Movable Boat Battery Packs for Dynamic Weight Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing marine battery systems for electrically-powered boats lack efficient weight redistribution capabilities, relying on cumbersome water tanks or heavy bags for ballasting, which are slow to adjust and add unnecessary weight.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a system with guideways and actuators under the main deck to relocate battery packs in fore-aft and port-starboard directions, powered by the onboard battery packs, allowing for dynamic weight distribution controlled by a user input device and attitude sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If traditional water tanks or heavy bags are used for ballasting, then weight distribution can be adjusted, but the adjustment speed is slow and unnecessary weight is added
Solution Approach 1:
The battery packs serve dual purposes: providing electrical power to the propulsion system and acting as movable ballast for weight distribution. By relocating existing battery packs along guideways rather than adding separate ballasting systems, the invention eliminates unnecessary weight while maintaining the ability to adjust weight distribution. The batteries serve themselves by performing both their primary function and the ballasting function.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery packs are designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: they provide electrical energy to power the electric propulsion system and serve as movable ballast for stability and wakeshaping control. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate ballasting equipment, reducing overall system weight while maintaining weight redistribution capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If battery packs are relocated using actuators along guideways, then weight distribution is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static weight distribution configuration to a dynamic one where battery packs can be actively relocated along guideways using actuators. This dynamic capability allows the weight distribution to be adjusted in real-time based on operational requirements, improving adaptability while the modular guideway design keeps the added complexity manageable.
3Use of energy by moving object
If multiple battery packs are used for both propulsion and ballasting, then energy efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple battery packs are employed to simultaneously fulfill the roles of powering the electric propulsion system and providing movable ballast for weight distribution. This universal application of the battery packs improves energy efficiency by utilizing existing components for dual purposes, while a centralized controller manages the complexity of coordinating multiple battery operations.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a system for a boat (10, 110, 210, 310) includes a first guideway (16, 116, 216, 316) installed under a main deck (14, 114, 214, 314) of the boat (10, 110, 210, 310), a first battery pack (22, 122, 222, 322, 1122) coupled to the first guideway (16, 116, 216, 316) under the main deck (14, 114, 214, 314), and a first actuator (28, 128, 228, 328, 1128) configured to move the first battery pack (22, 122, 222, 322, 1122) along the first guideway (16, 116, 216, 316). A controller (1170) is electrically and/or signally coupled with the first actuator (28, 128, 228, 328, 1128). A user input device (1172) is electrically and/or signally coupled with the controller (1170). The controller (1170) is configured to control the first actuator (28, 128, 228, 328, 1128) to move the first battery pack (22, 122, 222, 322, 1122) along the first guideway (16, 116, 216, 316) in response to an input to the user input device (1172) so as to relocate the weight of the first battery pack (22, 122, 222, 322, 1122) under the main deck (14, 114, 214, 314).