Exchangeable Marine Battery System for Long-Range Ship Operation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional ship batteries face issues with increased weight and reduced operating efficiency due to high capacity requirements, leading to shorter operating distances and longer charging times, which increase overall operating time.

Innovation Solution

An exchangeable marine energy storage system where a mobile charging ship equipped with a mobile battery exchanges batteries with the operating ship, allowing for smaller capacity batteries to be used, and energy is supplied by a charging station using solar, wind, or tidal power, with unmanned mobile charging ships and stations distributed along the ship's route.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If the battery capacity is increased to support long-distance operation and large ship load, then the energy storage capacity is improved, but the battery weight increases which shortens operating distance and deteriorates motor efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery energy storage capacityVSAvoidbattery weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the energy storage system into multiple segments: a main battery mounted on the operating ship and a mobile battery on a charging ship. This segmentation allows the operating ship to use a smaller main battery while the charging ship provides additional energy, resolving the contradiction between energy capacity and weight.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mobile charging ship acts as an intermediary that transfers energy from solar panels to the operating ship's battery. This mediator enables the operating ship to gain additional energy without carrying the weight of a large-capacity battery, thus resolving the weight-capacity contradiction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Use of energy by moving object

If the battery capacity is increased to support long-distance operation, then the energy storage capacity is improved, but the charging time increases which extends overall operating time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery energy storage capacityVSAvoidcharging time
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The charging function is segmented from the operating ship and placed on a separate mobile charging ship. This allows the operating ship to exchange or charge batteries without interrupting its mission, as the charging process occurs independently on the charging ship during navigation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mobile charging ship charges the mobile battery in advance during its navigation to the operating ship. By the time it reaches the operating ship, the battery is already charged and ready for transfer, eliminating waiting time and thus reducing overall operating time loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Weight of moving object

If a mobile charging ship is introduced to exchange batteries, then the battery capacity requirement for the operating ship is reduced, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperating ship weightVSAvoidenergy storage system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile charging ship is equipped with solar panels that enable it to charge its own mobile battery autonomously during navigation. This self-service capability reduces the need for complex external charging infrastructure and simplifies the overall system by making the charging ship self-sufficient.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Use of energy by moving object

If solar panels are installed on the mobile charging ship, then the charging capability is improved, but the ship's weight and surface area requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging capabilityVSAvoidmobile charging ship weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile charging ship performs multiple functions: it navigates to the operating ship, exchanges or charges batteries, and generates energy through solar panels. This multi-functionality justifies the added weight and surface area, as the same platform provides charging capability, mobility, and energy generation, making the weight investment worthwhile for the enhanced charging capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 system enables long-distance navigation with reduced weight and time, minimizing charging requirements and overall operating time, while reducing transportation costs.

Implementation Method 1

a mobile charging ship 40 configured to move to a movement route of the operating ship 10 and configured to exchange the mounted battery 20 with the mobile battery 30

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSolar energy conversion: Photovoltaic Effect

Implementation Method 2

a mobile battery 30 installed inside the mobile charging ship 40 and configured to be replaced with the mounted battery 20

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical energy storage: Battery (electricity)

Data Source

PatentEP4424550B1Exchangeable marine energy storage system and control method thereof
Publication Date: 2025.10.29 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD
  • EP4424550B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4424550B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4424550B1 patent drawingFigure 3A1~3A3

AI summary

An exchangeable marine energy storage system includes a mobile battery configured to be used as a power source of the operating ship after replaced with a mounted battery mounted on an operating ship; a mobile charging ship configured to move in a state of loading the mobile battery; and a charging station configured to float on the sea together with the mobile charging ship and charge the mobile battery loaded on the mobile charging ship by using generated electricity.