An automatic level-control floating apparatus supports a pontoon bridge, a
floating floor or another superstructure floating on the sea, where the
height of tide or the sea level varies. It is difficult to maintain the
level of such a superstructure, which the floating apparatus can keep at a
constant level without using motive power.
The floating apparatus includes a supporting tank 3, which rests on the
water bottom. The top of the supporting tank 3 is open to the atmosphere.
A piston body 1 can reciprocate vertically in the supporting tank 3. The
apparatus also includes floating tanks 2, which are integral with and
positioned outside the piston body 1. The tops of the floating tanks 2 are
open to the atmosphere. The floating tanks 2 are floating on the water. A
floating body 4 can move vertically in each floating tank 2 and supports
the superstructure. The interior of each floating tank 2 and the interior
of the supporting tank 3 are connected by an elastic or flexible
communicating tube 5, through which liquid can flow between them.
