Technical Field

The invention relates to a marine rechargeable power source system for water vessels at least partially electrically driven.

Background Art

There is a wide range of water vessels at least partially electrically driven which are gaining popularity and are becoming more available for a wider range of consumers. They may comprise a rechargeable power source. They may have an improved ecological impact and may be a sustainable form of marine transportation. Many people and companies are attracted to them because they want to decrease their personal impact on the environment through transport.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the present invention is to propose a marine rechargeable power source system (MPS) for water vessels at least partially electrically driven comprising a rechargeable power source, a source management system and a container which can be buoyant or nonbuoyant. The MPS may further comprise power transfer interfaces, power cables, thermal management systems, power sources, payment terminals, mobility devices.

A further object is to propose the MPS providing data transmissions.

A further object is to propose the MPS configured to be a swappable power source and the MPS with a conveniently shaped container.

A further object is to propose the MPS in a cloud-based communication system comprising communication nodes. A further object is to propose the MPS in a hydrogen powering system comprising a hydrogen production system and a hydrogen storage system.

A further object is to propose the MPS in a marine fuelling system comprising a fuel dispenser, a fuel storage system and a fuelling line system.

A further object is to propose the MPS in a modular system.

A further object is to propose an offshore swapping method using the MPS.

In a first aspect, the invention discloses a marine rechargeable power source system for a water vessel at least partially electrically driven, characterised in that it comprises: a rechargeable power source; a source management system to manage charging and/or discharging said rechargeable power source; a container containing at least said rechargeable power source and characterised by being buoyant or nonbuoyant.

The marine rechargeable power source may further comprise or may be at least coupled with a power transfer interface to transfer power to and/or from said rechargeable power source, wherein at least one said power transfer interface may be selected from the group consisting of charging interfaces to charge and/or discharge said water vessels at least partially electrically driven, charging interfaces to charge and/or discharge said rechargeable power sources, power transfer interfaces to transfer power between said water vessels at least partially electrically driven and said rechargeable power sources, or combinations thereof; and/or said marine rechargeable power source may further comprise or may be at least coupled with a power cable to transfer power to and/or from said rechargeable power source; and/or said marine rechargeable power souce may further comprise a thermal management system to thermally manage said rechargeable power source and/or said power transfer interface and/or said power cable, wherein at least one said thermal management system may be selected from the group consisting of air tempering systems, liquid tempering systems, liquid tempering systems using offshore water as a thermal medium, or combinations thereof; and/or said marine rechargeable power source may further comprise or may be at least coupled with a power source to charge and/or discharge said rechargeable power source, wherein at least one said power source may be selected from the group consisting of onshore power sources, offshore power sources, arrays of solar cells, fuel cells, wind energy to electric energy converters, wave energy to electric energy converters, water currents energy to electric energy converters, tidal energy to electric energy converters, motor generators, smart grids, or combinations thereof; and/or said marine rechargeable power source may further comprise or may be at least coupled with a payment terminal enabling at least one payment selected from the group consisting of online payments, cash payments, mobile payments, chip card payments, magnetic stripe card payments, or combinations thereof, wherein an acceptation of said payment via said payment terminal may be in relation with charging and/or discharging said water vessel at least partially electrically driven and/or with a power transfer between said water vessel at least partially elec tricall driven and said rechargeable power source; and/or said marine rechargeable power source may further comprise a mobility device providing said container with mobility, wherein at least one said mobility device may be selected from the group consisting of mobile containers, mobile buoyant containers, or combinations thereof, and/or said marine rechargeable power source may provide at least one data transmission selected from the group consisting of wired data transmissions, wireless data transmissions, or combinations thereof, wherein said data transmission may be in relation with charging and/or discharging said rechargeable power source and/or said water vessel at least partially electrically driven and/or with a power transfer between said water vessel at least partially electrically driven and said rechargeable power source, and/or said marine rechargeable power source may be configured to be a swappable power source for said water vessel at least partially electrically driven, and/or said container may be shaped to convene to said water vessel at least partially electrically driven.

