Telescopic Gangway Terminal Element Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing telescopic gangways for floating navigation units are limited in their ability to maintain a continuous, non-sloped walkway surface when the dock plane is significantly misaligned with the gangway, and they do not allow easy access from the sea to the unit or vice versa, often requiring complex and heavy mechanical systems that necessitate structural modifications to the unit.
Innovation Solution
A telescopic gangway design featuring a terminal element that can rotate and extend to form a continuous walkway surface between the floating navigation unit and the dock, with a hydraulic actuation system allowing the gangway to adjust its length and angle to accommodate varying heights without significant slope, and allowing the terminal element to be submerged for water access, all while being integrated without requiring structural or aesthetic modifications to the unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the gangway rotates along a vertical plane about a horizontal axis to adapt to dock height differences, then the gangway can connect to the dock, but the slope of the walkway surface increases making it unsafe for users
Solution Approach 1:
The gangway is divided into multiple segments (first gangway element and second gangway element) that can move independently. The first element rotates about a horizontal axis to adapt to height differences, while the second element rotates about a vertical axis to maintain a horizontal walkway surface, ensuring user safety while adapting to dock variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The gangway employs dynamic adjustment mechanisms with multiple degrees of freedom. The first element can rotate dynamically about a horizontal axis to match dock height, while the second element dynamically rotates about a vertical axis to keep the walkway surface horizontal, allowing continuous adaptation while maintaining safety.
2Adaptability or versatility
If complex mechanical systems are used to maintain a continuous walkway surface, then the gangway can accommodate height differences, but the device becomes heavy and requires structural modifications to the unit
Solution Approach 1:
The gangway is segmented into multiple elements with independent rotation capabilities. The first element handles height adaptation through horizontal axis rotation, while the second element handles surface levelness through vertical axis rotation, distributing the adaptability function across simple, modular components rather than a single complex mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The gangway elements are designed with multi-functional capabilities. Each element can rotate about multiple axes and perform different functions (height adaptation, surface leveling, extension), reducing the need for separate specialized mechanisms and simplifying the overall mechanical system.
3Length of stationary object
If the gangway extends to maximum length to reach the dock, then the connection is achieved, but the gangway cannot be stored inside the hull
Solution Approach 1:
The gangway elements are designed to nest within each other when retracted. The second element can be stored inside the first element, and both can be stored within the hull, maximizing space utilization. When extended, they form the full-length gangway for dock connection, achieving both compact storage and full extension capability.
Data Source
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AI summary
A retractable telescopic gangway (1) for a floating navigation unit (100), defining an upper gangway walkway plane (5), and adapted to allow the transit of an individual entering, or exiting, said floating navigation unit (100), transiting on said upper gangway walkway plane (5), wherein said retractable telescopic gangway (1) comprises at least two gangway elements (10, 20) telescopically engaged with respect to one another along a gangway axis (P-P) parallel to said walkway surface between a minimum gangway length (L1) and a maximum gangway length (L2); said at least two gangway elements (10, 20), telescopically engaged with one another, comprising a proximal end element (10) adapted to be fastened to said floating navigation unit (100), and one opposite distal end element (20); telescopic actuation means (9) for moving said at least two gangway elements (10, 20) with respect to one another along the gangway axis between said minimum gangway length (L1) and said maximum gangway length (L2); a terminal element (40) having an elongated shape defining a terminal element axis (T-T) along a main development direction thereof, said terminal element (40) being rotatably engaged with said distal end element (20) about a hinge axis (C-C) parallel to the gangway walkway plane (5) and orthogonal to the gangway axis (P-P) and to the terminal element axis (T-T), in a manner adjustable between an rest angular position, in which the terminal element (40) is superimposed on the distal end element (20), and an operative position, in which the terminal element (40) is angularly spaced with respect to the distal end element (20), between a maximum upward inclination position and a maximum downward inclination position; rotary actuation means (60) for rotating said terminal element (40) with respect to said distal end element (20).