Hoisting System Automatic Coupling Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hoisting systems for fall-pipe systems on marine vessels are inflexible and cumbersome, requiring pre-attachment of fall-pipe sections to cables or chains, limiting adaptability in length and making storage and handling inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A hoisting system with a winch system featuring a chain of links and coupling members that allow for automatic coupling and decoupling of fall-pipe sections, using a coupling station with a sprocket wheel and bend-spring elements for secure and efficient engagement and disengagement, enabling flexible length adjustment and compact storage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If fall-pipe sections are pre-attached to cables or chains, then they can be stored and handled, but the system becomes inflexible and cumbersome with fixed length

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage and handlingVSAvoidlength adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The fall-pipe system is divided into separate sections that can be individually coupled to the winch chain. Each fall-pipe section has coupling members that allow independent attachment and detachment, enabling flexible configuration of total length while maintaining ease of storage and handling of individual sections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling mechanism transitions from static pre-attachment to dynamic on-demand coupling. The coupling members allow fall-pipe sections to be attached or detached from the winch chain during operation, providing adaptability in length configuration while maintaining operational ease through automated coupling at the coupling station.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Quantity of substance

If fall-pipe sections are pre-attached to cables or chains, then they can be stored, but the system becomes cumbersome and inflexible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage compactnessVSAvoidlength adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

By separating fall-pipe sections from the winch chain storage, the system allows compact storage of hoisting elements in a vertically stacked manner while maintaining length adaptability. The coupling members enable sections to be attached or detached as needed, resolving the contradiction between storage compactness and length adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Device complexity

If coupling and decoupling is done manually, then simplicity is maintained, but safety is reduced and human error increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoupling mechanism simplicityVSAvoidoperational safety

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling station performs automatic coupling and decoupling of fall-pipe sections to the winch chain without manual intervention. The system uses the motion of the winch chain itself to drive the coupling mechanism, achieving reliable automated operation while maintaining relatively simple device complexity through self-service automation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Manual mechanical coupling operations are replaced with an automated mechanical system at the coupling station. The winch chain's motion automatically drives the coupling members into engagement or disengagement positions, substituting manual mechanical operations with an automated system that improves safety and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 system provides increased flexibility and safety by allowing automatic coupling and decoupling without human intervention, enabling variable distance between coupling positions and compact storage, improving operational efficiency in marine applications.

Implementation Method 1

bend-spring elements configured to catch around a link of the chain to hold a link part in between the pin and the bend-spring element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3775392B1Hoisting system with releasable locking of hoist elements to a winch system

Publication Date: 2023.12.20 VAN OORD DREDGING & MARINE CONTRACTORS

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Figure 3A~3B

AI summary

A hoisting system comprises a plurality of hoist elements to be hoisted; a winch system comprising a chain of links to allow hoisting hoist elements of the plurality of hoist elements, the links having a central opening; coupling members for coupling the hoist elements to the chain of links, each coupling member being secured to a hoist element and configured for providing releasable locking engagement with the chain of links; and a coupling station configured for guiding a hoist element and the chain of links through the guiding station and for automatically providing locking engagement of a coupling member secured to the respective hoist element to the chain of links or automatically releasing locking engagement of a coupling member secured to the respective hoist element from the chain of links. The coupling station may comprises a sprocket wheel for guiding the chain of links, and is configured for automatically providing locking engagement of the coupling member secured to the respective hoist element to the chain of links or automatically releasing locking engagement of the coupling member secured to the respective hoist element from the chain of links while the chain of links is guided over the sprocket wheel.