Integrated system for producing electrical power for ship propulsion using modularized fuel storage and fuel containers
AssigneeFourth Tack LLC
InventorRalph Emerson Matlack
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system and a method produce electrical power for ship propulsion. Power and fuel modules are configured for modular use during travel. The power and fuel modules may be standard freight size containers so that the amount of fuel and power for a trip may be adjusted based on the needs of the trip. A control system may be automated to control loading and unloading of fuel or power modules into the power distribution system, connection or disconnection of fuel or power modules, and adjust distribution of power to the ship's electrical grid based on consumption demands.
Claims20
A power system for producing electrical power for ship propulsion, comprising:
- a fuel module;
- a fuel module interface on a ship, wherein the fuel module interface is configured to receive the fuel module;
- a power module;
- a power module interface on the ship, wherein the power module interface is configured to receive the power module;
- and
- a control system on the ship and connected to the fuel module interface and to the power module interface, wherein the control system is configured to control:
- flow of a fuel from the fuel module to the power module,
- conversion of the fuel in the power module to electricity, and
- regulate a distribution of the electricity from the power module to the ship.
A cargo ship, comprising:
- a ship hold;
- a plurality of fuel modules stored in the ship hold;
- a plurality of fuel module interfaces in the ship hold, wherein each fuel module interface is configured to receive one of the fuel modules;
- a plurality of power modules stored in the ship hold;
- a plurality of power module interfaces on the ship, wherein each power module interface is configured to receive one of the power modules;
- and
- a control system on the ship and connected to the fuel module interfaces and to the power module interfaces, wherein the control system is configured to control:
- flow of a fuel from the fuel modules to the power modules,
- conversion of the fuel in the power modules to electricity, and
- regulate a distribution of the electricity from the power modules to an electrical grid of the ship.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.