Pivotable Chain Stopper for Marine Structures
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Chain stoppers for marine structures face issues with chain fatigue and wear due to chafing and out-of-plane bending, limiting load application and requiring heavy, costly, and complex designs.
Innovation Solution
A chain stopper device with pivotable portions allowing rotational movement around multiple axes, featuring a chain guiding mechanism that restricts movement in certain directions to prevent bending and enhance tensioning, and an engaging mechanism that adjusts chain length and tension efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the chain is guided around small corners with tight radii to adjust chain length and tension, then the chain can be maneuvered through the chain stopper, but this causes fatigue and wear of the chain due to chafing and out of plane bending
Solution Approach 1:
The chain stopper is divided into multiple pivotable portions (first portion and second portion) that can independently rotate around different axes. This segmentation allows the chain to pass through with minimal bending by distributing the movement across multiple articulated sections rather than forcing it through a single tight corner.
Solution Approach 2:
The chain stopper employs dynamic pivotable connections between portions, allowing the structure to adapt its configuration based on chain tension and position. This dynamic adjustment enables the chain to pass through smoothly without rigid constraints that would cause out-of-plane bending and fatigue.
2Force
If the chain stopper is designed to handle axial loads from chain self-weight and tensioning, then the chain can be tensioned during installation, but this results in large and heavy chain stoppers that are difficult and costly to fabricate
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the chain stopper into multiple lighter portions connected by pivotable joints, the structure can handle axial loads without requiring a single massive component. Each portion bears a fraction of the total load, reducing the overall weight and fabrication complexity while maintaining load-bearing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The pivotable portions enable the chain stopper to distribute loads across multiple dimensions and planes. Rather than concentrating axial loads in a single heavy structure, the articulated design allows load paths to be distributed through rotational movements and multiple connection points, reducing the required mass.
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 device minimizes chain fatigue, allows higher tension forces, and reduces the weight and fabrication complexity of chain stoppers, enabling more efficient and cost-effective chain management for marine structures.
Implementation Method 1
a first portion pivotably connected or connectable to a structure so as to provide movement of the first portion relative to a structure about a first axis of the first portion
Implementation Method 2
a first portion pivotably connected or connectable to a structure so as to provide movement of the first portion relative to a structure about a first axis of the first portion; wherein the first portion comprises a chain or line guiding means arranged for rotational movement around the first axis of the first portion; and a second portion pivotably connected to the first portion so as to provide movement of the second portion relative to the first portion about a second axis of the second portion
Implementation Method 3
chain guiding means arranged for rotational movement around the first axis of the first portion
Implementation Method 4
at least one means for engaging a chain or line. The engaging means may be comprised in or part of the second portion
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a device (60), such as a chain stopper, for connecting a chain 320 or at least one portion of a chain (320) to a structure (55), such as an offshore structure or vessel. The device comprising a first portion (70) pivotably or rotatably connected or connectable to a structure (55) so as to provide movement of the first portion (70) relative to a structure (55) about or around a first axis (310) of the first portion (70). The first portion comprises a chain or line guiding means (75) arranged for rotational movement about or around the first axis (310) of the first portion (70). In some examples, the device (70) may comprise a second portion (80) pivotably or rotatably connected or connectable to the first portion (70) so as to provide movement of the second portion (80) relative to the first portion (70) about or around a second axis (315) of the second portion. In some examples, the device may comprise at least one means for engaging (85) a chain 320, the engaging means (85) being connected, such as pivotably or rotatably connected, to the second portion.