Dynamic Load Compensation for Vessel Power Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dynamic positioning systems for vessels face challenges in managing load and frequency variations, leading to potential blackouts and increased fuel consumption due to the need for multiple online generators, which also result in environmental and maintenance issues.
Innovation Solution
A control system that integrates load control with position/velocity control by allocating thrust and power among thrusters to minimize load variations, using a control law, thrust allocation logic, and consumer load control to maintain stable vessel position and velocity while reducing the number of online generators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the number of online generators is reduced, then fuel consumption and emissions are reduced, but frequency stability and power supply reliability deteriorate due to load variations
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts thruster power consumption in real-time to compensate for load variations on other consumers. The control system continuously monitors power plant load and modifies thruster power demand accordingly, transforming the static power consumption pattern into a dynamic one that adapts to system conditions, thereby maintaining frequency stability with fewer generators
Solution Approach 2:
The invention implements a feedback mechanism where the control system receives information about power plant load and frequency conditions, then adjusts thruster power consumption based on this feedback. This closed-loop control ensures that thruster power demand is modulated to compensate for load variations, maintaining frequency stability while reducing the number of required generators
2Reliability
If multiple generators are kept online to maintain frequency stability, then power supply reliability is improved, but fuel consumption, emissions, and maintenance needs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system transforms the static power consumption pattern of traditional DP systems into a dynamic one, where thruster power demand is continuously adjusted based on real-time power plant load conditions. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain frequency stability with fewer generators, thereby reducing emissions and maintenance requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the power consumption parameter of thrusters dynamically based on system conditions. By modifying the power demand parameter in response to load variations on other consumers, the system maintains frequency stability while operating with fewer generators, thus reducing harmful emissions and maintenance needs
3Measurement precision
If thruster power is increased to maintain position stability, then position control accuracy is improved, but load variations on the power plant increase causing frequency instability
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically modulates thruster power consumption based on real-time power plant load conditions while maintaining position control accuracy. The control law adjusts power demand dynamically, allowing the system to achieve both precise positioning and frequency stability through coordinated control of position and power consumption
4Reliability
If load control is implemented on thrusters to compensate for power variations, then frequency stability is improved, but position control precision may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges load control with position/velocity control into a unified control system. The control law simultaneously considers both position control objectives and power consumption requirements, coordinating these functions to maintain position accuracy while achieving frequency stability through integrated control rather than separate independent controls
Data Source
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Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The present invention relates to a system for reducing load and frequency variations in the power distribution of a dynamically positioned vessel. The system comprising a consumer load control being connected to at least one power generator and at least one thruster, the consumer load control being adapted to monitor the available power in the system, from said at least one power generator and, the power consumption from said at least one thruster as well as other power consumers in the system. The system also comprises a dynamic positioning (DP) unit monitoring the position of the vessel calculating the required thruster capacity for maintaining a predetermined position, wherein the DP unit is adapted to define an acceptable window for variations in said position relative to the predetermined position, and said consumer load control is adapted to adjust the power provided to said thruster in order to reduce total load variations depending on the available power and to the position of the vessel relative to said window.