Marine Propulsion Collision Override for Controlled Docking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing marine vessel propulsion control systems struggle to effectively limit velocity and maintain a safe buffer distance from objects in dynamic marine environments, particularly when environmental factors like wind and waves interfere, and traditional proximity sensing systems have limitations in maintaining precise distance for safe docking and disembarkation.
Innovation Solution
A propulsion control system that uses proximity sensors and a controller to calculate and impose velocity limits based on the distance to objects, limiting user input authority to prevent collision and maintain a buffer zone, while allowing user override to suspend buffer distance maintenance for controlled impact or docking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the system maintains a buffer distance from objects using proximity sensors and velocity limits, then collision safety is improved, but user control authority and docking flexibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the buffer distance maintenance based on operational context. During normal operation, the system maintains a buffer zone by limiting velocity in the direction of objects. However, when docking operations are detected or initiated, the system transitions to a different mode where the buffer maintenance is suspended, allowing full user control authority for controlled impact docking. This dynamic switching resolves the contradiction by adapting the level of restriction based on the operational phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of buffer distance from a fixed constraint to a conditionally variable parameter. The buffer distance is maintained at a standard value during navigation but is modified or suspended during docking operations. This parameter change allows the system to provide both collision avoidance during transit and controlled impact capability during docking, resolving the contradiction between safety and operational flexibility.
2Reliability
If the system limits velocity based on proximity to objects, then collision avoidance is improved, but docking efficiency and productivity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The velocity limiting function is dynamically adjusted based on the operational phase. During approach and navigation phases, velocity limits are actively applied based on proximity to objects to ensure collision avoidance. When the system enters the docking phase (detected through sensor data or user input), the velocity limits are modified or suspended to allow controlled impact at higher speeds, thereby maintaining docking efficiency while preserving collision avoidance during critical navigation phases.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary velocity reduction and buffer zone maintenance during the approach phase before docking begins. This preliminary action ensures that collision avoidance is fully effective during the high-risk approach phase. Once the vessel is in the final docking phase, the system transitions to allow controlled velocity increase for the actual docking impact, separating the collision avoidance function from the docking execution function to resolve the productivity contradiction.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the system provides full user control for docking operations, then docking flexibility is improved, but collision risk in dynamic marine environments deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors proximity to objects using proximity sensors and provides feedback to the control system. This feedback loop allows the system to maintain full user control authority while simultaneously monitoring for collision risks. When the vessel is in the final docking phase and proximity indicates controlled conditions, full user control is permitted. However, if proximity sensors detect objects outside the expected docking zone or at unexpected distances, the system can intervene to prevent collisions, thus resolving the contradiction between flexibility and safety through continuous feedback monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system acts as an intermediary between the user input device and the propulsion system during docking operations. Rather than providing direct full control or complete restriction, the control system mediates by allowing user commands to pass through during safe conditions while maintaining the ability to intervene when collision risks are detected. This intermediary function enables both user flexibility and collision protection to coexist during dynamic marine operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A marine propulsion control system includes at least one propulsion device, an input device enabling user control input commanding movement direction and velocity, and at least one proximity sensor configured to generate proximity measurements describing a proximity of surrounding objects. A controller is configured to first limit the velocity commandable by the user via the input device based on the proximity measurements so as to maintain the marine vessel at least a buffer distance from any of the objects, then receive a user-generated instruction to suspend maintenance of the buffer distance in at least one direction and a user control input via the input device to move the marine vessel in the at least one direction and toward a first object. The at least one propulsion device is then controlled based on the user control input such that the marine vessel approaches and impacts the first object.