Anchor Assist Device Plate Section for Soft Ground Hold Capacity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional grappling anchors exhibit poor hold capacity on soft anchoring grounds such as sand, shale, and mud, requiring either a change in anchor type or frequent resetting, which is impractical.
Innovation Solution
An anchor assist device with a plate section attached to the grappling anchor, featuring a ground-engaging end that penetrates soft surfaces and a movable coupling mechanism allowing it to adjust between soft and hard anchoring conditions, enhancing hold capacity without affecting performance on hard surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a grappling anchor is used on soft anchoring grounds, then the anchor can be used on hard surfaces, but the hold capacity on soft ground is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines a grappling anchor with a plate section to create a hybrid anchor system. The plate section is attached to the inner portion of the grappling anchor, merging the hard-ground gripping capability of the grapnel with the soft-ground penetration capability of the plate, allowing the single device to effectively anchor on both hard and soft surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The anchor assist device creates a multi-functional anchor system where the grappling anchor handles hard surface anchoring while the plate section handles soft ground anchoring. This universal design eliminates the need for separate anchors for different ground types, as the combined device adapts its function based on the anchoring surface encountered.
2Reliability
If the anchor type is changed to suit soft ground, then the hold capacity improves, but the complexity of having multiple anchor types increases
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than requiring separate anchors for hard and soft ground, the invention merges a grappling anchor and a plate section into a single integrated device. This eliminates the need for vessels to carry and switch between multiple anchor types, reducing equipment complexity while maintaining effective hold capacity on both soft and hard surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The combined anchor device provides universal anchoring capability across different ground types. The plate section enables soft ground anchoring without requiring a dedicated soft-ground anchor, while the grappling prongs maintain hard surface capability, thus achieving multi-functionality with a single device rather than multiple specialized anchors.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the grappling anchor is frequently reset to maintain position, then the vessel can stay on location, but the time and effort required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The plate section is pre-attached to the grappling anchor, creating a ready-to-deploy hybrid anchor system. When deployed, the plate section automatically engages with the soft ground to provide immediate additional holding power, preventing the need for frequent resetting operations and ensuring stable vessel position from the initial anchoring.
Data Source
AI summary
An anchor assist device for use with a grappling anchor, the grappling anchor including a shank, a plurality of prongs extending outwardly from a lower end of the shank and an inner portion defined by the lower end of the shank and corresponding lower ends of each of the prongs. The anchor assist device including a plate section having a base end and an opposing ground-engaging end. The base end of the plate section is attached to the inner portion of the grappling anchor, such that the plate section is supported by one or more prongs of the grappling anchor, and the ground- engaging end of the plate section extends outwardly from the inner portion of the grappling anchor to provide increased anchor hold capacity within soft anchoring ground.