Kongsberg K-Chief Vessel Automation System

VESSEL AUTOMATION SYSTEM

K-Chief Automation System

Our latest generation K-Chief Automation System builds on 50 years of

experience in making safe, reliable and user friendly automation systems

focused on marine usage. K-Chief vessel automation offers the simplicity and

robustness of our merchant range coupled with the flexibility of our offshore

range ensuring a system suited for the challenging demands of shipyards, ship

owners and professional users world wide.

K-Chief  vessel automation system is fully integrated with other K-Line products

enabling a unified user experience, open inter-communication and reduced

cost of ownership.

Increased redundancy, performance and responsiveness, efficient operations

and reduced maintenance are some of the other benefits.

The built-in configuration tools enables system modifications, expansions and

upgrades throughout the life-time of the vessels.

Key features

K-Chief offers cost effective standard solutions with the

possibility of tailoring to individual requirements. Modular

design allows flexibility in configuring the system, covering

the whole range from low complexity alarm systems to

highly integrated control and monitoring systems

The K-Chief system covers all important functions on-

board avessel, and is configurable for all ship types, inclu

ding oil/LPG/LNG tankers, bulk carriers, container ships,

cruise and ferries, yachts, offshore vessels, drilling rigs

and other special purpose vessels.

Typical sub-systems are:

• Alarm and monitoring system

• Power management system/Energy control system

• Propulsion and thruster control

• Auxiliary control system and ship service systems

• Gas management system

• Fuel gas control system

• Ballast control system

• Cargo control system

• Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning

• Fire monitoring and suppression system (K-Safe)

• Emergency Shutdown System (K-Safe)

The K-Chief complies with the requirements of IMO, local

maritime authorities, IACS and holds type approval for

major classification societies.

Common technology

The use of common technology in the Kongsberg portfolio

has allowed us to develop modular products. The benefits

of modularity are passed on to our customers through:

• Identical basic software platform in the K-Line systems

• Free flow of information between the K-Line systems

(K-Chief, K-Safe, K-Power, K-Pos, K-Thrust, K-Bridge &

K-Gauge)

• Well-proven solutions that focus on the complete vessel

operation

• Operational consistency

• Reduced spare part and training requirements

The information management system may be integrated to

K-Chief via the administrative network, allowing the user to

define trend displays and create tailored reports.

System architecture

The K-Chief system architecture has a modular design,

and builds on Operator Stations and I/O modules

interconnected by local data networks. This allows us to

meet individual ship owner’s requirements using standard

modules. Different selections of these units are used to

configure each individual system.

The K-Chief is decentralized with redundant controllers for

each segment for availability, but operation is centralized

using the Operator Stations. Each I/O module has a

specific role and is configured to match the operational

requirements of the specific process area. Due to this

flexible architecture, the K-Chief system can connect

more I/O modules in the network later on. This may be

done to control additional process areas, or to extend the

functionality. Vendor’s equipment,  such as valve control

systems, fire alarm systems and level gauging, can be

interfaced on communication lines connected directly to

the process network.

Operator stations

The Operator Stations are used to receive alarms and to

allow monitoring and control of the system. They display

status pages and interactive process diagrams. They also

give access to the I/O Units for inspection of variables,

operation of equipment and adjustment of parameters.

Changing limits or parameters in one Operator Station will

automatically update all other stations. All operator actions

such as the starting or stopping of pumps or changing

alarm limits, are logged and time tagged. Process views

contain easy‐to‐read information about the engine and

surrounding equipment. Control of different process plants

and machinery is done directly from any Operator Station.

Full monitoring and alarm facilities are provided in both

the machinery space and in the control rooms. All changes

in alarm and measuring points from the I/Os are logged and

time stamped.

Data are stored in all Operator Stations for 28 days. They can

be displayed in the Event and Trend history view. Extended

logging of data is included in our information management

system.

Energy Control System

The K-Chief Automation System is tightly integrated with Kongsberg’s K-Pow

er solutions for AC and DC electric grids. Direct access to generator protection

units, drives and converters ensure smooth and optimal control of the vessels

electric plant.

Information management and remote connection

Through the information management system a wide variety of tools for op

erator efficiency are available, like the ability to monitor the system from crew

cabins. Computers connected to the ship network are able to access the infor

mation management system to use a range of analysis tools to monitor vessel

performance.

Historical storage of data, data export and powerful reporting tools are available.

The information management system allows for secure connection to the out

side world for exchange of information with the shore organization and remote

support from Kongsberg premises through a dedicated global secure network.