A method for predicting heaving motion parameters of a semi-submersible offshore platform based on heaving acceleration includes: in heaving motion of a semi-submersible offshore platform, representing heaving acceleration of the semi-submersible offshore platform based on a linear potential flow theory; considering a noise influence of a heaving motion measurement marine environment, a low-frequency influence caused by a slow change of the environment and an influence caused by a baseline drift error of an acceleration sensor, introducing a noise term, a low-frequency change term and a baseline drift error term, and uniformly representing the noise term, the low-frequency change term and the baseline drift error term by a unified Prony sequence; and removing a drift term from uniformly represented heaving acceleration, establishing a relationship between the heaving acceleration and heaving motion parameters in terms of the remaining Prony sequence with the drift term being removed, and estimating the heaving motion parameters.

A testing device for testing a drive train or components within a marine propulsion system is provided and includes a first disk with a plurality of first disk depressions that faces a second disk with a plurality of second disk depressions. The first disk and the second disk are secured relative to each other so that they define a space, and a seal at outer edges of the disks is in fluid communication with the space. One of the first disk and the second disk is secured to a driven shaft. Upon rotation of the driven shaft, a load is produced due to shearing of fluid between the disks, yet no thrust is produced.

A testing device for testing a drive train or components within a marine propulsion system is provided and includes a first disk with a plurality of first disk depressions that faces a second disk with a plurality of second disk depressions. The first disk and the second disk are secured relative to each other so that they define a space, and a seal at outer edges of the disks is in fluid communication with the space. One of the first disk and the second disk is secured to a driven shaft. Upon rotation of the driven shaft, a load is produced due to shearing of fluid between the disks, yet no thrust is produced.

A watercraft running system includes a propulsion device, a steering device, a course changing operator, a port-side attitude control plate and a starboard-side attitude control plate, a port-side actuator and a starboard-side actuator, and a controller. The controller is operable in a first control mode in which the steering device is controlled according to the operation of the course changing operator and a second control mode in which the port-side actuator and the starboard-side actuator are controlled according to the operation of the course changing operator. The controller is configured or programmed to prohibit shifting from the first control mode to the second control mode if the steering position of the steering device is not a neutral position, and to permit the shift from the first control mode to the second control mode if the steering position is the neutral position.

A watercraft running system includes a propulsion device, a steering device, a course changing operator, a port-side attitude control plate and a starboard-side attitude control plate, a port-side actuator and a starboard-side actuator, and a controller. The controller is operable in a first control mode in which the steering device is controlled according to the operation of the course changing operator and a second control mode in which the port-side actuator and the starboard-side actuator are controlled according to the operation of the course changing operator. The controller is configured or programmed to prohibit shifting from the first control mode to the second control mode if the steering position of the steering device is not a neutral position, and to permit the shift from the first control mode to the second control mode if the steering position is the neutral position.

A method for evaluating a securing system for a floating structure, where the method includes collecting a plurality of metocean data from a plurality of metocean sensor devices during a current time period coinciding with a field operation, where the field operation is conducted from the floating structure that is stabilized by the securing system. The method can also include evaluating the metocean data using a plurality of algorithms. The method can further include determining, based on evaluating the metocean data, a condition of the securing system at the current time period.

Systems, devices and methods enable generation and monitoring of support platform structural conditions in a manner that overcomes drawbacks associated with conventional approaches (e.g., load cells) for generating and monitoring similar operating condition information. In preferred embodiments, such systems, devices and methods utilize fiber optic strain gauges (i.e., fiber optic sensors) in place of (e.g., retrofit/data replacement) or in combination with conventional load cells. The fiber optic sensors are strategically placed at a plurality of locations on one or more support bodies of a support platform. In preferred embodiments, the fiber optic strain gauges are placed in positions within a hull and/or one or more pontoons of an offshore platform. Such positions are selected whereby resulting operating condition data generated by the fiber optic strain gauges suitably replaces data received by conventionally constructed and located load cells of an offshore platform (e.g., a TLP).

A system assists the driving of a ship and is configured to estimate the structural loads of the ship due to the direct wave excitation, and structural loads of the ship due to the whipping effect caused by the wave slamming. The system includes at least one reference sensor adapted to provide an indication of a motion or stress magnitude at a predetermined point of the ship structure, and is further configured to calculate an estimate of the magnitude at the predetermined point in the ship structure, compare the indication of magnitude with the estimate of the magnitude so as to determine an offset value, and correct the estimates of the structural loads and/or the estimate of the magnitude on the basis of the offset value.

The systems and methods described herein provide hands free motor control mechanisms based on the natural and inherent movements associated with an activity of interest, and can be combined with gestures or verbal communication based upon pre-defined movements by the participant.

The systems and methods described herein provide hands free motor control mechanisms based on the natural and inherent movements associated with an activity of interest, and can be combined with gestures or verbal communication based upon pre-defined movements by the participant.