Ship Log Velocity Estimation Using Propeller and Wind Data

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ship state monitoring systems fail to accurately grasp the relationship between parameter values influencing ship log velocity, such as propeller rotational speed and wind force, requiring cumbersome experiments to stabilize other influencing parameters.

Innovation Solution

A ship characteristic estimating device that outputs rotational speed and wind velocity vector data, using an estimator, such as a neural network, to estimate log velocity vectors, with an updating module to reduce errors and store learning data for improved accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If experiments are conducted to grasp the relationship between parameter values and log velocity while keeping other parameters stable, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and time consumption increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of ship state graspingVSAvoidexperimental complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously receives actual ship state data from sensors (propeller rotational speed, wind velocity vector, log velocity) and feeds this information back to the estimation device. The estimation device uses this feedback to continuously update and refine the relationship between parameter values and log velocity, eliminating the need for complex controlled experiments while maintaining high measurement precision through real-time adaptive learning

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The estimation device automatically grasps the relationship between parameter values and log velocity by processing data from existing ship sensors without requiring external experimental intervention. The system serves itself by using its own operational data to improve its estimation accuracy, eliminating the need for separate experimental apparatus and procedures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If experiments are conducted to grasp the relationship between parameter values and log velocity while keeping other parameters stable, then measurement precision is improved, but time consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of ship state graspingVSAvoidexperimental time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously estimates the relationship between parameter values and log velocity during normal ship operations without interruption. The estimation device processes sensor data in real-time as the ship operates, eliminating the need for time-consuming separate experimental sessions while maintaining continuous improvement of measurement precision through ongoing data accumulation and analysis

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Measurement precision

If multiple sensors and complex experimental setups are used to detect ship parameters, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of parameter detectionVSAvoidease of grasping parameter relationships
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges the functions of multiple sensors (propeller speed sensor, wind velocity sensor, log velocity sensor) and the estimation device into an integrated ship state monitoring system. The estimation device automatically combines data from all sensors to estimate log velocity, eliminating the need for operators to manually coordinate multiple experimental apparatus while maintaining high measurement precision through unified data processing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3176068B1Vessel characteristic estimation device and automatic steering device
Publication Date: 2023.03.29 FURUNO ELECTRIC CO LTD
  • EP3176068B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3176068B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3176068B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

To easily grasp a relationship of parameter values which influence a log velocity of a ship, with the log velocity of the ship caused by the parameters, a ship characteristic estimating device (9b) is provided, which includes a data output unit (6) configured to output a plurality of parameter data (D1, D2, D3, ..., ) respectively including rotational speed data (R1) of a propeller of a ship, and wind velocity vector data (VWD1, VWD2, VWD3, ..., ) of wind force that may act on the ship, and an estimator (12) configured to receive the plurality of parameter data (D1, D2, D3, ...,) outputted from the data output unit (6), estimate values corresponding to the respective parameter data (D1, D2, D3, ..., ) to be log velocity vectors (VWT1, VWT2, VWT3, ..., ) of the ship, and output them as first output values. The rotational speed data (R1) are same as each other and the wind velocity vector data (VWD1, VWD2, VWD3, ...,) are different from each other.