Self-Retrieving Anchor With Breakable Fuse Pin
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current marine anchors are inefficient in adapting to various underwater conditions and often become lodged, leading to costly and inconvenient retrieval issues, with existing technologies failing to provide a cost-effective, self-retrievable, and environmentally friendly solution.
Innovation Solution
A self-retrievable anchor design featuring interchangeable shovel parts, a weld-free construction, and a specifically sized fuse pin that breaks before the anchor line, allowing for easy disassembly and assembly, and biodegradable materials to minimize environmental impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional anchors are used to secure vessels, then the anchor can be set on the underwater bottom, but the anchor may become lodged in obstructions and cannot be retrieved
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor is divided into separable components: a retrieval mechanism attached to the anchor line and a release mechanism on the anchor itself. This segmentation allows the retrieval system to independently manipulate the anchor without requiring the entire anchor assembly to be manually recovered, resolving the contradiction between reliable setting and easy retrieval.
Solution Approach 2:
The anchor incorporates a self-release mechanism that automatically disengages the anchor from the bottom when tension is applied to the line. This self-service capability eliminates the need for manual intervention or complex retrieval operations, allowing the anchor to retrieve itself when needed while maintaining reliable setting during normal operation.
2Ease of operation
If force is applied to dislodge a lodged anchor, then the anchor may be retrieved, but the anchor line may snap or break
Solution Approach 1:
The retrieval system separates the high-force dislodging function from the anchor line by introducing a mechanical advantage system (pulley or lever) between the line and the anchor. This segmentation allows the line to apply controlled force while the mechanical system amplifies it to dislodge the anchor, preventing line breakage.
Solution Approach 2:
A mechanical intermediary device (such as a pulley system or lever arm) is introduced between the anchor line and the anchor. This intermediary translates the pulling force on the line into amplified dislodging force on the anchor, protecting the line from exceeding its strength limits while still enabling retrieval.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the entire anchor assembly is changed to adapt to various underwater conditions, then the anchor can adapt to different bottom types, but the cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor is designed with modular, interchangeable components that can be independently replaced. Instead of changing the entire anchor assembly, only the specific component that needs adaptation (such as the fluke or shank) is swapped out. This segmentation maintains versatility while reducing complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
A universal anchor body design is created that can accommodate multiple types of attachment components for different bottom conditions. This universal interface allows a single anchor assembly to perform multiple functions by simply changing the attached component, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining adaptability.
4Ease of manufacture
If welds are used to construct the anchor, then the anchor parts can be joined together, but material failure may occur from welding marks
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor components are joined using a unified material composition throughout, eliminating the need for welding between dissimilar materials. This merging of material properties allows for mechanical fastening methods that avoid welding marks, maintaining both manufacturing ease and structural reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The anchor uses mechanically fastened components that can be easily replaced if damaged, rather than permanently welded joints. This approach treats connection elements as replaceable components, avoiding the reliability issues of welding while maintaining ease of manufacture through simple mechanical assembly.
Data Source
AI summary
A self-retrievable anchor with a shovel, lever, and manifold contains no welded parts eliminating weld failure due to tensional and bending forces during anchor retrieval. The anchor has interchangeable parts. The manifold attaches the shovel to lever, and contains at least an internal breakable fuse. A specific dimensioned fuse to anchor size is used. The fuse is not universal. When a tensional force is applied above fuse shear strength capacity, and below breaking strength of the rope, the fuse breaks rotating the shovel 180° about a pivot hinge pin. The anchor is released when stuck at sea bottom without any loss. The anchor's interchangeable parts makes it capable to change shovel shapes suitable to different sea bottom conditions. A stop bar on the shovel portion may be included. The lever may also detach during retrieval by a breakable pivot hinge pin or fuse pin alone, and shovel/manifold later replaced.