Naval Vessel Ramp-Guided Floating Structure for Dry Craft Recovery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing naval vessels face challenges in efficiently launching and recovering marine crafts without immersing the reception space in water, which can lead to water ingress and navigation disruptions, particularly in rough seas, and alignment difficulties.

Innovation Solution

A naval vessel design featuring a ramp system with a longitudinal and inclined section, combined with a connecting element, allows the floating structure to move above the reception space edge, facilitating marine craft entry and exit without water immersion, reducing navigation disturbances and alignment requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the reception space is submerged in water to facilitate marine craft entry, then the marine craft can easily berth and be hoisted on board, but water enters the reception space which is dangerous for personnel

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of marine craft entryVSAvoidwater ingress into reception space
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A floating structure acts as an intermediary between the marine craft and the reception space. The floating structure can be submerged to receive the marine craft at water level, then lifted to transfer the craft into the dry reception space, eliminating direct water ingress while maintaining ease of operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system is divided into separate functional components: a floating structure for water-level reception, a lifting mechanism for vertical movement, and a dry reception space for storage. This segmentation allows each component to perform its function optimally without compromising safety

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If a ramp is provided to lift the marine craft above the protrusion, then the marine craft can enter the reception space, but the submerged part of the ramp disrupts navigation in rough seas

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemarine craft passage over protrusionVSAvoidnavigation disruption in rough seas
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The ramp is replaced by a dynamically movable floating structure that can be positioned at water level for craft reception, then lifted clear of the water surface. This dynamic positioning eliminates the fixed submerged ramp that causes navigation disruption while maintaining the ability to facilitate craft passage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If the floating structure is kept in the water for easy craft engagement, then the craft can be easily received, but the structure disrupts navigation due to water movements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of marine craft receptionVSAvoidnavigation disruption from floating structure movements
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The floating structure periodically transitions between two states: submerged position for craft reception and lifted position for navigation. This periodic action allows the structure to facilitate craft reception when needed while clearing of the water surface during navigation to eliminate disruption

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The floating structure is designed to be dynamically movable between submerged and lifted positions, allowing it to adapt its position based on operational requirements - submerged for reception, lifted for navigation, thus resolving the conflict between ease of reception and navigation disruption

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4631845A1Naval vessel comprising a floating structure for launching and recovering a marine craft
Publication Date: 2025.10.15 NAVAL GRP
  • EP4631845A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4631845A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4631845A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The naval building (1) comprises: - a reception space (2) delimited by a bottom (8) and an access opening (12), - a floating structure (6) movable between a retracted position and a deployed position, - a device for moving the floating structure (6), comprising: - a ramp (26) comprising a longitudinal section (30) substantially parallel to the bottom (8) and an inclined section (32) inclined between the longitudinal section (30) and the access opening (12), - a connecting element (28) secured to the floating structure (6), slidably mounted in the ramp (26) and moving in the inclined section (32) then in the longitudinal section (30) when the floating structure (6) is moved from the deployed position to the retracted position.