GB2446239A

GB2446239A - Auto wiring system

Info

Publication number: GB2446239A
Application number: GB0718395A
Authority: GB
Inventors: In-Ho Song; Chong-Ho Kwak
Original assignee: GEN MARINE BUSINESS Inc
Current assignee: GEN MARINE BUSINESS Inc
Priority date: 2006-10-17
Filing date: 2006-12-04
Publication date: 2008-08-06
Anticipated expiration: 2026-12-04
Also published as: WO2008047972A1; GB0718395D0; GB2446239B; KR100706845B1

Abstract

Disclosed is a ship shore auto communication connection system comprising: an input unit 100 configured to receive information on an LNG terminal from a user", a controller 200 configured to electrically control drive of the input unit 100 and an operation unit 300; and the operation unit 300 configured to automatically change and connect mutual wires on an LNG ship side and an LNG terminal side in a contact less semiconductor relay driving mode according to the command of the controller 200. According to the present invention, once a user of the system selects a port (terminal) to enter, the system automatically arranges a connector corresponding to the port and the relevant pins to change and connect mutual wires on a ship side and a port side, thereby considerably solving inconvenience caused by the conventional manual wiring.

Description

I

AUTO WIRING SYSTEM

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a communication technology between a ship and a port, and more particularly, a ship shore auto communication connection system that can automatically arrange a connector corresponding to the selected port and its relevant pins to change and connect mutual wires on a ship side and a port side, when a port to enter is selected in a ship.

Background Art

A ship shore communication system (SSCS) comprises a connector on each of a ship side and a shore side in order to connect Hotphone, Interphones, Publicphones, ESD and Test Signal to a ship and a shore (a port or a terminal) However, the type of a supported connector varies according to the port, and a pin of the connector is differently arranged, and thus a connector suitable for the port has been selected in the ship and the pin according to the connector has been manually adjusted one by one.

For example, an LJNG ship approaches an LNG terminal in the world to perform loading/unloading. In this time, the type of an electric connector varies according to each terminal, and types of an electric connector, as currently used, are Vantage 37 way connector (Pyle compatible), Miyaki 6 way connector, and ITT Cannon 13 way connector. The Vantage 37 way connector comprises 37 pins; the Miyaki 6 way connector comprises 6 pins; and the ITT Cannon 13 way connector comprises 13 pins. Moreover, even if the same Vantage 37 way connector is used, the disposition of the pin is different according to the terminal. (Please note that the disposition of a pin in a ship is fixed as one.) Accordingly, when the ship approaches the port, there has been no choice but to manually change mutual 4- .,1 w 4---4--.L-1 - ..,y L/SLe.1.1 a L e.. . . L. s... e S,.as..,.g_ s. S s communication between the ship and the port.

Disclosure of the Invention

Technical Problem The present invention has been suggested to solve the above-mentioned problem, and an objective of the present invention is to provide a ship shore auto communication wiring system that can automatically arrange a connector corresponding to the selected port and its relevant pin to change and connect mutual wires on a ship side and a port side, when a port to enter is selected in a ship, a system.

Technical Solution In order to accomplish the above-mentioned objective, there is provided a ship shore auto communication system, which comprises, an input unit configured to receive information on an LNG terminal from a user; a controller 200 configured to electrically control drive of the input unit 100 and an operation unit 300; and the operation unit 300 configured to automatically change and connect mutual wires on an LNG ship side and an LMG terminal side in a contactiess semiconductor relay driving mode according to the command of the controller 200.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the constituents of a ship shore auto communication wiring system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

An input unit 100 receives information on an LNG terminal from a user. It is desirable that the input unit 100 comprise a flush mounting computer having a touch screen, which enables a user to easily and simply input information in the system.

The input unit 100 inputs various information on a terminal, such as the name of an LNG terminal, the type of a connector, the location and number of a pin, and others. Since the type of the connector and the location and number of the pin vary according to the LNG terminal, such information is inputted in the system in advance so as to enable the system to automatically perform connection work between the ship and the shore according to the stored information when the LNG ship approaches the terminal. This will be explained below.

Meanwhile, the input unit 100 particularly comprises: a data login unit 110 configured to input various information on an LNG termina1 and a diagnosis unit 120 configured to inform a user of a message on the drive status of the system.

