Separable Marine Energy Module for Ship Propulsion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power supply systems for ships, particularly those using nuclear energy, face constraints such as port access restrictions and complex energy transfer issues, especially in adverse weather conditions, and are limited in size and independence due to mechanical interconnections.
Innovation Solution
A separable energy production module in the form of a secondary ship equipped with a power plant, capable of independent movement and electrical connection to a main ship, allowing for flexible and safe energy transfer, with locking mechanisms ensuring the secondary ship integrates with the main ship for propulsion energy supply.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a power plant is permanently mounted on the ship, then the ship has stable power supply, but the ship cannot be easily maintained or refueled and faces port access restrictions
Solution Approach 1:
The power plant is separated from the main ship and placed on an independent secondary vessel. This segmentation allows the power plant to be maintained, refueled, or replaced without immobilizing the main ship, while still providing stable power supply through electrical connections.
Solution Approach 2:
A secondary vessel acts as an intermediary carrier for the power plant. It provides the necessary electrical connection to the main ship while maintaining physical separability, thus enabling both stable power supply and easy maintenance access.
2Power
If a mechanical interconnection is used between vessels, then the vessels can be connected for power transfer, but the connection is limited in size and energy is dissipated
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical pusher-towship connection is replaced with an electrical power transfer system. The secondary vessel with power plant connects electrically to the main ship's propulsion system, eliminating mechanical energy dissipation and enabling scalable power transfer without size limitations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If electric cables are used for power transfer between separable vessels, then the vessels can move independently, but the linked movement becomes complicated especially in adverse weather
Solution Approach 1:
The power plant is extracted onto a separate secondary vessel that can operate independently. This extraction allows the main ship to move freely without being constrained by mechanical connections, while the secondary vessel can independently navigate to provide power when needed.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the energy required to move both supply vessel and satellite vessel is greater than moving a single vessel, then separate vessels can provide flexibility, but the total energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The secondary vessel is designed with multi-functionality: it can independently navigate when detached, and when connected, it provides power to the main ship while its propulsion system can still be used for positioning or auxiliary functions, optimizing energy utilization across different operational modes.
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 efficient and safe energy transfer to large ships under various conditions, allowing for independent movement and reduced mechanical forces at connection points, while enabling the main ship to navigate autonomously when necessary, simplifying maintenance and refueling processes.
Implementation Method 1
the power generation plant is a nuclear power plant, a gas power plant or a hydrogen power plant
Implementation Method 2
the power generation plant is a nuclear power plant, a gas power plant or a hydrogen power plant
Implementation Method 3
the electrical connection means are adapted to supply electrical energy to propulsion means of the main vessel
Implementation Method 4
locking means to the main vessel to make it integral during movement with said main vessel
Implementation Method 5
electrical connection means for establishing an electrical connection between the plant and the main vessel and with locking means to the main vessel to make it integral during movement with said main vessel, in which the electrical connection means are adapted to supply electrical energy to propulsion means of the main vessel
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a module for producing electric power for a main ship (1), capable of supplying the power required to propel said main ship (1), the module being produced in the form of a secondary ship (2) separate from the main ship (1) and including a power plant (3), the secondary ship (2) being provided with an electrical connection means (7) for establishing an electrical connection between the power plant (3) and the main ship (1) and a means (6a, 6b) for interlocking with the main ship (1) in order to secure the former from moving from the main ship (1), characterised in that the electrical connection means (7) is suitable for supplying electric power to the propulsion means (4) of the main ship (1).