A computer model-based automatic safety assessment method and system for a ship

Abstract

This invention relates to a computer-model-based automatic safety assessment method and system for ships, belonging to the field of ship control system technology. The safety assessment method and system of this invention establish a full-ship model, including models of each system, equipment, pipeline, and cable on board, as well as the logical dependencies between the functions of each piece of equipment and system. Then, in the event of an accident, based on this full-ship model, especially its logical relationships, it calculates the direct damage caused by the accident and the functional status of each ship system. Based on this, it issues damage control and recovery operation suggestions. Furthermore, it can determine in real time whether the ship meets the technical specifications for safe return to port based on the results of damage control and recovery operations, issuing judgment results information as a reference for formulating the ship's subsequent navigation plan. This avoids situations where accurate judgments cannot be made in complex circumstances, ensuring the navigational safety of ships through efficient and accurate automatic safety assessment.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of ship control system technology, and particularly to the field of ship automation system technology, specifically to a computer model-based ship automatic safety assessment method and system. Background Technology

[0002] To enhance the survivability of passenger ships, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has set requirements for their safe return to port. Safe return to port means that, in the event of an accident such as a fire or flooding within the accident threshold, the passenger ship can reach the nearest safe port under its own power. Therefore, when such an accident occurs, it is necessary to assess whether the ship's condition meets the requirements for safe return to port.

[0003] However, the systems on large ships are extremely complex, including propulsion systems, navigation systems, fuel systems, communication systems, etc., related to ship navigation; fire protection systems, alarm systems, watertight doors, etc., related to safety; and power generation and distribution systems, automated control systems, and network systems that connect and control all of the above systems. These systems are independent yet intricately interconnected. For such complex shipboard systems, conducting a safe return-to-port assessment requires the timely integration of a large amount of data and information, while also relying on the captain's judgment. Sometimes, in complex situations and within a short timeframe, inaccurate judgments are inevitable, which can adversely affect ship safety.

[0004] Therefore, how to achieve efficient and accurate automatic safety assessment of ships has become an urgent problem to be solved in this field. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and provide a computer-based automatic safety assessment method and system for ships that can efficiently and accurately determine whether the ship's status meets the requirements for safe return to port when an accident occurs.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the computer model-based automated ship safety assessment method of the present invention includes the following steps:

[0007] (0) Establish a full ship model, which includes models of each system, equipment, pipeline and cable, as well as the logical dependencies between the functions of each equipment and the functions of the system;

[0008] (1) When an accident occurs, calculate the direct damage caused by the accident and the functional status of each system of the ship based on the full ship model described above;

[0009] (2) Based on the direct damage from the accident and the functional status of the ship's various systems, determine and issue recommendations for damage control and recovery operations;

[0010] (3) Determine whether the ship meets the technical specifications for safe return to port based on the real-time updated functional status of each system of the ship, and issue the judgment result information.

[0011] In this computer model-based automatic safety assessment method for ships, the models of each system, equipment, pipeline, and cable include the internal structure of each model and the relationship between it and other external models. The logical dependency between the functions of each equipment and system is the state of each model and the impact of the state on other models associated with that model.

[0012] In this computer model-based automated safety assessment method for ships, step (1) specifically includes:

[0013] When an accident occurs, determine the location and type of the accident;

[0014] Based on the accident location and type and the full ship model, the direct damage from the accident is calculated.

[0015] The functional status of each system of the ship is determined based on the direct damage caused by the accident and the logical dependencies described above.

[0016] In this computer model-based automated safety assessment method for ships, step (2) specifically includes:

[0017] (2-1) Determine the damage control operation based on the accident location, accident type, and direct damage caused by the accident. The damage control operation includes closing or opening specific valves, switches, and / or hatches to limit the spread of the accident's impact to the greatest extent possible, and send the damage control operation instructions to the relevant operators.

