Floating Structure Liquefied Gas Recovery Pump Recess

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Solution Overview

Problem

Liquefied gas fueled ships without multiple tanks face challenges in efficiently recovering leaked liquefied gas, as they lack the capability to introduce leaked gas from one tank into another.

Innovation Solution

A floating structure equipped with a tank having a heat shield wall, a receiving part with a recess and pump below the tank, and a return line to reintroduce pumped liquefied gas into the tank, allowing for efficient recovery of leaked liquefied gas.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a liquefied gas carrier uses multiple cargo tanks to recover leaked liquefied gas by introducing it into other tanks, then the recovery efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases due to requiring multiple tanks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveliquefied gas recovery efficiencyVSAvoidnumber of tanks
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a receiving part as an intermediary component between the tank and the external environment. This receiving part collects leaked liquefied gas and a pump transfers it back to the tank, serving as a mediator that enables recovery without requiring multiple tanks. The receiving part acts as the intermediate structure that facilitates the recovery process in a single-tank configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service by using the pump to automatically transfer leaked liquefied gas from the receiving part back into the tank. The pump is activated to restore the tank's contents without external intervention, creating a self-contained recovery system that operates autonomously within the single-tank structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Device complexity

If a single tank is used without multiple tanks for recovery, then the device complexity is reduced, but the liquefied gas recovery capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of tanksVSAvoidliquefied gas recovery efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The receiving part serves as an intermediary structure that collects leaked gas and the pump acts as a mediator to transfer it back to the tank. This intermediary system enables effective recovery in a single-tank configuration, compensating for the lack of multiple tanks by introducing specialized recovery components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The receiving part performs multiple functions: it collects leaked liquefied gas, stores it temporarily, and works with the pump to return the gas to the tank. This multi-functional design consolidates recovery operations into a single structure, eliminating the need for separate recovery tanks while maintaining recovery efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Device complexity

If no recovery system is provided, then the device complexity is minimized, but the loss of substance increases due to leaked liquefied gas

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverecovery system structureVSAvoidliquefied gas loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The receiving part acts as an intermediary that intercepts leaked liquefied gas before it is lost to the external environment. The pump then serves as a mediator to transfer the intercepted gas back to the tank, creating a recovery mechanism that prevents substance loss while adding minimal structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements discarding and recovering by capturing leaked liquefied gas in the receiving part and using the pump to return it to the tank. This recovery mechanism prevents the leaked gas from being permanently lost, restoring the substance to its original container and minimizing material loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

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 floating structure effectively recovers liquefied gas that has leaked from the tank by utilizing the pump and return line system, enhancing the efficiency of gas recovery and reducing the risk of gas loss.

Implementation Method 1

a pump that is provided in the recess; and a return line that returns the liquefied gas pumped by the pump into the tank body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPump: Pump

Implementation Method 2

a tank that is provided in the floating main structure and includes a tank body capable of storing liquefied gas therein and a heat shield wall covering an outer surface of the tank body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP4389585B1Floating structure
Publication Date: 2025.04.23 MITSUBISHI SHIPBUILDING CO LTD
  • EP4389585B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4389585B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4389585B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention provides a floating body comprising: a main floating body; a tank provided to the main floating body, the tank having a tank body capable of storing liquefied gas therein and a heat shield wall for covering the outer surface of the tank body; a receiving part disposed below the tank so as to cover the tank from below, the receiving part having a receiving surface and a recess indenting downward relative to the receiving surface; a pump provided in the recess; and a return line for returning, into the tank body, the liquefied gas pumped by the pump.