Battery Ballast System for Watercraft Trim and List Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing watercraft ballast systems, particularly those using water, are inefficient and pose environmental risks due to the introduction of invasive species, and they lack a reliable means to reposition batteries for ballast purposes.
Innovation Solution
A battery ballast system that utilizes a carriage system with movable battery supports to selectively position batteries along the watercraft's length and width axes, allowing for adjustments in trim and list without the need for water ballast.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If water ballast systems are used to adjust stability, then the watercraft can be stabilized, but invasive species are introduced and discharged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the ballast function from water-based systems and implements it using movable batteries. The batteries are positioned on movable platforms that can be relocated along the watercraft to adjust stability, eliminating the need to discharge water containing invasive species while maintaining the ability to stabilize the vessel.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and composition of the ballast medium from liquid water to solid batteries. This parameter change allows the ballast to be repositioned without the environmental hazards of water discharge, as the batteries can be moved on tracks or rails along the watercraft structure.
2Stability of the object's composition
If traditional water ballast tanks are used, then stability can be adjusted, but the system is complex and requires pumps and treatment systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the complex mechanical components of traditional water ballast systems (pumps, valves, treatment systems) and replaces them with a simpler battery-based system. The batteries are positioned on movable platforms that can be relocated using minimal mechanical assistance, eliminating the need for complex fluid handling infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses standardized, off-the-shelf batteries as the ballast medium rather than requiring custom-built water tank systems. This approach simplifies the overall system design by using commercially available components that can be easily replaced or reconfigured, reducing both initial complexity and long-term maintenance requirements.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If batteries are used as ballast, then environmental impact is reduced, but a reliable repositioning mechanism is needed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic repositioning capability by installing movable platforms or carts on tracks that allow batteries to be relocated along the watercraft. This dynamic system enables the ballast to be moved from one location to another using simple mechanical means such as hand cranks, winches, or automated conveyors, providing reliable repositioning without excessive complexity.
4Stability of the object's composition
If more batteries are added for ballast, then stability improvement increases, but available space on the watercraft is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes vertical space and multiple levels for battery storage rather than relying solely on horizontal deck space. Batteries are positioned on stacked platforms, in hold spaces, and along the hull vertically, maximizing the use of three-dimensional volume. This dimensional approach allows significantly more battery capacity to be accommodated without increasing the watercraft's footprint.
Data Source
AI summary
A watercraft comprising a battery ballast system is shown and described. The battery ballast system comprises a plurality of carriage assemblies, each comprising a plurality of tiers along the watercraft's height axis, and each being movable along the watercraft's length axis. The batteries sit on movable supports that are movable along the watercraft's width axis. Each tier is loaded to less than 50 percent with batteries and battery supports so that the batteries in each tier can be moved along the ship's width axis relative to the hull in a manner that will affect the ship's list. The carriage assemblies occupy a portion of the length along which they are movable so that they can be moved along the ship's length axis relative to the hull to affect the ship's trim. In certain examples, the ship's potable water system is used to change the watercraft's total amount of ballast by changing the total volume of treated water on board such as by expelling treated water overboard or changing the rate of untreated water being fed to the potable water system.