Retractable Cursor Frame Assembly for ROV Deployment

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ROV deployment systems are inefficient, bulky, and unsafe in bad weather conditions, and they occupy valuable deck space when disconnected from the vessel during transit.

Innovation Solution

An extendable and retractable cursor frame assembly with C-shaped guide rails that engage securely with T-shaped tracks, allowing the frame to remain attached to the vessel during transit and deploy ROVs in harsh weather conditions without occupying deck space.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the cursor frame is attached to the vessel hull, then ROV deployment is enabled in bad weather conditions, but the vessel transit speed is severely reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveROV deployment safetyVSAvoidvessel transit speed

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The cursor frame assembly is designed to be dynamically adjustable between a deployed position (extending into the water) and a retracted position (stored on the deck). This allows the system to adapt its configuration based on operational needs: extending when ROV deployment is required and retracting during transit to maintain vessel speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The cursor frame assembly is segmented into movable components that can be independently positioned. The guide rails and carriage system allow the frame to be divided into deployable sections that extend only when needed, rather than being a fixed permanent structure attached to the hull.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Speed

If the cursor frame is removed from the hull during transit, then vessel speed is maintained, but valuable deck space is occupied when the frame is deployed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevessel transit speedVSAvoiddeck space availability

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The cursor frame assembly is designed to nest within the vessel's existing structure when not in use. The guide rails and carriage system can be stored within the hull or on the deck in a compact configuration, similar to nested dolls, allowing the frame to occupy minimal space when retracted while still providing full functionality when deployed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Device complexity

If a traditional carriage system is used for ROV deployment, then the system is simple in design, but it cannot operate safely in bad weather conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeployment system simplicityVSAvoidweather condition safety

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cursor frame assembly acts as an intermediary structure between the vessel and the ROV carriage system. It provides a stable, weather-resistant platform that mediates the deployment process, allowing the carriage to move along fixed guide rails in controlled paths even in rough sea conditions, thereby enabling safe operation without complicating the overall system design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3126214B1A vessel having a retractable cursor frame assembly

Publication Date: 2019.05.22 KEPPEL OFFSHORE & MARINE TECH CENT PTE LTD

Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5a~5b

AI summary

This invention relates to a vessel having an extendable and retractable cursor frame assembly for deploying other vessels into a body of water. The retractable cursor frame assembly on the main vessel may be retracted and secured on a module of the main vessel as the main vessel is in transit. When another vessel is to be deployed into the body of water from the main vessel, the cursor frame assembly is then extended into the body of water to facilitate the launch of the other vessel.