Marine Vessel Proximity Sensing with Automated Sensor Calibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current proximity sensing systems on marine vessels require laborious and exacting installation measurements, are often overly constraining due to pre-determined sensor locations, and are prone to errors due to improper sensor installation.
Innovation Solution
A "plug-and-play" proximity sensing system that utilizes a main inertial measurement unit (IMU) at a known location on the marine vessel, along with co-located IMUs for each proximity sensor, to automatically determine the relative orientation and position transforms, allowing for flexible sensor installation and calibration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If pre-determined sensor locations are used, then system complexity is reduced, but installation flexibility and adaptability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-calibration by automatically determining sensor locations and orientations through IMU data comparison and transform calculations, eliminating the need for laborious manual measurements and pre-determined locations
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically calculates and adjusts transformation parameters (rotation and translation transforms) based on IMU data, allowing the sensor locations and orientations to be determined automatically rather than being fixed in advance
2Measurement precision
If laborious and exacting installation measurements are performed, then measurement precision improves, but installation time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces manual measurement processes with an automated electronic calibration system that uses IMU sensors and mathematical transforms to determine sensor locations and orientations automatically
Solution Approach 2:
The IMU sensors serve as intermediaries that automatically capture motion data, which is then processed through transform calculations to determine precise sensor locations without requiring manual measurement
3Ease of operation
If manual sensor installation is used, then installation flexibility is maintained, but measurement precision and reliability deteriorate due to improper installation
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from IMU motion data to automatically verify and adjust sensor locations and orientations, ensuring proper installation without requiring manual precision
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-verification and self-correction through automated calibration, detecting and compensating for installation errors without requiring expert intervention
Data Source
AI summary
A proximity sensing system on a marine vessel includes a main IMU positioned on the vessel at a main installation attitude and a main location, a first proximity sensor configured to measure the proximity of objects from a first sensor location on the vessel, and a first sensor IMU positioned on the vessel at the first sensor location and at a first installation attitude. A control system is configured to receive main IMU data from the main IMU and first IMU data from the first sensor IMU, wherein the main location of the main IMU on the marine vessel is known and at least one of the first sensor location and the first installation attitude of the first sensor IMU on the marine vessel are initially unknown, and calibrate the proximity measurements from the first proximity sensor based on the main IMU data and the first IMU data.