A user of the system can perform various works, such as establishing, storing, importing from a file, modifying, and deleting various information on the LNG terminal, through the data login unit 110.

The data diagnosis unit 120 displays the relevant message on a monitor by distinguishing the cases where a system is in an initial state, under a test mode, under a normal operation, and in error. Accordingly, the user can grasp the operation state of the system at a glance in real time and can immediately take a measure when a problem is generated.

The controller 200 electrically controls the drive of the input unit 100 and the operation unit 300. It is desirable that the controller 200 be designed and manufactured in a printed circuit board (PCB).

The controller 200 may includes a main control board 210 configured to assign information to display the content of the data on the monitor after analyzing the data inputted from the input unit 100 and to output a signal to control the concerned relay board when there is a relay drive command in the content of the data; a VGA drive board 220 configured to display the display information received from the main control board 210 on the monitor; a relay control board 230 configured to provide relay ON/OFF information to be finally driven after selecting the relay board corresponding to the wire group; a relay board 240 configured to drive a final vertical relay corresponding to the information inputted from the relay control board 230 and to accommodate 80 relays (160 circuits) per board; and a bus line board 250 that has a common data line for various control signals between the relay board and other card type boards and attaches a card slot.

The operation unit 300 automatically changes and contacts mutual wires on an LNG side and an LNG terminal side according to the command of the controller 200.

The operation unit 300 comprises an LNG ship side wire connection unit 310 configured to connect a wire on an LNG ship side; a LNG terminal side wire connection unit 320 configured to connect a wire on an LNG terminal side; and a semiconductor relay 330 configured to automatically change and connect mutual wires on the LNG ship side and the LJNG terminal side to each other in a contactiess semiconductor relay driving mode.

In outputting a relay from a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) sequence, when a point of contact frequently opens and closes due to the limited mechanical lifetime, the semiconductor relay 330 uses a contactiess SSR output that is exclusively used for AC power, or a transistor output that is exclusively used for DC power. In this case, the semiconductor relay 330 switches the contractiess SSR output or the transistor output.

The PLC is a control device having a high autonomy, wherein a program control is available by substituting the function of a relay control panel, such as a relay timer and a counter within the conventionally used control panel, for a semiconductor device, such as an LSI and a transistor, and by adding a numerical computation function to a basic sequence control function, and a logic can be performed while scanning beginning and end of a program.

The semiconductor relay unit 330 is a contactiess relay having no mechanical contact structure. A switching of the semiconductor relay 330 is performed under the state of a case with molded resin by use of a switching semiconductor device. As compared with a magnet relay in a contact relay type, which is a completely solidified electronic relay and performs a mechanic operation by an electromagnetic force, the semiconductor relay has superior advantages, such as a high credibility, a less noise, a small size, a prompt responsiveness and no mechanical vibration. Since the semiconductor relay 330 is made by introducing a conventional contactiess relay type, more detailed explanation thereon will be omitted.

The semiconductor relay 330 mutually connects various pins on an LNG ship side and an LNG terminal side in a contactiess semiconductor relay drive mode based on various information inputted by a user, where instructions are provided by the controller 300. That is, if a user inputs the name of an LNG terminal to approach in the input unit 100 on the system according to the present invention (or selects the concerned LNG terminal among several LNG terminals stored in the system in advance) and provides a command to execute connection between the LNG ship side and the LJNG terminal side, the controller 300 instructs the user's command to the semiconductor relay 330. In this case, the semiconductor relay 330 changes a wire on the LNG ship side that corresponds to the connector type of the inputted LNG terminal and the location and number of the pin and mutually connects various pins on the LNG ship side and the LNG terminal side in a contactiess semiconductor relay drive mode.

Thus, the system can automatically perform a wire work within a short time without the need of a user's manual connection of various pins on the LNG ship side and the LNG terminal side one by one. Of course, when the user wishes to approach other LNG terminal, the work can easily be performed by inputting the name of the concerned LNG terminal and executing the system.

Meanwhile, the system may further comprise a manual relay box 400 to manually connect wires on the LNG ship side and the LNG terminal side to each other for the case where an auto connection is not possible or an urgent manual connection is required.

