Evaluation of marine radar as an ocean-wave-field detector through full numerical simulation

The importance of ocean waves parameters (propagation direction, mean period, significant wave height, etc.) is related to several aspects of a ships safety, efficiency in operation, routing, design, and maintenance. However, some available methods for obtaining those parameters have data limitations and inconvenient aspects. In severe weather conditions, an ocean-wave-field detector is necessary. This can provide two-dimensional ocean-wave-field information directly. Among other conventional methods, ship-borne wave radar has the ability to function as such a detector, and some researchers have tried to develop practical systems. A numerical approach using plan position indicator (PPI) images from conventional marine radars is proposed to retrieve valuable information from the ocean waves. A three-dimensional Fourier transform is applied to a set of consecutive radar PPI images to perform spectrum analysis. The removal of undesired elements in the spectrum is achieved by applying a hi-pass filter to remove static components, and by comparing the data with the expected dispersion shell to correct for nonocean-wave power. Numerical experiments under controlled conditions using simulated PPI images were performed through numerical simulations based on theoretical ocean-wave equations. The results include a comparison between the original wave parameters used in the simulation and the values retrieved from the spectrum analysis.     

Sea trial of prototype Vertical Weight Stabilizer (VWS) anti-rolling system for small ships

Anti-rolling is an important technique for safety and efficient ship operation. In the era of sailing ships, rolling motions were not so severe compared to those of modern ships running by prime mover without sails, because the sail itself had a damping effect on rolling motion. After propeller driven ships exceeded sailing ships in number and performance, namely, from the end of the nineteenth century, many types of anti-rolling–related techniques were invented and developed, of both passive and active types. Recently (2009, 2010), as sea trials, we carried out proto-type experiments on an anti-rolling system and confirmed its effectiveness. The new concept utilizes the so-called Corioli’s effect, which appears in the rotational coordinate system. Usually, this effect is considered as virtual, but the real effect appears when a mass moves in the radial direction in a rotating coordinate system. In the case of ship rolling, the vertical motion of a mass generates Corioli’s force to finally generate anti-rolling moment. This is the reason the system was named Vertical Weight Stabilizer (VWS). This new system was invented in 1998 by Hirayama, and confirmed by the model experiments in a towing tank. Numerical simulations were carried out by the Sea and Air Control System laboratory of Yokohama National University, but the actual system could not be realized, because we could not find an appropriate actuator. The key technology for the success of the current sea experiment is the powerful, high-speed, compact actuator for the vertical movement of the weight. In this paper, we introduce this new concept by adopting a simple experiment, the control system with new actuator used in an actual sea experiment, and report on the successful results.