Power storage for marine seismic vessel

• US 6,161,495 A
• Filed: 04/01/1999
• Issued: 12/19/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 04/01/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: WesternGeco LLC
• Original Assignee: Western Atlas International Incorporated (Northrop Grumman Corporation)
• Inventors: Ambs, Loran
• Primary Examiner(s): Le, Mark T.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MULDOON, PATRICK C
• Application Number:
  US09/285,219
• Time in Patent Office: 628 Days
• Field of Search: 114/312, 114/336, 114/337, 440/4, 440/1, 440/6
• US Class Current: 114/337
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 2209/00 Energy supply or activating means
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 2211/02 Oceanography
• CPC Class Codes: B63G 2008/004 autonomously operating
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 21/12 the vessels being motor-driven B63H21/175, B63H21/18 take precedence; cooling circuits with liquid-to-liquid heat-exchange relative to marine vessels F01P3/207
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 21/17 by electric motor

Abstract

A marine vessel having backup power storage in the event of primary power source failure. The invention applies to different marine vessels and is particularly suited to vessels used in marine seismic operations. A rotating mass energy storage provides stored energy which can be distributed to the vessel following primary power source failure. A pulsed generator charges the energy storage means, and the pulsed generator can comprise a homopolar generator or a compensated pulsed alternator. The primary power source can recharge the energy storage means, and a sensor and controller can control different functions related to the control and operation of the primary power source and the energy storage means

Claims

1. A marine vessel having a hull and a propulsion system for moving the hull through water, comprising:

a primary power source for engaging and for transferring energy to the propulsion system to move the hull through water,

a rotating mass energy storage means engagable with the propulsion system for storing energy and for selectively discharging said energy to operate the propulsion system following failure of said primary power sources, a pulsed generator for charging said rotating mass energy storage means; and

,

wherein said pulsed generator comprises a compensated pulsed alternator or a homopolar generator.

2. A vessel as recited in claim 1, further comprising a sensor for detecting cessation of energy transfer from said primary power source to the propulsion system.

3. A vessel as recited in claim 1, further comprising a controller engaged with said energy storage means, wherein said controller is capable of operating said energy storage means when said primary power source ceases power transfer to the propulsion system.

4. A vessel as recited in claim 1, further comprising a controller engaged with said energy storage means, wherein said controller is capable of managing the discharge rate of energy from said energy storage means to the propulsion system.

5. A vessel as recited in claim 1, further comprising a controller engaged with said energy storage means, wherein said controller is capable of reducing the hull speed to a level sufficient to prevent sinking of the hull.