Buoy Apparatus with Spool Control for Rope Retraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing buoy apparatuses with ropes suspended in water pose a threat to marine organisms, as they can entangle and kill them due to the formation of net-like obstacles in densely distributed ocean areas.
Innovation Solution
A buoy apparatus with a spool control device, spool structure, and retractable head mechanism that allows the rope to be retracted when instructed, preventing ropes from suspending in the water by using buoyancy to raise the buoy and rope to the surface, thus minimizing entanglement risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ropes are suspended in water to mark underwater objects, then the buoy can indicate the position of underwater objects, but the ropes form net-like obstacles that entangle and threaten marine organisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the rope deployment state changeable rather than fixed. The spool structure allows the rope to be dynamically deployed or retracted based on operational needs. When not in use, the rope is retracted onto the spool, eliminating the net-like obstacles that entangle marine organisms, while still maintaining the ability to deploy the rope when position marking is required.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements the discarding and recovering principle by periodically retracting the rope onto the spool after its marking function is fulfilled. The rope is discarded (released) when needed for marking, then recovered (retracted) when no longer needed, transforming it from a continuous hazard into a temporary tool that is stored away when not in use, thereby protecting marine organisms from entanglement.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If ropes are continuously extended to mark position, then the position indication is always available, but the ropes remain suspended in water causing harm to marine life
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by alternating between rope deployment and retraction phases. The rope is extended only during periods when position marking is required, then retracted during periods when it is not needed. This periodic on-demand deployment ensures position indication availability when necessary while minimizing the time ropes are suspended in water, thereby reducing harm to marine organisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The spool structure enables self-service by automatically winding and storing the rope after deployment. Once the rope is released for marking, the spool's mechanical design allows it to be automatically rewound and stored without requiring external intervention, facilitating the transition from deployed to retracted state and reducing the duration of rope suspension in water.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a spool structure with retractable head is added to control rope deployment, then rope suspension time is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the taking out principle by extracting the rope management function into a separate, dedicated spool mechanism. Instead of having the rope directly connected between the buoy and anchor, the spool is inserted as an intermediate device that independently handles rope deployment and retraction, thereby reducing overall system complexity while achieving the goal of minimizing rope suspension time.
Solution Approach 2:
The spool structure serves multiple functions: it acts as a rope storage device, a deployment mechanism, and a retraction system. By making the spool multi-functional, the patent reduces the need for separate components for each function, thereby managing device complexity more effectively while still achieving the goal of reducing entanglement risk through controlled rope deployment.
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 solution effectively reduces the time ropes are suspended in the water, minimizing the threat to marine organisms by ensuring the ropes are only extended when necessary, thereby reducing entanglement and mortality risks.
Implementation Method 1
releasing the rope from the spool structure when the buoy raises toward a surface of water
Data Source
AI summary
Buoy apparatus and buoy control system for identifying an underwater object, and method for identifying an underwater object are disclosed. A buoy apparatus for use underwater, comprises a buoy securely connected to a first end of a rope; a spool structure securely connected to a second end of the rope; a retractable head for engaging the spool structure; and a spool control device for actuating retraction of the retractable head, wherein in response to an instruction from the spool control device, the retractable head disengages the spool structure, and the spool structure releases the rope when the buoy raises toward a surface of water.