Dynamic Lifting Zone Detection for Offshore Crane Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
On offshore drilling rigs, there is a need to identify and track personnel in real-time during crane operations to prevent conflicts with the crane's lifting zone, as existing systems lack effective monitoring and control mechanisms for ensuring safety and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and system that creates a dimensional map of the offshore unit, using wireless and visual monitoring to track entities and obtain dynamic crane parameters, calculating a dynamically moving lifting zone, and detecting conflicts to output alerts and control adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If real-time tracking of personnel and dynamic calculation of lifting zones is implemented, then safety is improved by preventing conflicts between personnel and crane operations, but device complexity increases due to the need for wireless monitoring devices, dimensional mapping, and real-time data processing systems
Solution Approach 1:
The programmable control device serves multiple functions: it controls crane operations, tracks personnel locations via wireless devices, calculates dynamic lifting zones, and provides real-time conflict detection. This multi-functional integration improves safety without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Wireless monitoring devices act as intermediaries between personnel and the control system, enabling automatic tracking and communication without requiring direct physical connections or complex manual monitoring procedures.
2Productivity
If remote operation of cranes is implemented with real-time feedback, then operational efficiency is improved by allowing operators to work from safe distances, but loss of information increases due to potential delays or inaccuracies in transmitting dynamic parameters between the crane and control system
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously receives feedback from crane equipment sensors and wireless tracking devices, updating the dimensional map and lifting zone calculations in real-time. This closed-loop feedback ensures the remote operator has current information about crane position, load status, and personnel locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary calculations of the dynamic lifting zone based on current crane parameters before actual movements occur, allowing the remote operator to anticipate and plan operations in advance while maintaining accurate real-time awareness.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and computer-implemented method is used for operating a crane on an offshore unit on which entities (e.g., personnel and/or equipment) operate. A dimensional map of the unit is created so locations of the entities can be tracked in the dimensional map of the unit. For example, wireless monitoring is received from wireless devices associated with both the entities and the offshore unit to perform the tracking. Dynamic operating parameters of the crane are also obtained while the crane is operating on the unit. These parameters can be received remotely from the crane. A programmable control device calculates a lifting zone that moves dynamically in the dimensional map based on the parameters, detect a conflict of a tracked location interfering with the zone, and outputs the detected conflict for appropriate action.