Floating Buoy Position Monitoring for Operational Envelope Alerts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current subsea and floating hose systems lack accurate monitoring and positioning, leading to potential damage from undetected issues like mooring chain stress and strain, which can result in costly downtime and equipment damage, especially in harsh weather conditions.
Innovation Solution
A buoy position monitoring system using wireless nodes on buoys and hoses that transmit location data via satellite or cellular communication to a shore-based analyzer, allowing for continuous monitoring and alerting operators if the buoy moves outside its operational envelope, thereby preventing damage and reducing downtime.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If floating hose systems operate without monitoring in harsh weather conditions, then equipment durability is maintained through simplicity, but undetected issues like mooring chain stress result in costly downtime and equipment damage
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring system is divided into multiple independent wireless sensor nodes distributed along the floating hose and mooring chains. Each node independently monitors local conditions (position, stress, environmental parameters) and transmits data wirelessly, eliminating the need for complex centralized wiring while enabling comprehensive monitoring of the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
Traditional mechanical monitoring systems requiring physical connections and manual inspection are replaced with wireless sensor nodes that use electromagnetic signals for data transmission. This substitution eliminates complex mechanical linkages and wiring harnesses, reducing system complexity while improving reliability through non-contact sensing and wireless communication.
2Loss of time
If wireless sensor nodes are deployed on buoys and hoses for continuous monitoring, then early detection of potential issues is enabled, but device complexity and initial cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor nodes are designed as self-contained units with integrated power management, sensing capabilities, and wireless transmission. Each node autonomously monitors its local environment, processes data locally, and transmits information without requiring external control or complex system integration, thereby reducing overall system complexity while enabling continuous monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The wireless sensor nodes are designed to perform multiple functions: position tracking, stress monitoring, environmental sensing, and wireless communication. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require separate systems into a single integrated platform, reducing overall system complexity while enabling comprehensive monitoring to minimize downtime.
3Measurement precision
If buoy position is monitored continuously with high precision, then operational envelope violations are detected early, but measurement precision requirements increase system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites serve as intermediaries to provide high-precision position data to the buoy sensor nodes. Rather than requiring complex onboard positioning equipment, the system uses satellite-based navigation to achieve accurate position monitoring, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining high measurement precision for detecting operational envelope violations.
Data Source
AI summary
One general aspect includes a buoy position analyzer system. The buoy position analyzer system also includes a transceiver interface. The buoy position analyzer system also includes a memory storage. The buoy position analyzer system also includes circuitry may include one or more processors configured to: receive node unit data via the transceiver interface, generate an operational movement envelope for a buoy based on the received node data, store the operational movement envelope in the memory storage, and monitor additional node unit data via the transceiver interface.