[0018] (2-2) Determine the recovery operation based on the accident location, accident type, direct damage caused by the accident and the functional status of the ship's various systems. The recovery operation includes activating specific backup equipment and / or bypasses to restore or ensure the function of safety equipment, and sending the recovery operation instructions to the relevant operators.

[0019] In this computer model-based automated ship safety assessment method, step (3) specifically includes:

[0020] (3-1) Based on the direct damage caused by the accident, and combined with the full ship model, a preliminary comprehensive ship condition is obtained;

[0021] (3-2) After the damage control and recovery operations, update the functional status information of each system of the ship;

[0022] (3-3) Obtain the real-time comprehensive status of the ship based on the updated functional status information of each ship system;

[0023] (3-4) Determine whether the real-time comprehensive status of the vessel complies with the technical specifications for safe return to port, and obtain the judgment result;

[0024] (3-5) Issue the judgment result information.

[0025] This invention also provides a computer model-based automatic safety assessment system for ships. This system connects to the ship's automatic control system and various functional systems via a network, acquiring real-time status information and system alarms from relevant equipment in each system. This information is used as the status input for the entire ship model. Through real-time model calculation, the system achieves the following functional modules:

[0026] The whole ship model module is used to build a whole ship model, which includes models of the ship's various functional systems, equipment, pipelines and cables, as well as the logical dependencies between the functions of each equipment and system.

[0027] The status analysis module is used to calculate the direct damage from the accident and the functional status of various ship systems based on the aforementioned full ship model when an accident occurs.

[0028] The operation suggestion module is used to determine and issue damage control and recovery operation suggestions based on the direct damage from the accident and the functional status of various ship systems.

[0029] The safety assessment module is used to determine whether a ship meets the technical specifications for safe return to port based on the real-time updated functional status of various ship systems, and to issue the judgment result information.

[0030] The system also includes at least one display connected via a network to the host computer running the ship's automated safety assessment system, for displaying the damage control and recovery operation recommendations and the judgment results.

[0031] In this computer model-based automated safety assessment system for ships, the models of each functional system, device, pipeline, and cable include the internal structure of each model and the relationship between it and other external models. The logical dependencies between the functions of each device and system are the state of each model and the impact of that state on other models associated with it.

[0032] In this computer model-based automated safety assessment system for ships, the state analysis module is specifically used to: determine the location and type of an accident when it occurs; calculate the direct damage based on the accident location and type and the ship-wide model; and determine the functional status of each system of the ship based on the direct damage and the logical dependencies.

[0033] In this computer model-based automated safety assessment system for ships, the operation suggestion module is specifically used to: determine damage control and recovery operations based on the accident location, accident type, direct damage caused by the accident, and the functional status of various ship systems, and send the damage control and recovery operation instructions to the corresponding operators. The damage control operation includes closing or opening specific valves, switches, and / or hatches to limit the spread of the accident's impact to the greatest extent possible. The recovery operation includes activating specific backup equipment and / or bypasses to restore or ensure the functionality of safety equipment.

[0034] In this computer model-based automated ship safety assessment system, the safety assessment module is specifically used to: obtain a preliminary overall ship status based on the direct damage caused by the accident and the overall ship model; update the functional status information of each ship system after the damage control and recovery operations; obtain the real-time overall ship status based on the updated functional status information of each ship system; determine whether the real-time overall ship status meets the technical specifications for safe return to port, and obtain and issue the judgment result information.

[0035] The computer-model-based automatic ship safety assessment method and system of this invention establishes a full ship model, including models of all shipboard systems, equipment, pipelines, and cables, as well as their logical dependencies. Then, in the event of an accident, based on this full ship model, especially its logical relationships, it calculates the direct damage caused by the accident and the functional status of each ship system. Based on this, it issues damage control and recovery operation recommendations. Furthermore, it can determine in real time whether the ship meets the technical specifications for safe return to port based on the results of damage control and recovery operations, issuing judgment results as a reference for formulating the ship's subsequent navigation plan. This avoids situations where accurate judgments cannot be made in complex circumstances, ensuring the navigational safety of ships through efficient and accurate automatic safety assessment. Attached Figure Description

[0036] Figure 1 This is a flowchart illustrating the steps of the computer model-based automatic ship safety assessment method of the present invention.