The marine rechargeable power source may be provided as part of a cloud-based communication system, characterised in that it may comprise: one or more communication nodes, wherein at least one said communication node may be selected from the group consisting of operators, said marine rechargeable power sources, said water vessels at least partially electrically driven, or combinations thereof; a cloud, wherein said communication node may be in wired and/or wireless communication with said cloud.

The marine rechargeable power source may be provided as part of a hydrogen powering system, characterised in that it may comprise: a hydrogen production system to produce hydrogen in a functional connection with said marine rechargeable power source, wherein at least one said hydrogen production system may be selected from the group consisting of electrolysis systems, hydrocarbons reforming systems, alcohols reforming systems, sugars reforming systems, chemical processing systems, biological processing systems, biomass processing systems, thermal processing systems, photo processing systems, metal and water systems, or combinations thereof; a hydrogen storage system to store at least partially hydrogen produced by said hydrogen production system, wherein at least one said hydrogen storage system may be selected from the group consisting of compressed gas systems, liquified gas systems, chemical systems, electrochemical systems, physi-sorption systems, nanomaterial systems, intercallation in metals systems, intercallation in hydrides systems, inorganic gaseous sysems, inorganic liquids systems, inorganic solids systems, organic gaseous systems, organic liquids systems, organic solids systems, or combinations thereof. The marine rechargeable power source may be provided as part of a marine fuelling system to provide a marine fuel in a functional connection with said marine rechargeable power source, characterised in that it may comprise: a fuel dispenser, a fuel storage system; a fuelling line system, wherein said fuelling line system may transfer said marine fuel from said fuel storage system to said fuel dispenser.

The marine rechargeable power source may be provided as part of a modular system, characterised in that it may comprise: a module, wherein at least one said module may be selected from the group consisting of said rechargeable power sources, said source management systems, said containers, power transfer interfaces, power cables, thermal management systems, arrays of solar cells, fuel cells, wind energy to electric energy converters, wave energy to electric energy converters, water currents energy to electric energy converters, tidal energy to electric energy converters, motor generators, payment terminals, mobility devices, hydrogen production systems, hydrogen storage systems, fuel dispensers, fuel storage sysems, fuelling line systems, or combinations thereof, wherein said module may be modularly scallable and/or exchangeable and/or couplable with at least one element of said marine rechargeable power source.

In a second aspect, the invention discloses an offshore swapping method, the method comprising the steps of: taking by a water vessel at least partially electrically driven a first marine rechargeable power source according to one of the preceding claims to a swapping place; swapping said first marine rechargeable power source for a second marine rechargeable power source according to one of the preceding claims provided by said swapping place.

The offshore swapping method may further comprise a step of: transferring power between said marine rechargeable power source and said water vessel at least partially electrically driven at least partially while said water vessel at least partially electrically driven be stationary or in a motion.

In the offshore swapping method at least one said swapping place may be selected from the group consisting of onshore swapping places, offshore swapping places, or combinations thereof.

In the offshore swapping method said swapping place may comprise one or more charging apparatuses to charge and/or discharge said first marine rechargeable power source and/or said second marine rechargeable power source; and/or said swapping place may further comprise or may be at least coupled with a power source to charge and/or discharge said first marine rechargeable power source and/or said second marine rechargeable power source, wherein at least one said power source may be selected from the group consisting of onshore power sources, offshore power sources, arrays of solar cells, fuel cells, wind energy to electric energy converters, wave energy to electric energy converters, water currents energy to electric energy converters, tidal energy to electric energy converters, motor generators, smart grids, or combinations thereof.

