Inflatable Dry-Dock Perimeter Float and Diaphragm
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing marine vessel dry-docking methods are costly, time-consuming, and can cause damage to vessels due to direct contact with water and dock elements, and fail to prevent marine growth effectively.
Innovation Solution
An inflatable dry-dock system with a perimeter float and a malleable diaphragm forms a watertight barrier around the vessel, using an automatically controlled water pump and electric connection system to maintain a dry environment without chemicals, protecting the hull from growth and damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional dry-docking methods are used, then vessels can be removed from water for maintenance, but the process is costly, time-consuming, and can cause damage to vessels due to direct contact with water and dock elements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible inflatable barrier (a pontoon with a diaphragm) that can be inflated to create a watertight enclosure around the vessel. This flexible shell approach allows the barrier to conform to the vessel's hull shape while providing protection from water contact and dock elements, resolving the contradiction between vessel protection and docking time by enabling quick deployment and removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The inflatable barrier transitions from a deflated state (for easy storage and quick deployment) to an inflated state (for providing protection during docking). This dynamic transformation allows the system to be rapidly deployed and removed, reducing docking time while maintaining reliable vessel protection when inflated.
2Reliability
If traditional dry-docking methods are used, then vessels can be protected from marine growth, but the process is costly and requires chemical treatments
Solution Approach 1:
The inflatable barrier creates a physical separation between the vessel hull and marine environment without requiring chemical treatments. This mechanical barrier approach is more cost-effective than traditional chemical anti-fouling methods while providing reliable protection from marine growth.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses pneumatic inflation (air pressure) to create and maintain the protective barrier, replacing costly chemical treatments with a simple physical inflation process. This makes the protection method more cost-effective while maintaining reliable marine growth prevention.
3Reliability
If a watertight boundary is formed around the vessel, then marine growth is prevented, but water must be evacuated from the boundary to maintain dry conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs an automatically controlled water pump that activates when water enters the boundary and deactivates when the boundary is dry. This self-regulating mechanism maintains the dry environment reliably while minimizing the complexity of the water evacuation system, as the pump operates only when necessary without requiring constant monitoring or manual intervention.
4Ease of operation
If the gate portion is deflated to allow water to fill the boundary for vessel entry, then docking is enabled, but the gate must be re-inflated to maintain the watertight seal
Solution Approach 1:
The gate portion dynamically transitions between deflated (for vessel entry) and inflated (for maintaining watertight seal) states. This dynamic control enables easy vessel docking while maintaining the integrity of the watertight boundary, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and device complexity through automated or manual inflation/deflation cycles.
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 inflatable dry-dock system provides a cost-effective, safe, and efficient method to prevent marine growth and protect vessels from water contact and dock damage, while allowing easy docking and undocking without manual intervention.
Implementation Method 1
The inflatable perimeter when inflated, and diaphragm in combination are less dense than water, and therefore float
Implementation Method 2
The aft side of the perimeter float in one form forming a gate portion which is selectively deflated so as to be more dense than water, and therefore sink below the surface of the water
Implementation Method 3
A water pump is also provided, in fluid communication with the inner surface of the watertight boundary so as to evacuate water from between the inner surface and the watercraft
Data Source
AI summary
The apparatus and method described herein provides a waterproof, barrier between the hull of the watercraft while the watercraft is still in the water and at a dock. In addition, the apparatus provides a resilient inflated perimeter to which further protects the hull of the vessel from accidental contact with and damage from the dock and other rigid elements which it may contact.