US 12,503,205 B2Granted

Methods and systems for diagnosing maintenance needs of a sea-going vessel

AssigneeShell USA, Inc.

InventorsStephen Andrew Brown, Mark Robert Friswell

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

Abstract

The disclosure provides a method for vessel maintenance optimization, the method comprising the steps of: obtaining operational data of the vessel; calculating a Torque Index; calculating a Slip Index; indicating that propeller cleaning is required if the Torque Index exceeds a Torque Index threshold, and indicating that hull cleaning is required if the Slip Index exceeds a Slip Index threshold.

Claims11

Dependent claims

A computer-implemented method for diagnosing maintenance needs of a sea-going vessel, said vessel comprising a hull, a propeller, an engine, and a drive shaft connecting the engine to the propeller, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) calculating a Propeller Distance using equation (A):
Propeller
⁢
Distance
=
(
Nominal
⁢
Pitch
)
*
(
a
⁢
number
⁢
of
⁢
less
⁢
than
⁢
1
)
*
(
Observed
⁢
RPM
)
(
A
)
wherein the Nominal Pitch is a value indicating a pitch at 0.7 radius;
wherein the Observed RPM is a value indicating revolutions per minute of the drive shaft over a selected period;
(b) calculating a Slip Factor using equation (B):
Slip
⁢
Factor
=
(
Propeller
⁢
Distance
)
/
(
Observed
⁢
Distance
)
(
B
)
wherein the Observed Distance is an observed distance travelled by the vessel over the selected period;
(c) outputting at least one of:
a Propeller Polishing Indicator and Hull Cleaning Indicator,
wherein outputting the Propeller Polishing Indicator comprises:
calculating a Reference Torque Multiplier using equation (C):
Reference
⁢
Torque
⁢
Multiplier
=
(
a
⁢
number
⁢
of
⁢
less
⁢
than
⁢
1
)
*
(
Rated
⁢
Engine
⁢
Power
)
/
(
Rated
⁢
RPM
)
3
(
C
)
wherein the Rated Engine Power is a maximum power output value of the engine as specified by an engine manufacturer;
wherein the Rated RPM is a maximum RPM of the propeller at the Rated Engine Power as specified by the engine manufacturer;
calculating an Observed Torque Multiplier using equation (D):
Observed
⁢
Torque
⁢
Multiplier
=
Observed
⁢
Engine
⁢
Power
/
(
Observed
⁢
RPM
)
3
(
D
)
wherein the Observed Engine Power is an observed engine power of the vessel over the selected period;
calculating a Torque Index using equation (E):
Torque
⁢
Index
=
(
a
⁢
number
⁢
in
⁢
a
⁢
range
⁢
from
⁢
85
⁢
to
⁢
110
)
*
(
Observed
⁢
Torque
⁢
Multiplier
)
/
(
Reference
⁢
Torque
⁢
Multiplier
)
/
(
Slip
⁢
Factor
)
2
(
E
)
comparing the Torque Index with an upper Torque Index threshold;
wherein outputting the Hull Cleaning Indicator comprises:
calculating a Slip Index using equation (F):
Slip
⁢
Index
=
(
a
⁢
number
⁢
in
⁢
a
⁢
range
⁢
from
⁢
85
⁢
to
⁢
110
)
*
(
Slip
⁢
Factor
)
3
;
(
F
)
comparing the Slip Index with an upper Slip Index threshold
wherein—the step of outputting the Propeller Polishing Indicator further comprises:
comparing the Torque Index with a lower Torque Index threshold and with an upper Torque Index threshold, and indicating that propeller polishing would be beneficial when the Torque Index exceeds the lower Torque Index threshold but not the upper Torque Index threshold, and indicating that propeller polishing is required when the Torque Index exceeds the upper Torque Index threshold;
and wherein:—the step of outputting the Hull Cleaning Indicator further comprises:
comparing the Slip Index with a lower Slip Index threshold and with an upper Slip Index threshold, and indicating that hull cleaning would be beneficial when the Slip Index exceeds the lower Slip Index threshold but not the upper Slip Index threshold, and indicating that hull cleaning is required when the Slip Index exceeds the upper Slip Index threshold.

