Offshore Charging Buoy With Mooring Coupling for Electric Vessels
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Hybrid and fully electric marine vessels face challenges in recharging their batteries while away from land harbors, limiting their range and viability, and hindering the transition from hydrocarbon propulsion systems.
Innovation Solution
A marine environment electrical connection apparatus comprising a buoy with mooring and electrical power coupling points, allowing vessels to moor and recharge their batteries at sea using a flexible electrical cable and mooring line system, connected to a power generation and/or storage device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If hybrid or fully electric marine vessels use larger battery storage capacity, then their range is extended, but their weight and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a buoy as an intermediary object that stores electrical energy and provides power transfer to vessels at sea. The buoy acts as a mediator between the vessel's battery system and the shore power supply, enabling energy transfer without requiring the vessel to return to port or carry excessive battery capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical approach of physically transporting vessels to shore for recharging with an electrical field-based solution. Electrical energy is transmitted through water using electromagnetic fields, eliminating the need for mechanical docking and manual power connection processes.
2Duration of action of moving object
If hybrid or fully electric marine vessels are equipped with larger onboard batteries, then their operational autonomy is improved, but their initial cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The buoy serves as an external intermediary power source that vessels can access during operations. This allows vessels to maintain smaller, simpler battery systems while still achieving extended operational autonomy through periodic top-ups from the buoy, reducing the complexity of onboard power management systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The buoy provides multiple functions including energy storage, wireless power transmission, and communication relay. This multi-functional approach consolidates what would otherwise require separate complex systems on each vessel into a single shared infrastructure.
3Use of energy by moving object
If vessels moor closer to shore for recharging, then power transfer efficiency is improved, but vessel operational flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions the power transfer problem from a horizontal dimension (requiring vessels to travel to shore) to a vertical dimension (deploying buoys in the water column). Vessels can access power from buoys positioned directly alongside them at any location, maintaining operational flexibility while achieving efficient power transfer through reduced cable lengths.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows dynamic positioning of buoys relative to vessels based on operational needs. Buoys can be deployed to specific locations where vessels require power, optimizing the distance for power transfer while allowing vessels to maintain their operational positions without restriction.
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
Enables extended range and viability of hybrid or fully electric marine vessels by providing offshore recharging capabilities, accelerating the rollout of decarbonized marine fleets.
Implementation Method 1
a buoy at least part of which when located in water projects above the surface of the water
Data Source
AI summary
A marine environment electrical connection apparatus including a buoy apparatus (1, 101, 201) is provided at least part of which when located in water (2) projects above the surface (2A) of the water (2). It includes at least one mooring point (35, 135, 235) which includes a mooring line (35, 135, 235) and at least one electrical power coupling (25, 125, 225) to which a marine vessel (5, 105, 205) can be coupled so that electrical power can be transferred via the electrical power coupling between a power generation and/or storage device (50) (such as that provided by an offshore renewable energy source) and the marine vessel. A method of electrically recharging a marine vessel (5, 105, 205) utilising the apparatus (1, 101, 201) is also provided.