Adaptive Mooring Damper Control for Floating Object Stability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing anchoring devices for floating objects, such as boats, are difficult to adjust and have constant stiffness and damping features that vary with weather conditions, aging, and corrosion, leading to instability and potential damage.
Innovation Solution
An anchoring device with a damping member comprising a slide chamber, piston, and electric damper, along with a control unit that adjusts damping based on measured speed and acceleration to maintain optimal oscillation and energy production, allowing for adaptive behavior in varying sea conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional anchoring devices with constant stiffness and damping are used, then the device structure is simple, but the device cannot adapt to varying weather conditions and aging, leading to instability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by replacing static, constant stiffness and damping components with active, adjustable components. The control unit dynamically modifies the stiffness and damping characteristics of the mooring spring based on real-time sensor data about weather conditions, wave motion, and system state, enabling the device to adapt to varying environmental conditions rather than relying on fixed mechanical properties
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback through sensors that continuously monitor wave motion, position, and system parameters, feeding this information to the control unit. The control unit processes this feedback and adjusts the mooring spring characteristics accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that automatically adapts to changing conditions without manual intervention
2Reliability
If traditional mooring springs with constant damping are used, then the device is simple to manufacture, but the damping features vary with weather conditions and aging, causing instability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by enabling the mooring spring system to automatically monitor and adjust its own damping characteristics. The integrated sensors and control unit allow the system to self-regulate its performance based on real-time conditions, compensating for aging and environmental effects without requiring external maintenance or manual adjustment, thereby maintaining reliable damping performance throughout the device lifecycle
3Manufacturing precision
If adjustable anchoring devices are implemented, then the anchoring accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms with an intelligent control system that uses sensors, processors, and actuators. Instead of requiring manual mechanical adjustment of stiffness and damping parameters, the system uses electronic control to modify these characteristics through controlled force application and material property modulation, achieving precise anchoring through software-based parameter adjustment rather than mechanical reconfiguration
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The anchoring device provides easy adjustment and adaptive damping to maintain stability and comfort, optimizing oscillation and energy production, while enabling remote monitoring and maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
at least one electric damper (43) suitable for damping the sliding of the piston (42) in the slide chamber (41)
Data Source
AI summary
An anchoring device for anchoring a floating object to an anchor structure, including a first attachment suitable for being secured to the floating object; a second attachment for being secured to the anchor structure; a damping member for damping the relative motion between the attachments for securing the first attachment to the second attachment and including a slide chamber, a piston for sliding in the slide chamber according to a relative motion between the attachments and a damper for damping the sliding of the piston in the slide chamber; and a control unit including a measurement sensor for measuring the sliding of the piston; and a control board for varying the damping of the damper according to the sliding of the piston detected by the measurement sensor.