210 more elements

Computer readable medium for diagnosing maintenance needs of a sea-going vessel, said vessel comprising a hull, a propeller, an engine, and a drive shaft connecting the engine to the propeller, the computer readable medium comprising instructions which, when the computer readable medium is executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out steps of:

(a) calculating a Propeller Distance using equation (A):
Propeller
⁢
Distance
=
(
Nominal
⁢
Pitch
)
*
(
a
⁢
number
⁢
of
⁢
less
⁢
than
⁢
1
)
*
(
Observed
⁢
RPM
)
(
A
)
wherein the Nominal Pitch is a value indicating a pitch at 0.7 radius;
wherein the Observed RPM is a value indicating revolutions per minute of the drive shaft over a selected period;
(b) calculating a Slip Factor using equation (B):
Slip
⁢
Factor
=
(
Propeller
⁢
Distance
)
/
(
Observed
⁢
Distance
)
(
B
)
wherein the Observed Distance is an observed distance travelled by the vessel over the selected period;
(c) outputting at least one of:
a Propeller Polishing Indicator and Hull Cleaning Indicator,
wherein outputting the Propeller Polishing Indicator comprises:
calculating a Reference Torque Multiplier using equation (C):
Reference
⁢
Torque
⁢
Multiplier
=
(
a
⁢
number
⁢
of
⁢
less
⁢
than
⁢
1
)
*
(
Rated
⁢
Engine
⁢
Power
)
/
(
Rated
⁢
RPM
)
3
(
C
)
wherein the Rated Engine Power is a maximum power output value of the engine as specified by an engine manufacturer;
wherein the Rated RPM is a maximum RPM of the propeller at the Rated Engine Power as specified by the engine manufacturer;
calculating an Observed Torque Multiplier using equation (D):
Observed
⁢
Torque
⁢
Multiplier
=
Observed
⁢
Engine
⁢
Power
/
(
Observed
⁢
RPM
)
3
(
D
)
calculating a Torque Index using equation (E):
Torque
⁢
Index
=
(
a
⁢
number
⁢
in
⁢
a
⁢
range
⁢
from
⁢
85
⁢
to
⁢
110
)
*
(
Observed
⁢
Torque
⁢
Multiplier
)
/
(
Reference
⁢
Torque
⁢
Multiplier
)
/
(
Slip
⁢
Factor
)
2
(
E
)
comparing the Torque Index with an upper Torque Index threshold;
wherein outputting the Hull Cleaning Indicator comprises:
calculating a Slip Index using equation (F):
Slip
⁢
Index
=
(
a
⁢
number
⁢
in
⁢
a
⁢
range
⁢
from
⁢
85
⁢
to
⁢
110
)
*
(
Slip
⁢
Factor
)
3
;
(
F
)
comparing the Slip Index with an upper Slip Index threshold
wherein—the step of outputting the Propeller Polishing Indicator further comprises:
comparing the Torque Index with a lower Torque Index threshold and with an upper Torque Index threshold, and indicating that propeller polishing would be beneficial when the Torque Index exceeds the lower Torque Index threshold but not the upper Torque Index threshold, and indicating that propeller polishing is required when the Torque Index exceeds the upper Torque Index threshold;
and wherein:—the step of outputting the Hull Cleaning Indicator further comprises:
comparing the Slip Index with a lower Slip Index threshold and with an upper Slip Index threshold, and indicating that hull cleaning would be beneficial when the Slip Index exceeds the lower Slip Index threshold but not the upper Slip Index threshold, and indicating that hull cleaning is required when the Slip Index exceeds the upper Slip Index threshold.

