Variable geometry wave adaptive catamaran

Abstract

The application discloses a variable-structure wave-adaptive catamaran, which comprises two floating cylinder hulls (1) symmetrically distributed along a rolling axis of the catamaran, a deck platform (4) located between the two floating cylinder hulls (1) and a power propeller (5) installed at the tail of the floating cylinder hull (1), wherein the deck platform (4) is installed on the two floating cylinder hulls (1) through a hydraulic deformation mechanism (3), so that the height of the deck platform (4) and the distance between the two floating cylinder hulls (1) can be adjusted.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a variable structure wave-adaptive catamaran, belonging to the field of marine machinery and equipment. Background Technology

[0002] Offshore stabilization platforms are crucial shipboard facilities, providing a stable operating space for various shipboard equipment. With the accelerating pace of ocean exploration, the demand for offshore stabilization platforms is steadily increasing. For example, the safe takeoff and landing of drones during collaborative operations with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), the normal operation of sonar and other equipment during seabed topographic surveys, and the proper functioning of related equipment during salvage operations all urgently require a high degree of platform stability. However, wind and waves constantly affect ship navigation and operations, making the development and construction of offshore stabilization platforms extremely challenging.

[0003] To reduce the rolling motion of ships caused by wind and waves, in addition to equipping ships with anti-roll devices, optimized hull structure design can also increase hull stability to a certain extent. Catamarans are more stable than traditional monohulls, and their deck platform area is much larger than that of monohulls of the same displacement. Currently, with the application of wave-adaptive technology in catamarans, their stability is even higher, maintaining the stability of the deck platform even when swaying with the waves.

[0004] Because wave-adaptive catamarans have a fixed structure and generally have relatively small platform loads, the only option when a large load is required is to increase the length and width of the hull. In this case, an additional catamaran must be built, which significantly increases the cost.

[0005] Therefore, how to design a catamaran that is highly adaptable to waves while also being able to change the space occupied by the hull and meet the requirements of the load equipment has become an urgent technical problem to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0006] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this invention provides a variable structure wave-adaptive catamaran, comprising two pontoon hulls symmetrically distributed along the catamaran's roll axis, a deck platform located between the two pontoon hulls, and a power propulsion unit installed at the stern of the pontoon hulls. The key feature is that the deck platform is mounted on the two pontoon hulls via a hydraulic deformation mechanism, thereby enabling adjustment of the height of the deck platform and the distance between the two pontoon hulls.

[0007] Preferably, the hydraulic deformation mechanism includes two sets of hydraulic deformation mechanisms respectively disposed on the deck platform along the roll axis of the two hulls. Each hydraulic deformation mechanism includes: two support bases respectively connected to the two pontoon hulls, the two support bases having a symmetrical structure, each support base being provided with a first hydraulic cylinder device, a movable rod, and a connecting rod, wherein the lower end of the movable rod is connected to the support base through a revolute joint, and the upper end of the movable rod is connected to the first end of the connecting rod through a revolute joint; the first hydraulic cylinder device, the hydraulic cylinder end of which is connected to the support base through a revolute joint, and the hydraulic rod end of which is connected to the movable rod and can move together with the movable rod; and a second hydraulic cylinder device located between the two symmetrical support bases, the hydraulic cylinder end of the second hydraulic cylinder device being mounted on the deck platform, and the second end of the connecting rod on the two support bases being connected to the hydraulic rod end of the second hydraulic cylinder device.

[0008] Preferably, the deck platform has flat side rails at both ends of the double hull roll axis, and the movable rod is provided with a pin, which moves along the slide rail within its stroke.

[0009] Preferably, the support base is mounted on the hull of the pontoon via a spring shock absorber.

[0010] Preferably, the deck platform further includes a moon pool and a winch and cable rack disposed on at least one side of the moon pool.

[0011] Preferably, the deck platform also includes guardrails.

[0012] Preferably, the pontoon hull has an internal hollow structure.

