Category: Kongsberg

VESSEL AUTOMATION SYSTEM K-Chief Automation System

Our latest generation K-Chief Automation System builds on 50 years of

experience in making safe, reliable and user friendly automation systems

focused on marine usage. K-Chief vessel automation offers the simplicity and

robustness of our merchant range coupled with the flexibility of our offshore

range ensuring a system suited for the challenging demands of shipyards, ship

owners and professional users world wide.

K-Chief  vessel automation system is fully integrated with other K-Line products

enabling a unified user experience, open inter-communication and reduced

cost of ownership.

Increased redundancy, performance and responsiveness, efficient operations

and reduced maintenance are some of the other benefits.

The built-in configuration tools enables system modifications, expansions and

upgrades throughout the life-time of the vessels.

Information management and remote connection

Through the information management system a wide variety of tools for op

erator efficiency are available, like the ability to monitor the system from crew

cabins. Computers connected to the ship network are able to access the infor

mation management system to use a range of analysis tools to monitor vessel

performance.

Historical storage of data, data export and powerful reporting tools are available.

The information management system allows for secure connection to the out

side world for exchange of information with the shore organization and remote

support from Kongsberg premises through a dedicated global secure network.

Sensitivity

Kongsberg Discovery has been developing satellite based AIS

receivers since 2010 and this space-based AIS technology

has strong focus on receiver sensitivity. The high sensitivity

performance has been incorporated in the AIS BS600. The

increased sensitivity exceeds the requirements in international

standards and regulations, and is an incredible enhancement

in terms of signal reception, greatly increasing the offered base

station range.

Efficient deployment

An integrated display and keyboard enables easy configuration

of essential parameters. Detailed setup can be carried out via the

web interface.

DGNSS correction distribution

The AIS BS600 is capable of broadcasting DGNSS corrections

through the standardized AIS message type 17. Hence, differential

corrections can be transmitted to all vessels which carries an AIS

mobile station if the vessel is located within the coverage area of

the base station. The AIS BS600 also supports RTCM via serial and

LAN interface.

Remote configuration and operation

The AIS BS600 has several serial interfaces and multiple Ethernet/

LAN interfaces, making it easy to connect the base station to other

equipment or data networks. From the AIS Service Management

Application Suite a single AIS BS600. or a network of base stations,

can be remotely operated and maintained. The AIS BS600

supports configuration and firmware upgrade via a web interface.

All base station functions can be configured and effectuated via

this interface.

Hot standby

In order to obtain a very high level of service and availability, a

redundant base station configuration can be established. Two AIS

BS600 units will operate autonomously in such a configuration

without any additional hardware. In case of an automatic change

in the redundancy configuration, the control centre will be notified.

Sensitivity

Kongsberg Discovery has been developing satellite based AIS

receivers since 2010 and this space-based AIS technology

has strong focus on receiver sensitivity. The high sensitivity

performance has been incorporated in the AIS BS600. The

increased sensitivity exceeds the requirements in international

standards and regulations, and is an incredible enhancement

in terms of signal reception, greatly increasing the offered base

station range.

The AIS BS600 is a product in the 4th generation AIS base station range

from Kongsberg Discovery. It has a built-in storage capability, a sensitivity

better than -115 dBm, a software defined radio (SDR) and the smooth

design of a 2U 19” rack mountable platform. The BS600 is designed and

tested in accordance with all relevant international standards including

IEC 62320-1/2 and ITU-R M.1371-5.

The AIS Base Station is the primary component in an AIS Physical

Shore Station (PSS), and therefore the most vital component in a

coastal AIS network. The AIS BS600 receives and communicates

AIS data from all AIS sources: AIS mobile stations, other AIS Base

Stations, AIS Aids to Navigation units and Search and Rescue units,

within the VHF coverage area.

The AIS system provides a valuable tool to increase the situation

awareness, the efficiency of operations and safety. Experience

shows that the workload for operators involved in vessel tracking

and monitoring, is considerably decreased after the introduction

of AIS. The base station test standard (IEC 62320-1) introduces two

variants of AIS base stations: dependent and independent. The AIS

BS600 supports both.

The Alarm and Command Panel (ALC) is a specially designed

operator panel for the K-Chief 600 Marine Automation System in the

bridge environment.

The panel layout is grouped into separate functional areas:

•  Alarms

•  Panel

•  Command

The Alarms group contains three lamps and three buttons which are

used to indicate, acknowledge and handle alarms and events.

The Panel group contains statuslamps. The Power lamp is lit green

when power is ON. The Fault lamp is lit red when a panel has

lost communication with the host computer.

The Command group contains three buttons. To open the command

control dialogue box easy and fast, use the CMD CTRL button. The 1 and

0 buttons allows the operator to start and stop pumps/valves/compressors in

an efficient way.

Alarm and Command Panel functions comprise:

•  Alarm and unacknowledged alarm indication

•  Remote sound off

•  Internal self-check with alarm

•  Power indication

•  Fault indication

•  Status LEDs, internal and external dimmable

•  Easy installation from the top of the console

•  I/O for interfaces

The built-in buzzer is used to generate a sound when a new alarm occurs.

