cannot effectively address
problems such as rising sea level due to global warming, which is
another factor for the vanishing coastline, and thus cannot provide
a fundamental solution to the disappearing islands.
[0009] Under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea
(signed in 1982, came into force in 1996; the Law of the Sea
treaty), an island is defined as "a naturally formed area of land,
surrounded by water, which is above water at high tide." Therefore,
with the method for building the natural rock block and the method
for growing coral described above, it is not possible to develop an
island.
[0010] The present invention was made in view of the
above-mentioned problems, and aims at providing a method for
developing land through the workings of nature.
Means for Solving the Problems
[0011] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a method for
developing land according to the present invention includes:
covering an island with a sealing dome larger than an aboveground
portion of the island such that a space is created between the
island and the sealing dome and such that a lower edge of the
sealing dome is located in the sea; securing the sealing dome,
while leaving a gap between the lower edge of the sealing dome and
a sea bottom; reducing the air pressure inside the sealing dome
such that a water level inside the sealing dome rises above the
island to allow coral to naturally grow on the island, thereby
developing land. Here, "securing" means not only firmly fastening
an object by using a bolt and the like, but also moveably fastening
an object by a wire or a spring.
[0012] In the method for developing land according to the present
invention, it is preferable that the sealing dome have an
arc-shaped cross section.
[0013] Another method for developing land according to the present
invention includes: covering an underwater rock with a sealing dome
larger than a portion of the underwater rock that becomes an
aboveground portion such that a space is created between the
underwater rock and the sealing dome and such that a lower edge of
the sealing dome is located in the sea; securing the sealing dome,
while leaving a gap between the lower edge of the sealing dome and
the sea bottom; increasing the air pressure inside the sealing dome
such that a water level inside the sealing dome lowers and the
underwater rock is exposed above sea-level, thereby increasing an
area of land.
Effects of the Invention
[0014] According to the present invention, by reducing the air
pressure inside the sealing dome, the water level in the sealing
dome can be raised above the island, allowing the coral to
naturally grow on the island. This makes it possible to develop
land through the workings of nature.
[0015] When the sealing dome has an arc-shaped cross section, the
sealing dome can be provided with a sufficient strength to
withstand the atmosphere pressure acting thereon when the air
pressure is reduced.
[0016] Further, according to the present invention, by increasing
the air pressure inside the sealing dome so as to lower the water
level in the sealing dome, the underwater rock is exposed above
sea-level, increasing an area of land. This makes it possible to
develop land through the workings of nature.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a method
for developing land according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0018] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a method
for developing land according to a second embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0019] Below, embodiments of the present invention will be
explained in detail with reference to figures.
[0020] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a method
for developing land according to an embodiment of the present
invention. As shown in FIG. 1(a), an island 1 has an aboveground
portion 1a exposed above the sea level 2.
[0021] In the method for developing land of the present embodiment,
in this state, the island 1 is covered with a sealing dome 3 larger
than the aboveground portion 1a such that a space s1 is created
between the island 1 and the sealing dome 3 and such that a lower
edge 3a of the sealing dome 3 is located in the sea, i.e., below
the sea level 2 as shown in FIG. 1(b). Because of the arc-shaped
cross section, the sealing dome 3 has a sufficient strength to
withstand the atmosphere pressure acting thereon when the air
pressure is reduced. It is preferable that the sealing dome 3 be
made of a transparent material that is light and strong such as
polycarbonate, but other materials may also be used.
[0022] Next, leaving a gap s2 between the lower edge 3a of the
sealing dome 3 and a sea bottom 1b, piles 4 secured to the lower
edge 3a of the sealing dome 3 with bolts (not shown) are driven
into the sea bottom 1b to secure the sealing dome 3. The piles 4
can be made of stainless or the like. Because the figure shows a
cross-sectional view, only two piles on the right and on the left
are shown, but in the actual sealing dome 3, the piles are provided
at even intervals along the lower edge 3a.
[0023] Next, a pump 5 provided in the sealing dome 3 is actuated to
reduce the air pressure inside the sealing dome 3. According to the
Pascal's law, as indicated by the arrows in FIG. 1(b), this causes
the seawater to be drawn into the sealing dome 3, allowing the sea
level 2a inside the sealing dome 3 to rise above the aboveground
portion 1a of the island 1.
[0024] By leaving the island 1 under this condition, coral 6 will
naturally grow on the island 1.
[0025] After coral 6 has grown, as shown in FIG. 1(c), the pump 5
is released to make the air pressure inside the sealing dome 3
equal to the atmosphere pressure outside of the sealing dome 3.
This causes the sea level 2a inside the sealing dome 3 to lower to
the same level as the sea level 2 outside of the sealing dome
3.
