Multihull Submarine Hull with Segmented Cargo Tanks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cargo ships face challenges such as high transport costs, delays due to multi-stop routes and extreme weather conditions, limited speed, and increased emissions, while conventional submarines are restricted by high draught levels and limited operational stability in shallow waters, posing risks for cargo transport and rescue operations.
Innovation Solution
A ship hull design featuring a multihull configuration with a curvative form, low block coefficient, and detachable tank systems, enabling high-speed operation, reduced hydrodynamic resistance, and enhanced stability, along with underwater cargo loading and unloading capabilities, and a suction unit for oil spill cleanup.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of stationary object
If conventional single-hull ship designs are used to increase cargo capacity, then cargo volume increases, but hydrodynamic resistance increases and speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the single-hull structure into multiple independent hulls (typically three hulls: one central and two lateral). Each hull can carry cargo independently, and the combined cargo capacity exceeds that of a single large hull. The segmentation allows each hull to have optimized hydrodynamic characteristics while maintaining high overall cargo volume, thus resolving the contradiction between cargo capacity and speed.
2Reliability
If conventional submarines operate in deep water to avoid weather conditions, then protection from extreme weather improves, but operational stability in shallow waters deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The multihull submarine design incorporates dynamic stability mechanisms where the multiple hulls can independently adjust their position and orientation. The lateral hulls provide additional buoyancy and stability control that allows the submarine to maintain operational stability in shallow waters while still having the capability to dive deep for weather protection. The distributed hull structure enables adaptive stability control in varying operational conditions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional ships use multi-stop routes to serve various ports, then cargo delivery flexibility improves, but transport time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The multihull configuration enables different hulls to carry different cargo types or destinations simultaneously. Each hull can be independently loaded and unloaded, allowing the vessel to perform multiple deliveries in parallel during a single voyage. This segmentation of cargo transport functions reduces the need for multi-stop sequential routes, thereby maintaining delivery flexibility while significantly reducing total transport time.
4Productivity
If larger container ships are built to reduce transport costs per unit cargo, then unit transport cost decreases, but emissions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The multihull design incorporates streamlined hull forms and optimized hydrodynamic characteristics that reduce resistance and fuel consumption per unit cargo. The segmented hull structure allows for better water flow management and reduced wake interference compared to single large-hull designs. This preliminary optimization of hydrodynamic efficiency counteracts the increased emissions that would normally result from larger vessel size, maintaining high transport efficiency while minimizing environmental harm.
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
This design allows for faster, uninterrupted cargo transport at high speeds, reduced fuel consumption, and increased stability, enabling operation in extreme conditions, including shallow waters, and efficient oil spill response, while minimizing sonar signatures and crew dependency.
Implementation Method 1
a suction unit for oil spill cleanup
Implementation Method 2
reduced hydrodynamic resistance
Data Source
AI summary
This invention relates to a design of a ship hull, and more particularly, to cargo ship or submarine configurations featuring flow channels on the hull surfaces, and multihull structure, and improved diving and surfacing properties, and reduced hydrodynamic resistance, and improved hull damage resistance, and further comprising underwater hub cargo loading and unloading, and relates to manned or unmanned or semi-autonomous sea vessels. A hull design consists of a curvative hull form transversally and symmetrical about its center line CL and design water line, and consists of ballast and storage tanks and cargo compartment within the hull portions and operable to adjust the draft and the depth of the vessel according to the loaded weight, and provides detachable installation options. The invention relates to a ship hull design with reduced block coefficient (Cb) values.