Brief Description of Drawings

The invention will now be described by way of example. Only essential elements of the invention are schematically shown and not to scale to facilitate immediate understanding, emphasis being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a schematic oblique view of a marine rechargeable power source comprising a rechargeable power source, a source management system, a nonbuoyant mobile container, a charging interface, a payment terminal, a thermal management system and an array of solar cells. FIG. 2 is a schematic oblique view of a marine rechargeable power source comprising a rechargeable power source, a source management system, a mobile buoyant container, a charging interface, a power transfer interface, a payment terminal, a thermal management system and an array of solar cells.

FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of a marine rechargeable power source comprising a rechargeable power source, a source management system, a mobile buoyant container, a charging interface, a payment terminal and a thermal management system.

FIG. 4 is a schematic side view of a marine rechargeable power source comprising a buoyant container and an array of solar cells.

FIG. 5 is a schematic side view of a marine rechargeable power source comprising a buoyant container and a wind energy to electric energy converter.

FIG. 6 is a schematic side view of a marine rechargeable power source comprising a buoyant container, a fuel cell and coupled to a wave energy to electric energy converter, a water currents energy to electric energy converter, a tidal energy to electric energy converter and provided in a hydrogen powering system.

FIG. 7 is a schematic side view of a marine rechargeable power source comprising a buoyant container, a fuel cell, an array of solar cells and provided in a hydrogen powering system and in a marine fuelling system.

FIG. 8 is a schematic side view of a marine rechargeable power source comprising a buoyant container shaped to convene to a water vessel at least partially electrically driven.

FIG. 9 is a schematic side view of another embodiment of a marine rechargeable power source comprising a nonbuoyant container shaped to convene to a water vessel at least partially electrically driven.

FIG. 10 is a schematic side view of another embodiment of a marine rechargeable power source comprising a mobile buoyant container shaped to convene to a water vessel at least partially electrically driven.

FIG. 11 is a schematic plan view of another embodiment of a marine rechargeable power source comprising a mobile buoyant container shaped to convene to a water vessel at least partially electrically driven.

FIG. 12 is a schematic perspective view of a marine rechargeable power source comprising a rechargeable power source, a source management system, a mobile buoyant container, a combined power transfer/charging interface, a power cable, a thermal management system and an array of solar cells.

FIG. 13 is a schematic perspective view of a marine rechargeable power source comprising a rechargeable power source, a source management system, a mobile buoyant container, a charging interface, a thermal management system and an array of solar cells.

FIG. 14 is a schematic of a marine rechargeable power source provided in a cloud-based communication system comprising communication nodes.

FIG. 15 is a schematic of a first step of an offshore swapping method, the step of bringing by water vessels at least partially electrically driven first marine rechargeable power sources - one buoyant and the other nonbuoyant - within an operational range of an onshore swapping place with a charging apparatus coupled with an offshore wind energy to electric energy converter.

FIG. 16 is a schematic of a second step of the offshore swapping method shown in FIG. 15, the step of swapping the first marine rechargeable power sources for second marine rechargeable power sources - one buoyant and the other nonbuoyant - provided by the onshore swapping place with the charging apparatus coupled with onshore arrays of solar cells.

FIG. 17 is a schematic of a third step of the offshore swapping method shown in FIGs. 15 and 16, the step of transferring power between the rechargeable power sources and the water vessels at least partially electrically driven while in a motion. The onshore swapping place can comprise the charging apparatus coupled with an onshore power source. FIG. 18 is a schematic of a first step of an offshore swapping method, the step of bringing by water vessels at least partially electrically driven first marine rechargeable power sources - one buoyant and the other nonbuoyant - within an operational range of an offshore swapping place. FIG. 19 is a schematic of a second step of the offshore swapping method shown in FIG. 18, the step of swapping the first marine rechargeable power sources for second marine rechargeable power sources - one buoyant and the other nonbuoyant - provided by the offshore swapping place. FIG. 20 is a schematic of a third step of the offshore swapping method shown in FIGs. 18 and 19, the step of transferring power between the rechargeable power sources and the water vessels at least partially electrically driven while in a motion.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

The following detailed description shows the best contemplated modes of exemplary embodiments. The description is made for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, and in such a detail that a skilled person in the art can recognise the advantages of the invention, and can be able to make and use the invention. The detailed description is not intended to limit the principle of the presented invention, but only to show the possibilities of it.

