Ship Maneuvering Control via Real-Time Route Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current weather routing technologies do not account for real-time changes in meteorological and marine phenomena, leading to suboptimal route planning that does not reflect the actual conditions encountered by ships, resulting in increased fuel consumption and pilot burden.
Innovation Solution
A ship maneuvering control method that acquires real-time marine phenomenon data and operation performance information to design a short-term planned route optimizing fuel consumption and safety, using a hull motion model and evaluation functions to balance route deviations and performance indices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the optimal planned route is calculated based on long-time interval meteorological and marine phenomena prediction information, then the route planning can be simplified and computed efficiently, but the route does not reflect real-time changes in meteorological and marine phenomena, leading to increased fuel consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the long-time interval route planning into multiple short-time interval route plans. Instead of calculating one comprehensive route based on long-term predictions, the system generates multiple sequential route plans for shorter time periods, allowing frequent updates based on real-time conditions while maintaining computational efficiency for each segment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static long-term route planning to dynamic short-term route planning. By frequently updating route plans based on real-time meteorological and marine phenomena, the system adapts to changing conditions, optimizing fuel consumption while maintaining efficient calculation through manageable time intervals.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the ship pilot manually adjusts the route based on actually encountered meteorological and marine phenomena, then the route can adapt to real-time conditions, but the pilot feels burdened and determinations vary among pilots
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automated route adjustment by having the ship's computer automatically generate updated route plans based on real-time meteorological and marine phenomena data. This eliminates the need for pilot intervention in route calculations, reducing pilot burden while maintaining adaptability to changing conditions through automated decision-making.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where real-time meteorological and marine phenomena data are continuously fed into the route planning system. The system processes this feedback information and automatically generates updated route plans, ensuring adaptability to real-time conditions without requiring pilot judgment or intervention.
3Use of energy by moving object
If short-term planned routes are designed by frequently updating based on real-time marine phenomenon information, then the route reflects current conditions and reduces fuel consumption, but the calculation complexity and data processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system manages calculation complexity by segmenting the route planning into short-time intervals. Each segment involves simpler calculations based on current conditions, avoiding the need for complex long-term predictions while achieving overall fuel efficiency through cumulative optimization of multiple short-term segments.
Data Source
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AI summary
A short-term planned route (B) from a start position that is a ship position at a first time up to an end position that is the ship position at a second time is designed based on a planned route (A), an estimated encounter marine phenomenon information, operation performance information measured on a ship, and a hull motion model of the ship, the planned route (A) being based on meteorological and marine phenomena prediction information and performance information of the ship, the estimated encounter marine phenomenon information being measured on the ship based on actually encountered marine phenomenon information. The short-term planned route (B) makes a first evaluation function (J) optimal, the first evaluation function (J) containing: an index indicating an influence of a fluctuation portion between a planned position that is a ship position planned at the second time on the planned route (A) and the end position; a fuel consumption index when the ship sails along the short-term planned route (B); and a safety index when the ship sails along the short-term planned route (B).