Marine Drive Control System for Drag Damage Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
In multi-drive propulsion systems, when only a subset of marine drives is running, non-operating drives can be damaged due to being dragged through the water, and there are issues with steering and rudder effects, as they remain trimmed down and their propellers rotate, potentially causing transmission damage and other problems.
Innovation Solution
A control system that detects non-running marine drives and imposes an output limit restriction on running drives to prevent excessive speed, generating an alert to the operator to trim up non-operating drives, thereby preventing damage and adverse effects, and removing the restriction once the drives are operational or trimmed out of the water.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If only a subset of marine drives is running, then fuel consumption and wear on drives is reduced, but non-running drives can be damaged due to being dragged through water and causing steering issues
Solution Approach 1:
The control system continuously monitors the operational status of each marine drive and provides feedback to the control module. When a non-running drive is detected in a harmful position (trimmed down with propeller in water), the system automatically responds by limiting the output of running drives or adjusting trim positions, preventing damage while allowing partial operation for fuel efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The control module acts as an intermediary between the operator's command and the marine drives. It introduces a protective layer that monitors drive positions and operational states, automatically intervening to prevent harmful conditions (such as dragging non-running drives through water) while maintaining the ability to operate only necessary drives for energy efficiency.
2Ease of operation
If non-running marine drives remain trimmed down, then steering control is maintained, but the propellers rotate and cause transmission damage
Solution Approach 1:
The control system takes preliminary action by monitoring the trim position and operational status of each drive before damage can occur. When a non-running drive is detected in a harmful position, the system proactively limits output or adjusts positions to prevent propeller rotation and transmission damage, rather than waiting for damage to occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors drive positions and operational states, providing real-time feedback to the control module. This feedback mechanism enables the system to detect when non-running drives are in harmful positions and automatically respond to prevent transmission damage while maintaining steering control through appropriate adjustments.
3Reliability
If output limit restriction is imposed on running drives, then non-running drives are protected from damage, but the marine vessel's speed and productivity are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The control module applies output limit restrictions selectively and partially - only when necessary to prevent damage to specific non-running drives. The system monitors each drive's position and operational status, applying restrictions only to the extent needed to prevent harmful conditions, rather than imposing blanket limitations that would unnecessarily reduce vessel performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The output limit restriction is dynamic rather than static. The control module continuously monitors drive positions and operational states, adjusting the level of restriction in real-time based on actual conditions. When non-running drives are in safe positions or when all drives are operational, restrictions are removed or reduced, allowing the vessel to operate at full performance.
Data Source
AI summary
A marine propulsion system for a marine vessel includes at least two marine drives, a control system communicatively connected to the at least two marine drives and configured to detect that at least one of the marine drives is running and that least one of the marine drives is not running and determine, based on a trim position of each of the at least one non-running marine drive, that at least one non-running marine drive is trimmed down. The control system then controls each of the at least one running marine drive based on an output limit restriction until the at least one non-running marine drive is sufficiently trimmed up.