Extraction Vessel with Retractable Conveyor and Variable Buoyancy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional extraction vessels for floating debris such as Sargassum and plastic are inefficient, environmentally insensitive, and limited in operation to calm water conditions due to design flaws like low freeboard, poor weight distribution, and drag-inducing conveyor belt systems, restricting their ability to operate in rough waters and achieve fast transit speeds.
Innovation Solution
The design of an extraction vessel with two pontoons forming parallel hulls, a retractable conveyor belt, and variable buoyancy floats allows for operation in rough waters and shallow depths, enabling efficient debris collection and fast transit speeds by eliminating water-induced drag and increasing stability through adjustable buoyancy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional bow-mounted tilting extraction conveyor belt is used, then debris extraction capability is provided, but the vessel cannot operate in rough water conditions and has limited beach deployment capability
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor belt is made retractable rather than fixed, allowing it to be deployed only when needed for extraction. This dynamic configuration eliminates drag during transit and allows operation in rough waters, while providing full extraction capability when deployed in calm conditions or during beach deployment operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The vessel is divided into distinct functional zones with the conveyor belt system separated as a deployable module. The retractable belt can be stowed during transit and deployed independently for extraction operations, allowing the vessel to adapt to different operational conditions without compromising stability or performance.
2Ease of operation
If a stern-mounted tilting extraction conveyor belt is used to transfer debris into another vessel, then debris transfer capability is provided, but the vessel is limited to very low speeds of only two knots and cannot operate in rougher conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor belt system is designed to be retractable and deployable rather than permanently extended. During transit, the belt is retracted to eliminate drag and allow the vessel to achieve higher speeds. During extraction operations, the belt is deployed to provide debris transfer capability, eliminating the need for another vessel to receive the debris.
3Loss of energy
If the extraction conveyor belt is tilted up (out of the water) with a tilting mechanism, then drag is reduced, but additional weight is placed on the bow and the raised belt can still be submerged when encountering waves
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor belt is completely removed from the water during transit by retracting it fully, rather than merely tilting it up. This eliminates water-induced drag entirely and removes the problem of wave submersion. The belt is only present in the water when actually needed for extraction operations.
4Device complexity
If a low freeboard design is used, then the vessel structure is simplified, but practical operation is limited to only calm water conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor belt system is made dynamically deployable and retractable rather than fixed. This allows the vessel to maintain a simpler low freeboard structure while achieving adaptability to different water conditions through the retractable belt system that can be stowed during rough water transit and deployed for extraction operations.
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 vessel achieves fast transit speeds and efficient debris extraction in rough water conditions, with improved stability and reduced environmental impact, allowing for year-round operation and efficient debris removal without the need for extensive dockage.
Implementation Method 1
In the retracted position, a lower end of the conveyor belt is above a waterline of the vessel for transit. In the deployed position, the lower end of the conveyor belt is below the waterline for extracting the floating debris
Implementation Method 2
The floats are movable between a retracted position and a deployed position. In the deployed position, a portion of the variable buoyancy float is submerged for increased buoyancy
Data Source
AI summary
An extraction vessel is provided that includes two pontoons forming parallel hulls, a cargo hold located between the pontoons, and a retractable extraction conveyor belt located between the pontoons and mounted on tracks so as to be movable between retracted and deployed positions. In the retracted position, a lower end of the conveyor belt is above the waterline of the vessel. In the deployed position, the lower end of the conveyor belt is below the waterline for extracting the floating debris, and an upper end of the conveyer belt is above the cargo hold to discharge the floating debris into the cargo hold. Also provided is an extraction vessel that includes variable buoyancy floats attached to the pontoons and movable between a raised position in which the lowest surface of the float is above the waterline, and a lowered position in which part of the float is submerged.