Dynamic PositioningThe Complete Solution for Manoeuvring and Position Control

Traditionally, dynamic positioning systemswere only used for a small amount oftime during specialised operations.

Today’s integrated dynamic positioningsolutions provide manual lever control,combined joystick control, fixed andtracking control and now form a majorpart of the integrated 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 utilising thefull 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 Dynamic Positioning (DP)technology for more than 30 years. During this time, more than 500dynamic positioning systems have been installed on a vast range ofvessels and applications worldwide, enabling customers to profitfrom Converteam’s wealth of expert knowledge and experience.From the very first DPS 2050 through to the 900 series, A-Series,and now the C-Series workstations with the latest operator interface,Converteam has always focused on improvements to assist theoperator and provide benefits to the customer.

www.converteam.comwww.converteam.com

Converteam LtdBoughton Rd, RugbyWarwickshire CV21 1BUUnited Kingdom Tel: +44 (0)1788 563563 Fax: +44 (0)1788 560767sales@converteam.com

France Tel: +33 1 64 53 83 00Germany Tel: +49 30 76 22 0USA Tel: +1 412 967 0765Brazil Tel: +55 31 3330 5800China Tel: +86 21 6442 1666India Tel: +91 44 2440 0900 ©

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Integrated Solutions

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 be embedded into the switchgear andvariable speed drive cubicles, significantlyreducing cabling and the time required to install on site, the complete assemblybeing fully pre-tested at the factory stage.

Diagnostics, Maintenance and Trending

The DP system is designed to have a high fault tolerance and incorporatesself-diagnostic routines to aid swift faultfinding. The networked solution enables

a high degree of web based diagnosticfacilities, allowing the operator to view high level system network information as well as the ability 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 by individualevents or may be selected to runcontinuously. Results may bedownloaded and stored for furtheranalysis onboard or transferred to anoffice-based location onshore.

All modules have short circuit and loopmonitoring to assist with swift faultdetection in the field.

Remote Support

As an addition all C-Series systems canbe equipped with a history station PC orremote support. This provides a black boxlogging facility that can record signalparameters for long periods of time.Data can then be transferred to

removable media for further analysis.

‘ViSoR’, the Virtual Support Room, providesremote support allowing experts locatedanywhere in the world to ‘look over theshoulder’ of the person physically at theequipment, and advise them to takeappropriate action.

After Sales Service and Support

Converteam offers a wide range of aftersales service and support packages tailoredto meet individual customer requirements.These packages are supported via aworld-wide network of support bases.

Some of the many key benefits of asupport 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 systemupgrade paths for its ‘legacy’ systems.

Dynamic Positioning (DP) enables avessel to maintain heading andstation, fixed or moving, by use ofpropulsors to counteract the effectsof displacing forces such as wind,current and wave action. This method of manoeuvring, althoughsimple, allows the system to controlvery complex operations safely and efficiently.

ViSoR - The Virtual Support Room - System Architecture

System Flexibility

Converteam’s DP systems are based on amodular approach to allow customers theflexibility to use the C-Series workstationdesign or within third party consoles.The modular design has proved verypopular for both new and retrofitinstallations where the navigation bridge is compact and space is at a premium.

Modes of Operation

Manoeuvring

Manual Lever – Using individual leversto control each of the thrusters.

Joystick Manual – Combined control ofall thrusters using a single joystick.

Hand Pilot – Manual control using thejoystick for ahead/astern thrust with aturning moment control for rudder orstern azimuth control. This mode alsoincorporates conventional manual steering.

Joystick Auto – Combined thrust controlusing the joystick in manual for speedcontrol with automatic heading control.Typically used during slow speedmanoeuvring.

Autopilot – ahead/astern thrust set bythe operator via the joystick or the operatormay manually enter the vessel speed orpropulsion speed into the system.Automaticheading control using stern propulsionand/or rudders to steer the vessel.

Tracking

Autotrack – Automatic tracking andheading control along an operator

pre-defined track. For slow speedtracking utilising all thrusters.

