Electric Marine Vessel Water Intake Pump Control for Quiet Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenges of designing electric boats include the need for a cooling system intake pump that operates independently of the drive shaft, as electric marine motors do not have an 'idle' state, and the noise generated by a mechanically coupled pump disrupts the silent boating experience.
Innovation Solution
A cooling system intake pump is decoupled from the drive shaft and controlled independently based on the cooling needs of the electric propulsion system, using data such as motor speed, temperature readings, and flow rate to adjust impeller speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the water intake pump is mechanically coupled to the drive shaft, then the pump operates continuously with the motor, but this generates unnecessary acoustic noise and reduces system efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the pump control function from the mechanical drive shaft coupling and creates an independent electronic control system. The pump is now controlled separately by a controller that receives motor state information and independently decides when to operate the pump, eliminating the mechanical connection that caused noise while maintaining automatic operation based on cooling needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical coupling between the drive shaft and pump with an electronic control system. Instead of the pump being driven mechanically by the drive shaft, a controller now manages pump operation based on electronic signals from temperature sensors and motor state information, substituting mechanical control with electronic control to eliminate noise.
2Reliability
If the water intake pump operates continuously, then cooling is always available, but this reduces pump lifespan and increases energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic pump control where the pump operates only when cooling is actually needed, rather than continuously. The controller monitors motor state and temperature sensor data in real-time, adjusting pump operation dynamically to match cooling demands, thereby extending pump lifespan while maintaining adequate cooling availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from temperature sensors and motor state information to control pump operation. The controller receives continuous information about motor temperature and operating conditions, and uses this feedback to determine when the pump should be activated, ensuring cooling is available when needed while avoiding unnecessary pump operation that would reduce lifespan.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If the pump is decoupled from the drive shaft and controlled independently, then noise is reduced and pump lifespan is extended, but control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the controller a multi-functional component that handles both motor control and pump control. The same controller that manages the electric motor also receives temperature sensor data and controls the pump operation, consolidating control functions into a single device rather than requiring separate control systems, thereby limiting the increase in overall system complexity.
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 approach minimizes unnecessary acoustic noise and extends the life of the intake pump by ensuring it operates only when needed, providing a quieter and more efficient boating experience.
Implementation Method 1
a water intake pump of a cooling system for the electric propulsion device
Implementation Method 2
circulation lines in the cooling system circulate the cooling water throughout the engine block and other engine components. Heat is exchanged between the engine components and the cooling water
Implementation Method 3
The heated water is then pumped back into the ambient water supply
Data Source
AI summary
According to embodiments of the present disclosure, various methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for controlling a cooling system water intake pump of an electric marine vessel are described herein. In some aspects, a pump controller receives information describing an operating state of an electric propulsion device of a marine vessel, where the information indicates at least one of a motor speed of an electric motor and temperature readings within the electric propulsion system. The pump controller controls a water intake pump of a cooling system for the electric propulsion device based on the received information.