A ship oil spill monitoring system based on optical fiber detection

Abstract

The present invention provides a ship oil spill monitoring system based on fiber optic detection, comprising: at least one integrated monitoring and alarm host, a wired alarm unit, and a wireless alarm unit, wherein any of the integrated monitoring and alarm hosts exchange data with the wired alarm unit via wired communication and with the wireless alarm unit via wireless communication; the wired alarm unit is disposed at the ship's monitoring terminal; the integrated monitoring and alarm host is disposed at an oil spill-sensitive location, and is used to monitor and issue an on-site alarm for oil spills at the oil spill-sensitive location, and transmit monitoring signals to the remote wired and wireless alarm units. The present invention can be used during ship refueling operations to provide real-time monitoring and alarm for oil spills at key locations, such as pipeline connections, oil tank vents, and gas station pipe seals. It offers the advantages of non-electrical detection, high safety, stable operation, and ease of use.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of ship safety monitoring, and in particular to a ship oil spill monitoring system based on optical fiber detection. Background Art

[0002] Fueling operations are a critical part of a ship's engine room, crucial to both vessel safety and the marine environment. During the refueling process, oil pipe connections, fuel tank vents, and the seals on the opposite side of the fueling station are key areas prone to oil spills. Currently, in addition to measuring the oil level in the receiving tank, the primary method for checking for oil spills is for crew members to patrol the pipe connections, vents, and opposite side fueling stations during the refueling process.

[0003] In maritime practice, inadequate inspections often occur due to human factors such as operator negligence, nighttime fatigue, and misjudgment. These factors frequently lead to fuel leaks during refueling operations on domestic and international ships, causing significant marine ecological pollution and property losses. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In response to the aforementioned technical problem of being unable to effectively monitor oil spills, a ship oil spill monitoring system based on fiber optic detection is proposed. This system monitors oil spill risks during ship refueling using a non-electrical detection method, which is safe, stable, and easy to use.

[0005] The technical means adopted in the present invention are as follows:

[0006] A ship oil spill monitoring system based on optical fiber detection comprises: at least one integrated monitoring alarm host and a wired alarm unit, wherein any of the integrated monitoring alarm host and the wired alarm unit exchange data via wired communication;

[0007] The wired alarm unit is arranged at the ship-borne monitoring terminal;

[0008] The integrated monitoring alarm host is arranged at an oil spill sensitive location to monitor the oil spill phenomenon at the oil spill sensitive location and issue an on-site alarm, and send the monitoring signal to the wired alarm unit. The oil spill sensitive location includes the pipeline connection, the oil storage tank vent and the gas station pipe sealing plate.

[0009] Furthermore, the monitoring system further comprises a wireless alarm unit, and any of the comprehensive monitoring alarm hosts and the wireless alarm unit exchange data via wireless communication;

[0010] The wireless alarm unit is arranged on board a ship or on a shore or other remote monitoring terminal;

[0011] The integrated monitoring alarm host is arranged at an oil spill sensitive location to monitor the oil spill phenomenon at the oil spill sensitive location and to give an on-site alarm, and to send a monitoring signal to a wireless alarm unit.

[0012] Furthermore, the comprehensive monitoring alarm host mainly includes a power supply, a DC voltage stabilization module, an optical fiber detection module, a signal acquisition module, a signal detection module, a field alarm module and a communication unit;

[0013] The power supply supplies power to other functional modules through a DC voltage stabilization module;

[0014] The fiber optic detection module includes a fiber optic probe and a fiber optic sensor. The fiber optic probe is arranged at an oil spill-sensitive location. The fiber optic sensor transmits light to the fiber optic probe and receives return light. When an oil spill occurs, the light received by the fiber optic sensor is partially or completely blocked, causing the output signal of the fiber optic sensor to change. The output signal of the fiber optic sensor is transmitted to the signal detection module.

[0015] The signal detection module sends the received signal to the wired alarm unit and the on-site alarm module respectively;

[0016] The on-site alarm module performs an audible and visual alarm according to the received signal.

