Electric Marine Propulsion Control for Battery Range Assurance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electric marine propulsion systems face challenges in managing battery range and reducing user anxiety about running out of power, as marine vessels cannot easily exit the water or access help if stranded.
Innovation Solution
A control system for electric marine propulsion systems that allows users to input a desired distance, determines a remaining distance, identifies battery charge level and energy utilization, and sets an output limit to prevent exceeding these limits, ensuring the vessel can travel the set distance without recharging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the electric motor operates at high power output to increase vessel speed and reduce travel time, then productivity and speed improve, but the battery charge level depletes faster reducing the reliable operating duration
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the output limit of the electric motor based on real-time monitoring of battery charge level, energy utilization rate, and remaining distance. The controller continuously modifies the maximum allowable motor output within the output limit range, enabling the system to adapt between high-power short-duration operation and low-power extended operation modes, thus resolving the contradiction between speed and operating duration.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller changes the operational parameters of the electric motor by imposing an output limit that varies with battery state. By adjusting the motor's power output parameter dynamically based on battery charge level and energy utilization, the system optimizes the balance between achieving vessel speed objectives and preserving sufficient battery energy for the complete journey.
2Reliability
If the system continuously monitors battery parameters and dynamically adjusts output limits to ensure reliable operation, then reliability improves, but device complexity increases due to additional sensors and control logic
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs feedback control by continuously monitoring battery charge level and energy utilization rate, then using this information to dynamically adjust the motor output limit. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures reliable operation by preventing battery depletion while maintaining optimal performance, achieving high reliability without requiring overly complex control architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system automatically manages power distribution by self-adjusting the motor output limit based on real-time battery status. This self-service capability eliminates the need for manual intervention or complex external control systems, as the controller autonomously optimizes power usage to ensure reliable completion of the voyage.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of controlling an electric marine propulsion system configured to propel a marine vessel includes receiving a user-set distance, identifying a battery charge level of a power storage system on a marine vessel and identifying an energy utilization value. An output limit is then determined based on a remaining distance, the battery charge level, and the energy utilization value. The propulsion system is then automatically controlled so as to not exceed the output limit, enabling the marine vessel to travel the user-set distance without recharging the power storage system.