Onboard Charging System for Battery-Powered RTG
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current rubber-tired gantry cranes (RTGs) face challenges in reducing emissions and require extensive power distribution infrastructure and charging stations, which are costly and pose safety hazards.
Innovation Solution
A battery-powered electric RTG with an onboard charging system, featuring a propane or diesel-powered engine-generator configured exclusively to charge the energy storage device, eliminating the need for external power infrastructure and allowing for reduced emissions and efficient energy recovery through regenerative braking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If battery-powered e-RTGs connect to above-ground power bars or underground cable reel carriers, then continuous power supply is achieved, but substantial power distribution infrastructure and safety hazards are introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the charging function from external power distribution infrastructure and relocates it onto the RTG itself. The onboard charging system includes an energy storage device (battery) and a charging device (engine-generator or fuel cell) mounted on the RTG, eliminating the need for above-ground power bars, underground cabling, and associated infrastructure. This extraction resolves the contradiction by maintaining continuous power supply capability while removing complex external infrastructure and safety hazards.
Solution Approach 2:
The RTG serves its own charging needs through the onboard charging system. The engine-generator or fuel cell on the RTG charges the battery during operation or idle periods, making the system self-sufficient. This self-service approach eliminates dependence on external power distribution infrastructure, resolving the technical contradiction between continuous power supply and infrastructure complexity.
2Use of energy by moving object
If battery-powered e-RTGs use external charging stations for overnight charging, then battery recharging is achieved, but substantial investment in charging station infrastructure and operational time loss are required
Solution Approach 1:
The onboard charging system performs charging actions during operational periods rather than requiring separate overnight charging sessions. The engine-generator or fuel cell charges the battery while the RTG is in operation or during idle periods between container moves, eliminating the need to withdraw from service for charging. This preliminary action during operation resolves the contradiction between battery recharging and operational time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The charging process occurs continuously during operational periods rather than requiring interruption of service. The RTG maintains operational continuity while the onboard charging system replenishes battery charge, ensuring uninterrupted useful action. This resolves the technical contradiction by making charging a concurrent rather than sequential process with operation.
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
The solution reduces emissions by 90% compared to conventional diesel-engine RTGs, eliminates the need for power distribution infrastructure, and enhances energy efficiency through onboard charging and regenerative braking, while maintaining operational continuity.
Implementation Method 1
a propane or diesel-powered engine-generator configured exclusively to charge the energy storage device
Implementation Method 2
an energy storage device, such as a rechargeable battery, disposed on and configured to provide power to the e-RTG
Data Source
AI summary
A rubber-tired gantry crane (RTG) includes an energy storage device disposed on and configured to provide power to the RTG, a primary charging device disposed on the RTG and configured to charge the energy storage device, and a secondary charging device disposed on the RTG and configured to charge the energy storage device when the RTG is idle or not in operation.