Pivoting Sensor Arm for Naval Vessel Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional naval surface vehicles face issues with sensor damage during transport and high-speed operations, limited sensor replacement capabilities once in water, increased resistance due to sensor protrusions, and susceptibility to lateral movements affecting measurement accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A naval surface vehicle design featuring a movable sensor support system that can be raised above the waterline for transport and high-speed operation, reducing resistance, and lowered for measurement stability, with a rotatable and telescopic arm mechanism allowing easy sensor replacement and orientation control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sensor means are mounted on the bottom of the body in cavities, then measurements can be carried out, but the sensors are vulnerable to damage during transport and high-speed operation
Solution Approach 1:
The support means is made movable between a first position for measurements and a second position for transport, allowing the sensor mounting structure to dynamically adapt to different operational states and protect sensors during high-speed operation
2Measurement precision
If sensor means protrude outside their cavities, then measurements can be taken, but resistance to forward movement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support means can be positioned in a second position during high-speed operation where it minimizes protrusion and reduces resistance, while still allowing sensor access when needed
3Productivity
If the vehicle is launched and sensors are damaged, then measurements cannot be replaced, but the vehicle continues operation
Solution Approach 1:
The movable support means allows sensors to be accessed and replaced while the vehicle is in the water by moving the support to the second position, enabling maintenance without requiring vehicle retrieval or disassembly
4Measurement precision
If arms are mounted laterally on either side of the hull in a low position, then underwater measurements can be taken, but lateral bulk increases and lateral movements distort measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The support means can be moved to a first position for measurements where it provides stability and minimizes lateral bulk, and to a second position for transport where it reduces resistance
Solution Approach 2:
The support means moves between vertical positions (first position below waterline for measurements, second position above waterline for transport), adding a vertical dimension to the configuration to resolve lateral bulk and resistance issues
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 enhances sensor protection, reduces operational resistance, facilitates easy sensor replacement, and stabilizes the vehicle during measurements, ensuring reliable and accurate data acquisition while minimizing damage and lateral movement impacts.
Implementation Method 1
The support means is rotatably mounted on the body about a substantially horizontal axis transverse or perpendicular to the median plane of the body
Implementation Method 2
The support means is dimensioned so as to form a stabilizing fin of the vehicle
Data Source
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AI summary
The surface naval vehicle comprises a body 12, propulsion means 14 of the body, at least one sensor means 18, and at least one support means 22 of the sensor means mounted on the body while being movable relative to said body between a first position in which the sensor means is located below a waterline 28 of the vehicle and a second position in which the sensor means is located above said waterline. The support means 22 is located in a longitudinal median plane of the body. The support means extends substantially vertically beyond a lower surface 12b of the body in the first position and is dimensioned so as to form a stabilizing fin of the vehicle.