Marine hybrid kinetic energy pipe integration device with multiple planetary gear sets and axial flux motors
By using a high-power axial flux motor and a planetary gear sun gear for coaxial rigid direct connection and intelligent energy management, the problems of high reliability and hydrogen-ammonia fuel management in the propulsion system of large ships have been solved, achieving a compact power unit and energy optimization, and improving the power performance and range of ocean-going giant ships.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- JINWAN MEIGANG GREEN ENERGY HIGH-TECH DEVELOPMENT (SHANGHAI) CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2026-02-12
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-01
AI Technical Summary
Existing technologies cannot effectively address the high reliability and torque output requirements of propulsion systems for large ships, and have failed to achieve intelligent management of hydrogen-ammonia fuel and synergistic optimization of multi-source hybrid power energy flow, resulting in loose structures and low power density, making it difficult to meet the power and range requirements of ocean-going giants.
By rigidly connecting a high-power axial flux motor to the planetary gear sun gear, a compact disc-type power unit is formed. Combined with intelligent energy management methods, it realizes real-time control of the fuel supply chain and dynamic optimization allocation of multi-source energy, including intelligent management of hydrogen ammonia fuel internal combustion engine, hydrogen fuel cell stack and solid battery stack.
The highly integrated power module enhances torque capacity and power density, extends the ship's power and navigation endurance, improves navigation safety and operational flexibility, and meets the needs of ocean-going giants for efficient operation under all working conditions.
Smart Images
Figure CN121947736A_ABST
Abstract
Description
A multi-set planetary gear set and axial flux motor marine hybrid power tube integrated device Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to the field of new energy and intelligent technology transformation of marine power systems, specifically to a marine hybrid power integration device consisting of multiple planetary gear sets and high-power axial flux motors. The device comprises 2 to 15 sets (including 2 and 15 sets) of planetary gear sets connected in parallel, with the sun gear of each set coaxially, rigidly, and directly connected to the rotor output shaft of an equal number of high-power axial flux motors. Each planetary gear set includes a sun gear, a planet carrier, and a ring gear. The planet carriers of all planetary gear sets are mechanically directly connected to the same main reduction gear and propulsion shaft. The ring gears of all planetary gear sets are mechanically connected to the output end of a high-power marine hydrogen-ammonia internal combustion engine. The high-power hydrogen-ammonia fuel supply module includes a liquid ammonia storage tank and an ammonia cracking and hydrogen production device connected thereto. The electrical energy module includes a high-power hydrogen fuel cell stack and a high-power solid-state energy storage battery stack, both electrically connected to each axial flux motor. The invention also includes an intelligent control method for intelligently deciding on hydrogen-ammonia production and dynamically allocating the supply ratio of the high-power hydrogen fuel cell stack and the high-power solid-state energy storage battery stack to the total required electrical power. This invention relates to an integrated device and intelligent control method for a hybrid power system using hydrogen and ammonia as green fuel in large ocean-going vessels ranging from 100,000 to 2,000,000 tons. Background Technology
[0002] To address the pressure of emission reduction in the shipping industry, zero-carbon fuels such as hydrogen and ammonia are considered core energy sources for the future. However, applying them to large ships faces severe challenges: First, hydrogen and ammonia fuels have low volumetric energy density, occupying a large amount of valuable cargo hold volume, which seriously affects cargo capacity and the navigation safety of giant ships; second, large ships have extremely high requirements for the reliability and torque output capability of the propulsion system, and existing technologies borrowed from automotive hybrid power systems (such as power-split planetary gear systems) cannot be directly scaled up and applied proportionally; finally, simply using fuel cell electric propulsion and / or internal combustion engine mechanical propulsion is difficult to achieve the optimal balance between range, power, and efficiency for ocean-going giant ships.
[0003] Existing technologies (such as patent CN113734238B) disclose a marine hybrid power system containing planetary gears, but it relies on the internal combustion engine power with a clutch to switch between modes with traditional radial motor power, and cannot achieve stepless speed regulation.