The terms used in the claims and the specifications shall refer to their synonyms as well.

As used in the claims and the specification, the term „water vessel at least partially electrically driven" shall refer to manned and unmanned water vessels, and shall refer to overwater and underwater vater vessels, and shall refer to toys and models and the like as well.

As used in the claims and the specification, the term “rechargeable power source” shall refer to rechargeable batteries, capacitors, hybrid sources, energy storage elements, and the like.

As used in the claims and the specification, the term „power transfer interface" shall preferably not exclusively refer to a power transfer interface wherein at least one said power transfer interface is selected from the group consisting of AC power transfer interfaces, DC power transfer interfaces, inductive power transfer interfaces, capacitive power transfer interfaces, magnetodynamic power transfer interfaces, or combinations thereof.

The term „inductive“ shall also refer to resonant inductive, the term „capacitive“ shall also refer to resonant capacitive.

The term „magnetodynamic“ shall preferably not exclusively refer to magneto-mechanical systems using translational and/or rotational motion of a magnetic element or arrays of magnetic elements to wirelessly transfer power.

As used in the claims and the specification, the terms „onshore power source", „ofFshore power source" shall refer to power transmission systems, power distribution systems and shall refer to mobile systems and shall refer to „power grid" and the like as well. As used in the claims and the specification, the term “motor generator'’ shall preferably not exclusively refer to electric energy generating systems using an electrical generator coupled with an engine (which can be a jet. engine, an engine bunting a hydrocarbon fuel, a gas generator, a turbine, etc.) and shall also refer to the term “power plant”, and the like, and shall also refer to mobile units, compact units, enclosed units, portable units, skid mounted units and shall also refer to thermal electric types and atomic types and shall also refer to floating and underwater types and shall also refer to power plants, power units comprising exhaust products (e.g. gases, fluids) treatments.

As used in the claims and the specification, the terms "mobile container”, "buoyant container”, "mobile buoyant container” shall refer to any type of containers with built-in, attached, detachably attached, etc. devices providing the containers with mobility, respective buoyancy and shall further refer to active and/or passive buoyancy control systems.

As used in the claims and the specification, the term „fuel“ as in the marine fuelling system shall refer to any type of marine fuel, preferably not exclusively to hydrogen gases, hydrogen liquids, compressed natural gases, liquefied natural gases, biofuels, low sulphur fuel oils, emulsified fuels, methanols, including mixture type fuels. As used in the claims and the specification, the singular forms are intended to include the plural forms as well.

The term „to couple" and derivatives shall refer to a direct or indirect connection via another device and/or connection.

The terms „to comprise", „to include", „to contain" and derivatives specify the presence of an element, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other elements or groups and combinations thereof.

The term ..consisting of" characterises a Markush group which is by nature closed. Single members of the group are alternatively useable for the purpose of the invention. Therefore, a singular if used in the Markush group would indicate only one member of the group to be used. For that reason are the countable members listed in the plural. That means together with qualifying language after the group „or combinations thereof' that only one member of the

Markush group can be chosen or any combination of the listed members in any numbers. In other words, although elements in the Markush groups may be described in the plural, the singular is contemplated as well. Furthermore, the phrase „at least one" preceding the Markush groups is to be interpreted that the group does not exclude one or more additional elements preceded by the phrase.

The invention will be described in reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic oblique view of a marine rechargeable power source (104) comprising a rechargeable power source, a source management system, a nonbuoyant mobile container (102), a charging interface (106), a payment terminal (107), a thermal management system and an array of solar cells (114).

