Convertible Guiding Pole Y Fork Rope Handling System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current rope handling systems for special purpose crafts, such as tugboats, require manual intervention, which can be hazardous in harsh weather conditions and inefficient, as they necessitate a crew member on the deck to manage the heaving line.
Innovation Solution
A rope-handling system featuring a convertible guiding pole with pivotable arms forming a Y fork, equipped with line-engaging means that can catch a heaving line and connect it to an attachment rope, reducing the need for manual intervention and enhancing safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual handling of heaving line is used, then the process is simple, but crew member safety is compromised in harsh weather
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service operation where the heaving line automatically engages with the guiding pole and Y fork structure without requiring manual intervention. The line trap mechanism automatically captures the heaving line when it passes through the Y fork, eliminating the need for crew members to manually handle the line in harsh weather conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The guiding pole with Y fork structure serves as an intermediary mechanism between the heaving line and the vessel. This intermediate structure facilitates automatic line engagement and transfer, reducing direct human involvement while maintaining operational reliability in adverse weather.
2Productivity
If manual handling of heaving line is used, then the equipment is simple, but operational efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The automated engagement mechanism performs the line-catching function without manual intervention. The line trap automatically secures the heaving line as it passes through the Y fork, enabling continuous operation and improving productivity without requiring crew members to manually retrieve and secure lines for each vessel connection.
3Length of moving object
If heaving line with weight is used, then throwing distance is improved, but risk of injury to persons on deck or berth increases
Solution Approach 1:
The Y fork structure acts as an intermediary that intercepts the heaving line before it can directly impact persons on deck or berth. The line trap mechanism securely captures the weighted heaving line in a controlled manner, preventing the weight from causing injury while maintaining the throwing distance advantage.
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful aspect (the weighted end of the heaving line) is extracted from the direct path of personnel by using the Y fork and line trap as intermediate capture points. This separates the functional benefit (throwing distance) from the harmful effect (injury risk) by routing the line through a safe engagement mechanism.
4Ease of operation
If crew member is present on deck to handle heaving line, then line handling can be performed, but exposure to harsh weather conditions increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs line handling automatically without requiring crew member presence on deck. The guiding pole with Y fork and line trap mechanism autonomously completes the line engagement task, eliminating weather exposure while maintaining full line handling capability.
Data Source
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AI summary
The disclosure relates to a rope- handling system, which is characterized in that it comprises a guiding pole (1) that is convertible between an operating configuration and a storage configuration, the guiding pole comprising pivotable arms (11) forming a Y fork (12) in the extended position of the guiding pole. The system further comprises line- engaging means (13) releasably attachable at the base of the arms (14) and connectable to an attachment rope (3), wherein the line-engaging (13) means comprises a line trap (131) for catching a monkey-fist (51) of a heaving line (5) when the heaving line is directed between the arms (11) of the Y fork (12) from a vessel. The disclosure further relates to a special purpose craft and to a guiding pole.