Kinetic-Energy Vacuum Mooring Device Without External Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Commercial mooring devices using vacuum cups require external energy for creating vacuum suction force, leading to significant waste due to long-term maintenance needs.
Innovation Solution
A mooring device with an engaging module, pressure control module, and energy transformation module that converts kinetic energy into pneumatic/hydraulic pressure to actuate vacuum cups for mooring, eliminating the need for external energy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If external energy supply is used to create vacuum suction force, then the mooring device can maintain effective mooring capabilities, but significant energy waste occurs due to long-term maintenance needs
Solution Approach 1:
The mooring device uses the kinetic energy from the incoming mooring object itself to create the vacuum suction force needed for mooring. The actuator is driven by the impact force of the mooring object, eliminating the need for external energy supply while maintaining reliable mooring capability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the kinetic energy of the incoming mooring object (which would otherwise be wasted impact energy) into useful pneumatic/hydraulic pressure to drive the vacuum cup. The impact force that was previously harmful waste is now transformed into the driving energy for the mooring mechanism
2Duration of action of moving object
If external energy supply is used for creating vacuum suction force, then continuous operation is possible, but long-term maintenance causes significant waste
Solution Approach 1:
The system is self-powered by the mooring process itself. Each mooring event generates the energy needed for that mooring event, eliminating continuous external energy supply and reducing maintenance-related energy waste
Solution Approach 2:
The vacuum suction force is generated periodically on demand during each mooring event rather than continuously. The actuator is activated only when needed to create vacuum for a specific mooring operation, reducing overall energy consumption
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 device efficiently creates vacuum suction force using kinetic energy, reducing maintenance needs and energy consumption, while maintaining effective mooring capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one actuator presses the at least one piston unit, and the first valve opens to make the at least one piston unit output a pneumatic/hydraulic pressure
Implementation Method 2
the energy transformation module uses the pneumatic/hydraulic pressure for actuating the vacuum module, making the vacuum module create vacuum suction force of the at least one vacuum cup and mooring the mooring object
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses a mooring device and operating method thereof. Specifically, the mooring device mainly comprises engaging module and a pressure control module. The engaging module comprises at least one actuator, at least one piston unit and at least one vacuum cup. Moreover, when a mooring object contacts the at least one actuator and actuates the at least one piston unit, the pressure control module may control the vacuum level therebetween the at least one vacuum cup and the mooring object. Therefore, the mooring device and its operating method of the present invention use the force which is provided by the mooring object per se to determine whether to moor the mooring object or not.