Working Effect of the Invention As described above, according to the present invention, once a user of the system selects a port (terminal) to be entered, the system automatically arranges a connector corresponding to the port and the relevant pins to change and connect mutual wires on a ship side and a port side to each other. Accordingly, inconvenience caused by the conventional manual connection can be considerably solved.

Brief Description of the Drawings

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the constituents of a ship shore auto communication wiring system; FIG. 2 shows an entire screen of the monitor including an input unit; FIG. 3 shows a monitor screen in a system error; FIG. 4 shows a process that a user logs into the system; FIGS. 5 to 7 show processes of inputting (or correcting) various information on an LNG terminal to the input unit; FIG. 8 shows a process of deleting various information on a terminal; and FIGS. 9 to 11 show processes of executing the system.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

As described above, a ship shore auto communication connection system according to the present invention comprises an input unit 100 configured to receive information on an LNG terminal from a user; a controller 200 configured to electrically control drive of the input unit 100 and an operation unit 300; and an operation unit 300 configured to automatically change and connect mutual wires on an LNG ship side and an LG terminal side in a contactiess semiconductor relay driving mode according to the command of the controller in performing an optical communication between an LNG ship and an LNG terminal.

FIG. 2 shows an entire screen of the monitor comprising an input unit 100.

"A" shows the name of the currently connected terminal and the connector type. "B" shows information on the number of a pin set by a user. "C" shows a port number of the currently connected communication port (RS232) . "D" corresponds to a diagnosis unit 120 and shows the current status of the system. It is desirable that the message displayed in "D" enable a user to recognize various status of the system as easily as possible.

For exattple, as a message on executing a system, a message "(Execute) Execute Success" is displayed when a system normally responds, and a message box "(Execute) AWS wiring is failed. Please check AWS H/N" is displayed on the screen along with a message "(Execute) Received data failed" when a system is in error. Further, when a system does not respond, a message box "(Execute) AWS wiring is failed. Please check cable or H/N On/Off" is displayed on the screen along with a message "(Execute) Check the H/N Device." As a message on a system state, a message "(System) System Initialized" is displayed when a system is in an initial state, and a message "(System) Test Mode" when a system is in a test mode. Meanwhile, under a normal operation of a system, Connector a message "(System) Pyle National" is displayed when an H/W is currently connected by Pyle National; a message "(system) Miyaki" is displayed when an H/W is currently connected by Miyaki Connector; and a message "(System) ITT-Cannon" is displayed when an H/W is currently connected by ITT-Cannon Connector. Further, a message "(System) Miyaki + ITTOCannon" is displayed when an H/W is currently connected by Miyaki + ITT-Cannon Connector.

Meanwhile, when a system is in error, a message box "(Execute) AWS wiring is failed. Please check AWS H/W" is displayed on the screen along with a message "(System) System error," as shown in FIG. 3. When a system does not respond, a message box "(Execute) AWS wiring is failed. Please check cable or H/W On/Off" is displayed on the screen along with a message "(System) Check the H/W Device." FIG. 4 shows a process that a user logs into a system.

Upon clicking a Login button on the input unit 100 monitor, Login Dialog' window is displayed. There are two types in Login, i.e., a top level and a medium level. All rights are included in a top level and an add terminal and an update terminal are excluded from a medium level. Each level is selected by clicking Radio button displayed on the upper circle in FIG. 4, and Login is performed after inputting a password. A password can be changed by inputting the currently used password and a new password and pressing a Change Password.

FIGS. 5 to 7 show processes of inputting (or correcting) various information on an LNG terminal.

Referring to FIG. 5, a user inputs the LNG terminal name in the input unit 100 by clicking Insert button after inputting the terminal name on a screen.

Referring to FIG. 6, a connector type is selected by clicking the connector type set by a user. The example shows a case of selecting Miyaki.

Finally, a user can complete a process of inputting information on an LNG terminal by clicking Insert button after inputting the number of the inputted pin after clicking the location of the inputted pin, as shown in FIG. 7. The user presses a save button after completing all input.

