Solar-Laminate Vessel Mast Structure With Protected Cable Routing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing standing rigging components for vessels, such as masts, lack efficient integration of photovoltaic cell modules to provide a reliable electricity source while maintaining structural integrity and protecting electrical cables from mechanical and environmental hazards.

Innovation Solution

The integration of flat, flexible photovoltaic cell modules as plate-type laminates within the laminate walls of standing rigging elements, such as vessel masts, during the manufacturing process, allowing these modules to be embedded as an outer layer and protecting electrical cables within the closed profile of the rigging element.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If photovoltaic cell modules are integrated into standing rigging elements, then electricity generation capability is improved, but structural integrity and cable protection become compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectricity generation capabilityVSAvoidstructural integrity and cable protection

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the structural function of the standing rigging element with the energy generation function by integrating photovoltaic cell modules directly into the laminate walls. The rigging element becomes both a structural support and an electricity generator, eliminating the need for separate solar panel installations while maintaining structural integrity through the laminate construction method.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The photovoltaic cell modules are nested within the laminate wall structure of the standing rigging element. The modules are positioned between layers of structural textile and resin, creating a nested configuration where the electrical components are protected by the surrounding structural layers while still being integrated into the overall structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Ease of manufacture

If photovoltaic modules are embedded in laminate walls, then integration efficiency is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintegration efficiencyVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The photovoltaic cell modules are prepared in advance as separate components with defined dimensions and electrical connections. This preliminary preparation allows for systematic integration into the laminate structure during manufacturing, reducing on-site complexity and enabling standardized production processes for the integrated rigging elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

This solution provides a robust and efficient method for generating electricity on vessels by utilizing exposed standing rigging elements for solar energy harvesting, while ensuring the protection of electrical components from mechanical and environmental factors.

Implementation Method 1

at least one laminated, layered photovoltaic module containing a flat system of flexible photovoltaic cells as one of its layers

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotovoltaic effect: Photovoltaic Effect

Implementation Method 2

individual layers of structural textiles are placed in a special mould or on a bock and saturated with curable resin

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLamination: Lamination

Implementation Method 3

The formed laminate is a composite, a material comprising a combination of two materials with different mechanical, physical and technological properties

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectComposite materials: Composite Materials

Data Source

PatentUS12202575B2Standing rigging component, in particular the mast of a vessel, and the method of its manufacture

Publication Date: 2025.01.21 SUNREEF VENTURE SA

AI summary

A standing rigging element, in particular a mast of a vessel, that has a closed profile, and a method of manufacturing the standing rigging element. The halves of the closed profile are made of layers of structural textile saturated with an epoxy resin and have a shape corresponding to the shape of the standing rigging element, after gluing. The mast includes a layer of photovoltaic modules as one of the laminate layers, with a flat set of flexible photovoltaic cells on the outer surface. Cables collecting electricity from photovoltaic modules are routed from each photovoltaic module to common collecting cables, connected to the electric power supply installation of the vessel. The photovoltaic module includes layers of structural textile, wherein one of the layers is a layer of flexible photovoltaic cells.