Heave compensation system and method

The invention relates to an active heave compensation system and to an active heave compensation method.

Heave compensation has been known for many years. Many solutions have been provided, some of which will be discussed below. In general, heave compensation provides for a compensation of wave motion on a load. The load may be submerged or partially submerged, thereby being subjected to the wave motion. Also, or instead thereof, it may be the case that the load is held by a floating platform (such as a ship), which is subjected to the wave motion. Further, many other cases may be imaginable where heave motion may be desired, such as a situation where a load is to be taken from or placed on a floating platform, the floating platform being subjected to wave motion. Heave compensation may be provided for any kind of load, e.g. a load to be carried by a crane or other lifting installation, constructions submerged under water such as pipeline laying equipment, etc.. It is to be understood that the above examples are for illustration only, and are not intended to limit the scope of this document in any way.

Heave compensation systems can be subdivided in active and passive heave compensation systems. Combinations of active and passive systems may be provided too. In a passive heave compensation system, a compressible medium is provided in a form of a gas spring, hydraulic system, etc. to provide for a compensation. In an active heave compensation system an actuator is provided to actively compensate for effects of the wave motion. Many constructions have been described in the literature. In general, in an active heave compensation system, use is made of a hydraulic system. As an example, a hydraulic cylinder may be provided which extends and compresses synchronously with the wave motion, thereby interacting with for example a cable holding the load. In each wave, energy is to be supplied to the hydraulic system to exert a force onto the load. Some of the energy may be regained in the other part of the heave motion cycle and e.g. stored by compression of a gas. In the next cycle, the compressed gas can then be applied to drive the load or at least to contribute thereto.

Although hydraulic/gas pressure active heave compensation has been extensively used in many configurations, a disadvantage is that this setup leads to a complex system and

involves a risk of leakage of hydraulic fluid, resulting on the one hand in a relatively complex and costly system, while on the other hand requiring regular and secure maintenance to avoid leakage and risks of environmental pollution caused thereby.

In order to at least partly compensate the above-mentioned drawbacks of active heave compensation systems, the inventors have devised an active heave compensation system comprising a motor-generator to interact with a load and a control unit which is arranged to control operation of the motor-generator, the control unit being arranged to:

- operate the motor-generator to drive the load in a first part of a wave motion cycle, and

- operate the motor-generator to regenerate in a second part of the wave motion cycle at least a part of the energy with which the load has been driven in the first part of the wave motion cycle, the active heave compensation system comprising an electrical storage element to buffer at least part of the regenerated energy for powering the motor-generator in a following cycle of the wave motion.

The active heave compensation system according to the invention thus comprises a combination of a motor-generator and an electrical storage element. In a first part of the wave motion cycle, the motor-generator acts as a motor and drives the load. In a second part of the wave motion cycle, energy is regained and the motor-generator acts as a generator thereby regenerating at least part of the energy with which the load has been driven in the first part of the wave motion cycle. The regenerated energy is stored in the electrical storage element. The stored energy can now be used in a first part of a following wave motion cycle to power the motor-generator. Within the scope of the invention, for the motor-generator, use can be made of a separate motor and a separate generator which both interact with the load, however in an advantageous embodiment, use is made of a motor type which acts as a generator, thus a motor which, when not provided with electrical energy, but when mechanically driven by a corresponding motion of the load, generates electrical energy thereby acting as a generator. Any type of motor-generator may be provided, as an example, use may be made of an three-phase asynchronous motor. The term motor-generator may in general terms be defined as an arrangement which is adapted to convert electrical energy into motion and to convert motion into electrical energy. Any type of electrical storage element can be used, however it is preferred that a capacitor is applied as a capacitor can provide for a low loss storage, thereby enhancing energy efficiency of the heave compensation system. Preferably, the capacitor comprises a super capacitor, as thereby a high capacitance value, and consequently a high energy storage capacity can be provided in

a comparably small volume. Furthermore, a super capacitor may provide for a low series resistance, hence allowing a low loss energy storage, may allow a quick charging and discharging, may provide a high efficiency, and may provide a long operating life.

According to the invention, a control unit may be provided to control the motor- generator so as to drive the load in a first part of the wave motion cycle and to regenerate energy in the second part of the wave motion cycle. The control unit (comprising e.g. a microcontroller, microprocessor, or any programmable logic device, e.g. being provided with suitable program instructions to perform the actions as described) may thereto e.g. control a power supply associated with the motor-generator. The control unit may thereby control the power supply such as to power the motor-generator to drive the load in the first part of the cycle and to regenerate at least part of the energy in the second part of the cycle.

