Spiral Curve Self-Aligning Docking Device for Underwater Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Precise autonomous or operator-guided docking of underwater vehicles to underwater platforms is hindered by environmental factors and propulsion dynamics, which impede precise alignment, and existing methods either increase the size of the docking target or fail to provide precise alignment.
Innovation Solution
A docking system featuring a target spar with opposing jaw members and a drive unit, utilizing spiral curves and arm profiles to guide and secure the underwater vehicle, allowing for precise alignment and secure closure despite initial misalignment, with a drive unit comprising an electric motor and gears to move the jaws between open and closed positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a funnel is used as a docking target to guide and capture the underwater vehicle, then the precision requirement for docking is reduced, but the size of the target platform must be drastically increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs spiral curves on the inner surfaces of the jaw members to guide the target spar. The curved spiral geometry naturally guides the spar into proper alignment as the jaws close, eliminating the need for a large funnel structure while maintaining precise docking capability
Solution Approach 2:
The docking mechanism is divided into two opposing jaw members that can independently approach and close on the target spar. This segmentation allows the system to achieve precise docking without requiring a single large enclosing structure like a funnel
2Area of stationary object
If conventional clamps or catchments are used to suspend a cable, line, or post from the docking target, then the dimension of the docking platform is reduced, but precise alignment of the underwater vehicle with the docking platform is not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The spiral curves on the jaw member inner surfaces provide continuous guidance during the closing action, ensuring the target spar is precisely aligned with the docking platform while maintaining a compact platform size
Solution Approach 2:
The target spar acts as an intermediary element that the jaw members close upon. The spiral guidance surfaces on the jaws guide this intermediate component into precise alignment, thereby aligning the entire vehicle with the docking platform without requiring the platform itself to be large
3Area of stationary object
If the target platform is made smaller to reduce dimension, then the burden on the docking target is reduced, but the ability to guide and capture the underwater vehicle with sufficient precision is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The spiral curves provide passive mechanical guidance that reliably guides the target spar into proper alignment during jaw closure, ensuring dependable docking operations despite the compact platform size
Solution Approach 2:
The spiral guidance surfaces on the jaw members automatically guide the target spar into correct alignment through the closing action itself, without requiring external guidance systems or active control mechanisms, thereby ensuring reliable docking with a compact platform
Data Source
AI summary
A target spar. A left jaw member. The left guidance portion has a left spiral curve. The left arm portion has a left arm profile, a left arm gear, and a left arm protrusion. A right jaw member. The right guidance portion has a right spiral curve. The right arm portion comprises a right arm gear and a right arm protrusion. A top plate member. A bottom plate member. A drive unit comprising an electric motor within a pressure housing. A drive shaft on the electric motor. The bottom plate member abuts the left jaw member, the right jaw member, and the top plate member. The left jaw member and the right jaw member opened and closed. At the closed position, the target spar is slidably received in the left and right jaw members, the top and bottom plate members, and abuts the left and right arm profiles.