[0037] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the computer model-based automatic ship safety assessment system of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0038] To better understand the technical content of this invention, the following embodiments are provided for detailed explanation.

[0039] Please see Figure 1 The diagram shown is a flowchart illustrating the steps of the computer model-based automatic safety assessment method for ships according to the present invention.

[0040] In one implementation, the computer model-based automated ship safety assessment method, such as Figure 1 As shown, it includes the following steps:

[0041] (0) Establish a full ship model, which includes models of each functional system, equipment, pipeline and cable, as well as the logical dependencies between the functions of each equipment and system.

[0042] (1) When an accident occurs, calculate the direct damage caused by the accident and the functional status of each system of the ship based on the full ship model described above;

[0043] (2) Based on the direct damage from the accident and the functional status of the ship's various systems, determine and issue recommendations for damage control and recovery operations;

[0044] (3) Determine whether the ship meets the technical specifications for safe return to port based on the real-time updated functional status of each system of the ship, and issue the judgment result information.

[0045] The functional systems, equipment, pipelines and cable models include the relationships between the internal structure of each model and other external models. The logical dependencies between the functions of each equipment and system are the states of each model and the impact of those states on other models associated with that model.

[0046] In a preferred embodiment, step (1) specifically comprises:

[0047] When an accident occurs, determine the location and type of the accident;

[0048] Based on the accident location and type and the full ship model, the direct damage from the accident is calculated.

[0049] The functional status of each system of the ship is determined based on the direct damage caused by the accident and the logical dependencies described above.

[0050] In a further preferred embodiment, step (2) specifically includes:

[0051] (2-1) Determine the damage control operation based on the accident location, accident type, and direct damage caused by the accident. The damage control operation includes closing or opening specific valves, switches, and / or hatches to limit the spread of the accident's impact to the greatest extent possible, and send the damage control operation instructions to the relevant operators.

[0052] (2-2) Determine the recovery operation based on the accident location, accident type, direct damage caused by the accident and the functional status of the ship's various systems. The recovery operation includes activating specific backup equipment and / or bypasses to restore or ensure the function of safety equipment, and sending the recovery operation instructions to the relevant operators.

[0053] In a more preferred embodiment, step (3) specifically includes:

[0054] (3-1) Based on the direct damage caused by the accident, and combined with the full ship model, a preliminary comprehensive ship condition is obtained;

[0055] (3-2) After the damage control and recovery operations, update the functional status information of each system of the ship;

[0056] (3-3) Obtain the real-time comprehensive status of the ship based on the updated functional status information of each ship system;

[0057] (3-4) Determine whether the real-time comprehensive status of the vessel complies with the technical specifications for safe return to port, and obtain the judgment result;

[0058] (3-5) Issue the judgment result information.

[0059] This invention also provides a computer model-based automatic ship safety assessment system. This system connects to the ship's automatic control system and various functional systems via a network, acquiring real-time status information and system alarms from relevant equipment in each system. This information is used as the status input for the entire ship model, and through real-time model calculations, it achieves... Figure 2 The functional modules shown.

[0060] include:

[0061] The whole ship model module is used to build a whole ship model, which includes models of the ship's various systems, equipment, pipelines and cables, as well as the logical dependencies between the functions of each equipment and the functions of the system.

[0062] The status analysis module is used to calculate the direct damage from the accident and the functional status of various ship systems based on the aforementioned full ship model when an accident occurs.

[0063] The operation suggestion module is used to determine and issue damage control and recovery operation suggestions based on the direct damage from the accident and the functional status of various ship systems.

