Integrated Ship for Immersed Tube Transport and Installation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The transportation and installation of large immersed tubes for underwater tunnels are inefficient, requiring multiple towing ships, disrupting navigation, and involving complex and costly processes with high security risks and long construction periods.
Innovation Solution
A self-propelled integrated ship with a dual ship body configuration, connection structure, hauling and hoisting devices, propelling power, and positioning systems allows for the transportation and installation of immersed tubes by utilizing buoyancy and dynamic positioning to navigate and precisely place the tubes without additional ships, reducing construction time and costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If multiple high-power towing ships are used to haul the immersed tube, then the transportation capability is sufficient, but the transportation speed is slow and the cooperation between ships is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple ship bodies into a single integrated ship structure with a common propulsion system. The dual ship body configuration shares one set of propelling power devices, allowing coordinated movement as a unified unit rather than independent vessels, thereby improving transportation speed while maintaining sufficient power for heavy immersed tubes.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated ship combines multiple functions into a single vessel: it serves as both transportation platform and installation support structure. The ship body provides both propulsion and hauling/hoisting capabilities through integrated devices, eliminating the need for separate towing ships and reducing coordination complexities.
2Power
If multiple towing ships are used to transport the immersed tube, then the transportation capability is adequate, but the navigation lane needs to be closed affecting shipping traffic
Solution Approach 1:
By consolidating multiple ship bodies into one integrated vessel, the patent reduces the number of vessels occupying water space. The merged structure requires a single navigation lane closure instead of multiple separate closures, thereby minimizing impact on shipping traffic while maintaining adequate transportation capability for the heavy immersed tube.
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional installation method with dedicated sinking barges is used, then the installation capability is achieved, but the organizing of marine activities is complicated and the construction period is long
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the transportation vessel and installation support structure into a single integrated ship. The dual ship body configuration includes built-in hauling and hoisting devices that provide installation capabilities directly on the transportation platform, eliminating the need for separate sinking barges and complex coordination between multiple vessels.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated ship performs both transportation and installation functions simultaneously. The ship body serves as both the transport carrier and the installation support structure, with embedded hauling and hoisting devices enabling the vessel to both move and install immersed tubes, thereby shortening the construction period.
4Ease of manufacture
If traditional installation method is used, then the installation function is provided, but the working efficiency is low and construction cost is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines transportation and installation functions into a single integrated ship, eliminating the need for separate sinking barges and multiple coordination operations. This merged system improves working efficiency by reducing the number of vessels involved and simplifying marine activity organization, while maintaining full installation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated ship provides universal functionality for both transportation and installation operations. The dual ship body configuration includes embedded hauling and hoisting devices that enable the vessel to perform installation tasks during or after transportation, thereby increasing productivity and reducing construction costs associated with multiple specialized vessels.
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 integrated ship enables efficient, precise, and cost-effective transportation and installation of immersed tubes, reducing construction time and costs while maintaining navigation lane openness and enhancing safety and stability.
Implementation Method 1
the propelling power devices comprise a main propeller respectively arranged at a stern of the first ship body and a stern of the second ship body, and lateral propellers respectively arranged at a bow and the stern of the first ship body and a bow and the stern of the second ship body
Implementation Method 2
the first ship body and the second ship body are provided with the positioning devices
Implementation Method 3
the first ship body, the second ship body and the connection structure are provided with the hauling and hoisting devices
Data Source
AI summary
A self-propelled integrated ship for transporting and installing immersed tubes of an underwater tunnel comprises a first ship body and a second ship body which are parallel with each other, a connection structure is arranged between the first ship body and the second ship body; the first ship body, the second ship body and the connection structure are provided with hauling and hoisting devices, a loading space is formed between the first ship body and the second ship body and below the connection structure; a to-be-installed member is arranged in the loading space and is connected with the ship; and the first ship body and the second ship body are provided with propelling power devices and positioning devices. The loading space is provided in a lower part of the integrated ship, and a member to be transported is placed in the loading space and floated in the water, so that most of the weight of the member is shared by buoyancy. The member is transported to a designated site and installed precisely. Thus, the independent transportation and installation of immersed tubes of the underwater tunnel or similar large members with various sizes can be successfully realized by one self-propelled ship without assistance of other additional ships. Moreover, there is no need to close navigation lanes to other ships, thus not affecting the navigations of the other ships.