ABB Australia has released a winch control program for its industrial drives which it claims improves the operational safety and performance of marine winches.
The ABB winch control program is compatible for use with ABB industrial drives ranging from 0.55 to 5600 kW. The software incorporates built-in programmable logic controller (PLC) features, so drives can be used without any external PLC.
The ABB winch control program’s PLC communicates with the ABB industrial drive via Fieldbus gateways. According to ABB, the control program and industrial drive combination can replace traditional and costly hydraulic winch controllers typically used in anchoring and mooring, increasing safety and reliability.
ABB says its industrial drives’ Direct Torque Control motor control platform disposes of the need for a feedback encoder. According to ABB, the harsh climate on board a vessel can often damage the encoder or interfere with the feedback signal to the motors.
The ABB industrial drives’ digital I/Os, and the winch control program allows the winch can be operated directly from three control stands located typically on the port, starboard and upper deck of a vessel. Each stand has a joystick to raise or lower the winch.
Using ABB’s solution, the operator can control the speed of the winch while in a harbour, regardless of whether the vessel is coming alongside on port or starboard.
The solution includes slip detection. If a high load caused by a snag is detected on the chain, the system will immediately reduce the speed/torque of the winch motor, preventing damage to the components.
ABB says its winch control program also includes anchor-in protection. As the anchor is being raised and reaches the end of its limit, winch control detects the anchor winch speed and motor torque level, and the relative length of the chain. The system then allows the operator to manually complete the task.