Fluked Burying Device Chain Articulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluked burying devices for drag embedment marine anchors and chain cables face issues such as slippage, handling and operational damage due to lack of articulation, high load transmission requirements, and costly shackles, as well as Classification Society proof load requirements, which affect their penetration and holding capacity.
Innovation Solution
A modified fluked burying device with alternate chain cable links maintained at right angles to the plane of symmetry, featuring strategically positioned contact points to transfer axial and transverse loads, reduce bending stresses, and incorporate a roll stabilizer and yaw stabilizer for improved articulation and load distribution, eliminating the need for heavy shackles and reducing structural costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fluked burying devices are mounted on wire hawser using clamping means, then the device can be attached to the cable system, but slippage occurs and handling damage arises due to lack of articulation
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into separate modular components including the fluked burying device, articulation means, and mounting mechanisms that can be independently assembled and replaced, eliminating slippage issues while maintaining handling flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
Articulation means are incorporated to provide dynamic movement and rotation capabilities at the attachment points, allowing the device to adapt to handling operations without compromising attachment reliability or causing localized bending damage
2Strength
If fluked burying devices are made integral with chain cable to carry high transmitted loads, then load transmission capability increases, but structural adaptation costs and shackle requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The load transmission function is segmented from the chain cable structure itself, with dedicated articulation means and mounting mechanisms handling the high loads, allowing the chain cable to remain structurally simple while still achieving high load transmission capability
Solution Approach 2:
Articulation means act as intermediary components between the fluked burying device and the chain cable, carrying high transmitted loads without requiring structural adaptation of the chain cable itself, thereby reducing overall system complexity and shackle requirements
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 3A~5
AI summary
A fluked burying device (1, 1A), for augmenting the burying and holding capability of a drag embedment marine anchor and chain cable system while being fixedly located thereon, comprises a fluke member (8) inclinedly attached to a body member (7) including pockets (12A, 12B, 12C) for accommodating links (16, 17) of a chain cable (4) passing there-through in a defined attitude such that axial and transverse loading is impressed in the chain cable (4) via separate links (17A, 17C) to maintain bending stresses therein similar to that occurring in a 5-pocket wildcat of a chain windlass and such that emergent links (16A, 16B) have sufficient articulation in service while embedded to permit the chain cable (4) to perform the function of and eliminate need for heavy expensive shackles. The fluked burying device (1, 1A) enables soil loading from a plurality thereof to be distributed along a length of chain cable (4) and is preferably provided with a body member (7) less wide than the effective footing width of a chain cable (4) and preferably split about a plane of symmetry (5) in two halves (2, 3) for ease of transport within container gauge.