a series dp brochure printing

‘A’ SERIES DYNAMICPOSITIONINGThe Complete Solution forManoeuvring and Position Control

Converteam 'A' Series DP Brochure 29/11/06 10:02 am Page 2

Converteam

2 ‘A’ SERIES DYNAMIC POSITIONING The Complete Solution for Manoeuvring and Position Control

Dynamic positioning enables a vessel to maintain heading and station, fixed or moving, by use of propulsors tocounteract the effects of displacing forcessuch as wind, current and wave action.This method of manoeuvring, althoughsimple, allows the system to control verycomplex operations safely and efficiently.

Traditionally, dynamic positioning systemswere only used for a small amount oftime during specialised operations. Today’sintegrated dynamic positioning solutionsprovide manual lever control, combinedjoystick control, fixed and trackingcontrol and now form a major part of theintegrated bridge solution.

CONVERTEAM has a long-standingreputation for delivering high quality,engineered solutions to meet and exceedcustomer expectations. Indeed, we believethat understanding the operational needsof customers is paramount to utilisingthe full potential of the system.

Our system allows flexible managementof software within a controlled standard.This means every vessel is built fromproven building blocks. All software hasbeen rigidly tested before being installedinto each ship, enabling CONVERTEAM tooffer a high level of reliability and security,whilst still providing a unique system whichmeets the exact needs of the customer.

CONVERTEAM has been at the forefront of DP technology for more than 30 years. During this time, more than 300 dynamic positioning systems havebeen installed on a vast range of vessels and applications worldwide, enablingcustomers to profit from CONVERTEAM’s wealth of expert knowledge andexperience. From the very first 800 series, through to the 900 series, ‘A’ Series,and now the enhanced ‘A’ Series version with the latest operator interface(MAP enabled), CONVERTEAM has always focused on improvements to assistthe operator and provide benefits to the customer.

The Progress of Position Control Systems


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‘A’ Series Dynamic Positioning

Modular Hardware Design

CONVERTEAM’s ‘A’ Series systems are based on a modular approach toallow customers the flexibility to use theCONVERTEAM ‘A’ Series award winningworkstation design or to deployCONVERTEAM systems within third partyconsoles. The modular design has provedvery popular for both new and retrofitinstallations where the navigation bridgeis compact and space is at a premium.

The enhanced ‘A’ Series design hasevolved through operational experienceand customer feedback and is nowproduced with a larger display, higherresolution graphics, larger controlbuttons and glidepad operation ratherthan the more traditional trackerball.The ‘A’ Series design meets one-man bridge requirements.

System Flexibility



Modes of Operation

CONVERTEAM’s ‘A’ Series dynamic positioning system can be provided as a very basic, simpleto use arrangement for straightforward applications or can be supplied to allow the operator awider choice of operational modes for more complex scenarios. The system can be configuredto control the vessel during manually controlled manoeuvres, tracking a predetermined courseor to keep the vessel stationary. CONVERTEAM works with each customer to provide a tailoredsolution designed entirely around individual vessel and application requirements.

Modes of operation include:

Manoeuvring• Manual Lever – Using individual levers to control

each of the thrusters.

• Joystick Manual – Combined control of all thrusters using a single joystick.

• Hand Pilot – Manual control using the joystick forahead/astern thrust with a turning moment control forrudder or stern azimuth control. This mode alsoincorporates conventional manual steering.

• Joystick Auto – Combined thrust control using the joystickin manual for speed control with automatic headingcontrol. Typically used during slow speed manoeuvring.

• Autopilot – ahead/astern thrust set by the operator viathe joystick or the operator may manually enter the vesselspeed or propulsion speed into the system. Automaticheading control using stern propulsion and/or rudders to steer the vessel.

Tracking• Autotrack – Automatic tracking and heading control

along an operator pre-defined track. For slow speedtracking utilising all thrusters.

• Autosail – Automatic tracking and heading control along a pre-defined track. For high speed tracking utilising the stern thrusters and steering system.

• ROV Follow – Automatic tracking and heading control to follow a mobile beacon attached to a submergedvehicle. Absolute tracking and reaction radius options are also available.

• Enhanced ROV Follow – Automatic tracking and heading control. Also includes deepwater applicationtracking depressor and ROV.

• Ship Follow – Automatic tracking and heading control,tracking the relative movement and heading of anotherfloating structure. Typically used in PSV applicationsalongside platforms or FPSOs.

• Enhanced Ship Follow – Automatic tracking and heading of fast moving structures such as barges.


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Station Keeping• Auto Position – Automatic position and heading control.

Operator has the facility to change position and heading required.

• Minimum Power – Automatic position and heading control.The system will automatically seek the optimum heading toreduce forces and power on the vessel.

• Weather Vaning – Automatic position control with heading allowed to settle into the environment.Typically used for standby operations enabling a reduction in power requirement.

