WO2009116702A1

WO2009116702A1 - Dredging monitoring system

Info

Publication number: WO2009116702A1
Application number: PCT/KR2008/002150
Authority: WO
Inventors: Man Soo Lee; Chan Hoo Jeon; Byung Won Han
Original assignee: Hyundai Engineering & Construction Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2008-03-19
Filing date: 2008-04-16
Publication date: 2009-09-24
Also published as: KR20090099929A

Abstract

The present invention relates to a dredging monitoring system, and more particularly, to a dredging monitoring system which effectively collects measurement data related to dredging through a real-time monitoring system, systemically databases the collected data, and analyzes the tendency of the measurement data and the correlation between the measurement data, thereby enhancing the efficiency of dredging. The dredging monitoring system, which collects and analyzes measurement data required for a dredging operation so as to control a dredger, includes a measuring instrument that is installed in a delivery pipe so as to measure the physical characteristics of a sediment-water mixture and the flow state of the mixture on a delivery path; a data logger that collects data measured by the measuring instrument; an integrated data collector that measures a current signal output from the data logger so as to integrate the measurement data; a field monitoring server that receives the measurement data collected by the integrated data collector through CDMA (code division multiple access) communication and then stores the data in a database; and an integrated measurement managing server that receives the measurement data stored in the field monitoring server through the Internet. The dredging monitoring system can systemically and integrally manage a variety of measurement data related to dredging through a ubiquitous network. Further, since the dredging monitoring system provides a dredging operation state and a monitoring result to dredging operators in real time, it is possible to respond to an emergency occurring while the dredger is operated.

Description

DREDGING MONITORING SYSTEM

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a dredging monitoring system, and more particularly, to a dredging monitoring system which effectively collects measurement data related to dredging through a real-time monitoring system, systemically databases the collected data, and analyzes the tendency of the measurement data and the correlation between the measurement data, thereby enhancing the efficiency of dredging.

[2]

Background Art

[3] Dredging refers to operation for excavating riverbeds or seabeds by gathering up soil or rocks accumulated on the bottom of the river or the coast. Recently, cutting-edge control technologies and IT technologies are introduced in the dredging industry, so automation, optimization, and digitization are underway in the industry. As a result, the technical gaps among companies are becoming larger.

[4] Dredging work is performed in the restricted and limited space of a dredger.

Therefore, it is difficult for project managers to analyze data related to the operation state of the dredger and delivery efficiency in real time, due to the spatial limit.

[5] To increase dredging efficiency, it is important to understand how dredging efficiency is changed when sediments are delivered from the dredger to final destinations through delivery pipes. In this case, the change should be monitored both on the dredger and on the ground simultaneously.

[6] The number of cases in which IT technology is applied to construction works is gradually increasing. In the dredging field, however, the optimization of dredging in which the performance and efficiency of a dredger are considered has not been attempted yet though a large number of dredging works have been performed for a long period of time, The optimization of dredging is important in terms of cost and operation quantity of dredging work.

[7] In conventional dredging monitoring, monitoring is performed only in limited space of a dredger, and monitoring of ground delivery pipes has not been carried out yet. Accordingly, there has been a constant need for the development of an integrated monitoring system which can check the accumulation of data, the delivery state of the dredger and the ground delivery pipe in real time, for increasing dredging efficiency.

[8] As a result, there is a demand for systems which can effectively collect, analyze, and manage a variety of measurement data on the sediments which are delivered from a dredger through a ground delivery pipe. [9]

Disclosure of Invention

Technical Problem

[10] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is the object of the present invention to provide a dredging monitoring system which can minimize the time taken for delivering a monitoring result of measurement data, can remove difficulties in spatial access for collecting measurement data, can standardize a monitoring program, and can deliver a decision in real time.

[H]

Technical Solution

[12] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the above and other objects can be accomplished by the provision of a dredging monitoring system which collects and analyzes measurement data required for dredging operation so as to control a dredger, the dredging monitoring system comprising: a measuring instrument that is installed in a delivery pipe so as to measure the physical characteristics of a sediment- water mixture and the flow state of the mixture on a delivery path; a data logger that collects data measured by the measuring instrument; an integrated data collector that measures a current signal output from the data logger so as to integrate the measurement data; a field monitoring server that receives the measurement data collected by the integrated data collector through CDMA (code division multiple access) communication and then stores the data in a database; and an integrated measurement managing server that receives the measurement data stored in the field monitoring server through the Internet.

