Closed-Loop Hydraulic Fin Actuation for Marine Vessel Roll
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Marine vessel stabilizers are not effectively actuated using closed loop hydraulics, and there is a need for a system that recovers energy through the stabilizing fin's interaction with surrounding water flow.
Innovation Solution
A closed loop hydraulic system is implemented, utilizing a hydraulic pump with two ports, two hydraulic cylinders, and a stabilizing fin mounted to a marine vessel's hull, where pressure differences in the cylinders rotate the fin to stabilize the vessel, and the system recovers energy through the fin's interaction with water flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional open-loop hydraulic systems are used to actuate stabilizing fins, then the system structure is simple, but energy recovery capability is lost and control precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a closed-loop hydraulic system where the hydraulic motor's output shaft is connected back to the pump's input shaft, creating a feedback mechanism. This allows the system to recover energy from the stabilizing fin's movement through water and feed it back to power the pump, enabling energy recovery while maintaining precise control of the stabilizing fin actuation.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydraulic pump motor assembly serves multiple functions: it acts as both a pump to drive hydraulic fluid and a motor to be driven by hydraulic fluid during energy recovery. This multi-functionality allows the same component to handle both power consumption and power generation, reducing overall system complexity while enabling energy recovery.
2Use of energy by moving object
If closed loop hydraulic systems are implemented for stabilizing fins, then energy recovery is enabled, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the pump and motor into a single integrated assembly where the motor's output shaft is directly connected to the pump's input shaft. This combination allows the system to function as both a pump and a motor using the same mechanical components, enabling energy recovery without requiring separate pump and motor systems, thus reducing overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The closed-loop hydraulic system enables the stabilizing fin actuation system to serve itself by recovering energy from the fin's interaction with water. The hydraulic motor drives the pump during stabilization, and the pump's mechanical energy from the fin's movement automatically charges the hydraulic system, creating a self-sustaining energy recovery mechanism.
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 effectively stabilizes marine vessels by reducing roll motion and recovers energy, enhancing stability and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a hydraulic pump including at least a first port and a second port
Implementation Method 2
the stabilizing fin's interaction with the surrounding water flow
Data Source
AI summary
A closed loop hydraulic system for stabilizing a marine vessel can include a hydraulic pump including a first port and a second port; a pump actuator operably coupled to the hydraulic pump; a first hydraulic cylinder and a second hydraulic cylinder rotatably connected to a crank; a shaft in rotational communication with the crank; a stabilizing fin mounted to a hull of the marine vessel, the stabilizing fin in rotational communication with the shaft and the crank; wherein: the first hydraulic cylinder rotates the crank and the shaft in response to a first pressure difference between a first chamber portion and a second chamber portion of the first hydraulic cylinder, thereby rotating a stabilizing fin; the second hydraulic cylinder rotates the crank and the shaft in response to a second pressure difference between a third chamber portion and a fourth chamber portion, thereby rotating the stabilizing fin.