Display system

Abstract

An automated system for deployment of maritime navigational day shapes comprises an automated system which selects and displays day shapes in a plurality of different combinations and / or configuration

Description

The present invention relates generally to a display system and particularly, although not exclusively to an automatic day shape display system. Day shapes (or day markers) are signals comprising geometric shapes. These signals convey the status of a vessel on navigable waters during daylight hours. The International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972 (COLREGs) dictate that vessels display day-shapes during daylight to indicate any ‘special condition’ that a vessel may be able to claim as a result of various activities they may be undertaking. The basic shapes of markers are typically: ball, cylinder, cone, and diamond. The day shapes are used alone or in combination to provide a range of status updates visible during the day and are intended to mimic the navigation light requirement during nightfall or poor visibility. Day shapes are required to be deployed from sunrise to sunset and are typically hung from a mast for ease of visibility from a distance. Figure 1 illustrates some common day shape combinations with their status denoted. Crewed vessels have the ability to display these shapes with relative ease as the crew are able to configure and hoist them as required. Uncrewed vessels are also required to indicate their condition. However, there are currently no systems that allow for remote / automatic / automated display of day-shapes. At present, uncrewed vessel operators have resorted to displaying day shapes constantly even when not undertaking any activity that would permit the vessel to claim a special condition. This is in contravention of the COLREGs, increasing the risk of collision. The present invention seeks to provide improvements in or relating to day shape display. An aspect of the present invention provides an automatic system for deployment of maritime navigational day shapes. An aspect of the present invention provides an automated system for deployment of maritime navigational day shapes. An aspect of the present invention provides remotely operable system for deployment of maritime navigational day shapes. Aspects and embodiments of the present invention provide or relate to automated and / or automatic display of day shapes; for example automated movement / masking / unmasking, hoisting or otherwise selectively display of solid or collapsible shapes. The system may comprise an automated system which selects and displays day shapes in a plurality of different combinations and / or configurations. The system may comprise a rotatable delivery carousel for receiving a plurality of day shapes, and a line for selectively receiving day shapes from, and releasing days shapes to, the carousel, and for hoisting and lowering shapes. The day shapes may be solid volumes. The system may comprise a plurality of day shapes. Different shapes may be provided; for example two or more different types of shape. Day shapes may be collapsable. For example day shapes may be inflatable / deflatable or foldable. In some embodiments day shapes are winched up to a masthead from a deck mounted storage system. In some embodiments pre-assembled inflatable day shape strings are formed by a required shape sequence. In some embodiments day shapes are connected together with air hose lengths, up to an uppermost shape in the string. Above an uppermost shape a cable, or rope, may be connected as a halyard to enable the string to be raised and lowered. In some embodiments each of a plurality of inflatable day shape 'strings' is stored deflated, for example wound onto its own drum. Drums may be rotated by a tensioned spring so as to apply even tension to the string and to wind the shape strings back in when not required, may be located at a mast base. Shape strings may be automatically drawn up to the masthead by mast-base mounted halyard winches via the halyards attached to the uppermost shapes in the strings, running over masthead pulleys. In some embodiments, once raised, air pressure inflates the shape string via a compressor. A vacuum pump may evacuate the shapes prior to them being wound back deflated onto the drum, achieved by unwinding the halyard winch. An aspect of the present invention provides an automated system for deployment of maritime navigational day shapes, comprising a rotatable delivery carousel for receiving a plurality of day shapes, and a line for selectively receiving day shapes from, and releasing days shapes to, the carousel, and for hoisting and lowering shapes. The shapes may be held by / in the rotating carousel (about the mast). The carousel may rotate to orientate the desired shape with the line (e.g. a halyard). Shapes may be released from the carousel and gripped by the halyard through friction and then raised using a system of pulleys and an electric drive motor. In some embodiments the line is an endless, continuous belt, rope or the like. Shapes may be configured to attach to a line using friction. Friction will be adequate to secure the shape to the belt (knurled surface / teeth may be used, for example). Shapes may be located on the carousel using a flange for vertical location, and indents / spring-loaded rollers for lateral location. The system may further comprise one or more outrigger lines. The line / s may have one or more permanently attached shapes. A shape attachment and release mechanism may be provided. The system may comprise a ram for loading shapes onto the line from the carousel. The system may comprise a shape release actuator. Shapes may incorporate a tag (e.g. a radio-frequency identification tag, RFID) to enable their positioning within the system (e.g. a carousel) to be automatically established. In some embodiment the halyard / s have the ability to display multiple day shapes. Shapes may be sequentially connected on