Marine Propulsion Unit Drainage With an Intermediate Tank
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pneumatically operated drainage arrangements face limitations in suction height capacity, making it difficult to efficiently drain liquids from the bottom sections of large propulsion units in marine vessels, where the shell structure height exceeds 8 meters, resulting in low suction capacity.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an intermediate tank within the propulsion unit's shell structure to perform drainage in two steps: first, suctioning liquid from the bottom section into the intermediate tank, and second, pressurizing the liquid from the intermediate tank into a collector arrangement within the hull, thereby increasing suction capacity and reducing the height requirement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a pneumatically operated drainage arrangement is used to drain liquid from the bottom section of the propulsion unit, then the liquid can be transferred to the collector arrangement, but the suction capacity becomes very low when the suction height exceeds 7 meters
Solution Approach 1:
The drainage process is divided into two separate steps: first, liquid is suctioned from the bottom section into an intermediate tank located within the propulsion unit (suction height less than 7 meters); second, the liquid is pressed from the intermediate tank into the collector arrangement in the hull. This segmentation allows each step to operate within optimal suction height limits, maintaining high suction capacity throughout.
Solution Approach 2:
An intermediate tank is introduced as a mediator component within the propulsion unit's shell structure. This intermediate tank receives liquid from the bottom section and serves as a transfer point to the collector arrangement, enabling the drainage system to overcome the suction height limitation by breaking the direct long-distance suction path into two shorter segments.
2Volume of stationary object
If the shell structure height of the propulsion unit exceeds 8 meters, then the propulsion unit can accommodate larger marine vessels, but the suction capacity of the drainage arrangement becomes very low
Solution Approach 1:
The drainage system is segmented into two operational phases: suction phase (bottom section to intermediate tank) and pressurization phase (intermediate tank to collector arrangement). This allows the system to handle large propulsion unit volumes without being constrained by suction height, as the intermediate tank is positioned to maintain optimal suction distance regardless of overall propulsion unit size.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution transitions from a single vertical suction path to a two-stage process that adds a horizontal or intermediate vertical dimension. The intermediate tank acts as a staging point, changing the drainage pathway from a direct vertical lift to a multi-stage transfer process, thereby decoupling suction capacity from total propulsion unit height.
3Device complexity
If liquid is suctioned directly from the bottom section to the collector arrangement, then the drainage process is simple, but the suction capacity becomes very low when the height difference exceeds 7 meters
Solution Approach 1:
The drainage process is segmented into two distinct operations: suction into the intermediate tank and pressurization from the intermediate tank. While this adds a step to the process, each step operates within optimal performance parameters, and the intermediate tank is integrated within the existing propulsion unit structure, minimizing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediate tank serves as an intermediary component that is already part of the propulsion unit's internal structure. By utilizing this existing component for its secondary function as a drainage intermediate storage, the system adds minimal complexity while achieving the required performance improvement.
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
This approach allows for effective drainage of liquids from the bottom sections of propulsion units with higher suction capacity and reduced pressure requirements, enabling efficient liquid transfer from the propulsion unit to the collector arrangement within the marine vessel.
Implementation Method 1
a pressurizing arrangement (9) functionally connected to the intermediate tank (8) and configured to selectively provide a vacuum in the intermediate tank (8)
Implementation Method 2
configured to selectively provide a vacuum in the intermediate tank (8) or an excess pressure in the intermediate tank (8)
Data Source
AI summary
A draining arrangement of a propulsion unit of a marine vessel. The propulsion unit includes a shell structure. The shell structure limiting at least one bottom section configured to receive liquids. The draining arrangement including a pneumatically operated drainage arrangement including an intermediate tank within the shell structure, a pressurizing arrangement functionally connected to the intermediate tank and configured to selectively provide a vacuum in the intermediate tank or an excess pressure in the intermediate tank, a first liquid line that is provided between the intermediate tank and said at least one bottom section, and a second liquid to line that is provided between the intermediate tank and a collector arrangement within the hull of the marine vessel.