Introduction

The present invention is a system and a method for positioning and placing of blocks and keel blocks for supporting vessels in a ship's dock.

Prior art

Today, manual marking systems for marking of positions for placing blocks or keel blocks in a dock for vessels are used.

Drawings of docking plans for the vessel to be placed in the dock is worked out based on the vessels frame and design drawings. The information is adapted to the present dock, and a plan or a sketch for marking is prepared. Then, the dock floor is manually marked using tape measure and crayons, tape, paint or the like, in the given positions for placing the blocks. Such manual marking systems are time consuming, up to 8 days, and there is a risk of incorrect placement of keel blocks due to mix-up with old markings as well.

For instance, visible crayon lines from previous markings may lead to confusing markings that may lead to a more complicated and time consuming process. After marking, the blocks are placed out by a truck, or another suitable vehicle, at the marked positions and areas. The driver of the placing tool must also have a description of the type of block, keel block, support block or strut, that is to be placed and where to be placed. In other words, there is room for human error, both during marking, and during placing of blocks, and it is a time consuming process.

US 4736633 A relates to a vehicle intended for use in, and around, a ship's dock. The publication also discusses placing of blocks in a dry dock, using this vehicle. The block positions are, prior to placing, marked on the floor in the dry dock. «Docmaster training manual» from HEGER DRY DOCK Inc. 2005 shows a plan for placing blocks in a dry dock.

US 564859 A describes a method and system for providing a template for assembling a structure such as a roof truss. One or more computer-controlled lasers, above an area, provides a picture of the structure that may be positioned at a working space. US 2011/0199234A1 discuss an arrangement for positioning a vehicle.

The arrangement is mounted in the roof, or at a structure in the height of the roof, and comprise a movable laser that lights up a point for which the vehicle may navigate.

Chen Chen et al, «generic Algorithm to Dry Dock Block Placement Arrangement considering Subsequent Ships» (2012.07.10) describes an algorithm for planning the most efficient sequence of series of planned ships to be docked within same dock, with a minimum relocation of keel blocks utilizing a mathematically described placement block of blocks in a grid.

Miguel Jose et al, interactive Dry-Docking Simulator in a 3D environment* (2008.12.31), discuss a computer program in development for interactive 3D real time simulation of dry-docking of ships in a ships dock. The simulation data consists on the loads applied to the keel blocks, the load applied to the dock's structure, the possible use of ballast tanks etc. to modelling different dry docks. In KR20130048326A Samsung Heavy Ind. discusses self-moving and height adjustable support blocks. Those keel blocks are arranged with a drive unit, motor, wheels, height adjustable wheels, hydraulic arrangement and distance measuring device, load cells, regulating support legs for lifting and lowering, positioning unit, data memory and a communication unit. The blocks moves by itself to a preset position in the dock, either by a preset path or by a navigation system. They may also adjust the height of the block based on the measured distance to the hull or due to the desired or preset load to the block.

Short summary of the invention

The invention is a method and a system for docking a vessel. Today this is a time

consuming process in the view of marking and placing of support- and keel blocks. The present invention solves this problem by using a computer-controlled positioner, for instance a laser, for marking out the positions for the blocks in a dry dock, which lights up point by point and at the same time uses the data for further digital processing and steps for further docking process.

The invention comprises a method for positioning and placing of blocks for supporting vessels in a ship's dock comprising,

- register the vessel to be docked in a data memory,

- provide ship's information for the registered vessel and register those in the data memory,

- to prepare a docking plan comprising data about at least the positions to the blocks related to the vessel from the above mentioned ship's information using an algorithm,

- adjust the docking plan to the existing ship's dock by the algorithm,

- a) select a desired block position according to the docking plan by use of the operating panel,

-b) send a control signal for a block position to a positioner (12) that points out the block position in the ship's dock by the means of at least a control unit,

- c) placing a block in the given block position by a suitable placing tool,

- repeating the method a) to c) until all the blocks according to the docking plan are placed.

In this way there is no need to remove old mark up or to mark up with new tape or chalk. Both time and operators involved in the process may then be reduced.