[13] The measuring instrument may include a densimeter which measures the density of the mixture flowing in the delivery pipe; a flowmeter which measures the flow rate of the mixture flowing in the delivery pipe; and a manometer which measures the pressure of the mixture flowing in the delivery pipe.

[14] The dredging monitoring system further comprises an information and communication terminal that performs wireless communication with the integrated measurement managing server so as to deliver an instruction signal for controlling the dredger and downloads the data stored in the integrated measurement managing server. The integrated data collector may include an SMS (short message service) unit which transmits an emergency message to a mobile terminal of a manager, and the integrated measurement managing server may replicate the measurement data stored in the database of the field monitoring server and then store the data.

[15] The information and communication terminals may include a PC, a notebook computer, or a PDA (personal digital assistant). [16] The database may include a data storing unit that stores measuring instrument setting information and the measurement data; and a connection setting unit that connects the data storing unit to a dredging monitoring program and stores the transmission and reception information of the measuring instrument, the positional information of the measuring instrument, alarm log information, and manager information.

[17] The dredging monitoring system may further comprise a GPS receiver that is attached to the dredger and receives a GPS signal from a satellite so as to calculate a positional value according to a relative positioning method.

[18]

Advantageous Effects

[19] According to the present invention, the dredging monitoring system can systemically and integrally manage a variety of measurement data related to dredging through a ubiquitous network.

[20] Further, since the dredging monitoring system provides a dredging operation state and a monitoring result to dredging operators in real time, it is possible to respond to an emergency occurring while the dredger is operated.

[21] Further, by utilizing the database related to the dredging operation, the dredging monitoring system can improve an existing dredging method such that the dredging method is suitable for the performance of a dredger, and can evaluate and analyze operation efficiency while the dredger is operated.

[22]

Brief Description of Drawings

[23] The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[24] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a dredger of a dredging monitoring system according to an embodiment of the invention;

[25] FIG. 2 is a diagram partially showing the construction of the dredger of FIG. 1; and

[26] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the construction of the dredging monitoring system according to an embodiment of the invention.

[27]

Best Mode for Carrying out the Invention

[28] Hereinafter, a dredging monitoring system, according to an embodiment of the present invention, will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[29] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a dredger of a dredging monitoring system according to an embodiment of the invention, and FIG. 2 is a diagram partially showing the construction of the dredger of FIG. 1. [30] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the dredger 102 includes a cutter 104, a rudder 106, a delivery pipe 108, and a measuring instrument 110.

[31] The cutter 104 digs up sediments accumulated on the bottom of river or coast and finely pulverizes the sediments such that the sediments can be delivered through the delivery pipe 108.

[32] A pump 190 adjusts the suction amount and velocity of a sediment- water mixture which is delivered through the delivery pipe 108, depending on the electrical power applied from a power plant (not shown).

[33] The rudder 106 is a structure on which the cutter 104, a suction pipe (not shown), and a swing sieve (not shown) can be installed, at the front portion of the dredger 102. The cutter 104 is installed on the front end of the rudder 106. The dredging pump 190 is installed near the suction pipe. When the cutter 104 is rotated so as to perform digging, sediments and water are sucked by the dredging pump 190.

[34] The measuring instrument 110 is installed in the delivery pipe 108 so as to measure the physical characteristics of the sediment- water mixture and the flow state of the mixture on a delivery path. The measuring instrument 110 may include a densimeter 112, a flowmeter 114, and a manometer 116 which respectively measure the density, flow rate, and pressure of the mixture flowing in the delivery pipe 108.

[35] A data logger 120 primarily collects the data measured by the measuring instrument

110.

[36] The collection, analysis, and management of the measurement data will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 3.

[37] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the construction of the dredging monitoring system according to an embodiment of the invention.

[38] Referring to FIG. 3, the dredging monitoring system 100 according to the invention includes the measuring instrument 110, the data logger 120, an integrated data collector 130, a field monitoring server 140, and an integrated measurement managing server 150. In addition, the dredging monitoring system 100 selectively includes an information and communication terminal 160 and/or a GPS receiver 170.

