Automated Fuel Hose Deployment for Unmanned Surface Vessels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Refueling unmanned surface vessels is complicated in degraded weather conditions due to the need for manual intervention and increased risks to personnel and hardware, as existing methods require a crew to manage refueling lines.
Innovation Solution
A fuel hose deployment and retrieval system where the unmanned surface vessel deploys a fuel hose from its aft part, which is coupled to a refueling vessel's forward fuel supply connection while both vessels move forward, allowing for automated fuel transfer and retrieval using separate winches and a messenger line, enabling refueling in adverse weather conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual crew intervention is used to manage refueling lines, then refueling can be performed, but personnel safety and operational reliability deteriorate in degraded weather conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The unmanned surface vessel autonomously performs refueling operations without human crew intervention. The system self-manages the deployment and retrieval of fuel hoses through automated winch mechanisms, eliminating the need for personnel to be onboard during refueling operations in degraded weather conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical operations by crew members are replaced with automated winch systems. The first and second winches mechanically deploy and retrieve the fuel hoses and buoy assembly, substituting human physical intervention with automated mechanical systems that can operate safely in adverse weather.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If automated winch systems are used for fuel hose deployment, then personnel safety improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The refueling system is divided into distinct functional modules: a buoy assembly with identification features, a fuel hose connected to the buoy, and separate winch systems for deploying each component. This segmentation allows each module to be independently managed and retrieved through specific winch operations.
Solution Approach 2:
A buoy assembly serves as an intermediary element between the unmanned surface vessel and the refueling operation. The buoy with its identification features acts as a mediator that can be remotely identified and manipulated, facilitating automated control of the fuel hose deployment and retrieval processes.
3Adaptability or versatility
If fuel hose length is increased to reach forward fuel supply connection, then refueling capability improves, but hose retrieval difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel hose is nested within or attached to the buoy assembly structure. The buoy serves as a container or support structure that holds the fuel hose in an organized manner, allowing the hose to be easily retrieved by recovering the buoy through the winch system rather than manually managing the entire length of the hose.
Solution Approach 2:
The fuel hose is pre-connected to the buoy assembly before deployment. This preliminary configuration ensures that when the buoy is retrieved by the winch system, the fuel hose is automatically recovered along with it, eliminating the need for separate hose retrieval operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A system that includes a first winch assembly having a first structure on which a fuel hose is configured to be spooled and unspooled, the first structure having a first rotational axis. The system also includes a second winch assembly located rearward of the first winch assembly, the second winch assembly includes a second structure on which a messenger line is configured to be spooled and unspooled, the second structure having a second rotational axis and being rotatable between first and second rotational positions. Upon the second structure being in the first rotational position the second rotational axis is non-orthogonal to the first rotational axis. Upon the second structure being in the second rotational position, the second rotational axis is orthogonal to the first rotational axis. The second structure including an axial through opening through which the fuel line is configured to pass when the second structure is in the second rotational position.