DTA Challenge: Measuring the Wear of a Shaft Bearing

ABSTRACT

Many ship hull designs require the propulsion shafting to be supported external to the hull both as a function of hull form and to optimise the relative position of the propeller. This support necessarily requires a bearing arrangement with the bearing subject to expected levels of wear over time. The Seeker desires an accurate method to record these measurements of wear while the ship remains in operation.

This is an Ideation Challenge with a guaranteed award for at least one submitted solution.

 

OVERVIEW

The shaft bearing must be monitored on a regular basis to ensure that the bearing clearance remains within a range of specific tolerances. The current technique requires a diver and a poker gauge with the ship stopped in the water to conduct these measurements. This method introduces the possibility of both human error and injury to personnel in addition to impacting the activities required and reducing the operational efficiency of the particular vessel. To promote safety and productivity, the Seeker is looking for a reliable method to capture these values while minimizing hands-on activity.

This is an Ideation Challenge, which has the following unique features:

• There is a guaranteed award.  The award(s) will be paid to the best submission(s) as solely determined by the Seeker. The total payout will be $15,000, with at least one award being no smaller than $5,000 and no award being smaller than $2,500.

• The Solvers are not required to transfer exclusive intellectual property rights to the Seeker. Rather, by submitting a proposal, the Solver grants to the Seeker a royalty-free, perpetual, and non-exclusive license to use any information included in this proposal, including for promotional purposes.

Submissions to this Challenge must be received by 11:59 PM (US Eastern Time) on April 11, 2022.
Late submissions will not be considered.

After the Challenge deadline, the Seeker will complete the review process and make a decision with regards to the Winning Solution(s). All Solvers that submit a proposal will be notified on the status of their submissions; however, no detailed evaluation of individual submissions will be provided.

 

ELIGIBILITY

Members of the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) and their families are not eligible to receive awards for this Challenge.

ABOUT THE SEEKER

The Defence Technology Agency (DTA) of New Zealand provides high quality advice, solutions and technologies across all areas of Defence Operations. Our advice is based on good scientific practice, is independent, unbiased and transparent. We are the main provider of research, science and technology support to the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) and the New Zealand Ministry of Defence (MoD).

We are a business unit of the NZDF with facilities at the Devonport Naval Base in Auckland, and some staff are based at the NZDF Headquarters in Wellington. Our main stakeholders are the NZDF and the Ministry of Defence. We also work with:

• other government agencies and Crown entities in New Zealand
• other science and technology providers in New Zealand and overseas
• defence organisations overseas
• the wider scientific community (including research organisations and universities)
• public and private sector organisations and businesses

 

What is InnoCentive?

InnoCentive is the global innovation marketplace where creative minds solve some of the world's most important problems for cash awards up to $1 million. Commercial, governmental and humanitarian organizations engage with InnoCentive to solve problems that can impact humankind in areas ranging from the environment to medical advancements.

What is an InnoCentive Ideation™ Challenge?

An InnoCentive Ideation™ Challenge is a broad question formulated to obtain access to new ideas, similar to a global brainstorm for producing a breakthrough idea or market survey which may include ideas for a new product line, a new commercial application for a current product, or even a viral marketing idea to recruit new customers. Ideation™ Challenge submissions are typically about two written pages, and Seekers receive a non-exclusive, perpetual license to use all submissions.

In an Ideation™ Challenge, Solvers may:

• Submit ideas of their own
• Submit third party information that they have the right to use and further the authority to convey that right and the right to use and develop derivative works to Seekers
• Submit information considered in the public domain without any limitations on use

Solvers should not reveal any confidential information in their submissions. Often the Ideation™ Challenge will be followed by one or more of the other three Challenge types to further develop the ideas and gain Intellectual Property protection when the concept has been well-defined.