Boat Transfer System with Guided Cradle for Swing Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional davit systems for deploying and recovering boats from larger vessels often result in the boat swinging during lifting operations, posing dangers to the boat and its occupants.
Innovation Solution
A boat transfer system featuring a deployment frame with a cradle that uses a guide system for controlled movement in upright guides, allowing horizontal movement between parked and operational positions, and incorporating a winch and wire sheaves for hoisting and lowering, preventing the pendulum effect and ensuring safe handling of boats and survivors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional davit systems are used for boat deployment and recovery, then the system structure is simple, but the boat swings during lifting operations causing danger to the boat and occupants
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the boat transfer operation into two distinct phases: horizontal deployment/retraction on deck (using deployment frame and rails) and vertical lowering/lifting over the side (using upright guides and winch). This segmentation allows each subsystem to be optimized for its specific function, improving overall safety while maintaining reasonable complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a cradle as an intermediary device between the boat and the deployment frame. The cradle with its upright guides provides controlled movement paths that prevent swinging, acting as a mediator that transfers the boat from the deployment frame to the water in a controlled manner, thereby improving safety
2Stability of the object's composition
If a guide system with upright guides is implemented for controlled cradle movement, then the boat swinging is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses movable deployment frames that can travel horizontally along rails on deck, and a cradle that can move vertically along upright guides. This dynamic configuration allows the guide system to adapt to different operational phases (deployment vs. recovery) and provides controlled movement without requiring a completely fixed complex structure throughout
Solution Approach 2:
The patent separates the movement control into different dimensions: horizontal movement is controlled by the deployment frame traveling along deck rails, while vertical movement is controlled by the cradle moving along upright guides. This dimensional separation simplifies each guide system by focusing on one primary movement direction per subsystem, rather than trying to control both directions in a single complex structure
3Adaptability or versatility
If the deployment frame is made movable in horizontal direction between parked and operational positions, then the system adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the horizontal movement function from the vertical lifting function by making the deployment frame a separate movable component that travels along fixed rails on deck. This allows the deployment frame to be positioned at different locations (parked or operational) independently of the cradle's vertical movement system, providing adaptability while keeping each subsystem relatively simple
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 safe and controlled deployment and recovery of boats and survivors without rolling or squeezing, reducing the risk of injury and providing a scalable solution for various ship configurations, including offshore windfarms and rescue operations.
Implementation Method 1
a winch and wire sheaves for hoisting and lowering
Data Source
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Figure 6
AI summary
Boat transfer system (10;110) on a floating vessel (30), comprising at least one deployment frame (14;114) for deployment of a cradle (12), wherein said deployment frame (14;114) is movable in a mainly horizontal direction and the deployment frame (14;114) is equipped with upright guides (18;118) for vertical movement of the cradle (12), and said cradle (12) is connected to a guide system (22;130,132,134) for controlled movement of the cradle (12) in the upright guides (18;118).