Watercraft Transport Box With Buoyancy Rotation for Rapid Launch

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for launching unmanned underwater vehicles from vessels are inflexible and time-consuming, necessitating a more efficient and safer means of deployment from various platforms, including helicopters.

Innovation Solution

A transport box equipped with a bracket and frame, designed for fastening to a winch, allows for the secure loading and lowering of watercraft into water, featuring a hinge mechanism for rotational orientation change and buoyancy elements to protect the vehicle during immersion, with integrated direction-finding equipment and signal line protection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If unmanned underwater vehicles are launched from a vessel using traditional onboard cranes and launching devices, then the watercraft can be deployed, but the process is time-consuming and reduces mission flexibility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeployment speedVSAvoidpreparation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the watercraft into modular components that can be quickly assembled in the transport box. The transport box itself is a segmented structure with removable sides and a hinged lid, allowing rapid loading and deployment without complex assembly procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The watercraft is pre-positioned and secured within the transport box before deployment. The transport box is pre-equipped with winch brackets and fastening mechanisms, eliminating the need for time-consuming on-site preparation and allowing immediate deployment when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the watercraft is launched from a vessel using traditional methods, then deployment is possible, but personal safety and operational flexibility are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepersonal safetyVSAvoidoperational flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The transport box serves as an intermediary platform between the launch platform (helicopter or vessel) and the watercraft. It provides a protected environment for loading and a controlled deployment mechanism, eliminating the need for personnel to work exposed on deck and enhancing safety while maintaining operational flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The transport box is designed as a multi-functional system that can be deployed from both helicopters and vessels, accommodating different operational scenarios. This universal design enhances operational flexibility while maintaining safety across diverse deployment platforms through standardized securement and deployment procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of manufacture

If the watercraft is immersed directly without protection, then deployment is simple, but the vehicle and components are damaged by water hammer

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeployment simplicityVSAvoidwater hammer damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The transport box provides protective cushioning for the watercraft during immersion. The enclosed structure absorbs and distributes the water hammer forces, protecting sensitive components and the watercraft hull from damage during the critical immersion phase before the vehicle is fully deployed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

4Productivity

If a traditional launching device is placed over the watercraft from above, then the watercraft can be deployed, but the process requires manual handling and reduces safety

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeployment efficiencyVSAvoidlaunching device complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The transport box merges the launching device functionality into the box structure itself. The winch brackets, fastening mechanisms, and protective enclosure are integrated into a single unit, eliminating the need for separate complex launching equipment and manual handling procedures while maintaining deployment efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Enhances safety and flexibility by enabling rapid deployment from diverse platforms, protecting the watercraft and its components from water hammer, and facilitating precise navigation and communication during missions.

Implementation Method 1

the frame of the transport box rotates automatically by virtue of its buoyancy when the transport box is immersed in the water

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Data Source

PatentUS12486004B2Transport box for setting down a watercraft

Publication Date: 2025.12.02 ATLAS ELEKTRONIK GMBH

AI summary

A transport box may be utilized to set down a watercraft into water with a traction mechanism, with a support for securing the traction mechanism for lowering the transport box, and with a frame that is designed to receive the watercraft in the transport box. The transport box is configured to receive an upper side of the watercraft and to set the watercraft down on a lower side into the water.