[0013] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0014] This invention utilizes the kinematic coordination between a hydraulic telescopic mechanism and movable rods, and when applied to catamarans, it can adjust the height of the deck platform and the span between the two pontoon hulls as needed, resulting in better wave adaptability and higher stability. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is an overall assembly diagram of the device of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 2 This is a structural diagram of the hydraulic deformation mechanism of the device of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 3 This is a structural diagram of the hull platform of the device of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 4 This is a diagram showing the normal operating condition of a catamaran.

[0019] Figure 5 Diagram showing the catamaran platform in its lowest possible state.

[0020] Figure 6 This is a diagram showing the catamaran platform at its highest elevation. Detailed Implementation

[0021] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0022] See Figure 1 As shown, the present invention is a variable structure wave-adaptive catamaran, which includes two pontoon hulls 1, four spring shock absorbers 2, two sets of hydraulic deformation mechanisms 3, a deck platform 4, and two power propulsion units 5.

[0023] The pontoon hull 1 has an internal hollow structure with a certain internal space to house equipment such as power batteries, small generators, and engines. Externally, it can support the deck platform 4 and the working equipment on the platform. The two pontoon hulls 1 are symmetrically distributed along the catamaran's roll axis. The propulsion unit 5 is installed at the stern of the pontoon hull, and its function is to provide power to the hull to meet the catamaran's navigation requirements.

[0024] Spring shock absorbers 2 are installed on the surface of the pontoon hull. Two spring shock absorbers 2 are placed at the front and rear of each pontoon hull, for a total of four. They mainly utilize the elastic deformation of the springs to compensate for the swaying of the hull within a small range.

[0025] Two sets of hydraulic deformation mechanisms 3 are installed at the fore and aft ends of the deck platform 4, which are located at the two ends along the roll axis of the catamaran. Each set of hydraulic deformation mechanisms 3 is connected to two spring shock absorbers 2 via left and right support bases, and the overall structure is symmetrically distributed along the roll axis. The raising and lowering of the deck platform 4 is controlled by the two identical and symmetrically distributed sets of hydraulic deformation mechanisms 3 at both ends. The deck platform 4 is connected to the hydraulic deformation mechanisms 3 via flat side rails 12 installed at both ends, and is mainly used to carry operating equipment.

[0026] See Figure 2 As shown, each hydraulic deformation mechanism includes two left and right support bases 6, a first hydraulic cylinder device 7 and a second hydraulic cylinder device 11, a movable rod 8, a connecting rod 9, and a pin 10. The overall structure is symmetrical about the second hydraulic cylinder device 11.

[0027] The support base 6 is mounted on the spring shock absorber 2 and connected to the movable rod 8 and the first hydraulic cylinder device 7, providing support for the movement of the overall mechanism. Specifically, the lower end of the movable rod 8 is connected to the support base 6 via a revolute joint, and the upper end is connected to the first end of the connecting rod 9 via a revolute joint. The hydraulic cylinder end of the first hydraulic cylinder device 7 is connected to the support base 6, with a revolute joint at the connection point; its hydraulic rod end is connected to the movable rod 8 and can move with the movable rod 8. The extension and retraction of the hydraulic rod of the first hydraulic cylinder device 7 can change the lateral span of the pontoon hull, i.e., the width of the catamaran. When the movable rod 8 rotates, it drives the first hydraulic cylinder device 7 to rotate, thereby realizing the lifting and lowering function of the platform.

[0028] The first end of the connecting rod 9 is connected to the movable rod 8, and the second end is connected to the hydraulic rod end of the second hydraulic cylinder device 11, mainly serving to connect the rods and transmit motion. The pin 10 is mounted on the movable rod 8, preferably near the upper end, and is connected to... Figure 3 The flat side rails 12 shown are connected and can slide within the rail travel range. The flat side rails 12 are located at both ends of the deck platform 4, and the hydraulic cylinder end of the second hydraulic cylinder device 11 is mounted on the deck platform 4. The extension and retraction of the second hydraulic cylinder 11 can change the hull width.

[0029] See Figure 3 As shown, the deck platform 4 mainly includes flat side rails 12, winches 13, cable racks 14, moon pools 15, and guardrails 16. The flat side rails 12 are installed on both sides of the deck platform 4, allowing the pins 10 to move within their stroke, thus stabilizing the platform's movement. A well-designed rail stroke can also limit movement.

