Submersible Hull Panel Stiffener for Large Hatch Structural Continuity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hull panels for submersible modules with large openings face challenges in maintaining structural continuity while allowing rapid assembly and disassembly of closing elements, as existing solutions are complex, expensive, and limited by the strength of coamings which restrict opening size.
Innovation Solution
A hull panel design featuring a stiffener extending transversely through the opening, with removable attachments to internal surfaces of lateral reinforcements, allowing for separate sealing and structural functions, and a cover that forms an external projection to close the opening, enabling faster and easier assembly/disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the opening cover is embedded in the panel to ensure sealing and structural continuity, then structural continuity and sealing are improved, but the manufacture, assembly and disassembly become long, complex and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the closing system into separate functional elements: a cover for sealing and stiffeners for structural support. The stiffeners are detachably mounted on the inner face of the skin, while the cover can be assembled to the lateral reinforcement. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured, assembled, and disassembled independently, significantly reducing complexity compared to embedded covers while maintaining structural continuity through the stiffeners.
2Strength
If a coaming is used to reinforce the structure around the opening, then structural strength is improved, but the size of the opening is limited by the strength of the coaming
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from a two-dimensional coaming reinforcement around the opening perimeter to a three-dimensional stiffener system that extends through the panel thickness. The stiffeners are mounted on the inner face and extend through the opening, providing structural support in the third dimension (through-thickness direction). This allows for much larger opening sizes while maintaining structural strength, as the stiffeners can be positioned optimally to resist bending and buckling loads.
3Area of stationary object
If structural elements are interrupted by the opening, then large openings are enabled, but structural continuity is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The stiffeners act as intermediary elements that bridge the gap created by the opening. They are detachably mounted on the inner face of the skin and extend through the opening to connect the structural elements on either side. This intermediary structure restores structural continuity by providing load transfer paths across the opening, allowing large openings to be created without compromising the overall structural integrity of the panel.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a hull (12) panel (16) of a submersible module (10), comprising an outer skin (18) and structural elements (20, 21) secured to the skin. The skin comprises an opening (30), at least one (21) of the structural elements being interrupted by the opening so as to be divided into two parts (50, 2). The panel comprises a lateral reinforcement (34) secured to one edge of the opening. The panel has at least one stringer (60) substantially disposed along a main axis (Y), said stringer extending transversely through the opening (30), each of the ends (70, 72) of said stringer being fixed removably to an inner surface (78, 80) of the lateral reinforcement. The stringers thus absorb the forces between the two parts of the structural element, through the opening.