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This page contains answers to common questions handled by our support
staff, along with some tips and tricks that we have found useful and presented here as
questions.
Note: In these answers we will follow a few shorthand conventions for
describing user-interface procedures. Key combinations will be presented like this: Ctrl+Alt+Delete,
which means that you should press and hold down the Control key, the Alt key, and the
Delete key at the same time. Menu selections will be presented like this: File->Open,
which means that you should open the File menu, and then make the Open selection.
- What is a Vessel Monitoring System?
- Why have a monitoring system?
- What are the main components of a monitoring system?
- How does it work?
- What is a PLC, and why use one?
- Why use off-the-shelf components?
- What can be monitored?
A Vessel Monitoring System monitors any shipboard systems, and provides configurable
high and low alarms for all parameters, while providing visual status indication of all
data that can be distributed throughout the vessel. A well designed monitoring
system provides immediate access to all critical information immediately from anywhere on
the vessel.
- Fully automatic alarming. Critical data (engines, generators, environmental, etc.)
can be monitored and high/low alarms set. Early detection of engine problems can
help avoid costly repair. Monitoring of environmental systems can help to insure the
comfort of all aboard. Early detection of a freezer or refrigeration problem can
avoid food spoilage.
- Immediate access to all critical information immediately from anywhere on the vessel.
The monitored data can be distributed throughout the vessel. The computer
display(s) can be connected to the CCTV system, or distributed through local area network
(LAN).
- Provide a clean and intuitive view of all instrumentation. All data can be easily
viewed at the helm, and much greater instrument density achieved when compared with
conventional instrumentation (gauges). This provides a clean, modern, "glass
bridge" look to the helm.
- Senders/Transducers. A sender or transducer converts input energy (temperature,
pressure, current) into an electrical signal.
- PLC Programmable Logic Controller. The PLC is a ruggedized device that can receive
electrical signals from transducers, make decisions based on an algorithm (program), and
output a response (sound an alarm, turn on a valve, etc.) Several PLCs can be
connected on a network so that they are close to the systems that they are controlling.
- Operator interface. The operator interface is the screen that the operator sees,
and where the data that the PLC acquires is displayed. There can be as many operator
interfaces as the application requires. The operator interface can be connected to
several PLCs, shipboard instruments (GPS, radar, etc.), and directly to modern electronic
engines and power management devices.
Data is acquired from the transducer by the PLC, from NMEA data sources, and directly
from electronic engines and generators. This data is displayed and monitored by the
operator interface computer.
PLC Programmable Logic Controller. The PLC is a ruggedized device that can
receive electrical signals from transducers, make decisions based on an algorithm
(program), and output a response (sound an alarm, turn on a valve, etc.) Several
PLCs can be connected on a network so that they are close to the systems that they are
controlling.
Commercially available components are typically better engineered, as well as less
expensive that "home-grown" proprietary components. Commercially available
components from established, well known manufacturers are produced in high volumes, and
the designs continuously improved translating into more customer value.
Product Availability. It is better to design a system around proven components,
from established manufacturers that are available world wide. If a proprietary
component of a system fails in 5 years, and the manufacturer is out of business, the
system may be scrap.
Any shhipboard system can be monitored. These may include ANY temperature,
pressure, level, flow, current, voltage, or any other type of measurement that can be
converted into an electrical signal.
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