[0004] Existing technologies (such as patent CN114475468B) mainly focus on the speed coupling relationship between the engine and the traditional radial motor;
[0005] Existing technologies, such as those using radial motors connected by couplings, have a non-compact structure; or energy management does not take into account the dynamic characteristics of onboard fuel preparation.
[0006] None of these existing technologies address how to structurally integrate the emerging technology of high-power axial flux motors with multiple planetary gear sets to meet the challenge of megawatt-level torque in ships; nor do they consider how to coordinate and intelligently optimize the dynamic fuel supply process of shipboard ammonia cracking to hydrogen production with the complex multi-source hybrid energy flow, including high-power solid-state energy storage batteries. Summary of the Invention
[0007] The first objective of this invention is to provide a highly compact integrated system, which is rigidly connected coaxially to a high-power axial flux motor and a high-power planetary gear sun gear. The rotor of the axial flux motor is bolted to the input shaft of the planetary sun gear via a flange, forming a compact and integrated disc-type power unit that achieves stepless speed regulation. The second objective of this invention is to provide an intelligent energy management method, which, by integrating fuel supply chain information, achieves intelligent optimization and closed-loop supply of multiple energy sources, including marine hydrogen-ammonia fuel internal combustion engines, high-power hydrogen fuel cell stacks, and high-power solid-state battery stacks.
[0008] (a) Technical problems to be solved
[0009] This invention aims to address at least the following three problems in the existing technology: 1) Traditional marine hybrid power systems have a loose structure and low power density, making it difficult to meet the needs of giant ships of 100,000 tons or more for compact, high-torque power units; 2) When using hydrogen-ammonia fuel, the onboard preparation, storage, and consumption of fuel are not intelligently linked with the real-time needs of the power system, resulting in the inability to fully realize energy efficiency and range potential; 3) There is a lack of a high-power marine hybrid power architecture device and intelligent energy management method that can achieve high-efficiency operation of the internal combustion engine in all operating conditions, stepless smooth speed change, and flexible absorption of fluctuating electrical energy.
[0010] (II) Technical Solution
[0011] To solve the aforementioned technical problems and achieve the first and second objectives of this invention, a multi-set planetary gear set and high-power axial flux motor marine hybrid power integration device is provided. The first aspect provides a multi-set planetary gear set and high-power axial flux motor marine hybrid power integration device, characterized in that it includes, preferably, […].
[0012] A hydrogen-ammonia fuel supply module for supplying hydrogen, ammonia, or a mixture thereof;
[0013] The power coupling module, comprising at least two to five sets of planetary gear sets arranged in parallel, is used in ocean-going vessels ranging from 100,000 to 2,000,000 tons. Each planetary gear set includes a sun gear, a planet carrier, and a ring gear. The planet carriers of all planetary gear sets are mechanically connected to the same main reduction gear and propulsion shaft. The ring gears of all planetary gear sets are mechanically connected to the output end of a high-power marine hydrogen-ammonia internal combustion engine. For 500,000-ton ocean-going vessels, three sets of planetary gear sets are configured, evenly distributed circumferentially. The output shaft of the hydrogen-ammonia internal combustion engine simultaneously drives the ring gears of the three planetary gear sets through a three-way split gearbox.
[0014] The motor integration module includes a number of high-power axial flux motors equal to the number of planetary gear sets. The rotor output shaft of each axial flux motor is coaxial, rigid, and directly connected to the sun gear of the corresponding planetary gear set. The axial flux motor is a dual-rotor single-stator structure or a single-rotor dual-stator structure. Its rotor is bolted to the input shaft of the sun gear through a flange, forming an integrated disc power unit.
[0015] The electrical energy module includes a high-power hydrogen fuel cell stack and a high-power solid-state energy storage battery stack. The two are electrically connected to each axial flux motor in the motor integration module via a DC bus, so that any axial flux motor can operate in motor mode or generator mode.
[0016] The ship controller is communicatively connected to the high-power marine hydrogen-ammonia internal combustion engine, the high-power axial flux motor set, the high-power hydrogen fuel cell set, and the high-power solid-state energy storage battery set, and is configured to execute the energy management method.
