Top 10 Most Useful Sensors On Ship For Monitoring Parameter

The sensor is most important for all automation work for monitoring and taking action over the fault. In this article, we are discussing the Top 10 Most Useful Sensors On Ship For monitoring Parameter so let's tuned with us: 

1.     GPS (Global Positing System)

2.     Wind Anemometer

3.     Stabilizer fins

4.     Rudder indicator

5.     Thrust indicator

6.     Shaft motor

7.     Rpm & torque meter

8.     Echo Sounder

9.     Speed log

 

• GPS (Global Positioning System)

GPS stands for Global Positioning System. The global positioning system (GPS) is a space-based navigation system that consists of 24 navigational satellites in 6 different orbits that provide location and time information in all weather conditions anywhere near the earth where there is an unobstructed line of sight to four or more GPS satellites. As per the name suggest:

·        It gives real-time vessel position

·        It is used for a Global tracking system.

Global Positioning System 

What are the components of GPS? 

GPS  (Global Positioning System) system consists of three segments

·        Space segment:-

    The satellites circling the Earth, transmitting signals to users on geographical position and time of day. 

·        Control segment:- 

The Control Segment is made up of Earth-based monitor stations, master control stations, and ground antenna. Tracking and operating satellites in space, as well as monitoring signals, are examples of control operations. Monitoring stations can be found on almost every continent, including North and South America, Africa, Europe, Asia, and Australia.

·        User segment:-

GPS receivers and transmitters, which include products such as watches, smartphones, and telematics equipment.

In a GPS system speed is measured over the ground, while speed, measured by a ship's log, is water speed, in cases where the ship is not.

Depending upon the drift and set caused by the current, the two speeds must be equivalent.

·        Excessive no. of incidents where the ship has a positive effect on the speed of the ship Caused by the current.

·        Constant offset in the speed log resulting in a lower measured speed.

A contaminated speed log sensor may result in an error or deviation of the measured speed from the speed log.

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·        Wind Anemometer

A Wind Anemometer is a device that measures the speed and direction of the wind. It is also a popular instrument in weather stations.

Wind Anemometer 

Wind measurements made on ships are subject to distortion as the airflow moves over and around the ship. The degree of distortion is determined by factors such as wind angle and distance, ship geometry, and sensor position. Wind measurements are not only used for general navigation, but they are also often logged in order to provide data for the oceanographic study. Wind measurements are particularly important for ships that launch and recover aircraft as these operations can be unsafe or unachievable in certain wind conditions. Ship-induced wind distortion cannot be removed, but measures can be taken to assess the degree to which measurements are biased and to devise a method to correct and/or otherwise handle the problem so that operators are provided with useful data on their wind environment.

The measurement accuracy is about  0.3 m / s or 1% of the wind speed and  3 ° wind direction. The calibration range of the anemometer determines its accuracy.

The wind speed and direction are measured by the wind anemometer. This is converted into true wind speed and direction by the onboard recording system.

·        Types of anemometer

1.                 Velocity Anemometer

 

2.                 Cup Anemometer

 

3.                 Vane Anemometer

 

4.                 Hot-Wire Anemometer

 

5.                 Laser Doppler Anemometer

 

6.                 Ultrasonic Anemometer

 

7.                 Pressure Anemometer

 

8.                 Plate Anemometer

 

9.                 Tube Anemometer

 

·        Stabilizer fins

Ship Stabilizer fins or rotors mounted beneath the waterlines and emerging laterally from the hull to reduce a ship's roll due to wind or waves. Gyroscopic Control system used to control the active fins. Fixed fins and bilge keels are immobile; they eliminate roll by reducing the hydrodynamic drag induced by the ship rolling. Stabilizer fins are usually used on ocean-going ships.

Stabilizer fins 
Credit to: wikimedia.com

Function 

It generates lift or downforce while the vessel is in motion. The lift provided by the fins should work against the vessel's roll moment. Two wings, one on either side of the bow, were mounted underwater to achieve this.

 The stabilizer can be:

Retractable: When the fins are not needed, all medium and large cruise and ferry ships have the ability to retract them into a space inside the hull to save fuel and reduce the required hull clearance.

Non-Retractable: Used on small vessels such as yards.

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·          Rudder indicator

A Rudder Indicator system installed in the wheelhouse, bridge wings, and engine control room to show the current location of the rudder blade.

Rudder Indicator 
Credit to: kent-marine.com

The rudder indicator continuously tests the rudder angle, with a precision of +/- 0.5 ° at midship angles and +/- 1.5 ° above the rudder.

The rudder direction can be changed at any time during service.  This may be because of a variety of reasons.

·        Mistake in the index of the rudder angle measuring instrument.

·        Constant rudder angle to counteract propeller rotation to the right.

When sailing, the ship's hull or wind action causes a persistent velocity effect on the superstructure and container cargo.