The storage element, such as the super capacitor, can be electrically connected in many ways. An advantageous configuration is achieved when the storage element is electrically connected parallel to a electrical power source to power the motor-generator. The power source may e.g. be formed by a mains voltage, a supply voltage of an installation in which the active heave compensation system is comprised, etc.. Thereby, peaks on the power supply a voltage of the electrical power source true to the drawing of electrical power in the first part of the wave motion cycle and the regeneration in the second part of the wave motion cycle may be reduced due to a buffering of the electrical power source by the storage element, in particular the super capacitor.

In another advantageous embodiment, a converter may be provided which is electrically connected between the motor-generator and the storage element. The converter may convert a motor-generator voltage into a charging respectively discharging voltage of the storage element and vice versa. The converter may thereby provide for a voltage level conversion to take account of a difference in voltage level of the motor-generator or other element of the power supply, and the storage element. In particular, when making use of a capacitor, such as a super capacitor in the storage element, the converter may provide for a conversion towards a suitable charging voltage of the capacitor/super capacitor and for a discharging thereof, possibly allowing the (super) capacitor to be used over a wide voltage range, and thus over a wide charging/discharging range. The converter may comprise any suitable converter, in a preferred embodiment a bidirectional direct current-direct current converter, such as a switching converter may be applied, as thereby a low loss conversion may be provided.

Where in this document reference has been made to a capacitor or a super capacitor, this may be understood such as to include a plurality of capacitors/super capacitors, connected in series, connected in parallel, or any combination thereof.

When the storage element comprises a plurality of (super) capacitors, the converter may comprise a switching network to switch the capacitors in series and/or parallel combinations. Thereby, a low loss conversion may be provided: as an example, the lower the voltage provided to the converter for charging the capacitors, the more capacitors are put in parallel, while the higher the voltage provided to the converter, the more capacitors are connected in series. Thereby, by switching the capacitors to be in series/parallel configurations, an operating voltage range of the individual capacitors may be adapted to the voltage provided for charging. For discharging, the same principle may be applied.

In another embodiment when applying a (super) capacitor as the storage element, the converter may comprise an inductor to form an inductor-capacitor resonance circuit with the super capacitor. To obtain optimum results, a resonance frequency of the resonance circuit may be adapted to a cycle frequency of the wave motion. Thereby, a low loss conversion may be provided, in particular when the resonance frequency has been adapted to the cycle frequency of the wave motion, as thereby the cycle of providing energy and storing regenerated energy may be synchronised with the resonance mode of the resonance circuit.

The control unit may comprise a measurement device for measuring a voltage of the power source. The control unit may thereby be arranged to compare the voltage with a low and a high threshold voltage value for driving the converter for charging the electrical storage element when the voltage exceeds the high threshold voltage value, and for discharging the electrical storage element when the voltage subceeds the low threshold value. Thereby, a simple control algorithm may be provided, as in case of a low supply voltage, i.e. in case of a high current drawn by the motor, the electrical storage element is discharged, thereby providing energy for driving the motor-generator, and in case that the power supply voltage is high, indicating that energy is regenerated by the motor-generator, the converter is operated to charge the (super) capacitor, thereby storing regenerated energy.

In a further, advantageous embodiment, the control unit may be arranged to measure an operating voltage of the electrical storage element and to connect an electrical power dissipater when the operating voltage of the storage element exceeds a maximum operating voltage, thereby preventing the storage element from being overloaded by dissipating part of the energy stored therein in case that a maximum voltage is exceeded. The control unit may

further measure and take into account any other suitable parameter, such as a depth of the water as measured by a suitable sensor such as an ultrasound sensor, an acceleration of the cable, load etc as measured by an acceleration sensor, an angle of the cable etc as measured by an angle meter, or an air speed velocity as measured by an air speed meter

The same or similar advantages and preferred embodiments as achieved with the heave compensation system according to the invention, may also be provided by a heave compensation method according to the invention. The method according to the invention provides an active heave compensation method for at least partly compensating for an effect of a wave motion on a load, the method comprising:

- operating a motor-generator which interacts with the load to drive the load in a first part of a wave motion cycle, and

- operating the motor-generator to regenerate in a second part of the wave motion cycle at least a part of the energy with which the load has been driven in the first part of the wave motion cycle, wherein at least part of the regenerated energy is buffered in an electrical storage element, for powering the motor-generator in a following cycle of the wave motion.

Further features effects and advantages of the invention will become clear from the appended drawings and corresponding description, in which non-limiting embodiments of the invention are disclosed, wherein: fig. 1 shows a highly schematic configuration of a load submerged from a floating platform; fig. 2 shows a highly schematic heave installation having a compensation; fig. 3 shows a highly schematic representation of a wave motion; fig. 4 shows a highly schematic representation of a wave motion compensation according to an aspect of the invention; fig. 5 shows another embodiment of a heave compensation according to the invention; fig. 6 shows yet another embodiment of the heave compensation according to the invention; fig. 7A - 7C depict capacitor configurations according to an aspect of the invention; and fig. 8 depicts a resonance circuit according to an aspect of the invention.

