Active Heave Compensation Power Management via Energy Storage and Dissipation

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing active heave compensation systems face challenges in managing power demand fluctuations during lifting and lowering phases, particularly with the electrification of equipment, which leads to increased power requirements and inefficient energy management.

Innovation Solution

An active compensation system that includes electrical motor means, power supply means, electrical storage means, and energy dissipating means, with a control module that discharges and recharges the storage means to balance power demand and convert excess energy into heat during the descent phase.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If electrical energy storage is used to limit power demand peaks during lifting phase, then power requirement on the ship is reduced, but electrical energy management complexity increases during descent phase

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the energy management complexity by separating the lifting and lowering phases into distinct energy flow paths. During lifting, the electrical storage means (capacitors) are discharged to meet peak power demands. During lowering, the electrical energy from motor regeneration is diverted to electrical energy dissipating means (resistors) rather than being fed back to the storage means, simplifying the control logic and energy management system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the potentially harmful effect of regenerative braking (which would create complex energy management requirements) into a beneficial heat dissipation mechanism. The electrical energy dissipating means convert the electrical energy from motor regeneration into thermal energy, which is then dissipated, effectively managing the energy flow during descent without requiring complex bidirectional energy management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Device complexity

If electrical energy dissipating means are used to convert excess electrical energy into heat during descent, then energy management is simplified, but energy efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by using electrical energy dissipating means only during specific phases (descent/lowering) when the load is moving downward and regenerative energy is available. During lifting phases, the electrical storage means are discharged to meet peak demands, avoiding energy loss. This selective application minimizes overall energy efficiency impact while achieving simplified energy management during descent.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Power

If hydraulic accumulators are used to amortize power, then power fluctuations are managed, but environmental impact increases and electrification is hindered

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical-hydraulic accumulator system with an electrical energy storage system (capacitors). This substitution eliminates the need for hydraulic fluids and mechanical components, reducing environmental impact and enabling full electrification of the active compensation system while maintaining the ability to manage power fluctuations during lifting and lowering operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 reduces peak power requirements during lifting by using electrical storage, balances power demand by charging during descent, and efficiently manages energy by converting excess energy into heat, thereby optimizing energy usage and stabilizing power demand.

Implementation Method 1

electrical storage means, electrically connected to the electrical motor means, to complete the electrical supply of said electrical motor means during said first phase of the undulating movement

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical energy storage: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

electrical energy dissipating means which are electrically connected to the electrical motor means so as to convert, into calorific energy, the electrical energy produced by said electrical motor means during a second phase of said undulating movement

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentUS12208995B2Active compensation system, intended to compensate at least partially for the effect of a wave motion on a load

Publication Date: 2025.01.28

AI summary

Disclosed is an active compensation system, intended to compensate at least partially for the effect of an undulating movement on a load, advantageously in a vertical direction, preferably for the active compensation of the swell. The active compensation system includes: —an electrical supply electrically connected to electrical storage unit; —electrical energy dissipating unit; and —a controller for discharging the electrical storage unit during a first phase of the undulating movement, to participate in the electrical supply of the electrical motor in addition to the power supply, and to recharge the electrical storage via the electrical supply during a second phase of the undulating movement.