The rechargeable power source (not shown) can be banks of rechargeable capacitors and/or batteries. The source management system (not shown) can manage charging and/or discharging the rechargeable power source [it can comprise various circuit topologies including electrocomponents such as converters, inverters, voltage regulators, power factor corrections, rectifiers, filters, controllers, processors, etc.]. The mobile container (102) can be fabricated from any convenient material and can comprise any convenient mobile device which can be controlled by a convenient control system including a remote control. The charging interface (106) [which can be used for charging/discharging of the rechargeable power source and of a water vessel at least partially electrically driven] can be an AC charging interface, a DC charging interface, an inductive charging interface, a capacitive charging interface, a magnetodynamic charging interface.

The payment terminal (107) can be of any convenient type. The thermal management system (only ventilation grilles (108) shown) can be of any air and/or liquid tempering systems [it can comprise ventilators, thermal exchangers, compressors, chillers, condensers, heaters, sensors, pumps, programmable controllers, thermal medium conducts, valves]. The array of solar cells (114) can be a solar panel mounted on the container (102) and coupled with the source management system.

FIG. 2 is a schematic oblique view of a marine rechargeable power source (134) comprising a rechargeable power source, a source management system, a mobile buoyant container (132), a charging interface (136a), a power transfer interface (136b), a payment terminal (137), a thermal management system and an array of solar cells (144). The rechargeable power source (not shown) can be banks of rechargeable capacitors and/or batteries. The source management system (not shown) can manage charging and discharging the rechargeable power source. The mobile buoyant container (132) can be fabricated from any convenient material and can comprise any convenient mobile device which can be controlled by any convenient control system including remote control. The devices providing the container (132) with mobility (not shown) can be any type of jets, propellers, propelling devices, and the like.

The charging interface (136a) [to charge/discharge a water vessel at least partially electrically driven and/or the rechargeable power source] can be any type of a wired and/or wireless charging interface [it can be an AC, DC wired interface, an inductive, capacitive, magnetodynamic wireless charging interface, it can be a combined interface], preferably waterproof. The power transfer interface (136b) can be any type of wired/wireless interface configured to transfer power between the rechargeable power source and the water vessel [which can be a traction power transfer for a traction motor of the water vessel, a power transfer for auxiliaries of the water vessel, and which can have different parameters from the charging/discharging power transfer via the dedicated charging interface (136a)]. The payment terminal (137) can be of any convenient type, e.g. contactless, and preferably waterproof. The thermal management system can be of any air and/or liquid tempering systems [it can comprise ventilators, thermal exchangers, compressors, chillers, condensers, heaters, sensors, pumps, programmable controllers, thermal medium conducts, valves]. The liquid tempering systems can use ambient water as a thermal medium. The liquid systems can use thermal exchangers (not shown) thermally coupled with ambient water. The array of solar cells (144) can be a solar panel mounted on the buoyant container (132) and coupled with the source management system. The marine rechargeable power source (134) can be provided in offshore water above water level (139).

FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of a marine rechargeable power source (174) comprising a rechargeable power source, a source management system, a mobile buoyant container (172), a charging interface (176), a payment terminal (177) and a thermal management system.

The marine power source (174) can be similar to that shown in FIG. 2. The mobile buoyant container (172) can be torpedo shaped and can be able to function underwater. The device providing the container (172) with mobility can be any type of jets, propellers, propelling devices and the like. The charging interface (176) can be a watertight wired connection or a wireless interface, preferably watertight. The payment terminal (177) can be of any convenient type and preferably watertight. The thermal management system can be preferably a liquid tempering system and can be thermally coupled with ambient water. The marine rechargeable power source (174) can be provided in offshore water under water level (179).

