Vessel Maintenance Diagnosis Using Torque and Slip Indexes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for diagnosing maintenance needs of sea-going vessels, such as propeller and hull cleaning, are costly and inefficient, leading to unnecessary fuel consumption and emissions due to the inability to distinguish between hull and propeller performance deterioration, and often result in premature maintenance that increases costs without significant performance improvements.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method that calculates Propeller Distance, Slip Factor, Torque Index, and Slip Index to determine the need for propeller polishing or hull cleaning independently, using existing operational data without additional hardware, allowing for tailored maintenance based on actual vessel conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If regular propeller polishing and hull cleaning are performed to maintain vessel performance, then fuel consumption and emissions are reduced, but maintenance costs and operational disruptions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary assessment of maintenance needs by analyzing operational data (RPM, power, distance) to calculate propeller and hull deterioration indicators before actual maintenance is required. This allows planning maintenance activities only when necessary, avoiding premature interventions that disrupt operations without providing significant performance benefits.
2Measurement precision
If thrust meters are installed to accurately measure propeller efficiency, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity and capital expenditure increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of installing physical thrust meters on the vessel, the system creates a virtual model of expected propeller performance based on manufacturer specifications and operational conditions. It compares this virtual reference model with actual operational data to determine propeller condition, eliminating the need for complex physical measurement devices while achieving sufficient measurement precision for maintenance decision-making.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical thrust measurement systems with a data-based computational approach. By substituting physical sensors and measurement hardware with algorithmic analysis of existing operational parameters (RPM, power output, distance traveled), the system achieves propeller efficiency assessment without mechanical intervention, reducing device complexity and capital expenditure.
3Loss of energy
If hull cleaning is performed to address performance deterioration, then vessel speed and fuel efficiency improve, but maintenance costs and operational disruption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the overall vessel performance deterioration into distinct components: propeller fouling and hull fouling. By separately calculating propeller indicators (based on RPM-power-distance relationships) and hull indicators (based on resistance models), the system can identify which specific component requires maintenance, avoiding unnecessary hull cleaning operations that are costly and operationally disruptive.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies partial action by performing only the specific maintenance needed (propeller polishing alone, hull cleaning alone, or both) based on calculated deterioration levels. Rather than performing complete maintenance packages routinely, it applies maintenance selectively and partially based on actual measured needs, reducing unnecessary maintenance costs while maintaining sufficient fuel efficiency.
4Reliability
If comprehensive maintenance is performed on both hull and propeller, then vessel performance is maximized, but maintenance costs increase and operational disruption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments maintenance assessment into separate propeller evaluation and hull evaluation processes using distinct computational models and indicators. This segmentation enables independent assessment of each component's condition, allowing maintenance teams to prioritize and schedule only the specific components that require attention, thereby improving maintenance efficiency while maintaining vessel performance.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure provides a method for vessel maintenance optimization, the method comprising the steps of: obtaining operational data of the vessel; calculating a Torque Index; calculating a Slip Index; indicating that propeller cleaning is required if the Torque Index exceeds a Torque Index threshold, and indicating that hull cleaning is required if the Slip Index exceeds a Slip Index threshold.