Adjustable Magnetic Mooring Device for Vessel Movement

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing magnetic mooring devices are limited by the reach of their movable arm, preventing them from accommodating large movements of vessels due to wind, waves, and loading/unloading, leading to detachment issues.

Innovation Solution

A mooring device with a telescopic arm and hydraulic cylinders that adjust a magnetic field based on linear displacements to change attachment points on a vessel or mooring structure, allowing for larger movement tolerance and easy implementation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a movable arm is used to position the electromagnet, then the mooring device can attach to the vessel, but the device can only accommodate small vessel movements within the arm's reach

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemovement accommodation rangeVSAvoidmovable arm reach

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the magnetic field strength adjustable rather than fixed. The electromagnet's magnetic field can be dynamically increased or decreased based on the vessel's position relative to the movable arm, allowing the system to adapt to large vessel movements without requiring an excessively long arm structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of magnetic field strength to solve the reach limitation. By varying the magnetic field parameter (increasing it when the vessel moves away and decreasing it when closer), the system extends its effective working range beyond what a fixed-length movable arm could physically accommodate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If the movable arm is extended to accommodate larger movements, then more vessel movement is allowed, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemovement toleranceVSAvoidmovable arm structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces a purely mechanical solution (extending the movable arm structure) with an electromagnetic field-based solution. Instead of making the mechanical arm longer and more complex, the system uses adjustable magnetic field strength to maintain attachment over larger distances and movements, substituting mechanical complexity with controllable field parameters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If the magnetic field strength is increased to maintain attachment during large movements, then attachment reliability improves, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment stabilityVSAvoidelectromagnet energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs feedback control where the magnetic field strength is continuously adjusted based on the relative position between the mooring device and the vessel. When the vessel moves away, the magnetic field is increased to maintain attachment; when the vessel returns closer, the field is decreased. This feedback mechanism ensures reliable attachment while minimizing unnecessary energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The magnetic field application operates in periodic cycles of increase and decrease rather than remaining constantly at maximum strength. The field is intensified only when needed to maintain attachment during vessel movement, and reduced when the vessel is within normal range, creating a periodic action pattern that balances reliability with energy efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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

Enables secure mooring of vessels with large movements by dynamically adjusting the magnetic field and attachment points, ensuring stability during wind, wave, and loading/unloading conditions.

Implementation Method 1

at least one magnet for generating a magnetic field through the contact surface to the object

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 2

a first hydraulic cylinder and a second hydraulic cylinder attached to the telescopic arm

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydraulic: Hydraulic Press

Data Source

PatentUS12103644B2Mooring device and a method for operating a mooring device

Publication Date: 2024.10.01 3MAR OY

AI summary

A mooring device (100) includes a method for operation. The mooring device (100) has an attachment unit (101) including a contact surface (102) for contacting a surface of an object (201) to be attached and at least one magnet for generating a magnetic field through the contact surface (102) to the object (201), a regulator (104) for adjusting the magnetic field generated by the at least one magnet, a telescopic arm (105) pivotally attached to the attachment unit (101), a first hydraulic cylinder (106) and a second hydraulic cylinder (107) attached to the telescopic arm (105), and a monitor for monitoring linear displacements of the first hydraulic cylinder (106) and the second hydraulic cylinder (107). The regulator (104) is configured, based on the linear displacements, to adjust the magnetic field so that an attachment point on the surface of the object (201) can be changed.