[0017] Furthermore, the output signal of the optical fiber sensor is transmitted to the signal acquisition module, and the signal acquisition module sends the received signal to the wireless alarm unit through the communication unit.

[0018] Furthermore, the wired alarm unit compares the received signal with a preset threshold value, and issues an oil spill alarm when the signal size exceeds a normal threshold range.

[0019] Furthermore, the wireless alarm unit compares the received signal with a preset threshold value, and issues an oil spill alarm when the signal size exceeds a normal threshold range.

[0020] Furthermore, the on-site alarm module compares the received signal with a preset threshold value, and issues an oil spill alarm when the signal size exceeds a normal threshold range.

[0021] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages:

[0022] 1. This invention utilizes a non-electrical optical monitoring method for real-time oil spill monitoring and alarming at key locations during ship refueling operations, such as pipeline connections, oil tank vents, and gas station pipe seals. It offers advantages such as non-electrical detection, high safety, stable operation, and ease of use. The system enables timely early detection, early warning, rapid emergency response, and scientific decision-making for sudden oil spills, minimizing damage from oil leaks, ecological pollution, and property losses.

[0023] 2. The present invention can effectively overcome the influence of unexpected factors during ship refueling operations, greatly improving the monitoring, early warning and disposal capabilities of monitoring departments and operators for oil spill accidents, which is of great significance for reducing the risk of oil spill accidents and protecting the ecological environment.

[0024] Based on the above reasons, the present invention can be widely promoted in the field of ship oil spill monitoring. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying any creative labor.

[0026] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of the ship oil spill monitoring system based on optical fiber detection of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 2 This is a connection diagram of the comprehensive monitoring alarm host in the present invention.

[0028] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the structure of the oil spill monitoring system in the embodiment.

[0029] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the structure of the portable comprehensive monitoring alarm host in the embodiment.

[0030] In the figure: 1. Power supply; 2. DC voltage regulator module; 3. Signal acquisition module; 4. Communication unit; 5. Fiber optic probe; 6. Fiber optic sensor; 7. Signal detection module; 8. On-site alarm module; 9. Wireless alarm unit; 10. Wired alarm unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] It should be noted that, in the absence of conflict, the embodiments and features of the embodiments of the present invention can be combined with each other. The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and in combination with the embodiments.

[0032] In order to make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. The following description of at least one exemplary embodiment is actually only illustrative and is in no way intended to limit the present invention and its application or use. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0033] The present invention provides a ship oil spill monitoring system based on optical fiber detection, such as Figure 1 As shown, it includes: at least one comprehensive monitoring alarm host and a wired alarm unit, and any of the comprehensive monitoring alarm host and the wired alarm unit exchange data through wired communication; the wired alarm unit is arranged at the ship monitoring end; the comprehensive monitoring alarm host is arranged at the oil spill sensitive position to monitor the oil spill phenomenon at the oil spill sensitive position, and send the monitoring signal to the wired alarm unit, and the oil spill sensitive position includes key positions such as pipeline connections, oil storage tank vents and gas station pipe sealing plates.

[0034] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the monitoring system also includes a wireless alarm unit, with any integrated monitoring and alarm host exchanging data with the wireless alarm unit via wireless communication. The wireless alarm unit is deployed onboard a ship, onshore, or at another remote monitoring location; the integrated monitoring and alarm host is deployed at an oil spill-sensitive location to monitor oil spills there and transmit monitoring signals to the wireless alarm unit.

