Ship Fin Stabilizer Control Device for Fuel Savings
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ship stabilization systems with fin stabilizers lack automated control for activation and retraction, leading to unnecessary fuel consumption and crew dependency, as they are often used continuously even in calm hydrographic conditions.
Innovation Solution
A control device that automatically determines and controls the activation and retraction of fin stabilizers based on attitude information, such as fin operation angle and ship speed, to optimize their use only when necessary, reducing propulsion resistance and fuel consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fin stabilizers are continuously used to suppress rolling motion, then ship stability is improved, but fuel consumption increases due to unnecessary operation in calm conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The fin stabilizer system performs self-control through automated operation. The control device automatically activates or deactivates the fin stabilizers based on real-time attitude information from sensors, eliminating the need for continuous crew monitoring and decision-making. The system serves itself by autonomously determining when stabilization is needed and when it can be safely deactivated to save fuel.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control by continuously monitoring attitude information (roll angle, pitch angle, ship speed) and using this data to automatically adjust fin stabilizer operation. The control device receives real-time sensor data, processes it against predetermined thresholds, and automatically activates or deactivates the stabilizers accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that optimizes both stability and fuel efficiency.
2Productivity
If fin stabilizers are automatically controlled based on attitude information, then operational efficiency is improved, but control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into distinct functional modules: attitude information acquisition through sensors, predetermined value storage for thresholds, and control execution through automated activation/deactivation commands. This modular segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, simplifying the overall control architecture while maintaining operational efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The control device automatically processes attitude information and makes activation decisions without requiring crew intervention. The system self-manages the complex control logic by autonomously comparing sensor data against predetermined thresholds and executing appropriate control actions, thereby improving operational efficiency while containing complexity within the automated control unit.
3Device complexity
If crew members manually monitor and control fin stabilizers, then system simplicity is maintained, but labor requirements and decision-making burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fin stabilizer system performs self-control through automated operation. The control device automatically activates or deactivates the fin stabilizers based on real-time attitude information from sensors, eliminating the need for continuous crew monitoring and decision-making. The system serves itself by autonomously determining when stabilization is needed and when it can be safely deactivated to save fuel.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical control operations with an automated electronic control system. Instead of crew members physically monitoring gauges and manually adjusting stabilizer positions, the system uses electronic sensors to detect attitude information and an automated control device to manage stabilizer activation, substituting human labor with electronic automation.
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 automatic control of fin stabilizers reduces fuel consumption by ensuring they are only active when needed, achieving both motion reduction and energy savings by determining the required number of stabilizers to use based on quantitative conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a fin stabilizer which can be rotated around a longitudinal axis
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~7
AI summary
A control device 40 of a ship comprising retractable fin stabilizers on both sides is configured to perform control of: acquiring attitude information from an information measuring device 30 that measures the attitude information on the ship in which the attitude information is any one of a fin operation angle of each of the fin stabilizers and a ship speed of the ship; when the fin stabilizers on both sides are in operation, retracting a fin of either one of the fin stabilizers when it is determined that the attitude information is less than a first predetermined value; and when either one of the fin stabilizers is in operation, retracting fins of the fin stabilizers on both sides when it is determined that the attitude information is less than a second predetermined value.