Radar Cable Positioning for Dredger Suction Tube
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining the kinematic parameters of a cable connecting a suction tube to a dredging vessel are prone to mechanical wear and malfunction, reducing accuracy and reliability due to the use of gimbal heads and potentiometers.
Innovation Solution
Employing a radar system with a radar source and detector to irradiate and measure the cable, allowing for the determination of kinematic parameters such as orientation, length, and position, which is less susceptible to water-induced wear and provides more accurate positional information of the suction tube and head.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If mechanical angle measurement with gimbal head and potentiometers is used, then cable orientation can be measured, but the system is prone to mechanical wear and malfunctioning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical measurement system (gimbal head with potentiometers) with an optical/radar-based system. A radar source emits signals toward the cable, and a radar detector receives the reflected signals to determine cable orientation. This substitution eliminates mechanical wear and malfunctioning while maintaining measurement precision through electromagnetic field-based detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces radar waves as an intermediary medium to measure cable orientation indirectly. Instead of direct mechanical contact with the cable, the radar system uses electromagnetic wave reflection from the cable to derive its position and orientation, thereby avoiding mechanical wear while achieving accurate measurements.
2Measurement precision
If mechanical measurement devices are used in water environment, then cable parameters can be measured, but the devices are susceptible to water induced wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces water-exposed mechanical measurement devices with a radar-based system that operates through air above the water surface. The radar source and detector are positioned on the vessel, emitting and receiving signals through the air medium, thereby eliminating direct water contact and associated wear while maintaining measurement precision for cable position and orientation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses radar waves traveling through air as an intermediary to measure cable parameters without water contact. The electromagnetic signals pass through the air medium between the radar system and the cable, avoiding the harmful water environment that causes wear to mechanical devices.
3Reliability
If radar-based measurement is used, then mechanical wear is reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent leverages the versatility of radar technology, which is already widely used in maritime applications for navigation and obstacle detection. By utilizing an existing radar system for the additional function of cable measurement, the patent minimizes added complexity while significantly improving reliability through the proven robustness of radar technology in marine environments.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The radar-based method enhances the accuracy and reliability of determining kinematic parameters, reducing mechanical wear issues and improving the precision of suction tube and head positioning, even in inclined positions, by using radar reflections and combining with other measurements like cable length and pressure sensors.
Implementation Method 1
providing a radar source and a radar detector at the dredging vessel, the radar source having a radar emission field directed substantially at the cable; irradiating the cable with the radar emission field; receiving a radar reflection field reflected by the cable, using the radar detector
Implementation Method 2
receiving a radar reflection field reflected by the cable
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for determining kinematic parameters Q of a suction tube (126) of a dredging vessel (120). The suction tube (126) is at a tube suspension point (136) connected by a cable (144) to a cable suspension point E on the vessel (120). The method comprises: - providing a radar source (152) and radar detector (154) at the dredging vessel (120), the radar source (152) having an emission field (202) directed at the cable (144); - irradiating the cable (144) with the emission field (202); - receiving a reflection field (204) reflected by the cable (144) with the radar detector (154), and - determining the kinematic parameters Q from the reflection field (204). The invention also relates to a dredging vessel (120) comprising the radar source (152) and radar detector (154), and being arranged for executing the proposed method.