Portable Oil Skimmer Power Layout for Longer Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional oil skimmers are heavy, difficult to carry, and have limited power supply, leading to reduced work efficiency and short operational time.
Innovation Solution
A portable oil skimmer design with a collection unit that includes a main body, buoyant bodies, and oil pumps, where motors and batteries are distributed across buoyant bodies to reduce weight and allow for extended operation via additional power sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If most components of the power system are provided in a backpack, then the power supply capacity is increased, but the backpack weight increases significantly, deteriorating work efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The power system is segmented into two parts: a sub-battery in the backpack and main batteries in the collection unit. This segmentation allows the backpack to carry only essential components while the collection unit carries the main power source, reducing backpack weight while maintaining adequate power supply capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The power supply configuration transitions from a single-location (backpack) system to a distributed system across multiple locations (backpack and collection unit). This dimensional change in power system architecture allows weight distribution that improves both portability and power capacity.
2Duration of action of moving object
If the collection unit is equipped with sufficient power for extended operation, then work duration is increased, but the device becomes harder to carry and operate
Solution Approach 1:
The collection unit is divided into modular components (collection chamber, buoyant bodies, power system) that can be independently configured. The power system module contains batteries and motors that can be adjusted based on required operation duration, allowing flexibility in balancing power capacity with ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows dynamic configuration of power sources through detachable battery connections. The collection unit can be equipped with different battery capacities or numbers of batteries depending on the specific operational requirements, enabling adaptation between extended duration and ease of operation based on task needs.
3Ease of operation
If a portable oil skimmer is designed to be lightweight and easy to carry, then ease of operation is improved, but the power supply capacity is limited, reducing work duration
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the power system into backpack and collection unit components. The collection unit maintains lightweight design for ease of carrying, while the backpack sub-battery and collection unit main batteries work together to provide sufficient power for extended operation duration.
Solution Approach 2:
The backpack acts as an intermediary power source, providing additional energy to the collection unit through a power transmission line. This allows the collection unit to remain lightweight and easy to carry while the backpack serves as a mobile power station extending the overall work duration.
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
The design reduces backpack weight, improves work efficiency, and enables continuous oil collection for extended periods by utilizing multiple power sources.
Implementation Method 1
a pair of buoyant bodies mounted on two side surfaces of the main body
Implementation Method 2
an oil pump disposed in the main body and configured to convey oil collected by the first oil-skimming member and the second oil-skimming member to the outside of the main body through the pipe
Implementation Method 3
a first motor configured to generate rotational driving force to be supplied to the first oil-skimming member, a first battery configured to supply power to the first motor
Data Source
AI summary
A portable oil skimmer includes a collection unit configured to collect spilled oil while floating on the surface of the ocean. The collection unit includes a main body configured to allow a first oil-skimming member to be rotatably mounted on the front end thereof, a second oil-skimming member to be rotatably mounted on the rear end thereof, and a pipe to be connected to the upper portion thereof so as to communicate with the interior thereof, a pair of buoyant bodies mounted on two side surfaces of the main body, with the main body interposed therebetween, and an oil pump disposed in the main body and configured to convey oil collected by the first oil-skimming member and the second oil-skimming member to the outside of the main body through the pipe.