1. Dolphin System – Features

Dolphin is a powerful system that enables easy-to-use tools for building dynamic, database-driven PDF reports with pixel-perfect layout. It has designed to create virtual reports including SCADA reporting functions, operation management reports, OEE and downtime tracking,SPC reports, QA reports, compliance reports, historical data analysis reports and more.

Dolphin Monitoring comes standard with the market’s most powerful tools where you can build data-rich, sharp-looking reports with drag-and-drop ease. Define the data in your reports and specify any number of report parameters and data sources. Save on development time by using Dolphin Monitoring application, object-oriented visual environment and single dynamic report.

Dolphin bears a cross-platform communication hub built on trusted IT standards to interconnect all your data. The system has also a seamless SQL database integration built right which enables its connection to an OPC UA or ERP systems.Therefore, the client having the proper credentials can access Dolphin from any PC or tablet or smart phone or even an enterprise system. It combines all your data from multiple sources like a SCADA, a MES, an ERP and other equivalent 3rd party systems with its powerful report-building tools into one integrated development environment; Dolphin Platform. Pull together and combine your data of your fleet into one platform.

In addition to reports on-demand, you can also schedule reports to run automatically or on event triggers. You can also schedule reports to be delivered automatically via print, email or as a file to be saved or uploaded in chosen location.

• Export formats in PDF, HTML, CSV, RTF, JPEG, PNG and XML
• Backwards-Compatibility
• Easy to import existing reports and convert legacy reports
• Unlimited Clients
• Deliver data to anyone without additional cost
• Instant installs and updates
• Totally Cross-Platform
• Works on Windows, Linux, macOS and more
• SSL Security – Ultra-secure SSL technology
• EU MRV Regulation (EU 2015/757) for the monitoring, reporting and verification of
  carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions

 

2. Dolphin System – Hardware structures

The Dolphin system is consisted by a unit that is installed on the Bridge and a unit that is installed in the ECR. It is designed to acquire navigation data, the fuel consumption of M/E and A/E and other 3rd party systems of the vessel. As its architecture is expandable and flexible, a Standard Edition is available on which the client may add hardware to monitor additional systems of the vessel.

In the Dolphin Standard edition, the Bridge Unit reads data in NMEA 0183 communication protocol only and acquires up to four navigation signals (inputs) as listed below:

• GPS
• Speed Log
• Wind Indicator
• Echo Sounder

The Bridge Unit also bears a NMEA Interface Module for the connection of the AIS unit in order Dolphin data to comply with EU MRV Regulation. The Bridge Unit then sends the data to the ECR Unit via the vessel’s existing LAN, the existing ethernet cable from the bridge to ECR, which is required to be on board. The wiring connection of the navigation instrumentation to the bridge unit is made by our technical team only. Our technical team also connects the bridge unit to vessel’s ethernet cable.

The ECR Unit is the main unit of the Dolphin and is installed in the ECR. It is consisted by a computerized device (CPU), the input modules for the data acquisition, the network devices and a 7’’ HMI (screen).

The daily fuel consumption, the density and temperature of the fuel, the torque power and the RPM are displayed on the 7’’ HMI. The crew cannot access the platform of the Dolphin and its powerful tools neither any historical data or any alarm function. The crew can only watch the 7’’ HMI that is read only. The daily fuel consumption and the fuel parameters (i.e. density) can be removed from the visualization of display upon client’s written request. There is no additional cost for this modification when it is requested before the initial installation.

The ECR Unit has a 16 channels analog input module as standard equipment. The analog input module reads the international standard analog signal of 4-20mA and ±10V. Any instrumentation or sensor with this analog output can be connected to our analog module. Some of these signals could be the M/E load, the Revolution and the M/E exhaust gas temperatures (i.e. wearing JK -> 4-20mA converters). The Standard Edition includes the 16
channels module as these signals will be selected in the Check List (Appendix A). More analog signals can be connected into our Dolphin system at additional cost (Appendix B). Our technical team makes the connection between the sensor output(s) and the analog input module and within the ECR. It is client’s responsibility to ensure that the sensor output(s) wiring ends in the ECR space and sensor is in proper operation with no faults.

