Naval Superstructure Floor Decoupling for Weight Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional naval superstructures with a floor and plating result in high manufacturing costs, weight, and a high center of gravity due to the presence of a suspended floor, which is not entirely satisfactory.

Innovation Solution

A method where the removable floor is decoupled from the plating and fixed directly to the deck, eliminating the need for a suspended floor, thereby reducing costs and weight, and lowering the center of gravity by arranging the plating with independent fixing means and pillars that cross the floor, allowing for independent attachment to the deck.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a suspended parquet floor is installed on the floor inside the superstructure to reduce shock transmission, then shock transmission to equipment is reduced, but manufacturing costs and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshock transmissionVSAvoidsuperstructure weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the suspended parquet floor from the superstructure by decoupling the floor from the planking and fixing it directly to the deck. This extraction eliminates the unnecessary floor structure while maintaining shock isolation through the direct deck fixation, thereby reducing weight without compromising shock protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a suspended parquet floor is installed to protect equipment from shock, then equipment protection is improved, but manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshock transmissionVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the suspended parquet floor system and replaces it with a simplified direct fixation approach. The floor is decoupled from the planking and fixed directly to the deck using minimal components (pads and plates), dramatically reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining equipment protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a floor and parquet flooring are installed in the superstructure, then equipment accommodation is enabled, but the center of gravity of the superstructure rises

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveequipment accommodationVSAvoidsuperstructure center of gravity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the suspended parquet floor layer, extracting unnecessary weight from the superstructure. The floor is fixed directly to the deck, positioning equipment closer to the base and lowering the center of gravity, while still providing adequate equipment accommodation space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Device complexity

If the floor is fixed to the planking in a conventional superstructure, then structural assembly is simplified, but mechanical strength and watertightness are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural assembly complexityVSAvoidsuperstructure mechanical strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the superstructure into independent components: the planking is fixed directly to the deck with continuous welding for strength and watertightness, while the floor is separately fixed to the deck using pads and plates. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function without compromising overall structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

5Strength

If the planking is fixed to the deck with independent means, then structural strength is improved, but assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesuperstructure mechanical strengthVSAvoidfixing system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the planking fixation system directly to the deck using continuous welding, combining structural strength and watertightness in a single integrated process. The floor fixation is simplified by using pre-fabricated pads and plates that are bolted to the deck, reducing assembly complexity despite the segmented approach.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 approach results in a superstructure with lower manufacturing costs, reduced weight, and a lower center of gravity, enhancing mechanical strength and sealing while minimizing shock transmission to equipment.

Implementation Method 1

the step of fixing the planking comprises a step of welding at least one element of the planking to the deck, and the welding is continuous around the perimeter of the planking

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWelding: Welding

Data Source

PatentEP3052373B1Superstructure for naval platform and associated method for implementing same
Publication Date: 2019.08.28 NAVAL GRP
  • EP3052373B1 patent drawingFigure 1~10
  • EP3052373B1 patent drawingFigure 2~5
  • EP3052373B1 patent drawingFigure 6~9

AI summary

The invention relates to a superstructure for a naval platform, comprising a plating (25) and a floor (20), the floor being applied to the plating and suitable for fixing to a deck (10) of the naval platform, said superstructure being characterised in that the floor (20) is detachably fixed to the plating (25) and suitable for fixing to said deck (10) independently from the plating (25) and at a distance therefrom.