Anti-splash Device with Ballasted Flap for Boat Hull Noise Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for reducing noise from water ripples on boat hulls at dock or anchor are ineffective and difficult to implement, disrupting peaceful rest for boaters.
Innovation Solution
An anti-chop device comprising cylindrical floats with flexible flaps and ballast, secured by halyards, that extends under the water to reduce noise and protect the hull, featuring a V-shaped cross-section configuration and an additional smaller float for enhanced stability and ease of use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If artisanal devices such as tarpaulins or carpet are placed along the hull, then some noise reduction is achieved, but the devices are difficult to implement and not very effective
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into multiple modular elements that can be independently attached to different sections of the boat hull. Each element consists of a float, flap, and ballast assembly that can be separately manufactured and installed, making the overall system easier to implement while maintaining effectiveness through distributed noise reduction along the hull.
Solution Approach 2:
The flaps are designed to be flexible and dynamic, allowing them to move with the water waves rather than rigidly blocking them. This dynamic response enables the flaps to effectively disrupt wave patterns and reduce noise while being easier to install compared to rigid structures.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If thick tarpaulins or carpet are suspended along the hull, then noise reduction is attempted, but the devices are difficult to implement
Solution Approach 1:
The anti-chop protection is segmented into discrete elements attached at intervals along the hull rather than requiring a continuous covering. This segmentation simplifies implementation by allowing selective placement of elements at critical locations where wave impact is most problematic.
Solution Approach 2:
The float acts as an intermediary element that provides a stable mounting structure for the flap and ballast assembly. This intermediary component simplifies the overall device complexity by providing a pre-fabricated platform that easier to attach to the hull compared to suspending tarpaulins or carpet directly.
3Ease of operation
If simple materials like tarpaulins are used, then implementation is simpler, but effectiveness in reducing noise is limited
Solution Approach 1:
Each element combines multiple materials with different properties: a buoyant float, a flexible flap material, and a dense ballast. This composite structure achieves effective noise reduction by combining the advantages of different materials - buoyancy for positioning, flexibility for wave interaction, and density for stability - while maintaining relative ease of implementation.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the device have specialized local properties optimized for their specific functions: the float provides buoyancy at the waterline, the flap provides flexible wave disruption where it contacts the water, and the ballast provides stability at the lower position. This local optimization of material properties enhances overall effectiveness without significantly increasing implementation complexity.
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
Effectively reduces noise pollution and protects the hull from waterborne dirt and algae growth, while being easy to implement and adaptable to various boat configurations.
Implementation Method 1
the float floating on the surface of the water and pressed against the hull of said boat
Implementation Method 2
provided with a ballast along its other longitudinal edge so that, when the float floats on the surface of the water, said flap extends under the whole of said float and is kept taut vertically by said ballast
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~6
Figure 7~8
AI summary
The present invention relates to an anti-splash device (1) characterised in that it has at least one element (4) comprising at least one substantially cylindrical float (5, 5') and a flap (6, 6'), one longitudinal edge (61) of the longitudinal edges (61, 62) of which is attached to the float under said float (5) and the other longitudinal edge (62) of which is provided with a ballast (7) such that, when the float (5, 5') is floating on the water surface (8), said flap (6, 6') extends under the entire float (5, 5') and is kept vertically tensioned by the ballast (7), said element (4) being designed to be secured by halyards to a watercraft (3), with the float (5, 5') floating on the water surface (8) in such a way that it is pressed against the hull (2) of said watercraft (3).