The ECR Unit has also a Modbus RTU gateway module. It is designed to receive data from the flow meters modbus output (i.e. Coriolis mass flow meter) and the existing Alarm Monitoring System of the vessel.

The Dolphin Standard Edition includes the modbus connection of the Coriolis mass flow meters as listed in the Check List. It also includes the connection of the AMS that has an open port for 3rd systems (means available and not encrypted data).

If the flow meters are old or limited to analog outputs, the upgrade to Coriolis mass flow meters is suggested. Electropneumatic SA can supply a state of the art Coriolis Mass Flow Meter as spare item at additional cost (Appendix B). Please note that not all flow meters are supported so to ensure quality operation and accuracy of data. If the AMS has no open port available, the client should contact the maker of the AMS to request such a service. This service is not included in the price of the Dolphin Standard Edition.

Our technical team makes the connection and initialization between the sensor and Modbus RTU unit. All Modbus cables from the instruments or sensors should end in the ECR space. It is client’s responsibility to ensure the Modbus cable run and end in ECR according to directions for proper network cable run in a marine application. Modbus cable should end next to our ECR Unit location, having 1.5m spare length.

The computerized unit (CPU) is the master device of Dolphin and is heavy duty designed, suitable for marine applications. The computerized unit synchronizes the operation of all Dolphin modules and units so to collect their data without a fault. Its operation is based on a sophisticated software.

A Site Survey is suggested before Dolphin installation. The site survey scope is to check and advise for any repairs, works or wirings that should take place before the Dolphin installation. It also includes the survey for the proper installation of new flow meters upon requirement. The client may perform the site survey and fill the check list if the person that will do this task has the expertise to identify and check the items as per check list instructions.

Electropneumatic SA has a trouble shooting technical team and skilled service engineers that offers you on site solutions to your electrical problems or misses. In cases where you wish to install an ethernet cable between bridge and ECR or run cables from sensors to ECR, or you have sensor faults or any related malfunctions, our company has technicians to dispatch and restore your malfunctions. However, this is not in the scope of Dolphin System quotation and will be treated as a separate service quotation.

 

3. Dolphin System – Software and Licenses

The computerized unit operation, hereinafter iPC, is based on a sophisticated software that developed in house. The software has a rigid algorithm and uses the Internet of Thing technology (IIoT). The iPC synchronizes the operation of all Dolphin modules and units so to collect their data without a fault. The iPC verify the integrity of the data, compress and encrypt them and then transmit them to an onshore Data Center (ISO 27001:2005 – Cyber Security) via vessel’s satellite connection. The transmission is as per MQTT protocol (Internet of Things) achieving a very low data traffic. The iPC does not store any data. It has a buffer memory that is designed to hold data in case
of satellite connection problems. This buffer memory cannot be accessed or read, it is designed only for transmission upon satellite connection restoration. The Dolphin platform is the virtual environment where the client (user) can access vessel’s or fleet’s data. The Dolphin platform provides tools, reports, history trends and many other features as described in Section 1.

The user must have the credentials to access the Dolphin platform. The platform is secured and fast in response and can be accessed by more than one user a time. The platform has many standard features, but custom reports or tools can be designed upon request. The license of the platform is annual and per vessel and includes updates and first level technical support.

Our technical team performs the commissioning and startup of Dolphin on the vessel and the initialization of transmission between Dolphin and Data Center. Our team ensures that delivered Dolphin System is in full operation and transmits data to the Data Center successfully. The Turn Key solution delivery to client is consider the successful delivery of the system. It is client’s responsibility to ensure no crew interference to Dolphin’s hardware unless written instruction by our side.