Cargo Hatch Dual Sealing for Water Ingress Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Bulk carriers face issues with seawater and rainwater ingress into cargo holds due to deteriorating seals, leading to cargo contamination and insurance claims, which existing sealing systems fail to adequately address over time due to weathering and corrosion.
Innovation Solution
A cargo hatch with a dual sealing system comprising a gasket and compression bar, and an expandable seal, providing enhanced waterproofing by ensuring a watertight seal between the hatch cover and coaming, even with physical changes over time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional single sealing system with gasket and compression bar is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the sealing reliability deteriorates over time due to weathering and corrosion
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing system is divided into two independent sealing systems: a first sealing system with a gasket and compression bar, and a second sealing system with an expandable seal. Each system provides separate sealing functionality, allowing the overall sealing reliability to be improved while maintaining reasonable complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The expandable seal is designed to compensate for gaps caused by weathering and corrosion before water ingress can occur. The expandable seal can be inflated to fill any deteriorations in the sealing interface, providing preventive protection against sealing failure over time
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a traditional sealing system is used, then the device complexity is low, but the protection against seawater ingress is insufficient during rough weather
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing system is divided into two independent sealing systems: a first sealing system with a gasket and compression bar, and a second sealing system with an expandable seal. Each system provides separate sealing functionality, allowing the overall sealing reliability to be improved while maintaining reasonable complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The expandable seal is designed to compensate for gaps caused by weathering and corrosion before water ingress can occur. The expandable seal can be inflated to fill any deteriorations in the sealing interface, providing preventive protection against sealing failure over time
3Duration of action of stationary object
If a traditional sealing system is used, then the manufacturing cost is lower, but the seal effectiveness deteriorates due to damage from weathering and corrosion
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing system is divided into two independent sealing systems: a first sealing system with a gasket and compression bar, and a second sealing system with an expandable seal. Each system provides separate sealing functionality, allowing the overall sealing reliability to be improved while maintaining reasonable complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The expandable seal is designed to compensate for gaps caused by weathering and corrosion before water ingress can occur. The expandable seal can be inflated to fill any deteriorations in the sealing interface, providing preventive protection against sealing failure over time
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 dual sealing system significantly reduces water ingress, maintaining a reliable seal and protecting cargo from contamination, extending the lifespan of the sealing systems by shielding them from environmental damage.
Implementation Method 1
a second sealing system comprising an expandable seal and configured to provide a seal between the hatch cover and the hatch coaming in use
Implementation Method 2
the gasket sits on the compression bar such that the gasket conforms to the shape of the compression bar under the weight of the hatch cover, thereby creating a seal
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a cargo hatch for use on a bulk carrier or other ship to allow access to the cargo hold. Cargo hatches comprise one or more hatch covers resting on hatch coaming which surrounds a hatch opening through which the cargo hold is accessible. A seal is often provided between the hatch cover and the hatch coaming in order to prevent water ingress into the cargo hold from the outside environment. The seal may be prone to deterioration. The present disclosure proposes a cargo hatch for a bulk carrier comprising a hatch coaming surrounding a hatch opening and a hatch cover configured to be removably located on the hatch coaming such that the hatch cover reversibly closes the hatch opening, wherein the cargo hatch comprises two sealing systems configured to provide respective and separate seals between the hatch coaming and the hatch cover in use.