Linkage Impact Protection for Waterway Gates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing impact protection devices for lock gates are limited by structural complexity, maximum size constraints, and the need to increase the size of the lock gate recesses, failing to effectively absorb the energy from ship impacts without causing damage and restricting lock widths.
Innovation Solution
A movable impact protection device connected to the lock gate via a linkage arrangement, where the energy absorption elements also function as transmission elements, allowing for a significant increase in the braking distance and energy absorption capacity without increasing the size of the device, using hydraulic or damper cylinders and a linkage mechanism to dissipate impact energy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If impact protection elements are arranged on the lock gate and made movable to reduce space requirements, then the size of recesses needed is reduced, but the energy absorption capacity is insufficient for common ship size classes
Solution Approach 1:
The impact protection device utilizes the dynamic movement of the lock gate itself as the mounting structure. The impact protection elements are attached to the gate and move with it, converting the gate's natural motion into the deployment and retraction mechanism of the protective elements, eliminating the need for separate complex drive systems while maintaining energy absorption capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The lock gate serves multiple functions: it acts as both the closure structure and the mounting structure for the impact protection elements. The gate's movement provides both the locking function and the deployment mechanism for impact protection, reducing overall system complexity and space requirements
2Reliability
If impact protection devices are installed on land with movable beams or ropes, then energy absorption is improved, but the system becomes vulnerable and limited to certain lock widths
Solution Approach 1:
The impact protection elements are extracted from the gate structure and positioned in front of it during operation, allowing the gate to remain structurally simple while the protective elements provide the necessary energy absorption capacity when deployed
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the dynamic movement of the gate to deploy and retract the impact protection elements. When the gate moves, it automatically positions the protective elements in front of or behind the gate opening, eliminating the need for complex separate deployment mechanisms
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 solution provides a robust, space-efficient, and cost-effective impact protection system capable of absorbing greater impact energies with reduced force on the gate, allowing for installation on a wide range of lock gate sizes and facilitating safe operation without enlarging the lock gate recesses.
Implementation Method 1
at least one energy absorbing element for absorbing or converting the kinetic energy to be carried away in the event of a ship impact
Implementation Method 2
using hydraulic or damper cylinders and a linkage mechanism to dissipate impact energy
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The invention relates to a shock protection device for a gate (1) of a waterway. The gate (1) has at least one gate element (2) movable back and forth between an open position and a closed position, wherein the shock protection device comprises at least one shock protection element (4) connected to the gate element (2) by means of a movable connecting device (5) and movable relative to the gate element (2) by means of at least one drive element (6), as well as at least one energy absorption element (6, 9). The connecting device between the shock protection element (4) and the gate element (2) is designed as a linkage arrangement (5), by means of which the shock protection element (4) can be moved back and forth between an active position far from the gate element and a passive position near the gate element, wherein at least one energy absorption element (6, 9) of the shock protection device forms a gear element of the linkage arrangement (5).