Method and simulator device for training a pilot of a vessel

• US 20060281052A1
• Filed: 04/23/2004
• Published: 12/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/26/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Teekay Norway AS (Teekay Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Teekay Norway AS (Teekay Corporation)
• Inventors: Helgay, Kjell Egil, Almas, Geir Arne
• Application Number:
  US10/558,349
• Publication Number:
  US 20060281052A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 434/29
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/16 Control of vehicles or other craft simulators G09B9/02
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 9/048 a model being viewed and manoeuvred from a remote point G09B9/052, G09B9/058 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 9/06 for teaching control of ships, boats, or other waterborne vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 9/063 by using visual displays

Abstract

A method and a simulator device for training a pilot of a vessel (6) in the use of so-called dynamic positioning, called DP, wherein a first distance signal representing a distance between the vessel (6) and a loading buoy or other target (1), is optionally fed directly to a control system (13) for normal DP operation, or wherein the first distance signal is directed by way of a transducer (22) feeding a second distance signal to the control system (13) for simulation. The second distance signal represents another and normally shorter distance than the first distance signal.

Claims

1-2. -2. (canceled)

3. Simulator method for training a pilot of a vessel in the use of so-called dynamic positioning, wherein a distance signal indicating the distance between the vessel and a target is transmitted to a control system, whose function is to monitor the position of the vessel relative to the target, said method comprising the steps of:

a) providing a measurement system that outputs a first distance signal, said first distance signal corresponding to a measured first distance between said vessel and said target;

b) providing a control system that receives a display-distance signal and monitors a displayed distance between said vessel and said target, said displayed distance corresponding to said display-distance signal;

c) providing a signal switching means for optionally switching a signal transmission path;

d) providing a signal processing means for changing a value of said first distance signal to a second distance signal; and

e) providing a display means for displaying said displayed-distance signal.

4. The simulator method of claim 3, further comprising the steps of:

f) feeding said first distance signal as said display-distance signal to said control system; and

g) displaying an actually measured distance between said vessel and targe on said display means.

5. The simulator method of claim 3, further comprising the steps of:

h) switching said signal transmission path to feed said first distance signal through said signal processing means;

i) converting said first distance signal in said signal processing means to a second distance signal that corresponds to a simulated distance between said vesssel and said target;

j) feeding said second distance signal as said display-distance signal to said control system.

6. The simulator method of claim 5, wherein in said step i) said second distance signal is a signal that corresponds to a distance significantly smaller than said measured first distance,

k) displaying said simulated distance and said display means;

and

l) monitoring said simulated distance between said vessel and said target.

7. A simulator system for training a pilot of a vessel in the use of so-called dynamic positioning, in which a measuring system produces a distance signal indicating a measured distance between the vessel and a target, and wherein a control system, which receives said distance signal, is arranged to activate the propulsion machinery and control mechanisms of the vessel in order to keep said vessel in a particular position relative to said target, said simulator system comprising:

said measuring system for transmitting said distance signal;

a display means for displaying a display-distance signal;

a control system adapted for monitoring a display-distance between said vessel and said target;

a signal conversion means for changing said distance signal to a simulated distance signal; and

a switching means for optionally switching a signal transmission path of said distance signal from a first path between said measuring system and said control system to a diversion path that feeds said distance signal to said signal conversion means;

wherein said distance signal is convertible to said simulated distance signal, which is then fed to said control system as said display-distance signal, and said display-distance signal is displayed on said display means; and

wherein said control system monitors distance between said vessel and said targe, based on said display-distance signal.

8. The simulator system of claim 7, wherein said signal conversion means includes a signal transducer for converting said distance signal to said simulated-distance value.

9. The simulator system of claim 8, wherein said simulated-distance signal corresponds to a simulated distance between said vessel and said target that is significantly smaller than said measured distance.

10. The simulator system of claim 7 further comprising additional sensors, wherein signals from said additional sensors are fed to said control system.