Marine Vessel Thrust Vector Control for Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Marine vessels face instability and performance issues due to dynamic forces from propulsion systems and environmental factors, necessitating an active attitude control, stabilization, and motion damping system.
Innovation Solution
A marine vessel control system comprising a primary propulsory mechanism with a thrust vector, an actuating system, servo control, and attitude sensors, controlled by a central computer to adjust the thrust vector and hydrodynamic effectors for pitch, roll, and yaw axis stabilization and damping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If active attitude control and stabilization systems are implemented, then vessel stability and motion damping are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple control functions (attitude control, stabilization, motion damping) into a single integrated control system that uses the propulsory mechanism for both propulsion and control functions. The central control computer coordinates multiple effectors (propulsory mechanism, hydrodynamic effectors) to achieve multiple control objectives simultaneously, reducing overall system complexity despite the multifunctional requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The propulsory mechanism serves dual purposes: providing thrust for vessel propulsion and acting as a control effector for attitude and stabilization. By making the propulsory mechanism movable and controllable in multiple degrees of freedom, it becomes a universal component that performs both propulsion and control functions, eliminating the need for separate stabilization equipment.
2Measurement precision
If multiple effectors and sensors are integrated for comprehensive control, then control precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs attitude sensors that continuously measure vessel attitude and provide feedback signals to the central control computer. The control computer processes this feedback information and adjusts the propulsory mechanism and hydrodynamic effectors in real-time to maintain desired attitude, creating a closed-loop control system that improves precision through continuous monitoring and adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The central control computer acts as an intermediary that receives signals from multiple sensors, processes the information, and coordinates the actions of multiple effectors. This intermediary component simplifies the integration complexity by providing a centralized decision-making hub that manages the interactions between sensors and actuators, rather than requiring direct point-to-point connections between all components.
Data Source
AI summary
A marine vessel control system that includes at least one primary marine propulsory mechanism providing a thrust vector and being movably attached to the vessel. An actuating system is coupled to the at least one primary marine propulsory mechanism manipulating the orientation of the thrust vector. At least one servo control is linked with the actuating system. At least one attitude sensor provides a signal that indicates the attitude of the vessel. A central control computer is operatively coupled to the actuating system, the servo control and the attitude sensor. The central control computer controls the actuation of the at least one primary marine propulsory mechanism's thrust vector in response to the signal from the attitude sensor indicating the attitude of the vessel. The attitude, stability and motion damping and at least one of the pitch, roll and yaw axes of the vessel is controlled.