[39] As described above, the measuring instrument 110 measures the physical characteristics of the sediment- water mixture and the flow state of the mixture on a delivery path, and may include the densimeter 112, the flowmeter 114, and the manometer 116. Depending on the diameter and length of the delivery pipe 108, a plurality of measuring instruments 110 may be installed along the length direction of the delivery pipe 108.

[40] The densimeter 112 may be a radioactive densimeter and uses a radioactive isotope so as to measure the amount of sediments which is mixed with water and is delivered through the delivery pipe 108. [41] The radioactive densimeter performs measurement on the basis of a physical characteristic where the intensity of gamma rays emitted from a radioactive isotope decreases depending on the density of a material existing in the measurement interval and the length of the material where the gamma rays are transmitted.

[42] The radioactive densimeter is manufactured in consideration of the specifications and material of the delivery pipe 108, is not affected by the kind of sediments, and continuously measures the density of the mixture while having no effect upon the delivery pipe 108 or the flow of the mixture.

[43] The flowmeter 114 may be a magnetic flowmeter or ultrasonic flowmeter.

[44] The magnetic flowmeter is based on the Faraday's law of electromagnetic induction, and the flow rate is measured as follows. When a DC voltage is applied to a coil, a magnetic field is generated in the delivery pipe 108. At this time, when a mixture with conductivity passes through the delivery pipe, in which the magnetic field has been generated, at right angle, a voltage proportional to the average flow rate or velocity of the fluid is induced through an electrode, and is measured by two electrodes.

[45] The ultrasonic flowmeter is a clamp-on type flowmeter which is attached to the outside of the delivery pipe 108. Two ultrasonic sensors are installed in upstream and downstream sides, and the flow rate of fluid is measured through a time difference of ultrasonic waves detected by two sensors.

[46] The manometer 116 may be a bridge-type manometer.

[47] The data measured by the measuring instrument 110 are collected by the individual data loggers 120. Then, the respective data loggers 120 transmit the collected data to the integrated data collector 130.

[48] The measurement data which are primarily collected by the data loggers 120 are used for calculating an optimal delivery condition. The optimal delivery condition is calculated considering delivery critical velocity, power consumption relationship, relationship between delivered amount and output, delivery operation range, delivery consumption time, delivery cost, and so on.

[49] The integrated data collector 130 measures current signals which are commonly output from the respective data loggers 120 installed in the dredger 102 and/or the ground delivery pipe 108. That is, as the integrated data collector 130 measures the current signals transmitted from the data loggers 120, the integrated data collector 130 integrally manages information on the states of density, flow rate, pressure, and so on.

[50] Meanwhile, the measurement data transmitted from the data loggers 120 are not limited to the information on density, flow rate, and pressure. A variety of measurement data, such as information on velocity measured by a tachometer (not shown) and information on a pressure difference measured by a differential manometer 180, which are required for controlling the dredger 102, can be transmitted. [51] The integrated data collector 130 can use up to four channels, and can measure a current ranging from 4 mA to 20 mA. The measurement data collected by the integrated data collector 130 can be checked through a monitor such as an LCD connected to the integrated data collector 130, and can be downloaded to a PC through RS-232 communication.

[52] Further, the measurement data can be remotely controlled or downloaded through

CDMA communication (TCP/IP protocol), if necessary.

[53] Meanwhile, the integrated data collector 130 includes an SMS unit 132. When a state of emergency such as an excess of reference value or lack of power occurs, the SMS unit 132 transmits an emergency message to the information and communication terminal 160 of a manager, for example, a mobile terminal.

[54] The field monitoring server 140 receives the measurement data collected by the integrated data collector 130 through CDMA communication and then stores the measurement data in a database 142.

[55] The database 142 may include a connection setting unit 144 and a data storing unit

146.

[56] The connection setting unit 144 connects the dredging monitoring program to the data storing unit 146, and the data storing unit 146 stores the transmission and reception information of the measuring instrument, the positional information of the measuring instrument, alarm log information, and manager information.

[57] Table 1 shows the detailed descriptions of the information.

[58] Table 1

[Table 1] [Table ]

[59] [60] The data storing unit 146 stores measuring instrument setting information and measurement data. Specifically, the data storing unit 146 may include project information, site information, section information, measuring instrument type information, and measuring instrument information.

