Radar Anti-Collision Detection for Human Operators in Work Volumes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing anti-collision systems in automated industrial contexts, particularly on offshore drilling platforms, face challenges in reliably detecting human operators amidst barriers and metal structures, and often require wearable devices or complex image processing, leading to inefficiencies and safety risks.
Innovation Solution
A method using radiofrequency radiation, specifically continuous wave radar signals, to scan a work volume and detect human operators by monitoring vital signals and triangulating their position, allowing for the prediction and prevention of collisions without wearable devices, and distinguishing them from machines within the same volume.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If optical systems with multifocal vision are used to detect human operators, then the ability to identify and locate operators is improved, but the processing time becomes too long for fast anti-collision response
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces optical detection systems with radar-based electromagnetic wave detection. The radar system transmits electromagnetic waves and detects reflections from human operators, enabling fast response times suitable for anti-collision applications while maintaining detection accuracy. This substitution of detection mechanism resolves the contradiction between optical precision and processing speed.
2Reliability
If radar systems are used to detect human operators through barriers, then the detection capability in complex environments is improved, but the complexity of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The radar system is designed to perform multiple functions: detecting human operators, determining their positions, tracking their movements, and providing data for anti-collision algorithms. By consolidating these functions into a single radar-based system rather than using multiple specialized devices, the patent achieves high detection reliability in complex environments while managing system complexity through functional integration.
3Measurement precision
If wearable identification tags are required for operators, then the ability to identify operators is improved, but the ease of operation and safety are reduced due to additional equipment requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The radar system detects and identifies operators automatically based on their reflected electromagnetic signals, without requiring operators to wear or carry any identification equipment. The system self-identifies operators through their physical presence and radar cross-section characteristics, eliminating the need for wearable tags and thereby improving operator convenience and safety while maintaining identification accuracy.
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
This approach enhances safety by reliably detecting human operators and predicting potential collisions, improving operational safety without the need for wearable identification tags and reducing false positives/negatives, even in environments with metal structures and sludge.
Implementation Method 1
a radar is adapted to scan a work volume with radiofrequency radiation signals
Implementation Method 2
radiofrequency radiation signals, specifically continuous wave radar signals
Data Source
AI summary
An anti-collision method includes storing information on a current position of at least one vehicle within a target work volume, scanning the target work volume by a radiofrequency radiation signal to detect the presence of at least one human operator within the target work volume, determining the current position of the at least one human operator within the target work volume, comparing the current position of the at least one human operator with the current position of the at least one vehicle, and, if the current position of the at least one human operator at least partially overlaps the current position of the at least one vehicle, activating at least one safety device.