Fig. 1 shows a highly schematic view of a partly submerged load L held by a lifting installation LI such as a crane, the lifting installation LI being positioned on a floating platform

FP such as a ship. The wave motion will result in vertical forces, thereby providing a periodic vertical movement of the load L as well as the floating platform FP. As a result thereof, forces will act periodically on the cable CA of the lifting installation Ll. The heave compensation is intended to compensate for the wave cycle movements, to thereby avoid possible damage of the load, overloading the cable CA of the lifting installation Ll, etc. Although in fig. 1 an example is shown where both the load and the platform holding the lifting installation LI are partly submerged, it is also possible that one of the load and the lifting installation is fixedly mounted, as an example the lifting installation may be mounted on a wharf, or the load is to be placed on the wharf while the lifting installation is mounted on a floating platform. Many other configurations are possible. For example, the load is submerged and is required to be stabilised, while the floating platform holding the lifting installation is subjected to the wave motion. The cable CA is wound on winch Wl. Actuating the winch Wl to wind up the cable CA will lift the load L and vice versa.

Fig. 2 highly schematically shows an example of a construction that may be applied in a conventional heave compensation system again showing the lifting installation LI having a cable CA holding a load L. The cable CA is guided via a pulley wheel PW which is connected to a hydraulic cylinder HC. By downwardly moving a piston Pl of the hydraulic cylinder HC, the pulley wheel which is connected to the piston, is also moved downwardly. Thereby, a length of a loop of the cable CA guided via the pulley wheel PW is altered in length, which will cause the load to be lifted respectively lowered depending on the direction of movement of the piston Pl. The hydraulic cylinder HC may be actively driven, thereby obtaining an active heave compensation system. Also, or in addition thereto, it is possible that use is made of a gas spring, e.g. formed by an enclosed volume with compressible gas, which acts on a hydraulic system of which the hydraulic cylinder HC forms part.

As schematically illustrated in fig. 3, a wave motion cycle will result in a periodic pattern of upward and downward forces on either the load, the lifting installation, or both.

Fig. 4 highly schematically shows a part of a active heave compensation system according to the invention. A motor-generator M/G is driven by a power supply PS, such as an inverter. The power supply PS is powered by a power line PL (such as an electrical power network) provided with electrical power by a power source SRC, such as a generator. The power supply PS is controlled by a controller CON, which may comprise any suitable control means, such as a microcontroller, microprocessor, logic electronic circuits or any other programmable logic device. A connection between the controller CON and the power supply PS is schematically indicated by an interrupted line. Any kind of connection can be provided,

such as a serial or parallel data bus, a control line, a glassfiber, or any suitable connection. The motor-generator M/G may interact with the load as shown in figs. 1 and 2, in any way. In a preferred embodiment, the motor-generator M/G acts on the winch Wl on which the cable CA is wound. The motor-generator M/G may e.g. drive the winch Wl, however many other configurations are imaginable. It is for example possible that the motor-generator acts on arm AR of the lifting installation, for example by lifting and lowering the arm, and/or extending a length thereof.

Fig. 4 further shows an energy storage element, in this example a capacitor, such as a super capacitor. Although in fig. 4 only a single capacitor has been shown, the capacitor may comprise a combination of a plurality of (super) capacitors in series connection, parallel connection or any suitable combination thereof. In a first part of the wave motion cycle, the control unit CON controls the power supply PS to provide electrical energy to the motor- generator, thereby causing the motor-generator to act on the load, thereby providing energy to the load. In a second part of the wave motion cycle, the control unit CON controls the power supply such as to have the motor-generator regenerate at least part of the energy with which the load has been driven in the first part of the wave motion cycle. The motor-generator now acts as a generator. Effectively, in the first part of the wave motion cycle, energy is provided to the load for stabilisation, while in the second part of the wave form, at least part of the energy is regenerated by the motor-generator, the regenerated energy being stored at least partly in the electrical storage element. The energy thus stored may now be used in a first part of a following wave motion cycle for powering the motor-generator. Thereby, use of a hydraulic system including its associated disadvantages such as complexity, risk of leakage, requirements for regular maintenance, etc., may be avoided, while on the other hand a compact, low cost and/or low maintenance configuration may be obtained. Furthermore, energy consumption of the heave compensation system may be reduced by the regeneration of energy.

The control unit may be formed by a separate control unit, however, it is also possible that the control unit forms part of an existing control unit of the lifting installation or of any other installation. It is for example possible that the control unit is provided with sensors to sense the wave motion, the sensors thereby providing a suitable signal to the control unit to enable it to control the motor-generator accordingly.