209 more elements

A computer-readable medium for diagnosing maintenance needs of a sea-going vessel, said vessel comprising a hull, a propeller, an engine, and a drive shaft connecting the engine to the propeller, wherein the computer-readable medium comprises instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out steps:

(a) calculating a Propeller Distance using equation (A):
Propeller
⁢
Distance
=
(
Nominal
⁢
Pitch
)
*
(
a
⁢
number
⁢
of
⁢
less
⁢
than
⁢
1
)
*
(
Observed
⁢
RPM
)
(
A
)
wherein the Nominal Pitch is a value indicating a pitch at 0.7 radius;
wherein the Observed RPM is a value indicating revolutions per minute of the drive shaft over a selected period;
(b) calculating a Slip Factor using equation (B):
Slip
⁢
Factor
=
(
Propeller
⁢
Distance
)
/
(
Observed
⁢
Distance
)
(
B
)
wherein the Observed Distance is an observed distance travelled by the vessel over the selected period;
(c) outputting at least one of:
a Propeller Polishing Indicator and Hull Cleaning Indicator,
wherein outputting the Propeller Polishing Indicator comprises:
calculating a Reference Torque Multiplier using equation (C):
Reference
⁢
Torque
⁢
Multiplier
=
(
a
⁢
number
⁢
of
⁢
less
⁢
than
⁢
1
)
*
(
Rated
⁢
Engine
⁢
Power
)
/
(
Rated
⁢
RPM
)
3
(
C
)
wherein the Rated Engine Power is a maximum power output value of the engine as specified by an engine manufacturer;
wherein the Rated RPM is a maximum RPM of the propeller at the Rated Engine Power as specified by the engine manufacturer;
calculating an Observed Torque Multiplier using equation (D):
Observed
⁢
Torque
⁢
Multiplier
=
Observed
⁢
Engine
⁢
Power
/
(
Observed
⁢
RPM
)
3
(
D
)
calculating a Torque Index using equation (E):
Torque
⁢
Index
=
(
a
⁢
number
⁢
in
⁢
a
⁢
range
⁢
from
⁢
85
⁢
to
⁢
110
)
*
(
Observed
⁢
Torque
⁢
Multiplier
)
/
(
Reference
⁢
Torque
⁢
Multiplier
)
/
(
Slip
⁢
Factor
)
2
(
E
)
comparing the Torque Index with an upper Torque Index threshold:
wherein outputting the Hull Cleaning Indicator comprises:
calculating a Slip Index using equation (F):
Slip
⁢
Index
=
(
a
⁢
number
⁢
in
⁢
a
⁢
range
⁢
from
⁢
85
⁢
to
⁢
110
)
*
(
Slip
⁢
Factor
)
3
;
(
F
)
comparing the Slip Index with an upper Slip Index threshold
wherein—the step of outputting the Propeller Polishing Indicator further comprises:
comparing the Torque Index with a lower Torque Index threshold and with an upper Torque Index threshold, and indicating that propeller polishing would be beneficial when the Torque Index exceeds the lower Torque Index threshold but not the upper Torque Index threshold, and indicating that propeller polishing is required when the Torque Index exceeds the upper Torque Index threshold;
and wherein:—the step of outputting the Hull Cleaning Indicator further comprises:
comparing the Slip Index with a lower Slip Index threshold and with an upper Slip Index threshold, and indicating that hull cleaning would be beneficial when the Slip Index exceeds the lower Slip Index threshold but not the upper Slip Index threshold, and indicating that hull cleaning is required when the Slip Index exceeds the upper Slip Index threshold.

209 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 18/683,261Filed 23 Aug 2022
Priority: EP 211945832 Sep 2021
Published: US 2025/0136256 A11 May 2025
Granted: 23 Dec 2025
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification6 codes

B63B 79/30
Monitoring properties or operating parameters of vessels in operation: for diagnosing, testing or predicting the integrity or performance of vessels
B63B 59/04
Hull protection specially adapted for vessels; Cleaning devices specially adapted for vessels: preventing hull fouling
B63B 79/10
Monitoring properties or operating parameters of vessels in operation: using sensors, e.g. pressure sensors, strain gauges or accelerometers
B63B 79/20
Monitoring properties or operating parameters of vessels in operation: using models or simulation, e.g. statistical models or stochastic models

Family

US 2025/0136256 A1Pre-grant publication · published 1 May 2025
US 12,503,205 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

