Adjustable Buoyancy Semi-Rigid Craft Ballast System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing semi-rigid crafts for transporting and collecting floating loads in marine environments require complex pumping systems for ballast operation, imposing maintenance and preparation constraints for reliable operation.
Innovation Solution
A semi-rigid craft design utilizing inflatable bags within a central cavity of the hull, controlled by three-way valves connected to compressed air reserves, allows for varying buoyancy and immersion levels without a pumping system, featuring a transverse bulkhead, longitudinal bulkheads, and anchoring means for the inflatable bags, and a reserve buoyancy chamber filled with low-density foam.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If pumping means are used to fill and empty the ballast, then the hull can be submerged and raised as needed, but the device complexity and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the pumping system entirely from the ballast operation. Instead of using a pump to fill and empty the ballast, the system extracts the ballast water through gravity drainage when the hull is tilted, eliminating the need for mechanical pumping equipment and its associated maintenance requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the counterweight effect of the ballast itself to achieve submersion and raising of the hull. By filling the ballast with water, the increased weight causes the hull to submerge; by emptying the ballast, the reduced weight allows the hull to rise, utilizing gravitational force rather than mechanical pumping.
2Extent of automation
If electric pump and battery are installed for ballast operation, then automated control is achieved, but preparation and maintenance constraints increase
Solution Approach 1:
The ballast system operates autonomously using gravity and natural water flow. The hull's tilting mechanism automatically directs ballast water to drainage openings, eliminating the need for electric pumps and batteries. This self-service approach removes preparation and maintenance constraints associated with electrical systems while maintaining automated-like operation through passive gravitational control.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the stern is submerged to collect loads, then the craft can function as a floating dock, but the deck level decreases making loading difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the hull into distinct functional zones: the ballast compartment at the stern for submersion and the deck area for loading operations. This segmentation allows the stern to be selectively submerged for floating dock functionality while keeping the deck level sufficient for practical loading, as the ballast water is contained in a separate compartment rather than flooding the entire hull.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local submersion by filling only the ballast compartment at the stern with water, rather than submerging the entire hull. This localized approach allows the stern to descend to collect loads while the deck remains at an appropriate level for loading operations, maintaining both floating dock functionality and operational accessibility.
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
Simplifies the ballast operation by eliminating the need for pumping systems, ensuring reliable and efficient submersion and loading of floating loads with reduced maintenance requirements.
Implementation Method 1
said bag being associated with inflation and deflation means enabling the buoyancy to be varied and consequently the level of immersion of said stern to be changed as needed
Implementation Method 2
said floats being compartmentalized and the rear compartments at the stern being associated with inflation and deflation means in the form of three-way valves
Data Source
AI summary
A craft includes a rigid hull (1) that consists of a V-shaped bottom (5) and a bridge (4) on which a load can rest. The hull includes plating consisting of compartmentalized pneumatic floats (2), the rear compartments (32) of which are combined with an inflation and deflation system so as to vary the buoyancy of the craft. The craft also includes a submergible hull (1), the central cavity (9) of which is formed between the bottom (5) and the bridge (4) and is open at the rear so as to be automatically filled or emptied, the central cavity (9) containing at least one bag (10) that is combined with an inflation and deflation system enabling the buoyancy to be varied and consequently the level of immersion of the stern (7) to be changed as needed.