[61] Table 2 shows the detailed descriptions of the information. [62] Table 2

[Table 2] [Table ]

[63] [64] The measurement data stored in the field monitoring server 140 is transmitted to the integrated measurement managing server 150 through the Internet. The integrated measurement managing server 150 replicates the measurement data stored in the database 142 of the field monitoring server 140 and then stores and manages the data. Further, the integrated measurement managing server 150 processes user requests made through the Internet such that the information can be shared.

[65] A manager program of the integrated measurement managing server 150 has access to the field monitoring server 140 through the Internet so as to modify the mea- surement data. Further, the manager program controls the data loggers 120.

[66] The integrated measurement managing server 150 can be operated in connection with a dredging monitoring web site. On the dredging monitoring web site, monitoring report, consulting data, dredger information, dredging field information for each project as well as the measurement data are published through a web service. As the overall information of the project is supplied to users through the Internet, the dredging monitoring web site provides a community for rapid and accurate sharing of communication and information among project operators.

[67] When a value measured by a measuring instrument 110 exceeds the reference value, the integrated measurement server 150 transmits an alarm message to the information and communication terminal 160 such that a safety measure can be established immediately.

[68] The information and communication terminal 160 performs wireless communication with the integrated measurement managing server 150 so as to deliver an instruction signal for controlling the dredger 102. Further, the information and communication terminal 160 can download the data stored in the integrated managing server 150. The type of the information and communication terminal 160 is not specially limited. For example, the information and communication terminal 160 may be a PC, a notebook computer, or a PDA.

[69] The GPS receiver 170, which is attached to the dredger 102, receives a GPS signal from a satellite (not shown) so as to calculate a positional value according to a relative positioning method. Then, the GPS receiver 170 transmits the positional value to the data logger 120.

[70] In relation to the GPS receiver 170, DGPS (differential global positioning system) uses the relative positioning method in which correction is performed based on the error included in data measured at a reference point and the data actually measured at a position away from the reference point.

[71] That is, an error component is detected by comparing the positional data of the reference point with the positional data measured by using the GPS receiver 170.

[72] The error included in a measured value at a position 100-200 km away from the reference point is similar to the error of the reference point. Therefore, as the error component of the reference point is removed from the measurement data, the precision of the measured position is significantly improved. At this time, to transmit the error information by which data is to be corrected at the reference point, a carrier system or a data link is used.

[73] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims. [74]

Industrial Applicability

[75] According to the present invention, a real-time monitoring system can be constructed in a dredger and a ground delivery pipe so as to construct a ubiquitous network.

Claims

[1] A dredging monitoring system which collects and analyzes measurement data required for dredging operation so as to control a dredger, the dredging monitoring system comprising: a measuring instrument that is installed in a delivery pipe so as to measure the physical characteristics of a sediment- water mixture and the flow state of the mixture on a delivery path; a data logger that collects data measured by the measuring instrument; an integrated data collector that measures current signal output from the data logger so as to integrate the measurement data; a field monitoring server that receives the measurement data collected by the integrated data collector through CDMA (code division multiple access) communication and then stores the data in a database; and an integrated measurement managing server that receives the measurement data stored in the field monitoring server through the Internet.

[2] The dredging monitoring system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the measuring instrument includes: a densimeter which measures the density of the mixture flowing in the delivery pipe; a flowmeter which measures the flow rate of the mixture flowing in the delivery pipe; and a manometer which measures the pressure of the mixture flowing in the delivery pipe.

[3] The dredging monitoring system as set forth in claim 1, further comprising: an information and communication terminal that performs wireless communication with the integrated measurement managing server so as to deliver an instruction signal for controlling the dredger and download the data stored in the integrated measurement managing server, wherein the integrated data collector includes an SMS (short message service) unit which transmits an emergency message to a mobile terminal of a manager, and the integrated measurement managing server replicates the measurement data stored in the database of the field monitoring server and then stores the data.

[4] The dredging monitoring system as set forth in claim 3, wherein the information and communication terminal is a PC, a notebook computer, or a PDA (personal digital assistant).

[5] The dredging monitoring system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the database includes: a data storing unit that stores measuring instrument setting information and the measurement data; and a connection setting unit that connects the data storing unit to a dredging monitoring program and stores the transmission and reception information of the measuring instrument, the positional information of the measuring instrument, alarm log information, and manager information.