Repositionable Inductive Charging for Offshore Wind Service Vessels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Offshore wind turbine maintenance vessels consume excessive diesel fuel and produce significant emissions due to their large size and need for continuous power while servicing wind turbines.
Innovation Solution
Electric-powered marine vessels with rechargeable energy sources and inductive charging systems that allow for wireless power transfer from offshore wind turbines, enabling the vessels to recharge while in service.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If marine vessels use diesel-powered propulsion systems to service offshore wind turbines, then the vessels can maintain continuous operation and remain positioned at the wind turbines, but fuel consumption increases and significant emissions are produced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the diesel mechanical propulsion system with an electric propulsion system powered by rechargeable energy sources (batteries). This substitution eliminates the need for continuous fuel consumption while maintaining propulsion capability, directly addressing the contradiction between reliable operation and fuel consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The marine vessel performs self-recharging by utilizing inductive charging components positioned at the offshore wind turbine platforms. The vessel's rechargeable energy sources are automatically recharged from the platform's power supply during servicing operations, enabling the vessel to sustain continuous operation without external fuel supply, thus resolving the contradiction between continuous operation and fuel consumption.
2Productivity
If marine vessels remain positioned at offshore wind turbines for servicing, then maintenance operations can be performed, but diesel fuel consumption continues and emissions are produced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the diesel-powered mechanical system with an electric propulsion system powered by stored electrical energy from rechargeable sources. This substitution eliminates harmful emissions entirely while maintaining the vessel's ability to remain positioned at wind turbines for maintenance operations, thus resolving the contradiction between productivity and emissions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the energy source parameter from chemical energy (diesel fuel) to electrical energy (rechargeable batteries). This parameter change transforms the propulsion system from a polluting diesel engine to a clean electric motor, eliminating emissions while preserving the vessel's operational presence at offshore wind turbines for maintenance work.
3Power
If marine vessels use large diesel-powered systems, then sufficient power is available for servicing operations, but fuel consumption and emissions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the large diesel-powered mechanical system with an electric propulsion system using rechargeable energy sources. Electric motors provide equivalent or superior power density compared to diesel engines, delivering sufficient propulsion power for servicing operations while completely eliminating harmful emissions associated with diesel combustion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite energy storage systems combining multiple rechargeable energy sources (batteries) to achieve the necessary power output. This composite approach allows the system to store sufficient energy for full operational cycles including propulsion, servicing equipment operation, and life support systems, matching the power capability of diesel systems without the associated emissions.
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
Reduces fuel consumption and emissions by utilizing renewable energy for propulsion, allowing for cost-effective and efficient maintenance operations with reduced reliance on diesel fuel.
Implementation Method 1
a vessel-side inductive charge component in electrical communication with the rechargeable energy storage system, and configured to inductively couple with a platform-side inductive charge component positioned at a marine-based platform
Data Source
AI summary
A marine vessel may include a propulsion system and a rechargeable energy storage system inclusive of at least one rechargeable energy source configured to supply power to the propulsion system. The marine vessel may further include a vessel-side inductive charge component in electrical communication with the rechargeable energy storage system, and be configured to inductively couple with a platform-side inductive charge component positioned at a marine-based platform. The platform-side inductive charge component may be electrically coupled to a power generator that generates electrical power. A moveable structure (e.g., gangplank or crane) may be coupled to the marine vessel on which the vessel-side inductive charge component is positioned to enable the moveable structure to be moveably positioned to wirelessly (e.g., inductively) couple the vessel-side inductive charge component with the platform-side charge component that is positioned at the marine-based platform, thereby causing the rechargeable energy storage device to be recharged.