[0035] Further, if Figure 2 As shown, the comprehensive monitoring alarm host mainly includes a power supply, a DC voltage regulator module, a fiber optic detection module, a signal detection module and an on-site alarm module. The power supply supplies power to other functional modules through the DC voltage regulator module; the fiber optic detection module includes a fiber optic probe and a fiber optic sensor. The fiber optic probe is arranged at an oil spill sensitive position. The fiber optic sensor transmits and receives return light to the fiber optic probe. When an oil spill occurs, the light received by the fiber optic sensor is partially or completely blocked, causing the output signal of the fiber optic sensor to change. The output signal of the fiber optic sensor is transmitted to the signal detection module. The signal detection module sends the received signal to the wired alarm unit and the on-site alarm module respectively. The on-site alarm module performs an audible and visual alarm based on the received signal. Preferably, the fiber optic detection module can be configured as one or more groups as needed, and the output signals of the fiber optic sensor are transmitted to the corresponding channels of the signal acquisition module and the signal detection module respectively.

[0036] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the integrated monitoring alarm host further includes a signal acquisition module and a communication unit. The output signal of the optical fiber sensor is transmitted to the signal acquisition module. The signal acquisition module transmits the received signal to the wireless alarm unit via the communication unit.

[0037] Furthermore, the wired alarm unit, wireless alarm unit, and on-site alarm module all compare the received signal with a preset threshold. When the signal exceeds the normal threshold, an oil spill alarm is issued. Alarm methods include audible and visual alarms, text alarms, and other appropriate alarm methods.

[0038] The scheme and effects of the present invention are further illustrated below through specific application examples.

[0039] Figure 3 The following is a schematic diagram of the system structure of this embodiment. As shown in the figure, the system includes a comprehensive monitoring and alarm host, a wireless alarm unit, and a wired alarm unit. The comprehensive monitoring and alarm host is deployed in key locations such as pipeline joints, oil tank vents, and gas station pipe seals. The wireless alarm unit and the wired alarm unit can be paired with one or more comprehensive monitoring and alarm hosts via wireless or wired communication, respectively, as needed. Depending on actual needs, one or more of the wireless alarm unit, wired alarm unit, and on-site alarm module can be configured. Each alarm device has audible, visual, text, or other suitable alarm methods.

[0040] The integrated monitoring alarm host can be designed as portable or fixed according to actual needs. When the fixed design is adopted, the power supply 1 and the DC voltage stabilizing module 2 can provide stable power to the various components of the housing through the power supply interface outside the housing. When the portable design is adopted, the power supply 1 can be a battery or a battery pack, and is set in the housing. The DC voltage stabilizing module 2 inside the housing provides stable power to the various components inside the housing. Figure 4 shown.

[0041] A fiber optic probe 5, mounted outside the integrated monitoring and alarm system housing, is connected to a fiber optic sensor 6 within the housing via a predetermined length of optical fiber. The fiber optic probe 5 is positioned at a critical location for oil spill monitoring. The fiber optic probe 5 can be designed in various optical physical configurations, such as reflective and through-beam, depending on actual needs.

[0042] Fiber Optic Sensor 6 uses the Keyence FS-N40 series digital fiber optic sensor. Based on Keyence's newly developed NEO parabolic reflector LED and control algorithm, this sensor delivers 7.5 times the received light intensity of conventional sensors. Furthermore, this sensor can be switched to TERA mode with a single button, achieving a new level of superior power with 220 times the power of conventional sensors. This sensor provides continuous, accurate detection under all conditions, while remaining easy to operate.

[0043] The optical fiber probe 5 uses a Keyence FU-A40 array optical fiber unit, which has the advantages of high detection reliability and is not easily affected by natural environmental conditions.

[0044] The optical fiber sensor 6 is electrically connected to the signal detection module 7 and the signal acquisition module 3 , respectively. The signal acquisition module 3 is electrically connected to the communication unit 4 , and the signal detection module 7 is electrically connected to the on-site alarm module 8 .

[0045] When the integrated monitoring alarm host is operating, the output signal of the fiber optic sensor 6 is simultaneously transmitted to the signal detection module 7 and the signal acquisition module 3, which further implement the relevant alarm functions of the on-site alarm module 8, the wireless alarm unit 9, and the wired alarm unit 10. The three-tiered alarm system not only increases alarm reliability through multiple means but also serves different purposes. For example, in some personnel monitoring locations, wireless signals cannot reach, so wired alarms are the only option.