[0017] The hydrogen-ammonia fuel supply module includes a liquid ammonia storage tank, an ammonia cracking hydrogen production unit connected to the liquid ammonia storage tank, and a pipeline system for transporting hydrogen produced by the ammonia cracking hydrogen production unit to the hydrogen-ammonia internal combustion engine and / or the hydrogen fuel cell stack.
[0018] This invention discloses an integrated device for marine hybrid power systems comprising multiple planetary gear sets and a high-power axial flux motor. A second aspect provides an intelligent energy management method for this integrated device. The method is characterized in that it is executed by a ship controller and includes, preferably, [the following].
[0019] The system acquires the ship's real-time power demand, the liquid level information of the hydrogen-ammonia fuel tank, and the real-time hydrogen production rate of the onboard ammonia cracking unit. Based on the real-time power demand, it calculates the target output power of the hydrogen-ammonia internal combustion engine and the total electrical power demand of the motor integrated module. Based on the liquid level information and the hydrogen production rate, it decides on the start / stop and power of the ammonia cracking unit, and dynamically allocates the supply ratio of the high-power hydrogen fuel cell stack and the high-power solid-state energy storage battery stack to the total electrical power demand. When the liquid level is below a first threshold and the hydrogen production rate is insufficient, the energy of the high-power solid-state energy storage battery stack is prioritized, and the peak power of the high-power hydrogen fuel cell stack is limited. According to the target output power of the hydrogen-ammonia internal combustion engine and the power allocation results of each power source, the system solves the target torque and speed command of each high-power axial flux motor by solving the dynamic model of the planetary gear system, and issues the command for execution to achieve stepless smooth output of propulsion power and lock the high-efficiency zone of the internal combustion engine's operating point.
[0020] The dynamic allocation of the supply ratio of the high-power hydrogen fuel cell stack and the high-power solid-state energy storage battery stack to the total required electrical power specifically includes: setting the power output of the high-power hydrogen fuel cell stack to prioritize following its own optimal efficiency curve; using the difference between the total required electrical power and the real-time optimal power of the high-power hydrogen fuel cell stack as the instantaneous compensation power of the high-power solid-state energy storage battery stack, wherein when the difference is positive, the high-power solid-state energy storage battery stack discharges to compensate, and when the difference is negative, excess electrical energy is used to charge the high-power solid-state energy storage battery stack.
[0021] The core of this method is that
[0022] Preferably, the operating status (hydrogen production rate) of the shipborne ammonia cracking unit and the ammonia fuel tank status are regarded as key decision variables, which, together with the instantaneous power demand, constitute a multi-input feedforward-feedback control model.
[0023] Preferably, the ship controller, through this model, can not only allocate the power of the high-power marine hydrogen-ammonia internal combustion engine, high-power hydrogen fuel cell stack, high-power axial flux motor stack, and high-power solid-state energy storage battery stack, but also pre-schedule the fuel production and consumption rhythm, thereby achieving global intelligent optimization and navigation safety from the energy supply chain level.
[0024] (III) Beneficial Effects
[0025] Compared with the prior art, the technical solution provided by the present invention has the following significant advantages:
[0026] 1. Structural Innovation: By directly and rigidly connecting a high-power axial flux motor unit and a high-power planetary gear sun gear set on the same axis, an unprecedentedly highly integrated power module is created, reducing the transmission chain length by more than 20%. The parallel connection of multiple sets (groups) of this module cleverly avoids the extreme challenges of manufacturing a single set of ultra-large planetary gears, and in engineering, it achieves the construction of the giant wheel's power core using a "modular" approach, resulting in a multiple increase in torque carrying capacity.
[0027] 2. Control Originality: The proposed intelligent energy management algorithm transcends the traditional hybrid power system's focus solely on "power distribution," innovatively integrating "fuel supply chain management" into a real-time control closed loop. This enables ocean-going vessels to utilize limited cargo space more "intelligently," dynamically adjusting the balance between onboard fuel production and consumption, and through optimized design, extending the vessel's power and navigation endurance, and enhancing navigation safety and operational flexibility.