Autosail – Automatic tracking andheading control along a pre-definedtrack. For high speed tracking utilisingthe stern thrusters and steering system.

ROV Follow – Automatic tracking andheading control to follow a mobilebeacon attached to a submerged vehicle.Absolute tracking and reaction radiusoptions are also available.

Enhanced ROV Follow – Automatictracking and heading control. Alsoincludes deepwater application tracking depressor and ROV.

Ship Follow – Automatic tracking andheading control, tracking the relativemovement and heading of anotherfloating structure. Typically used in PSV applications alongside platforms or FPSOs.

Enhanced Ship Follow – Automatictracking and heading of fast movingstructures such as barges.

Station Keeping

Auto Position – Automatic position andheading control. Operator has the facilityto change position and heading required.

Minimum Power – Automatic positionand heading control. The system willautomatically seek the optimum headingto reduce forces and power on the vessel.

Weather Vaning – Automatic positioncontrol with heading allowed to settle into the environment. Typically used forstandby operations enabling a reductionin power requirement.

Relaxed DP – Automatic position andheading control ensures a smooth thrustdemand leading to fuel savings and areduction of mechanical stress. This isalso useful when only poor positionmeasurement signal quality is available.

Autospeed – Automatic fore/aft andport/starboard vessel speed control using the joystick, requires input from a doppler log or DGPS. This also can beused with the joystick at zero position to provide a hover mode when mainposition reference systems are lost.

Application Features

Converteam’s dynamic positioningsystem is suitable for all types of vesselsand applications. The system can bedesigned so that it is integrated withother ship systems and so that it fits anybridge. In addition, Converteam cansupply application-specific software toenable the customer to benefit fromindividually tailored solutions designedto meet their exact requirements.

Typical applications catered for include:

Survey, Cable Lay Modes – Automatictracking and heading control with ploughtension feed forward, product tensionmonitoring and protection, automaticvessel slowdown, and waypoint controlfor product or vessel track.

Shuttle Tanker Modes – Automatictracking and heading control areprovided in the form of approach,pickup and loading modes for ALP,FSU, FPSO and STL configurations.

Dredger Modes – Automatic trackingand heading control with drag headstatic load calibration, drag head tensionfeed-forward, drag head positioncompensation and poor mixture feed-forward.

Cruise Liner Modes – Automaticposition and heading control withadditional joystick anchor functionality.

Drilling Modes – Automatic trackingand heading control with riser follow,slow acoustic update rates, minimisingloss of position on blackout recovery,doppler log with model control.

Pipe Lay Modes – Position control forincrementing pipe lengths, improved gaincontrol during transition from anchors tothrusters, dual barge operations andstatus information on the pipe layingequipment. Vessel tracks are calculatedfrom pipe routes and displayed on the latest map overlays giving acomprehensive suite of operator features.

Classification

The DP system meets all the majorclassification society and regulatoryrequirements such as Det Norske Veritas,Lloyd’s Register, Bureau Veritas, AmericanBureau of Shipping, Norsok, US CoastGuard and International MaritimeOrganisation recommendations.

Where appropriate, type testing has been performed and systems can becustom-built to meet high level shock,vibration and temperature limits forspecial applications.

Class 1

The system may be stand-alone withdiscrete interfaces or may form part of alarger networked system. In addition tothe Simplex 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 can be upgraded to includedynamic positioning functionality with asimple software and hardware upgradeto provide Human Machine Interface(HMI) facilities.

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 requiresan independent joystick in addition tothe redundant dynamic positioningsystem, the thruster communications are arranged to provide an extremelyhigh level of isolation, with the DP and independent joystick systems 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 care of 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 areconditioned in a similar way.

Class 3

Class 3 provides triple redundancy interms of equipment failure and must alsoremain operable in case of fire orflooding. This is achieved by having thethird DP system located in a back upcontrol room, separated from the maincontrol room by an A60 bulkhead.Similarly the sensors and positionreferences associated with the back up system must have physical andelectrical 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.

Motion PageIce Maiden - Accommodation Vessel - Class 3

MPU – Heavy Lifter - Class 2

DP Operator Panel