Drone Line Transfer for Mooring Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current line transfer methods in mooring and towing operations, such as throwing heaving lines, are hazardous and labor-intensive, especially in adverse weather conditions, requiring close proximity of vessels and potentially leading to dangerous situations.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a remotely controllable flying vehicle, such as a drone, equipped with a connection provision like a clamp or magnet, to transfer and attach a line or heaving line to a target position without the need for close proximity, enabling safe and accurate line connection between vessels or objects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional heaving line transfer methods are used, then the line can be transferred between vessels, but the vessels must maneuver close to each other creating dangerous situations
Solution Approach 1:
A flying vehicle (drone) is introduced as an intermediary device to transfer the heaving line between vessels. The drone carries the line from one vessel to another without requiring the vessels to maneuver close to each other, thereby eliminating the dangerous proximity situation while still achieving the line transfer operation.
2Productivity
If vessels maneuver close to each other for line transfer, then the line can be thrown and caught, but labor intensity and risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The manual mechanical process of throwing and catching heaving lines between vessels is replaced by an automated flying vehicle system. The drone autonomously transports the line from one vessel to another, eliminating the need for manual line handling and reducing labor intensity while improving operational safety.
3Adaptability or versatility
If close proximity is required for line transfer, then traditional throwing methods work, but adverse weather conditions make the operation difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The line transfer operation is moved from the horizontal plane (requiring vessels to be close together) to the vertical/aerial dimension. The flying vehicle operates in three-dimensional space, allowing line transfer without requiring vessels to be in close proximity, thereby enabling operations in adverse weather conditions where close maneuvering would be dangerous or impossible.
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 method enhances the safety, efficiency, and reliability of line transfer by allowing precise and distant attachment of lines, reducing labor and minimizing risks associated with close proximity in challenging weather conditions.
Implementation Method 1
In an aspect the system can comprise at least one magnet, connected to or connectable to at least one of the flying vehicle and a line or heaving line to be transferred. In embodiments a magnet may be connected to an end portion of a line or heaving line, such that said end portion can be connected to the flying vehicle and transferred to a metal portion of an object to which the said end portion can then be temporarily connected by said magnet to said metal portion.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a system and to a method for the transfer of a line or a heaving line for a line, wherein the system comprises at least a flying vehicle, provided with a connection provision adapted for releasably connecting a line or heaving line to said flying vehicle