Support Vessel Gantry Crane for Offshore Modular Vessel Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
The limitations of small, configurable marine vessels include restricted effective range and increased response times due to the need for shore-based operations, which can hinder their operational efficiency and flexibility.
Innovation Solution
An aquatic support vessel equipped with a storage rack system and a gantry crane system capable of lifting and placing modular marine vessels, such as sea trucks, for deployment, retrieval, and maintenance, without relying on shore-based facilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If small marine vessels rely on shore-based facilities for configuration, supply, and maintenance, then operational complexity is reduced, but effective range is limited and response time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an aquatic support vessel as an intermediary platform between shore-based facilities and small marine vessels. This support vessel carries storage racks with modular components and a gantry crane system, enabling it to serve as a mobile supply and maintenance base that extends the operational range of small vessels without requiring them to return to shore.
2Device complexity
If small marine vessels rely on shore-based facilities for configuration, supply, and maintenance, then device complexity is reduced, but response time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The aquatic support vessel performs preliminary actions by pre-storing modular components, spare parts, and supply materials in organized storage racks. The gantry crane system is pre-positioned and ready for rapid deployment. This allows the support vessel to immediately service small marine vessels upon encounter, eliminating the time delay associated with returning to shore-based facilities.
3Device complexity
If modular marine vessels are deployed without onboard storage and lifting systems, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The aquatic support vessel is designed as a universal platform that can service multiple types of modular marine vessels simultaneously. The storage racks accommodate various module configurations, and the gantry crane system can handle different payload types. This multi-functionality enables rapid deployment and maintenance operations across diverse vessel types without requiring specialized equipment for each vessel class.
Data Source
AI summary
An aquatic support vessel including a storage rack configured to stow one or more modular marine vessels. The aquatic support vessel further includes a gantry crane having a rigid, extendable column configured for lifting one or more of the modular marine vessels out of the storage rack and placing one or more of the modular marine vessels into the storage rack.