Marine Propulsion Transmission Selective Power Coupler
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hybrid propulsion systems for marine vessels lack flexibility, redundancy, and efficiency in power transfer between mechanical and alternate power transfer arrangements, leading to suboptimal performance and increased operational costs.
Innovation Solution
A transmission system comprising a summation transmission, propulsion output transmission, and power transfer transmission with a power transfer coupler that selectively connects the power transfer shaft to the propulsion output shaft, allowing direct power transfer from the power transfer system to the propulsion output transmission, enabling flexible and efficient power distribution between power units and propulsion elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If power is transferred through the summation transmission only, then the propulsion system operates with a fixed power transfer path, but the system lacks flexibility and redundancy in power distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission system employs a dynamic power transfer coupler that can selectively engage and disengage to change the power transfer path. This allows the system to switch between direct power transfer (bypassing summation transmission) and indirect power transfer (through summation transmission), providing adaptability without permanently increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The power transfer system is segmented into multiple independent paths: a direct power transfer path with the power transfer coupler and an indirect path through the summation transmission. This segmentation allows selective activation of different paths based on operational requirements, enhancing flexibility while managing complexity through modular design.
2Reliability
If a direct power transfer path is added to bypass the summation transmission, then system flexibility and redundancy improve, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power transfer coupler serves multiple functions: it enables direct power transfer for redundancy, allows power to be drawn from the power transfer system independently, and can operate in conjunction with or bypass the summation transmission. This multi-functionality justifies the added component by providing multiple operational modes and reliability pathways.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between operational modes using the power transfer coupler. When redundancy is needed, the direct path is engaged; when power combination is needed, the summation transmission is used. This dynamic capability enhances reliability without requiring all components to be permanently active, managing complexity through conditional operation.
3Productivity
If the power transfer coupler is engaged for direct power transfer, then power distribution efficiency improves, but the system loses the ability to combine power from multiple sources
Solution Approach 1:
The power transfer coupler is designed to be dynamically engageable and disengageable, allowing the system to switch between direct power transfer mode (high efficiency) and power combination mode (high versatility). This dynamic capability resolves the contradiction by enabling the system to optimize for efficiency or versatility based on real-time operational requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system can periodically or conditionally switch between direct power transfer and power combination modes based on operational needs. This periodic action allows the system to maximize efficiency during direct transfer while maintaining the option to combine powers when needed, balancing productivity and adaptability through time-based or condition-based switching.
Data Source
AI summary
A transmission for a propulsion system. The propulsion system includes a power unit, a power transfer system, and a propulsion element. The transmission incorporates a summation, a propulsion output, and a power transfer transmission system, which receives power from the power unit and/or the power transfer system of the propulsion system. The power transfer transmission system includes a propulsion output transmission and a summation transmission, where the propulsion output transmission receives power from the summation transmission and directs the power to the propulsion element. The power transfer transmission system provides for transfer of power between the power transfer system and the summation transmission. The power transfer transmission system includes a power transfer shaft and a power transfer coupler and selectively connects the power transfer shaft to a propulsion outlet shaft, such that power is transferred directly from the power transfer system to the propulsion output transmission.