Tear-off Prevention Element for Ship Hull Devices
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dampers used to secure devices on a ship's hull are unreliable due to aging or damage, leading to uncontrolled displacement and structure-borne noise, which can be exacerbated by shock loads and is problematic for military sonar detection.
Innovation Solution
A tear-off safety element utilizing a wire rope with elastomer components and bolt openings, articulated on both the hull and device connecting elements, provides secure mounting and decouples vibrations, preventing structure-borne noise and ensuring stability even in defective damper conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If dampers are used to elastically mount devices on the hull, then structure-borne noise is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to aging and damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a tear-off prevention element that acts as a backup safety mechanism before damper failure leads to uncontrolled displacement. This preventive measure cushions against the potential harm of damper failure by providing an alternative securing mechanism that engages when the primary damper system fails.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical state of the connection system from purely elastic (damper only) to a combination of elastic and rigid connections. The tear-off prevention element transitions from a non-load-bearing state to an active load-bearing state upon damper failure, changing the mechanical parameters of the securing system.
2Reliability
If locking elements are added to dampers, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the securing system into two independent segments: the primary damper system for vibration isolation and the secondary tear-off prevention element for fail-safe securing. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specialized function without complicating the other, maintaining simplicity while improving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The wire rope acts as an intermediary element between the device and the hull, providing a simple mechanical backup that engages only when needed. This intermediary component adds reliability without requiring complex integration with the existing damper system.
3Reliability
If wire rope is used for tear-off prevention, then reliability is improved, but structure-borne noise may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the noise-isolation function from the tear-off prevention element by allowing the wire rope to remain inactive during normal operation. The wire rope is taken out of the load path during vibration, engaging only when damper failure occurs, thus preventing it from becoming a noise transmission path during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically transitions between two states: during normal operation, the wire rope is slack and does not transmit vibrations; upon damper failure, the wire rope becomes taut and provides mechanical support. This dynamic behavior ensures the wire rope improves reliability without permanently compromising vibration isolation.
4Reliability
If dampers are oversized to prevent displacement, then reliability is improved, but weight and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the displacement prevention function between the primary damper (for vibration isolation) and the secondary wire rope system (for fail-safe positioning). This allows the damper to be optimized for its specific vibration-isolation function without needing to be oversized for displacement prevention, reducing overall system weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The wire rope serves multiple functions: it acts as a backup securing mechanism, provides mechanical support upon damper failure, and can be adjusted to accommodate different device positions. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components, minimizing weight and space requirements.
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 effectively prevents uncontrolled displacement and structure-borne noise, maintaining secure device positioning and reducing noise propagation, especially under shock loads, without the need for oversized dampers.
Implementation Method 1
one of the end sections, in particular the first end section, has a bolt aperture for receiving a bolt and an elastomer component, wherein the elastomer component is designed to elastically mount the bolt on the wire rope
Implementation Method 2
a wire rope having a first end section for articulated mounting on a hull connecting element connectable to the hull, and a second end section for articulated mounting on a device connecting element connectable to the device
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a tear-off protection element (10) for securing a device (20) elastically mounted on a ship's hull (14) by means of at least one damper (22) in the event of a defect in the damper (22). The tear-off protection element (10) comprises a wire rope (38) with a first end section (30) and a second end section (32), wherein one of the end sections (30, 32), in particular the first end section (30), has a bolt opening (44) for receiving a bolt (46) and an elastomer component (42), wherein the elastomer component (42) is designed for the elastic connection or mounting of the bolt (46) on the wire rope (38). The invention further relates to a system (17), a watercraft (15) having one or more systems (17), and a method for securing a device (20) with a tear-off protection element (10).