Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
  • B63H—MARINE PROPULSION OR STEERING
  • B63H21/00—Use of propulsion power plant or units on vessels
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
  • B63H—MARINE PROPULSION OR STEERING
  • B63H23/00—Transmitting power from propulsion power plant to propulsive elements
  • B63H23/22—Transmitting power from propulsion power plant to propulsive elements with non-mechanical gearing
  • B63H23/24—Transmitting power from propulsion power plant to propulsive elements with non-mechanical gearing electric

Definitions

• a Control Device for achieving optimum Use of the Energy which is produced by a Vessel's main Energy Source
• the invention concerns a control device for achieving optimum use of the energy which is produced by a vessel's main energy source, this energy being converted to electrical energy possibly via a generator device and supplied via a power-line network to at least one first motor which operates a first device for movement of the vessel in its longitudinal direction, and possibly at least one second motor which operates a second device for movement of the vessel in its transverse direction, together with possible further motors for operation of further devices on board the vessel.
• the pitch of a variable pitch ship's propel ⁇ ler can be controlled as a function of disturbances in the ship's movements and that several main engines can be controlled simultaneously.
• the disturbances can be ongoing or estimated in advance.
• Ongoing disturbances are obtained from transductors which emit impulses concerning the ship's vertical speed and the first derivative of the ship's trim.
• the object of the device according to the invention is to provide a device of the known type described in the introduction which provides an optimum utilization of the energy, including, e.g. thermal as well as mechanical energy, which can be produced by an energy source on board a vessel to all the energy consumers in the vessel.
• FIG. 1 is a diagram which schematically illustrates the working connection between an energy source and devices which are operated thereby. and an electrical control circuit for the energy source and the devices, the components of the system being indicated symbolically and located on board a vessel.
• driven devices described herein are presented as examples, and that the system can comprise fewer or more devices which are operated by the main energy source and that it can comprise a different number of engines than two.
• the energy source is composed of two main engines, e.g. two diesel engines 1 , 2. each of which drives its respective electrical generator 5. 6 via respective shafts 3, 4.
• diesel engines steam or gas turbines, e.g.. or a combination of different types of engine can be used.
• auxiliary engines are not provided according to the prior art. but only one common energy source for all purposes.
• the invention can. however, also be employed when a propeller is used which is directly driven mechanically by means of the main engines and in addition the vessel has a number of auxiliary engines.
• the generators supply electrical energy to a common power network which is composed of power lines 8. which are indicated by double lines in the figure.
• the generators supply energy for operation of the following devices:
• a pair of transverse propellers 31 , 32 which are provided at the vessel's stern, and each of which is operated by its own electric motor 33, 34.
• transverse propellers 36. 37 which are provided at the vessel's bow. and each of which is operated by its own electric motor 38, 39.
• the invention can also be employed without transverse propellers. In this case. however, the functional possibilities are reduced, especially during manoeuvring.
• rudders 41 , 42 which are provided behind each pair of propulsion propellers 19, 20 and 21. 22, and each of which can be pivoted by means of its respective steering machinery 43, 44. This can. e.g.. be electrohydraulic.
• the rudders 41 , 42 are of the type which can be retracted into the hull. e.g. by means of electrohydraulic equipment (not shown). In the same way associated electric motors can be driven by the generators.
• Waste heat from the engines 1 , 2, indicated by the arrows 53. 54. can be used for heating, desalination of sea water, absorption refrigerating plants, etc..
• the motors 1 1 -14. 33, 34, 38. 39 can be frequency controlled, thus enabling their rotation speed to be varied.
• generators 5. 6 can supply electrical energy to other devices on board the vessel (not shown), such as winches, fans, pumps, water heaters, lighting, etc.. these devices being indicated only by the reference number 52.
• a control device for controlling the engines ( 1 , 2) and the energy supply to those devices which receive energy therefrom, a control device has been provided which comprises
• manoeuvring device 45 a manoeuvrable control impulse emission device, hereinafter called manoeuvring device 45,
• PLS device 46 a programmable, logic control device, hereinafter called PLS device 46
• GP system global positioning system 47
• control cables 48 which via electrical control cables 48 links the main engines 1 , 2. the generators 5, 6 and the motors 1 1- 14, 33, 34, 38. 39 to the above-mentioned remaining components of the control device.
• the control cables 48 are illustrated by a single line in the figure.
• the device ensures that the correct number of motors is in operation at any time, and it can stop or start motors depending on the energy requirements.
• the manoeuvring device comprises a control stick device 50 of the type which has a control stick, one end of which is mounted via a universal joint, and which is arranged for simultaneous control of all the propeller motors 1 1 - 14. 33, 34. 38, 39 during manoeuvring in order to achieve by means of this single control stick a controlled movement of the vessel along and about the above-mentioned major axes, including turning of the vessel about any point along its longitudinal axis.
• the manoeuvring device further comprises a steering wheel device 51 for controlling the rudder motors 42, 43.
• the rudders are partially retracted for reduction of the hydraulic resistance.
• the rudders can be completely retracted, whereby the steering of the vessel is performed by varying the power to the two propellers.
• the PLS device is arranged to receive information concerning a desired movement of the vessel from the manoeuvring device 45 and to coordinate this information with information concerning the vessel's actual movement from the GP system, possibly also from sensors and gyros (not shown), and transmit control impulses to the motors for control thereof based on an optimization programme for obtaining a desired movement of the vessel with a minimum energy consumption.
• the device also ensures that the rudders are retracted and provides for the transfer to power steering in the case of multi-propeller units.
• control system is arranged to steer the vessel to its destination along an optimum path whilst, e.g.. evading storms without risk of running aground or colliding with other vessels, and with a minimum energy consumption.

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Publications (2)

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ID=19897598

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• 1994
  • 1994-11-04 NO NO944225A patent/NO944225L/no unknown
• 1995
  • 1995-11-03 RU RU97108977A patent/RU2139810C1/ru active
  • 1995-11-03 DE DE69507628T patent/DE69507628T2/de not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 1995-11-03 WO PCT/NO1995/000205 patent/WO1996014241A1/en active IP Right Grant
  • 1995-11-03 EP EP95938070A patent/EP0789658B1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 1995-11-03 DK DK95938070T patent/DK0789658T3/da active
  • 1995-11-03 JP JP8515218A patent/JPH10508557A/ja active Pending
• 1997
  • 1997-05-02 FI FI971891A patent/FI971891A0/fi unknown

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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