Marine Craft Engagement Apparatus With Alignment Slots
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional marine craft recovery systems require human intervention and skilled operation, posing safety risks in high sea states or when dealing with unmanned vessels, and can disrupt mother ship operations, especially in situations where relative motion between vessels is significant.
Innovation Solution
A marine craft engagement apparatus featuring a receptacle and engagement probe with multiple alignment slots and a locking device, allowing secure coupling with minimal human intervention, even in high sea states, using ramps and tapered entrances for alignment and a locking mechanism that engages securely despite relative motion, and an indicator system for automated operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional line-throwing recovery method is used, then human intervention is required to capture the line, but safety risk increases in high sea states or with unmanned vessels
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the need for human intervention from the recovery process by implementing an automated mechanical coupling system. The engagement probe on the satellite boat automatically couples with the receptacle on the mother vessel through mechanical alignment features (slots, ramps, tapered entrances) that guide and secure the connection without requiring crew members to manually capture lines, thereby eliminating safety risks associated with human exposure to harsh sea conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The recovery system implements self-service through automated mechanical coupling features. The engagement probe incorporates alignment slots, ramps, and tapered entrances that automatically guide the probe into proper alignment and secure engagement with the receptacle. The system serves itself by using the relative motion between vessels to drive the engagement process rather than requiring external human intervention to manually connect the vessels.
2Ease of operation
If mother vessel slows down to control relative position, then recovery control is improved, but journey time to destination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention embraces dynamics by designing the engagement probe to accommodate and exploit relative motion between the satellite boat and mother vessel. The alignment slots and ramps are configured to guide the probe into proper engagement despite longitudinal, lateral, or angular movements. This dynamic design allows recovery operations to proceed without requiring the mother vessel to slow down or stop, maintaining operational speed while achieving secure coupling.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the recovery process by eliminating the requirement for reduced vessel speed. The mechanical coupling features (slots, ramps, tapered entrances) are designed to function effectively across a range of relative velocities and positions, allowing the mother vessel to maintain its course and speed while the satellite boat autonomously achieves proper engagement through the flexible alignment mechanisms.
3Device complexity
If conventional line capture method is used, then simple equipment is required, but human skill and intervention are necessary
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the manual mechanical system of line-throwing and line-capturing with an automated mechanical coupling system. Instead of using ropes and human hands, the system employs an engagement probe with alignment slots, ramps, and tapered entrances that mechanically guide and secure the satellite boat to the mother vessel. This substitution eliminates the need for human skill in line handling while maintaining mechanical simplicity through the use of straightforward geometric features.
4Measurement precision
If multiple alignment slots are provided, then engagement accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the engagement interface into multiple functional elements: alignment slots, ramps, tapered entrances, and locking features. Each element performs a specific function in the engagement sequence, with the alignment slots providing multiple possible engagement points that increase accuracy. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high engagement precision through the coordinated action of simple, discrete geometric features rather than complex integrated mechanisms.
Data Source
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AI summary
An engagement apparatus for use in the deployment and recovery of a marine craft from a mother ship comprises a receptacle provided on one of the marine craft and the mother ship and an engagement probe provided on the other of the marine craft and the mother ship. The receptacle has a number of spaced channels which receive the engagement probe, engagement between the probe and the channels facilitating alignment between the marine craft and the mother ship. A locking device is also provided to secure the probe to the receptacle to secure the marine craft to the mother ship for recovery. The locking device may be activated by full engagement between the probe and the receptacle.