Object-Retrieval Watercraft With Low-Drag Front Cargo Intake
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for retrieving and deploying objects on a body of water are inefficient, cumbersome, and often dangerous, especially in challenging conditions such as cold, wet, and windy environments, and they face issues with hydrodynamic drag, controllability, and the need for powerful motors and batteries.
Innovation Solution
A watercraft with a containment structure and floatation members that allow objects to be partially submerged, featuring passive and active design elements like rotating capture assemblies and retainers to facilitate intake and retention within an internal cargo area, minimizing drag and maintaining balance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a radio-controlled boat is used to push the object back to shore, then the object can be retrieved, but hydrodynamic drag increases and requires more powerful motors and batteries, adding weight and reducing controllability
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of pushing the object from behind (traditional approach), the watercraft allows the object to enter from the front and be contained within the cargo area. The open front side faces the direction of travel, enabling the object to be swept into the cargo area by forward motion rather than requiring active pushing, thereby reducing hydrodynamic drag and energy consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The lower containment element is configured to allow water to freely pass through while obstructing the object from exiting. This semi-permeable structure reduces hydrodynamic drag by allowing water flow through the containment structure while still effectively containing the object, resolving the contradiction between containment effectiveness and energy loss to drag
2Productivity
If a radio-controlled boat is used to push the object back to shore, then the object can be retrieved, but the boat becomes more burdensome to transport and operate due to increased weight
Solution Approach 1:
The watercraft design inverts the traditional retrieval approach by allowing objects to enter the cargo area from the front during forward travel, eliminating the need for powerful pushing motors. This reduces the motor size and battery capacity required, thereby reducing overall weight and making the watercraft less burdensome to transport and operate
3Productivity
If the object is towed or pushed alongside the radio-controlled boat, then the object can be retrieved, but yawing moments increase requiring larger keel and directional trim, increasing power consumption and reducing controllability
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of towing or pushing the object alongside the watercraft, the design allows the object to enter the cargo area from the front and be contained internally. This eliminates lateral yawing moments by bringing the object's center of gravity inside the watercraft's hull, improving controllability and reducing the need for large keels and directional trim adjustments
4Productivity
If the object is towed or pushed alongside the radio-controlled boat, then the object can be retrieved, but the wider footprint makes it more difficult to navigate around other objects
Solution Approach 1:
The watercraft design eliminates the need for alongside towing or pushing by allowing objects to enter the cargo area from the front during forward travel. This maintains a compact footprint and improves maneuverability, enabling the watercraft to navigate around other objects in the water more easily while still effectively retrieving targets
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
The watercraft design maintains a favorable center of gravity, reduces drag, and enhances controllability, allowing efficient retrieval and deployment of objects with minimal maintenance and complexity, suitable for applications like waterfowl hunting and trash collection.
Implementation Method 1
at least the portion or entirety of the lower containment element that is submerged in the body of water has a construction allowing water to freely pass therethrough while obstructing the object from exiting the internal cargo area therethrough
Implementation Method 2
one or more floatation members positioned external to the internal cargo area, the one or more floatation members being coupled to an exterior of, or defining at least a portion of, the containment structure
Data Source
AI summary
A watercraft for retrieving an object on a body of water, comprising (i) a containment structure having an interior defining an internal cargo area of the watercraft, an open front side, and a partially or fully submerged lower containment element through which water can freely pass while obstructing the object from exiting the internal cargo area; and (ii) one or more floatation members coupled to an exterior of, or defining at least a portion of, the containment structure. A modular watercraft comprising first and second floatation members configured to be deployed on an exterior, and stowed in an interior, of the containment structure. A system comprising a watercraft having one or more rotating capture assemblies onboard, configured to actively pull or push the object into an internal cargo area through the open front side of the containment structure.