Wind Propulsion Pressure Feedback for Apparent Wind Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wind propulsion devices face inefficiencies due to inaccurate and unreliable measurement techniques, which result in non-optimal operation, as they do not account for changes in wind profile and pressure distribution caused by vessel structures, leading to suboptimal control parameters.
Innovation Solution
A method involving air pressure sensors arranged on the surface of wind propulsion devices to provide pressure information, estimate pressure distribution, and use this feedback in a closed-loop control method to optimize control parameters, such as rotation speed and angle of attack, for improved efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If measurement devices are installed on the vessel to measure wind conditions, then wind direction and wind speed can be obtained, but the measurements are inaccurate due to vessel structures affecting wind profile and pressure distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary computational model that processes raw sensor data from multiple measurement devices. This model acts as a mediator between the physical sensors and the control system, correcting measurements by accounting for vessel structure effects through pre-calculated wind profile modifications and pressure distribution patterns specific to each vessel type.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct mechanical measurement at the propulsion device location with a computational approach. Instead of installing sensors directly on the wind propulsion device (which would be affected by its operation), the system uses sensors mounted on the vessel combined with computational fluid dynamics models to infer the wind conditions at the propulsion device location.
2Measurement precision
If measurement devices are installed proximate to the wind propulsion device, then accurate local wind conditions can be measured, but the device operation causes measurement errors
Solution Approach 1:
The computational model serves as an intermediary that indirectly determines wind conditions at the propulsion device location without requiring physical sensors to be placed there. The model uses data from remotely mounted sensors and applies corrections based on the known flow disturbances caused by the propulsion device operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary calculations of wind profile modifications and pressure distribution patterns caused by vessel structures and propulsion devices before operation. These pre-calculated effects are then used to correct real-time sensor measurements, allowing the system to compensate for measurement errors that would otherwise be caused by the propulsion device operation.
3Measurement precision
If strain-based measurements are used to measure lift or force generated by the wind propulsion device, then force calculation is possible, but turbulence and environmental conditions cause significant variations affecting precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple measurement approaches by combining pressure sensor data from multiple locations with computational fluid dynamics models. This integrated system cross-validates measurements and compensates for turbulence-induced variations, providing more reliable force and lift calculations than any single measurement method could achieve alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where real-time pressure distribution measurements are continuously compared with model predictions. Deviations caused by turbulence or environmental changes are detected and used to dynamically adjust the computational model parameters, maintaining measurement accuracy under varying operating conditions.
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 approach enhances the efficiency of wind propulsion devices by providing real-time pressure distribution data, reducing the need for multiple measurement devices and improving propulsion force generation, leading to increased vessel efficiency and reduced fuel consumption.
Implementation Method 1
Magnus-rotors or aerofoil sails, are increasingly being used to assist conventional propulsion systems... generate a lift (or thrust) perpendicular to a direction of wind flow
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a method for controlling a wind propulsion device (300, 600) arranged on a vessel. The method comprises providing pressure information from a first pressure sensor (302, 616) arranged on a surface of the wind propulsion device, estimating pressure distribution on the 5 surface of the wind propulsion device based on the pressure information from the first pressure sensor, providing angular position information of wind propulsion device, estimating apparent wind angle based on the angular position information of wind propulsion device and the estimated pressure distribution on the surface of the wind propulsion device, using 10 the estimated apparent wind angle for determining initial approximation for control parameters, and using the estimated pressure distribution as a feedback in closed-loop control method to optimise the control parameters of the wind propulsion device.