The power supply may comprise any suitable configuration for powering the motor- generator: as an example, the power supply PS may comprise an inverter. Many alternatives are possible: it is for example imaginable that the power supply comprises a plurality of switches to electrically connect the motor-generator either the power line PL and/or with the

capacitor C for storing energy. Many implementations are possible, some of which will be described below.

Fig. 5 shows a highly schematic view of a possible embodiment of the heave compensation according to an aspect of the invention. Here, again the control unit CON controls the power supply PS to drive the motor-generator. The power supply PS is provided with electrical energy via the power line PL from the power source SRC. In fig. 5 the electrical storage element, in this example the (super) capacitor is connected in parallel to the power source SRC. Thereby, the (super) capacitor C effectively buffers the power source SRC and the power line PL.

Thus, in the first part of the wave motion cycle, the energy storage element is at least partly discharged, while in the second part of the wave motion cycle, energy that is regenerated by the motor-generator is buffered by the energy storage element. As a consequence, in the setup according to fig. 5, many elements of a conventional winch drive motor and power supply may still be used, while peaks and dips of the supply voltage at the power line may be smoothened by the buffering by the energy storage element, as when power is drawn by the motor-generator, which may cause the power line voltage to drop, energy is drawn from the energy storage element, such as the super capacitor, while when energy is regenerated, causing the power line voltage to increase, energy is stored in the energy storage element. Thus, with the configuration according to fig. 5, an existing winch drive motor can relatively be adapted such as to provide for the heave compensation, thereby obviating the need for additional hydraulic systems according to the state of the art.

A further example is shown in fig. 6, where again the motor-generator is powered by a power supply PS which is provided with electronic energy via the power line PL from the power source SRC. The power supply PS is controlled by control unit CON. A converter CONV is provided and connected between the power supply PS and the energy storage element, in this example a capacitor or super capacitor. The converter CONV is controlled by the control unit CON. The converter, under control of the control unit, to convert a motor-generator voltage or a power supply voltage into a charging voltage of the storage element. Further, the converter is arranged to discharge the energy storage element, and convert the discharging voltage-current into a power supply voltage of motor-generator voltage for powering the motor-generator. Thereby, the energy storage element may be used over a wide operating voltage range, as a conversion into a suitable charging/discharging voltage is provided for by the converter CONV. Consequently, a large amount of electrical energy may be buffered by the energy storage element. The converter may comprise any type of converter, as an example a bidirectional direct current-direct current converter may be provided, to enable a low loss conversion.

Fig. 7A - 7C depict a parallel configuration, parallel/series configuration and a series configuration respectively of (super) capacitors contained in the energy storage element according to an embodiment of the invention. A converter having a switching network may be provided to switch the (super) capacitors such as to be in the configurations according to figs. 7A - 7C. By such switching network (not shown), a wider operating voltage range may be obtained: when a charging voltage provided to the super capacitors low, the super capacitors may be connected in the configuration according to fig. 7A, while the higher the charging voltage gets, first the converter switches to the configuration according to fig. 7B, and then to the configuration according to fig. 7C. Thereby, a larger charging voltage range may be handled by the super capacitors. It is to be understood that the embodiments in fig. 7A - 7C are for illustrative purposes only: in a practical implementation, use may be made of a larger amount of super capacitors, thereby providing possibilities for many series/parallel connections and combinations thereof.

Fig. 8 schematically indicates a further possible embodiment of the converter and energy storage element. In this embodiment, the converter comprises a conductor to form a resonance circuit with the (super) capacitor, a resonance frequency of the resonance circuit being adapted to a cycle frequency of the wave motion to thereby facilitate a cycle of providing energy and regenerating energy. Adaptation of the resonance frequency to the cycle frequency of the wave motion may take place by switching more or less capacitors to the energy storage element by means of a suitable switching network (not shown) to thereby alter a total capacitance value.

In a further embodiment, the control unit may comprise a measurement device for measuring a voltage of the power line PL or power source SRC. The voltage is then compared by the control unit, by a suitable comparator thereof, with a low threshold voltage and a high threshold voltage value. The converter (such as the converter in fig. 6) is then driven by the control unit for charging the electrical storage element when the measured voltage exceeds a high threshold voltage value - which provides an indication of a regeneration of energy - , and for discharging the electrical storage element when the measured subceeds the low threshold voltage, thereby an indication that energy is drawn from the power source SRC to power the motor-generator. As a consequence, the converter may thereby reduce peaks and dips on the power line voltage caused by the cyclic operation of the motor-generator.

In all above embodiments, as well as in any other possible embodiment, an electrical power dissipater, such as a resistor or any power consuming device, may be connected to the

electrical storage element for dissipation of energy, when the operating voltage of the electrical storage element would exceed a maximum operating voltage. Thereby, save operation of the electrical storage element may be provided for.