FIG. 8 shows a process of deleting various information on a terminal. This embodiment shows a scene of deleting a terminal, where a Dialog box is displayed by clicking Delete button after selecting a terminal to be deleted, and the selected terminal is deleted from My Terminal list by clicking "Yes." FIGS. 9 to 11 show processes of executing the system. An Execute command in FIG. 9 delivers information on a terminal, which is currently under display, to the controller 200. After a user inputs "Yes," when a controller 200 normally responds, a message "(Execute) Execution succeed" is displayed, as shown in FIG. 10. After this message is displayed, a message on Connection is then delivered. In the example, information on Miyaki Connector is delivered to the controller 200. When there is a normal response to the command on the connector type, a message "(Type) Received OK" is displayed, as shown in FIG. 11.

The foregoing embodiments are merely exemplary, and many alternatives, modifications and variations within the scope of the essentials of the present invention will be apparent to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains.

Accordingly, the examples disclosed in the present invention and attached drawings are provided not to limit, but to explain the technical feature of the present invention. The technical feature of the present invention is not limited by these examples and attached drawings. The scope of protection for the present invention should be interpreted based on the claims below and all of the technical features within the equivalent scope should be interpreted to be included in the scope of the present invention.

Industrial Applicability

According to the present invention, once the port to enter is selected in the ship, the system automatically arranges the connector corresponding to the port. and its relevant pins to change and connect mutual wires on the ship side and the port side, and therefore inconvenience caused by the conventional manual connection can be considerably solved.

Accordingly, if the present invention is widely used in ship shore communication technology field, its practical and economic value can be accomplished.

Claims

Claims 1. A ship shore auto communication connection system comprising:

an input unit configured to receive information on an LNG terminal from a user; a controller configured to electrically control drive of the input unit and an operation unit; and the operation unit configured to automatically change and connect mutual wires on an LNG ship side and an LNG terminal side in a contactiess semiconductor relay driving mode according to the command of the controller in performing an optical communication between an LNG ship and an LNG terminal.
2. The ship shore auto communication connection system of claim 1, wherein the input unit comprises a flush mounting computer having a touch screen.
3. The ship shore auto communication connection system of claim 1, wherein information on an LNG terminal, at least the LNG terminal name, the connector type, and the location and number of a pin are inputted to the input unit.
4. The ship shore auto communication connection system of claim 1, wherein the input unit comprises a data login unit configured to input various information on an LNG terminal; and a diagnosis unit configured to inform a user of a message on the drive status of a system.
5. The ship shore auto communication connect-ion system of claim 4, wherein the data login unit 110 performs establishing, storing, importing from a file, modifying, and deleting various information on an LNG terminal.
6. The ship shore auto communication connection system of claim 4, wherein the diagnosis unit 120 displays the relevant message on a monitor by distinguishing the cases where a system is in an initial state, under a test mode, under a normal operation, and in error.
7. The ship shore auto communication connection system of claim 1, wherein the controller is designed and manufactured in a printed circuit board (PCB).
8. The ship shore auto communication connection system of claim 1, wherein the controller comprises: a main control board configured to assign information to display the content of the data on the monitor after analyzing the data inputted from the input unit 100 and to output a signal to control the corresponding relay board when there is a relay drive command in the content of the data; a VGA drive board configured to display the display information received from the main control board on the monitor; a relay control board configured to provide relay ON/OFF information to be finally driven after selecting the relay board corresponding to the wiring group; a relay board configured to drive the final vertical relay corresponding to the information inputted from the relay control board and to accommodate 80 relays (160 circuits) per board; and a bus line board that has a common data line for various control signals between the relay board and other card type boards and attaches a card slot.
9. The ship shore auto communication connection system of claim 1, wherein the operation unit comprises: an LNG ship side wire connection unit configured to connect a wire on an LNG ship side; an L,NG terminal side wire connection unit configured to connect a wire on an LNG terminal side; and a semiconductor relay configured to automatically change and connect mutual wires on the LNG ship side and the LNG terminal side to each other in a contactiess semiconductor relay driving mode.
10. The ship shore auto communication connection system of claim 1, further comprising a manual relay box configured to manually connect wires on the LNG ship side and the LNG terminal side to each other for the case where an auto wiring is not possible or an urgent manual connection is required.