Anchor Adaptor Self-Alignment Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Anchors often require manual alignment during retraction to prevent misalignment and sticking issues, which can hinder the retraction process, and existing solutions like Turkish Patent Document No. 2007-G-196479 do not fully address the need for automatic self-alignment.
Innovation Solution
The proposed anchor adaptor features a knuckle with a blind slot and ball socket mechanism that restricts pivoting motion, allowing the anchor to self-align under its own weight using a ball swivel and chain clevis for rotational coupling, ensuring proper orientation during retraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the anchor is retracted by pulling the chain over a guiding surface, then the anchor can be stored on the vessel, but the anchor may require manual alignment to prevent misalignment and sticking issues
Solution Approach 1:
The adaptor enables the anchor to self-align during retraction through the ball socket mechanism and blind slot configuration. The anchor automatically orients itself using its own weight and the mechanical constraints of the adaptor, eliminating the need for manual alignment operations by crew members.
Solution Approach 2:
The adaptor acts as an intermediary device between the anchor and the chain/vessel system. It includes a ball socket mechanism with a blind slot that mediates the alignment process, allowing the anchor to pivot and self-align while being pulled over the guiding surface, thus simplifying the overall retraction operation.
2Extent of automation
If the anchor is allowed to pivot freely during retraction, then the anchor can self-align under its own weight, but the anchor may get stuck or misalign during the process
Solution Approach 1:
The adaptor employs a dynamic alignment mechanism where the blind slot in the ball socket allows controlled pivoting motion of the anchor during retraction. The slot enables the anchor to rotate and self-align under gravity while the spherical interface maintains connection, providing adaptive movement that ensures reliable operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The blind slot configuration changes the degrees of freedom available to the anchor during retraction. By restricting pivoting motion to specific parameters (allowing rotation around the spherical axis while limiting other movements), the system achieves automatic alignment without compromising reliability or causing sticking issues.
3Manufacturing precision
If manual alignment is required for proper retraction, then the anchor can be positioned correctly, but the retraction process becomes time-consuming and labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The adaptor's ball socket mechanism with blind slot automatically performs the alignment function that would otherwise require manual intervention. As the anchor is pulled in by the chain, it naturally orients itself through the mechanical constraints and gravitational forces, achieving precise alignment without crew involvement and maintaining high retraction speed.
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 adaptor enables automatic alignment of the anchor under its own weight, eliminating the need for manual intervention and ensuring efficient retraction and storage, while facilitating effortless mooring by maintaining the anchor in a desirable position.
Implementation Method 1
The present disclosure provides for an adaptor for an anchor including a first member configured for coupling a chain and a hollow second member for pivotally coupling an anchor
Data Source
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AI summary
An adaptor for an anchor including a first member configured for coupling a chain and a hollow second member for pivotally coupling an anchor. The second member defines a longitudinally extending blind slot on an inner surface and a longitudinally extending opening diametrically opposite the blind slot. The blind slot configured to restrict pivoting motion of the anchor within the second member and a swivel coupler for coupling the first member to the second member.