The invention is also a system for positioning and placing of blocks for supporting vessels in a ship's dock comprising one or more placing tools (4) for placing blocks (1) in a given position (Pi) and wherein the system further comprises - a processing unit (15), a data memory (5), an algorithm (7), one or more control units (10), one or more operating panels (9) and one or more positioners (12), wherein

- said data memory (5) is arranged to process the information registered in the computer memory (5) by using - said algorithm (7) to prepare a docking plan (8) comprising at least information about the blocks (1) position (Pi) related to the ship (2) form the ship's information (6) and further arranged to transform the

information to control signals for said one or more control units (10) - -one or more operating panels (9) arranged to be operated by an operator for further to send a signal to the control unit (10) about the block (1) to be placed or the block position (Pi) desired to be pointed out in the dock (3) and wherein the

one or more positioner (12) further are arranged to receive a control signal (11) from the control unit (10) and further to indicate the one or more block positions (Pi) in the ship's dock (3).

In an embodiment of the invention at least two of the units; operator panel (9), control unit (10) and positioner (12) are wireless connected.

Advantages to the present invention are, the preparation process of a dock for a new vessel is much faster than with generally existing procedure, it excludes the risks of misplacement due to old markings still attached to the dock floor, one eliminates the step for manual marking of placing points at the floor, and elimination of manual errors.

Figure caption

The attached figures illustrates some embodiments of the claimed invention.

Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of the invention and is a partly cut through sketch of a ship's dock (3) where a truck (4) is placing blocks (1) in positions (Pi) given by a laser positioner (12a). The figure illustrates how the vessel information (6, 6a, 6b) is read into a data memory (5) in a processing unit (15) which

comprises a n algorithm (7) and a control unit (10) and wherein a docking plan (8) is processed therefrom in e.g. x-y coordinates for thereby generate a docking plan (8) as a numbered list of blocks (13) . It is also shown a positioner (12), a laser pointer (12a) or the like receiving a signal based on the generated docking plan and the list of blocks and may be control by a remote control (9, 19) to point out the placement (Pi) of the block in the dock. The figure also shows that the control unit (10) may be located either in a central processing unit, in the remote control, which is an operating panel as well, or in a unit located in connection to the positioner (12). Fig 2 shows how a vessel (2) may send signals to the dockyard or other relevant authority, so that they may prepare the dock for receiving the vessel (2). During available time d[t] the dockyard personnel may obtain the relevant ships information and prepare the dock for the incoming ship, when the docking of the particular ship was not planned, as for emergency docking due to e.g. a run aground or a propeller damage etc.

Fig 3 shows an illustration of what an operator control panel/window (9) may look like, e.g. inside the truck (4) that places the blocks/keel blocks (1) that are going to support the ship (2). The operating panel/window (9), connected to the control unit (10) for the positioner, will be used to control the positioner (12) to point out the next correct place/position (Pi) in the dock when one chooses "neste pute (next block)". This is a simple operating panel (9).

Fig 4 shows another operating window (9) than in Fig 3. Here the blocks/keel blocks (1) positions (Pi) are graphically illustrated. An alternative to such a graphic illustration may, in another embodiment, be to show a list.

Fig 5 shows a series of illustration pictures where, a) shows an empty dock (3) and a waiting vessel (2). b) show an office or a control room where the vessels information and drawings (6, 6a, 6b) may be processed for preparation of a docking plan (8) for block positions (Pi) and e.g. a time schedule for utilization of the dock (3) e.g. where the ship that is to be docked is located in the world. C) shows from left to the right a placing tool (4), here, a truck, in an empty dock (3), a truck in operation, placing a block (1) in a laser directed (position given) point (Pi) in the dock and an operating panel (9) for controlling the positioner (12) or the laser pointer (12). Here the operating panel (9) is shown inside the truck (4). In d) we can see a vessel (2) in a dock (3) drained from water.

Fig 6 shows the prior art and such marking for placing of blocks (1), today a strictly manual operation. Fig 7 shows a docking plan (8a) for a vessel (2) that will be adjusted to the present dock (3) and thereafter the dock (3) is marked manually by using this information.

Embodiments of the invention

The invention is a method and a system for docking a vessel in any kind of docks, dry dock or floating dock. Today this is a time consuming process in the view of marking and placing of support- and keel blocks. The present invention seeks to solve this problem by using a computer-controlled positioner, for instance a laser, for marking out the positions for the blocks in a dry dock, which lights up point by point and at the same time uses the data for further digital processing and steps for further docking process.

