Mooring Buoy With Moveable Power Cable for Offshore Vessel Emissions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vessels moored offshore consume energy due to residual loads, leading to inefficient fuel use and emissions, and existing solutions like subsea transfer systems are impractical for extended periods due to potential cable damage and thruster emissions.
Innovation Solution
A mooring buoy system with a floating body, anchoring lines, and a moveable electric cable that connects to a vessel's switchboard, allowing the cable to retract and ensuring the mooring line tension exceeds the cable tension, reducing the need for onboard generators and minimizing emissions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If a subsea transfer system with a fixed cable is used to provide power to a moored vessel, then power can be supplied to eliminate genset operation, but the cable can be damaged if the vessel moves or turns due to wind shear or sea currents
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the electric cable movable rather than fixed. The cable is connected to the floating body at one end and has a free end that can move relative to the vessel. This allows the cable to accommodate vessel movements caused by wind shear and sea currents while maintaining electrical connection, thus preventing cable damage while still enabling power supply to eliminate genset operation and reduce emissions.
2Reliability
If a dynamic positioning system with thrusters is used to keep the vessel stationary relative to the transfer system, then the vessel can remain in position for power transfer, but fuel is consumed and exhaust emissions are generated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for dynamic positioning systems by making the electrical connection dynamic instead. The movable cable naturally accommodates vessel movements without requiring active position control. This removes the need for thruster operation during power transfer, thereby eliminating exhaust emissions from thrusters while maintaining reliable power supply to the vessel.
3Area of stationary object
If the vessel is moored close to shore within a low emissions zone, then space is saved at the quay, but the emissions from running the genset for hotel load become particularly problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power supply function from the vessel's onboard genset and relocates it to an external shore-based or floating power source. The movable cable serves as the extraction mechanism, connecting the vessel to external power while the vessel remains moored close to shore. This separates the power generation function from the vessel, allowing the vessel to operate its genset only when necessary while docked, rather than continuously while moored, thereby reducing emissions in low emissions zones.
Data Source
AI summary
A mooring buoy for a vessel comprises a floating body arranged to project out of the water. At least one buoy anchoring line is connected between the floating body and sea floor. At least one vessel mooring line is connectable between the mooring buoy and the vessel. At least one moveable electric cable is connected to a power supply and the moveable electric cable has a free end connectable to a switchboard of the vessel when the vessel is tethered to the at least one vessel mooring line. The free end of the at least one moveable electric cable is moveable between a retracted position and a connected position and the tension of the at least one vessel mooring line is greater than the tension in the at least one moveable electric cable when the free end of the at least one moveable electric cable is in the connected position.