Gravity Transfer Path for Offshore Energy Storage Floats
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for transferring energy storage media between offshore power generation floats and transport vessels face challenges due to the difficulty in positioning transfer machines like cranes on rocking vessels, especially in high waves, leading to issues such as slippage and falling of storage media.
Innovation Solution
A method involving fixing the power generation float to the transport vessel such that the storage medium's loading height on the float is higher than its storage place on the vessel, forming a path for the medium to move by gravity, and using stopper members to guide the movement, eliminating the need for transfer machines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a crane or transfer machine is used to transfer the storage medium between the power generation float and the transport vessel, then the transfer can be performed with equipment support, but the positioning becomes extremely difficult when the vessels rock on the ocean, especially in high waves
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the crane and transfer machine from the system entirely. Instead of using mechanical transfer equipment, the storage medium is transferred directly between vessels by having the power generation float approach the transport vessel and allow the storage medium to move through a gravity-based path from the float's storage location to the vessel's storage location, eliminating the positioning and control problems associated with cranes on rocking vessels
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a gravity-based transfer path where the storage medium moves from a higher position on the power generation float to a lower position on the transport vessel. This gravitational potential difference enables automatic transfer without requiring active positioning or control mechanisms, making the system immune to vessel rocking
2Ease of operation
If attended work is performed on the deck to control the crane and attach/detach ropes, then the transfer can be controlled, but the operation requires human intervention and becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system is designed to transfer the storage medium automatically through gravity without requiring human operators on deck. The power generation float autonomously approaches the transport vessel, and the storage medium self-transfers through the gravity-based path, eliminating the need for attended work and complex control operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent removes all human intervention and control mechanisms from the transfer process. By eliminating the crane and rope attachment/detachment operations, the system achieves automatic transfer that requires no attended work on deck, significantly simplifying the operational complexity
3Reliability
If hydraulic hands are used to grip the storage medium, then mechanical gripping is achieved, but positioning the hydraulic hand becomes difficult and slippage or falling may occur when vessels rock
Solution Approach 1:
The patent completely removes hydraulic hands and mechanical gripping devices from the transfer system. Instead of actively gripping and moving the storage medium, the system allows the medium to move passively through a gravity-based path from the float to the vessel, eliminating all positioning and gripping control problems
Solution Approach 2:
The storage medium transfers itself through the gravity-based path without requiring external gripping or positioning forces. The system exploits gravity to automatically move the medium from the higher位置的 float to the lower位置的 vessel, making the transfer immune to vessel rocking and eliminating the need for hydraulic hands
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 unattended and automatic transfer of energy storage media between the power generation float and transport vessel, reducing the risk of slippage and falling, and eliminating the need for crane operations.
Implementation Method 1
a third process of moving the storage medium from the loading place on the power generation float to the storage place on the transport vessel by gravity through the first path
Data Source
AI summary
A method of transferring a storage medium loaded on a power generation float from a float that generates electricity on the ocean to a transport vessel on the ocean includes a first process of fixing the power generation float to the transport vessel so that a height of a loading place of the storage medium of the power generation float is higher than a height of a storage place of the storage medium of the transport vessel, a second process of forming a first path in which the storage medium can move between the loading place of the storage medium of the power generation float and the storage place of the storage medium of the transport vessel, and a third process of moving the storage medium from the loading place of the power generation float to the storage place of the transport vessel by gravity through the first path.