Ship-to-Shore Power Connection With Height-Adjustable Cable Reels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems lack efficient and adaptable mechanisms for connecting ships to shore-based power supplies, particularly in scenarios with varying ship heights due to loading or tidal changes, requiring robust and flexible cable management solutions.
Innovation Solution
A device with a vertically adjustable work platform and dual cable reels, one for shore-side and one for ship-side connections, allowing height compensation and tidal fluctuation adjustment, combined with a movable chassis and protective enclosures for the cables, ensuring secure and weather-resistant connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed-height cable connection system is used, then the structure is simple, but it cannot accommodate varying ship heights due to loading or tidal changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by implementing a vertically movable platform that can adjust its height position to accommodate varying ship connection points. The platform moves along vertical guides and is positioned by a winch system, transforming a static fixed-height connection system into a dynamic adjustable one. This allows the cable connection point to adapt to different heights caused by ship loading or tidal changes while maintaining system reliability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the ship connection point is raised to compensate for tidal range, then height compensation is achieved, but cable length requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the cable system into two separate cable reels: one reel for the shore-based connection and another reel for the ship-side connection. This segmentation allows independent management of cable lengths for each connection segment. The ship-side cable reel can be positioned on the movable platform closer to the ship, reducing the total cable length required while maintaining height compensation capability through platform adjustment.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a single integrated cable reel is used, then the structure is simple, but it cannot provide both shore-side and ship-side connections with different cable length requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the cable management system into two separate cable reels with distinct functions: one reel handles the shore-side connection cable and the other handles the ship-side connection cable. This segmentation allows each reel to be optimized for its specific cable length and routing requirements, enabling dual connection capability while maintaining manageable complexity through functional separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable platform acts as an intermediary element that carries the ship-side cable reel and positions it optimally between the shore connection point and the ship. This intermediary platform enables the two cable reels to work协同, facilitating both shore-side and ship-side connections with appropriate cable lengths without requiring a single complex integrated reel system.
4Ease of operation
If the chassis is moved close to the ship without rails, then mobility is improved, but positioning precision decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by equipping the chassis with an integrated winch system that can actively adjust and maintain the position of the movable platform. This self-positioning capability allows the chassis to achieve and hold precise positioning near the ship without requiring external rail guidance, combining mobility with positioning precision through autonomous adjustment.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Device 1 for connecting a ship 11 to a shore-based supply network 5, wherein a shore-based coupling unit 2 can be connected to the shore-based supply network 2, the coupling unit 2 having a chassis 6 on which a first cable reel 14 for a shore-based connection line 4 for connection to the supply network 5 is arranged. A vertically adjustable work platform 12 is arranged on the chassis (6), which carries a second cable reel 17 with a ship-side connection line 19.