US 2025/0136256 A1Published application

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.

Claims14

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
,
preferably
⁢
in
⁢
a
⁢
range
⁢
of
0.7
to
0.99
)
*
(
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
,
preferably
⁢
in
⁢
a
⁢
range
⁢
from
0.8
and
⁢
up
⁢
to
0.99
)
*
(
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
⁢
Torqur
⁢
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.

236 more elements

A computer program 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 program comprising instructions which, when the program 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
,
preferably
⁢
in
⁢
a
⁢
range
⁢
of
0.7
to
0.99
)
*
(
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
,
preferably
⁢
in
⁢
a
⁢
range
⁢
from
0.8
and
⁢
up
⁢
to
0.99
)
*
(
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
⁢
Torqur
⁢
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.

235 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
,
preferably
⁢
in
⁢
a
⁢
range
⁢
of
0.7
to
0.99
)
*
(
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
,
preferably
⁢
in
⁢
a
⁢
range
⁢
from
0.8
and
⁢
up
⁢
to
0.99
)
*
(
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
⁢
Torqur
⁢
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.

235 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 18/683,261Filed 23 Aug 2022
Priority: EP 21194583.72 Sep 2021
Published: 1 May 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 12,503,205 B2Related patent
US 2025/0136256 A1This 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
,
preferably
⁢
in
⁢
a
⁢
range
⁢
of
0.7
to
0.99
)
*
(
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
,
preferably
⁢
in
⁢
a
⁢
range
⁢
from
0.8
and
⁢
up
⁢
to
0.99
)
*
(
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
⁢
Torqur
⁢
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.

236 more elements

Facts

Application

18/683,261Filed 23 Aug 2022

Priority

EP 21194583.72 Sep 2021

Published

1 May 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