Marine Propulsion Override Control for Buffer-Aware Docking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing marine vessel propulsion control systems fail to effectively manage velocity limits near objects, leading to potential collisions due to environmental factors like currents and waves, and struggle to balance autonomous and semi-autonomous control with operator input, especially in complex docking scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A propulsion control system that uses proximity sensors and a controller to maintain a buffer distance from objects, limiting user input authority based on proximity measurements and calculating velocity limits to prevent collisions, while allowing user override to suspend buffer maintenance for controlled impacts 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 avoidance is improved, but operator control authority is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the level of control limitation based on operational context. During normal operation, velocity limits and buffer zone maintenance are actively applied to prevent collisions. However, when docking or impact operations are detected through sensor data and control patterns, the system transitions to a mode with reduced limitations, allowing operators to command velocities that would normally be restricted. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by providing high safety during routine operations while maintaining operational flexibility when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes key parameters (velocity limits, buffer zone distances) based on the operational state. During normal navigation, strict velocity limits and buffer zones are enforced. When docking mode is activated or impact operations are required, these parameters are modified to allow greater operator authority. The controller monitors sensor inputs and control commands to detect when parameter changes are appropriate, thereby balancing collision avoidance with operational needs.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the system allows user override to suspend buffer maintenance, then docking capability is improved, but safety against collisions is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection and classification of operational intent before allowing override. Sensors continuously monitor the environment and control patterns to identify when a docking or impact operation is intended. Only after this preliminary detection confirms the operational context does the system permit suspension of buffer maintenance. This preliminary action ensures that safety protections remain active during uncertain situations while allowing flexibility when the operational need is clearly established.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses continuous feedback from proximity sensors and control input analysis to monitor operational context. When sensors detect conditions consistent with docking operations (such as slow approach velocities, specific target object detection, or prolonged hovering), the system provides feedback that enables override capability. This feedback mechanism ensures that safety is maintained through continuous monitoring while adaptability is provided when sensor data confirms a legitimate docking scenario.
3Reliability
If the system imposes velocity limits based on proximity measurements, then collision prevention is improved, but maneuverability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Velocity limits are dynamically adjusted based on real-time proximity measurements and operational context rather than being fixed. The controller continuously calculates appropriate velocity limits based on distance to objects, buffer zone status, and detected operational mode. During normal operations near objects, strict velocity limits apply to prevent collisions. However, when docking operations are detected, the system dynamically increases allowed velocities to provide necessary maneuverability while maintaining safety during routine operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of controlling propulsion of a marine vessel includes limiting user input authority over propulsion output by at least one propulsion device based on proximity measurements so as to maintain the marine vessel at least a buffer distance from any object, where in the buffer distance is a predefined distance around the marine vessel. After a user-generated instruction is received to suspend maintenance of the buffer distance and a user control input is received to move the marine vessel in the direction of the object, the at least one propulsion device is controlled based on the user control input such that the marine vessel approaches and impacts the object.