Vessel Motion Prediction System for Cargo Transfer Impact Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
During vessel-to-vessel cargo transfer operations, existing systems lack effective compensation for the motion of both the crane and target vessels, leading to potential damage from excessive impact or high rope tension, especially when both vessels are in motion.
Innovation Solution
The Cargo Transfer Monitoring System (CTMS) uses real-time motion detection and prediction of both vessels, combined with crane and vessel parameters, to recommend optimal timing for lifting and landing operations, thereby reducing predicted impact force and rope tension within predefined limits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If real-time motion detection and prediction of both vessels is implemented, then operational safety and accuracy are improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a computer as an intermediary device that receives motion data from multiple sensors, predicts vessel motions, and generates guidance signals. This intermediary processing unit consolidates the complexity of real-time data acquisition and analysis, allowing the system to improve operational safety through comprehensive motion monitoring without requiring direct complex interactions between all system components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring real-time motion data from both the crane vessel and target vessel, processing this information through motion prediction algorithms, and providing guidance signals back to the crane operator. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables the system to adapt to changing vessel motions dynamically, improving operational safety while managing complexity through structured information flow.
2Stability of the object's composition
If heave compensation modules are installed on offshore cranes, then cargo transfer stability is improved, but cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical heave compensation systems with a computational approach. Instead of using mechanical devices to physically compensate for vessel motion, the system uses sensors to detect motion, computers to predict vessel trajectories, and guidance signals to guide the crane operator. This substitution maintains cargo transfer stability while significantly reducing device complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a virtual model or copy of the vessel motions through motion sensors and computer prediction algorithms. Rather than physically compensating for each motion disturbance, the system creates an informational copy of the motion data, processes it to predict future positions, and uses this information to guide operations. This informational copying approach achieves stability without the complexity of physical compensation mechanisms.
3Measurement precision
If environmental inputs and sea keeping models are used for vessel motion prediction, then prediction accuracy is improved, but data processing requirements and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-configuring the computer with sea keeping models and vessel parameters before cargo transfer operations begin. Environmental input requirements and processing algorithms are established in advance, allowing the system to quickly process real-time sensor data during operations without needing to complexly analyze all possible parameters from scratch. This preliminary setup improves prediction accuracy while managing data processing requirements through structured preprocessing.
Data Source
AI summary
A cargo transfer monitoring system at least comprises at least one vessel motion sensor, one pair of wireless modems, a central data processing unit with decision-making module, a rugged display panel as the operator station, and communication coupling. The cargo transfer operation will be carried out by a crane operator sitting in the crane cabin on the primary vessel. The transfer will take place either from target vessel to primary vessel or from primary vessel to target vessel. The sensor(s) collect the real-time motion of vessels, which is carried over to the central computer through data cable or wireless radio link. The decision-making module predicts the motion of the vessels for a subsequent time period. Based on the predicted value, the decision-making module projects the expected or predicted impact force on the payload if the operation is started at the particular time. If the predicted impact force on the payload is below a predetermined threshold, the system recommends the crane operator to resume the landing operation. The system can predict the motion and hence the rope tension for lifting operations and make similar recommendation to resume the lifting operation if the predicted rope tension falls below a predefined threshold.