[0046] When an oil spill occurs, the fiber optic probe 5 contacts the spilled oil, causing the output signal of the fiber optic sensor 6 to change. This signal is then transmitted simultaneously to the signal detection module 7 and the signal acquisition module 3. Based on the signal from the fiber optic sensor 6 and the preset alarm conditions, the signal detection module 7 connects to the on-site alarm module 8 and the remotely connected wired alarm unit 10, each of which issues the corresponding alarm message. The alarm condition primarily refers to the output signal threshold, which is related to the alarm sensitivity and has no preferred value.

[0047] The communication unit 4 transmits the collected data from the signal acquisition module 3 to the wireless alarm unit through wireless communication; the wireless alarm unit issues corresponding alarm information according to the preset alarm judgment conditions.

[0048] Communication unit 4 uses the Amsamotion RS485-LoRa-M module. This module operates in the 410-525MHz frequency band, uses half-duplex LoRa modulation, supports data forwarding when acting as a relay, and supports RS485 serial communication. The device utilizes advanced LoRa modulation technology, offering advantages such as long communication distance and strong interference resistance. The SX1268 chip solution achieves an air baud rate of up to 30kbps and a wireless transmission power of up to 22dBm. It supports multi-level relay networking to increase wireless communication range and communication encryption to ensure data transmission security.

[0049] Signal acquisition module 3 uses the Amsamotion MODBUS-IO8R-A module. This device uses the standard Modbus RTU communication protocol and can remotely acquire analog and digital signals via the RS485 bus. The device can be networked with PLCs and other devices, boasts excellent scalability, and is easy to use, making it widely used for signal acquisition and control in industrial field equipment.

[0050] Through the above design, the present invention can achieve high alarm reliability at a lower technical cost while ensuring safety.

[0051] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, rather than to limit it. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the above embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the above embodiments, or replace some or all of the technical features therein with equivalents. However, these modifications or replacements do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A ship oil spill monitoring system based on optical fiber detection, characterized in that: include: At least one integrated monitoring alarm host, a wired alarm unit, and a wireless alarm unit, wherein any of the integrated monitoring alarm host and the wired alarm unit exchange data via wired communication; Any of the comprehensive monitoring alarm hosts and the wireless alarm unit exchange data via wireless communication; The integrated monitoring and alarm host is arranged at an oil spill sensitive location to monitor oil spills at the location and issue an on-site alarm, and transmit monitoring signals to a wired alarm unit and a wireless alarm unit. The oil spill sensitive location is a key location where oil spills are likely to occur during ship refueling operations, including pipeline connections, oil tank vents, and gas station pipe seals. The wired alarm unit is arranged at the ship-borne monitoring terminal; The wireless alarm unit is arranged on a ship or a shore-based remote monitoring terminal; The integrated monitoring and alarm host mainly includes a power supply, a DC voltage regulator module, an optical fiber detection module, a signal acquisition module, a signal detection module, an on-site alarm module and a communication unit; The power supply supplies power to other functional modules through a DC voltage stabilization module; The optical fiber detection module includes an optical fiber probe and an optical fiber sensor. The optical fiber probe is arranged at an oil spill sensitive position. The optical fiber sensor transmits light to the optical fiber probe and receives return light. When oil spill occurs, the optical fiber probe contacts the oil spill, and the light received by the optical fiber sensor is partially or completely blocked, causing the output signal of the optical fiber sensor to change; The output signal of the optical fiber sensor is transmitted to the signal detection module; the signal detection module connects the on-site alarm module and the wired alarm unit connected via the remote electrical connection according to the signal from the optical fiber sensor and the preset alarm judgment conditions, and respectively issues corresponding alarm information; The output signal of the optical fiber sensor is transmitted to the signal acquisition module, and the signal acquisition module sends the received signal to the wireless alarm unit through the communication unit; the wireless alarm unit issues corresponding alarm information according to the preset alarm judgment conditions.

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