Towed Marine Object Catenary Control With Movable Ballast
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing trawling systems face challenges in controlling the vertical position of towed objects, leading to issues such as dynamic loads, risk of tangling, reduced controllability during turns, and damage to marine flora and fauna, particularly when trawl doors are dragged along the seabed.
Innovation Solution
A control system with movably connected ballast members on towing members, equipped with sensing and detecting means, allows for precise control of the vertical position and geometry of towed objects by manipulating the ballast members based on seabed distance measurements, using a control unit to adjust the catenary and maintain a desired distance from the seabed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the towing speed is reduced, then energy consumption and damage to marine life are reduced, but the trawl integrity and controllability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The ballast member is made movable along the towing member, allowing dynamic adjustment of its position to control the catenary shape. This enables the system to adapt to different towing speeds and maintain trawl integrity even at reduced speeds, while minimizing damage to marine life through controlled seabed contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical parameter of ballast member position along the towing member to control the catenary curvature. By adjusting this parameter, the system can optimize the balance between maintaining trawl integrity and reducing towing speed to minimize environmental damage.
2Device complexity
If the ballast member position is fixed, then the system is simple, but the controllability of towed object geometry deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The ballast member is designed with movable connection to the towing member, enabling it to be repositioned along the towing line. This dynamic configuration allows operators to control the vertical position and geometry of the towed object, significantly improving controllability while adding only minimal complexity to the system.
3Device complexity
If the catenary is not controlled, then the system is simple, but the vertical position control of towed object deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the ballast member as a separate, independently movable component from the towing system. This allows the catenary to be controlled by adjusting the ballast member position, providing vertical position control of the towed object while keeping the control mechanism relatively simple and separate from the main towing structure.
4Productivity
If the towing speed is increased, then productivity is improved, but dynamic loads and risk of tangling increase
Solution Approach 1:
The movable ballast member enables dynamic control of the catenary shape, which helps stabilize the towing configuration and reduce dynamic loads. This allows the system to operate at higher speeds with reduced risk of tangling and improved reliability, thereby enhancing overall productivity.
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
Enables reduced trawling speed without compromising integrity, minimizes contact with the seabed, and enhances control during turns, reducing damage to marine life and equipment.
Implementation Method 1
one or more ballast members movably connected to a respective one of said one or more towing members
Implementation Method 2
The marine objects may be submerged objects (e.g. trawls or seismic streamer cables), or objects that float in the water surface
Data Source
AI summary
A control system for a towed object (1, 6; 20; 30; 50) in or on a body of water comprise one or more towing members (3) extending between the object (1) and a towing vessel (2). One or more ballast members (4) are movably connected to a respective one of said one or more towing members (3) and controllably movable at least a distance along its respective towing member. The towed object (1) may be controlled by moving one or more ballast members (4) on a towing member (3) in order to control the catenary (c) of a towing member (3). Individual ballast members (4) may be manipulated individually in order to correct, preserve or otherwise change the geometry of a trawl.