Coordinated Vessel and Towed Steering Control Within Steering Limits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing control systems for towed marine equipment in seismic surveys face challenges in maintaining accurate positioning and spacing of seismic sources and receivers along predetermined paths, often requiring manual intervention and prone to errors due to exceeding control limits of steering elements.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize a combination of vessel and in-water steering element controllers to identify errors and apply course corrections within control limits, ensuring the towed devices follow desired paths without exceeding physical or practical control limits, using a feedback system to maintain accurate positioning and spacing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual control methods are used for towed marine equipment, then operators can make real-time adjustments, but positioning accuracy deteriorates due to human error and reaction time delays
Solution Approach 1:
The control system continuously monitors the actual position of towed marine equipment and compares it with the desired path, automatically generating correction signals to maintain accurate positioning without human intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables autonomous control where the control algorithm automatically adjusts steering commands based on real-time position feedback, eliminating the need for manual operator intervention and its associated delays
2Measurement precision
If steering elements are operated beyond control limits to correct large position errors, then positioning accuracy can be improved, but the steering element reliability deteriorates due to exceeding physical or practical control limits
Solution Approach 1:
The control system proactively makes small adjustments before position errors grow large, keeping steering element commands within safe operational limits and avoiding situations that would require exceeding control limits
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates control limit constraints in the control algorithm to prevent commands that would exceed steering element capabilities, ensuring reliable operation under all conditions
3Measurement precision
If multiple control systems are used to manage vessel and steering elements, then control precision can be improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system integrates vessel course control and steering element control into a unified feedback loop, where position errors automatically generate coordinated commands for both vessel and steering elements, improving precision without proportionally increasing complexity
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments herein describe techniques for controlling both a vessel and a separate controllable steering element so that a towed device moves along a predefined path or course. A steering system can include a first controller for steering the vessel and a second controller for controlling the steering element, which is in the water and also being towed by the vessel. In one embodiment, the steering system controls the vessel to ensure the steering element does not exceed a control limit.