Submersible Accommodation Sliding Legs Ballast Tanks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing underwater and above-water accommodations lack a safe and efficient mechanism for human occupancy, as they do not effectively allow for observation of the aquatic environment while ensuring rapid surfacing in case of emergencies.
Innovation Solution
The underwater-above water accommodation is slidably joined to three vertical legs with a sliding joint, featuring a pressure shell with a ballast tank and a structure with a second ballast tank, along with a drive unit and brake system, enabling safe submersion and rapid surfacing, and includes a chain or rope mechanism with a locking device for vertical movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the accommodation is designed to remain stationary on the water surface, then structural stability is improved, but the capability for rapid surfacing in emergencies deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The accommodation transitions from a stationary structure to a dynamically movable one by introducing ballast tanks that can rapidly change water intake, enabling the structure to quickly shift between submerged and surfaced states while maintaining operational stability when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The ballast tanks enable rapid change in the accommodation's weight and buoyancy parameters through controlled water intake and discharge, allowing quick transition from a stable stationary state to a rapid surfacing state in emergencies
2Strength
If the accommodation structure is made robust and heavy for stability, then structural strength is improved, but the speed of submersion and surfacing deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The ballast tanks function as counterweight mechanisms by introducing or discharging water to rapidly alter the accommodation's overall weight, enabling quick submersion and surfacing without compromising the structural strength of the pressure shell and framework
3Adaptability or versatility
If the accommodation includes both underwater and above-water compartments, then functionality for observation and recreation is improved, but system complexity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The accommodation is segmented into distinct underwater and above-water compartments connected by a shaft with stairs and lift, allowing independent functionality of each section while simplifying the overall system through modular design and clear functional separation
4Reliability
If the sliding joint mechanism is made robust for safety, then reliability is improved, but device complexity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sliding joint mechanism acts as an intermediary connection between the underwater and above-water accommodations, providing controlled movement and secure coupling through a mechanism that balances safety requirements with operational simplicity through guided linear motion
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
This configuration allows for safe and efficient use of aquatic environments for rest and recreation, enabling observation while ensuring rapid surfacing in emergencies, thus enhancing safety and usability.
Implementation Method 1
In the lower part of the shell 12 of the underwater accommodation 1, there is located a ballast tank 29 filled with water whereas in the lower part of the above water accommodation 2 there is another ballast tank 30 filled with water
Implementation Method 2
the chain or the rope is attached to a hydraulic actuator 57 powered by a pipe 58 in which a cut off valve 53 is installed
Data Source
AI summary
An underwater-above water accommodation is adapted for human occupancy under water, above or on the surface of water and comprises an underwater accommodation (1) and above water accommodation (2) slidably mounted on preferably three, vertical legs (3, 4, 5). At least one vertical shaft (23) is fixed to the underwater accommodation (1), contains a lift (26) and stairs (28) inside and is slidably mounted in a sleeve (24) fixed to the above water accommodation (2). The underwater accommodation (1) has a pressure shell (12), in the lower part of which a first ballast tank (29) is located; the above water accommodation (2) has a structure (13), in the lower part of which a second ballast tank (30) is attached. At the sliding joint with the vertical legs (3, 4, 5) the underwater accommodation (1) has built-in sliding joint bushings (9, 10, 11) tightly linked to the pressure shell (12). At the sliding joint with vertical legs (3, 4, 5) the structure (13) is fixed to the sliding joint bushings (14, 15, 16). At least one rack (31) is attached to each vertical leg (3, 4, 5) and cooperates with a toothed wheel (32) being fixed to the structure (13) and driven by a drive unit (33); a drive wheel (49) is attached to the structure (13) and it is connected to a brake drum (50) and driven by a drive unit (52) via a disengagable clutch (51); a chain or a rope (44) is wound on the drive wheel (49) and the brake drum (50) is in contact with a brake pad (54), which is pressed against the brake drum (50) by a pad actuator (56), by means of a actuator lever (55).