Vessel Motion Compensation Platform Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motion compensation platforms for vessels require complex designs and high manufacturing costs due to the need to compensate for multiple degrees of freedom, making them costly and potentially inefficient.
Innovation Solution
The platform incorporates a control system that drives both primary actuators and secondary actuators to compensate vessel motions, allowing the gangway to move relative to the carrier, thereby reducing the compensating performance required of the carrier, which can be designed for fewer degrees of freedom, simplifying the design and reducing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the carrier is designed to compensate for all six degrees of freedom, then motion compensation performance is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The motion compensation function is segmented between two independent systems: the carrier compensates for three degrees of freedom (roll, pitch, yaw) while the gangway compensates for the remaining three degrees of freedom (heave, surge, sway). This segmentation reduces the complexity of each individual component while maintaining overall six-DOF compensation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a second actuation dimension by adding the gangway as an independent compensating element. Instead of having the carrier handle all six degrees of freedom, the system distributes compensation across two dimensions (carrier and gangway), effectively reducing the dimensional burden on the carrier design.
2Reliability
If the carrier compensates for all vessel motions, then motion compensation is improved, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The compensation task is divided into two segments: the carrier handles rotational motions (roll, pitch, yaw) while the gangway handles translational motions (heave, surge, sway). This segmentation allows each component to be designed and manufactured for a specific function, reducing overall system complexity and manufacturing cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the translational compensation function from the carrier and assigns it to the gangway. By taking out the heave compensation function specifically, the carrier can be designed with fewer actuators (three instead of six), directly reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining full motion compensation capability through the combined system.
3Reliability
If the carrier is designed for six degrees of freedom compensation, then compensation performance is improved, but the number of actuators increases
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator system is segmented into two groups: first actuators on the carrier for rotational compensation (three actuators for roll, pitch, yaw) and second actuators on the gangway for translational compensation (three actuators for heave, surge, sway). This segmentation reduces the actuator count per component while maintaining six-DOF overall compensation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds the gangway as a second actuation dimension, distributing the six actuators across two independent systems. The carrier uses three actuators for rotational freedom while the gangway uses three actuators for translational freedom, effectively halving the actuator density per component and simplifying each subsystem.
Data Source
AI summary
A vessel including a motion compensation platform are disclosed. The platform comprises at least one carrier for bearing, moving and/or transferring a load, and a gangway provided with a first end pivotably connected to the carrier and a second end for contacting a target area. Further, the platform comprises a multiple number of first actuators for moving the carrier relative to the vessel, and at least a second actuator for moving the gangway relative to the carrier. The platform also comprises a control system arranged for driving the multiple number of first actuators, and motion sensors for measuring motions relative to at least one element in a target area, which measurements are used as input for the control system. The control system is also arranged for driving the at least one second actuator.