Control Applications News

Automation, where routine tasks are handled by machines, has been talked about throughout maritime sectors for much of the 21st Century. Initially touted by suppliers of engine room and bridge management systems for its cost savings (with reduced manning levels), its value proposition was then infused with risk management (reduced human error) and remote operations, where vessels could be managed from a shoreside control room. In early 2017, Rolls Royce —an early proponent of unmanned operations—teamed with tug operator Svitzer on a remotely operated vessel…

Trelleborg has acquired Signum Technology Ltd. The acquisition of Signum and its subsidiary companies Gall Thomson, KLAW LNG, KLAW Products, and Vee Bee Filtration., provides safety-critical solutions for flow control applications, including Marine Breakaway Couplings (MBCs) and safety solutions for LNG transfer systems.The move is part of Trelleborg’s strategy to strengthen its position as a system provider in oil and gas market segments, such as ship-to-ship and ship-to-shore LNG transfer.Signum Technology is headquartered in Wiltshire…

Leslie Controls, a CIRCOR International brand, and a worldwide manufacturer of valves for the power generation, industrial, marine and oil and gas markets for over a century, features its K-Max Eccentric Plug Rotary Control Valve, one of the most versatile and robust valves of its type. The K-Max incorporates the cam-action, low-friction plug operation that provides tight shutoff over a long service life in a variety of flow control applications, including high and low-pressure steam systems; clean, dirty, and corrosive liquids and gasses; and erosive and abrasive slurries.

Thomas Chance founded C & C Technologies in his home in 1992. Today C & C is a global oil field surveying and mapping company with more than 550 employees in ten offices worldwide. C & C was the first company in the world to offer autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) survey services to the oil industry and remains a world leader in the field. In April of 2015, he sold C & C Technologies to Oceaneering International. Complementing the autonomous underwater vehicle business, Mr. Chance started Autonomous Surface Vehicles, Ltd., or ASV, in 2010. ASV has 140 employees, four offices across the globe and has built more than 100 state-of-the-art unmanned boats for the defense and commercial sectors.

Wärtsilä has acquired Guidance Marine Limited, a technology leader within the marine industry for sensor solutions relating to dynamic positioning and other vessel control systems, such as collision avoidance and remote control operations. Wärtsilä said it is committed to providing technologies needed to enhance “intelligent” shipping, whereby digital solutions will improve the efficiency, safety and profit earning capabilities. According to Wärtsilä, the acquisition of Guidance Marine will enhance its capabilities in the areas essential for more intelligent vessel navigation such as situational awareness and near-field measurement.

Optidrive E3 variable frequency drives (VFDs) from Invertek Drives have completely automated the control of pumps used to fill and empty ballast tanks on board commercial barges in the Netherlands. As well as a faster and more reliable filling and emptying process, operators of commercial vessels that use VFD controlled ballast pumps also benefit from less fuel and energy consumption, which also saves money. Automated control of the tanks mean they are emptied as soon as the excess weight is not needed which reduces drag…

Cruden is unveiling its new high speed boat simulator at the 7th HSBO Forum (Lisbon, May 4-6). Using detailed modelling and motion cueing techniques, as well as professional image generation developed in the automotive and motorsport industries (including Formula 1TM), the simulator is designed to set a new training standard for offshore, coastguard, naval, search and rescue, and security and control applications. The simulator was developed with data gathered from the Dutch military on its fast interceptor vessels and Florida powerboat specialists.

Comark, a designer and manufacturer of rugged computer and display solutions for the marine and military markets, has completed full environmental testing of its new 15” Military HMI, including MIL-901D Grade A lightweight shock testing. The 15” HMI is a sealed and fanless computer display unit developed for DDG 51 Machinery Control Applications. As with all Comark products, this new 15” HMI is designed with the latest technology, including current Core i5 processors, an LED backlit display, a rugged IR touchscreen, and integrated speaker.

iXBlue now offers its customers a five-year free warranty on QUADRANS, the latest gyrocompass manufactured by iXBlue. This product is based on the new 50 mm diameter fiber optic gyroscope (FOG50) developed internally by iXBlue. According to iXBlue, this product benefits from the company’s research and development’s constant effort to improve performance and to increase the already unrivaled reliability of our products. This effort also relies on our unique experience of more than 30 million hours’ operation for iXBlue FOG in very demanding environments such as offshore or space markets.

