Subsea Hose Position Monitoring for Delay-Free Tanker Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
In oil transport systems, the detachment and reconnection of floating hoses in rough seas can be delayed due to difficulties in locating the free end of the hose, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs, as tankers must manually identify the hose's position before coupling, often requiring assistance vessels to prevent collisions and ensure safe coupling.
Innovation Solution
A system with a buoyant buoy and floating hose featuring multiple buoyant hose segments connected in series, equipped with node units that form a radio network to determine relative distances and transmit location data, allowing for pre-arrival determination of the hose's geometric arrangement relative to the buoy, enabling loop detection and prevention, and facilitating delay-free coupling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If manual identification of hose position is used, then equipment complexity is reduced, but time consumption and operational efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual visual identification and mechanical searching methods with an automated electronic positioning system. Node units with radio transmitters and receivers automatically determine the geometric arrangement of floating hose segments through signal exchange, eliminating the need for manual location efforts and significantly reducing time consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The floating hose system performs self-positioning and self-monitoring through the distributed node units. Each node unit autonomously determines its position relative to others and communicates this information, allowing the system to automatically track and report its own geometric arrangement without external intervention.
2Productivity
If automated positioning systems are implemented, then operational efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning system is divided into independent node units distributed along the floating hose segments. Each node unit functions autonomously with its own transmitter and receiver capabilities, allowing the system to scale and operate modularly. This segmentation reduces overall system complexity by breaking down the positioning function into manageable, identical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The node units serve multiple functions: they determine relative positions, detect loops in the hose, provide collision warnings, and enable both positioning and safety monitoring. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate systems and minimizes overall device complexity while maximizing productivity benefits.
3Device complexity
If manual monitoring of hose arrangement is used, then system complexity is reduced, but safety and reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors the geometric arrangement of floating hose segments and provides real-time feedback about loop formations and potential collision risks. This feedback mechanism enables proactive safety measures and ensures reliable operation by alerting operators to hazardous conditions before they become critical.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection of loop formations and collision risks before actual coupling operations occur. By identifying potential safety issues in advance, the system allows for preventive measures to be taken, ensuring safer and more reliable coupling operations.
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 system allows for precise determination of the floating hose's arrangement relative to the buoy, enabling efficient and reliable coupling of the hose to tankers, reducing delays and costs by providing location data before arrival, and ensuring safe connection even in adverse weather conditions.
Implementation Method 1
Each node unit is designed by means of an associated radio unit to establish a radio connection to each of at least two of the other radio units of the respective node units, so that a radio network, in particular a mesh radio network, is created.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for fluid transfer is disclosed and includes a floatable buoy, an underwater hose, a plurality of underwater node units and circuitry. The underwater hose has a first end coupled to the floatable buoy and a second end. The plurality of underwater node units distributed along the length of the underwater hose and configured to generate positioning signals. The circuitry is configured to determine a relative distance between each of the plurality of undersea node units based on the generated positioning signals to generate a plurality of relative distances.