FIG. 4 is a schematic side view of a marine rechargeable power source (214) comprising a buoyant container (212), an array of solar cells (224) [which can be a solar panel], a rechargeable power source (213) [which can be banks of rechargeable capacitors and/or batteries], a power flow regulator (217) which can be coupled with a charging interface (216) and which can be controlled by a programmable controller (218) [which can include a processor, a memory and a communication unit]. The power flow regulator (217) and the controller (218) can perform a function of a source management system or it can be one or more separate units in various topologies.

FIG. 5 is a schematic side view of a marine rechargeable power source (254) comprising a buoyant container (252), a wind energy to electric energy converter (264), a rechargeable power source (253), a power flow regulator (257) which can be coupled with a charging interface (256) and which can be controlled by a programmable controller (258).

FIG. 6 is a schematic side view of a marine rechargeable power source (284) comprising a buoyant container (282), a rechargeable power source (283), a charging interface (286) which can be coupled with a power flow regulator (287). The MPS can comprise a fuel cell (274) and can be coupled with a wave energy to electric energy converter (294a), a water currents energy to electric energy converter (294b), a tidal energy to electric energy converter (294c) and provided in a hydrogen powering system comprising a hydrogen storage system (281) [which can be a container (high pressurised, cryo-compressed, cryogenically liquefied, solid state physical, chemical storage) of various shapes and dimensions (e.g. cylindric, cubic) and from various materials (e.g. metals, composites, glass)] and a hydrogen production system (285) [which can be an acidic, alkaline, solid oxide, photo, photo-electrochemical electrolysis systems, hydrocarbons reforming systems, alcohols reforming systems, sugars reforming systems, chemical processing systems, biological processing systems, biomass processing systems, thermal processing systems, photo processing systems, metal and water systems].

The hydrogen storage system (281) can be coupled with the fuel cell (288) which can use hydrogen to generate power which can be used by the marine rechargeable power source (284).

FIG. 7 is a schematic side view of a marine rechargeable power source (324) comprising a buoyant container (322), a fuel cell (314), an array of solar cells (334) [which can be a solar panel], a rechargeable power source (323), a charging interface (326) coupled with a power flow regulator (327) [which can be controlled by a programmable controller]. The MPS can be provided in a hydrogen powering system comprising a hydrogen production system (325), a hydrogen storage system (321) which can be coupled with the fuel cell (314) and further provided in a marine fuelling system (344) wherein the hydrogen storage system (321) can be part of a hydrogen fuel storage system (321) which can comprise a hydrogen fuel dispenser (330) and a hydrogen fuelling line system (331).

FIG. 8 is a schematic side view of a marine rechargeable power source (364) comprising a buoyant container (362) which can be shaped to convene to a water vessel at least partially electrically driven (363) and can be configured to be a swappable power source for the vessel (363) [e.g. can comprise a functional/communication/shape compatibility, i.e. can comprise compatible power transfer interfaces, compatible communication interfaces, compatible rechargeable power sources, compatible source management systems, power cables, thermal management systems, etc.].

FIG. 9 is a schematic side view of another embodiment of a marine rechargeable power source (384) comprising a nonbuoyant container (382) which can be shaped to convene to a water vessel at least partially electrically driven (383).

FIG. 10 is a schematic side view of another embodiment of a marine rechargeable power source (404) comprising a mobile buoyant container (402) which can be shaped to convene to a water vessel at least partially electrically driven (403).

FIG. 11 is a schematic plan view of another embodiment of a marine rechargeable power source (424) comprising a mobile buoyant container (422) which can be shaped to convene to a water vessel at least partially electrically driven (423).

