Marine Driver Linear Actuation for Positive Thrust and Wedge Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing marine driver systems face challenges such as limited effectiveness due to angular drive attempts to provide linear force, low positive thrust power, susceptibility to bouncing against the waterbed, and inability to handle return actions at various angles.
Innovation Solution
A marine driver system that includes a drive body, a work body pivoted at one end to the drive body, and a linear actuator mounted to the work body, which drives the work body through a lever arm, allowing for rotation up to 180 degrees or an obtuse angle relative to the reference axis, and includes a guide mechanism and a resilient mechanism for smooth operation and self-return.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a rotating arm is used to provide positive thrust, then the work body can be driven into the waterbed, but the torque is limited and effectiveness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional rotating arm mechanical system with a linear drive system. The linear drive directly pushes the work body along a linear path into the waterbed, eliminating the torque limitations of rotational mechanisms. This substitution of mechanical principle (linear vs rotational) resolves the contradiction by providing unlimited linear force without being constrained by rotational torque capacity.
2Force
If angular drive is used to provide linear force, then the work body can be driven forward, but effectiveness is limited due to geometry of the drive
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using angular/rotational drive to indirectly produce linear force (the conventional approach), the patent inverts the approach by using direct linear drive to push the work body. This reversal of the drive mechanism type (from angular to linear) eliminates geometric inefficiencies and maximizes the effectiveness of force transmission directly to the work body.
3Reliability
If the spike is driven down into the waterbed, then anchoring effectiveness is improved, but the mechanism is subject to bounce against the waterbed and cannot handle return actions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a resilient mechanism that allows the linear drive system to dynamically respond to impacts with the waterbed. The resilience absorbs bounce forces and enables the mechanism to handle return actions (when the boat moves or tide changes) without failing. This dynamic property resolves the contradiction by maintaining both anchoring effectiveness and mechanism stability under varying conditions.
4Ease of operation
If hydraulic pressure is used to redrive the spike, then the spike can be repositioned, but the arms wobble and do not lock into place, particularly as they age
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the hydraulic pressure system with a mechanically actuated linear drive system. This mechanical system provides positive, controlled movement of the work body without the wobble and locking failures associated with hydraulic systems. The mechanical connection ensures reliable locking into place while maintaining repositioning capability, resolving both ease of operation and reliability concerns.
5Reliability
If the anchor system extends into the water to be effective, then anchoring function is achieved, but the marine vessel cannot travel across the water efficiently
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a rapidly deployable and retractable linear drive system that can quickly position the work body into the waterbed for anchoring and then retract it when the vessel needs to travel. This dynamic capability allows the system to adapt between anchoring mode (work body in water) and travel mode (work body retracted), resolving the contradiction between achieving anchoring function and minimizing drag on the vessel.
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 system provides effective positive drive that is reversible out of water, avoids mechanism wedging, and continues to function effectively by resiliently returning to the operative position, absorbing blunt force impacts, and maintaining smooth operation.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient mechanism for smooth operation and self-return
Data Source
AI summary
A method of driving a work body to an obtuse angle relative to a drive body by providing a pivotal mounting of a work body such that it can pivot up to 180 degrees, mounting a drive body at a spaced position above the pivotal mount of the work body, pivotally mounting a first end of an elongated lever arm and pivotally mounting the distal second end to the operative end of the linear actuator and providing a drive arm from the work body to a leverage position on the lever arm between the first and second end. Also, the drive arm is pivotally mounted by the drive arm mount to the lower drive body and a sliding pivot slot pin is received in the linear slot extending along a portion of the drive arm to define a direction and limitation of movement of the drive arm relative to the lever arm.