Reversible Conduit Coupling With Fluid-Stream Guidance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for transferring resources between free-floating bodies, such as in military, shipping, and energy capture contexts, require significant manual effort and pose risks due to dynamic positioning changes, necessitating improved autonomy and precision in fluidic coupling.

Innovation Solution

A conduit assembly with fluid nozzles that expel controlled fluid streams to autonomously or semi-autonomously guide and couple with a receiving port on a free-floating body, enabling precise and efficient transfer of fluids between bodies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual coupling methods are used for fluidic connection between free-floating bodies, then the coupling mechanism can be simple in design, but significant manual effort and labor are required while posing safety risks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanual effort requiredVSAvoidautonomy of coupling process

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The conduit assembly is equipped with fluid nozzles that autonomously propel and position the assembly toward the receiving port using expelled fluid streams, enabling the system to self-guide and self-couple without requiring manual intervention or operator presence at the coupling interface

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical coupling operations with an automated fluid-dynamic positioning system. Fluid nozzles generate controlled streams to propel and orient the conduit assembly, substituting human-operated mechanical connection processes with automated fluid-based actuation and positioning

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Manufacturing precision

If traditional coupling methods are employed, then the system design can be straightforward, but precision and accuracy in maintaining fluidic connection are compromised due to dynamic positioning changes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprecision of fluidic couplingVSAvoidcomplexity of coupling mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The conduit assembly incorporates dynamic positioning capabilities through fluid nozzles that can be selectively actuated to propel and orient the assembly in real-time. This dynamic control system adapts to changing positions of free-floating bodies, maintaining precise alignment with the receiving port despite relative motion and positioning variations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs fluid nozzles that expel controlled fluid streams to generate propulsive forces for positioning the conduit assembly. This hydraulic/pneumatic actuation system provides precise control over the assembly's movement and orientation, enabling accurate fluidic coupling while managing the complexity through integrated fluid-based actuation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

3Productivity

If manual intervention is required for coupling operations, then the coupling mechanism can be simpler, but time consumption and labor costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveefficiency of resource transferVSAvoidtime for coupling operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The autonomous coupling system performs all positioning and connection operations automatically through fluid nozzle actuation and controlled propulsion, eliminating the need for manual intervention and significantly reducing the time required for coupling operations between free-floating bodies

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The fluid nozzles provide continuous controlled propulsion and positioning throughout the coupling process, enabling uninterrupted movement and alignment of the conduit assembly. This continuous automated action eliminates delays associated with manual operations, maintaining productive resource transfer without time losses

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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

Facilitates precise and autonomous fluidic coupling, reducing manual intervention and enhancing safety by adapting to dynamic positions, allowing continuous energy transfer and product exchange.

Implementation Method 1

The conduit assembly may include one or more fluid nozzles configured to expel one or more controlled fluid streams to propel and/or guide the conduit assembly toward a receiving port of the first free-floating body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid stream propulsion: Jet

Data Source

PatentUS12454335B2Methods and systems for reversible coupling of conduits

Publication Date: 2025.10.28 LONE GULL HOLDINGS LTD

AI summary

Methods and systems are provided for transient fluidic coupling via reversibly couplable conduits. In one example, a method includes directing a conduit assembly to a receiving port by releasing one or more fluid streams from the conduit assembly. The method may further include fluidly coupling an internal passage of the conduit assembly to the receiving port. The internal passage may extend from the conduit assembly and along a conduit between a pair of free-floating bodies, such as between a wave engine and a tanker ship, so as to exchange one or more fluids, such as an electrolysis reactant and an electrolysis product. The fluidic coupling may be reversible, in that the conduit assembly may be detached from the receiving port to sever the fluidic coupling. In certain examples, the detaching may be actuated by releasing one or more additional fluid streams from the conduit assembly.