Cycloidal Marine Propulsion Electric Blade Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional cycloidal marine propulsion systems experience high drag and inefficiency at high vessel speeds due to complex mechanical gearboxes and crosshead arrangements, leading to slowed vessel performance, reduced fuel economy, and increased noise and vibration.

Innovation Solution

A cycloidal marine propulsion system utilizing multiple electric motors to control individual cycloidal blades independently, allowing for precise control of blade position, rotation, and tilt, directly connected to a main system axis shaft, reducing intermediate structures and enabling quick response times.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If conventional mechanical gearbox and crosshead arrangement are used, then torque transmission is achieved, but device complexity increases and response time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetorque transmissionVSAvoidmechanical gearbox and crosshead arrangement

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the conventional mechanical gearbox and crosshead arrangement with an electric motor system. Each cycloidal blade is driven by its own electric motor, eliminating the need for complex mechanical transmission components while achieving the same torque transmission function. This substitution reduces device complexity and improves response time between input signal and blade action.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Force

If vertical propeller blades are used during high-vessel-speed operation, then thrust is generated, but drag increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovethrustVSAvoiddrag

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic control of each cycloidal blade's position and orientation using independent electric motors. During high-vessel-speed operation, the system can adjust blade angles and positions to optimize performance and minimize drag. The blades can be tilted and rotated to reduce water resistance while maintaining thrust generation capability, allowing the system to adapt to different operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Power

If complex intermediate structures are used, then power transmission is achieved, but response time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower transmissionVSAvoidresponse time

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates complex intermediate structures by directly coupling electric motors to each cycloidal blade. This removal of intermediate mechanical components (couplings, intermediate drive shafts, step-down gears, clutches) creates a direct drive system that responds immediately to control signals, significantly reducing response time while maintaining effective power transmission to the blades.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Power

If conventional mechanical drive system is used, then power transmission is achieved, but noise and vibration increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower transmissionVSAvoidnoise and vibration

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the conventional mechanical drive system with electric motors that directly drive each cycloidal blade. Electric motors inherently produce less noise and vibration compared to mechanical gearboxes and crosshead arrangements. The elimination of mechanical intermediaries further reduces sources of noise and vibration, including unbalanced forces and couples, resulting in a quieter and smoother operating system.

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

This solution significantly reduces drag, improves vessel speed and maneuverability, enhances fuel efficiency, and minimizes noise and vibrations by allowing for fine control of blade movement and thrust direction, resulting in more efficient and responsive propulsion.

Implementation Method 1

multiple electric drives connected to respective cycloidal-propeller blades for controlling the respective blades selectively

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

Each blade can be moved in any of a variety of ways to reduce drag and accomplish other desired functions such as creating, increasing, and/or re-directing thrust

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrodynamic thrust:

Data Source

PatentEP2944556B1Cycloidal marine-propulsion system

Publication Date: 2018.07.11 GE ENERGY POWER CONVERSION TECHNOLOGY LTD(GB)

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AI summary

A cycloidal marine-propulsion system (100) is disclosed. The system comprises a blade-mounting disc (106) and a plurality of propeller blades (110A-E). Each of the plurality of propeller blades has a respective primary blade axis (117) and is connected to the disc (106) in a manner allowing the blade (110) to be rotated about its primary blade axis (117) independent of any about-axis rotation of every other one of the propeller blades. The system also includes a plurality of electric actuators (108A-E), each actuator being connected to a respective one of the propeller blades (110A-E). The system further includes a controller in communication with the electric actuators (108A-E) for controlling selectively each of the electric actuators.