Growing reliance on DP technology, a burgeoning global market and the focus on offshore safety means that DP capabilities are no longer optional. The requirement for Dynamic Positioning (DP) capabilities on offshore tonnage is growing in leaps and bounds; directly related to the offshore drilling boom in many parts of the globe. And, says Michael C. Ford, Vice President of Commercial Operations for L-3 Dynamic Positioning and control Systems, “The global market is larger than you would think. For every rig out there, 7 to 8 OSV’s and 2 construction vessels are needed to service that operation. In the next few years, it will involve at least $200 million USD in DP investment.” Ford goes on to say that offshore operations, as a minimum, now demand DP1 capabilities.

Iridium Communications Inc. (Nasdaq: IRDM), today unveiled the world’s smallest, commercial, two-way satellite data transceiver – the Iridium® 9603. Announced at International CTIA Wireless 2012, the Iridium 9603 is a data module designed for embedding into machine-to-machine (M2M) solutions for remote asset tracking, monitoring and alarming in defense, government, enterprise and consumer markets where existing larger transceivers could not fit. “With the 9603, Iridium is disrupting the global M2M market by becoming relevant to new customer segments such as personnel tracking for consumers and governments as well as fleet, vehicle and heavy equipment tracking and monitoring,” said Joel Thompson, vice president, product management, Iridium.

MagnaShear oil shear motor brakes and Positorq oil shear winch tension control brakes from Force Control Industries are ideal for marine applications because they eliminate normal maintenance and adjustment, operate smoothly, and last up to 10-times longer than standard brakes. High grade castings, marine duty coatings, stainless steel fasteners and accessories make these brakes the ideal solution for onshore and offshore marine applications. Their varied ship-board and in-port applications include use on anchor winches…

A new generation of diving support vessels (DSVs) is providing challenges for inspectors. The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) recognises that certain new-build DSVs, some of which are on, or shortly due to come onto, the market, have diving systems using programmable logic control (PLC) technology to control applications of their saturation diving systems. “The introduction of these new control systems could have a significant impact on the application of ‘Diving Equipment Systems Inspection Guidance Note (DESIGN) for Saturation (Bell) Diving Systems’ (IMCA D 024),” explained Jane Bugler, IMCA’s Technical Director. “We have engaged consultants to help take this issue forward and to help produce IMCA guidance for use by both contractor and client members.

Jo-Kell Inc., an electrical distribution and engineering company, is now an authorized distributor of N-TRON, a company who develops, manufactures, and markets industrial network products. N-TRON’s products are used in a wide variety of applications including wind farms, waster water treatment plants, nuclear power plants, solar energy, treatment plants, maritime, transportation, process control, and security and surveillance and process control applications.

Leica Geosystems and NovAtel Inc. have entered an agreement to develop new technologies for global positioning systems (GPS). This is particularly relevant for equipment that will be based on the new upcoming Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS). In the mid-eighties Leica Geosystems was one of the first companies to develop and market GPS surveying systems. NovAtel, founded in 1978, also has the reputation of being one of the most successful innovators of advanced concepts in GPS technologies. These include significant contributions to the development of Satellite Based Augmentation Systems (SBAS) such as WAAS, MSAS and EGNOS.

Azonix Corp.'s ProPanel line of industrial computers is being installed aboard CVN 68-USS Nimitz. In association with Henschel Corp. and Newport News Shipbuilding, ProPanel will be used to replace dial and gauge systems used in such critical applications as remote control of flight deck firefighting equipment and monitoring of navigation, ship control and meteorology systems. In engineering trials required for qualification in the Navy's COTS (commerical off-the-shelf) program, ProPanel was subjected to extremes of shock, electromagnetic radiation and humidity. Trials included the U.S. Navy's barge test, where depth charges were detonated under a 20 x 60 ft. steel barge, holding panel- and wall-mounted ProPanels.

Marotta Scientific Controls, Inc. has been awarded a contract from General Dynamics, Electric Boat Division, for valves on two Ohio Class submarines that will be converted to multi-mission platforms, optimized for covert strike and special operations support. The contract value is $3.2 million with an option for another $3.3 Million for two additional conversions in 2003 & 2004. The U.S. of the Ohio Class Submarines, each of which currently carries 24 ballistic missiles. The conversion will replace the ballistic missiles with 154 Tomahawk guided missiles. Electric Boat has been awarded the contract to perform the design and long lead time material procurement for this conversion.