Multi-Motor Marine Vessel Control for Position and Orientation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current marine vessel navigation systems using single motors struggle to precisely control both the position and orientation of the vessel, particularly in environments requiring precision, such as shallow water or around obstacles, as they cannot maintain a fixed orientation due to pivoting around the motor.
Innovation Solution
A multiple motor control system employing at least two motors, including combinations like trolling motors, thrusters, and propulsion motors, with a controller that receives position and orientation measurements to generate control signals for each motor, allowing independent control of position and orientation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single motor is used to navigate the marine vessel, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to precisely control both position and orientation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The navigation system is segmented into multiple independent motors (e.g., propulsion motor, trolling motor, thruster) that can be controlled independently. Each motor handles specific aspects of vessel control, allowing precise position and orientation control without requiring a single complex motor system.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system is designed to universally manage multiple motor types (propulsion motors, trolling motors, thrusters) through a single controller that processes position and orientation measurements and generates appropriate control signals for each motor type, enabling multi-functional control from a single control unit.
2Device complexity
If a single motor is used for navigation, then the system structure is simplified, but the ability to maintain fixed orientation deteriorates due to pivoting around the motor
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the propulsion system into multiple motors positioned at different locations on the vessel (e.g., stern-mounted propulsion motor, bow-mounted trolling motor, or side-mounted thruster), the system eliminates the pivoting problem inherent in single-motor systems. Each motor contributes to both thrust and directional control, maintaining stable orientation without requiring the vessel to pivot around a single motor location.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses counterbalancing control where the controller adjusts the thrust from different motors to counteract unwanted rotation or pivoting. When the vessel tends to pivot around a motor, the controller compensates by adjusting other motors' thrust to maintain the desired orientation, effectively counterweighting the destabilizing rotational tendency.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple motors are employed for precise navigation, then position and orientation control improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A single controller is designed to universally manage multiple different motor types (propulsion motors, trolling motors, thrusters) through standardized control signals. The controller receives position and orientation measurements and generates appropriate control signals for each motor type, reducing control system complexity while maintaining precise navigation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system incorporates self-adjustment capabilities where the controller automatically processes position and orientation measurements and generates appropriate control signals without requiring complex manual intervention. The system serves itself by autonomously balancing the thrust from multiple motors to maintain desired position and orientation, reducing the operational complexity despite having multiple motors.
4Ease of operation
If multiple motors are used to control position and orientation, then maneuverability in sensitive environments improves, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses partial action by selectively engaging only the necessary motors based on the navigation requirements. In sensitive environments requiring precision, the controller activates specific motors (e.g., trolling motor for fine position control, thruster for orientation control) while keeping others at idle or reduced power, achieving high maneuverability without maximum energy consumption from all motors simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system dynamically adjusts the power distribution among multiple motors based on real-time position and orientation measurements and navigation demands. The controller continuously optimizes the thrust from each motor to achieve the desired maneuverability while minimizing total energy consumption, adapting the motor configuration dynamically rather than operating all motors at constant high power.
Data Source
AI summary
A control system for navigating a marine vessel employs at least a first motor and a second motor. The control system is configured to communicate with the first and second motors. The control system is configured to receive a position measurement and an orientation measurement for the marine vessel. The control system is further configured to generate at least one control signal for the first motor based on the position measurement and at least one control signal for the second motor based on the orientation measurement.