Ferry Loading Port Closures for Spray Sealing and Vehicle Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ferries face challenges in efficiently and safely loading and unloading vehicles while protecting the deck from water spray, particularly when dealing with varying vehicle heights and weather conditions.

Innovation Solution

A ferry design featuring a loading port with a first closure and a spray cover that can be independently operated, allowing vehicles to roll on and off the deck, with the closure forming a ramp in the open position and providing a water-tight seal when closed, and the spray cover adjusting to vehicle height to minimize water ingress.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a single closure element is used for the loading port, then the structure is simple, but it cannot provide both ramp function and water-tight sealing for vehicles of varying heights

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccommodation of vehicles with varying heightsVSAvoidloading port closure structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The loading port closure is divided into two independent elements: a first closure element that forms a ramp for vehicle access, and a spray cover that provides water-tight sealing. This segmentation allows each element to perform its specific function optimally - the first closure element accommodates vehicles of varying heights by forming a ramp, while the spray cover ensures water-tight sealing when closed, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The first closure element serves multiple functions: it acts as a structural component of the loading port, forms a ramp for vehicle loading/unloading, and provides a sealing surface when closed. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components while maintaining adaptability for vehicles of varying heights, thereby addressing the contradiction between versatility and complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If the loading port is kept open for vehicle loading, then loading efficiency is high, but water spray reaches the ferry deck

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicle loading efficiencyVSAvoidwater spray on ferry deck

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The spray cover is designed to be movable between an open position (allowing vehicle loading) and a closed position (providing water-tight sealing). This dynamic capability allows the system to adapt to different operational states - during vehicle loading the cover is open to maintain high productivity, and during sailing it closes to protect the ferry deck from water spray, thus resolving the contradiction between loading efficiency and protection from harmful factors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The spray cover operates periodically - open during loading/unloading operations and closed during sailing. This periodic action allows the system to alternate between states of high productivity (open) and protection from water spray (closed), effectively managing the trade-off between vehicle loading efficiency and deck protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the spray cover is made water-tight, then deck protection is improved, but ventilation capability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater spray protectionVSAvoidventilation capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The spray cover is designed as a movable element that can transition between open and closed positions. When closed, it provides water-tight sealing to protect the deck from water spray. When opened, it allows ventilation of the ferry interior. This dynamic design resolves the contradiction between water-tight protection and ventilation capability by allowing the system to switch between these two states as needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS20250368298A1A ferry and a method of operating a ferry

Publication Date: 2025.12.04 OMT NAVAL APS

AI summary

A ferry with a first loading port defining a first portion and a second portion, the loading port allowing vehicles to roll onto a ferry deck. The first portion is closeable by a first closure, and the second portion is closable by a spray cover. The first closure is movable between an open position opening the first portion of the first loading port and forming an extension of the ferry deck and a closed position extending in an upright direction from the ferry deck to a frontal position at which it terminates and closes the first portion of the first loading port. The spray cover is movable between an open position in which it opens the second portion of the first loading port and a closed position in which it extends from a central roof position to the frontal position and closes the second portion of the first loading port.