[0028] 3. Superior Performance: This architecture inherits the inherent advantages of continuously variable transmission, smooth operation, and high efficiency of high-power planetary gear sets with power splitting technology. Furthermore, multi-source power supply ensures power redundancy and explosive power for ocean-going vessels in harsh sea conditions. Simultaneously, the adoption of high-power axial flux motors significantly improves the power density and response speed of the integrated system. Attached Figure Description
[0029] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the connection between a multi-set planetary gear set and a high-power axial flux motor marine hybrid energy tube integrated device system. Detailed Implementation
[0030] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.
[0031] Unless otherwise defined, the technical or scientific terms used in this invention shall have the ordinary meaning as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains.
[0032] The terms "first," "second," and similar words used in this invention do not indicate any order, quantity, or importance, but are merely used to distinguish different components. Terms such as "comprising" or "including" mean that the element or object preceding the word encompasses the elements or objects listed after the word and their equivalents, without excluding other elements or objects. Terms such as "connected" or "linked" are not limited to physical or mechanical connections, but can include electrical connections, whether direct or indirect. Terms such as "upper," "lower," "left," and "right" are used only to indicate relative positional relationships; when the absolute position of the described object changes, the relative positional relationship may also change accordingly.
[0033] Example 1: Implementation of an ultra-compact integrated structure
[0034] Referring to the accompanying drawings, this embodiment discloses the specific mechanical connections of the device. The output end of the hydrogen-ammonia internal combustion engine (1) is connected to a "one-to-three" gear transfer case (2). The three output shafts of the transfer case (2) drive the gear rings of the first, second, and third planetary gear sets (3a, 3b, 3c), respectively. The rotor output shafts of the first, second, and third axial high-power flux motor sets (4a, 4b, 4c) are respectively fastened to the flanges at the ends of the sun gear input shafts (5a, 5b, 5c) of the corresponding planetary gear sets by high-strength bolts, without passing through any couplings or reduction gears, achieving a true "zero transmission chain" direct connection. The output torque of the planet carriers (6a, 6b, 6c) of the three planetary gear sets converges into a common torque gearbox (7), ultimately driving the propulsion shaft (8). The high-power hydrogen fuel cell stack (9) and the high-power solid-state energy storage battery stack (10) are arranged in a separate electrical compartment and connected to the controllers of three high-power axial flux motor stacks (4a, 4b, 4c) via high-voltage DC cables.
[0035] Example 2: Implementation of a Unique Intelligent Energy Management Algorithm
[0036] The ship control unit (VCU) incorporates the software program for the method of this invention. Assuming the ship is in a deep-sea cruising state, the VCU executes the following loop:
[0037] Step 1 (Information Acquisition): Assume that the following information is obtained from the sensor network: propeller power demand P_req=45MW, liquid ammonia tank inventory drops to 35% (below the preset 50% warning threshold), ammonia cracking unit is operating at 70% of rated power, and hydrogen production rate is V_h2.
[0038] Step 2 (Power Distribution Decision): The optimization algorithm in the VCU calculates that at the current speed, setting the hydrogen-ammonia internal combustion engine (1) to operate at its most efficient point with an output power of P_ice=35MW is the most economical. According to the planetary gear ratio, about 8MW of power will be diverted through the electrical path. At the same time, the algorithm determines that the current ammonia inventory is too low and that "increasing supply and reducing demand" is necessary: on the one hand, the current power of the ammonia cracking unit is maintained and no further increase is required; on the other hand, in order to "reduce demand", the hydrogen fuel cell stack (9) is instructed to provide only 5MW of basic power, and the remaining 3MW of power gap and the 2MW of auxiliary power for the whole ship, totaling 5MW, are provided by the high-power solid-state energy storage battery stack (10).
[0039] Step 3 (Motor Command Calculation and Execution): Based on P_ice = 35MW (acting on the gear ring) and the total electrical power requirement of 8MW (acting on the sun gear, of which 5MW is provided by the fuel cell and battery, and the other 3MW corresponds to generator mode), and combined with the current propulsion shaft speed, the VCU calculates in real time the torque and speed commands that the three high-power axial flux motors (4a, 4b, 4c) should provide, respectively, using a pre-stored dynamic model. Two motors may be commanded to be in generator mode (consuming mechanical energy to generate electrical energy), and one motor may be in motor mode (consuming electrical energy to replenish mechanical energy), thus accurately achieving the total power distribution target and ensuring the stable operating point of the marine internal combustion engine.
