Patent · US Active

Efficiency optimizing propeller speed control for ships

US8315750B2 · kind B2 · utility

2Cited by
5References
17Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 14, 2008
Grant dateNov 20, 2012
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 15, 2028

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02T70/10
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for improving the propulsion efficiency of vessels. The improvement is obtained by utilizing wave induced variations in propeller inflow, i.e. the speed of water flowing towards the propeller. The wave induced water speed variation is used to calculate the propeller speed in a way so that the propeller speed is optimal with respect to the total propulsion efficiency. The optimal propeller speed is determined by solving an optimization problem formulated as the maximization of the ratio of energy delivered by the propeller and the energy delivered to the propeller. The method may be used for vessels with one or more propellers.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.