Articulated Pumping Line for Deep-Sea Dredging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dredging equipment is limited in achieving depths beyond 70 meters due to size and hydraulic capacity constraints, requiring complete redesigns and high investment costs, while seeking to operate at greater depths with high productivity and reliability, especially in high seas.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an articulated pumping line that can be folded and extended, allowing for increased dredging depth without modifying the existing dredger structure, utilizing a combination of suspension-wire systems and articulations to maintain rigidity and control, while being efficiently stored and deployed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If existing dredger equipment is used, then infrastructure costs are maintained, but dredging depth is limited to about 70 meters
Solution Approach 1:
The pumping line is divided into multiple articulated sections that can be folded and extended. Each section is connected by articulations allowing relative movement, enabling the pumping line to be stored in a compact folded state on the vessel and deployed to extended configurations for deep-water dredging operations beyond 165 meters depth.
2Length of moving object
If dredging depth is increased beyond 70 meters, then deeper marine resources can be accessed, but complete redesign of vessel and dredging elements is required
Solution Approach 1:
The pumping line is designed with articulated joints that allow dynamic folding and unfolding. This dynamic configuration enables the pumping line to adapt between a compact stored state on the vessel and an extended operational state for deep-water dredging, eliminating the need for complete redesign of the vessel infrastructure.
3Length of moving object
If pumping line is extended for deep dredging, then dredging depth increases, but storage space on vessel is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The articulated pumping line sections are designed to nest within each other when folded, similar to a nested doll structure. This allows the long pumping line required for deep-water dredging to be compacted into a minimal storage volume on the vessel, maximizing space efficiency.
4Ease of operation
If flexible pumping line is used, then articulation and storage is easier, but dynamic behavior becomes difficult to control
Solution Approach 1:
The pumping line is segmented into rigid articulated sections rather than using a completely flexible hose. Each section maintains structural rigidity for predictable hydrodynamic behavior and ease of control, while the articulations between sections provide the necessary flexibility for folding and storage operations.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
Dredging equipment (1) which comprises a vessel (2), a pumping line and one or more suspension-wire systems (39, 54) on the vessel (2) which are linked to the pumping line (8) wherein the pumping line (8) is an articulated pumping line with two or more pumping line sections, which can be folded into a reduced status in which at least some of the pumping line sections (28, 32,33) are brought parallel and near to one another over a substantial part of their length, which can be unfolded into an extended status and be brought in the submerged position for use of the pumping means (7).