Ship Extension via Raised Side Height Middle Section

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Solution Overview

Problem

Cargo ships face economic inefficiencies due to increasing cargo volumes and outdated port facilities, requiring methods to enhance cargo capacity and stability while minimizing steel usage and environmental impact.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the separation of a ship's front and rear sections, with an additional middle section installed, featuring a higher side height to increase cargo capacity and stability, utilizing less steel for reinforcement in high-load areas, and incorporating raised hatch coamings for protection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the ship length is extended by adding a middle section with the same side height, then the cargo capacity is increased, but the transverse stability is not significantly improved and more steel is required for hull strengthening

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecargo capacityVSAvoidtransverse stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dimensionality change by increasing the side height of the additional middle section rather than merely extending the ship's length. This vertical dimension enhancement (from horizontal extension only) simultaneously increases cargo capacity and improves transverse stability, while reducing the steel required for structural reinforcement compared to conventional lengthening methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Strength

If the hull is strengthened to withstand increased loads from ship extension, then the structural integrity is improved, but the amount of steel required increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehull strengthVSAvoidsteel quantity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by concentrating the side height increase specifically in the additional middle section where the greatest bending moments act, rather than uniformly increasing the side height along the entire ship length. This localized reinforcement achieves the necessary structural strength to withstand increased loads while minimizing the total steel quantity required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Volume of moving object

If the side height is increased in the additional middle section, then the transverse stability is improved and cargo volume increases, but the deckhouse and propulsion system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecargo volumeVSAvoidship structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the ship into distinct sections (front section, additional middle section, and rear section) with different side heights. The additional middle section is designed as a separate modular unit with increased side height that can be independently constructed and installed, thereby increasing cargo volume and stability while keeping the overall structural complexity manageable through modular design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3594099B1Method for extending a ship and extended ship
Publication Date: 2023.11.15 SDC SHIP DESIGN & CONSULT
  • EP3594099B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

Method for enlarging a ship, in which a front ship section (3) comprising the bow (2) and a rear ship section (5) comprising the stern (4) are separated from one another in the region of a cargo hold, the front ship section and the rear ship section are moved apart in the longitudinal direction and an additional middle ship section (6) with an additional cargo hold part is installed between the moved apart front ship section and rear ship section, which has a higher side height (13) than the front ship section at least in a section behind the bow and the rear ship section at least in a section in front of the stern.