Heave Compensator with Adjustable Stroke and Dampening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Offshore lifting operations face challenges due to wave-induced movements, which cause variations in lifting height and excessive tension forces on cranes, leading to potential damage and costly delays in unfavorable weather conditions.
Innovation Solution
A multifunction heave compensator with adjustable dampening properties, utilizing a sliding piston mechanism and gas-filled chambers to automatically regulate stroke length and dampening characteristics, allowing for compensation of heave movements and tension variations without prior knowledge of the load's weight or buoyancy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed-stroke heave compensator is used, then the structure is simple, but it cannot adapt to varying wave conditions and load weights
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the stroke length of the heave compensator adjustable rather than fixed. The compensator can dynamically change its stroke length to adapt to varying wave conditions and load characteristics, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of stroke length from fixed to variable. By enabling the stroke length to be adjusted according to actual operating conditions, the system achieves adaptability to different wave conditions while maintaining reasonable structural complexity.
2Length of moving object
If the stroke length is extended to compensate for large heave movements, then the compensation range increases, but the risk of load re-contact with the vessel increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the stroke length adjustable rather than fixed. The compensator can dynamically change its stroke length to adapt to varying wave conditions and load characteristics, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from sensors monitoring the position and status of the load and vessel to automatically adjust the compensator stroke length. This feedback mechanism ensures the stroke is extended only when necessary to prevent re-contact, avoiding excessive extension that would increase re-contact risk.
3Device complexity
If manual adjustment of compensator settings is required, then the system is simple, but it causes waiting time and reduces productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by implementing automatic adjustment of the heave compensator settings. The system autonomously monitors wave conditions and load status, then automatically adjusts the stroke length without requiring manual intervention, thereby eliminating waiting time and improving productivity while maintaining reasonable control system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from sensors monitoring the position and status of the load and vessel to automatically adjust the compensator stroke length. This feedback mechanism ensures the stroke is extended only when necessary to prevent re-contact, avoiding excessive extension that would increase re-contact risk.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the heave compensator uses fixed dampening properties, then the design is simple, but it cannot optimize performance across different sea states
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the dampening properties adjustable rather than fixed. The compensator can dynamically change its dampening characteristics to adapt to varying wave conditions and load characteristics, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of dampening properties from fixed to variable. By enabling the dampening characteristics to be adjusted according to actual operating conditions, the system achieves adaptability to different sea states while maintaining reasonable structural complexity.
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
Enables stable and efficient lifting operations across varying weather conditions by maintaining optimal stroke length and dampening properties, reducing the risk of damage and increasing the 'weather window' for deployment, thereby saving time and costs.
Implementation Method 1
an elongated cylindrical gas accumulator (16) comprising: an upper end having a, with a valve (24), adjustable gas outlet (23)... an inner space divided by a slidable piston (21) into an upper chamber (22) and a lower liquid filled second chamber (15)
Implementation Method 2
a, with a valve (17), adjustable liquid transferring device (20) fluidly connected to liquid outlet (13) of the elongated length extension device (1) and liquid outlet (14) of the elongated cylindrical gas accumulator (16)
Implementation Method 3
means for calculating the amount of gas which needs to be ventilated out of the first outlet (23) of the elongated cylindrical gas accumulator (16) in order to obtain an intended equilibrium position of the first piston (9)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Heave compensator with adjustable dampening properties comprising a length extension device having an inner space divided by a slide-able piston into a vacuum chamber and a liquid filled chamber, a gas accumulator divided by a slide-able piston into a gas filled chamber and a liquid filled chamber, and eventually a gas tank having an expansion chamber, where the liquid and gas chamber are fluidly connected to each other with valve controlled conduits, and where the device comprises pressure and temperature sensors which register pressure and temperature in the gas- and liquid phases, and where the device further comprises a control unit comprising a signal receiving unit, a writeable computer memory, a data processing unit, and a signal transmitting unit, and where the data processing unit contains computer software which calculates suited amount of gas and gas pressure in the at least one gas accumulator and/or at least one gas tank based on the information of which lifting operation is going to be performed and which thereafter engages activation means such that the suited amount of gas and gas pressure are achieved and maintained during the different phases of the lifting operation.