Marine Loading Arm Electric Drive System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Prior marine loading arms have complex and heavy hydraulic control systems, leading to high maintenance requirements, limited movement precision, and potential oil leakages, which compromise safety and efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The marine loading arm is driven by an electric motor system with electronically controlled transmission, eliminating the need for a hydraulic central unit and enabling precise, flexible movement with reduced size and weight, using gear wheels and worm screw systems for articulation, and incorporating electric step motors and sensors for enhanced control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a hydraulic control system is used to drive marine loading arm parts, then the arm can be operated and positioned, but the system becomes complex and heavy with high maintenance requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperability of arm partsVSAvoidcomplexity of control system

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the hydraulic control system with an electric motor system. Each arm part is equipped with electric motors that directly drive the articulations, eliminating the need for a centralized hydraulic control unit. This substitution reduces system complexity while maintaining full operability of the marine loading arm.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The control system is segmented into independent electric motor units distributed at each arm part rather than a centralized hydraulic system. Each motor unit independently controls its associated articulation, simplifying the overall system architecture and reducing maintenance requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If a hydraulic control system is used, then the arm parts can be driven, but the system weight and size increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedriving capability of arm partsVSAvoidweight of control system

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The heavy hydraulic control system is replaced with lightweight electric motor units. The electric motors are significantly lighter than the equivalent hydraulic machinery, reducing the overall weight of the marine loading arm while preserving full driving capability across all arm parts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If a hydraulic control system is used, then the arm can be operated, but oil leakages occur compromising safety

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperability of armVSAvoidoil leakages

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The hydraulic system that is prone to oil leakages is completely replaced with an electric motor system. This eliminates the risk of oil contamination and improves safety, while the electric motors continue to provide full operability of the marine loading arm through clean, sealed electrical actuation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Ease of operation

If a hydraulic control system is used, then the arm parts can be moved, but the movement is not perfectly even and operating area is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemovement of arm partsVSAvoidevenness of movement

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The hydraulic control system that produces uneven movement is replaced with electric motor units that offer precise control. The electric motors can be programmed to achieve perfectly even movement patterns and provide a full range of motion without the limitations of hydraulic systems, improving both precision and operating area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 solution simplifies maintenance, reduces the risk of oil leakages, enhances operating safety, and allows for precise and flexible movement, improving reaction times and operational reliability while being cost-effective to service and maintain.

Implementation Method 1

The marine loading arm is driven by an electric motor system with electronically controlled transmission, eliminating the need for a hydraulic central unit and enabling precise, flexible movement

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic conversion: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

using gear wheels and worm screw systems for articulation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical advantage: Mechanical Advantage

Data Source

PatentEP2543624B1Marine loading arm

Publication Date: 2016.06.01 BARETTI MEFE

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AI summary

A marine loading arm (1) comprises a plurality of component arm parts including a support column (12) and one or more mutually movable arm elements (10, 38) driven by a driving system controlled by electric motors (24, 32, 48) and respective mechanical transmission or drive units (26, 34, 50).