·        Thrust indicator 

The thrust of the ship is determined using a strain gauge; the strain gauge scale is 35 microns, which will result in too much inaccuracy; thus, alternative methods should be used. As a result, high definition sensors are planned and implemented in the thrust meter.

Thrust Meter 
Image by:txmarine.com

RPM, torque, and shaft force are all measured by the thrust meter. The measurement precision is in the 0.1 % range and the update time of the measurement results is adjustable, Shaft motor

A shaft motor is an electric motor that transfers power to a shaft. Normally shaft motor is in the 6 MW power range and the shaft power is transmitted in following the following speed range:

·        34- 85 rpm with the linear power of 2.3 MW up to 6 MW with constant torque.

·        85- 99 rpm at a constant power of 6 MW.

The shaft engine comes with the power produced by the waste heat recovery system that delivers optimal output in high engine loads.

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·        Rpm & torque meter 

Strain gauges are often used to calculate the torque of a propeller. The charging cells are mounted on a propeller shaft and use forces and moments to measure shaft length. Deformations become stresses, which govern shaft deformation. There are 330 micro strains available to measure normal propeller shaft torque, and strain gauges can detect 1.5 microstrain changes.

Rpm & Torque Meter
Credit to:komarine.com

The torque meter calculates torque and revolutions per minute (rpm) using strings (strain gauges) and a laser. Shaft rings are placed and located as close to the main engine as possible. The measurement precision is approximately 0.5 percent and the time between updates for measurement results are adjustable. The speed/torque meter is calibrated during installation, and depending on the manufacturer and model, various calibration intervals and methods are accessible. A torque sensor and speed measurements are used to determine shaft power.

·        Sounder Echo

The ship is outfitted with two sensors, one in the bow and one in the cabin. The frequency range of the transducer is 28 to 210 kHz and the measurement accuracy is around 2.5 percent of the depth measured. 

Sounder Echo

One of the environmental factors that can affect measurements is the state of the sea. There is a lot of rolling in bad weather.

In several areas, the sea temperature has increased. Hot water discharges from power plants The bow thrusters make a lot of noise, the main engine vibrates, and the propeller rotates backward.

·        Speed log

Ship speed measurement instrument:

Doppler log – An acoustic speed log based on the Doppler effect, which causes the wavelengths of moving objects to appear to change relative to the observer. This shift can be translated to speed, providing an extremely accurate result. 

credit to: myseatime.com

Dual Axis Doppler Speed Log -  It is a type of speed log that provides precise speed data; distance traveled, and water depth below the transducer by using the Doppler-shifted returns from high-frequency acoustic energy transmitted into the water. The signal is reflected off the seafloor and/or scattered in the water mass. To evaluate the Doppler shift, the computer amplifies and processes the obtained signals. The time it takes for the signal to bounce back from the seafloor is measured to assess depth. The standard package consists of a Master Display Unit, an Electronics Unit, a Transducer Assembly, a Sea Chest or Tank, and interconnecting cabling.

Electromagnetic log – That is another type of Speed log  which has electromagnetic log works by causing a tiny alternating current in a transducer to create an electromagnetic field in the surrounding water. As the vessel passes through the water, the voltage proportional to the speed is created at 90 degrees to the direction of travel. The probes sense the voltage of the signal and transmit it to the master electronic unit, where it is amplified and digitally processed before being sent to the speed and distance displays.

Several environmental factors can affect speed log measurements:

Water clarity - The acoustic reflection of solid objects in the water, such as microorganisms or suspended soil, is used to measure water velocity. The number of diffusers may not be sufficient to ensure an adequate signal return in extremely clean water.

Aeration - Aerated water beneath the transducer can represent sound energy, which may be misinterpreted as the return of the seabed. This effect may be caused by bad weather sailing or by non-laminar flow around the sensor.

State of the sea - induces a variable change in the vessel's speed. As a consequence, the measured speed is subject to fluctuations.

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·        RADAR 

RADAR stands for RAdio Detection And Ranging. The marine radars include X-band or S-band radars on ships used to detect other ships and ground barriers and to provide for collision prevention and maritime navigation bearing and distance. They are electronic navigation instruments that sweep a narrow beam of microwaves around the water surface surrounding the ship to the horizon, detecting targets by microwaves reflected from them and displaying a picture of the ship's surroundings on a display screen. 

Image by: marineinsight.com

Radar is a vital component of maritime and coastal safety navigation. It is necessary that the captains can maneuver their ships in the worst possible circumstances and can sail "blind" when no visibility exists during the night, or due to bad weather. In addition to ship-based marine radars, port, and port systems, coastal ship traffic systems also monitor and regulate the movement of ships in busy waters through port and coast guards.

In a marine environment, radars are rarely used alone. A modern trend is to integrate radars with other browser displays on a single screen, as looking at several different screens becomes quite distractable. Thus, displays often can overlay the radar display with a ship's electronic GPS navigation chart and a sonar screen. This offers a common view of the environment so that the ship can maneuver.