Ship Winch Hydraulic Speed Control for Safe Lifeboat Descent
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current winches for lifeboats and similar loads are complex, expensive, and unreliable, particularly in controlling speed and braking, which can endanger users due to rapid descents and harsh braking, especially in rough seas.
Innovation Solution
A winch system incorporating a hydraulic speed regulation valve with a slider and spring delay device, combined with a static brake, allows for controlled speed variation and progressive braking through fluid dynamic and static braking mechanisms, ensuring safe and reliable operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a winch system is used for lifting and lowering loads, then the load can be handled and moved, but the speed control is insufficient leading to dangerously fast descents
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a hydraulic braking system where hydraulic fluid is supplied to a brake caliper under pressure. The pressure control valve regulates the hydraulic pressure to control the braking force, thereby controlling the descent speed of the load. This hydraulic mechanism provides smooth and reliable speed control, preventing dangerously fast descents while maintaining safety reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a pressure control valve to dynamically adjust the hydraulic pressure parameter in the braking system. By changing the pressure parameter, the braking force is adjusted to control the descent speed at different stages of the lowering operation, enabling both controlled speed and reliable safety stopping.
2Speed
If braking force is applied to stop the load, then the descent can be halted, but grinding halts can endanger users and cause excessive pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a progressive braking mechanism that applies braking force gradually rather than abruptly. The pressure control valve regulates hydraulic pressure to increase braking force smoothly as the load approaches the stopping point, cushioning the deceleration process. This prevents grinding halts and excessive pressure that would endanger users, while still achieving effective stopping capability.
3Device complexity
If the winch system is simplified to reduce complexity and cost, then the system becomes more economical, but reliability and safety control are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a self-regulating hydraulic braking system where the pressure control valve automatically adjusts braking pressure based on the load's descent speed and position. The hydraulic system uses the load's own descent energy to generate and regulate braking force, reducing the need for complex external control mechanisms while maintaining high reliability and safety control.
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 system enhances safety, reliability, and maneuverability by providing controlled speed graduation and variability, preventing sudden stops and excessive pressure, ensuring safe load handling in various sea conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a hydraulic brake system with a brake caliper and a brake pad, the brake caliper being supplied with hydraulic fluid under pressure from a pump
Implementation Method 2
a brake pad friction element (32) formed integrally with the piston (31) and arranged to be pressed against the drum (2)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
Winch for handling loads on boats, ships, pontoons, platforms and similar in particular though not exclusively for lifeboats, where the winch includes a fluid dynamic operating system associated with a container (S) and respective operative piping circuit (C) to command and control by means of a pump (3), a winch drum (TV), the cable of which in winding/unwinding, a load (P) is hung, preferably a lifeboat or other suitable load, characterised in that it includes a gradual intervention device for the control of the braking speed in descent of the load which includes: a) a speed and braking control lever (1) involving two leverages: - a first leverage (7) operating axially on a spring delaying device (6), operating by means of a transmission rod (5) on respective slider (4) of speed regulation valve (VRV) with entry fluid (11) from the said pump (3) and exit (12) towards said container (S), said pump (3) being connected to said winch drum (TV), and - a second leverage (LFS) connected to a static brake device (2), in its turn connected to the rotation control of said winch drum (TV), b) said speed and braking control lever (1) being able to be moved such as to interactively operate, by fluid dynamic braking, with said first leverage (7) and said speed regulation valve (VRV) and with static braking by said static brake device (2), in such a way that one and the other are able to function simultaneously and one can be a safety means of the other.