Elastic Measuring Rail for Underwater Rudder Bearing Play Inspection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for checking and measuring the neck bearing play of a rudder stock in watercraft require dry dock conditions and cannot be performed underwater, limiting the frequency and accessibility of these measurements.
Innovation Solution
A device featuring a resilient, elastic measuring rail with a measuring probe, which can be inserted into the gap between the rudder stock and rudder trunk, allowing for underwater inspection and measurement by divers, using a guide rail with a grip-like handle and interchangeable measuring rails and probes of varying strengths to accurately determine the play width.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional dry dock methods are used to measure rudder stock bearing play, then measurement accuracy is maintained, but the vessel must be taken out of service and measurement frequency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
A diver acts as an intermediary to operate the measuring device underwater. The diver inserts the measuring rail through an opening in the rudder blade and operates the measuring probe to detect bearing play, enabling measurements to be taken while the vessel remains in service without requiring dry dock conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The traditional mechanical dry dock measurement system is replaced with an underwater-operable mechanical measuring device. The measuring rail with probe provides a simplified mechanical solution that can be operated remotely by a diver underwater, eliminating the need for complex dry dock infrastructure.
2Reliability
If the vessel remains in service for continuous monitoring, then productivity is maintained, but underwater measurement capability is required which was previously unavailable
Solution Approach 1:
The measuring device is segmented into distinct components: a measuring rail with a specific thickness, a measuring probe at the end of the rail, and a guide rail system. This segmentation allows the diver to insert and operate the measuring probe independently through an opening in the rudder blade, enabling underwater measurement capability that was previously unavailable.
Solution Approach 2:
The measuring device serves multiple functions: it can measure bearing play underwater while the vessel is in service, it provides a simple mechanical solution that works in various water conditions, and it enables both in-service and dry dock measurement scenarios through its versatile underwater operability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed thickness measuring device is used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different clearance widths is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The device allows for parameter changes by enabling the exchange of measuring rails with different thicknesses. Each measuring rail has a specific thickness corresponding to different clearance width ranges, allowing the diver to select and swap rails as needed to measure various bearing play conditions accurately.
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
Enables safe and precise measurement of the neck bearing play at any time, both in and out of dry dock, facilitating frequent underwater inspections without the need for ships to be in a dry dock, with easy handling and precise measurement capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
the measuring rail is made of a spring-elastic and inherently rigid material, so that the measuring rail guided on the guide rail can be deflected in an arc in the bent guide rail section
Data Source
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AI summary
A guide rail (60) with a handle (61) is inserted into the bearing play measurement zone (40), for a spring elastic measurement rail (70) to control and measure the journal bearing play (50) between the outer bearing (31) at the ship rudder shaft (25) and the corresponding inner bearing (32) at the rudder case (20). The measurement rail has a probe (80) at its free end to measure the width of the play with a variety of probes for selection by thickness.