Maritime Drift Control System for Vessel Heading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing maritime control systems fail to effectively control a vessel's drift direction and speed in wind and water currents, leading to undesirable movements that can tangle fishing lines or cause vessels to traverse fishing areas too quickly.
Innovation Solution
A maritime drift control system comprising a vessel movement detection unit, a drift error generator, and a drift controller that computes and transmits propulsion commands to control the vessel's speed and heading, using a mathematical model of vessel movement and propulsion thrust to reduce drift speed and maintain target values.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a vessel is powered off and unanchored to allow free drifting, then the vessel can move freely with wind and current, but the vessel's heading and position become uncontrollable causing fishing lines to tangle and the vessel to traverse fishing areas too quickly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical drift control devices (like rudder-like members) with an electronic control system that uses propulsion devices to actively control vessel drift. The control system calculates drift velocity and heading, compares them with target values, and generates propulsion commands to reduce errors, enabling precise control of drifting motion without mechanical interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The vessel uses its own propulsion devices to control its drifting motion rather than relying on external mechanical devices or anchors. The control system leverages the vessel's existing propulsion capability to self-regulate its drift velocity and heading, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating the need for separate mechanical drift control equipment.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a mechanical drift control device is used to control bow angle, then some control effect is achieved, but the control effectiveness is limited and insufficient to adequately control heading and speed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces inadequate mechanical drift control devices with an electronic control system that uses the vessel's propulsion devices. This substitution enables reliable and effective control of drift velocity and heading by using computational methods to calculate errors and generate appropriate propulsion commands, overcoming the limitations of mechanical devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system dynamically adjusts propulsion device parameters (speed, direction) based on real-time calculation of drift velocity and heading errors. By continuously monitoring and adjusting these parameters, the system achieves reliable control effectiveness that mechanical devices cannot provide.
3Adaptability or versatility
If dynamic positioning systems are used to maintain vessel position, then the vessel can stay at a desired position, but the propulsion system must operate continuously consuming excessive energy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a drift mode that allows the vessel to move dynamically with wind and current rather than maintaining a fixed position. The control system actively manages drift velocity and heading within acceptable ranges, reducing the need for continuous propulsion operation and significantly lowering energy consumption compared to traditional dynamic positioning systems.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of continuous propulsion operation, the system uses periodic or intermittent propulsion commands to correct drift errors when they exceed acceptable thresholds. This approach maintains position control within tolerances while reducing overall power consumption by avoiding constant engine operation.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a maritime drift control system comprising a vessel movement detection unit to detect actual vessel speed and heading, further comprising a vessel movement control unit with a drift controller which is able to control operation of at least one propulsion device of a vessel. The maritime drift control system comprises a drift error generator to generate drift error signals depending on a predetermined speed limit and the actual vessel speed. The drift error generator is connected to the drift controller to transmit the drift error signals to the drift controller. The drift controller is designated to use said drift error signals to compute and transmit propulsion command signals to the at least one propulsion device in order to reduce speed and heading of the vessel to target values. The invention comprises further a maritime vessel with a corresponding maritime drift control system.