Real-Time Wave Prediction Using Directional Sensor Fusion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current deterministic sea wave prediction methods are limited by their inability to accurately and efficiently identify directional wave components using xyz measurements and provide real-time predictions, which is crucial for safe and optimal marine operations such as ship landings and wave energy conversion.

Innovation Solution

A wave forecasting framework that utilizes xyz motion data to identify directional wave fields, combines multiple sensor measurements through sensor fusion, and propagates wave predictions in time and space using physics-based models, enabling real-time actionable data for marine operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If higher-order physics-based wave propagation models are used to enhance wave prediction accuracy, then prediction accuracy is improved, but computational complexity and processing time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewave prediction accuracyVSAvoidcomputational complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the wave field into multiple directional components and processes each component separately through parallel computational channels. This segmentation allows the complex physics-based model to be applied to simpler sub-problems, reducing overall computational complexity while maintaining prediction accuracy for the complete wave field

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies physics-based wave propagation models selectively to specific directional wave components rather than processing the entire wave field uniformly. This partial action approach focuses computational resources on the most significant wave directions, achieving accurate predictions with reduced computational burden

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

2Measurement precision

If multiple measurement probes are deployed to accurately identify directional wave components, then measurement accuracy is improved, but system complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedirectional wave component identification accuracyVSAvoidnumber of measurement probes
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from spatial segmentation (multiple probes at different locations) to temporal-spectral segmentation (single probe measuring over time and frequency). By analyzing the temporal and spectral characteristics of waves at a single location, the system can identify directional components without requiring multiple spatially distributed probes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical approach of deploying multiple physical probes with a computational approach using signal processing and wave theory. A single probe's measurements are processed through algorithms that mathematically decompose the wave field into directional components, substituting computational complexity for physical system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If complex wave field identification algorithms are implemented, then prediction accuracy is improved, but real-time processing capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedirectional wave component identification accuracyVSAvoidreal-time processing speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary identification of significant wave components and their directions before applying full physics-based propagation models. By pre-processing the wave data to extract key parameters (frequency, direction, amplitude) using efficient spectral methods, the system prepares the input for faster propagation calculations, enabling real-time processing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3931527B1System and method for wave prediction
Publication Date: 2024.05.08 RE VISION CONSULTING LLC
  • EP3931527B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3931527B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3931527B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method and system for prediction of wave properties include collecting time series data streams from one or more wave measurement devices and processing the data using a wave-prediction algorithm to identify the frequency components of the data and compute wave parameters. The wave-field is propagated in space and time to predict wave height, speed and velocity at a target location. A sliding window approach is used to continuously update the prediction in real-time.