Ship Trim Sensing and AI Ballast Control for Fuel Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining and maintaining optimal ship trim are inefficient, especially during sea travel, leading to increased fuel consumption and reduced stability due to inaccurate adjustments and slow response to changing conditions.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing an array of sensors, including accelerometers and GNSS receivers, with digital filtering and artificial intelligence to calculate and optimize trim angles, supported by a central hub and software application, providing real-time data processing and modeling for maximum fuel efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sight gauges are used for trim adjustment while docked, then trim can be determined, but the method is slow and inaccurate for sea travel conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical sight gauges with electronic sensors including accelerometers and GNSS receivers. These electronic devices provide continuous, real-time digital measurements of trim angle and position, eliminating the manual, intermittent nature of sight gauge measurements and enabling accurate remote monitoring during sea travel.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a central hub as an intermediary that collects data from multiple sensors, processes the information through digital filtering and algorithms, and provides integrated trim management. This intermediary layer synthesizes data from accelerometers, GNSS receivers, and other sensors to deliver accurate, real-time trim information that neither sensor type could provide alone.
2Use of energy by moving object
If conventional sight gauges are used for trim monitoring, then equipment is simple, but fuel efficiency and stability are reduced due to inaccurate adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service through automated sensor-based monitoring and AI-driven trim optimization. The system continuously monitors trim conditions using accelerometers and GNSS receivers, automatically calculates optimal trim angles through digital filtering and algorithms, and provides real-time guidance without requiring manual intervention. This automation ensures consistent fuel efficiency optimization while reducing the need for complex human operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameters from manual visual estimates to precise electronic measurements of acceleration, position, and orientation. By utilizing multiple sensors measuring different physical parameters (acceleration from accelerometers, position from GNSS), the system achieves accurate trim determination that directly optimizes fuel consumption, outweighing the increased device complexity.
3Measurement precision
If multiple sensor types are used for comprehensive trim data, then measurement accuracy improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges data from multiple sensor types (accelerometers, GNSS receivers, and other sensors) into a unified trim management system. The central hub combines these diverse data streams, applying digital filtering and integration algorithms to produce a single, accurate trim angle measurement. This merging approach leverages the complementary strengths of different sensors while managing complexity through centralized processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The central hub serves as an intermediary that manages the complexity of multiple sensors. It collects raw data from various sensor modules, applies digital filtering to reduce noise, integrates information from different sensor types, and outputs processed trim measurements. This intermediary layer shields the user from the underlying complexity while maximizing measurement precision through multi-sensor fusion.
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
Enables precise and adaptive trim management, enhancing stability and reducing fuel consumption by accurately adjusting trim angles in response to dynamic conditions, thereby improving ship performance and safety.
Implementation Method 1
Two accelerometers laid flat in the same orientation will indicate the same acceleration readings of gravity. As one accelerometer changes position, the gravitational angle of incidence changes causing that accelerometer to provide a different acceleration reading.
Implementation Method 2
A second method of calculating trim angle is by using multiband GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) receivers with correctional data for real-time kinematics.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for providing accurate trim and list angles of a ship through an array of sensors incorporating real-time kinematics and inertial measurement units. The software application would create a D model of the localized sensor data for detailed ship characteristics. Artificial intelligence will process all the sensor data through a large database of route data, weather conditions, and past performances to determine the optimum ballast levels to set the trim/list angles for maximum fuel efficiency. Each trip will provide detailed course information for continual improvement.