FIG. 12 is a schematic perspective view of a marine rechargeable power source (464) comprising a mobile buoyant container (462) [which can contain a rechargeable power source (not shown) and which can be provided with a conduct (462a) of ambient water (469) forming a part of a thermal management system], a combined power transfer/charging interface (466) [which can be coupled to charge/discharge the rechargeable power source and/or a water vessel at least partially electrically driven (not shown) and/or to provide a power transfer between the rechargeable power source and the water vessel which power can be used to power an electric motor of the vessel and its auxiliaries], a power cable (468) [which can transfer power between the rechargeable power source and the vessel and/or between an external power source (not shown) and the rechargeable power source], and an array of solar cells (474) [which can be mounted on a detachable upper part (462b) which can contain a source management system (not shown)]. A thermal management system can thermally manage the rechargeable power source and/or the power transfer interface (466) and/or the power cable (468) using air tempering systems, liquid tempering systems and liquid tempering systems using offshore water as a thermal medium.

The marine rechargeable power source (464) can be configured to be a swappable power source for the vessel [e.g. can comprise a compatible interface (466), various compatible coupling devices (462c) /e.g. detachably attachable/, compatible communication interfaces (not shown), etc.].

FIG. 13 is a schematic perspective view of a marine rechargeable power source (484) comprising a buoyant container (482) [which can contain a rechargeable power source (not shown) and which can be provided with conducts (482a) of ambient water (489) forming a part of a thermal management system], a charging interface (486), and an array of solar cells (494) [which can be mounted on a detachable upper part (482b) which can contain a source management system (not shown)].

Common features of FIGs. 1 to 13

Marine rechargeable power source systems can provide wired/wireless data transmissions in relation with charging and/or discharging rechargeable power sources and/or water vessels at least partially electrically driven and/or with power transfers between the water vessels and the rechargeable power sources. The data transmissions can be local [e.g. via charging interfaces, local wired/wireless networks] and distant [e.g. via power cables, satellite connections, telephone techniques, etc.]. The data transmissions can include underwater acoustic techniques. The systems can use any type of communication interfaces, lines, techniques and protocols.

FIG. 14 is a schematic of a marine rechargeable power source provided in a cloud-based communication system comprising communication nodes (521, 522, 523, 524) which can be an embodiment of a buoyant marine rechargeable power source (521), another embodiment of a nonbuoyant marine rechargeable power source comprising a mobile container (522), a water vessel at least partially electrically driven (523) and an operator (524).

The communictaion nodes (521, 522, 523, 524) can be in wired and/or wireless communication (525) with a cloud (526) which can store their data. The operator (524) can via the cloud (526) operate the communication system. Each communication node (521, 522, 523, 524) and the cloud (526) can have a different operator.

FIG. 15 is a schematic of a first step (S551) of an offshore swapping method, the step of bringing by water vessels at least partially electrically driven (563a, 563b) first marine rechargeable power sources (561a, 561b) - one buoyant (561a) and the other nonbuoyant (561b) - within an operational range of an onshore swapping place (565) which can comprise a charging apparatus (565a) which can charge and/or discharge the first marine rechargeable power sources (561a, 561b) and which can be coupled with an offshore wind energy to electric energy converter (566). The swapping place (565) can be situated at offshore water (569).

FIG. 16 is a schematic of a second step (S552) of the offshore swapping method shown in FIG. 15, the step of swapping the first marine rechargeable power sources (561a, 561b) for second marine rechargeable power sources (562a, 562b) - one buoyant (562a) and the other nonbuoyant (562b) - provided by the onshore swapping place (565) which can comprise the charging apparatus (565a) which can charge and/or discharge the first marine rechargeable power sources (561a, 561b) and/or the second marine rechargeable power sources (562a, 562b) and which can be coupled with onshore arrays of solar cells (567). FIG. 17 is a schematic of a third step (S553) of the offshore swapping method shown in FIGs. 15 and 16, the step of transferring power between the second marine rechargeable power sources (562a, 562b) and the water vessels at least partially electrically driven (563a, 563b) while in a motion (564a, 564b) [or stationary] in offshore water (569). The onshore swapping place (565) can comprise the charging apparatus (565a) which can be coupled with an onshore power source (568) [which can be a power grid and/or a motor generator] .