The invention is a system for positioning and placing of blocks(l) for supporting vessels(2) in a ship's dock (3) comprising one or more placing tools(4) for placing blocks (1) in a given block position (Pi), a data memory (5) for registering the vessel (2) with the appurtenant ships information (6) for the vessel (2) to be docked, an algorithm (7) to prepare a docking plan (8) comprising at least information about the blocks (1) position (Pi) related to the ship (2) from the ship's information (6), a processing unit (15), one or more control units (10), one or more operating panels (9) , one or more positioners (12) for receiving a control signal (11) from the control unit (10), and further indicating the one or more block positions (Pi) in the ship's dock (3).

The invention also comprises a method for positioning and placing of blocks (1) for supporting vessels (2) in a ship's dock (3) comprising to register the vessel (2) to be docked in a data memory (5), to provide ship's information (6) for the registered vessel (2) and register those in the data memory (5), to prepare a docking plan (8) comprising data about at least the positions (Pi) to the blocks related to the vessel (2) from the said ship's information using an algorithm (7), to adjust the docking plan (8) to the existing ship's dock (3) by the algorithm (7), a) select a desired block position (Pi) according to the docking plan (8) by use of the operating panel (9), b) send a control signal (11) for a block position (Pi) to at least one of the positioners (12) that points out the block position (Pi) in the ship's dock by the means of at least a control unit (10), c) placing a block (1) in the given block position (Pi) by a suitable placing tool (4), repeating the method a) to c) until all the blocks (1) according to the docking plan (8) are placed.

Advantages to the present invention is that the preparation process of a dock for a new vessel is much faster than with generally existing procedure. It excludes the moments of risks by old marking still attached to the dock floor, one eliminates the step for manual marking of placing points at the floor and one eliminates manual errors of measure.

An advantage of the invention is that there is no need of heavy investments of large physical elements. One may use existing equipment such as the placing tool, e.g the truck, and the existing blocks that already are at the ship yard and the dock may be used as it is.

One of the problems solved by the invention is to provide a system for more efficient and simplified marking of the desired positions for (supporting) blocks in a ships dock. Not only will the marking process become cheaper for the dockyard due to less time consuming working process, but it will also be a more secure method since there will be no old, previous marks, that may be confusing. One may therefore be able to dock damaged vessels on shorter notice, and the dockyard may rearrange the docking time schedule and utilize open spaces in the time schedule to fit in a vessel having changed or increased needs or

cancellations. This becomes possible when the total occupation time of the dock will be shorter due to the total time of marking and placing of blocks may be reduced from up to 8 days and more operators to just the operator of the truck and the time needed to placing out the blocks. The processing of the block positions may be performed while the dock is still occupied by another ship. An embodiment of the invention comprises at least one wireless connection between at least two of the following units: the control unit (10), the positioner (12), or the operating panel (9). The operating panel (9) may for instance be located where the operator of the placing tool (4), the truck or crane, is located, e.g mounted inside the truck's cabin. In this way, one may sit inside the truck cabin and control the one or more positioner (12) e.g. the laser pointer. This means to give signal to the control unit for which block (1) or block position (Pi) one will indicate/point out in the dock (3). The positioner (12) shows this point by e.g. a laser light spot in the dock and the desired block may be placed in this position without any manual marking by crayon, tape or the like and using manual measuring. This provides a quick and effective placing procedure. Both time, and amount of involved operators, may be reduced. In an embodiment of the invention, the operating panel may be in the means of a so-called app (application) for a smart phone, a tablet or the like.

The ship's information (6) that is used for preparing the docking plan (8) may comprise ships design drawings (6a) with frame arrangement (6b), or it may comprise an earlier docking plan (8a) that is available for the vessel. This has to be fed into the system so it may be adjusted to the present dock and be used as a base for the control signals that will control one or more positioners (12). This gives many possibilities for preparing docking plans and use of previously prepared information . Such information may be entered manually or be scanned to the memory. By the means of the algorithm, it will be transformed to a docking plan (8). The ship's information, may in an embodiment, be collected electronic and be transferred to the processing unit and the computer memory for processing by the algorithm and preparing of the docking plan (8).

