Auto-Release Buoy System for Immediate Maritime Hazard Marking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wreck buoys are difficult to install quickly and accurately in marine accident scenarios due to their weight, requiring significant manpower and equipment, and existing systems struggle to immediately mark new hazards, posing safety risks and delaying rescue operations.
Innovation Solution
An auto-release buoy system that automatically deploys a small wreck buoy from a ship upon detecting predetermined water pressure, featuring an auto-reel chain and auto-lighting lantern, allowing immediate and accurate marking of accident locations with reduced manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If standard wreck buoys are installed manually, then the marking function is achieved, but the installation time is excessive and manual labor requirements are high
Solution Approach 1:
The wreck buoy is pre-loaded onto the ship along with the chain and releasing mechanism. All components are prepared and positioned before the accident occurs, enabling immediate deployment without manual assembly or installation operations after the incident.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically deploys the wreck buoy through self-activating mechanisms. The buoy releases itself from the ship when the chain becomes taut upon water contact, and the buoyancy automatically propels it to the surface without requiring any manual intervention for installation or operation.
2Measurement precision
If manual installation of wreck buoys is performed, then positioning accuracy can be controlled, but the response speed to marine accidents is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The wreck buoy system is pre-positioned on the ship at known locations. The chain length is predetermined to reach the water surface from the buoy's deployed position, ensuring that the accident location is marked with sufficient positional accuracy while enabling immediate automatic deployment upon contact with water.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical installation process is replaced by an automatic mechanical deployment system triggered by water contact. The tension in the chain automatically activates the releasing mechanism, substituting human-operated mechanical installation with an autonomous mechanical response system.
3Productivity
If automatic deployment is implemented, then response speed is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The automatic deployment system is divided into three independent functional segments: the wreck buoy with buoyancy chamber, the chain with releasing mechanism, and the anchoring weight. Each segment performs a specific function and can be independently analyzed, maintained, and replaced, reducing overall system complexity despite the automated functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The chain serves as an intermediary element that connects the wreck buoy to the ship and water. It transmits the force of water contact to activate the releasing mechanism and simultaneously provides the anchoring function when the buoy reaches the surface, simplifying the control system by using a single component for multiple functions.
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
Enables immediate and accurate marking of accident points, reducing the risk of further maritime hazards and facilitating swift rescue operations by automating the deployment process, thus enhancing navigation safety.
Implementation Method 1
a buoyancy chamber (120) provided inside the wreck buoy (10)
Implementation Method 2
wherein a water pressure sensor (130) is installed on the wreck buoy (10) to automatically release the fixing belt (40) when a predetermined water pressure is reached
Data Source
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AI summary
An auto-release danger mark buoy is provided. A buoy system according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a buoy body configured to provide buoyance; a fixing belt configured to fasten the buoy body to a ship structure; an auto-release unit configured to release the buoy body to be buoyed by releasing the fixing belt when a predetermined water pressure is reached; and an auto-reel chain box fixed to the ship structure, being opened in conjunction with releasing of the fixing belt, and including a chain which is reeled out when the buoy body is buoyed, wherein the auto-reel chain box comprises: a weight provided in the auto-reel chain box and being movable upward and downward according to a water pressure and buoyance; a pulley provided in the auto-reel chain box, having the chain wounded thereon and a plurality of teeth on an outer circumferential surface thereof; and a shaft having one end connected to the weight and the other end engaging with the teeth to fix the pulley and provided to be rotatable around a portion fixed in the auto-reel chain box.