FIG. 18 is a schematic of a first step (S601) of an offshore swapping method, the step of bringing by water vessels at least partially electrically driven (613a, 613b) first marine rechargeable power sources (611a, 61 lb) - one buoyant (611a) and the other nonbuoyant (611b) - within an operational range of an offshore swapping place (615) which can be situated in offshore water (619).

FIG. 19 is a schematic of a second step (S602) of the offshore swapping method shown in FIG. 18, the step of swapping the first marine rechargeable power sources (611a, 611b) for second marine rechargeable power sources (612a, 612b) - one buoyant (612a) and the other nonbuoyant (612b) - provided by the offshore swapping place (615) in offshore water (619).

FIG. 20 is a schematic of a third step (S603) of the offshore swapping method shown in FIGs. 18 and 19, the step of transferring power between the second marine rechargeable power sources (612a, 612b) and the water vessels at least partially electrically driven (613a, 613b) while in a motion (614a, 614b) [or stationary] in offshore water (619).

Common requirements

Marine power source systems (MPSs) situated in seas or in oceans may be object of various tidal ranges varying from near zero to about 16 metres (53,5 feet) and averaging about 0.6 metres (2 feet) in the open ocean. In that case, anchorage systems of anchored (moored) MPSs may be designed to cope with a tidal range in a selected area for placement of the MPS (e.g. sliding systems, slack-line anchorage systems, etc.).

The MPSs operated/temporarily operated under water level may provide atmospheric pressure in the container (e.g. filled with dry air, nitrogen, etc.) which may be advantageous for its electronic components or may be kept at another pressure.

The MPSs may further include further components enhancing their functionality such as installation spaces, connecting boxes, electricity meters, main switches, input/output terminals, fuse distributions, etc. The electronic control and communication components may be housed in electromagnetically shielded spaces. All electrical and electronical equipment may be particularly protected against moisture, salt water and grid to prevent failure of power and electronic components. External controls may be suitably adapted to function in offshore conditions. Subsea plugs, isolation bushings, cathodic protection and special resistive materials and anticorrosive surface treatments may be used.

Common requirements on marine rechargeable power source systems in cold areas

The MPSs may be provided in the Arctic, the Antarctic, subpolar and cold seas and regions. In that case, components of a the MPSs may be designed to be conform with cold/extremely cold/temporarily cold conditions. Containers (mobile containers) may be specifically designed to be posed on a solid base (e.g. ice). A special insulation of power cables may be provided. A special thermal insulation of the MPSs (e.g. rechargeable power sources in containers) may be provided. A specific solutions for thermal management system components may be needed. Thermal management systems may require heating systems.

No limitations are intended others than as described in the claims. The present invention is not limited to the described exemplary embodiments. It should be noted that various modifications of the MPS can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

The elements desribed in this specification and the used terminology reflect the state of knowledge at the time of the filling of this application and may be developed in the future.

Industrial Applicability

The present invention may provide a marine rechargeable power source system (MPS) for water vessels at least partially electrically driven which may increase operational ranges of the vessels and reduce the necessary on-board battery capacity.

The MPS in a cloud-based communication system may bring efficiency, flexibility and lower costs of a MPS management. Hydrogen powering system using renewable sources (arrays of solar cells, wind energy to electric energy converters, wave energy to electric energy converters, water currents energy to electric energy converters, tidal energy to electric energy converters) may provide a power reserve to be used for electricity production and supply by the MPS (e.g. in peak load times) or may be a principal power source.

The system may be functionally combined with a marine fuelling system and provide hydrogen fuel or another marine fuel for offshore applications. The proposed modularity may concern all elements of the MPS and can bring functional and financial benefits to the parties. Modular designs may use various degrees of modularity [e.g. component slottability, platform systems, holistic approach, etc.]. Modules may be catalogued. The proposed offshore swapping method may increase operational ranges of the water vessels at least partially electrically driven and may save time otherwise necessary for charging.