Sub-aquatic Buoy Module Separation for Controlled Ascent
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication buoys deployed from submerged vessels face operational drawbacks such as entanglement of umbilicals and high surface splash upon surfacing, which affect deployment reliability and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A sub-aquatic communication buoy design featuring a submersible module with a hydrodynamic brake and a deployable float, allowing controlled ascent velocity and separation of modules prior to surfacing, utilizing drag to tension the umbilical and reduce entanglement risks, and deploying communication modules before reaching the surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the buoy ascends rapidly to the surface, then deployment time is reduced, but umbilical entanglement and surface splash increase
Solution Approach 1:
The float is deployed in advance during the ascent phase, before the buoy reaches the surface. This preliminary action allows the float to inflate and provide buoyancy control, enabling slower ascent velocity and reducing umbilical entanglement and surface splash while maintaining efficient deployment
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static configuration to a dynamic one by deploying the float during ascent. The float's inflation changes the buoyancy characteristics in real-time, allowing control of ascent velocity to optimize both deployment speed and reliability
2Reliability
If the buoy ascends slowly to the surface, then umbilical entanglement and surface splash are reduced, but deployment time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The float is deployed in advance during the ascent phase, before the buoy reaches the surface. This preliminary action allows the float to inflate and provide buoyancy control, enabling slower ascent velocity and reducing umbilical entanglement and surface splash while maintaining efficient deployment
Solution Approach 2:
The ascent is divided into phases: initial rapid ascent, then controlled slower ascent after float deployment. This periodic action pattern allows the system to achieve both fast deployment and high reliability by switching between different ascent velocities at appropriate times
3Device complexity
If modules are separated at the surface, then deployment simplicity is maintained, but umbilical entanglement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The module separation is performed in advance at a predetermined depth below the surface, rather than waiting until surface arrival. This preliminary separation allows the float to be deployed first, providing buoyancy control that prevents umbilical entanglement during the separation process
Solution Approach 2:
The buoy system is divided into separable modules (float module and buoy module) that can be detached at controlled depths. This segmentation enables independent deployment of each module, with the float separating first to establish proper buoyancy before the main buoy module separates
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
This design enhances deployment reliability by minimizing umbilical entanglement and surface splash, enabling more controlled and efficient communication module deployment and operation.
Implementation Method 1
the buoy has a predetermined amount of positive buoyancy such that it will ascend once the descent ballast has been released
Implementation Method 2
The submersible module may comprise a hydrodynamic brake which is deployable from a stowed position to a deployed position so as to retard the ascent velocity of the buoy
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6~7
AI summary
Described is a sub-aquatic deployed buoy (214), comprising: a submersible module (222) comprising a communications module (225); a surface module (224) comprising a deployable float (218); an umbilical (226) connecting the surface module and communications module, wherein the buoy has a pre-deployment configuration in which the submersible module and surface module are directly attached, and a deployed configuration in which the submersible module and surface module are detached such that the submersible module can be suspended below the surface module via the umbilical; the buoy further comprising an attachment (227) which attaches the surface module and submersible module in the pre-deployment configuration; and, a release actuator (229) which is operable to detach the surface module and submersible module at a submerged location.