Inflatable Debris Scow Hull for Surf-Zone Towing and Shore Dragging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing marine surveillance and debris removal technologies are inadequate for withstanding the rigors of traveling through surf zones, being dragged on rocky shores, and towing at high speeds without cavitation or damage, and lack the capability for autonomous data collection and remote operation.

Innovation Solution

A marine environmental monitoring scow with a lightweight, finless hull design incorporating inflatable flotation chambers, adjustable transom mounting assembly, and microcontroller unit for autonomous operation and data processing, equipped with thrusters for maneuverability and sensors for environmental monitoring.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a rigid hull is used for debris transport, then structural strength is improved, but the hull becomes prone to tearing on rocky shores and cannot withstand surf zone conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehull strengthVSAvoidreliability on rocky shores

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a flexible inflatable hull made of durable material that can flex and conform to rocky surfaces without tearing, while maintaining sufficient structural strength to carry debris loads and withstand surf zone conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Speed

If fins are added to the hull for stability, then water propulsion performance is improved, but the board must be dragged along the shore instead of being carried

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater propulsion speedVSAvoidease of transport on shore

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes fins from the hull design to enable easy carrying and dragging on shore, while achieving water propulsion through alternative means such as being towed behind a support vessel or using an electric motor with propeller

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Speed

If the hull is designed for high speed towing, then towing performance is improved, but cavitation occurs in the wake of the tow boat

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetowing speedVSAvoidcavitation

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a rounded, hydrodynamic hull shape with smooth curves that reduce turbulence and cavitation in the wake, allowing high-speed towing without the harmful cavitation effects that would occur with sharp edges or flat surfaces

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

4Weight of moving object

If a lightweight design is used for the scow, then ease of transport is improved, but the scow cannot withstand the force of waves in the surf zone

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescow weightVSAvoidwave resistance strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses composite construction combining lightweight materials with high-strength properties, and employs an inflatable hull structure that provides both light weight for easy transport and substantial strength to withstand surf zone waves and rough conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

5Quantity of substance

If the scow is designed to carry heavy debris loads, then debris carrying capacity is improved, but the scow becomes difficult to maneuver and tow

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedebris carrying capacityVSAvoidmaneuverability

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs an inflatable hull that provides adjustable buoyancy and stability, allowing the scow to carry heavy debris loads while maintaining maneuverability through water; the inflatable chambers can be adjusted to optimize performance for different load conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

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 scow effectively carries debris on land and water, withstands rough environments, operates autonomously or remotely, and collects and processes environmental data, ensuring efficient debris removal and surveillance without cavitation or damage.

Implementation Method 1

at least one flotation chamber which extends around the sides and the front of the frame and forms a gunwale

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Data Source

PatentUS20230249787A1Marine surveillance and debris scow

Publication Date: 2023.08.10 SHIFT ENVIRONMENTAL TECH LTD

AI summary

A marine monitoring and debris collection scow is provided, the scow comprising: a hull which includes an open stern, a bow opposite the open stern, a deck extending between the open stern and the bow and forming a bottom on an underside, the bottom extending between the open stern and the bow; a frame, the frame which is attached to the deck, the frame including a front, a back which is opposite the front and sides extending between the front and the back; at least one flotation chamber which extends around the sides and the front of the frame and forms a gunwale; a housing mounted on the deck; and a microcontroller unit housed in the housing, the microcontroller unit configured to receive a data set from at least one sensor, to store the data set, to process the data set into a processed data set and to send the processed data set to a radio.