to / from the deployment halyard by the system and winched to the required height. Rigid day shapes may be stored in a circular carousel when stowed. The system may incorporate a telescopic, fixed, or hinged halyard mast. The system may be available in different sizes (e.g. with 600mm and 300mm diameter shapes). The system may use friction-driven continuous belt halyards. A halyard tensioning and drive system may be provided. A tensioning system (e.g. pneumatic) may be provided and can accommodate the deflections required, incorporating the halyard ram. The system may comprise a drive system. Pulleys may be used to get enough belt-wrap on a drive pulley. A telescopic mast may form part of the system. In some embodiments a hinged mast is provided. A pneumatic pump-up mast may be provided, for example using a built-in compressor. The system may use the existing vessel navigational light I AIS signals to display the appropriate day shape combination. The present invention also provides an automatic system for displaying day shapes onboard uncrewed I minimally crewed vessels. One embodiment relates to a self-contained system with an optional telescopic mast which allows for the display of a number of combinations of day shapes (as shown to the right). The day shapes may be held in a rotating drum about the mast which may rotate to orientate the desired shape with the halyard. The day shape may be released and gripped by the halyard through friction and raised using a system of pulleys and an electric drive motor. The halyards may, for example, have the ability to display multiple (for example up to three)-day shapes at a time. To allow a vessel to indicate it is conducting mine-clearance operations, two balls may be housed either side of the mast and hoisted on their own individual halyards which may be mounted to a yard arm at the top of the telescopic mast. Some embodiments provide the facility to display any required day shapes combination: day shapes are stored in a carousel, then securely attached and hoisted to the masthead in any required order / spacing using an automatically sequenced handling system. Features / advantages and optional features of some embodiments are provided below. Compact Circular carousel for minimum-footprint. Easy to Integrate Self-contained, lightweight non deck-penetrating module. Electrical interfaces only (power &signals); integrated telescopic mast option. Low Maintenance “Passive” un-powered latching mechanism integrated into slotted shapes. Electric-drive technology (no hydraulic or pneumatic systems). Reliable Part count minimised by using electrical direct drive technology for tensioners, actuators and motors. Friction-driven maintenance-free continuous-belt halyards with automatic tension adjustment. Automatic Shapes incorporate RFID tags so the system knows their position in the carousel. Stepper motors, halyard drive and linear actuators all sequenced by onboard control system for automatic deployment &stowage of required shape combinations. Initiated using existing navigation lights signals. Integrates with platform IPMS if required. The present invention also provides a vessel provided with a system as described herein. Different aspects and embodiments of the invention may be used separately or together. Further particular and preferred aspects of the present invention are set out in the accompanying independent and dependent claims. Features of the dependent claims may be combined with the features of the independent claims as appropriate, and in combination other than those explicitly set out in the claims. Each aspect can be carried out independently of the other aspects or in combination with one or more of the other aspects. The present invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings. The example embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those of ordinary skill in the art to embody and implement the systems and processes herein described. It is important to understand that embodiments can be provided in many alternative forms and should not be construed as limited to the examples set forth herein. Accordingly, while embodiments can be modified in various ways and take on various alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown in the drawings and described in detail below as examples. There is no intent to limit to the particular forms disclosed. On the contrary, all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the appended claims should be included. Elements of the example embodiments are consistently denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the drawings and detailed description where appropriate. Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein are to be interpreted as is customary in the art. It will be further understood that terms in common usage should also be interpreted as is customary in the relevant art and not in an idealised or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein. In the following description, all orientational terms, such as upper, lower, radially and axially, are used in relation to the drawings and should not be interpreted as limiting on the invention. One embodiment relates to a self-contained system with an optional telescopic mast which allows for the display of a number of combinations of day shapes. Figure 2: Overview 1 Mast head / yard arm pulleys 2 Mast (telescopic, or hinged version optional for craft requiring limited air draft) 3 Shape release latch actuator (to disengage shape from halyard once returned to the carousel) 4 Rotating shape delivery carousel (drive motor not shown). Shapes are located on carousel using flange for vertical location, and indents / spring-loaded rollers for lateral. 