Catamaran Lifting Apparatus With Universal Joints
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing marine lifting devices face challenges in maintaining stability and redundancy during dynamic positioning operations in harsh marine environments, particularly in wave action and when components fail, limiting their capability to maintain station and perform lifting operations efficiently.
Innovation Solution
The improved catamaran lifting apparatus employs two spaced apart vessels connected by frames with universal joints and hinged connections, allowing independent movement and integrating dynamic positioning systems to form a higher-class DP system with increased redundancy and propulsion capabilities, enabling superior performance in adverse conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If two spaced apart vessels are connected by frames with rigid connections, then structural strength is improved, but stability and adaptability to wave action deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by replacing rigid connections with universal joints and hinged connections that allow the frames to move dynamically with wave action. The universal joints at one end of each frame and hinged connections at the other end enable the structure to adapt to changing sea conditions while maintaining structural integrity, thus resolving the contradiction between strength and stability.
2Power
If vessels are closely connected to form a integrated structure, then lifting capacity is improved, but redundancy and fault tolerance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by maintaining two independently connected vessels rather than merging them into a single integrated structure. Each vessel remains a separate unit connected by frames, allowing one vessel to continue operating if the other fails. This segmented approach enables the system to maintain lifting capacity through coordinated operation while preserving redundancy and fault tolerance.
3Measurement precision
If dynamic positioning systems are integrated into a single vessel, then control precision is improved, but system robustness and redundancy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies merging by integrating the dynamic positioning systems of two separate vessels into a coordinated control system. The DP systems of both vessels work together to maintain the position and orientation of the entire lifting apparatus, achieving high control precision while maintaining system robustness through the redundancy of having two independent DP systems that can compensate for each other's failures.
Data Source
AI summary
A catamaran lifting apparatus is disclosed for lifting objects in a marine environment. The apparatus includes first and second vessels that are spaced apart during use. A first frame spans between the vessels. A second frame spans between the vessels. The frames are spaced apart and connected to the vessels in a configuration that spaces the vessels apart. The first frame connects to the first vessel with a universal joint and to the second vessel with a hinged connection. The second frame connects to the second vessel with a universal joint and to the first vessel with a hinged or pinned connection. Each of the frames provides a space under the frame and in between the barges that enables a package to be lifted and/or a marine vessel to be positioned in between the barges and under the frames. In this fashion, an object that has been salvaged from the seabed can be placed upon the marine vessel that is positioned in between the barges and under the frames.