Exoskeleton Ship Hull Structure for Longitudinal Strength
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional marine vessels face challenges in achieving adequate longitudinal strength without increasing weight, which limits cargo capacity and raises deck heights, restricting container placement under bridges.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a marine vessel design featuring a hull with spaced horizontal beams and trusses that are rigidly connected to the deck and hull, providing additional longitudinal reinforcement while maintaining a low deck height, allowing for increased cargo capacity and efficient container placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If additional or thicker longitudinal structural members are added to increase hull strength, then longitudinal strength is improved, but vessel weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces transverse beams extending across the hull in addition to longitudinal members, creating a two-dimensional grid structure. This dimensional addition allows the structure to achieve greater strength through geometric configuration rather than simply increasing the size of individual members, thereby avoiding excessive weight gain.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite structural system combining longitudinal members, transverse beams, and deck plating working together. This composite approach distributes structural loads across multiple components, allowing each element to be optimized for its specific function while achieving overall high strength without requiring any single component to be excessively heavy.
2Strength
If deck height is increased to provide longitudinal stiffening, then longitudinal strength is improved, but the number of containers that can be carried is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the longitudinal stiffening function into separate transverse beam elements distributed across the hull. Instead of relying on a single tall deck structure, the stiffening action is divided into multiple smaller transverse members that work collectively, maintaining low deck height while achieving the required longitudinal strength through distributed structural support.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from vertical stiffening (increased deck height) to horizontal stiffening (transverse beams spanning the hull width). By moving the primary stiffening action into the horizontal dimension rather than the vertical dimension, the design achieves longitudinal strength without increasing deck height, thereby preserving cargo capacity.
3Strength
If deck height is raised to stiffen the hull, then longitudinal strength is improved, but navigation under bridges is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the contradiction between hull stiffening and low profile by moving the stiffening mechanism from the vertical dimension to the horizontal dimension. Transverse beams spanning the hull width provide the necessary longitudinal strength without increasing the vertical deck height, thereby maintaining the vessel's ability to navigate under bridges and low clearance structures.
Data Source
AI summary
A vessel comprising a hull having a length, a main deck located above and rigidly connected to the hull and at least one beam extending substantially along the length of the hull at a position spaced above the deck, wherein the beam is rigidly connected to and longitudinally reinforces the deck and the hull.