Mobile Battery Charging for Container Crane Uptime

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Solution Overview

Problem

Charging electric container handling equipment at container terminals without disrupting operations is challenging due to the impracticality of traditional fixed charging stations and the infrastructure requirements of catenary or rail systems, which reduce productivity and restrict equipment mobility.

Innovation Solution

Implementing mobile battery and charger units that can be transported near the equipment, allowing for on-site charging without the need for the equipment to move, managed by a facility energy management system to optimize energy usage and prevent overloading.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional fixed charging stations are used, then equipment can be charged, but equipment must move to charging stations which reduces productivity and disrupts operations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveequipment productivityVSAvoidcharging operation convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of moving equipment to fixed charging stations, the patent inverts the approach by bringing mobile charging units to the equipment. The charging system moves to the load rather than the load moving to the source, eliminating operational disruption while maintaining charging capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs dynamic charging units that can be relocated to different equipment positions as needed. This dynamic approach allows charging to occur at the equipment's current location rather than requiring equipment to return to fixed charging stations, thereby maintaining productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If catenary or rail systems are implemented, then charging infrastructure is provided, but infrastructure complexity and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharging reliabilityVSAvoidinfrastructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces mobile charging units as intermediary devices between the power grid and equipment batteries. These units serve as flexible mediators that can be deployed where needed, avoiding the need for complex fixed infrastructure like catenary or rail systems while ensuring reliable charging delivery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

Rather than investing in permanent, complex infrastructure, the patent employs relocatable charging units that can be moved or redeployed as operational needs change. This approach reduces infrastructure complexity and cost while maintaining charging reliability through flexible deployment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Use of energy by moving object

If equipment returns to charging stations for battery replacement, then batteries can be recharged, but operational downtime increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery energy replenishmentVSAvoidoperational downtime

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile charging units enable preliminary charging actions to be performed at the equipment's current location. Rather than waiting for equipment to return to charging stations, batteries can be charged in advance at operational positions, minimizing or eliminating downtime.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service charging where equipment can be charged at its current location without requiring movement to external charging facilities. The mobile charging unit provides on-demand charging service directly at the equipment position, eliminating the need for operational interruption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enhances productivity by minimizing downtime and optimizing energy use, ensuring continuous operation of electric container handling equipment while reducing carbon emissions.

Implementation Method 1

a mobile battery capable of delivering at least about 100 kW of power

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBattery (electricity): Battery (electricity)

Implementation Method 2

The mobile battery and charger can comprise a mobile battery, a mobile charger, or a combination thereof

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS20260018922A1Mobile battery and charger for container handling equipment

Publication Date: 2026.01.15 TMEIC CORP AMERICAS

AI summary

Systems and methods for charging batteries of electric container handling equipment at container terminals comprising mobile batteries and chargers that can be transported to a location near the container handling equipment. The mobile batteries and chargers are configured for energy storage and capable of being recharged at one or more charging stations. Multiple mobile batteries and chargers can be included in the system and/or methods, and one or more or each mobile battery and charger can be configured to recharge one or more or several pieces of container handling equipment before the mobile battery and charger travels to the charging station to recharge. Included are systems for managing shipping equipment in a container terminal comprising one or more mobile battery and charger configured to deliver at least about 100 KW of power to any equipment configured for loading, unloading, and/or moving shipping containers, such as a shipping container crane.