Pneumatic Vessel Flap Damping for Stable Air Cushion Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air cushioned vessels face inefficiencies in maintaining a stable air cushion, suffer from energy losses, lack effective damping of flaps, experience reaction forces on the hull due to hydraulic systems, and require significant maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A pneumatic flap damper device with a bellow element and adjustable air pressure to provide dynamic damping, reducing reaction forces and minimizing maintenance needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a hydraulic system is used to control the flap, then the flap can be controlled, but the system is stiff and provides no damping effect while causing reaction forces on the hull
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the hydraulic control system with a pneumatic system. The flap is controlled by pneumatic pressure acting on a pneumatic actuator, which provides both control functionality and damping effect. The compressibility of air allows the system to absorb energy from wave impacts, providing damping while controlling the flap position, thereby eliminating the reaction forces on the hull that occur with stiff hydraulic systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameter of the control medium from incompressible hydraulic fluid to compressible air. This parameter change fundamentally alters the system's dynamic characteristics, enabling it to provide damping effects while maintaining control functionality. The compressibility of air allows the system to adapt to varying wave conditions and provide smooth flap control without transmitting harsh forces to the hull.
2Ease of operation
If a hydraulic system is used to control the flap, then the flap can be controlled, but the system is heavy and takes up a large amount of space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the heavy hydraulic system with a pneumatic system. Pneumatic components are generally lighter than hydraulic components because air is less dense than hydraulic fluid and the system does not require heavy reservoirs, pumps, and rigid piping. The pneumatic actuator uses compressed air stored in tanks to drive the flap, significantly reducing the overall weight of the control system while maintaining full control capability.
3Ease of operation
If a hydraulic system is used to control the flap, then the flap can be controlled, but the system requires significant maintenance and repair
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the hydraulic system with a pneumatic system that has inherently lower maintenance requirements. Pneumatic systems do not suffer from hydraulic fluid contamination, leaks, or degradation issues. The main components are simple pneumatic actuators and air tanks that can be easily inspected and maintained. The system uses dry air instead of hydraulic fluid, eliminating the need for fluid changes, filtration, and contamination management, thereby significantly reducing maintenance and repair needs.
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 pneumatic flap damper device effectively dampens flap motions, reduces hull reaction forces, and minimizes energy losses while requiring less maintenance compared to hydraulic systems.
Implementation Method 1
Air is much more compressible than hydraulic fluids and therefore provides a much better damping of the flap when the air supported vessel travels in water and waves hit the flap
Implementation Method 2
The pneumatic flap damper device provides a number of advantages over the known hydraulic control systems for flap control. Air is much more compressible than hydraulic fluids and therefore provides a much better damping of the flap
Implementation Method 3
The flap damper device comprises a first attachment unit and a second attachment unit where the first attachment unit is adapted to be securely attached to the hull of the air supported vessel and the second attachment unit is adapted to be securely attached to the vessel flap
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3
AI summary
A flap damper device (24) for damping of motions of a vessel flap (19) relative to a hull (12) of an air supported vessel (10) is disclosed, where the vessel flap (19) is rotatably mounted to the hull (12) along an inner edge (22) of the vessel flap (19). The flap damper device (24) comprises a first attachment unit (26) and a second attachment unit (38) where the first attachment unit (26) is adapted to be securely attached to the hull (12) of the air supported vessel (10) and the second attachment unit (38) is adapted to be securely attached to the vessel flap (19) of the air-supported vessel (10) so that the flap damper device (24) is capable of damping flap motions when the air supported vessel (10) is travelling in water. The flap damper device (24) further comprises a damper element (43) which is attached to the first attachment unit (26) and to the second attachment unit (38) such that an air cavity (42) is formed within the flap damper device (24) for damping of vessel flap motions.