Floating Energy Collection Station for Wind- and Sea-Based Rendezvous
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing energy transfer systems for multiple energy receiving vessels are inefficient as they require the energy supply vessel to sail to each vessel, and there is no consideration for optimal rendezvous locations based on wind and sea conditions.
Innovation Solution
An energy collection location changing system that includes power generation floating bodies capable of navigating a water surface, utilizing renewable energy, and a collection station setting system that determines optimal collection locations based on wind and sea conditions, enabling efficient energy collection by navigating power generation floating bodies to predetermined destinations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the energy supply vessel sails to each energy receiving vessel individually, then energy can be transferred to multiple vessels, but the time consumption and operational efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of the energy supply vessel sailing to each receiving vessel individually, the patent inverts the approach by having multiple energy receiving vessels navigate to a predetermined collection station. This role reversal significantly reduces the time consumption and operational burden on the energy supply vessel, as it only needs to remain stationary at the collection station rather than making multiple trips across the ocean.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a collection station as an intermediary between the energy supply vessel and multiple energy receiving vessels. This intermediary serves as a centralized hub where receiving vessels can dock to transfer energy, eliminating the need for direct one-to-one navigation between the supply vessel and each receiving vessel. The collection station acts as a mediator that streamlines the energy collection process for multiple vessels.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the energy supply vessel serves multiple energy receiving vessels, then energy distribution coverage increases, but the operational complexity and coordination requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the energy transfer operation into two independent parts: the energy supply vessel that remains stationary at the collection station, and multiple energy receiving vessels that independently navigate to the station. This segmentation allows each vessel to operate semi-autonomously, reducing the coordination complexity that would arise from requiring the supply vessel to actively manage multiple receiving vessels simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The energy receiving vessels are equipped with navigation units that enable them to autonomously navigate to the predetermined collection station based on location information received from the collection station setting system. This self-service capability reduces the operational complexity on the energy supply vessel side, as the receiving vessels manage their own navigation and docking procedures without requiring complex coordination from the supply vessel.
3Productivity
If rendezvous locations are not optimized based on environmental conditions, then the system is simpler to operate, but energy collection efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The collection station setting system incorporates a location determination unit that determines optimal collection locations based on wind conditions and sea conditions in the predetermined region. This feedback mechanism uses environmental data to dynamically adjust the collection station's location, ensuring that the station is positioned in areas most favorable for energy collection. The system continuously monitors conditions and adjusts locations accordingly, improving efficiency without significantly complicating operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters for determining collection locations from fixed or arbitrary coordinates to dynamic parameters based on wind conditions and sea conditions. By using environmental parameters as the basis for location determination, the system optimizes energy collection efficiency while maintaining operational simplicity. The location determination unit processes environmental data to automatically establish optimal locations, reducing the need for complex manual coordination.
Data Source
AI summary
In the energy collection location changing system, a power generation floating body and a collection station setting system are provided so as to be able to perform data communication with each other. The power generation floating body has a power generation storage unit for storing the power generation energy and a navigation unit for navigation of the own base, and the collection station setting system has a location determination unit for determining a recovery position in which the collection station is provided based on at least one of a wind condition and a sea condition, a location notification unit for notifying the recovery position to each of the power generation floating bodies, and a setting unit for providing the collection station in the recovery position, and the navigation unit of the power generation floating body causes the own base to travel to the recovery position.