Angled Slit Fairing for Marine Towing Drag Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Geophysical surveys face challenges with increased drag forces and vibration in marine environments due to larger arrays of survey elements, which can lead to premature failure of towing equipment and reduced survey efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of fairings with angled slits on towing members, where the slit angle is less than the angle of inclination, reduces drag and vibration by aligning with perturbed water flow, thereby enhancing the handling and longevity of towing equipment and facilitating the use of larger survey arrays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If larger arrays of survey elements are used, then survey efficiency and imaging resolution are improved, but drag forces on the array increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the fairing by introducing slits at specific angles (slit angle less than angle of inclination). This parameter modification allows the fairing to align with perturbed water flow, reducing drag forces while maintaining the capability to tow larger survey arrays efficiently
Solution Approach 2:
The fairing is segmented by incorporating slits that divide the continuous fairing surface into multiple sections. This segmentation allows water flow to pass through the fairing in a controlled manner, reducing turbulence and drag forces on the towing member while maintaining overall structural integrity
2Measurement precision
If larger arrays of survey elements are used, then imaging resolution is improved, but vibration increases
Solution Approach 1:
By modifying the fairing's geometric parameters (introducing angled slits), the patent changes how water flow interacts with the towing member. This reduces flow separation and turbulence, thereby reducing vibration while enabling the use of larger arrays that provide better imaging resolution
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of water flow around the towing member into a beneficial effect by designing slits that align with the natural perturbed flow direction. This allows the flow to pass through the fairing smoothly, reducing vibration and enabling higher precision surveys
3Device complexity
If conventional fairings are used, then equipment simplicity is maintained, but equipment life is reduced due to premature failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the fairing design by changing geometric parameters (adding slits at specific angles) rather than fundamentally redesigning the entire system. This maintains relative simplicity while dramatically improving equipment life by reducing drag and vibration that cause premature failure
Solution Approach 2:
The fairing design applies local modifications (slits at specific locations and angles) rather than changing the entire fairing structure. This localized approach maintains overall equipment simplicity while improving reliability by addressing specific flow-related failure points
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 use of fairings with angled slits decreases the drag coefficient and vibration, leading to increased equipment life and improved survey efficiency, allowing for more extensive and accurate geophysical data collection.
Implementation Method 1
the slit angle is less than the angle of inclination, and both angles are acute angles... reduces drag and vibration by aligning with perturbed water flow
Implementation Method 2
Fairing with one or more slits of this type may reduce vibration or drag relative to traditional implementations
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and techniques are disclosed relating to towing marine equipment. In some embodiments, a vessel tows equipment through a body of water using a towing member with an associated fairing that includes a slit, such that an axis of the slit is non-perpendicular to a portion of the towing member from which the fairing extends.