Vessel Routing System Using Wave Forecast Models

Solution Overview

Problem

Commercial vessels frequently encounter treacherous sea conditions during ocean crossings, leading to potential damage or loss, as existing routing methods are reactive and do not effectively avoid hazardous environments, often requiring vessels to take routes that minimize crossing time at the risk of encountering dangerous storms or conditions.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method and program code generate routes for vessels that take into account forecasted wave and weather conditions, using a model of the vessel to calculate responses to these conditions and avoid treacherous environments while meeting goals such as minimizing transit time or fuel consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If vessels take routes that minimize crossing time, then productivity is improved, but vessels are exposed to treacherous sea conditions causing damage or loss

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecrossing timeVSAvoidvessel safety

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary routing actions by obtaining forecasted wave conditions and using vessel response models to predict treacherous environments before the vessel encounters them. The routing system proactively plans alternative routes that avoid predicted hazardous conditions while still meeting transit time goals, rather than reacting after the vessel is already in danger.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If vessels reduce speed or change course reactively to avoid dangerous conditions, then vessel safety is improved, but transit time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevessel safetyVSAvoidtransit time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary routing actions by obtaining forecasted wave conditions and using vessel response models to predict treacherous environments before the vessel encounters them. The routing system proactively plans alternative routes that avoid predicted hazardous conditions while still meeting transit time goals, rather than reacting after the vessel is already in danger.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors forecasted wave conditions and vessel response predictions, adjusting the recommended route in real-time. The routing system incorporates feedback from the vessel response model to evaluate how different routing options will affect both safety and transit time, dynamically optimizing the balance between these competing objectives.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If shipping companies minimize crossing time to maximize profits, then productivity is improved, but vessels are exposed to excessive roll and potential damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprofit maximizationVSAvoidexcessive roll

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary routing actions by obtaining forecasted wave conditions and using vessel response models to predict treacherous environments before the vessel encounters them. The routing system proactively plans alternative routes that avoid predicted hazardous conditions while still meeting transit time goals, rather than reacting after the vessel is already in danger.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes routing parameters (course, speed, timing) based on forecasted wave conditions and vessel response predictions. By adjusting these parameters proactively, the system minimizes harmful roll motions while maintaining acceptable transit times, optimizing the balance between profit and vessel safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2145155B1Method and apparatus for routing ocean going vessels to avoid treacherous environments

Publication Date: 2019.01.30 THE BOEING CO

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AI summary

A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for generating a route for a vessel to travel from a start point to an end point. A start point and an end point for the vessel are identified. A forecast of wave conditions during a period of time is obtained. A model of the vessel is obtained, wherein the model includes parameters used to calculate a response of the vessel to the wave conditions. A route is generated from the start point to the end point for the vessel to travel on using the model of the vessel and the forecast of the wave conditions, wherein the route avoids conditions that may cause a treacherous environment and meets a set of goals.