Rigging Ring Curved Profile Reduces Rope Wear
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing low friction rings in rope rigging systems cause excessive wear on rigging ropes due to sharp turns and multiple contact points, especially when redirecting ropes over greater deflections, leading to rapid rope degradation.
Innovation Solution
A low friction ring design featuring an outer annular surface with circumferential grooves and a central passage with a curved, arcuate inner surface profile, allowing for a smoother transition of the rope and reducing stress, formed from materials like aluminum, titanium, or steel, and treated for low friction surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If multiple narrow rings are used to support large loads or provide greater bend radius, then load support capability is improved, but rope wear increases due to sharp turns and multiple contact points
Solution Approach 1:
The ring is segmented into multiple functional zones: an outer annular surface with circumferential grooves for support rope attachment, and a central passage with a curved arcuate inner surface for smooth rigging rope redirection. This segmentation allows different parts of the ring to perform optimized functions - the outer grooves provide structural support while the curved central passage minimizes rope wear through smooth transitions.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner surface of the central passage features a curved cross-sectional profile with arcuate shape and constant curvature. This curvature design eliminates sharp turns and angular transitions, creating a smooth pathway for the rigging rope that reduces contact stress and prevents rapid rope degradation while maintaining the ability to support large loads.
2Weight of moving object
If low friction rings are used instead of pulleys or blocks, then weight is reduced, but rope wear increases due to sharp turns
Solution Approach 1:
The curved arcuate profile of the central passage inner surface replaces sharp angular transitions with smooth continuous curves. This curvature ensures that ropes passing through the ring experience minimal bending stress and friction, maintaining the weight advantage of simple rings while eliminating the rope wear problem associated with traditional sharp-turn ring designs.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the inner surface is treated for low friction, then rope wear is reduced, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The curved arcuate cross-sectional profile of the central passage is designed to inherently reduce rope wear through smooth geometric transitions. This geometric solution works in conjunction with optional low friction surface treatments (such as anodizing for aluminum or coating for steel) to further reduce wear, but the curvature itself provides the primary wear reduction mechanism, making the surface treatment optional rather than mandatory.
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 design significantly reduces rope wear and stress by providing a smoother passage for the rigging rope, enhancing durability and performance in load-bearing applications.
Implementation Method 1
low friction ring design featuring an outer annular surface with circumferential grooves and a central passage with a curved, arcuate inner surface profile, allowing for a smoother transition of the rope and reducing stress
Implementation Method 2
The inner surface may be treated to provide a low friction surface. The inner surface may be anodized.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for supporting and redirecting a rigging rope comprising a ring having an outer annular surface and a central passage extending between first and second side edges defining an inner surface, wherein the outer surface includes at least two circumferential grooves therearound and wherein the inner surface has a curved cross-sectional profile extending between the first and second side edges.