Improvement to Rapid-Deployment Sloped-Descent Foiling Directional Anchor

Abstract

The Sloped-Descent Foiling Anchor employs specially designed flukes and other components that interact with the fluid mechanics of water to achieve an optimal and directionally-stable descent·path to the seabed while pulling the rode. The device may become negatively affected however, by unseen damage, fouling, seaweed growth, obstructions, current, and / or rope drag while descending along its intended path to the seabed. The effects could include directional deviation, loss of speed and / or steeper than intended glide slope. Remedies described within this document include a mechanical or electrically-powered rudder mechanism, as well as a thruster mechanism either coupled to the anchor, to the mechanical or electrically-powered rudder mechanism or to the rode. The thruster mechanism can be either electrically, chemically or pneumatically-powered, and may include the ability to be biased for directional control. An energy storage means can be equipped at the anchor to provide power requirements. Further to this, a camera module and means of communicating signals to and from the vessel enable the user to visually verify anchorage in the seabed. Further to this, a robotic arm or arms enable the user to remotely reposition the anchor device or to clear debris, to improve anchorage in the seabed. A specialized anchor line of lightweight construction providing neutral buoyancy will be optimized for use with the Sloped-Descent Foiling Anchor system by incorporating a low-drag jacket, high-tensile load-bearing fibers, an integrated guided transmission media facilitating analog, digital, electrical, laser-optic, pneumatic, acoustic, pulse and / or other means of signal communication. The specialized anchor line will be constructed with a slender cross-section and supple texture, reliable couplings and sealed communication ports that function effectively with both the Sloped-Descent Foiling Anchor and the deck side interface / stowage / unfurling drum or other system support equipment. The stowage / unfurling drum can be integrated within the Sloped-Descent Foiling Anchor's shank. It can be a conventional reel located within the buoyancy chamber, or a cylindrical housing that runs axial to the path of travel, thus minimizing hydrodynamic drag. Unfurling the specialized anchor line from the anchor during operation may reduce rope drag and simplify certain aspects of use.

