Compressible Foam Plug for Emergency Boat Hull Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for plugging openings in boat hulls, such as through-hull fittings, often result in damage due to the need for forceful insertion of wood plugs, which can enlarge the hole, split fittings, or require precise sizing, posing risks during emergency repairs.
Innovation Solution
A conical body made of hand-compressible solid foam with a base flange, allowing for easy insertion and expansion to wedge into openings of varying sizes, slowing water inflow without damaging fittings or enlarging holes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wood plugs are hammered into the hull using a mallet to lock them in place, then the wood plug can be secured to stop water inflow, but the hole becomes larger and the nipple or fitting may crack or split due to the force required
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical state of the plug material from rigid (traditional wood) to compressible (foam material). The foam plug can be compressed to a smaller size for insertion, then expands to fill the opening, achieving water flow stopping without requiring forceful hammering that would damage the hull or fittings
Solution Approach 2:
The foam material inherently provides cushioning and stress distribution before insertion. When compressed and inserted into the opening, it gradually expands to fill the space, cushioning against the hull edges and fitting surfaces to prevent cracking or splitting that would occur with forceful wood plug insertion
2Manufacturing precision
If the exact size of wood taper plug is specified for each through-hull fitting, then the plug can fit the opening, but it requires precise sizing and multiple plug sizes to be carried
Solution Approach 1:
The foam plug is designed as a universal solution that can adapt to multiple fitting sizes. The compressible foam material allows a single plug design to be inserted into various opening sizes by compressing it appropriately, eliminating the need for multiple precisely-sized plugs for different through-hull fittings
Solution Approach 2:
The plug transitions from a static, fixed-size wood plug to a dynamic foam plug that can change its effective size through compression. This dynamic property allows the same plug to fit different opening sizes by adjusting its compressed state during insertion, then expanding to fill the specific opening
3Strength
If force is applied to lock the wood plug in place, then the plug secures itself, but the force can crack the nipple or split the fitting before the plug grabs enough of the fitting
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the force application method from external hammering force to internal expansion force. The foam plug, when compressed for insertion, stores elastic energy that is released as it expands inside the opening, securing itself without requiring external force that would crack or split the fitting
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 foam plug effectively slows water inflow, is versatile for different sizes and shapes, and minimizes risk of further damage, allowing temporary repair until permanent fixes can be made without splitting fittings or valves.
Implementation Method 1
a conical body made of a solid foam, spongy cellular material that is compressible by hand and able to return to its original shape
Data Source
AI summary
An emergency repair plug for sealing an opening in a boat hull, comprises a conical body made of a solid foam, spongy cellular material that is compressible by hand and able to return to its original shape. The conical body is compressible by hand to a smaller dimension so that a portion of the conical body larger than an opening to be plugged can be inserted into the opening. The conical body is able to return to its larger size after compression, thereby to be wedged in the opening to slow down water inflow through the opening.