Watercraft Energy Storage With DC Link Peak Load Buffering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing energy storage systems for watercraft, such as ships, face inefficiencies and instability due to high load peaks from devices like fin stabilizers and rowing machines, necessitating over-dimensioned designs and inefficient energy dissipation, particularly in electro-hydraulic systems.
Innovation Solution
An energy storage system with a DC link, energy converter, and storage unit, including high-capacitance capacitors or flywheel systems, allows for bidirectional energy flow, enabling instantaneous energy retrieval during peak loads and recharging during idle phases, decoupling large consumers from the electrical system, and ensuring emergency functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If an open hydraulic circuit with nitrogen accumulator support is used for energy storage, then energy can be stored during rest periods, but the efficiency is poor due to energy dissipation as heat in resistance control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical hydraulic energy storage system with an electrical energy storage system. The inverter converts electrical energy to another form for storage, and the storage device returns electrical energy when needed, eliminating the inefficiencies of hydraulic resistance control and heat dissipation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the energy storage mechanism from hydraulic pressure accumulation to electrical energy storage in capacitors or batteries. This parameter change enables efficient energy storage and retrieval without the energy losses inherent in hydraulic systems.
2Power
If the drive train is over-dimensioned to handle high load peaks, then peak loads can be met, but the system size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The energy storage device is charged during rest periods before peak loads occur. This preliminary energy accumulation allows the system to meet peak demands without requiring an oversized drive train, as the storage device supplements power during high-demand periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The inverter serves multiple functions: it converts electrical energy to drive the consumer during normal operation, manages bidirectional energy flow between the storage device and the electrical system, and enables emergency operation. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated components for each function.
3Loss of energy
If a closed hydraulic circuit is used, then efficiency is high, but hydraulic accumulators cannot be utilized for energy storage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the hydraulic circuit entirely with an electrical system. The inverter and energy storage device provide both the efficiency of a closed circuit and the energy storage capability that closed hydraulic circuits lack, by using electrical capacitors or batteries instead of hydraulic accumulators.
4Power
If large electrical consumers are connected directly to the ship's electrical system, then full power is available, but load peaks cause instability
Solution Approach 1:
The inverter acts as an intermediary between the electrical system and the large consumer. It controls power delivery, manages bidirectional energy flow with the storage device, and isolates the consumer's load peaks from the main electrical system, thereby maintaining stability while providing full power when needed.
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 system stabilizes the onboard electrical system by managing peak loads efficiently, allowing for modular scalability and emergency operation, reducing the need for oversized components and maintaining essential functions during failures.
Implementation Method 1
at least one storage unit is formed with at least one high-capacitance capacitor
Implementation Method 2
at least one storage unit is formed with at least one flywheel system, in particular a flywheel or the like
Implementation Method 3
a flywheel rotating at a high speed of up to 100,000 revolutions per minute with a high mass
Implementation Method 4
at least one converter connected to the on-board network for supplying the consumer
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to an energy storage system (100) for at least one electrical consumer (106) in an on-board electrical system (142) of a watercraft (108). The energy storage system (100) has at least one converter (140) for supplying the consumer (106), which converter is connected to the on-board electrical system (142). According to the invention, an energy store (160) is associated with the at least one converter (140), thus allowing even consumers (106) causing high electrical load peaks, such as a stabilizing device (120), a rudder unit (128) or the like, to be operated without trouble on an on-board electrical system (142) of a watercraft (108).