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Abstract

(a) calculating a Propeller Distance using equation (A):
Propeller
⁢
Distance
=
(
Nominal
⁢
Pitch
)
*
(
a
⁢
number
⁢
of
⁢
less
⁢
than
⁢
1
)
*
(
Observed
⁢
RPM
)
(
A
)
wherein the Nominal Pitch is a value indicating a pitch at 0.7 radius;
wherein the Observed RPM is a value indicating revolutions per minute of the drive shaft over a selected period;
(b) calculating a Slip Factor using equation (B):
Slip
⁢
Factor
=
(
Propeller
⁢
Distance
)
/
(
Observed
⁢
Distance
)
(
B
)
wherein the Observed Distance is an observed distance travelled by the vessel over the selected period;
(c) outputting at least one of:
a Propeller Polishing Indicator and Hull Cleaning Indicator,
wherein outputting the Propeller Polishing Indicator comprises:
calculating a Reference Torque Multiplier using equation (C):
Reference
⁢
Torque
⁢
Multiplier
=
(
a
⁢
number
⁢
of
⁢
less
⁢
than
⁢
1
)
*
(
Rated
⁢
Engine
⁢
Power
)
/
(
Rated
⁢
RPM
)
3
(
C
)
wherein the Rated Engine Power is a maximum power output value of the engine as specified by an engine manufacturer;
wherein the Rated RPM is a maximum RPM of the propeller at the Rated Engine Power as specified by the engine manufacturer;
calculating an Observed Torque Multiplier using equation (D):
Observed
⁢
Torque
⁢
Multiplier
=
Observed
⁢
Engine
⁢
Power
/
(
Observed
⁢
RPM
)
3
(
D
)
wherein the Observed Engine Power is an observed engine power of the vessel over the selected period;
calculating a Torque Index using equation (E):
Torque
⁢
Index
=
(
a
⁢
number
⁢
in
⁢
a
⁢
range
⁢
from
⁢
85
⁢
to
⁢
110
)
*
(
Observed
⁢
Torque
⁢
Multiplier
)
/
(
Reference
⁢
Torque
⁢
Multiplier
)
/
(
Slip
⁢
Factor
)
2
(
E
)
comparing the Torque Index with an upper Torque Index threshold;
wherein outputting the Hull Cleaning Indicator comprises:
calculating a Slip Index using equation (F):
Slip
⁢
Index
=
(
a
⁢
number
⁢
in
⁢
a
⁢
range
⁢
from
⁢
85
⁢
to
⁢
110
)
*
(
Slip
⁢
Factor
)
3
;
(
F
)
comparing the Slip Index with an upper Slip Index threshold
wherein—the step of outputting the Propeller Polishing Indicator further comprises:
comparing the Torque Index with a lower Torque Index threshold and with an upper Torque Index threshold, and indicating that propeller polishing would be beneficial when the Torque Index exceeds the lower Torque Index threshold but not the upper Torque Index threshold, and indicating that propeller polishing is required when the Torque Index exceeds the upper Torque Index threshold;
and wherein:—the step of outputting the Hull Cleaning Indicator further comprises:
comparing the Slip Index with a lower Slip Index threshold and with an upper Slip Index threshold, and indicating that hull cleaning would be beneficial when the Slip Index exceeds the lower Slip Index threshold but not the upper Slip Index threshold, and indicating that hull cleaning is required when the Slip Index exceeds the upper Slip Index threshold.

210 more elements

Facts

Application

18/683,261Filed 23 Aug 2022

Priority

EP 211945832 Sep 2021

Published

US 2025/0136256 A11 May 2025

Granted

23 Dec 2025

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification6 codes

B63B 79/30
Monitoring properties or operating parameters of vessels in operation: for diagnosing, testing or predicting the integrity or performance of vessels
B63B 59/04
Hull protection specially adapted for vessels; Cleaning devices specially adapted for vessels: preventing hull fouling
B63B 79/10
Monitoring properties or operating parameters of vessels in operation: using sensors, e.g. pressure sensors, strain gauges or accelerometers
B63B 79/20
Monitoring properties or operating parameters of vessels in operation: using models or simulation, e.g. statistical models or stochastic models