• Relaxed DP – Automatic position and heading controlensuring a relatively clean thrust demand where only poorposition measurement signal quality is available. This modeenables fuel savings and reduces mechanical stress.

• Autospeed – Automatic fore/aft and port/starboard vesselspeed control using the joystick. Typically used with thejoystick at zero speed to provide a hover mode when mainposition reference systems are lost. Requires input from adoppler log or DGPS.

CONVERTEAM’s ‘A’ Series dynamic positioning system is suitablefor all types of vessels and applications. The system can bedesigned so that it is integrated with other ship systems andso that it fits any bridge. In addition, CONVERTEAM can supplyapplication-specific software to enable the customer to benefitfrom individually tailored solutions designed to meet theirexact requirements. Typical applications catered for include:

• Survey, Cable lay modes – Automatic tracking andheading control with plough tension feed forward, producttension monitoring and protection, automatic vesselslowdown, and waypoint control for product or vessel track.

• Shuttle Tanker modes – Automatic tracking and headingcontrol are provided in the form of approach, pickup andloading modes for ALP, FSU, FPSO and STL configurations.

• Dredger modes – Automatic tracking and heading controlwith drag head static load calibration, drag head tensionfeed-forward, drag head position compensation and poormixture feed-forward.

• Cruise Liner modes – Automatic position and headingcontrol with additional joystick anchor functionality.

• Drilling modes – Automatic tracking and heading controlwith riser follow, slow acoustic update rates, minimising loss ofposition on blackout recovery, doppler log with model control.

• Pipe lay modes – Position control for incrementing pipelengths, improved gain control during transition fromanchors to thrusters, dual barge operations and statusinformation on the pipe laying equipment. Vessel tracks arecalculated from pipe routes and displayed on the latest mapoverlays giving a comprehensive suite of operator features.

Application Features



CONVERTEAM’s unique position as aleading supplier of dynamic positioning,vessel automation and electric propulsionis the perfect platform for providing afully integrated solution.

With a single point of responsibility,co-ordination of the dynamic positioningsystem with the propulsion drives, powersystem and vessel management system

is simpler, ensuring better performanceand safe, efficient operation, benefitingboth the shipyard and owner.Dynamic positioning interfaces can beembedded into the switchgear andvariable speed drive cubicles,significantly reducing cabling and the time required to install on site, thecomplete assembly being fully pre-tested at the factory stage.

Integrated Solutions

Motion referenceunit

Portable joystick for use onbridge wings or navigation deck

‘A’ Series fieldstation providingpropulsion interface

CyScan – relativelaser based positionmeasurement system Taut Wire

Anemometer

Hydro-acoustictransceiver

DGPS

RadaScan – positionreference sensor

Hydro-acousticsystem workstation

Dynamicpositioningoperator’sworkstationmay be forwardor aft facing

Gyrocompass

Manual thrustercontrol andindependent joystick


Gyrocompass

DP controller

Independentjoystick controller

DGPS

Motionreference unit

Cyscan

Anemometer

SimplexDP

Independentjoystick

Class 1

The diagram below depicts a typicalClass 1 DP system. The system may bestand-alone with discrete interfaces asshown or may form part of a largernetworked system. In addition to theSimplex DP system, some regulatingbodies now require an independentjoystick system as a back up. The joysticksystem can be expanded to providefurther portable or fixed control panelsfor forward, aft or bridge wing locations.

The joystick system can be upgraded toinclude dynamic positioning functionalitywith a simple software and hardware upgrade to provide HMI facilities.

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‘A’ Series Architecture

Example of Hardwired Solution

Alternative DPWorkstation(drop-in style)

RadaScan


Gyrocompass

DuplexdynamicpositioningDPA & DPB

IJS controller

Hydro-acousticsystem

Anemometer

AFS

Independentjoystick

Taut wire

Independentjoystick

Networkswitch box

DPA & DPBcontroller

AFS

AFS

‘A’ Series fieldstation (AFS)

Motionreference unit

Cyscan

Class 2

In Class 2 and above, any single failuremust not render the system inoperable.This philosophy is applied throughout thevessel design including the switchboards,propulsion and power generation.

Where the regulating authority requires anindependent joystick (IJS) in addition to theredundant dynamic positioning system, thethruster communications are arranged toprovide an extremely high level of isolation,with the DP and independent joysticksystems using different interface methods.

With an integrated solution, the thrusterchangeover logic between the thrustermanufacturer’s local controls, bridgemanual controls, joystick control anddynamic positioning can all be taken careof by the CONVERTEAM system.

Triple voting systems provide an evenhigher level of integrity, with three DPsystems operating in parallel and withassociated sensors also in Triplex. Thesystem compares the three input signalsand employs two out of three votingtechniques. Output signals are conditioned in a similar way.


