Active Motion-Compensation Technology for Roll-On/Roll-Off Cargo Vessel Discharge to Floating Platforms

We propose to develop an active motion-compensation platform for roll-on/roll-off (RO/RO) cargo vessel discharge operations onto a floating platform that reliably and safely enables the military to supply needed cargo for military operations and humanitarian assistance in conditions up to sea state 5. The proposed platform will provide a more cost-effective means of enhancing cargo throughput than other solutions. This technology will provide the military with an interface system to a majority of existing RO/RO vessel ramps with no modification. We will leverage previous experience with multi-body seakeeping analysis tools, nonlinear mechanical system simulation tools, and ongoing efforts directly related to cargo transfer systems. A top-level concept will be developed that describes principal components, subsystems, and system operation. Principal sub-systems of the motion-compensation platform, the cargo vessel, and the discharge facility will be modeled, and coupled hydro/mechanical simulations will be performed over a range of sea states. A process for analyzing cargo transfer loads will be assessed. We will develop a sensor system and an actuation system that reacts to sensor output; a concept for transport, installation, and recovery; and a connection system that limits the motions between the platform and discharge facility.