Abstract:
An AC motor hydraulic system which utilizes a plurality of centrally controlled AC servo motor driven hydraulic pumps with integrated reservoirs to effectuate rotation of a plurality of stabilizer fins mounted about a vessel to automatically counter unwanted movement of a vessel.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This application relates to the field of automatic stabilization of a vessel, particularly by using stabilization fins rotated by a servo motor hydraulic unit controlled by a central stabilization controller. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Traditionally, motion control devices for marine vessels, such as fin roll stabilizers, have been powered hydraulically. In this application, hydraulics offer distinct advantages over other methods of providing power, such as electric motors. For instance, hydraulic actuators, or cylinders, can deliver a tremendous amount of force in a relatively small package, with little to no backlash or physical wear. 
         [0003]    The drawbacks of traditional hydraulic systems are numerous. First, traditional hydraulic systems require numerous components and large plumbing systems spread out about the vessel, especially when multiple fin stabilizers are used. These systems must be fitted to the engine or generator&#39;s power take off, or to separate electric motors. A reservoir must be installed to supply the hydraulic pumps with fluid. The fluid must be clean and kept from overheating, so filters and a cooling system must be installed. An intricate network of hoses and pipes must be maintained to keep hydraulic fluid flowing to and from each and every hydraulic system component and consumer. With so many components, these systems can be costly to acquire and install, and need to be continually and carefully maintained. 
         [0004]    The alternative to traditional hydraulic systems has been the use of electric motors to rotate the fins either directly or through a reduction gear. Direct drive motors are necessarily rather large due to the high torque requirements of a fin stabilizer. Adding a reduction gear between the motor and the fin can reduce the size requirement of the motor, but at the expense of the gear arrangement being subject to wear and backlash. In either case, the motors would be at risk of overheating and would require a cooling system. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    In order to combine the benefits and eliminate the drawbacks of both systems, the present invention provides a new method of powering ship motion control equipment. The invention utilizes a number of AC servo motor driven hydraulic pumps with integrated reservoirs in compact, self-contained packages, with no expensive plumbing to install. The units mount on or near the fin actuation methods. A closed loop hydraulic system is used, requiring far less hydraulic fluid than traditional open loop hydraulic systems. 
         [0006]    The units are designed to operate only when commanded. When stabilization is paused, and between fin movement commands, the AC motor and hydraulic pump stop. This is in contrast to traditional hydraulic systems, which continuously run regardless of whether the system is being utilized. This results in an energy efficient solution with far less heat generation than a traditional system. Accordingly, there is no need for a cooling system, and fluid filtration can be integrated within the unit. 
         [0007]    As the vessel beings to move due to waves, wakes, or swells in the water, a motion sensor detects the angle and the rate of motion of the vessel. A signal is sent from the motion sensor to a stabilization controller. The stabilization controller processes the data and determines an appropriate corrective fin response. A command is then sent to the appropriate AC servo motor hydraulic units. The command is received in-unit by the AC servo controller, which sends the required direction and speed commands to the AC motor. The AC motor turns the pump to produce the necessary pressure and flow of hydraulic fluid to extend or retract one or more hydraulic actuators or cylinders. This displaces the tiller arm associated with the AC servo motor hydraulic unit, and in turn rotates the fin. 
         [0008]    The present invention offers many unique advantages over the prior art, including, but not limited to those described herein. First, the present invention has built in redundancy, unlike a stabilizer powered by a central hydraulic system. If one unit fails, the remaining unit(s) can continue functioning. If there is a failure in a central hydraulic system, all stabilizer function is disabled. Spare units can also be kept on board in the event of a problem, and to rotate units out of service for maintenance while underway with a minimal loss of motion control. 
         [0009]    Second, the present invention provides environmental advantages over traditional solutions. In the event of a fluid leak, a traditional central hydraulic system&#39;s pipe or hose can expel nearly all the hydraulic fluid in the system in a very short amount of time. The compact, closed loop AC Servo Hydraulic Unit limits fluid loss to about a gallon, while an open loop central hydraulic system can lose 20 or 30 times that amount. 
         [0010]    Third, the present invention is also much quieter than the prior art. A central hydraulic system transmits noise from the pump, the motor, and throughout the plumbing, making it difficult to contain. The AC Servo Hydraulic Unit, along with the fin actuator can be isolated in an enclosure, and/or noise damping material. 
         [0011]    Fourth, the present invention also has the benefit of being very versatile. The hydraulic power units can be fitted with various size motors, pumps and reservoirs to meet the demand of the application, and configured to suit the available space. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a functional diagram of the servo motor hydraulic system of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a functional diagram of the servo motor hydraulic system of the present invention utilizing multiple servo motor hydraulic assemblies and fin movement assemblies. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a top view of the servo motor hydraulic unit of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the servo motor hydraulic unit of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is an alternate embodiment of a top view of the servo motor hydraulic unit of  FIG. 3  with a right angle gear box. 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a top view of the servo motor hydraulic unit of  FIG. 3  with an attached fin movement assembly. 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is a side view of the servo motor hydraulic unit of  FIG. 3  with an attached fin movement assembly. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0019]      FIG. 1  shows an embodiment of servo motor hydraulic system  1 . Motion sensor  2  first detects the movement of the ship. In other embodiments of the invention, motion sensor  2  detects roll, pitch, yaw, velocity, speed, or any other attribute of motion, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments of the invention, motion sensor  2  primarily detects the roll of a ship. 
