Boat Guide With Movable Float Assemblies For Docking Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Docking a marine vessel in rough conditions, particularly for pontoon-type vessels, is challenging due to wind and current effects, leading to instability and risk of damage or injury, as existing guidance technologies do not provide adequate stabilization and are not adaptable to various boat supports.
Innovation Solution
A guide system with float assemblies and linkage arms that adjust to maintain contact with the vessel, combined with guide panels and a boat stop, providing enhanced stability and safety across different boat supports.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fixed guidance mechanisms (gates, bumpers, guide lines, rollers) are used, then the docking area has basic guidance capability, but the system does not provide adequate stabilization against wind forces or current action and requires greater operator skill
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by replacing fixed guidance mechanisms with movable float assemblies that can dynamically adjust their position vertically and horizontally. The float assemblies move with the vessel during docking, automatically adapting to wave heights and vessel movements, thereby providing continuous stabilization without requiring high operator skill to manually adjust fixed mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The float assemblies embody the self-service principle by automatically stabilizing the vessel through their own movement and adjustment capabilities. The linkage arms and buoyant floats self-adjust to maintain contact with the vessel, providing stabilization without human intervention, thus reducing the skill level required by operators while enhancing reliability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If fixed guidance mechanisms are used, then the structure is simple, but the system is not easily adaptable for use with different types of boat supports such as docks, slips, boat lifts, and boat trailers
Solution Approach 1:
The float assembly system embodies universality by designing a multi-functional mechanism that can be applied to various types of boat supports including docks, slips, boat lifts, and boat trailers. The linkage arm mechanism with buoyant floats creates a universal stabilization system that adapts to different support structures and vessel types without requiring complex customization, thereby enhancing adaptability while maintaining reasonable structural complexity.
3Reliability
If the float assemblies are coupled rigidly to the support frame, then the structure is simple, but the system cannot adjust to varying wave heights to ensure continuous contact with the vessel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by coupling the float assemblies to the support frame through movable linkage arms rather than rigid connections. The linkage arms allow the float assemblies to dynamically adjust their position vertically and horizontally in response to varying wave heights and vessel movements, ensuring continuous contact with the vessel while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs parameter changes by allowing the linkage arms to vary the position and orientation of the float assemblies in response to changing conditions. The buoyant floats change their vertical position with wave height, and the linkage arms adjust the horizontal and angular parameters to maintain optimal contact with the vessel, thereby ensuring reliable continuous contact through dynamic parameter adjustment.
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 system reduces the risk of damage to vessels and docks, and minimizes injury risks by ensuring continuous contact and alignment during docking, accommodating varying wave heights and different boat types.
Implementation Method 1
first and second float assemblies, each having forward and rearward end portions... The first float assembly and second float assembly are operatively coupled with the support frame and movable between a lower position adjacent the support frame and an upper position
Data Source
AI summary
A boat guide is coupled with a boat support and includes one or more float assemblies. The float assemblies are coupled with the boat support such that forward and rearward ends of the float assemblies are movable between lower and upper positions with respect to the boat support. The float assemblies are independently moveable with respect to the boat support. One or more boat guides may be positioned at the entrance of the boat support to help orient the vessel as it enters the boat support. A boat stop may be positioned at the end of the boat support to position the vessel along a length of the boat support. The boat guide is easily adapted for use with docks, slips, boat lifts, and trailers.