Example of Network Solution

RadaScan

DGPS


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Class 3

Class 3 provides triple redundancy interms of equipment failure and must alsoremain operable in case of fire or flooding.

This is achieved by having the third DPsystem located in a back up controlroom, separated from the main controlroom by an A60 bulkhead. Similarly thesensors and position referencesassociated with the back up system musthave physical and electrical isolation.

This philosophy is employed throughoutthe vessel with engine rooms having A60bulkhead separation and the power andpropulsion system must be designed suchthat adequate power and thrust isavailable even under failure conditions.

Gyrocompass

DuplexdynamicpositioningDPA & DPB

BackupDPC

Motionreferenceunit

Cyscan

Anemometer

AFS

Hydro-acousticssystem

Taut wire

Networkswitch box

DPA & DPBcontrollers

AFS

AFS

‘A’ Series fieldstation (AFS)

DGPS

DPCcontroller

Gyrocompass

A60bulkhead Motion

referenceunit

Example of Class 3 system

RadaScan

Anemometer

DGPS



The DP system is designed to have ahigh fault tolerance and incorporatesself-diagnostic routines to aid swiftfault finding. The networked solutionenables a high degree of web baseddiagnostic facilities, allowing theoperator to view high level systemnetwork information as well as theability to drill down to the modules at plant level.

The system also provides features toassist in diagnosing plant-side faultsthrough comprehensive on-line chartrecording techniques and ‘free channelselect’ for monitoring any plant signal.

Recording can be triggered byindividual events or may be selectedto run continuously. Results may bedownloaded and stored for furtheranalysis onboard or transferred to an office-based location onshore.

All modules have short circuit andloop monitoring to assist with swiftfault detection in the field.

History Stations

As an addition all ‘A’ Series systemscan be equipped with a history stationPC. This provides a black box loggingfacility that can record both AVC & DPsignal parameters for long periods oftime. Data can then be transferred toremovable media for further analysis.

Diagnostics, Maintenance and Trending

Converteam Remote Access Topology

LARGE VESSEL NETWORK

SMALL VESSEL NETWORK

REMOTE CONVERTEAM ACCESS

CONVERTEAM CORPORATE NETWORK

CUSTOMER ACCESS


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Converteam offers a wide range ofafter sales service and supportpackages tailored to meet individualcustomer requirements. These packagesare supported via a world-widenetwork of support bases.

Some of the many key benefits of a support package are:

• Single point of contact• Reduced rates• 24/7 support• mobilisation of engineers• maintenance visits• training• vessel health checks• spares management• obsolescence

Converteam also provide managed system

upgrade paths for its ‘legacy’ systems.

Standards and Certifications

The AVC system meets all major classsociety & regulatory requirementsincluding Det Norske Veritas, Lloyd'sRegister, Bureau Veritas, AmericanBureau of Shipping, Norsok, US CoastGuard and International MaritimeOrganisation recommendations.

Where appropriate, type testing hasbeen performed and systems can becustom-built to meet high level shock,vibration and temperature limits for special applications.

After Sales Service and Support

Houston

Macaé

Rugby

United ArabEmirates

Delhi

Singapore

Shanghai

KEY

Service Centre

Training Facility

Belo Horizonte

Miami

PittsburghSeattle

San Diego Houma

Belfort

Converteam Worldwide Service Organisation - Marine & Offshore Network

Ulsan

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Converteam Brazil LtdaAv. Alvares Cabral 1345, Balrro Lourdes

Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, 30170-001Tel: +1 412 967 6945Fax: +1 412 963 3289

Converteam China Co. LtdBuilding 4, No.333, Lane 2888, Huaning Road

Minhang District, 201109 ShanghaiTel: +86 21 6442 1666, ext. 8000

Fax: +86 21 6442 2653

Converteam SAS - France1 Square John H. Patterson, 91345 Massy Cedex

Tel: +33 (0)1 77 31 20 86 Fax: +33 (0)1 60 19 64 95

Converteam GmbH - GermanyCulemeyerstrasse 1, 12277 Berlin

Tel: +49 (0)30 7622 - 0 Fax: +49 (0)30 7622 2109

Converteam Limited - IndiaUnit No 1003, Tower B, 10th Floor

Millennium Plaza, Gurgaon, 122 002 Haryana

Converteam Ltd - UKBoughton Rd, Rugby, Warwickshire CV21 1BU

Tel: +44 (0)1788 563 563 Fax: +44 (0)1788 560 767

Converteam Inc. - USA610 Epsilon Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15238 2880

Tel: +1 412 967 6945Fax: +1 412 963 3289

a Converteam Group company

www.converteam.com

© - CONVERTEAM - 2006. Publication HH-ASDP-11/06. CONVERTEAM, the CONVERTEAM logo and anyalternative version thereof are trademarks and service marks of CONVERTEAM. The other names mentioned,registered or not, are the property of their respective companies.


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