Ship Launching Basket Stabilization via Cable Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for launching and recovering floating or submersible devices are not versatile enough to handle a wide range of sizes and types, including drones, and pose safety risks due to instability and potential damage during maneuvers.
Innovation Solution
A ship-based installation with a lifting device featuring a set of movable cables and a basket that can be positioned vertically, combined with a guide member to restrict yaw, rolling, and rotational movements, ensuring stable engagement with a contact surface for secure handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single cable connected to a lifting slider is used, then the device can be simplified, but the stability of the whole is harmed when guidance is poorly engaged
Solution Approach 1:
The single cable is divided into multiple cables (at least two, preferably four) that are distributed around the basket. Each cable is connected to the carriage and supports a portion of the basket load, providing both structural simplicity and enhanced stability through distributed load bearing.
Solution Approach 2:
The cables are arranged asymmetrically in space, extending from the carriage to different points on the basket structure. This asymmetric arrangement creates geometric stability and prevents pendulum movements while maintaining operational simplicity.
2Ease of operation
If the basket is allowed to move freely during launching and recovery, then the operation is easier, but pendulum movements occur which reduce safety
Solution Approach 1:
The carriage acts as an intermediary element between the fixed ship structure and the movable basket. It provides a stable mounting point for multiple cables that control the basket's movement, filtering out unwanted pendulum motions while allowing controlled vertical movement for easy operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from allowing free multi-directional movement to constraining movement primarily to the vertical dimension. The carriage and cable arrangement naturally restrict horizontal and rotational movements, allowing the basket to move easily vertically while preventing dangerous pendulum oscillations.
3Device complexity
If a central cable position is used for lifting, then the lifting mechanism is simplified, but the stability is harmed when guidance is poorly engaged
Solution Approach 1:
The single central cable is segmented into multiple cables distributed around the basket perimeter. This segmentation maintains lifting functionality while creating a stable geometric arrangement that resists pendulum movements and enhances overall system stability during operation.
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 solution enhances safety by minimizing pendulum movements and ensuring secure handling of various devices, from drones to submersibles, by stabilizing the basket during launching and recovery operations, thus protecting both equipment and personnel.
Implementation Method 1
a guide member which connects said basket to a wall of said ship, which is configured to block possible translational movements of the 'yaw' and 'swing' type and rotational movements of the 'yaw' type of said basket
Implementation Method 2
said basket comprising at least one upper face which bears against at least one surface, called 'contact surface', of said lifting device, only when said cables are in the high position
Implementation Method 3
said cables being movable vertically between two extreme positions, respectively high and low
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention concerns a ship (1) provided with an installation (2) for launching and recovering floating or submersible vehicles (E), that comprises a lifting device (3) comprising a set of cables (35) that holds a basket (4) configured to support said vehicle (E) during said launching and recovering operations, said cables (35) being movable vertically between two positions, a high and a low position respectively, characterised by the fact that said basket (4) comprises an upper face (430) that bears against a surface (341), referred to as a "contact surface", of said lifting device (3), only when said cables (35) are in the high position.