[0064] The safety assessment module is used to determine whether a ship meets the technical specifications for safe return to port based on the real-time updated functional status of various ship systems, and to issue the judgment result information.

[0065] The system also includes at least one display connected via a network to the host computer running the ship's automated safety assessment system, for displaying the damage control and recovery operation recommendations and the judgment results.

[0066] In practical applications, the system can include a server-side and a client-side component. The server-side component includes a processor and memory, as well as user information, and can be hosted on a dedicated server or cloud server. The client-side component runs on the user's (crew member's) PC, laptop, or mobile phone.

[0067] The functional modules of the ship automatic safety assessment system of the present invention can also be used to implement the assessment methods in the above embodiments, which will not be described in detail here.

[0068] In practical applications, the automatic ship safety assessment method and system of this invention are used to determine whether a ship meets the technical specifications for safe return to port in the event of an accident. First, computer modeling is required for all ship safety-related functional systems, equipment, pipelines / cables, etc. Computer modeling can be implemented based on the ship's existing data systems. Specifically, in this invention, the computer model must accurately describe the hardware models of each functional system, equipment, pipeline, cable, etc., as well as the logical dependencies between equipment and system functions, for example:

[0069] 1. Individual Equipment Level: The normal operation of a water pump requires a normal or emergency power input, as well as a normal water supply from the input pipeline. If these conditions are met, then the water pump can perform the function of normally supplying water to the output pipeline.

[0070] 2. System Integration Level: The main power supply for this water pump comes from the corresponding main low-voltage switchboard of the power distribution system. This main low-voltage switchboard is connected to a specific high-voltage switchboard via a transformer. The high-voltage switchboard, in turn, receives power input from the main generator. Furthermore, the main generator, in order to supply power, needs to obtain power from the main engine, as well as input from necessary auxiliary equipment, and so on. Thus, a logical dependency relationship at the system integration level is formed between the main engine, main motor, high-voltage switchboard, transformer, main low-voltage switchboard, and this water pump. The computer modeling of this invention clearly reflects this logical dependency relationship between various functional systems, equipment, pipelines, and cables in the ship.

[0071] Design drawings can be defined for each functional system of the ship. Physical models, such as equipment connections, and the logical relationships between internal functions and models can be created and edited on these drawings. Model parameters selected on the design drawings are displayed in the tool window and can be edited by authorized users. The outlines of compartments on each deck can be displayed on the design drawings and associated with the models in the drawings, indicating the location of each compartment.

[0072] After the entire ship is modeled, in the event of an accident as defined in the technical specifications for safe return to port (such as fire, flooding, or destruction of the main vertical section), the method and system of this invention can automatically perform analysis and provide reference opinions.

[0073] The following is an example of a fire in the main engine room:

[0074] The system tools will automatically calculate and provide the following analysis results in real time:

[0075] 1. The direct damage caused by the accident includes:

[0076] a) Equipment: Main engine, main generator, mechanical auxiliary equipment, control equipment, etc. in the engine room;

[0077] b) Pipes / Cables: All non-fireproof pipes and cables passing through the engine room of this vessel, as defined in the technical specifications;

[0078] 2. Based on the logical dependencies defined in the model, calculate and statistically analyze the device and system functions that fail due to this impact, as well as the cross-system impact caused by system integration, including:

[0079] a) Since the main generator was destroyed, the main high-voltage switchboard that supplies power to it lost its power input. Further calculate the total impact of the spillover effects on the power distribution system, as well as the impact on electrical equipment that depends on these switchboards.

[0080] b) The destruction of auxiliary equipment can also have complex consequences. For example, the failure of a cooling water pump will affect the entire ship's related cooling water system;

[0081] c) The destruction of pipes or cables passing through this compartment may cause malfunctions in some systems unrelated to the engine room equipment.

[0082] 3. Calculate the necessary damage control operations, such as closing certain valves and switches, to limit the spread of the accident's impact as much as possible. Send the damage control operations to the responsible crew members for implementation.

