Ship Cabin Loading Capacity Measurement via Point Cloud

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current ship cabin loading capacity measurement methods are complex and inefficient, consuming significant resources and time, with low automation levels and high computational complexity.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus utilizing point cloud measurement data acquisition, optimization, and calculation to quickly and precisely determine ship cabin loading capacity, employing lidar for data acquisition and computer processing with predetermined rules for data processing and calculation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If capacity comparison test method is used, then measurement accuracy is improved, but water consumption increases and measurement duration extends

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveloading capacity measurement accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement duration
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical water-filling process with laser radar technology. Instead of physically filling the cabin with water using metallic gauges, the system uses laser beams to scan and acquire point cloud data of the cabin interior, automatically calculating loading capacity through coordinate processing. This substitution eliminates the time-consuming manual water-filling operation while maintaining measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a digital copy (point cloud model) of the physical cabin space. The laser radar captures three-dimensional coordinate information to generate a virtual representation of the cabin interior, which is then processed computationally to determine loading capacity. This digital modeling approach replaces the physical water-filling process, significantly reducing measurement time while preserving accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Measurement precision

If capacity comparison test method is used, then measurement accuracy is improved, but labor intensity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveloading capacity measurement accuracyVSAvoidlabor intensity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual labor-intensive operations with automated laser scanning and computer processing. The system automatically acquires point cloud data, performs coordinate system transformations, calculates volumes, and generates loading capacity results without requiring personnel to manually fill water or take measurements, thereby eliminating labor intensity while maintaining accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-measurement through automated laser scanning and computational processing. The laser radar autonomously captures cabin geometry, the computer automatically processes the point cloud data through coordinate transformations and volume calculations, and the system self-generates the loading capacity measurement results without human intervention in the actual measurement process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Extent of automation

If geometrical measurement method is used, then automation level is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement automation levelVSAvoidloading capacity measurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from traditional two-dimensional geometrical measurements to three-dimensional point cloud data acquisition. The laser radar captures spatial coordinates (x, y, z) of numerous points throughout the cabin interior, creating a comprehensive three-dimensional digital model. This dimensional enhancement provides more complete geometric information for accurate volume calculation while maintaining full automation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically processes point cloud data through automated coordinate system transformations and adaptive volume calculations. The computer automatically adjusts calculation parameters based on the acquired point cloud characteristics, performing real-time data processing and transformation to determine loading capacity with high precision while maintaining automation throughout the process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Measurement precision

If traditional measurement methods are used, then measurement thoroughness is improved, but computational complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement thoroughnessVSAvoidcomputation process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the complex measurement process into distinct automated stages: (1) laser radar data acquisition, (2) point cloud coordinate system transformation, (3) cross-sectional area calculation, and (4) volume integration. Each stage is independently processed by the computer system, breaking down the overall computational task into manageable segments that are automatically executed in sequence, reducing overall computational complexity while maintaining thoroughness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces point cloud data as an intermediary between the physical cabin and the final loading capacity result. The laser radar captures raw spatial coordinates, which serve as intermediate data that the computer then processes through coordinate transformations and volume calculations. This intermediary digital representation simplifies the computation process by providing structured, processable data that bridges the physical measurement and computational analysis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 method simplifies the measurement process, reduces duration, and enhances efficiency and cost-effectiveness compared to existing methods, allowing for accurate and rapid loading capacity determination.

Implementation Method 1

by acquiring point cloud measurement data of a ship cabin, wherein the point cloud measurement data can be acquired by a lidar

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLIDAR: LIDAR

Data Source

PatentUS11970246B2Ship cabin loading capacity measuring method and apparatus thereof
Publication Date: 2024.04.30 ZHOUSHAN INST OF CALIBRATION & TESTING FOR QUALITY & TECHNICAL SUPERVISION
  • US11970246B2 patent drawing
  • US11970246B2 patent drawing
  • US11970246B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A ship cabin loading capacity measurement method and apparatus thereof, comprises: acquiring point cloud measurement data of a ship cabin; optimizing the point cloud measurement data according to a predetermined point cloud data processing rule, and generating optimized ship cabin point cloud data; calculating said ship cabin point cloud data with a predetermined loading capacity calculation rule, and getting ship cabin loading capacity data. According to the ship cabin loading capacity measurement method of the present invention, the point cloud measurement data can be acquired by a lidar, and processing the point cloud measurement data of the ship cabin with a predetermined point cloud data processing law and a computation law, and as the point cloud data processing law and the computation law can be deployed in a computer device in advance, after point cloud measurement data acquisition, loading capacity of a ship cabin can be acquired quickly and precisely.