Redundant Vessel Power Layout With DC-Linked Thruster Drives
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seagoing vessels with redundancy in power and propulsion systems face increased cost, space, and weight due to suboptimal machinery operation and complex segregation requirements, leading to inefficient fuel consumption and emissions.
Innovation Solution
A loop configuration of autonomously powered thruster drives with DC links and converters between redundancy groups, allowing power allocation optimization and fault isolation, reducing the need for additional machinery and segregation complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If vessels split power and propulsion plant into two or more redundancy groups, then fault tolerance is improved, but machinery utilization deteriorates to approx. 50% requiring much more installed power
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the power and propulsion plant into multiple redundancy groups (typically two or more), where each group contains engines and propulsion units. This segmentation allows the vessel to maintain fault tolerance while enabling more flexible machinery utilization through inter-group power sharing.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the power distribution systems of multiple redundancy groups through a common electrical network with interconnection capabilities. This allows power to be shared between groups, enabling machinery utilization above 50% while maintaining the fault tolerance benefits of redundancy grouping.
2Productivity
If additional redundancy groups are added to limit reserve capacity, then machinery utilization improves, but cost increases due to fire and flooding segregation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic power distribution where the configuration of redundancy groups can be flexibly adjusted through electrical interconnections. This dynamic capability allows the system to achieve high machinery utilization without adding physical segregation complexity, as power can be dynamically reallocated between groups rather than requiring permanent physical separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical interconnection system acts as an intermediary between redundancy groups, enabling power sharing and coordination without requiring physical segregation. This intermediary layer allows the system to achieve both high machinery utilization and reduced complexity by managing power flow electrically rather than requiring additional physical separation infrastructure.
3Reliability
If quantity and rating of propulsion units are increased to ensure propulsion capability after failure, then fault tolerance is improved, but cost, space and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements multi-functionality where propulsion units and power generation equipment can serve multiple redundancy groups. Each engine and propulsion unit can provide power to its primary group and also support adjacent groups through electrical interconnections, reducing the total quantity and weight of equipment needed while maintaining fault tolerance.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical interconnection system enables continuous power supply to all redundancy groups by allowing power to flow between groups. This continuity ensures that propulsion capability is maintained after failure without requiring excessive reserve capacity or additional heavy equipment, as the existing equipment can continuously support multiple groups.
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 solution minimizes cost, space, and weight by optimizing power distribution and fault tolerance, enhancing machinery utilization and reducing fuel consumption and emissions.
Implementation Method 1
Each drive has a DC link to one or more of the neighboring thruster drive in the loop
Implementation Method 2
Each drive has a converter fed from a main switch board and a DC link to one or more of the neighboring thruster drive
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The present invention relates to a power supply system, especially for a floating vessel, comprising at least two segregated power sections, each constituting a main redundancy group, and each comprising at least one of a power generator adapted to generate an electrical power to a main switch board and a power consumer, such as a propulsion unit, drawing power from said switch board, and a bus-tie connecting the main switch boards of each redundancy group. The system also comprises at least to segregated directly powered thruster redundancy groups, each including a thruster drive, each being connected to the main switch board of a corresponding one of the main redundancy groups, respectively, the thruster redundancy groups including AC/DC converter means and a DC interconnection connecting the thruster redundancy groups thus proving a loop structure, the thruster redundancy groups being able to draw power from both main switchboards.