Modeling Stabilization of Crane-Induced Ship Motion With Gyroscopic Control Using the Moving Frame Method

Abstract

This paper presents a new method in multibody dynamics and applies it to the challenge of stabilizing ship motion induced by onboard crane operations. Norwegian industries are constantly assessing new technologies for more efficient and safer production in the aquacultural, renewable energy, and oil and gas industries. They share a common challenge to install new equipment and transfer personnel in a safe and controllable way between ships, fish farms, and oil platforms. This paper deploys the moving frame method (MFM) to analyze the motion induced by a crane, yet controlled by a gyroscopic inertial device. We represent the crane as a simple two-link system that transfers produce and equipment to and from barges. We analyze how an inertial flywheel can stabilize the ship during the transfer. Lie group theory and the work of Elie Cartan are the foundations of the MFM. This, together with a restriction on the variation of the angular velocity used in Hamilton's principle, enables an effective way of extracting the equations of motion for an open-loop system. Furthermore, this work displays the results in three-dimensional (3D) on cell phones. The long-term results of this work lead to a robust 3D active compensation method for loading/unloading operations offshore. Finally, the simplicity of the analysis anticipates the impending time of artificial intelligence when machines, equipped with onboard central processing units and internet protocol addresses, are empowered with learning modules to conduct their operations.