Kite Power Floating Body Routing for Opposing Tidal Currents

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sea route planning systems for power generation floating bodies do not adequately consider the relationship between wind conditions and tidal currents, leading to suboptimal power generation efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A sea route plan generating system that takes into account both wind conditions and tidal currents to optimize the sailing angle of power generation floating bodies, allowing them to harness the increased power generation efficiency in areas with tidal currents opposing the wind direction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If wind power generation is performed in sea areas without tidal currents, then the system is simpler to operate, but power generation efficiency is lower

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower generation efficiencyVSAvoidsea route planning complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary determination of tidal current conditions and pre-calculates optimal sailing angles before actual power generation operations. The sea route plan is generated in advance based on predicted tidal current patterns, allowing the power generation floating body to be positioned optimally before strong tidal currents occur, thus maximizing power generation efficiency without requiring complex real-time adjustments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the sailing angle based on real-time tidal current information. The sea route plan is not fixed but adapts to changing tidal conditions, with the control unit modifying the sailing angle within a predetermined range to match current tidal patterns, thereby maintaining optimal power generation efficiency while managing operational complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If the power generation floating body sails at fixed angles regardless of tidal currents, then operation is easier, but power generation efficiency is suboptimal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower generation efficiencyVSAvoidsea route planning simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system determines optimal sailing angles in advance based on predicted tidal current conditions and generates sea route plans before actual operations begin. This preliminary planning allows the system to prepare optimal navigation paths ahead of time, reducing the need for complex real-time adjustments while maximizing power generation efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the sailing angle parameter dynamically based on tidal current conditions. The control unit adjusts the sailing angle within a predetermined range to match actual tidal patterns, transforming a fixed operational parameter into a variable one that adapts to environmental conditions, thereby optimizing power generation while maintaining manageable operational complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If tidal currents are ignored in sea route planning, then the planning process is simpler, but power generation efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower generation efficiencyVSAvoidsea route plan generation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces tidal current information as an intermediary factor in sea route planning. By incorporating tidal current data into the planning process, the system can optimize the sailing angle and route selection to work with tidal patterns, thereby improving power generation efficiency while managing the added complexity through structured integration of multiple data sources

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Enhances power generation efficiency by increasing the air volume received by the kite, thereby improving power output in areas with tidal currents flowing opposite to the wind direction.

Implementation Method 1

wind power generation using a kite

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWind power: Wind Power

Implementation Method 2

the amount of power generation increases as the amount of air that is received by the kite increases

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAir volume reception: Convection

Implementation Method 3

a tidal current flowing in a direction opposite to a wind direction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTidal current: Tidal Force

Data Source

PatentUS20250327673A1Sea route plan generating system and power generation floating body

Publication Date: 2025.10.23 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK

AI summary

In the sea route plan generating system, a sea route plan generating unit that generates a sea route plan for sailing the power generation floating body that performs wind power generation using a kite while sailing at sea, at a predetermined sailing angle based on the wind conditions and a tidal current determining unit that determines whether or not there is an opposing tidal current opposed to the wind direction based on the wind conditions are provided for the power generation floating body that generates wind power using kite while sailing on the sea. When it is determined that there is an opposite tidal current, the sea route plan generating unit generates the sea route plan such that the power generation floating body proceeds at the sailing angle at which the power generation efficiency increases in the sea area of the opposite tidal current.