船舶动态定位系统简介
Introduction to DP
1 - Introduction
Dynamic positioning (DP) is a rapidly maturing technology, having been born of necessity as a result of the increasing demands of the rapidly expanding oil and gas exploration industry in the 1960s and early 1970s. Even now, when there exist over 1,000 DP-capable vessels, the majority of them are operationally related to the exploration or exploitation of oil and gas reserves.
动态定位系统是一个快速成熟的技术。是基于1960年代到70年代油气勘探工业的需求的基础上产生的。目前已经有超过1000艘以上的动态定位的船舶，其中绝大部分都后油气勘探有关。
The demands of the offshore oil and gas industry have brought about a whole new set of requirements. Further to this, the more recent moves into deeper waters and harsh-environment locations, together with the requirement to consider more environmental-friendly methods, has brought about the great development in the area of Dynamic Positioning techniques and technology.
油气工业的需求给我们带来了一个全新的需求。不仅如此，随着油气工业向深海及更艰苦的区域发展，同时考虑到环保方式，这给动态定位系统在技术及工艺方面带来了巨大的发展。
The first vessel to fulfil the accepted definition of DP was the "Eureka", of 1961, designed and engineered by Howard Shatto. This vessel was fitted with an analogue control system of very basic type, interfaced with a taut wire reference. Equipped with steerable thrusters fore and aft in addition to her main propulsion, this vessel was of about 450 tons displacement and length 130 feet.
第一条动态定位系统概念的船”Eureka”,建于1961年，由Howard Shatto设计和制造。这条船安装着由非常简形式的模拟控制系统，配备有张力线做为参考。在主推力系统之外，有配备了前后可操作的推进系统。该船长130英尺，排水量约450吨。
By the late 1970s, DP had become a well established technique. In 1980 the number of DP capable vessels totalled about 65, while by 1985 the number had increased to about 150. Currently (2002) it stands at over 1,000 and is still expanding. It is interesting to note the diversity of vessel types and functions using DP, and the way that, during the past twenty years, this has encompassed many functions unrelated to the offshore oil and gas industries. A list of activities executed by DP vessels would include the following:
到了70年代晚期，动态定位已经确立为一门技术。到1980年，带DP功能的船舶就达到了65艘。而到了1985年，这个数字就达到了150。目前(2002),这个数字已经高达1000，而且还在迅速扩张。很有趣的是，很多的船形都在使用DP技术。而且，在过去的20年里，其中的很多功能已经不再局限于海洋工程油气工业。下面的清单就是主要应用DP技术的船舶类型
固定位置时，偶偶也用DP来辅助定位。或用动态定位来减轻系泊绳的张力。每个系统都有他们的优点和缺点。
Sketch 1.1 station keeping methods
DP Advantages: DP的优点
?Vessel is fully self-propelled; no tugs are required at any stage of the operation 船舶有自己的动力。
?Setting-up on location is quick and easy 固定位置快而起容易
?Vessel is very manoeuvrable 船舶易于操纵
?Rapid response to weather changes is possible (weather vane) 可以快速应对气候变化
?Rapid response to changes in the requirements of the operation 可以快速应对操作变化
?Versatility within system (i.e. track-follow, ROV-follow and other specialist functions) 更多的操作功能
?Ability to work in any water depth 可以适应各种水深
?Can complete short tasks more quickly, thus more economically 快速完成小任务