Marine Engine Controller Mode Switching for Fuel Efficiency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ship engine control systems face challenges in efficiently switching between modes to maintain constant rotation rates while minimizing fuel consumption, leading to potential fuel wastage or reduced maneuverability.

Innovation Solution

A control system that switches between an ordinary mode and a fuel saving mode based on predetermined conditions, using arithmetic and logic operations to adjust fuel supply, with monitoring for safe navigation and set rotation rate changes, employing proportional-integral-derivative control with multipliers to reduce fuel variation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If successive control of rack position and fuel supply amount is performed to maintain constant rotation rate, then rotation rate stability is improved, but fuel consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverotation rate stabilityVSAvoidfuel consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The control system dynamically switches between two operational modes: ordinary mode for maintaining rotation rate stability and fuel saving mode for reducing fuel consumption. The switching is triggered by monitoring whether the actual rotation rate deviates from the set rotation rate by more than a predetermined threshold, allowing the system to adapt its control strategy based on real-time operational conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the control parameters by adjusting the output value applied to the fuel supply means differently in each mode. In ordinary mode, the output value is changed in accordance with the rotation rate difference to maintain stability. In fuel saving mode, the amount of change of the output value per unit time is reduced, thereby decreasing fuel consumption while still maintaining acceptable rotation rate control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Use of energy by moving object

If successive control is interrupted to reduce fuel consumption, then fuel efficiency is improved, but rotation rate varies and ship maneuverability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefuel efficiencyVSAvoidship maneuverability
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches between fuel saving mode and ordinary mode based on whether the actual rotation rate deviates from the set rotation rate by more than a predetermined threshold. This dynamic switching ensures that full control functionality is maintained when maneuverability is needed, while allowing fuel savings during stable operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The monitoring means continuously monitors the actual rotation rate and compares it with the set rotation rate. When the deviation exceeds the predetermined range, a release command is generated to switch from fuel saving mode to ordinary mode, ensuring that maneuverability is restored when needed. This feedback mechanism maintains ship maneuverability while enabling fuel efficiency during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Use of energy by moving object

If control parameters are adjusted to reduce fuel supply variations, then fuel consumption is reduced, but rotation rate control precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefuel consumptionVSAvoidrotation rate control precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the control parameter behavior based on operational mode. In fuel saving mode, the amount of change of the output value per unit time is reduced to decrease fuel consumption. In ordinary mode, the full control responsiveness is restored to maintain precise rotation rate control when the deviation exceeds the predetermined threshold.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the control aggressiveness based on the operational mode and rotation rate deviation. This allows the system to operate with reduced fuel consumption during stable conditions while maintaining the capability for precise control when maneuverability requirements demand it.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2447515B1Control method and controller of marine engine
Publication Date: 2016.05.04 NIPPON YOOSEN KABUSHIKI KAISHA
  • EP2447515B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2447515B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

Object: To efficiently switch the operation mode from the fuel saving mode and the ordinary mode to improve the fuel efficiency, while maintaining the ship maneuverability. Means to Realize Object: A controller (4) receives a set rotation rate and an actual rotation rate. In an ordinary mode, a PID controlling apparatus (12) computes an output value to be supplied to fuel supply means of a ship engine (2) from the difference between the set rotation rate and the actual rotation rate in the ordinary mode. The PID controlling apparatus (12) also has a fuel saving mode in which the width of change per unit time of the output value is smaller than in the ordinary mode. Detecting units (20, 22, 24, 26, 28) for monitoring variations in the set and actual rotation rates are provided. The PID controlling apparatus (12) is switched to the ordinary mode when the set rotation rate or the actual rotation rate goes out of a predetermined range in the fuel saving mode.