[0026] Even when the sealing dome 3 is thereafter removed, because
the coral skeletons form land, the elevation of the highest point
of the island 1 becomes higher than that in the original state. As
a result, as shown in FIG. 1(d), even if the sea level 2 rises from
the original sea level 2a due to global warming and the like, and
the original aboveground portion 1a is submerged, it would not
cause the entire island to be submerged because the elevation of
the highest point of the island has been raised by the height of
the coral 6. In this way, land can be developed through the
workings of nature. Also, by repeating the above-mentioned steps,
even if the sea level further rises, the island can be saved from
going underwater.
[0027] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a method for
developing land according to a second embodiment of the present
invention. As shown in FIG. 2(a), a top portion 11a of an
underwater rock 11 is not exposed above the sea level 2.
[0028] In the method for developing land of the present embodiment,
in this state, as shown in FIG. 2(b), the underwater rock 11 is
covered with a sealing dome 13 larger than the top portion 11a
thereof that becomes an aboveground portion of the island such that
a space s11 is created between the underwater rock 11 and the
sealing dome 13 and such that a lower edge 13a of the sealing dome
13 is located in the sea, i.e., below the sea level 2. Because of
the arc-shaped cross section, the sealing dome 13 is provided with
a sufficient strength to withstand the atmosphere pressure acting
thereon when the air pressure is reduced. It is preferable that the
sealing dome 13 be made of a transparent material that is light and
strong such as polycarbonate, but other materials may also be
used.
[0029] Next, leaving a gap s12 between the lower edge 13a of the
sealing dome 13 and a sea bottom 11b, piles 14 that are secured to
the lower edge 13a of the sealing dome 13 with bolts (not shown)
are driven into the sea bottom 11b to secure the sealing dome
13.
[0030] Thereafter, by actuating a pump 15 provided in the sealing
dome 13, the air pressure inside the sealing dome 13 is increased.
According to the Pascal's Law, this causes the sea level inside the
sealing dome 13 to lower to a level below the top portion 11a of
the underwater rock 11 as indicated by the arrows in FIG. 2(b).
[0031] By exposing the underwater rock from the sea level as
described above, an island can be formed, and an area of land can
be increased. Thus, it is possible to develop land through the
workings of nature.
[0032] In the present embodiment, the island will disappear when
the sealing dome 13 is removed. However, even if the sea level 12
further rises, by further increasing the air pressure inside the
sealing dome 13, the island can be saved from going underwater.
[0033] In implementing the present invention, various modifications
can be made without departing from the spirit thereof. For example,
the method of increasing or decreasing the pressure inside the
sealing dome described above is not limited to the method using a
pump, but various known methods can be employed such as a chemical
reaction, dissolution into sea water, or reduction of volume by
cooling a vapor. In securing the sealing dome to the sea bottom,
the sealing dome may be moveably fastened by wires or springs,
instead of being firmly fastened by bolts or the like. The sealing
dome may be secured to an above-water portion of the island,
instead of the sea bottom. The sealing dome may have other cross
section shapes than the arc shape, and may be provided with thermal
insulating films or solar panels on the surface thereof for
temperature control and the like.
[0034] As described above, the method for developing land according
to the present invention includes: covering an island with a
sealing dome larger than an aboveground portion of the island such
that a space is created between the island and the sealing dome and
such that a lower edge of the sealing dome is located in the sea;
securing the sealing dome, while leaving a gap between the lower
edge of the sealing dome and the sea bottom; and reducing the air
pressure inside the sealing dome such that a water level inside the
sealing dome rises above the island to allow coral to naturally
grow on the island, thereby developing land. In this method, by
reducing the air pressure inside the sealing dome, the water level
inside the sealing dome is raised above the island, which allows
coral to naturally grow on the island, and therefore, land can be
developed through the workings of nature. In the case of increasing
the area of land by: covering an underwater rock with a sealing
dome larger than a portion of the underwater rock that becomes an
aboveground portion such that a space is created between the
underwater rock and the sealing dome and such that a lower edge of
the sealing dome is located in the sea; securing the sealing dome,
while leaving a gap between the lower edge of the sealing dome and
the sea bottom; and increasing the air pressure inside the sealing
dome such that a water level inside the sealing dome lowers to
expose the underwater rock above sea-level, the area of the land
can be increased by increasing the air pressure inside the sealing
dome such that a water level inside the sealing dome lowers to
expose the underwater rock above sea-level. Therefore, it is
possible to develop land through the workings of nature.
DESCRIPTIONS OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS
[0035] 1 island [0036] 2, 12 sea level [0037] 3, 13 sealing dome
[0038] 4, 14 pile [0039] 5, 15 pump [0040] 11 underwater rock
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