Dual-Rail Cargo Deck for Rapid Amphibious Beach Offloading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing amphibious vehicles lack efficient systems for rapid and versatile cargo delivery, particularly in remote and unimproved coastal areas, as they often require support equipment and are limited by payload capacity and accessibility.
Innovation Solution
An air cushion vehicle (ACV) equipped with a dual-rail cargo system that allows for the rapid discharge of palletized cargo across a stern ramp while underway, utilizing gas turbines for propulsion and centrifugal fans for lift, enabling operation on varied terrains and supporting high-speed offloading of up to 40 tons without the need for cranes or other handling assets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional landing craft are used for cargo delivery, then they can operate in coastal areas, but they require support equipment like cranes and fork lifts for cargo handling
Solution Approach 1:
The ACV integrates a dual-rail cargo system with roller conveyors that enables self-service cargo discharge. The system uses the vehicle's own motion to discharge palletized cargo by moving forward over the beach while cargo rolls off the stern, eliminating the need for external cranes, fork lifts, or other cargo handling assets
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical cargo handling systems (cranes, forklifts) with a simpler dual-rail roller conveyor system. The rails with rollers provide a passive conveying mechanism that uses gravity and vehicle motion to discharge cargo, significantly reducing device complexity
2Productivity
If amphibious vehicles are used for remote beach delivery, then they can access unimproved coast lines, but they lack rapid cargo discharge capability
Solution Approach 1:
The dual-rail cargo system is designed to be dynamic and adaptable. The rails can be positioned and configured to work with the ACV's amphibious motion, allowing rapid discharge whether the vehicle is on water or moving over beach terrain. The system adapts to the vehicle's motion state to maintain high discharge speed across different terrains
3Quantity of substance
If ACV carries large payload capacity, then it can transport significant cargo, but it requires efficient discharge mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The cargo system is segmented into standardized pallets that can be independently loaded and discharged. The dual-rail system handles multiple pallets simultaneously, allowing the ACV to efficiently offload large payloads by processing cargo in discrete, manageable units rather than as a single mass
Solution Approach 2:
The dual-rail roller system acts as an intermediary mechanism between the cargo hold and the discharge point. It provides a continuous conveying surface that efficiently transfers large payloads from the ACV to the beach, bridging the gap between storage and delivery without requiring direct manual handling
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 ACV achieves rapid and efficient cargo delivery on remote beaches, capable of handling large payloads and versatile operations, including rapid discharge of cargo without support equipment, facilitating logistics support in diverse environments.
Implementation Method 1
Gas turbine powered ACV
Implementation Method 2
gas turbines for propulsion
Implementation Method 3
centrifugal fans for lift
Implementation Method 4
amphibious air-cushion vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
An amphibious air cushion vehicle includes an air cushion supported hull configured for travel on water and smooth land; a deck supported by the hull; and a dual-rail cargo system having tracks arranged longitudinally on along the hull cargo deck from an aft end. The tracks include (1) guide rails and rollers providing for guided sliding movement of palletized cargo along the tracks, and (2) locks for locking pallets in position during transport, The track is configured at the aft end for an unloading operation in which the locks are disengaged and the palletized cargo slides off the aft end onto underlying land as the vehicle is moving forward thereon. The track may be the one track of a single-track variant, or one of a pair of tracks in a two-track variant.