Dual-Drive Thrust Vectoring for Marine Pitch and Roll Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current active stabilization systems for marine vessels, such as those using gyros and fins, are inadequate in efficiently mitigating pitch and roll motions, particularly in hydrofoiling operations at high speeds, and there is a need for improved motion estimation and prediction techniques.
Innovation Solution
A marine vessel propulsion system with independently controllable drive units and a motion sensor system, including inertial measurement units and radar transceivers, that estimates and suppresses pitch and roll motions by adjusting thrust elevation and azimuth angles, reducing the need for additional stabilization systems and optimizing energy efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If active stabilization systems based on gyros or fins are used, then pitch and roll motion mitigation is provided, but device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the propulsion system with the stabilization function by enabling individual control of thrust elevation angles for each drive unit. This merging eliminates the need for separate gyroscopic or fin-based stabilization systems, reducing device complexity while maintaining pitch and roll mitigation capabilities through coordinated thrust vectoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The propulsion system is designed to perform multiple functions: forward propulsion and active stabilization. By controlling the thrust elevation angles of individual drive units, the same propulsion system that moves the vessel forward also actively compensates for pitch and roll motions, eliminating the need for dedicated stabilization hardware.
2Stability of the object's composition
If active stabilization systems based on gyros or fins are used, then pitch and roll motion mitigation is provided, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stabilization function is merged into the propulsion system operations. The energy already expended to drive the vessel forward is utilized more efficiently by vectoring thrust through controlled elevation angles to counteract unwanted motions, rather than adding separate energy-consuming stabilization systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The propulsion system performs dual functions of forward motion and stabilization simultaneously. The energy input to the drive units serves both to propel the vessel and to actively stabilize it against pitch and roll, eliminating redundant energy consumption by separate stabilization systems.
3Stability of the object's composition
If additional stabilization systems are added to the vessel, then pitch and roll mitigation is improved, but weight and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the stabilization function into the existing propulsion system by enabling individual thrust elevation angle control. This eliminates the need for additional heavy components such as gyroscopes, fins, or interceptors, maintaining pitch and roll mitigation without increasing vessel weight.
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 provides efficient pitch and roll mitigation, reducing the reliance on additional stabilization systems and enhancing energy efficiency, noise reduction, and component wear management, while maintaining a comfortable ride for passengers.
Implementation Method 1
a motion sensor system, wherein the motion sensor system comprises a plurality of inertial measurement units
Implementation Method 2
a radar transceiver arranged to transmit a radar signal in a boresight direction pointing at the water surface
Implementation Method 3
Each drive unit is arranged to generate thrust in a controllable thrust elevation angle and in a controllable thrust azimuth angle
Data Source
AI summary
A marine vessel includes a hull, a propulsion system, a control unit and a motion sensor system. The propulsion system comprises a first drive unit and a second drive unit separated by a longitudinal midship line of the hull, where each drive unit is arranged to generate thrust in a controllable thrust elevation angle and in a controllable thrust azimuth angle, where at least the thrust elevation angles are individually controllable The control unit is arranged to estimate a pitch motion and a roll motion of the hull based on input from the motion sensor system. The control unit is arranged to suppress pitch motion and roll motion by the hull by controlling the thrust elevation angles and the thrust azimuth angles of the first and second drive units.