Ship Drive System With Superconductor Windings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ship propulsion systems, particularly for high-speed multi-hull ships like Catamarans and trimarans, face limitations in design optimization due to mechanical direct drives and require numerous converters for voltage conversion, leading to space and cost inefficiencies, as well as reliability issues.
Innovation Solution
A ship propulsion system utilizing multiple electric drive shafts with variable-speed generators and motors, where generators can operate independently or share energy, and incorporating high-temperature superconductor windings for increased power density and efficiency, allowing for flexible energy distribution and reduced weight, enabling optimal ship design and enhanced reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple converters are used for voltage conversion in the traction network, then voltage conversion capability is improved, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple converter functions into a single shared converter that can convert voltage for multiple drive shafts simultaneously. Instead of having separate converters for each drive shaft, one converter serves the entire traction network, reducing the number of converters while maintaining full voltage conversion capability for all propulsion motors.
Solution Approach 2:
The shared converter is designed to perform multiple functions: it can convert voltage for any combination of drive shafts, provide auxiliary power to the onboard network, and operate in different modes (rectifier/inverter) depending on which generators are driving and which motors are propelling. This universal converter replaces multiple specialized converters.
2Device complexity
If generators and drive motors are electrically coupled without intermediate converter, then device complexity is reduced, but control precision and energy efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The shared converter acts as an intermediary between the generators and drive motors. Instead of direct electrical coupling, the converter mediates the electrical energy transfer, enabling precise control of motor speed and torque while maintaining system simplicity. The converter converts the variable frequency/voltage from generators to controlled output for motors.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates control mechanisms that monitor the operational state of generators and motors, and the converter adjusts its operation accordingly. This feedback control enables precise regulation of propulsion while the converter handles the complex voltage/frequency conversion, maintaining control precision without direct coupling.
3Ease of operation
If mechanical direct drive is used for waterjets, then ease of operation is improved, but adaptability of ship design deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical direct drive with an electrical drive system. Instead of mechanically coupling generators directly to waterjet pumps, the system uses electrical converters and motors, eliminating the need for complex mechanical transmissions and couplings. This substitution provides greater design flexibility while maintaining operational simplicity through electrical control.
4Reliability
If converters are sufficiently dimensioned to prevent interference, then reliability is improved, but weight and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple converter functions into a single shared converter, the total weight is reduced compared to having separate oversized converters for each drive shaft. The shared converter is sized to handle the total system requirements, which is more weight-efficient than multiple individual converters each sized for single-drive-shaft 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
This configuration provides greater design flexibility, reduces converter needs, enhances energy efficiency, and ensures stability by allowing energy transfer between drive shafts, optimizing propulsive force and speed while minimizing weight and space requirements, particularly beneficial for high-speed naval vessels.
Implementation Method 1
incorporating high-temperature superconductor windings for increased power density and efficiency
Implementation Method 2
at least one variable-speed generator driven by an internal combustion engine for generating a motor voltage with variable amplitude and variable frequency
Implementation Method 3
at least one variable-speed drive motor supplied with this motor voltage and coupled to a propulsion unit
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
A ship drive system (10) according to the invention comprises at least one first and one second drive shaft (11, 12) for driving a respective propulsion unit (2), in particular of a water jet, wherein each of the electric drive shafts (11, 12) comprises at least one speed-variable generator (4) driven by an internal combustion engine (3, 6) for generating a motor voltage having a variable amplitude and variable frequency, and at least one speed-variable drive motor (5) that is supplied with said voltage and coupled to the propulsion unit (2). The first and second drive shafts (11, 12) can be switched from a first operating state, in which they are electrically disconnected from each other, to a second operating state, in which they are electrically coupled to each other such energy can be transmitted from the at least one generator (4) of the one drive shaft (11, 12) to the at least one drive motor (5) of the other drive shaft (11, 12). To this end, the at least one generator (4) preferably comprises a superconductor winding. A preferred use of the ship drive system (1) is found in trimarans.