[0083] 4. Recommended recovery operations, such as activating specific backup equipment or bypassing, should be performed to restore the functionality of recoverable safety-related equipment as much as possible. Each recovery operation should be sent to the corresponding responsible crew member for execution.

[0084] 5. Based on this, analyze all lost system functions in real time, as well as those that are still available / recoverable. Determine whether the overall status of the vessel meets the technical specifications for safe return to port based on the evaluation function. The evaluation function is defined in functional form as the system functions that must be maintained in a specific accident based on design requirements. This judgment process is updated based on real-time collected data. For example, the initial judgment might be that the main engine room is on fire, the vessel has lost all power, and cannot meet the requirements for safe return to port, while damage control and recovery operation instructions are issued. Subsequently, based on the status of the damage control and recovery operations, new corresponding vessel status information is obtained, such as the ability to restore some power after using backup power. Further analysis, combined with information from the navigation system and other functional systems such as vessel position, port position, and weather conditions, comprehensively analyzes whether the vessel can meet the requirements for safe return to port, thereby updating the safety assessment results. Alternatively, when issuing damage control and recovery operation instructions, the impact of the operation on meeting the requirements for safe return to port can be calculated simultaneously, determining the priority of the operation and allowing for a preliminary prediction of the safety assessment results.

[0085] 6. The status of each functional system of the ship after an accident is displayed in various forms, such as graphics and lists, on the ship's onboard user terminal equipment for crew review, achieving the functions of status analysis and decision support. The status of each functional system can be visually displayed in the ship's diagram using tool windows with graphical coloring or a tree structure. Document-formatted analysis reports can also be generated, including descriptions of all information regarding the impact of the accident on the system, in the form of standardized tables or system status screenshots. These reports can be used for certification and audit submissions.

[0086] Furthermore, for example, a main engine room flooding incident, similar to a main engine room fire incident, is analyzed from the perspective of a whole-ship model. The difference lies in the nature of the incident: a flooding incident does not cause damage to non-fireproof pipes, therefore cables logically dependent on the main engine room will not be damaged. Based on this, different ship status statistics will be generated compared to a main engine room fire incident, resulting in different damage control and recovery instructions, and drastically different assessments of safe return to port requirements.

[0087] Similarly, in the event of flooding in other compartments or fire in the main vertical section, the methods and systems of this invention can be used to obtain timely assessment results, helping the captain determine whether the ship's condition meets the requirements for safe return to port. This will not be repeated here.

[0088] The computer-model-based automatic ship safety assessment method and system of this invention establishes a full ship model, including models of all systems, equipment, pipelines, and cables on board, as well as the logical dependencies between the functions of each piece of equipment and system. Then, in the event of an accident, based on this full ship model, especially its logical relationships, it calculates the direct damage caused by the accident and the functional status of each ship system. Based on this, it issues damage control and recovery operation recommendations. Furthermore, it can determine in real time whether the ship meets the technical specifications for safe return to port based on the results of damage control and recovery operations, issuing judgment results as a reference for formulating the ship's subsequent navigation plan. This avoids situations where accurate judgments cannot be made in complex circumstances, ensuring the navigational safety of ships through efficient and accurate automatic safety assessment.

[0089] In this specification, the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments thereof. However, it will be apparent that various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the specification and drawings should be considered illustrative rather than restrictive.

