Marine Propulsion Elastic Mount Control for Adaptive NVH
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current elastomeric mounts for marine propulsion systems have functional limitations that lead to engineering compromises in noise, vibration, and harshness characteristics, and are not adjustable or vessel-specific, failing to adapt to changing conditions during marine vessel travel.
Innovation Solution
A system with elastic mounts containing electromagnetic fluid, where the electromagnet's electricity control adjusts the shear strength to adapt the mounts' elasticity based on sensed conditions, such as oscillation, acceleration, and trim position, to improve handling and reduce noise, vibration, and harshness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional elastomeric mounts are used, then the mounting system is simple and reliable, but the noise, vibration, and harshness characteristics are compromised and cannot adapt to changing conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The mount system transitions from static elastomeric material to dynamic magnetorheological fluid whose properties can be changed in real-time. The fluid's shear strength is dynamically adjusted by varying the electromagnetic field strength through electromagnets, allowing the mount to adapt its elasticity to changing operational conditions such as oscillation, acceleration, and trim position.
Solution Approach 2:
The physical parameter of the mounting material is changed from fixed elastomeric properties to variable magnetorheological fluid properties. By changing the electromagnetic field parameters (current, voltage) applied to the electromagnets, the shear strength and elasticity of the mount are continuously adjustable, enabling adaptation to different operating conditions.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If fixed elasticity mounts are used, then the mounting system is simple, but it fails to reduce noise, vibration, and harshness under varying operational conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates sensors that detect operational conditions such as oscillation, acceleration, and trim position. This feedback is processed by a controller that adjusts the electromagnetic field strength applied to the electromagnets, thereby dynamically modifying the mount's elasticity to optimize noise, vibration, and harshness reduction for the current operating condition.
Solution Approach 2:
The mount system transitions from static elastomeric material to dynamic magnetorheological fluid whose properties can be changed in real-time. The fluid's shear strength is dynamically adjusted by varying the electromagnetic field strength through electromagnets, allowing the mount to adapt its elasticity to changing operational conditions such as oscillation, acceleration, and trim position.
3Ease of manufacture
If non-adjustable mounts are used, then manufacturing is simpler, but the mounts cannot be optimized for different vessel-specific conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The physical parameter of the mounting material is changed from fixed elastomeric properties to variable magnetorheological fluid properties. By changing the electromagnetic field parameters (current, voltage) applied to the electromagnets, the shear strength and elasticity of the mount are continuously adjustable, enabling adaptation to different operating conditions.
4Reliability
If conventional mounts are used, then the system is reliable, but engineering compromises must be made in power, speed, and acceleration performance
Solution Approach 1:
The mount system transitions from static elastomeric material to dynamic magnetorheological fluid whose properties can be changed in real-time. The fluid's shear strength is dynamically adjusted by varying the electromagnetic field strength through electromagnets, allowing the mount to adapt its elasticity to changing operational conditions such as oscillation, acceleration, and trim position.
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
The system enhances noise, vibration, and harshness characteristics, allowing for improved power, speed, and acceleration while enabling tighter transom packaging by automatically adjusting the mounts' elasticity to match changing operational conditions.
Implementation Method 1
An elastic mount is provided which contains an electromagnetic fluid. An electromagnet is provided so that increasing an amount of electricity applied to the electromagnet increases the shear strength of the electromagnetic fluid in the elastic mount
Data Source
AI summary
A method for controlling an elastic mount configured to support a propulsion device with respect to a marine vessel, wherein the elastic mount contains an electromagnetic fluid and an electromagnet and is configured such that adjusting an amount of electricity applied to the electromagnet changes the shear strength of the electromagnetic fluid and thereby controls elasticity of the elastic mount, including applying a first amount of electricity to the electromagnet to produce a first elasticity in the elastic mount, determining that a vessel speed indicator exceeds a high speed threshold, determining that a trim position for the propulsion device is greater than a threshold trim position, detecting at least a threshold decrease in throttle demand, and applying a second amount of electricity to the electromagnet wherein the second amount of electricity is greater than the first amount of electricity, so as to decrease the elasticity of the elastic mount.