Self-Supporting Tubular Boom Ship Loading System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ship loading systems using air-assisted gravity conveyors are heavy and require bulky, costly truss work for support, which increases capital expenditures and height requirements due to the need for additional structural support during high-loading conditions.
Innovation Solution
A self-supporting tubular boom design that encloses the air gravity conveyor, with a single attachment point to the support tower, allowing the conveyor to bear the load and reducing the need for external support structures, while also accommodating auxiliary equipment and facilitating maintenance within the boom.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If air gravity conveyor is used for high loading rates, then productivity is improved, but weight of moving object increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes pneumatic principles by introducing air through a porous membrane to fluidize the material being conveyed. This air-assisted gravity conveyor system uses low pressure air to fluidize particulate solids, enabling high loading rates (500-2000 metric tons/hour) while reducing the structural weight requirements compared to mechanical conveyors that would require motors and drive mechanisms for the same productivity level.
2Strength
If truss work is added to support conveyor, then strength is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex truss work support structure from the system. Instead of using bulky truss work designed with large safety factors to accommodate worst-case loads, the invention employs a simplified support tower that only needs to support the actual operating weight of the conveyor during normal operation, not the excessive weight required for upset conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamic design principles by configuring the support structure to handle actual operational loads rather than static worst-case scenarios. The conveyor system is designed to automatically empty during upset conditions (plugged spouts), preventing permanent overload situations, which allows the support structure to be optimized for normal operating conditions rather than rare abnormal conditions.
3Strength
If truss work is added to support conveyor, then strength is improved, but height of stationary object increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the height-increasing truss work structure and replaces it with a more compact support tower design. By eliminating the need for extensive lateral bracing and truss elements, the support tower can be designed with a more direct load path, reducing the overall height requirements while maintaining sufficient strength for the actual operating loads.
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
This design significantly reduces capital equipment expenditures and height requirements, achieving structural savings by eliminating the need for extensive truss work and allowing for more efficient material handling with reduced weight and footprint.
Implementation Method 1
The porous membrane allows low pressure air to flow from the air plenum, through the membrane and into the material to be conveyed. The air serves to essential fluidize the material being conveyed to thereby facilitate the material's movement.
Implementation Method 2
The conveyor is installed at a slight downward slope to allow gravity to do much of the work of conveying the material.
Data Source
AI summary
A ship loading system for loading fluidizable materials into a ship's hold is described. The system comprises a self-supporting tubular boom that is attached to a support tower at a single attachment point. An air gravity conveyor is enclosed within the tubular boom for materials from the vicinity of the support tower to the ship's hold.