US 6,848,382 B1Granted

Portable dynamic positioning system with self-contained electric thrusters

OwnerJoannes Raymond Mari Bekkerinventor

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Abstract

The system is an integrated and self contained electric thruster system integral with a dynamic positioning control system for dynamic positioning of any waterborne vessel having a hull with at least two sides and a deck connecting the sides, at least two azimuthing thrusters, each removably mounted to the vessel, at least two self-contained electric power units removably secured to the deck, one for each thruster, at least one dynamic positioning computer connected to each of the self contained electric power units, at least one motion reference sensor connected to the dynamic positioning computer to correct reference position signals for motion of the vessel, at least one heading sensor, and at least one sensor that is either a position reference sensor connected to the dynamic positioning computer, environmental sensors connected to the dynamic positioning computer, or a combination thereof.

Claims18

Dependent claims

An integrated and self contained diesel electric thruster system integral with a dynamic positioning control system for dynamic positioning of any waterborne vessel having a hull with at least two sides and a deck connecting the sides, comprising:

a. at least two azimuthing thrusters, each removably mounted to the vessel, comprising:
i. a skid removably secured to the deck;
ii. an upper thruster housing, removably connected to the skid, containing steering gear with electric slewing drive and electrical steering angle feedback sensors and a multi-conductor slip ring assembly;
iii. a stern moveably connected with a connector to the skid;
iv. a strut connected to the stem;
v. an electric pod connected to the strut;
vi. wherein the pod comprises a housing and an electric motor contained within the housing, a drive shaft connected to the electric motor on one end, at least one propeller with nozzle connected to the drive shaft;
and an electric power cable connecting on one end to the multi-conductor slip ring assembly and on the other end to the electric motor;
b. at least two self-contained diesel electric power units removably secured to the deck, one for each thruster, comprising:
i. a housing comprising a diesel engine with a fuel day tank, a cooling system for the engine, an exhaust system for the engine, an alternator for the engine, electrical control system, an electric starter, a battery, and the diesel engine is connected to an electrical generator with a frequency converter drive;
ii an electric power cable and an electrical control cable, each having a first and second end, wherein each the first ends are secured to the diesel electric power unit and the other ends are secured to the thruster skid;
c. at least one dynamic positioning computer connected to each of the self contained diesel electric power units;
d. at least one motion reference sensor connected to the dynamic positioning computer to correct reference position signals for motion of the vessel;
and
e. at least one heading sensor connected to the dynamic positioning computer and at least one sensor selected from group consisting of position reference sensors connected to the dynamic positioning computer;
environmental sensors connected to the dynamic positioning computer;
and combinations thereof.

14 more elements

A waterborne vessel comprising an integrated and self contained diesel electric thruster system integral with a dynamic position control system for dynamic positioning of any waterborne vessel having a hull with at least two sides and a deck connect the sides, comprising:

a. at least two azimuthing thrusters, each removably mounted to the vessel, comprising:
i. a skid removably secured to the deck;
ii. an upper thruster housing, removably connected to the skid, containing steering gear with electric slewing drive and electrical steering angle feedback sensors and a multi-conductor slip ring assembly;
iii. a stern moveably connected with a connector to the skid;
iv. a strut connected to the stem;
v. an electric pod connected to the strut;
vi. wherein the pod comprises a housing and an electric motor contained within the housing;
a drive shaft connected to the electric motor on one end, at least one propeller with nozzle connected to the drive shaft;
and an electric power cable connecting on one end to the multi-conductor slip ring assembly and on the other end to the electric motor;
b. at least two self-contained diesel electric power units removably secured to the deck, one for each thruster, comprising:
i. a housing comprising a diesel engine with a fuel day tank, a cooling system for the engine, an exhaust system for the engine, an alternator for the engine, electrical control system, an electric starter, a battery, and the diesel engine is connected to an electrical generator with a frequency converter drive;
ii. an electric power cable and an electrical control cable, each having a first and second end, wherein each the first ends are secured to the diesel electric power unit and the other ends are secured to the thruster skid;
c. at least dynamic positioning computer connected to each of the self contained diesel electric power units;
d. at least one motion reference sensor connected to the dynamic positioning computer to correct reference position signals for motion of the vessel;
and
e. at least one heading sensor connected to the dynamic positioning computer and at least one sensor selected from group consisting of position reference sensors connected to the dynamic positioning computer;
environmental sensors connected to the dynamic positioning computer;
and combinations thereof.

15 more elements

An integrated and self contained gas turbine electric thruster system integral with a dynamic positioning control system for dynamic positioning of any waterborne vessel having a hull with at least two sides and a deck connecting the sides, comprising:

a. at least two azimuthing thrusters, each removably mounted to the vessel, comprising:
i. a skid removably secured to the deck;
ii. an upper thruster housing, removably connected to the skid, containing steering gear with electric slewing drive and electrical steering angle feedback sensors and a multi-conductor slip ring assembly;
iii. a stern moveably connected with a connector to th skid;
iv. a strut connected to the stem;
v. an electric pod connected to the strut;
vi. wherein the pod comprises a housing and an electric motor contained within the housing;
a drive shaft connected to the electric motor on one end, at least one propeller with nozzle connected to the drive shaft;
and an electric power cable connecting on one end to the multi-conductor slip ring assembly and on the other end to the electric motor;
b. at least two self-contained gas turbine electric power units removably secured to the deck, one for each thruster, comprising:
i. a housing comprising a gas turbine with a fuel day tank, a cooling system for the gas turbine, an exhaust system for the gas turbine, an alternator for the gas turbine, electrical control system, an electric starter, a battery, and the gas turbine is connected to an electrical generator with a frequency converter drive;
ii. an electric power cable and an electrical control cable, each having a first and second end, wherein each the first ends are secured to the gas turbine electric power unit and the other ends are secured to the thruster skid;
c. at least one dynamic positioning computer connected to each of the self contained gas turbine electric power units;
d. at least one motion reference sensor connected to the dynamic positioning computer to correct reference position signals for motion of the vessel;
and
c. at least one heading sensor connected to the dynamic positioning computer and at least one sensor selected from each group consisting of position reference sensors connected to the dynamic positioning computer;
environmental sensors connected to the dynamic positioning computer;
and combinations thereof.

15 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 10/695,098Filed 28 Oct 2003 · us provisional application
Priority: 23 Dec 2002
Granted: 1 Feb 2005
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification10 codes

B63H 21/17
The vessels being motor-driven: by electric motor
B63B 79/15
Using sensors, e.g. pressure sensors, strain gauges or accelerometers: for monitoring environmental variables, e.g. wave height or weather data
B63H 20/00
Outboard propulsion units
B63H 25/04
Initiating means for steering , for slowing down, otherwise than by use of propulsive elements, or for dynamic anchoring: automatic, e.g. reacting…