Hybrid Ship Propulsion Using HTS Motor and Segmented Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ship propulsion and energy systems, relying on marine gas turbine and diesel engine technologies, are unable to support advanced electrical systems like electric weapons due to size, weight, and power management limitations, particularly in managing dynamic loads and pulse power distortions, making all-electric solutions unviable for space and weight-constrained ships.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid electrical and mechanical propulsion and energy system that combines a high temperature superconductor (HTS) motor and generator with a mechanical power plant, using a controller to manage power distribution between electrical and mechanical drives, and incorporating a high inertia HTS generator to mitigate the impact of pulsed power loads, allowing for efficient and reliable operation of advanced electrical systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If an all-electric ship system is implemented to power propellers and electrical systems, then fuel economy and efficiency are improved, but the system cannot support pulsed power loads from electric weapons without significant size and weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical power system is segmented into multiple independent sources: conventional generators for base load, HTS generators for efficient power, and energy storage systems (batteries/flywheels) for pulsed loads. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, enabling the ship to support electric weapons without requiring the entire propulsion system to be oversized for peak pulsed demands
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic load management where the controller continuously monitors and adjusts power distribution between different generators and energy storage systems based on real-time demands. During pulsed weapon discharge, the energy storage systems rapidly respond to provide peak power, while conventional and HTS generators maintain steady-state operation, creating a dynamic response that handles variable loads efficiently
2Reliability
If conventional gas turbine and diesel engine technologies are used to drive propeller shafts, then reliable mechanical propulsion is achieved, but size and weight reductions are limited and fuel economy is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces traditional mechanical direct-drive propulsion with an electrical propulsion system using HTS motors. Conventional generators drive propeller shafts through electrical conversion rather than direct mechanical coupling, allowing for compact HTS motor design that achieves significant weight and size reductions while maintaining or improving propulsion efficiency and reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes high-temperature superconducting materials that operate at elevated temperatures (77K liquid nitrogen cooling) compared to traditional low-temperature superconductors. This parameter change enables more practical cooling systems and allows the HTS motors and generators to achieve higher power density, directly reducing the weight and size of the propulsion system while maintaining reliability
3Ease of operation
If dedicated electric power plants are used for each propeller shaft, then independent propulsion control is achieved, but the system cannot seamlessly share power for electrical systems and weapons without significant upgrades
Solution Approach 1:
The HTS generators and electrical power plant are designed with multi-functionality to serve multiple purposes: driving propeller shafts for propulsion, powering onboard electrical systems, and providing energy to weapons systems. The common electrical bus architecture allows any power source to supply any load, eliminating the need for dedicated power plants for each function and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining independent propulsion control capability
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 hybrid system enables efficient powering of advanced electrical systems, reduces size and weight, improves fuel economy, and provides scalable power distribution, effectively managing pulsed loads and supporting both propulsion and combat systems without significant size or weight increases.
Implementation Method 1
a high temperature superconductor (HTS) motor interconnected to the second shaft
Implementation Method 2
a high temperature superconductor (HTS) motor interconnected to the second shaft... There is a first electrical network to which the HTS motor is connected
Data Source
AI summary
A hybrid electrical and mechanical ship propulsion and electric power system, includes a first mechanical power plant configured to drive a first propeller via a first shaft. There is a second electrical power plant configured to drive a second propeller via a second shaft. The second electrical power plant includes HTS generators and a high temperature superconductor (HTS) motor interconnected to the second shaft. There is a first electrical network to which the HTS motor is connected in order to energize the HTS motor to drive the second propeller via the second shaft.