Closed Inclination Change System for Floating Units
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inclination change systems for floating units risk imparting undesired inclinations due to incorrect operation or malfunction, particularly when altering draught and inclination, which can lead to stability issues.
Innovation Solution
A closed inclination change system comprising multiple fluid communication assemblies with pump and conduit arrangements, where each assembly has a tank and an inlet conduit with the conduit top portion above the tank top portion, allowing controlled fluid transfer between assemblies without direct communication with the ambient water, reducing the risk of undesired inclinations and draught changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a ballast system is used to alter inclination by transferring ballast water between tanks, then the inclination of the floating unit can be changed, but the risk of imparting undesired inclinations increases due to direct fluid communication with water ambient and potential incorrect operation
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the fluid transfer function into separate pump assemblies located in each inclination change assembly, with each pump independently controlling fluid transfer between its tank and the common fluid communication network. This segmentation allows precise, independent control of fluid transfer to achieve desired inclination changes while minimizing the risk of undesired inclinations from incorrect operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a common fluid communication network as an intermediary between the individual tank assemblies. This intermediary structure allows controlled fluid transfer between tanks through pump assemblies while isolating each tank from direct ambient water communication, thereby reducing the risk of undesired inclinations while maintaining operational flexibility.
2Reliability
If the inlet conduit top portion is located above the tank assembly top portion, then gravity-driven fluid flow is prevented, but the system complexity increases due to the need for pump assemblies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the simple gravity-driven passive fluid transfer mechanism with an active pump-based system. The pump assemblies provide controlled mechanical fluid transfer between tanks, eliminating reliance on gravity and preventing undesired gravity-driven flow while enabling precise control of fluid transfer operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameter from passive gravity-driven flow to active pump-driven flow. By positioning the inlet conduit top portion above the tank assembly top portion and using pump assemblies, the system transitions from uncontrolled gravity flow to controlled mechanical flow, achieving reliable prevention of undesired fluid flow while maintaining system manageability through standardized pump components.
3Reliability
If a closed inclination change system with multiple tank assemblies is used, then the risk of undesired inclinations is reduced, but the volume occupied by the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple tank assemblies into a unified closed system with a common fluid communication network. The tank assemblies are strategically positioned and interconnected through pumps and conduits, creating an integrated system that achieves reliable inclination control while minimizing total volume occupation compared to separate independent systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The common fluid communication network serves multiple functions: it enables controlled fluid transfer between any tank assemblies, provides a shared pathway for inclination adjustment, and acts as a centralized control interface. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated components, thereby limiting volume increase while maintaining high reliability.
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 system effectively alters the inclination of a floating unit with a low risk of undesired changes, enabling precise control and stability during operation and inclination testing, with a minimal volume impact on the unit, thus mitigating potential malfunctions.
Implementation Method 1
a pump assembly arranged to pump the fluid from the tank assembly
Implementation Method 2
the inlet conduit assembly having a conduit top portion that is located above the tank assembly top portion
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a closed inclination change system (32) for a floating unit (10). The inclination change system comprises a plurality of inclination change assemblies (34, 36, 38, 40) and each one of the inclination change assemblies (34, 36, 38, 40) is adapted to be in fluid communication with each one of the other inclination change assemblies (34, 36, 38, 40).Each one of the inclination change assemblies (34, 36, 38, 40) comprises a tank assembly (44) comprising a first tank (46), the tank assembly (44) comprising a tank assembly top portion (48).Moreover, each one of the inclination change assemblies (34, 36, 38, 40) further comprises:a pump assembly (50) arranged to pump the fluid from the tank assembly (44), andan inlet conduit assembly (52) adapted to guide the fluid into the tank assembly (44) from another inclination change assembly (34, 36, 38, 40), the inlet conduit assembly (52) having a conduit top portion (54) that is located above the tank assembly top portion (48).