Marine Vessel Speed Control Using Averaged Hull Motion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing speed control methods for marine vessels on waves cause frequent acceleration and deceleration due to moment-to-moment changes in hull acceleration and pitching angular velocity, deteriorating ride comfort.

Innovation Solution

A speed control method that determines vessel speed based on a moving average value of hull vertical speed or vertical acceleration, using a feedback control system to smooth changes and prevent frequent acceleration and deceleration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If vessel speed is controlled based on moment-to-moment changes in hull acceleration and pitching angular velocity, then the vessel responds to wave conditions, but the vessel speed varies frequently causing repeated acceleration and deceleration that deteriorates ride comfort

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresponse to wave conditionsVSAvoidride comfort

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by calculating a moving average value of hull vertical speed before using it to control vessel speed. This preprocessing step smooths out moment-to-moment variations in hull motion, preventing frequent speed changes while maintaining adaptive response to wave conditions. The moving average acts as a buffer that anticipates and dampens rapid fluctuations before they affect the control system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a moving average value as an intermediary between the raw hull vertical speed measurement and the vessel speed control. This intermediary element filters out high-frequency variations in hull motion, providing a smoothed signal that enables adaptive wave response without causing frequent acceleration and deceleration cycles that would degrade ride comfort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If vessel speed is adjusted frequently to match wave conditions, then the control system remains responsive, but the frequent acceleration and deceleration reduces ride comfort

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol responsivenessVSAvoidride comfort

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The control system performs preliminary averaging of hull vertical speed data before generating speed adjustment commands. This preprocessing maintains control responsiveness by preserving the overall trend of wave conditions while eliminating high-frequency noise that would trigger unnecessary acceleration and deceleration cycles, thereby improving ride comfort without sacrificing essential responsiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback control where the moving average of hull vertical speed continuously informs vessel speed adjustments. This feedback mechanism maintains reliability by constantly monitoring wave conditions through the smoothed signal, while the moving average filtering prevents overreaction to transient fluctuations, reducing frequent speed changes and improving ride comfort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS12503206B2Speed control method for marine vessel, and marine vessel

Publication Date: 2025.12.23 YAMAHA MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

A speed control method to control a speed of a marine vessel includes determining a vessel speed based on a first moving average value which is a moving average value of a vertical speed of a hull, or a moving average value of a vertical acceleration of the hull, and based on an occurrence probability density distribution of a wave height.