Cantilever Collision Avoidance via Boundary Model Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
The movement of cantilever structures on offshore platforms is challenging due to limited free space and the risk of collisions with platform structures or obstacles, which can result in damage and safety hazards, and current methods lack effective monitoring systems to prevent such collisions.
Innovation Solution
A method using a boundary model that incorporates boundary limiting information to monitor the movement of the cantilever, comparing actual positions with predefined limits, and providing feedback to operators through visual or audible warnings, with the option to adjust movement speed or stop the cantilever to prevent collisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If personnel are used to survey the movement operation of the cantilever to avoid collisions, then collision prevention is improved, but the operation becomes time-consuming and prone to human error
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical surveillance system (personnel visually monitoring cantilever movement) with an automated optical measurement system. The system uses markers mounted on the cantilever and imaging devices to automatically track position and orientation, eliminating the need for human operators to physically survey the movement while providing continuous, accurate data without time loss or human error.
Solution Approach 2:
The cantilever structure performs self-monitoring through the integrated marker system and imaging devices. The system automatically captures its own position data, processes the information, and provides feedback without requiring external personnel intervention, thereby reducing time consumption and eliminating human error while maintaining reliable collision prevention.
2Reliability
If personnel are positioned to watch over the cantilever movement, then collision risk is reduced, but personnel are exposed to hazardous areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces human personnel with automated imaging devices and computational systems to perform the surveillance function. The markers mounted on the cantilever and the imaging devices positioned on the platform create a automated monitoring system that eliminates the need for personnel to be in hazardous areas, thereby maintaining collision prevention reliability while removing the safety risk to human operators.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces markers and imaging devices as intermediary elements between the cantilever and the monitoring system. These intermediaries capture and transmit position information without requiring direct human presence in hazardous zones, thus maintaining effective collision prevention while protecting personnel from exposure to harmful environments.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the cantilever structure is extended out of the platform for drilling operations, then drilling capability is improved, but the risk of collision with platform obstacles increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback system where imaging devices continuously capture the position of markers on the extended cantilever, the control unit processes this data to determine real-time position and orientation, and the system provides feedback to operators or automatically adjusts the cantilever position. This closed-loop feedback enables the cantilever to be extended for drilling operations while maintaining reliable collision avoidance through continuous monitoring and active control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses pre-mounted markers on the cantilever structure and pre-positioned imaging devices to establish a tracking system before movement begins. The boundary model of the platform is pre-defined in the control unit, enabling the system to predict and prevent potential collisions before they occur, thus allowing safe extension and operation of the cantilever for drilling purposes.
4Device complexity
If manual monitoring of cantilever movement is used, then system complexity is reduced, but measurement precision of cantilever position deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces simple manual monitoring with an automated optical measurement system using markers and imaging devices. Although this increases device complexity, it dramatically improves measurement precision by providing continuous, objective position and orientation data of the cantilever, eliminating the inaccuracies inherent in manual visual monitoring.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for monitoring movement of a cantilever structure of an offshore platform, such as a jack-up platform or a self-elevating vessel, comprising providing a boundary model containing boundary limiting information of positions of the cantilever structure, wherein the boundary limiting information comprises at least position information of boundary limiting elements, such as obstacles; providing, during movement of the cantilever, position information of the cantilever representing an actual position of the cantilever; determining, during movement of the cantilever, a difference between the cantilever position information and the boundary limiting information of the boundary model; providing an output signal when the determined difference exceeds a predefined threshold value.