Underwater Vessel Flat Hull for Stable Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Underwater vessels face challenges in transportation and stability due to their large size and curved profiles, making speedy deployment and seabed operation difficult.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising an underwater vessel with a substantially flat lower surface and a surface vessel with a floodable well deck, featuring rollers and coupling points for secure docking and transportation, allowing the underwater vessel to be efficiently loaded and unloaded.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the underwater vessel has a curved hull profile, then it maintains hydrodynamic stability underwater, but it becomes unstable when out of the water and difficult to transport
Solution Approach 1:
The hull is designed with different geometries for different locations: the upper hull maintains a curved profile for hydrodynamic stability underwater, while the lower hull has a flat surface that provides stability when the vessel is out of water or on the seabed. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between hydrodynamic performance and operational stability.
2Duration of action of moving object
If the underwater vessel is made large for operational capability, then it can perform extended missions, but it becomes difficult and slow to transport to destinations
Solution Approach 1:
The large underwater vessel is designed to be transported within or alongside a smaller support vessel. The flat lower surface of the underwater vessel allows it to be securely positioned on the seabed or within the transport vessel's cargo area, enabling the large vessel to be moved quickly without requiring its own propulsion during transport, thus reducing transport time while maintaining operational capability.
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
Enables rapid and stable deployment and retrieval of underwater vessels, overcoming limitations of size and curvature, and allowing extended seabed operation without structural damage.
Implementation Method 1
a floodable well deck arranged to receive and accommodate the first vessel
Implementation Method 2
the well deck of the second vessel is provided with a plurality of rollers or skid beams in its floor to facilitate docking of the first vessel
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a system comprising: a first, underwater, vessel provided with a substantially flat lower surface; and a second, surface, vessel, comprising a floodable well deck arranged to receive and accommodate the first vessel.