Autonomous Vessel Navigation via Sea State Prediction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Vessel navigation in severe sea conditions is challenging due to significant wave forces, especially for autonomous vessels with limited machine sensory resources, leading to potential damage and slowed progress.
Innovation Solution
A system that predicts future sea states by generating 3D images of the sea surface using image sensors and radar, detecting wavefronts, characterizing propagating waves, and autonomously navigating vessels based on predicted wave directions to minimize force and damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If autonomous vessel navigation is implemented using limited machine sensory equipment, then automation is improved, but navigation reliability deteriorates in severe sea conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensing modalities (radar, visible light cameras, infrared cameras) into an integrated sea state prediction system. This fusion of diverse sensory resources compensates for the limitations of individual sensors and provides robust sea state prediction capability for autonomous navigation, resolving the contradiction between automation and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs sea state prediction in advance by analyzing current wave patterns and forecasting future sea conditions. This preliminary action allows the autonomous vessel to plan navigation paths proactively, avoiding severe wave conditions before encountering them, thereby maintaining both automation and navigation reliability.
2Productivity
If vessels navigate directly to target destination, then productivity is improved, but vessel damage increases in severe sea conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system forecasts future sea states in advance and uses this prediction to plan navigation paths that avoid anticipated severe wave conditions. By taking preliminary action to identify safe passages before the vessel encounters dangerous waters, the system maintains productivity while minimizing wave damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The navigation path is dynamically adjusted based on real-time sea state predictions. Rather than following a fixed direct route, the vessel adapts its course to exploit favorable wave conditions and avoid severe conditions, optimizing both speed and safety in response to changing sea states.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for sea state prediction and autonomous navigation in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. One embodiment of the invention includes a method of predicting a future sea state including generating a sequence of at least two 3D images of a sea surface using at least two image sensors, detecting peaks and troughs in the 3D images using a processor, identifying at least one wavefront in each 3D image based upon the detected peaks and troughs using the processor, characterizing at least one propagating wave based upon the propagation of wavefronts detected in the sequence of 3D images using the processor, and predicting a future sea state using at least one propagating wave characterizing the propagation of wavefronts in the sequence of 3D images using the processor. Another embodiment includes a method of autonomous vessel navigation based upon a predicted sea state and target location.