Rotating Shore Power Connector Arm for Protected Vessel Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge is to automate the connection and disconnection of shore power to vessels with minimal personnel involvement, while protecting electrical connectors from corrosive and conductive seawater environments, and ensuring safe and efficient power transfer.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a rotatable arm with a connector holder and cable guide, integrated with a structure that provides a sheltered environment, uses a motor-driven mechanism to rotate electrical connectors into position and covers them before connection, ensuring protection and automation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If manual connection of electrical connectors is used, then personnel can control the connection process, but it requires dedicated personnel involvement and increases health and safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service operation where the automated arm performs connector connection and disconnection without human intervention. The arm autonomously positions, connects, and disconnects electrical connectors between the vessel and shore power supply, eliminating the need for dedicated personnel to manually handle connectors.
2Reliability
If electrical connectors are exposed in the harsh marine environment, then connection access is easier, but connectors are vulnerable to corrosion, short circuiting, and damage from seawater, wind, and waves
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary protection by covering electrical connectors with protective caps before they are exposed to the harsh marine environment. The automated arm retrieves connectors that are already protected, and after connection is complete, it returns and replaces the protective covers, ensuring connectors are shielded from corrosion and short circuiting throughout most of the operation cycle.
3Ease of operation
If automated arm system is implemented, then personnel involvement is reduced, but the system complexity increases with additional mechanical components
Solution Approach 1:
The automated arm is designed as a multi-functional device that performs multiple operations: retrieving electrical connectors from storage, transporting them to the connection point, positioning and connecting connectors to the vessel, disconnecting after use, and returning connectors to storage. This consolidation of multiple functions into a single system reduces overall operational complexity despite the mechanical components.
4Reliability
If connectors are kept in sheltered environment, then protection from elements is improved, but access for connection becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically transitions connectors between protected and accessible states. The automated arm retrieves connectors from the sheltered storage environment, transports them through the hatch opening to the connection point on the vessel, performs connection, then returns them to storage. This dynamic movement system maintains protection during storage while enabling easy access during operation.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a system (10) for handling electrical cables (18) equipped with at least one first electrical connector (14) and connecting said first electrical connector (14) to a at least one second compatible electrical connector (12), characterized in that the system comprises: - an arm (20) comprising a connector holder (34) for holding the at least one first electrical connector (14) connected to the cable (18), said arm (20) being rotatable between a receiving position and a connecting position, to bring said at least one first electrical connector (14) through a structure (30) from one side to another side, through an opening (32) in said structure (30), - means for rotating said arm (20) around a pivot point (26), and - at least one second electrical connector (12), for receiving the at least one first electrical connector (14), placed on an inside (36) of said structure (30). The invention also relates to a method.