Marine Pitch and Roll Control Using WED and Engine Trim
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing marine stabilization systems lack the combination of fast deployment of Water Engagement Devices (WEDs) with engine trim adjustments and engine steering angle adjustments to effectively counter changes in drag, gyroscopic stabilization yaw moment, and dynamic control in the pitch axis.
Innovation Solution
A Dynamic Active Control System (DACS) that simultaneously controls marine vessel motions in all three axes (pitch, roll, and yaw) by fast deployment of WEDs and engine trim adjustments, utilizing proprietary inertial sensing hardware and software to predict and counteract vessel motions, and adjust engine steering angles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If Water Engagement Devices (WEDs) are deployed to control vessel motions, then stabilization performance is improved, but drag changes and yaw moments are generated that require additional control adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines WED deployment control with engine trim and steering angle adjustments into a unified control system. The controller simultaneously manages all three actuators (WEDs, trim, steering) to achieve coordinated stabilization, eliminating the need for separate control systems and reducing overall system complexity despite the multiple actuators involved.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: stabilizing vessel motions, compensating for drag changes, counteracting yaw moments, and optimizing fuel efficiency. This multi-functional approach allows a single control system to handle various stabilization requirements without requiring specialized subsystems for each function.
2Use of energy by moving object
If engine trim adjustments are made to counter drag changes, then fuel efficiency is improved, but additional time is required for trim adjustments compared to fast WED deployment
Solution Approach 1:
The control system predicts future vessel motions and proactively adjusts engine trim and steering angles in advance. By using predictive algorithms based on inertial sensing data, the system prepares the engine parameters before the actual motion occurs, ensuring fuel efficiency is optimized without sacrificing response time.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system continuously adjusts engine trim and steering angles in real-time coordination with WED deployment. This continuous adjustment ensures that fuel efficiency optimization is maintained throughout the stabilization process, rather than being a discrete or intermittent action that would cause time delays.
3Measurement precision
If inertial sensing hardware and predictive software are used to predict vessel motions, then control precision is improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses inertial sensing hardware to continuously monitor actual vessel motions and compares them with predicted motions. This feedback loop allows the predictive software to be continuously refined and adjusted, improving measurement precision over time while maintaining a manageable system complexity through iterative optimization rather than overly complex initial design.
Data Source
AI summary
A dynamic active control system configured for total pitch and roll control based on desired marine vessel pitch and roll angles. The system may include at least one sensor, a plurality of water engagement devices, at least one engine and a software module. At least one of water engagement device delta symmetrical deployment and engine trim adjustment facilitate pitch control and water engagement delta positions facilitate roll control.