Underwater Dredging Fall Pipe Steering and Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for dumping material onto underwater pipelines face inefficiencies due to manual control of fall pipes, which are affected by currents and vessel movements, leading to inaccurate and time-consuming material distribution.
Innovation Solution
A device equipped with monitoring means for the underwater bottom and steering device position, combined with computing means to generate control signals for automatic regulation of the fall pipe's motion, ensuring precise and efficient material distribution by minimizing the difference between the actual and desired depth profiles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If manual control of the fall pipe is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the manufacturing precision and productivity deteriorate due to inaccurate material distribution and time-consuming operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where monitoring means continuously measure the actual depth profile of the dumped material and the position of the fall pipe, and this information is fed back to computing means that automatically adjust the fall pipe position and dumping rate to achieve the desired depth profile, thereby improving material distribution accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-correction by automatically detecting deviations from the desired depth profile and adjusting its own operation parameters (fall pipe position, dumping rate) without external intervention, enabling the system to self-optimize the material distribution process
2Device complexity
If manual control of the fall pipe is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the productivity deteriorates due to time-consuming operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains continuous monitoring and continuous automatic adjustment of the fall pipe position and dumping rate throughout the entire dumping operation, eliminating interruptions and manual intervention delays, thereby sustaining high productivity throughout the process
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical control with an automated control system that uses sensors, computing means, and automatic actuators to control the fall pipe position and dumping rate, significantly reducing operation time and increasing productivity
3Manufacturing precision
If automatic control with monitoring means is implemented, then the manufacturing precision improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring means and computing means are designed to perform multiple functions: monitoring fall pipe position, measuring depth profile, calculating deviations, and controlling both position and dumping rate, thereby reducing the need for separate dedicated components for each function and managing system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces computing means as an intermediary that processes data from monitoring means and generates control signals for the fall pipe actuators, separating the sensing and actuation functions and enabling modular system design that manages complexity
4Productivity
If automatic control with monitoring means is implemented, then the productivity improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The real-time feedback from monitoring means enables continuous optimization of the dumping operation, automatically adjusting parameters to maintain optimal productivity throughout the process without manual intervention delays
Solution Approach 2:
The system autonomously manages the dumping operation by self-monitoring and self-adjusting, eliminating the need for continuous manual oversight and enabling uninterrupted high-speed operation that maximizes productivity
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for dumping material onto an underwater bottom or installation, such as a pipeline. The device comprises a vessel (1), provided with a fall pipe (7) through which the material is dumped on the underwater bottom; a steering device (5) adapted to control the motion of the fall pipe relative to the underwater bottom; first monitoring means (30) adapted to monitor the state of the underwater bottom; second monitoring means (32) adapted to monitor the position of the steering device relative to the bottom; and computing means adapted to compute, on the basis of data obtained from the first and/or the second monitoring means, control signals for moving the steering device. The invention also relates to a method for dumping material onto an underwater bottom or installation, using the invented device, and to a computer program comprising program instructions that when loaded into a computer carries out the method.