The buzzer will also indicate other events, for example when power

is lost or during command control actions.

The Alarm and Command Panel is used in the bridge environment, and it

is therefore supplied with back light to be visible on a dimmed bridge.

To fully replace the standard Control Room Panel (CRP), which usually is

used in the Engine Control Room, an Integrated Navigation Panel (INP) has

to be added.

Key facts

The tunnel thruster is designed for giving max. sideforce to the ship in

manoeuvring condition.

The system normally contains of thruster unit with tunnel, hydraulic

equipment, remote control and electrical drivemotor with starter.

• Available also in CP type.

• Skew blades.

• Drive shaft seal can be changed withoutremoving electric motor.

• Heavy duty propeller in DP condition.

• Shaft seal pressure control with drainconnection in DP condition.

• Mechanical locked bearings in DP condition.

• Available in super-silent version.

Description

A combined lever type Engine Telegraph & speedset unit enables the

operator on the bridge to be in direct command of the ship by providing

speed and rotation control of the mainengine. Communication is established

between the bridge, the engine control room and local stand via the telegraph

system.

The unit is designed with a touch sensitive screen, a push-button, and

a combined telegraph and speedset lever with redundant speedset to the

Governor.

Available control locations

•  Bridge

•  Engine control room (ECR)

• Optional, other locations

Functions

Telegraph positions

The following 11 telegraph steps are indicated with light diodes:.

• Ahead: Dead slow, slow, half, full, navigation full

• Stop

• Astern: Dead slow, slow, half, full, emergency astern

Additionally, the lever can be moved between the steps as well for adjusting

command. It is also possible to use a fine tuning mechanism on the touch

display.

Sub telegraph modes

The sub-telegraph functions are used to inform the engine crew about their

state of alert, and subsequent need for propulsive and electric power.

•  Finished with engine (FWE)

•  Stand-by

•  At sea

Command transfer

The command transfer function can be found on the touch sensitive display.

Buttons are used for both indicating current command position and

command transfer.

Emergency stop

The Emergency Stop push-buttonis loc ted under a protective cover.

This will activate the emergency stop system in the main engine safety

system.

Touch screen lock

When activated the lever will move back to locked setting if moved.

Wrong Way indicator

The LTU is equipped with a Wrong Way indicator. The alarm is released if

the engine does not rotate in ordered direction, while in engine room

control.

The K-Chief 600 is based on Kongberg’s system technology,

where each ship configuration is built up using standard modules,

communicating through dual redundant process buses and

networks. The system is configurable for all ship types, including oil

tankers, bulk carriers, container and Ro-Ro vessels, reefers and other

special purpose vessels.

The main purpose of the system is to give ship’s officers all the basic

alarms and status information they require in order to maintain safe and

efficient operation of the machinery, cargo system with auxiliaries and

other relevant equipment.

The K-Chief 600 complies with the requirements of IMO, local maritime

authorities, IACS and eleven classification societies. It is designed

to meet the classification societies’ requirements for periodically

unmanned engine room operation.

Main Building Blocks

The main building blocks of the K-Chief 600 system are the Operator

Stations, Watch Calling System, Distributed Processing Units and dual

redundant process bus and network.

Experience

We installed the first computerized machinery automation system

back in 1970. Since then we have accumulated 40 years of experience

in manufacturing, installing commissioning and servicing systems

all over the world. The K-Chief 600 marine automation system is designed

to meet the challenging demands of shipyards and ship owners.

Key features

The K-Chief 600 offers cost effective solutions that can be tailored to

individual requirements. Modular design allows flexibility in configuring

the system to individual requirements, covering the whole range from low

complexity alarm systems to highly integrated control and monitoring

systems.

Sub-systems can include:

• Alarm and monitoring system

• Auxiliary control system

• Power management system

• Propulsion control

• Ballast automation system

• Cargo control and monitoring

• HVAC (air conditioning)

• Fire system

The WCC 600 unit communicates with the main computer in the

K-Chief alarm system using a high speed communication network

(CAN). A redundant solution with automatic change-over to another

main computer in case of failure can be provided.

Functions

• Indicating and accepting the transfer of machine watch

responsibility to/from the bridge.

• Call the on-duty engineer at his quarters at any time.

• Self-check function with “system failure” indication.

• Buzzer, sound off and test function.

• Alarm Summary.

• Date & Time indication.

• Fire alarm (optional).

Features

• One combined bridge alarm and watch calling panel.

• 5.7” LCD touch panel.

• Alarm group indicators.

• Repeat alarm indicator.

• 13 alarm groups.

• 1 common machinery alarm lamp.

  1 repeat common machinery alarm

• System failure indication.

• Buzzer and sound off button.

• “Acknowledged from cabin” indication.

• Attended/unattended engine room indication and selection.

• Facilitates 8 engineers on-duty.