Trim Tab and Interceptor Cam Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional trim tabs and interceptors for marine vessels are limited in their ability to efficiently compensate for changes in vessel speed and weight distribution, as they primarily rely on angular and vertical deployments which may not fully address hydrodynamic forces, leading to suboptimal stern and bow adjustments.
Innovation Solution
A combination trim tab and interceptor system featuring a housing with a pivotably coupled trim tab and reciprocating interceptor blade, actuated by an electromechanical linear actuator, where a link or cam mechanism ensures non-linear motion of the interceptor blade to effectively counteract hydrodynamic forces, allowing for upward and downward pivoting to adjust the vessel's stern and bow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional trim tabs use angular deployment to provide lift, then stern and bow adjustments are achieved, but the ability to efficiently compensate for hydrodynamic forces is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a trim tab and interceptor blade into a single integrated assembly, where the trim tab and interceptor blade work together as unified components. The trim tab is pivotably coupled to the housing while the interceptor blade is reciprocatingly received by the same housing, creating a combined system that leverages both angular and vertical motion capabilities to effectively counteract hydrodynamic forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic motion patterns through the link or cam mechanism that converts the actuator's linear motion into non-linear motion of the interceptor blade. This dynamic transformation allows the system to adapt its response to varying hydrodynamic conditions, improving both reliability and adaptability in compensation effectiveness.
2Reliability
If conventional interceptors use vertical deployment to provide lift, then stern and bow adjustments are achieved, but suboptimal adjustments occur due to limited motion patterns
Solution Approach 1:
The link or cam mechanism serves as an intermediary between the actuator and the interceptor blade, transforming the actuator's simple linear reciprocating motion into complex non-linear motion patterns for the interceptor blade. This intermediary mechanism enables optimized stern and bow adjustments while maintaining ease of operation through a single actuator.
3Device complexity
If a single actuator is used to control both trim tab and interceptor blade, then device complexity is reduced, but achieving non-linear interceptor blade motion becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The cam mechanism changes the motion parameters by transforming linear actuator displacement into non-linear interceptor blade motion. The cam profile is specifically designed to provide the desired non-linear motion characteristics, allowing a single actuator to achieve complex motion patterns that would otherwise require multiple actuators, thus maintaining both low complexity and high productivity.
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 system provides enhanced control over the marine vessel's stern and bow adjustments, improving stability and performance by applying forces that counteract hydrodynamic pressures more effectively than conventional systems, thus optimizing speed and weight distribution compensation.
Implementation Method 1
Hydrodynamic forces acting on the tabs result in an upward pressure which raises the stern and lowers the bow of the marine vessel
Implementation Method 2
The tabs are angularly deployed upwardly and downwardly relative to the marine vessel to provide lift in order to compensate for changes in marine vessel speed and weight distribution
Data Source
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AI summary
A combination trim tab and interceptor comprises a housing, a trim tab pivotably coupled to the housing, and an interceptor blade reciprocatingly received by the housing. A cam is coupled to the trim tab and the interceptor blade. The cam is coupled to the trim tab by a link which applies a rotary force to the cam when the trim tab pivots relative to the housing. The cam is coupled to the interceptor blade in a manner such that the interceptor blade functions as a cam follower. There is an actuator which actuates the trim tab to pivot relative to the housing. Pivoting of the trim tab relative to the housing results in the cam applying a force to the interceptor blade, causing the interceptor blade to reciprocate relative to the housing. The cam may be configured so a stroke of the interceptor blade and a stroke of the actuator are non-linear. The actuator may be an electromechanical linear actuator.