Description

CA 3252187 Date reçue / Received date 2024-10-17 the path of travel, thus minimizing hydrodynamic drag. Unfurling the specialized anchor line from the anchor during operation may reduce rope drag and simplify certain aspects of use. Background of invention: The Sloped-Descent Foiling Anchor is a novel invention that vastly improves and simplifies the process of anchoring a vessel. The Sloped-Descent Foiling Anchor is launched in the direction of the anchor field rather than having to maneuver the vessel over the anchor field. In an emergency it may not be possible to maneuver the vessel due to sea conditions, mechanica I failure, crew incapacitation, etc. The ability to rapidly- launch the Sloped-Descent Foiling Anchor in any condition greatly enhances marine safety. It has been observed however, that the anchor may be affected by variables such as unseen damage, fouling, seaweed growth and other obstructions in the water,.water current, and / or rope drag while descending along its intended path to the seabed. Because of the harsh operating environment, there is a high probability that slight damage to the anchor could occur. The nature of hydrodynamics means a small amount of damage to the device could adversely affect its performance if gone unnoticed, uncorrected, or uncompensated. Further to mechanical damage, the prevalence of fouling from aggressive aquatic life could also limit the performance of the device. Aquatic vegetation like kelp beds have also been observed to affect the device when they are encountered during its sloped descent. Rogue fishing lines or nets could also be negative factors, as well as strong currents or even bubbles. With deeper anchor fields, the Sloped-Descent Foiling Anchor must draw more rode which imposes increasing drag thru the water. Increasing resistance affects the anchor's speed, ability to foil and directional stability in the water. These factors can be mitigated with the introduction of several additional features and components, either attached directly to the anchor or to the anchor rode adjacent the anchor. Further improvements to the Sloped-Descent 'Foiling Anchor that impact safety may include the addition of a camera to visually confirm secure anchorage, and a robotic arm or arms to enable the user to remotely reposition the anchor device to improve anchorage in the seabed. The robotic arms could also be configured to act autonomously. Description: The Mechanically Powered Rudder is a device that is secured to the rearward distal end of Sloped-Descent Foiling Anchor shank. It consists of a Pivoting Rudder Vane, a Servo Fork, and a Retracting Pigtail. The Pivoting rudder Vane occupies a vertical pivot bushing adjacent the buoyancy chamber in the shank assembly, with the ability to swivel left and right at least 45 degrees about the vertical axis. The Servo Fork occupies a second vertical pivot point aft of the Pivoting Rudder Vane, and is able to swivel left and right at least 45 degrees about the vertical axis. The forward end of the Servo Fork is bent upward to engage the Pivoting Rudder Vane aft ofits pivot point. The distance from the forward end of the Servo Fork to its pivot is significantly greater than the dista nee from the Pivoting Rudder Vane pivot to the point where the Servo Fork engages it, thus amplifying the-opposite displacement of the Rudder Vane versus the Servo fork (i.e., if the Servo fork is displaced 15 degrees counter-clockwise, then the Rudder vane will be displaced over 30 degrees clockwise). The Pigtail is pivotally attached to the Servo fork on a horizontal axis approximately perpendicular the shank. The Pigtail is thus enabled to move freely up or down without affecting displacement of the Pivoting Rudder Vane. Pivoting the Pigtail laterally will induce clockwise or counter-clockwise rotation of the Servo Fork, CA 3252187 Date reçue / Received date 2024-10-17 thus inducing amplified opposite movement in the Pivoting Ruddervane, and affecting the path of the Sloped-Descent Foiling Anchor. The anchor rode is wound through the rearward distal end of the Pigtail, thus any lateral displacement of the anchor rode relative the shank will cause an aggressive counter-input to the Pivoting Rudder vane that will produce an immediate course correction for the Sloped-Descent Foiling Anchor (i.e., if the Sloped-Descent Foiling Anchor deviates to the left, the rode and Pigtail will be pulled in that direction relative the anchor. This will be registered as a clockwise rotation of the Servo Fork, as seen from above, imparting an amplified counter-clockwise rotation of the Pivoting Rudder Vane. The hydrodynamic effect on the Sloped-Descent Foiling Anchor will result in a rapid right-hand course adjustment). The Electrically Powered Rudder is a device that is secured to the Sloped-Descent Foiling Anchor shank. It consists of a Pivoting Rudder Vane, sealed electromechanical actuator, control circuits and battery supply. Note that the Electrically Powered Rudder system may receive its power and control signals via the Specialized Anchor Rode, or by control and power modules located on the anchor itself. Guidance could be in the form of inertial systems, GPS, or other applicable technology. The Thruster System can be either permanently or removeably attached directly to the Sloped􀉐Descent Foiling Anchor, to the Rudder System, or to the Specialized Anchor Rode. The Thruster system can be electrically powered, mechanically powered with stored spring energy, or pneumatically powered with either stored compressed air, CO2, or the off-gassing byproduct from combined chemical reactants. The Thruster System can consist of one or more impellors in a coaxial housing or in multiple housings, and capable of creating symmetrical or asymmetric thrust on demand by altering nozzle shape and / or direction, blade-pitch, speed and / or direction of rotation. The purpose of the Thruster System is to maintain velocity and optimal glide-slope by overcoming excessive water resistance or obstructions encountered by the Sloped-Descent Foiling Anchor and / or its attached systems. The Thruster System can be used to provide directional control or to augment directional control provided by the Sloped-Descent Foiling Anchor and / or its Rudder systems. The Thruster System can also serve to improve anchor engagement with the seabed by repositioning the device or by blowing away obstructions. Furthermore, the Thruster system can also serve to aid in anchor release if it inadvertently gets fouled by obstructions. "'- The Onboard Energy Storage can be in the form of either sealed water-tight electrical batteries, stored compressed air, CO2, or the off-gassing byproduct from combined chemical reactants. Any form of stored energy will be easily replenished by either recharging or by removing and replacing the storage medium. Electrical batteries will be equipped with charge ports, and / or be easily removed and replaced. Compressed air tanks will be fitted with valves and couplings that are compatible with scuba systems or other appropriate systems, and / or they will be easily removed and replaced. CO2 tanks will be fitted with couplings that are common with harpoon equipment and / or they will be easily removed and replaced. Chemical reactant canisters will be easily removed and replaced. The energy demand generated by the anchor on board systems may exceed the capability of power transmission conduits integrated into the 'Specialized Anchor Line. Power requirements other than the demand required by the onboard camera and lighting system, will be of short duration, and met by the provisions of one or more of the on board storage systems. CA 3252187 Date reçue / Received date 2024-10-17 The Onboard Camera System can be permanent or removeably attached to the Sloped-Descent Foiling Anchor, Rudder, thruster system, or specialized anchor rode. The onboard camera system can be powered internally, remotely via the specialized anchor rode, or from the on board energy storage system. The Onboard Camera System can be equipped to operate in the most optimal range of the light spectrum for depths that it will typically see use in. Furthermore, the Onboard Camera system can be augmented with its own projected light source operating in the appropriate spectrum. The images collected can be stored with a data card, or preferably, directed to the vessel via the communication conduit contained within the specialized anchor rode. The Specialized Anchor Rode is a specialized anchor line of lightweight construction providing neutral buoyancy optimized for use with the Sloped-Descent Foiling Anchor system. It incorporates a low-drag jacket, high-tensile load-bearing fibers, an integrated guided transmission media facilitating analo1:t, digital, electrical, laser-optic, pneumatic, acoustic, pulse and / or other means of signal communication. The specialized anchor line is constructed with a slender cross-section arid supple texture, reliable couplings and sealed communication ports that function effectively with both the Sloped-Descent Foiling Anchor and the deck side interface / stowage / unfurling drum or other system support equipment. Deck side Interface / Stowage / Unfurling Drum and Stanchion is a system designed to support the the Sloped-Descent Foiling Anchor and related systems as a vessel-mounted module. The device contains a drum and manual or powered winch system to take up slack in the specialized anchor rode. Once the excess rode is drawn-in, a cleat or fastening system locks the rode with adequate loadbearing capability, while avoiding damage to the exterior jacket, the tensile fibers or the integrated guided communication conduit. The deck side Interface / Stowage / Unfurling Drum and Stanchion can be used as the primary rode stowage and unfurling device, or it can be used in combination with the onboard reel or cylindrical axial housing incorporated into the Sloped-Descent Foiling Anchor system. The Deck side Interface / Stowage / Unfurling Drum and Stanchion can function as a convenient storage locker for the Sloped-Descent Foiling Anchor system and accessories.