Claims

1. A computer model-based automatic safety assessment method for ships, characterized in that, The method includes the following steps: (0) Establish a full ship model, which includes models of each system, equipment, pipeline and cable, as well as the logical dependencies between the functions of each equipment and the functions of the system; (1) When an accident occurs, calculate the direct damage caused by the accident and the functional status of each system of the ship based on the full ship model described above; (2) Based on the direct damage caused by the accident and the functional status of various ship systems, determine and issue recommendations for damage control and recovery operations; (3) Determine whether the vessel meets the technical specifications for safe return to port based on the real-time updated functional status of each system, and issue the determination result information. The models of each system, device, pipeline, and cable include the relationships between the internal structure of each model and other external models. The logical dependencies between the functions of each device and system are the states of each model and the impact of those states on other models associated with that model. The specific steps (1) are as follows: When an accident occurs, determine the location and type of the accident; Based on the accident location and type and the full ship model, the direct damage from the accident is calculated. The functional status of each system of the ship is determined based on the direct damage caused by the accident and the logical dependencies between the functions of each piece of equipment and system. Step (2) specifically includes: (2-1) Determine the damage control operation based on the accident location, accident type, and direct damage caused by the accident. The damage control operation includes closing or opening specific valves, switches, and / or hatches to limit the spread of the accident's impact to the greatest extent possible, and send the damage control operation instructions to the relevant operators. (2-2) Determine the recovery operation based on the accident location, accident type, direct damage caused by the accident and the functional status of the ship's various systems. The recovery operation includes activating specific backup equipment and / or bypasses to restore or ensure the function of safety equipment, and sending the recovery operation instructions to the relevant operators. Step (3) specifically includes: (3-1) Based on the direct damage caused by the accident, and combined with the full ship model, a preliminary overall ship condition is obtained; (3-2) After the damage control and recovery operations, update the functional status information of each system of the ship; (3-3) Obtain the real-time comprehensive status of the ship based on the updated functional status information of each ship system; (3-4) Determine whether the real-time comprehensive status of the vessel complies with the technical specifications for safe return to port, and obtain the determination result; (3-5) Issue the judgment result information.

2. A computer model-based automated ship safety assessment system, characterized in that, This system connects to the ship's automatic control system and various functional systems via a network, acquiring real-time status information and system alarms from relevant equipment in each system. This information serves as the status input for the entire ship model, and through real-time model calculations, it achieves the following functional modules: The whole ship model module is used to build a whole ship model, which includes models of the ship's various systems, equipment, pipelines and cables, as well as the logical dependencies between the functions of each equipment and the functions of the system. The status analysis module is used to calculate the direct damage from the accident and the functional status of various ship systems based on the aforementioned full ship model when an accident occurs. The operation suggestion module is used to determine and issue damage control and recovery operation suggestions based on the direct damage from the accident and the functional status of various ship systems. The safety assessment module is used to determine whether a ship meets the technical specifications for safe return to port based on the real-time updated functional status of various ship systems, and to issue the judgment result information. The system also includes at least one display connected via a network to the host computer running the automated ship safety assessment system, used to display the damage control and recovery operation recommendations, as well as the assessment results. The models of each functional system, equipment, pipeline, and cable include the relationship between the internal structure of each model and other external models. The logical dependency between the equipment function and the system function is the state of each model and the impact of the state on other models associated with that model. The state analysis module is specifically used to: determine the location and type of an accident when it occurs; calculate the direct damage based on the accident location and type and the ship model; and determine the functional status of each system of the ship based on the direct damage and the logical dependencies. The operation suggestion module is specifically used to: determine damage control and recovery operations based on the accident location, accident type, direct damage caused by the accident, and the functional status of various ship systems, and send the damage control and recovery operation instructions to the corresponding operators. The damage control operation includes closing or opening specific valves, switches, and / or hatches to limit the spread of the accident's impact to the greatest extent possible. The recovery operation includes activating specific backup equipment and / or bypasses to restore or ensure the functionality of safety equipment. The safety assessment module is specifically used to: obtain a preliminary overall ship status based on the direct damage caused by the accident and the full ship model; update the functional status information of each system of the ship after the damage control and recovery operations; obtain the real-time overall ship status based on the updated functional status information of each system of the ship; determine whether the real-time overall ship status meets the technical specifications for safe return to port, and obtain and issue the judgment result information.

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