Autonomous magnetic system for docking, mooring and charging of a vessel

Abstract

The automatic docking, mooring and loading system enables fully autonomous docking of vessels to the docking infrastructure via a magnetic system consisting of a permanent magnet (110) on the vessel and an electromagnet (270) on the gangway. The system automatically adjusts the magnetic field strength, the angle of attraction and the height of the connection to ensure safe and precise docking in all conditions. In addition to the magnetic system, a sensor system on the gangway (260) allows continuous monitoring and adjustment of the connection, while a vertical adjustment mechanism on the vessel (150) ensures that the magnet on the vessel can be lowered by up to 30 cm (or more if necessary), and the main gangway step (290) containing the electromagnet (270) allows for additional height adjustment of up to 30 cm (or more if necessary). This adjustment provides a total correction of 60 cm (or more) to accommodate changes in water level caused by tides, ebbs and fluctuations of the vessel.The automatic gangway (200) enables the safe connection of the vessel to the dock infrastructure, while the pipe connection block (230) automatically connects the vessel to the dock infrastructure via automatic couplings, enabling power supply, drinking water supply, wastewater drainage and solar power. The system is controlled by a main control unit (320), which uses data from the sensor system on the gangway (260) to optimize docking, stabilization and energy efficiency. The system includes safety protocols that enable emergency release of the magnetic coupling, deactivation of hydraulic systems and automatic diagnostics of potential failures. This fully autonomous system represents a solution for safe and efficient docking in marinas, ports and commercial docks, enabling optimization of operational processes, reduction of human intervention and improvement of vessel and infrastructure safety.The system is applicable to various types of vessels, including autonomous and unmanned vessels, thus contributing to the further development of smart maritime infrastructure and automated logistics solutions. The automatic docking, mooring and charging system of a vessel enables the fully autonomous connection of the vessel to the port infrastructure via a magnetic system consisting of a permanent magnet (110) on the vessel and an electromagnet (270) on the gangway. The system automatically adjusts the magnetic field strength, the angle of attraction and the height of the connection to ensure safe and precise docking in all conditions.In addition to the magnetic system, a sensor system on the gangway (260) allows for continuous monitoring and adjustment of the connection, while a vertical adjustment mechanism on the vessel (150) ensures that the magnet on the vessel can be lowered by up to 30 cm (or more if necessary), and the main gangway step (290) containing the electromagnet (270) allows for additional height adjustment of up to 30 cm (or more if necessary). This adjustment provides a total correction of 60 cm (or more) to accommodate changes in water level caused by high and low tides and vessel oscillations. The automatic gangway (200) enables safe connection of the vessel to the dock infrastructure, while the pipe connection block (230) automatically connects the vessel to the dock infrastructure via automatic couplings, enabling power supply, drinking water supply, wastewater drainage and solar power.The system is managed by the main control unit (320), which uses data from the sensor system on the gangway (260) to optimise docking, stabilisation and energy efficiency. The system includes safety protocols that enable emergency release of the magnetic coupling, deactivation of hydraulic systems and automatic diagnostics of potential failures. This fully autonomous system represents a solution for safe and efficient docking in marinas, ports and commercial docks, enabling optimisation of operational processes, reduction of human intervention and improvement of vessel and infrastructure safety. The system is applicable to various types of vessels, including autonomous and unmanned vessels, thereby contributing to the further development of smart maritime infrastructure and automated logistics solutions.