Horizontal Demagnetization Coil Assembly for Ship Hulls
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing demagnetization devices for ships are limited by high costs, operational inefficiencies, and restricted usage due to orientation dependencies and tidal variations, which affect demagnetization and signature measurement quality.
Innovation Solution
A demagnetization device with demagnetization coils positioned horizontally alongside the ship's hull, producing an alternating magnetic field in the longitudinal direction, and a simulation coil assembly capable of generating magnetic fields in all three dimensions, allowing for flexible orientation and reduced operational time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the ship moves across the demagnetization device repeatedly in different directions, then the demagnetization and signature measurement can be performed, but the time required for the process increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of moving the ship across the device as in conventional systems, the patent inverts the approach by keeping the ship stationary and moving the demagnetization coils and sensor lines across the ship. This inversion eliminates the need for repeated ship movements in different directions, significantly reducing the time required while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic coil assemblies that can move along the ship's hull. The coils are mounted on movable carriages or trolleys that can traverse the length of the ship, allowing the demagnetization field and sensor lines to be dynamically positioned at different locations without moving the ship itself.
2Ease of manufacture
If the device is oriented vertically with coils fixed at depth, then the structure is stable and easy to implement, but the device becomes dependent on Earth's magnetic field orientation and tidal variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a fixed vertical coil structure to a dynamic horizontal coil assembly that can be positioned alongside the ship. The coils are mounted on movable platforms or carriages that can be adjusted to maintain optimal orientation relative to the ship's hull, making the system independent of Earth's magnetic field orientation and tidal variations.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of fixing coils vertically at depth below the ship, the patent positions the coil assemblies horizontally alongside the ship's hull. This dimensional change allows the coils to be adjusted in position and orientation to accommodate varying tidal levels and ship positions without compromising the demagnetization effectiveness.
3Productivity
If the demagnetization coils are positioned horizontally alongside the ship, then the alternating magnetic field can be produced in the longitudinal direction with better efficiency, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The demagnetization coil assembly is divided into multiple independent coil sections that can be positioned at different locations along the ship's hull. Each coil section can be independently controlled and moved, allowing the system to generate effective alternating magnetic fields in the longitudinal direction while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The horizontal coil assembly serves multiple functions: it generates the alternating demagnetization field, supports the sensor lines for signature measurement, and can be repositioned to accommodate different ship sizes and configurations. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity despite the horizontal positioning configuration.
4Measurement precision
If the ship must cross the device repeatedly, then comprehensive signature measurement is achieved, but the operational restrictions due to location and orientation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by keeping the ship stationary and moving the measurement equipment (sensor lines and coils) across the ship. This eliminates the need for the ship to traverse the device repeatedly and removes operational restrictions related to location and orientation, while still achieving comprehensive magnetic field mapping through the movable sensor array.
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
This configuration achieves high demagnetization efficiency with lower costs and improved flexibility, enabling effective demagnetization and signature measurement regardless of tidal changes and orientation, while eliminating the need for ship movement during the process.
Implementation Method 1
demagnetization coil assembly (8) having at least two demagnetization coils (8), the cross-sectional areas of which are disposed next to one another in the longitudinal direction of the hull and whose surface normals are oriented in a horizontal manner, an alternating magnetic field progressing in the longitudinal direction of the hull being producible outside the demagnetization coils (8)
Implementation Method 2
a set of simulation coils is embedded in the same manner in a structure which is anchored in the ground, said simulation coils also producing a stationary magnetic field which is oriented mainly vertically and which has the desired field strength
Implementation Method 3
magnetic field sensor assembly (10) arranged below the waterline, magnetic field sensors (10) being distributed in a plane extending in the longitudinal direction of the hull
Data Source
AI summary
A device (2) for demagnetizing and for measuring the magnetic signature of a stationary hull (4) and for simulating a magnetic field, including a demagnetization coil assembly (8), a magnetic field sensor assembly (10) and a simulation coil assembly (12a, 12b, 12c), which can be positioned next to the hull (4) in a horizontal manner on one side and the cross-sectional areas of the demagnetization coils (8) and of the simulation coils (12a, 12b, 12c) being disposed in the longitudinal direction of the hull (4) with horizontally oriented surface normals. The demagnetization coils (8) produce an alternating magnetic field; the simulation coils (12a, 12b, 12c) produce a stationary simulated magnetic field in all three dimensions.