Mooring Loop Reactive Fiber Energy Dissipation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing securing devices, such as ropes and mooring lines, often fail prematurely under high forces, leading to potential harm to individuals or objects due to inadequate energy absorption and dissipation, resulting in sudden stopping forces that can cause injuries.
Innovation Solution
A securing device comprising reactive fiber components made of stretchable non-elastic polymer fibers that elongate and dissipate kinetic energy, potentially accompanied by initiating and terminating fiber components to manage force distribution and prevent premature stretching, along with a filler material to prevent tangling, allowing for controlled energy absorption and dissipation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional ropes and lines are used to secure objects, then the securing device provides basic holding capability, but the device fails prematurely under high forces and causes harm due to inadequate energy absorption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates energy-absorbing elements (such as elastomeric materials or controlled fracture components) into the securing device structure before use. These elements are designed to deform or break in a controlled manner during overload events, absorbing kinetic energy and preventing sudden lash back that would otherwise harm persons or objects near the secured load.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the harmful sudden stopping forces into beneficial controlled energy dissipation. By designing components that undergo controlled deformation or fracture, the device converts the potentially harmful kinetic energy into deformation work, thereby protecting persons and objects from the harmful effects of sudden force release.
2Strength
If the securing device is made stronger to withstand high forces, then the device can handle higher loads, but the device cannot dissipate energy and causes injury due to sudden stopping
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs materials and structures with changing mechanical parameters under load. The elastomeric materials or composite structures exhibit non-linear stress-strain behavior, allowing the device to maintain high strength while undergoing significant deformation. This parameter change enables energy absorption through controlled elongation rather than sudden failure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes composite material structures combining different materials with complementary properties. For example, combining high-strength fibers with elastomeric materials creates a composite that can both withstand high forces and dissipate energy through controlled deformation, preventing the sudden stopping that causes injury.
3Loss of energy
If the securing device elongates to absorb energy, then the device dissipates kinetic energy, but the device may stretch prematurely before reaching the load threshold
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the securing device into distinct functional segments: an initiating fiber component that maintains stability at low loads, a reactive fiber component that elongates to absorb energy at design load thresholds, and a terminating fiber component that prevents over-elongation. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function without interfering with others, preventing premature stretching while enabling controlled energy dissipation.
Solution Approach 2:
The initiating fiber component acts as an intermediary element that transfers load from the stable configuration to the reactive energy-absorbing component. It maintains device stability during normal use and only allows the reactive component to engage when the load reaches the predetermined threshold, preventing premature activation of the energy absorption mechanism.
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 securing device effectively reduces kinetic energy and potential energy in objects or persons, providing enhanced safety by elongating under load and dissipating energy over time, thereby minimizing the risk of injury or damage from sudden force releases.
Implementation Method 1
a reactive fiber component comprised of a stretchable non-elastic polymer fiber capable of dissipating kinetic energy in a load as the fiber stretches
Implementation Method 2
the terminating fiber component may operate to prevent further elongation of the securing device and to dissipate any remaining kinetic energy in the load
Data Source
AI summary
A mooring loop is provided for use with connecting a mooring line to a bollard. The mooring loop may stretch and function as a time delay fuse when excessive loads are applied to the mooring line. The mooring loop is comprised of a reactive fiber component in the shape of a continuous loop that includes a plurality of at least one of: an undrawn hydrophobic polymer fiber or a substantially undrawn hydrophobic polymer fiber. At least two jackets are in surrounding relation to portions of the reactive fiber component. The at least two jackets include respective end portions which overlap. As the mooring loop stretches, a visual indicator on an end portion of one of the jackets pulls out of and away from the end portion of the other one of the jackets. The visual indicator serves as a warning that excessive loads are being applied to the mooring line.