Marine Loading Arm Coupling Compatibility via 3D Imaging
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Automated coupling systems for marine loading arms often fail due to incompatibility or deterioration of coupling devices and target ducts, leading to unreliable fluid connections and potential leaks.
Innovation Solution
A marine loading system that uses an imaging system to capture images, construct 3D representations of target ducts, determine compatibility, and move the coupling device accordingly, ensuring reliable connection by assessing the compatibility of the coupling device with the target duct before attempting to connect.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If automated coupling systems are used to connect coupling devices with target ducts, then productivity and ease of operation are improved, but reliability deteriorates due to incompatibility or deterioration of coupling components leading to connection failures and leaks
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by capturing images of the target duct before coupling, constructing 3D representations, and determining compatibility characteristics in advance. This allows the system to identify incompatible or deteriorated target ducts before the coupling attempt, preventing connection failures and leaks while maintaining automated operation efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging system and image processing algorithms serve as intermediaries between the automated coupling system and the physical coupling operation. These intermediaries provide critical information about target duct compatibility, enabling the control system to make informed decisions about whether to proceed with coupling, thus improving reliability without reducing automation
2Reliability
If compatibility assessment is added to the automated coupling system, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging system serves multiple functions: it captures images for documentation, constructs 3D representations for geometric analysis, determines compatibility characteristics, and provides feedback to the control system. By making the imaging system multi-functional, the patent avoids adding separate dedicated sensors or measurement devices, thereby improving reliability without proportionally increasing system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-assessment of target duct compatibility using its own imaging and processing capabilities. The control system automatically analyzes the 3D representations and compatibility characteristics without requiring external inspection equipment or manual verification, enabling reliability improvement through self-service rather than additional complex external systems
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention discloses a method for marine loading, the method comprising: providing a marine loading system comprising: a marine loading arm, at least one fluid transfer line provided with a coupling device, at least one actuator being adapted to move the marine loading arm and to position the coupling device and a imaging system configured to capture a plurality of images. The method further comprises: - receiving image data associated with the plurality of images of a scene; - constructing, based on the image data, a representation of an object in the scene; - determining whether the object represents an open target duct being present in the scene; - determining an estimated position of the open target duct with respect to the coupling device or the imaging system; - constructing a 3D representation of the open target duct; - determining a characteristic property of the open target duct, based on matching the 3D representation of the open target duct with a plurality of predetermined 3D representations comprising 3D representations of open target ducts with predetermined characteristic properties; - determining whether the coupling device is compatible with the open target duct; and - moving the coupling device towards the open target duct.