Method for the computer-supported control of a ship

• US 8,442,710 B2
• Filed: 11/23/2011
• Issued: 05/14/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/26/2009
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Philipp Glaeser
• Original Assignee: Philipp Glaeser
• Inventors: Glaeser, Philipp
• Primary Examiner(s): Chen, Shelley
• Application Number:
  US13/303,415
• Publication Number:
  US 20120072059A1
• Time in Patent Office: 538 Days
• Field of Search: 701/21
• US Class Current: 701/21
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 2213/00 Navigational aids and use thereof, not otherwise provided for in this class
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 2241/22 for providing redundancy to equipment or functionality of a vessel, e.g. for steering
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 43/18 preventing collision or grounding; reducing collision damage reducing pollution by collision B63B25/082
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 49/00 Arrangements of nautical instruments or navigational aids nautical measuring instruments G01C; radio navigation, analogous arrangements using other waves G01S
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/203 Specially adapted for sailing ships
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/937 of marine craft
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 3/00 Traffic control systems for marine craft marking of navigational route B63B22/16, B63B51/00
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 3/02 Anti-collision systems

Abstract

The positions and motions of a bow and a stern of the ship are detected using redundant devices and evaluated to automatically perform difficult maneuvers in ports or to generate recommendations for controlling the ship.

Claims

1. Method for the computer-supported control of a ship during berthing maneuvers, the method comprising the steps of:

automatically detecting via redundant means positions and motions of the ship as well as moving or stationary obstacles or factors of instability;

comparing a detected distance between a first GPS receiver on a bow of the ship and a second GPS receiver on a stern of the ship detected by the first and second GPS receivers with an actual distance between the first GPS receiver and the second GPS receiver determined by design; and

controlling via a computer a screen, the screen displaying;

a most probable position of the ship relative to obstacles and factors of instability;

a zone of uncertainty in which the ship could be, wherein the zone of uncertainty corresponds to a deviation between the detected distance and the actual distance between the first and second GPS receivers; and

started or recommended control measures.

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein periodic motions of the ship are substantially detected via an inertia and/or motion sensor.

3. Method according to claim 1, wherein via the computer, saved data of a model of the ship can be used and wherein its reactions on control interventions and determinable ideal conditions can be detected and compared with actual reactions of the ship in order to quantitatively detect disruptive factors.

4. Method according to claim 1, wherein on the screen, it is displayed whether planned or necessary maneuvers can be performed with the available control and drive systems of the ship.

5. Method according to claim 4, wherein via the computer, on the screen are displayed appropriate maneuvers of tug and towing vessels.

6. Method according to claim 1, wherein during manual control of the ship, the computer proposes appropriate operations of the control and drive systems of the ship and displays the actual position as well as a desired position of the ship on the screen.

7. Method according to claim 1, wherein via a minimum of three sensors measuring the distance, attached on measured positions of the ship, obstacles can be detected in a coordinate system on the ship.

8. Method according to claim 7, wherein the motions of the ship are detected by an inertial navigation device as of a starting point when the obstacles were entered into the coordinate system on the ship.

9. Method according to claim 7, wherein motions of the ship are detected via redundant sensors.