TRIM MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

Abstract

A system and method for providing accurate trim and list angles of a ship through an array of sensors incorporating real-time kinematics and inertial measurement units. The software application would create a D model of the localized sensor data for detailed ship characteristics. Artificial intelligence will process all the sensor data through a large database of route data, weather conditions, and past performances to determine the optimum ballast levels to set the trim/list angles for maximum fuel efficiency. Each trip will provide detailed course information for continual improvement.

Claims

1. An apparatus for trim management of a ship, comprising; a) an array of sensor modules placed in locations throughout a ship for collecting trim data relating to trim of a ship, b) each of said sensor modules in said array having a plurality of sensors for collecting trim data and radio transceiver for transmitting said trim data collected by said sensor modules; c) a base station for receiving the transmitted trim data and compiling and processing the trim data; and, d) said base station being configured to display the trim data.

2. The apparatus for trim management of a vessel as set forth in claim 1, wherein at least two of said sensor modules have an accelerometer for collecting accelerometer data.

3. The apparatus for trim management of a vessel as set forth in claim 1, wherein at least two of said sensor modules have a gyroscope for collecting gyroscope data.

4. The apparatus for trim management of a vessel as set forth in claim 1, wherein at least two of said sensor modules have a magnetometer for collecting magnetometer data.

5. The apparatus for trim management of a vessel as set forth in claim 1, wherein at least two of said sensor modules have a GNSS receiver for collecting GNSS data.

6. The apparatus for trim management of a vessel as set forth in claim 1, wherein at least two of said sensor modules each have an accelerometer for collecting accelerometer data and a GNSS receiver for collecting GNSS data.

7. The apparatus for trim management of a vessel as set forth in claim 1, wherein at least two of said sensor modules each have an accelerometer for collecting accelerometer data and a gyroscope for collecting gyroscope data and a GNSS receiver for collecting GNSS data.

8. An apparatus for trim management of a vessel as set forth in claim 1, wherein said base station includes a graphical user display having windows for displaying current trim data and target trim data.

9. A method for optimizing the trim of a ship, comprising: a) placing a plurality of trim sensors on a ship wherein each of said plurality of trim sensors includes an accelerometer and a multiband GNSS receiver; b) collecting sensor data from the plurality of trim sensors; and, c) compiling and processing said sensor data and producing a 3D model of a ship for display on a computer screen and displaying trim data on said computer screen.

10. The method for optimizing the trim of a ship as set for the in claim 9, wherein displaying trim data on said computer screen includes displaying current trim data and optimum trim data.

11. The method for optimizing the trim of a ship, as set forth in claim 9, further comprising the step of: determining an optimum trim of a ship by using of all the trim sensors together and making many redundant calculations and providing different possible solutions with varying confidence levels.

12. The method for optimizing the trim of a ship, as set forth in claim 11, further comprising the step of: mapping potential solutions at each point in time by taking every combination of each calculation and fusion calculation across different sensor platforms using a machine learning computer.

13. The method for optimizing the trim of a ship, as set forth in claim 9, further comprising the step of: calculating a trim angle for obtaining an optimum fuel consumption rate.

14. The method for optimizing the trim of a ship, as set forth in claim 9, further comprising the step of: calculating a trim angle for obtaining an optimum speed.

15. An apparatus for trim management of a ship, comprising; a) an array of sensor modules placed in locations throughout a ship for collecting trim data relating to trim of a ship, each of said sensor modules in said array having a plurality of sensors for collecting trim data and a radio transceiver for transmitting said trim data collected by said sensor modules; b) said plurality of sensors including an accelerometer and a GNSS receiver; c) a base station for receiving the transmitted trim data and compiling and processing the trim data; d) said base station being configured to transmit trim data to a computer; and, e) said computer being configured to display a 3D model of a ship.

16. The apparatus for trim management as set forth in claim 15, wherein said computer is further configured to display a current trim configuration of a ship and an optimum configuration.

17. The apparatus for trim management as set forth in claim 15, wherein said computer is further configured to display a current list configuration of a ship and an optimum list configuration.

18. The apparatus for trim management as set forth in claim 15, wherein said computer is further configured to display a current rate of fuel consumption of a ship and a target rate of fuel consumption.

19. The apparatus for trim management as set forth in claim 15, wherein said computer is further configured to display a current speed of a ship.

20. The apparatus for trim management as set forth in claim 15, wherein said computer is further configured to simultaneously display a 3D model and trim and list and fuel consumption rate of a ship.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] FIG. 1 shows a trim management functional block diagram.

[0025] FIG. 2 shows a sensor node block diagram.

[0026] FIG. 3 shows a base station block diagram,

[0027] FIG. 4 shows a graphical user display window of a 3D illustration and data.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0028] FIG. 1 shows a Trim Functional block diagram including a first data acquisition system 10 which collects data from sensor array nodes 16, 18, 20 and 22 positioned at predetermined locations throughout the ship. The number of sensor array nodes may vary depending on the size of the ship and/or the degree of accuracy desired. As shown in FIG. 2, each of the sensor array nodes 16, 18, 20 and 22 include an accelerometer and a magnetometer and a gyroscope and a processor positioned throughout a ship for acquiring and transmitting acceleration data 24, magnetometer data 26 and gyroscope data 28. A second data acquisition system 29 includes GNSS data which is acquired by placing a GNSS receiver at each sensor array node. Each of the sensor array nodes 16, 18, 20 and 22 can also include other sensors 30 such as time of flight to further enhance accuracy of trim measurements. Referring back to FIG. 1, the collected data from the sensor array nodes 16, 18, 20 and 22 is transmitted to the base station 32.

[0029] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the base station 32 includes a data processer for processing collected data from the sensor array nodes as well processing artificial intelligence data calculations, storing the historic database and logging, 3D ship modeling and vessel control optimization. The base station 32 is connected to a user interface 34 and a ship interface 36. The user interface 34 may be either a fixed or portable computer and includes a user interface with a real-time data viewing screen and a keypad for inputting user preferences and to provide for manual control. Additionally, ship information can be collected from the ship interface 36 which can include environmental factors such wind speed and direction, temperature and precipitation information, as well as fuel consumption, and sea state such as wave height, wave direction and wave period. The base station 32 compiles and processes the ship information and the data from the sensor network 12 and using a computer processor creates a historical database 42 and a data model and a control optimization feature 44 to supply optimum trim data to the user.

[0030] FIG. 3 shows a flow chart identifying the processing steps to produce the user interface data for viewing by the user.

[0031] Using the software program to model the vessel, various inputs can be optimized. For example, fuel consumption can be put in a control system to determine to best trim angle based on the generated model and sensor readings. Speed can be optimized by changing orientation based on current conditions. More sensors can be added to create a detailed 3D gradient of information to verify operating conditions. Additional information can be obtained or information can be transmitted using an internet connection 46.

[0032] FIG. 4 is an example of a display 50 on graphical user interface. The display can include a current trim window 52, a target trim window 54, a current list window 56, a target list window 58, a current fuel consumption window 60 and a target fuel consumption window 62. Other windows can also be displayed including a speedometer window 64 and graphical charts representing trim status 66, list status 68 and fuel consumption 70. A 3D model of the ship 72 graphically showing current trim status can also be displayed. The location of individual nodes N of the sensor array can also be shown on the display. The display may also be interactive to bring up node operational status and data from each node.

[0033] While this invention has been described as having a preferred design, it is understood that it is capable of further modifications, uses and/or adaptations of the invention following in general the principle of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within the known or customary practice in the art to which the invention pertains and as maybe applied to the central features hereinbefore set forth, and fall within the scope of the invention and the limits of the appended claims.