Heave Compensation Device with Variable Lever Arm
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heave compensation devices face challenges in adapting to different loads efficiently, requiring significant effort and complexity, which leads to compromised dynamics and increased costs when supporting heavy loads.
Innovation Solution
A heave compensation device featuring a platform moved by an active actuator, with a passive system using a pivoted console and lever arrangement that adjusts the lever arm based on load conditions, allowing for variable support force and quick adaptation to different loads, utilizing a gas accumulator for pneumatic prestressing and a link arrangement to linearize gas volume-pressure dependence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If passive cylinders are used to support the platform weight and load, then the active cylinders can be smaller and dynamics improved, but considerable effort and complexity are required to adapt the passive support to different loads
Solution Approach 1:
The passive support system employs a movable console that can be positioned at different locations along the platform beam, allowing the lever arm length to be dynamically adjusted according to the load position and magnitude. This dynamic configuration enables the system to adapt to varying loads without requiring complex active control, resolving the contradiction between improved dynamics and reduced adaptation complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the geometric parameter of the lever arm length by repositioning the console along the beam. This parameter change allows the passive support to be optimized for different load conditions, enabling simple adaptation to varying loads while maintaining the benefits of smaller active cylinders and improved dynamics.
2Force
If passive cylinders support heavy loads, then larger cylinders and pumps are required, but this deteriorates dynamics and increases equipment requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The movable console allows the lever arm length to be optimized based on the load magnitude. For heavy loads, the console is positioned to maximize the lever arm, enabling passive support of heavy weights. For lighter loads, the lever arm is reduced, maintaining fast dynamics. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between force capacity and speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies different lever arm lengths locally depending on the load position and magnitude. By concentrating the support function at the optimal location along the beam, the system achieves heavy load support capability without requiring uniformly large cylinders throughout, thus preserving dynamics while increasing force capacity where needed.
3Adaptability or versatility
If active cylinders support part of the load, then adaptation to different loads is simplified, but this requires larger cylinders and pumps, deteriorating dynamics
Solution Approach 1:
The movable console provides a simple mechanical means to adapt the passive support to different loads by adjusting the lever arm length. This mechanical adaptability eliminates the need for active cylinders to support static load weight, allowing active cylinders to remain small and responsive, thus maintaining fast dynamics while achieving full adaptability to different load conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable console acts as an intermediary mechanism that translates load variations into geometric adjustments of the lever arm. This intermediary provides adaptability to different loads through a simple mechanical adjustment rather than requiring large active cylinders, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and dynamics.
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 device efficiently adapts to varying loads with minimal device technology outlay, improving dynamics and reducing the need for larger active cylinders and pumps, while maintaining stability and supporting heavy loads without the need for extensive preload adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
A passive system with at least one actuator is assigned to the active actuator, via which the weight of the platform and/or a load arranged thereon is supported
Implementation Method 2
utilizing a gas accumulator for pneumatic prestressing and a link arrangement to linearize gas volume-pressure dependence
Implementation Method 3
the console engages directly or indirectly on the platform and is designed such that a lever arm of the passive actuator changes with respect to the articulated device depending on an extension or retraction movement of the actuator
Implementation Method 4
a lever arm of the passive actuator changes with respect to the articulated device depending on an extension or retraction movement of the actuator
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
A heave compensation device comprising an active system (6, 8, 10) and a passive system (16). In the passive system, actuators (18, 20, 22) are connected to a load-bearing platform (2) via a joint device (C). This joint device allows the effective lever (L) with which the actuators passively support the platform to be varied depending on the load condition.