[0030] Moon pool 15 is located in the middle of deck platform 4, providing space for equipment to be lowered. The size of the moon pool can be customized according to the size requirements of the equipment. At least one side of moon pool 15 is equipped with the winch 13 and cable rack 14, which work together to lower relevant operational equipment, such as seabed exploration robots, sonar, and other detection equipment. Preferably, winches and cable racks can be installed on both sides of moon pool 15.

[0031] Guardrails 16 are installed on both sides of the deck platform 4 to provide support and protection for the personnel installing and commissioning the equipment on the deck platform 4.

[0032] The application process of the variable structure wave-adaptive catamaran of this invention is as follows:

[0033] When the catamaran of this invention encounters wave disturbances, it can be compensated for by spring shock absorbers 2 and hydraulic deformation mechanisms 3, so that it can maintain the stability of the deck platform while swaying with the waves. The catamaran's normal operating state is as follows: Figure 4As shown, the platform height is moderate at this time. The height of the platform 4 can be adjusted according to different sea conditions or equipment requirements. The movable rod 8 and the second hydraulic cylinder device 11 are mainly responsible for the platform's lifting and lowering function, while the connecting rod 9 and the first hydraulic cylinder device 7 are mainly responsible for changing the span of the catamaran. For example... Figure 5 The catamaran hull platform 4 shown can be lowered to its lowest position, at which point the catamaran's center of gravity is at its lowest, improving the hull's stability and facilitating equipment lowering; the hull platform 4 can also be raised to its highest position as shown in the figure. Figure 6 As shown, the platform is raised at this point, which reduces stability but prevents waves from crashing onto the platform.

Claims

1. A variable structure wave-adaptive catamaran, comprising two pontoon hulls (1) symmetrically distributed along the catamaran's roll axis, a deck platform (4) located between the two pontoon hulls (1), and a power propulsion unit (5) installed at the stern of the pontoon hulls (1), characterized in that: The deck platform (4) is installed on the two pontoon hulls (1) by a hydraulic deformation mechanism (3), thereby enabling the adjustment of the height of the deck platform (4) and the distance between the two pontoon hulls (1); The hydraulic deformation mechanism (3) includes two sets of hydraulic deformation mechanisms (3) respectively disposed on the deck platform (4) along the roll axis of the double hull, and each hydraulic deformation mechanism (3) includes: Two support bases (6) are respectively connected to the two pontoon hulls (1). The two support bases (6) are symmetrically constructed. Each support base (6) is provided with a first hydraulic cylinder device (7), a movable rod (8), and a connecting rod (9). The lower end of the movable rod (8) is connected to the support base (6) through a revolute joint, and the upper end of the movable rod (8) is connected to the first end of the connecting rod (9) through a revolute joint. The first hydraulic cylinder device (7) has its hydraulic cylinder end connected to the support base (6) through a revolute joint, and its hydraulic rod end connected to the movable rod (8) and can move together with the movable rod (8). A second hydraulic cylinder device (11) is located between two symmetrical support bases (6), the hydraulic cylinder end of the second hydraulic cylinder device (11) is mounted on the deck platform (4), and the second end of the connecting rod (9) on the two support bases (6) is connected to the hydraulic rod end of the second hydraulic cylinder device (11).

2. The wave-adaptive catamaran according to claim 1, characterized in that, The deck platform (4) has flat side rails (12) at both ends of the double hull roll axis direction, and a pin (10) is provided on the movable rod (8). The pin (10) moves along the rail (12) within its stroke.

3. The wave-adaptive catamaran according to claim 1, characterized in that, The support base (6) is mounted on the hull (1) of the pontoon by means of a spring shock absorber (2).

4. The wave-adaptive catamaran according to claim 1, characterized in that, The deck platform (4) also includes a moon pool (15) and a winch (13) and cable rack disposed on at least one side of the moon pool (15).

5. The wave-adaptive catamaran according to claim 4, characterized in that, The deck platform (4) also includes guardrails (16).

6. The wave-adaptive catamaran according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pontoon hull (1) has an internal hollow structure.

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