Rotating Towing Hook Release System for Tugboat Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Tugboats are vulnerable to capsizing due to excessive tilting and incorrect towing angles, which existing release systems fail to adequately address, especially under conditions of high loads and wave-induced rolling.

Innovation Solution

A release system for a towing hook that automatically adjusts and releases the towing hook or winch based on pre-set danger angles relative to the tugboat's vertical and horizontal axes, using sensors to detect angular deviations and trigger a ratchet mechanism for safe disengagement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the towing hook is positioned at the amidships attachment point, then the towing connection is established, but the tugboat becomes vulnerable to large tilting and capsizing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetowing connection reliabilityVSAvoidtugboat stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The towing hook is made rotatable about a vertical axis, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position and orientation in response to towing forces and wave conditions. This dynamic capability enables the hook to maintain stable towing connections while adapting to changing operational conditions, preventing excessive tilting and capsizing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the emergency release is positioned far from the maneuvering position, then the towing hook can be secured, but the release cannot be triggered quickly in emergency situations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetowing hook securityVSAvoidemergency release accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates automatic sensors that detect dangerous angles and trigger the release mechanism without human intervention. This self-service capability ensures the towing hook can be securely positioned away from the maneuvering area while maintaining the ability to release quickly in emergencies through automated detection and actuation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Device complexity

If the towing hook is fixed in position, then the structure is simple, but it cannot adapt to different towing angles and conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetowing hook structureVSAvoidtowing angle adaptation

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The towing hook is equipped with rotational capability about a vertical axis, transforming it from a fixed structure to a dynamic one. This allows the hook to adapt to various towing angles and conditions while maintaining relatively simple structural implementation through the use of rotational joints and sensors

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4168303B1A release system for a supply boat or tugboat

Publication Date: 2025.08.06 DAFJORDEN SLIPP AS

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AI summary

Release system on a supply boat or tugboat comprising a towing hook (10) rotatably mounted and which is provided with a fastening hook (12) for receiving a towing rope (34), the fastening hook (12) is equipped with an open, through-running groove (14) for receiving a towing wire (36) which runs to a winch (40). The towing hook (10) comprises one or more sensors which register the vertical and/or horizontal angular direction of the towing hook relative to the boat, said sensors are connected to a control unit (50) which, based on registered angular directions to the towing hook (10), is arranged to activate a release mechanism (28) on the towing hook (10) for releasing the towing rope (34) from the fastening hook (12) or to activate a release mechanism on the winch (40) which releases the towing wire (36).