VertiCAM is one of two real-time, contactless inclination monitoring sensors offered by Zupt. VertiCAM determines the verticality (pitch and roll) of a tubular structure during installation (pile, monopile, conductor, wind turbine foundation [WTF], pile, etc.). VertiCAM is an in-air system, not a subsea system.

VertiCAM includes two LiDAR systems, two cameras, and inertial measurement units. The structure is detected in real-time by the LiDAR camera systems from two different points onboard the vessel. These systems can be mounted up to 50m offset from the installation location of the structure. The inertial data sensed at these locations is processed to compute the absolute attitude of the structure. The system enables the offshore team to determine the verticality and heading of the structure automatically without having to pause hammering or physically mount any sensors to the structure.

VertiCAM Applications

VertiCAM is used to determine the verticality of tubular structures, with several applications in offshore renewables. These applications include:

• Offshore Wind Farm Installations:
  • Structure Piles
  • Wind Turbine Pile Foundations
  • Jackets

How VertiCAM Works

For monitoring the pitch and roll of the pile during installation, this is how VertiCAM works:

1. System Setup and Installation: Install two or three "stations" of the VertiCAM system on the vessel. Two of these systems are active for dual redundancy, and the third system may serve as a "hot" spare system for backup.
2. Sensor Configuration: Each "station" will be equipped with the following sensors:

• • LiDAR
  • Camera/Lens
  • Lights
  • Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU)
  • GNSS receiver and antenna
  • Processor

1. Pile Installation Process: VertiCAM monitors the pitch and roll of the pile as it is lowered into place and continuously tracks the pile's verticality. The LiDAR solution delivers the required accuracy/resolution without any specific targets being placed onto the pile. The camera solution requires targets to be installed and dimensionally controlled onto the structure.
2. Real-Time Data Processing: The structure is detected in real-time by the LiDAR-camera system at two different angles. The inertial data is then processed to compute the high update rate absolute attitude of the structure, independent of the motion of the installation vessel.

VertiCAM Key Features

• VertiCAM is a dual redundant solution, combining a LiDAR system, HD Imaging Sensor, and IMU at two different viewing locations for a structure being installed.
• VertiCAM is a contactless, in-air solution that positions a structure with no sensors or physical bracketry mounted to the structure.
• The verticality data is provided to the user in real-time.
• The LiDAR system will perform down to the onset of “zero” or “very low visibility” as defined by ICAO Annex 3 Meteorological Service for International Air Navigation.

Data Acquisition and Requirements

This system is connected to an NVIDIA GPU processor running real-time verticality calculations, also providing a remote human-machine interface (HMI) processor connected to the core processor via a network (Ethernet) connection to allow remote data viewing and interface to the system.

Product Specs

1. Exterior Sensor Housings - IP67/IP68 Housed
2. Pitch and Roll Required (Accuracy) - Target 0.05°, Minimum 0.1°
3. Pitch and Roll Required (Resolution) - Target 0.01°, Minimum 0.05°
4. Heading Accuracy - <1° *If structure Features Are Present
5. Pitch and Roll Range - +/- 20°
6. Maximum Vessel Motion - +/- 10° Pitch/Roll, +/- 3m Heave, 5°/s Rate of Rotation
7. Max Offset From Pile to Sensors - 20m Imagery, 50m LiDAR
8. Pile Dimensional Control Information - Diameter +/-3mm, Ovality 5%

Contact Zupt today to learn more about VertiCAM and how it can enhance your offshore operations.