Gyroscope-Optimized Station Keeping Through Vessel Heading Search
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for marine vessels operating in station keeping mode do not efficiently optimize the control torques generated by gyroscopic stabilizers, leading to higher energy expenditure and reduced comfort due to inefficient pitch and roll motion reduction.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that includes marine propulsion devices and a gyroscopic stabilizer system, controlled by a controller to minimize control torque output while maintaining the vessel's selected global position, by performing a heading search process to optimize the gyroscopic stabilizer's energy use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the vessel maintains a fixed heading in station keeping mode, then the global position is maintained, but the gyroscopic stabilizer system consumes excessive energy due to high control torque output
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the vessel's heading angle based on wave conditions and gyroscopic stabilizer performance characteristics. Rather than maintaining a fixed heading, the control system continuously optimizes the heading angle to minimize the control torque required by the gyroscopic stabilizer, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining effective pitch and roll stabilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the gyroscopic stabilizer by adjusting the vessel's heading angle. This parameter change allows the stabilizer to operate in a more efficient regime where less control torque is needed to achieve the same level of pitch and roll reduction, directly addressing the energy consumption issue.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the gyroscopic stabilizer operates at high control torque output, then pitch and roll motions are reduced effectively, but energy expenditure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically optimizes the operating point of the gyroscopic stabilizer by adjusting the vessel heading. This allows the stabilizer to maintain effective pitch and roll reduction while operating at lower control torque levels, thereby reducing energy expenditure without sacrificing stabilization performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system uses feedback from wave conditions and stabilizer performance to continuously adjust the heading angle. This feedback mechanism ensures that the gyroscopic stabilizer operates at optimal torque levels that balance pitch and roll reduction effectiveness with energy efficiency.
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
The solution reduces energy expenditure and enhances the comfort of marine vessel occupants by optimizing the control torques generated by the gyroscopic stabilizer, allowing for more efficient operation and improved stabilization during station keeping.
Implementation Method 1
a gyroscopic stabilizer system
Implementation Method 2
control torques generated by the gyroscopic stabilizer
Data Source
AI summary
A system for orienting a marine vessel is provided. The system includes marine propulsion devices, a gyroscopic stabilizer system, and a controller operably coupled to the marine propulsion devices and the gyroscopic stabilization system. The controller is configured to control operation of the marine propulsion devices to minimize a control torque output of the gyroscopic stabilizer system while maintaining the marine vessel in a selected global position and/or heading.