         [0020]    Motion sensor  2  then communicates this motion information to stabilization controller  3 . Stabilization controller  3  then determines the appropriate righting movements based on the information from motion sensor  2 . In an embodiment of the invention, stabilization controller  3  also takes into account the present position fin  10 , which is periodically reported by fin position sensor  11 . In some embodiments of the invention, the fin&#39;s  10  rotational position are reported; in others, the fin&#39;s  10  linear position is reported. In embodiments of the invention, the fin&#39;s position is measured either directly or indirectly. 
         [0021]    Stabilization controller  3  then sends the appropriate commands to actuate the movement of the fin to servo motor hydraulic assembly  4 . Servo controller  5  receives the commands from stabilization controller  3  and in turn sends the appropriate command to start servo motor hydraulic unit  6 . Servo motor hydraulic unit  6  causes a pressure change in hydraulic actuator  7 , which activates fin movement assembly  8 . Tiller arm  9  moves as a result of its communication with hydraulic actuator  7  and converts the linear movement of the hydraulic actuator  7  to a torque, which rotates fin  10 . 
         [0022]    In some embodiments of the invention, hydraulic actuator  7  comprises multiple hydraulic actuators which are in communication with fin movement assembly  8 . 
         [0023]    In some embodiments of the invention, fin position sensor  11  periodically determines the position of fin  10  and updates stabilization controller  3  and servo controller  5  with the position of fin  10 . In some embodiments of the invention, when fin  10  reaches a desired position, stabilization controller  3  or servo controller  5  sends a command to halt further movement of fin  10 . 
         [0024]      FIG. 2  shows an embodiment of the servo motor hydraulic system wherein multiple servo hydraulic assemblies  4   0 ,  4   1  . . .  4   N  and multiple associated fin movement assemblies  8   0 ,  8   1  . . .  8   N  are in communication with a single stabilization controller  3 . The system works in primarily the same way as the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . However, in some embodiments of the invention, stabilization controller  3  takes into account the number, location on the ship, and/or the current rotational or linear position of fins  10   0 ,  10   1  . . .  10   N  when determining an appropriate righting movement. In an embodiment of the invention, servo motor hydraulic assemblies  4   0 ,  4   1  . . .  4   N  are given and effectuate different repositioning commands to counteract the motion of the ship by moving associated fins  10   0 ,  10   1  . . .  10   N . In an embodiment of the invention, servo motor hydraulic assemblies  4   0 ,  4   1  . . .  4   N  are given and effectuate the same repositioning commands to counteract the motion of the ship by moving associated fins  10   0 ,  10   1  . . .  10   N . 
         [0025]      FIG. 3  shows an embodiment of servo motor hydraulic unit  6 . AC servo motor  12  receives commands from servo controller  5  via either miscellaneous port  20  or  21 . The motor  12  is connected to pump  15  via pump/motor interface  13 . When the motor  12  is activated, the pump  15  changes pressure in hydraulic actuator  7  by moving fluid through ports  17  and  18 . 
         [0026]    Pump  15  is fed by integrated reservoir  19 , and is in communication with valving  16  for shutoff, flushing and pressure relief. In some embodiments of the invention, servo motor hydraulic unit can be mounted via unit mounting base  14 . In some embodiments of the invention, miscellaneous ports  22  and  23  can be configured to provide various functions. 
         [0027]      FIG. 4  shows a side view of the embodiment of the invention shown in  FIG. 3 . Miscellaneous port  24  can be configured to provide various functions. 
         [0028]      FIG. 5  shows an embodiment of the invention in which AC servo motor  12  and pump  15  are situated ninety degrees apart and connected via right angle gear box  25 . 
         [0029]      FIG. 6  shows an embodiment of the invention in which servo motor hydraulic unit  6  of  FIG. 3  is in communication with hydraulic actuator  7  and fin movement assembly  8 . Pump  15  changes the pressure in hydraulic actuator  7  by moving hydraulic fluid through ports  17  and  18  and hydraulic lines  26  and  27 . In response to the movement of hydraulic actuator  7 , tiller arm  9  converts the linear motion of hydraulic actuator  7  to torque, effectuating a rotation of fin  10 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 7  shows a side view of  FIG. 6  with fin position sensor  11  clearly shown. In some embodiments, sensor  11  is in communication with its associated servo controller  5  and stabilizer controller  3  to provide periodic updates on the position of the fin.