5 Side halyard stepper motor (simultaneously drives both sides through gearbox) 6 Side shapes (permanently attached to side halyards for mine countermeasures signalling) 7 Main halyard tensioner pulley (tension via a pneumatic cylinder, for example) 8 Halyard ram (Electric linear actuator) 9 Main Halyard stepper motor 10 Hoisted Day Shapes 11 Continuous-belt main halyard Operation of the embodiment shown in Figure 2 is now described in relation to Figures 3 to 6. The day shapes 10 are held in a rotating carousel 4 about the mast 2 which may rotate to orientate the desired shape with the halyard. The day shape is released and gripped by the halyard through friction and raised using a system of pulleys and an electric drive motor. The halyards have the ability to display multiple shapes simultaneously in this embodiment. A continuous belt is used for the main halyard 11. Shapes 10 are loaded individually onto the main halyard 11 (except outrigger halyards which have permanently attached spheres to enable mine hunting to be displayed). To allow a vessel to indicate it is conducting mine-clearance operations, two balls are housed either side of the mast and hoisted on their own individual halyards which may be mounted to a yard arm at the top of the telescopic mast. Figure 3: Ready to Receive • Halyard ram 8 in retracted position, main halyard 11 just clear of shape. • Required shape 10 rotated into loading position. Figure 4: Shape Engaged • Halyard ram 8 extended to engage middle halyard belt 11 with shape's 10 internal latch mechanism. • Awaiting halyard ram retraction. Figure 5: Shape Loaded • With halyard ram 8 retracted, shape 10 moves clear of carousel. The ram force overpowers the shape retaining rollers on the carousel. • Shape now ready to be raised to required height by stepper motor 12. • Shape-return is a reverse of previous two steps. Figure 6: Shape Release • Shape release latch actuator 3 extends, with pivoting latch toggle hinging over shape release tab before dropping down into position. • Latch actuator then retracts, releasing halyard belt from shape by pulling on shape release tab 13. • Halyard ram 8 may then retract, drawing free halyard belt from shape. • Shape latch tab is released from latch actuator by indexing round carousel. In this embodiment the latch actuator is fixed to mast so does not rotate with carousel. Figure 7: Functional Diagram Figure 8: System Diagram Note: there is potential to use just a single side halyard motor. Figure 9: Inflatable and Stowable System Figure 9 shows an automated system 150 to display navigation day shapes 152 employing inflatable shape ‘strings’, which are stowed on a reel when not deployed. Pre (factory) assembled inflatable day shape 'strings’ (SS) 155 are formed by the required shape-sequence being connected by air hose lengths 157. Connected to the uppermost shape a halyard 159, supported from the ship’s mast by pulleys 161 enables the SS to be raised and lowered. Each Inflatable SS is stored deflated, wound onto its own string reel 165. The reels are locatable at the mast base (not shown). The SS is automatically drawn up to the masthead by a mast-base mounted halyard winch via the halyard, attached to the uppermost shapes in the strings, running over masthead pulleys. Once raised, air pressure inflates the SS via a compressor. Each SS requires its own string reel assembly and halyard winch but will share a common compressor. As such multiple SS will be required, the number of depending on the activities the vessel may be engaged in. The system is a self-contained, lightweight non deck-penetrating module. Electrical interfaces only (power &control signals) required. Integrated telescopic mast option may be provided. Automated deployment initiated using existing navigation lights signals. Integrates with ship’s platform management system if required. The shape string 155 is stowed on the string reel 165. The reel is a centre-fed, spring-return type which provides tension to the shape string / winds the shape string onto the reel. A fixed conical fairlead 167 ensures the deflated shapes collapse to a minimal cross-sectional area as they are wound onto the drum, to aid a satisfactory wind. The shape string is deployed and lowered by an electric halyard winch 172. The winch incorporates a brake mechanism to hold the shape string in the deployed position. A centre-fed air hose is used to supply air pressure to the shape string hose from the compressor 170 and so inflate the day shapes when the shape string is fully deployed. The same compressor is used to evacuate air from the shapes (deflate them) prior to shape string stowage back on the string reel. Figure 10: Inflatable and Non-Stowable System Figure 10 shows an automated system 250 to display navigation day shapes employing inflatable shape ‘strings’, which whilst left raised, shapes 252 are deflated when not required. Pre (factory) assembled inflatable day shape 'strings’ (SS) 255 are formed by the required shape-sequence being connected by air hose lengths 257. Each string remains deployed, but the shapes on each string may be inflated / deflated as required by an air compressor 270. If required (depending on the shapes’ form when deflated), to fully collapse and ‘hide’ the deflated shapes, cover shrouds 280 may be slid into position over the shapes 252, using either pneumatic pressure or a winch system to move them (for example). Multiple SS will be required, the number of depending on the activities the vessel will be engaged in. All SSs share the same compressor in this embodiment. The system is a self-contained, lightweight non deck-penetrating module. Electrical interfaces only (power &control signals) required. Integrated telescopic mast option may be provided. Automated deployment initiated using existing navigation lights signals. Integrates with ship’s platform management system if required. Although illustrative embodiments of the invention have been disclosed in detail herein, with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is understood that the invention is not limited to the precise embodiments shown and that various changes and modifications can be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

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