Dredger cutter depth regulation system - uses rotating laser beacon providing datum plane for receiver on ladder mast

摘要

The cutter depth regulation system for a dredger vessel (1) uses a rotating laser beam emitter (13) installed above the sea (11). This gives a horizontal datum plane (14) and acts as a target beacon for a laser receiver (12) on an upright mast (10) coupled to the cutter ladder (5). The receiver is built up of a number of light-sensitive cells, and endeavours to centre itself on the datum plane. Any discrepancy can be transmitted by the receiver to a computer controlling an adjusting mechanism (18) in the ladder tackle (4).