[0040] Example 3: Design of main parameters for the hybrid powertrain integration device for 10-ton to 500,000-ton ocean-going vessels. See the table below:
[0041]
[0042] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art, within the scope of the green zero-carbon power system technology transformation and energy intelligent management technology transformation of at least two sets of parallel planetary gear sets (7 to 15 sets of planetary gear sets applied to 1 million to 2 million ton-class super-large ships) disclosed in this invention on ocean-going vessels, making equivalent substitutions or modifications to the technical solution and inventive concept of the present invention, should be covered within the scope of protection of this invention.
Claims
1. A hybrid energy tube integrated device for marine applications using multiple planetary gear sets and axial flux motors, characterized in that, Includes: a hydrogen-ammonia internal combustion engine; at least two sets of planetary gear sets configured in parallel (7 to 15 sets of planetary gear sets are used in 1 million to 2 million ton-class ultra-large ocean-going vessels), each planetary gear set including a sun gear, planet carrier, and ring gear; multiple high-power axial flux motors equal in number to the planetary gear sets; a propulsion shaft; a high-power hydrogen fuel cell stack; a power solid-state energy storage battery stack; and a ship controller; wherein the ring gears of all the planetary gear sets are mechanically connected to the output end of the marine high-power hydrogen-ammonia internal combustion engine; and the row gears of all the planetary gear sets... The star carrier is mechanically connected to the propulsion shaft; the rotor output shaft of each high-power axial flux motor is rigidly connected to the sun gear input shaft of the corresponding planetary gear set via a flange; the high-power hydrogen fuel cell stack and the high-power solid-state energy storage battery stack are electrically connected to all the high-power axial flux motors via a DC bus; the ship controller is communicatively connected to the high-power marine hydrogen-ammonia internal combustion engine, the high-power axial flux motors, the high-power hydrogen fuel cell stack, and the high-power solid-state energy storage battery stack, and is configured to perform the energy management method of claim 2.
2. A marine hybrid power energy management method for the integrated device system of claim 1, characterized in that, The method is executed by the ship controller and includes the following steps: Step S1: Obtain the ship's real-time power demand, the liquid level information of the hydrogen-ammonia fuel tank, and the real-time hydrogen production rate of the onboard ammonia cracking unit; Step S2: Based on the real-time power demand, calculate the target output power of the hydrogen-ammonia internal combustion engine and the total electrical power required by all high-power axial flux motors; Step S3: Based on the liquid level information and the real-time hydrogen production rate, intelligently decide the operating power of the ammonia cracking unit and dynamically allocate the supply ratio of the high-power hydrogen fuel cell stack and the high-power solid-state energy storage battery stack to the total electrical power; wherein, when the liquid level is lower than a first threshold and the hydrogen production rate is lower than the demand, the energy of the high-power solid-state energy storage battery stack is preferentially called and the peak power of the high-power hydrogen fuel cell stack is limited; Step S4: According to the target output power of the hydrogen-ammonia internal combustion engine and the power allocation results of each energy source, the target torque and speed command of each high-power axial flux motor are calculated by solving the dynamic model of the planetary gear system, and control signals are issued.
3. The integrated device system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The high-power axial flux motor is a dual-rotor single-stator structure or a single-rotor dual-stator structure.
4. The integrated device system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The hydrogen-ammonia fuel supply module includes a liquid ammonia storage tank and a shipborne ammonia cracking hydrogen production unit. The hydrogen produced by the ammonia cracking hydrogen production unit can be supplied to the hydrogen-ammonia internal combustion engine and / or the high-power hydrogen fuel cell stack.
5. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, In step S3, "dynamically allocating the supply ratio" specifically means: prioritizing the power output of the high-power hydrogen fuel cell stack to operate within its preset optimal efficiency curve range; and using the difference between the total electrical power and the real-time optimal power of the high-power hydrogen fuel cell stack as the instantaneous compensation power of the high-power solid-state energy storage battery stack for charge and discharge control.