Movable Fairlead Locking Pin for Slamming Damage Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Freely rotating fairleads on offshore units or floating vessels can cause damage due to slamming against the vessel, and existing locking mechanisms are difficult to operate.

Innovation Solution

A locking unit for moveable fairleads, comprising a stopper plate with locking holes and a locking pin, which can be retrofitted to prevent movement and includes a locking actuator for controlled operation, with optional hydraulic or manual actuation and remote control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a locking mechanism is integrated into the movable fairlead structure, then the fairlead can be locked to prevent slamming damage, but the locking mechanism becomes difficult to operate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of slamming damageVSAvoidoperation of locking mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism is divided into separate modular components: a locking unit that can be detached from the fairlead structure, allowing easy installation and removal while maintaining reliable locking function when engaged

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A remote actuating mechanism is introduced as an intermediary between the operator and the locking mechanism, allowing the lock to be engaged or disengaged from a distance without requiring direct access to the fairlead structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If a locking mechanism is added to the fairlead, then movement control is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol of fairlead movementVSAvoidstructure of fairlead

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking system is designed as a separate modular unit rather than an integrated complex mechanism, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining effective movement control capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The locking mechanism is extracted as a separate detachable component from the fairlead structure, allowing the fairlead to maintain its simple original design while adding control capability through an optional external locking unit

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP4429942B1Fairlead locking unit

Publication Date: 2025.10.22 SRC GRP AS

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AI summary

A locking unit for a moveable fairlead, comprises a stopper plate to couple to a rotating support shaft of the moveable fairlead in a position where an axis of the rotating support shaft is normal to the stopper plate, the stopper plate including one or more locking holes extending through the stopper plate, a locking pin to pass through one of the locking holes in the stopper plate; and a locking actuator to move the locking pin into a locked position where the locking pin extends through one of the locking holes in the stopper plate.