In an embodiment of the invention the algorithm (7) comprises a transformation algorithm for transferring the information of the ship's design drawings to a numbered list wherein the positions are listed with appurtenant X,Y -coordinates for the ship's dock together with type of block. In this way, the block may be set to belong to a given position in the dock related to a coordinate system . This results in that the block as well may be placed out without a laser pointer but with a positioner (12) in the mean of an indication in a coordinate system that the placing tool may use for navigation.

In an embodiment of the invention, at least one positioner (12) is a bright spot marker (12a), laser pointer (12b) or the like, and the placing point (Pi) will be given by a visible mark by bright spot in the dock.

Here the placing indication is performed by a simple bright spot from a positioner (12) or it may be performed by a cross marking for more positioners (12).

In an embodiment of the invention, the bright spot positioner (12) is attached to a tower or in another way at a higher level, arrangement by the dock (3). This is advantageous when the dock has no roofing or housing or when using a floating dock (3). In another embodiment of the invention, at least the one positioner (12) is a signal transferred to a navigation unit belonging to or adjusted to the placing tool (4). Such a position indication may also be used in combination with the

positioner (12), by the mean of a bright spot indicator for bright spot marking in the dock. This is an advantageous solution if one have an open dock without a roof and for instance the weather conditions may undermine the bright spot marking. A combination solution is also making the system more reliable as the one may be the backup for the other one. Such navigation unit may be an ordinary GPS navigation arrangement or a special adapted navigation

arrangement for instance belonging to the dock to navigate inside this.

In an embodiment of the invention one or more placing tools (4) is/are a truck, a crane truck or the like. In an embodiment of the invention the placing tool(s) (4) is a travelling crane or the like. This should be adjusted according to the dock and existing equipment in or at the dock area or the dockyard. Those may operate separately or in combination.

In an embodiment of the invention, one or more of positioners (12) is also a positioner for guiding the vessel (2) in the dock (3). With this, the ship may be controlled into the dock according to e.g. the bright spot directing points even after the dock is filled with water and the vessel may be navigated e.g. by the operating panel (9) that for instance may be brought along from the placing tool (4) to the vessel (2) to be docked. This will also simplify and secure the correct placing of the ship, since the ship may navigate according to the already stored information in the system of where the blocks are positioned due to the fact that there is the same control unit supplying signals and that points out the

positioning of the ship that positioned the blocks.

In an embodiment of the invention the design drawings (6) is electronically transferred to the data memory (5) for similar processing as for manual entry. In an embodiment of the invention, the selection of blocks (1) is performed via at least one operating panel connected to the control unit (10). The operation panel may be wireless or physically connected to the unit, depending on the location of the operating panel and control unit. The operating panel may also be operated from the control room, by the positioner or in/by the placing tool. The operating panel may also be arranged with simple functionalities for choices, please see Fig. 3, or with some more advanced functionalities, please see Fig. 4. In an embodiment may also information about type of block, keel block, support block etc. that is to be placed out and in which position, be given.

In another aspect, the invention is a method for docking a vessel (2) into a ship's dock (3) comprising to identify the ship (2) to be docked, to place out blocks (1) by using the method given in claim 1, to open the dry dock (3) to let water in, to place the ship(2) in the dock, positioning the ship in the correct position according to the placed blocks(l) - carry out necessary safety measure, to drain the dock with the vessel (2) inside. The vessel (2) may send a message about the need for dock space from any given geographic placing to the dockyard and a time related procedure for docking the vessel is carried out.

In an embodiment of the invention, the position navigation of the vessel is carried out by the use of the data in the data memory (5) so the ship/vessel may be placed in the correct position in the dock (3) according to the placed blocks (1). The vessel may also be placed by the means of bright spot positioning according to the invention.

In an embodiment where the operating panel is a wireless unit connected wireless to the control unit or the positioner, this might be brought along to the ship to be docked and by this one may simple use the available information using the operating panel to place the vessel in the correct position. Either, this may be performed by a navigation unit, or via the placing indicators by the use of the positioner (12) and this transmitted bright spot marking.