Tugboat Line Coupling Mechanism for Safer Line Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current line handling systems for tugboats face challenges in accurately throwing and securing lines between vessels, especially in adverse weather conditions, due to the lightweight and sensitive nature of heaving lines, which can lead to injuries and damage to the tugboat.
Innovation Solution
An actuatable coupling mechanism is introduced that includes a line engager with a coupling zone and a sensor to detect the presence of lines, allowing for automatic or user-controlled application of a connector to couple the lines, aiding alignment and securing them at a predetermined region of the tugboat's perimeter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If additional weight (such as metal objects or large knots) is added to the end of the heaving line to improve throwing accuracy, then the accuracy of line throwing is improved, but the risk of injury to crew members and damage to the tugboat increases
Solution Approach 1:
A sensor system acts as an intermediary between the heaving line and the coupling mechanism. The sensor detects the presence and position of the line without requiring physical contact, thereby eliminating the need for heavy weights at the line end while maintaining accurate line guidance and coupling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical method of weighting the line end (using metal objects or large knots) with an electronic sensing system. The sensor detects line presence and triggers automated coupling, substituting physical weight with electronic detection and control.
2Device complexity
If manual alignment and tying of lines is performed by crew members, then the system remains simple, but the difficulty of operation increases under adverse sea conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism performs the alignment and coupling operations automatically once the line is detected. The system serves itself by using the sensor to detect line presence and then autonomously executing the coupling sequence, eliminating the need for manual alignment and tying operations.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical operations of alignment and tying by crew members are replaced with an automated sensor-based coupling mechanism. The system uses electronic detection and automated mechanical coupling, reducing human intervention while simplifying operation under adverse conditions.
3Ease of operation
If an actuatable coupling mechanism with sensor and automatic connector application is implemented, then the ease of operation and safety are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling system is segmented into distinct functional modules: a sensor for line detection, a coupling mechanism for alignment, and a connector application system. This modular segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, making the overall complex system manageable and maintainable.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a line handling system 10 for a tugboat 1. The line handling system 10 comprises an actuatable coupling mechanism 200 for coupling together a line 13 of the tugboat 1 and a line 20 of the marine vessel 2 by applying a connector 210 to the lines 13, 20 when actuated.