Jet Driven Multihull Vessel for Shallow Water Diving Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current monohull dive vessels lack the safety and efficiency required for shallow water operations, as they cannot prevent propeller injuries to divers and do not effectively track divers using acoustic or sonar tools, and they lack bidirectional communication for real-time monitoring and management of dive operations.
Innovation Solution
A self-supportive jet driven multihull vessel equipped with twin jet drives, onboard dive compressors, and advanced tracking systems using acoustics and sonar, along with bidirectional communication capabilities, allowing for real-time diver tracking and two-way communication between divers and the onboard server, and remote administrative systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If monohull vessels with propellers are used for diving operations, then propulsion is provided, but propeller injuries to divers occur and safety is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional propeller-based mechanical propulsion system with a jet drive system. The jet drive uses water circulation and jet propulsion to provide thrust without exposed rotating propellers, thereby eliminating the primary source of diver injury while maintaining propulsion capability. This substitution of mechanical propulsion method directly addresses the safety contradiction.
Solution Approach 2:
The jet drive system acts as an intermediary between the power source and the water, using a controlled water circulation system to transfer propulsion force. Instead of direct propeller contact with divers, the system uses water as a medium to transmit propulsion energy, creating a safety buffer that prevents direct mechanical injury to divers.
2Speed
If monohull vessels are used, then propulsion is achieved, but draft is too deep for shallow water operations
Solution Approach 1:
The vessel is designed as a multihull structure with multiple independent buoyant sections (hulls) connected together. This segmentation distributes the vessel's weight across multiple contact points with the water, significantly reducing the draft compared to a monohull design. The segmented hull structure enables shallow water operation while maintaining propulsion capability through the jet drive system.
3Loss of information
If traditional dive vessels are used, then diving operations can be conducted, but real-time diver tracking and communication capabilities are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The vessel integrates multiple functions into unified systems: the jet drive system serves both propulsion and water circulation for jetting operations; the acoustic/sonar tracking system provides both diver location monitoring and communication capabilities; the onboard server consolidates data processing, tracking, and communication functions. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity while improving information monitoring capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The vessel implements real-time feedback systems through acoustic and sonar tracking that continuously monitor diver locations and provide immediate information to the onboard server. Two-way communication systems provide continuous feedback between divers and the vessel, enabling real-time monitoring and response. This feedback mechanism ensures minimal information loss about diver status and location.
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 multihull vessel enhances safety by preventing propeller injuries, improves operational efficiency with faster response times and reduced crew costs, and enables effective tracking and management of dive operations, supporting both hydraulic tool operations and high-pressure water jetting in shallow waters.
Implementation Method 1
twin jet drives
Implementation Method 2
track divers in the water with acoustics and/or sonar
Implementation Method 3
track divers in the water with acoustics and/or sonar
Data Source
AI summary
A diving services multihull vessel with a starboard pontoon and a port pontoon, with dive support stations built into the bow and stern, a port independently operable water jet drive operated by a port diesel engine; a starboard independently operable water jet drive operated by a starboard diesel engine; a dive compressor, a water jetting unit, a hydraulic power unit, a decompression chamber, a generator; a fuel tank, an onboard dive server for tracking divers and monitoring dive operations and presenting the information on the display as well as for tracking sensor signals including diver depth, elapsed time of dive, ambient water temperature around a diver, video and/or audio feed from a diver and presenting on a display, as well as transmitting via a network to a location remote to the vessel, wherein the vessel further includes a helm control connected to a navigation control and the jet drives.