Marine Vessel Disturbance Control With Thrusters and Stabilizer Fins
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Solution Overview
Problem
Disturbances such as waves significantly impact the performance and fuel consumption of marine vessels, and existing technologies have limitations in effectively addressing these issues for sustainable development and operation.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and controller for a marine vessel that uses multiple apparatuses like podded azimuth thrusters and stabilizer fins, powered by electric motors, to attenuate disturbances by determining control data for steering, speed, torque, and thrust, optimizing electric power use, and minimizing fuel consumption through advanced control algorithms and models.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If advanced control algorithms and multiple apparatuses are used to attenuate disturbances, then fuel consumption is reduced and stability is enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into multiple independent apparatuses (podded azimuth thrusters, stabilizer fins, rudders) each controlled by dedicated controllers that communicate through a network. This segmentation allows complex disturbance attenuation to be achieved through coordinated action of simpler, modular components rather than a single complex system.
Solution Approach 2:
The podded azimuth thrusters serve multiple functions: they provide propulsion, enable course keeping, and contribute to disturbance attenuation. The stabilizer fins similarly provide both stability and disturbance reduction. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated systems, managing complexity while achieving multiple objectives.
2Stability of the object's composition
If multiple apparatuses exerting force are used to attenuate disturbances, then passenger and cargo stability is enhanced, but the structure of the vessel experiences increased stress
Solution Approach 1:
The control system continuously monitors vessel motion and predicts disturbances using motion data and environmental information. Control actions are initiated in advance to counteract expected disturbances, allowing the vessel to maintain stability with smoother, more gradual force applications rather than reactive corrections that impose higher peak stresses.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses continuous feedback from motion sensors, GPS, and environmental sensors to adjust the output of multiple apparatuses in real-time. This closed-loop control ensures that force applications are optimized to achieve stability while minimizing excessive or conflicting forces that would increase structural stress.
3Productivity
If advanced control algorithms are implemented for disturbance attenuation, then performance and sustainability are improved, but the extent of automation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system operates autonomously, with controllers automatically processing motion data, determining optimal control actions, and adjusting apparatuses without human intervention. The system self-regulates based on real-time conditions, achieving high performance and sustainability through automated disturbance attenuation while reducing the need for manual operation.
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 effectively reduces fuel consumption, enhances passenger and cargo stability, decreases stress on vessel structures, and prolongs their lifetime by attenuating disturbances, thereby improving the overall performance and sustainability of marine vessels.
Implementation Method 1
one or more electric motors (104) powering the one or more apparatuses (102)
Implementation Method 2
Each motor 402, 412 drives a propeller 404, 414... the propellers 404, 414 interact with rudders 406, 416
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
Controlling marine vessel: obtaining (302) motion data (300) related to the marine vessel; obtaining (317) an operation state (112) related to one or more apparatuses (102) exerting force from the marine vessel to ambient water; detecting (312) a disturbance (140) in one or more degrees of freedom affecting the marine vessel based on the motion data (300); and determining (326) control data (114) for the one or more apparatuses (102) exerting force to attenuate the detected disturbance (140).