Wave Slam Prediction Control for High-Speed Planing Vessels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Planing vessels experience severe mechanical shocks and vibrations due to wave slamming, leading to injuries for crew and passengers and damage to equipment, with existing shock mitigation systems being insufficient.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for monitoring accelerations on vessels using sensors communicatively coupled to a computing unit, generating real-time acceleration information and predicting wave slam, allowing for automatic control of trim, steering, or throttle to reduce the effects of wave slam.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If planing vessels operate at high speeds, then productivity and speed are improved, but mechanical shocks and vibrations from wave slamming increase causing injuries and equipment damage
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by predicting wave slam events before they occur using sensors and computing units that analyze acceleration data and generate predictions. This allows the vessel to take preventive measures (adjusting trim, steering, or throttle) before the actual wave impact, thereby reducing the harmful mechanical shocks while maintaining high speed operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring acceleration data from sensors, comparing it against predicted wave slam conditions, and automatically adjusting vessel controls (trim, steering, throttle) in real-time. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables the vessel to respond dynamically to wave conditions, reducing mechanical shocks while maintaining productivity
2Object-affected harmful factors
If shock mitigation systems are added to reduce mechanical shocks, then protection against injuries and damage is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces traditional mechanical shock mitigation systems with an electronic and computational approach. Instead of using complex mechanical dampers or shock absorbers, the invention uses sensors, computing units, and software algorithms to predict and mitigate wave slam effects through electronic control of existing vessel systems (trim, steering, throttle), thereby reducing mechanical complexity while maintaining protection
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables the vessel to self-monitor and self-adjust by using onboard sensors to detect wave conditions and automatically controlling vessel parameters without requiring external intervention or complex additional mitigation hardware. The vessel essentially serves itself by using its own control systems in a coordinated manner to reduce mechanical shocks
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 effectively mitigates the impact of wave slamming by providing real-time data and predictive analytics to operators, enabling them to take preventive measures and reducing the risk of injuries and equipment damage.
Implementation Method 1
measuring acceleration on the vessel using one or more sensors
Data Source
AI summary
A method of monitoring accelerations on a vessel includes measuring acceleration on the vessel using one or more sensors. The one or more sensors are communicatively coupled to a computing unit. Real-time acceleration information representative of an acceleration on the vessel based at least in part on the measured acceleration from the one or more sensors is generated. Acceleration prediction information representative of predicted wave slam using the computing unit is generated. Using the acceleration prediction information, automatic control of trim, steering, or throttle controls of the vessel is performed in a fashion computed to reduce the effects of the predicted wave slam.