Ship Hull Through-Hole Thruster Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ship technologies face inefficiencies in maneuverability due to suboptimal flow dynamics and high maintenance and operational costs associated with independent propulsion systems, leading to reliance on costly towboats for navigation assistance when main engines malfunction.
Innovation Solution
A hull structure with an elongated through-hole accommodating multiple thruster units, featuring tapered front and aft hull parts to enhance water flow and streamline design, allowing for improved thruster efficiency and maneuverability, including a thruster control module for directing thrusters in various directions to facilitate limp home mode operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a single propulsion engine is used to reduce maintenance and cost, then maintenance cost and device complexity are reduced, but reliability deteriorates as the ship becomes totally incapable when the engine fails
Solution Approach 1:
The single propulsion engine is segmented into multiple independent thruster units (bow thrusters, stern thrusters, pod thrusters) that can operate independently. This allows the ship to maintain partial propulsion capability even when some thrusters fail, resolving the contradiction between using a single engine for cost reduction and maintaining reliability through redundancy.
2Reliability
If multiple independent propulsion systems are used to increase reliability, then reliability is improved, but maintenance cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple thruster units are merged into a unified propulsion system controlled by a single control system. This consolidation provides redundant propulsion capability like multiple independent systems would, but with reduced maintenance cost and complexity by sharing common control infrastructure and using standardized thruster units.
3Reliability
If a towboat is used to bring the ship to harbour when the main engine fails, then the ship can be safely brought to port, but operational cost and time are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The ship is equipped with self-service capability to reach harbour under its own power when the main engine fails, using the integrated thruster units for emergency propulsion. This eliminates the need to wait for external towboat assistance, significantly reducing loss of time and operational costs while maintaining the ability to reach harbour safely.
4Quantity of substance
If the through-hole is made elongated to accommodate multiple thruster units, then the quantity of thruster units is increased, but the structural complexity of the hull structure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The elongated through-hole structure serves multiple functions: it accommodates multiple thruster units, provides structural reinforcement at the hull, and enables integrated control of all thrusters. This multi-functionality justifies the increased structural complexity by delivering proportional benefits in terms of propulsion capability and system integration.
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 enhances ship maneuverability and reduces operational costs by improving thruster efficiency and allowing for more precise control, including emergency navigation without the need for towboats, thereby minimizing risks of drifting or grounding.
Implementation Method 1
the front hull part is tapered, in the aftward direction, in a cross-section that is perpendicular to the main plane and that is parallel to the aftward direction... water flowing along the hull structure when the ship travels in the forward direction, may be guided towards said at least one thruster unit
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~12
Figure 13~14c
AI summary
A hull structure (10) for integration with a hull (2) of a ship (1) and a method and thruster control module (1600) for manoeuvring the ship (1) are disclosed. The hull structure (10) comprises a through-hole (14), extending through the hull structure (10) in the transversal direction (34). The hull structure (10) is adapted to accommodate at least one thruster unit (41, 42) in the through-hole (14). The hull structure (10) comprises a front hull part (50) limiting the through-hole (14) in the forward direction (30). The front hull part (50) is tapered, in the aftward direction (32), in a cross-section (60) that is perpendicular to the main plane (20) and that is parallel to the aftward direction (32). Furthermore, the front hull part (50) has a front length (52), in the cross-section (60), in the aftward direction (32) that is greater than one quarter of a widest front width (54) of the front hull part (50) in the cross-section (60). A computer program and a carrier corresponding to the method for manoeuvring the ship are also disclosed.