Towing Device With Alternating Gripping Means
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing towing devices for very long, flexible, and brittle tubular objects like submarine cables and sonar antennas face challenges in maintaining effective contact and longevity due to continuous belt stress and complex maintenance requirements, especially in marine environments.
Innovation Solution
A towing device with adjustable load settings and modular components, including pulleys and treads with strong adhesive materials, allows for coordinated movement of pulling and gripping means to maintain continuous contact and reduce belt stress, facilitating easier maintenance by enabling tension adjustment and modular assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a belt is used to grip the object continuously during towing, then the object remains in continuous contact with the pulling means, but the belt experiences continuous stress leading to rapid aging and wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic gripping action by equipping the towing device with multiple gripping means (first and second gripping means) that alternately engage and disengage from the object. During towing, one gripping means applies grip while the other is released, creating a rhythmic cycle of engagement and disengagement. This periodic action maintains continuous towing capability while allowing individual gripping components to rest periodically, thereby reducing cumulative stress and extending belt service life.
2Device complexity
If the gripping means are fixed to the frame, then the structure is simple, but the belt cannot be easily replaced when worn
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the gripping system into separable modules: a frame structure and removable gripping means assemblies. The first and second gripping means are designed as detachable components that can be independently removed from the frame. This segmentation allows the belt and associated gripping components to be easily replaced without dismantling the entire towing device, significantly improving maintenance ease while maintaining structural simplicity through standardized connection interfaces.
3Reliability
If the belt tension is increased to ensure gripping, then the contact between treads and object is maintained, but the belt experiences higher stress and wears faster
Solution Approach 1:
By implementing periodic gripping where multiple gripping means alternate engagement, the system maintains reliable contact during towing while allowing each belt segment to experience reduced cumulative stress. The alternating cycle ensures that no single belt is under continuous maximum tension, thereby extending belt longevity while maintaining gripping reliability through coordinated operation of multiple gripping means.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables dynamic adjustment of gripping parameters by coordinating the operation of first and second gripping means. The system can modify engagement timing, force distribution, and tension parameters to optimize gripping reliability while minimizing belt stress. This parameter control allows adaptive tension management that prevents excessive stress accumulation on individual belt segments.
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 device ensures reliable and efficient towing with reduced belt wear, allowing for adaptive tension and easier maintenance, enhancing the durability and repairability of the system.
Implementation Method 1
pulling means capable of driving in their movement, by friction, the object in a towing direction
Data Source
AI summary
A device for towing very long tubular objects comprises a casing and an assembly which can be fixed removably to the casing. The removable assembly comprises: pulling means capable of driving in their movement, by friction, the object in a towing direction, gripping means capable of exerting a load on the pulling means to keep the pulling means and the towed object in continuous contact; the gripping means being driven by a relative movement relative to the towed object in a direction opposite to the towing direction. The casing comprises driving means, connected removably to the pulling means and gripping means and configured to drive in movement the pulling means and the gripping means in a coordinated manner to ensure a continuous and uniform pulling of the object.