Towed Antenna Winch Position Control via Magnetic Carrier
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The deployment and retrieval of flexible towed antennas on watercraft are challenging due to issues with tension control, damage from kinks and uncontrolled extension, and reliance on error-prone camera observations and mechanical limit switches, which can lead to antenna breakage and operational inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A device incorporating a winch with a position information carrier and reader system, where position information carriers are arranged along the towed antenna arrangement, allowing the winch control to precisely manage the unwinding and winding processes based on determined positions, reducing the risk of damage and improving operational reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If camera observation and mechanical limit switches are used to monitor winch operation, then the system structure is simple, but the measurement precision and reliability are insufficient leading to antenna damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical limit switches and camera observations with a magnetic field-based position information system. Position information carriers with magnetic field encodings are read by a position information reader, providing precise electronic position detection without mechanical contact or optical line-of-sight requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces position information carriers as intermediaries between the antenna and the control system. These carriers contain encoded position information that is read remotely by a position information reader, mediating the position detection function without requiring direct mechanical or optical interaction.
2Productivity
If the winch operates at high speed for efficient deployment and retrieval, then the productivity is improved, but the tension control becomes difficult causing antenna breakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where the position information reader continuously reads position information from carriers on the antenna, and the winch control adjusts winch speed based on this feedback. This allows high-speed operation while maintaining tension control to prevent antenna breakage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the winch operation dynamic by allowing speed adjustment based on real-time position information. The winch can operate at high speeds when appropriate and slow down or stop when position information indicates potential tension issues, optimizing both productivity and reliability.
3Reliability
If mechanical limit switches are used to detect the end position of the antenna, then the device complexity is low, but the reliability is poor due to short lifespan and bypassing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical limit switches with a non-contact magnetic field reading system. The position information reader detects magnetic field encodings on position information carriers without mechanical contact, eliminating the lifespan and bypassing issues of mechanical switches while providing more reliable end position detection.
4Measurement precision
If the camera is exposed to harsh conditions above or below water, then the monitoring function is maintained, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to dirty lenses and murky water
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the optical camera system with a magnetic field-based reading system. The position information reader detects magnetic field encodings that are not affected by water turbidity or lens contamination, maintaining measurement precision in harsh aquatic environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses magnetic field encodings on position information carriers as an intermediary for position detection. This magnetic field medium is unaffected by water conditions, providing reliable position information regardless of environmental contamination that would degrade optical camera performance.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
Shown is a device for pulling in and letting out a towed antenna (22) from a watercraft (20). The device has a towed antenna arrangement (24) which comprises the towed antenna (22), the towed antenna (22) having a plurality of interconnected, in particular consecutively arranged underwater sound receivers (34). The device also has a winch (26) with a winch control (40), and a position information carrier (28) and a position information reader (30). The winch (26) is designed to move the towed antenna arrangement (24) relative to the position information reader (30) in such a way that the position information carrier (28) passes the position information reader (30). The position information reader (30) is designed to ascertain the predetermined position when passing the position information carrier (28). The winch control (40) is designed to control the winch (26) based on the ascertained predetermined position.