Marine Propulsion Buffer Control for Precise Docking Clearance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current marine vessel propulsion control systems face challenges in maintaining a safe buffer distance from obstacles and navigating in complex marine environments, particularly during docking and launch operations, due to limitations in autonomous and semi-autonomous control systems and the influence of environmental factors like wind and waves.
Innovation Solution
The system employs proximity sensors and a controller to calculate and maintain a buffer distance around the vessel, limiting operator control authority to prevent collisions and allowing autonomous control for precise propulsion, with user input options to override buffer maintenance for controlled impacts or alignments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If autonomous control is used to maintain buffer distance from obstacles, then collision safety is improved, but operator control authority and maneuverability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the level of autonomous control based on operational context. The buffer distance maintenance is actively managed by the controller, which can override operator inputs when collision risk is detected, while allowing full operator authority when safe. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by making the system both safe and operator-controllable depending on real-time conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors obstacle proximity through sensors and provides feedback to both the operator (via warnings or visual indicators) and the control system (via automated buffer enforcement). This feedback loop enables the system to maintain safety while informing the operator of system actions, resolving the contradiction between autonomous safety and operator control by making the autonomous behavior transparent and controllable.
2Reliability
If buffer distance maintenance is enforced autonomously, then collision risk is reduced, but ability to perform controlled impacts or alignments is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between buffer maintenance mode and operator-controlled mode based on detected intent or operational requirements. When controlled impact or alignment is required, the system temporarily suspends autonomous buffer enforcement, allowing the operator to perform these specialized maneuvers while maintaining safety for routine operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the buffer distance parameter dynamically - maintaining it during normal operations to prevent collisions, but allowing it to be reduced or overridden when controlled impacts or alignments are required. This parameter adaptation enables both collision safety and specialized operational capabilities.
3Ease of operation
If manual control is used for docking operations, then operator flexibility is maintained, but precision and consistency in maintaining safe distances are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous control system acts as an intermediary between the operator and the vessel's propulsion system during docking operations. It receives operator intent, processes it through buffer distance constraints, and executes the commanded maneuvers with precision while maintaining safe distances. This intermediary role provides both operator flexibility and docking precision simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual mechanical control with an automated control system that uses sensors and algorithms to maintain precise buffer distances during docking. This substitution maintains operator flexibility through high-level command input while achieving superior precision and consistency in distance maintenance compared to purely manual control.
4Manufacturing precision
If autonomous propulsion control is implemented, then precision in close proximity operations is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous control system is designed to perform multiple functions - obstacle detection, buffer distance maintenance, collision prevention, and assisted docking - using a single integrated controller and sensor system. This multi-functionality achieves high precision in proximity operations while minimizing the complexity increase by consolidating capabilities rather than adding separate systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for controlling a propulsion system of a marine vessel includes receiving proximity measurements from one or more proximity sensors on the marine vessel, identifying an object located less than a buffer distance from a side of the marine vessel, and controlling a display device to indicate the side of the marine vessel where the object is located. A user input is then received to activate a buffer zone on the side of the marine vessel where the object is located, and then at least one propulsion device is automatically controlled based on the proximity measurements to move the marine vessel away from the object.