Variable Ballast Propulsion Shipping Vessel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ocean shipping technologies face challenges in providing timely, reliable, and affordable delivery of bulk freight and goods containers while minimizing environmental impact, particularly in terms of hydrocarbon emissions and reliance on fossil fuels.
Innovation Solution
The development of a variable ballast propulsion shipping vessel, which consists of a lead segment, cargo segments, and a tail segment mechanically and hingedly attached in series, utilizing a shipping vessel control system to manage buoyancy and propulsion through variable ballast tanks and compressed air compartments, powered by onboard batteries and rechargeable via impellers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If traditional fossil fuel engines are used for propulsion, then sufficient power is achieved, but hydrocarbon emissions increase and environmental impact worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional fossil fuel combustion engines with an electric propulsion system powered by battery banks. This substitution eliminates hydrocarbon emissions while providing sufficient propulsion power through electric motors that drive the vessel's movement both above and below water.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the energy source parameter from chemical energy (fossil fuels) to electrical energy (batteries). This fundamental parameter change resolves the contradiction by eliminating emissions while maintaining propulsion capability through electric powertrains.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If variable ballast propulsion system is implemented, then environmental friendliness improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the vessel into modular segments (lead segment, cargo segments, tail segment) that can be independently configured and assembled. This segmentation allows the complex variable ballast propulsion system to be broken down into manageable modules, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining environmental benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamic variable ballast system that adjusts buoyancy in real-time to enable the vessel to operate in both surfaced and submerged modes. This dynamic capability provides environmental benefits through flexible routing and storm avoidance while the modular architecture keeps complexity manageable.
3Ease of operation
If autonomous control system is deployed, then operating costs decrease, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements an autonomous control system that enables the vessel to navigate, maneuver, and operate without human intervention. The system autonomously controls ballast operations, navigation, and cargo management, reducing operating costs by eliminating the need for crew while the modular architecture keeps complexity manageable.
4Reliability
If submerged mode operation is enabled, then safety improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic variable ballast system that enables the vessel to transition between surfaced and submerged modes. This dynamic capability provides safety benefits by allowing the vessel to submerge during storms or adverse conditions while the modular segmented architecture keeps the overall system complexity manageable through standardized components.
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 enables efficient and environmentally friendly ocean freight transport by reducing hydrocarbon emissions, lowering operational costs through autonomous operation and reduced maintenance needs, and providing a safer method of transporting cargo by allowing submerged operation.
Implementation Method 1
a top-mounted dorsal wing having a rudder, and side-mounted pairs of wings projecting laterally from opposing sides of the cargo segment body and each having a respective plane. Each cargo segment may carry a variable ballast tank and a compressed air compartment configured to transfer air into the variable ballast tank
Implementation Method 2
an air compressor configured to air fill the compressed air compartment
Implementation Method 3
An onboard battery charger may be configured to translate current from an impeller(s) for storage into the battery bank
Implementation Method 4
A battery bank onboard each cargo segment may be configured to deliver power to the cargo segment's air compressor, as well as to the cargo segment's rudder and/or planes
Data Source
AI summary
A variable ballast propulsion shipping vessel comprising a lead segment, a cargo segment(s), and/or a tail segment hingedly attached in series. Each lead and cargo segment includes a bottom-mounted fixed ballast, a top-mounted dorsal wing with rudder, and side mounted pairs of planed wings projecting laterally (fixed or stowable). An onboard variable ballast tank is selectively air filled using a compressed air compartment and water filled/exhausted using a ballast port(s). An battery bank is charged by an battery charger (e.g., using impellers) and powers an air compressor, rudder and/or planes. A cargo bay in the cargo segment(s) is accessible through a cargo door, a hatch, and/or a capped filler neck. A shipping vessel control system creates and distributes control commands (through wired and/or wireless interfaces) to selectively operate the respective ballast tanks of the lead and cargo segments to change travel state among positive, negative, and neutral buoyancies.