Patent Protection Granted for Hybrid Propulsion System

Aspin Kemp & Associates (AKA) and Foss Maritime Company with their technology partner XeroPoint Energy, have received U.S. patent protection for their hybrid propulsion and energy management system. AKA, a Canadian system integrator and marine engineering company partnered with Foss, which owns and operates one of the largest tug and barge fleets on the U.S. West Coast, in developing this innovative technology.

The hybrid propulsion and energy management system has been proven to significantly reduce emissions, fuel consumption and equipment maintenance for marine vessels. The award-winning hybrid technology draws energy from various sources to optimize system operations across a wide range of propulsive load demands.

"Diesel engines are designed to optimally perform at or near their full load design point," said Paul Jamer, VP of Corporate Development at AKA. "However, many marine vessels operate under variable load requirements. Our system provides operators with the flexibility of a diesel electric system and the simplicity of a conventional system, without the cost or footprint of a traditional full diesel electric installation."

Foss built the first hybrid tugboat, Carolyn Dorothy, and has successfully converted a second vessel, Campbell Foss, to a hybrid at its shipyard in Rainier, Oregon. Both of these vessels use the AKA energy management system to provide Green AssistsTM to customers in the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, California.

The hybrid propulsion and energy management system is patented under U.S. Patent 8,062,081 and additional international patents are pending.