Hull Air Lubrication Device Between Reinforcement Members
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The installation of a frictional resistance-reducing device on a ship's hull poses challenges in maintaining structural strength, as large chambers required for resistance reduction often necessitate the removal or alteration of reinforcement members, compromising the hull's structural integrity.
Innovation Solution
A frictional resistance-reducing device is designed with a housing system that integrates between reinforcement members, featuring air outlets and an air inlet, allowing for air discharge to form an air layer without compromising the structural strength of the hull, and includes a blocking valve to prevent water ingress and an antifouling device for maintenance access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a large chamber is installed at the bottom surface of the hull to reduce frictional resistance, then frictional resistance is reduced, but the reinforcement members must be removed or changed, compromising structural strength
Solution Approach 1:
The large chamber is divided into multiple small chambers arranged in an array. Each small chamber is equipped with its own air discharge port and distributor. This segmentation allows the frictional resistance reduction function to be distributed across multiple small units, eliminating the need for a single large chamber that would require removal of reinforcement members.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of expanding the chamber size in the horizontal plane (which would conflict with reinforcement members), the solution transitions to a vertical arrangement with multiple layers of small chambers. The chambers are stacked in the thickness direction of the hull bottom, utilizing the vertical dimension to achieve the required air discharge capacity without interfering with the horizontal reinforcement structure.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a large chamber is installed at the bottom surface, then frictional resistance is reduced, but manufacturing and installation costs and time increase due to removal or alteration of reinforcement members
Solution Approach 1:
The chamber system is segmented into multiple small, standardized modules that can be independently manufactured and installed. Each module includes a small chamber, air discharge port, and distributor assembly. This modular approach eliminates the need for custom fabrication and complex installation procedures associated with large chambers, significantly improving manufacturing and installation efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The small chamber modules are designed with universal dimensions and mounting interfaces that can be standardized across different hull types and positions. This universality allows for pre-fabrication and rapid installation without requiring custom work at each location, reducing both manufacturing complexity and installation time.
3Ease of operation
If multiple air discharge ports are provided in the chamber, then air distribution is improved, but the chamber size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of providing multiple air discharge ports in a single large chamber, the system segments the air discharge function across multiple small chambers. Each small chamber has its own air discharge port, and the collective array of ports provides comprehensive air distribution. This segmentation simplifies each individual chamber structure while achieving the desired air distribution uniformity through the distributed arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The air discharge ports are distributed not only within each chamber but also across multiple chambers arranged in the vertical thickness direction. This multi-dimensional distribution of air discharge points improves air distribution uniformity without requiring complex internal structures within each chamber, as the spatial arrangement itself provides the distribution function.
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 solution maintains the structural strength of the hull by eliminating the need to remove or alter reinforcement members, reducing manufacturing and installation costs and time, while effectively reducing frictional resistance through an air layer formation.
Implementation Method 1
air outlets discharging air to the outer surface of the outer panel to form an air layer
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A frictional resistance-reducing device and a ship including the same are disclosed. The ship comprises: an outer panel including and air outlet; a plurality of reinforcement members provided on the inner surface of the outer panel so as to be spaced from each other; and a frictional resistance-reducing device formed on the inner surface of the out panel between immediately neighboring reinforcement members among the plurality of reinforcement members, so as to cover the air outlet, wherein the frictional resistance-reducing device includes: a hollow housing of which one surface is opened; and an air inlet formed in the houseing, and the opened one surface faces the air outlet.