Sensor system for maritime vessels

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a sensor system and method of operating the same. The sensor system includes a data collection mast including a base, a support member, a main member, a top plate, a first enclosure, a second enclosure, a first cantilever member, and a second cantilever member. The sensor system further includes a pair of stereoscopic cameras disposed on the main member extending through the second enclosure, a radar system disposed on the top plate, a compass disposed on the second cantilever member, a LIDAR unit disposed on the first cantilever member, and a control unit disposed on the main member within the first enclosure. Each of the pair of stereoscopic cameras, radar system, compass, and LIDAR unit are in electronic communication with the control unit, such that control unit receive the data collected from each sensor.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for generating a three dimensional map of an area proximate a maritime vessel, the system comprising:
 a mast configured to secure a camera, a compass, a radar system, said mast configured to be secure to a maritime vessel;   a cantilever member including a first end and a second end opposite the first end and extending away from the mast; and   a LIDAR mount coupled to the second end of the cantilever member, said LIDAR mount configured to secure a LIDAR unit, said LIDAR mount comprising a motor configured to rotate the LIDAR unit about the cantilever member.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the rotation of the LIDAR unit about the cantilever comprises rotating the LIDAR unit along a first plane perpendicular to the cantilever member, wherein an in-built rotation of the LIDAR unit is in a second plane parallel to the cantilever member. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the motor is configured to rotate the LIDAR unit at a rate that correlates with an internal rate of the LIDAR unit such that the motor moves a full measurement unit after the LIDAR unit's internal scanner has completed a full rotation. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the motor is configured to rotate according to a cycle comprising a first rotation in a first direction followed by a second rotation in a second direction opposite the first direction. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , the first rotation in the first direction comprises rotating by 180 degrees. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 4 , the second rotation in the second direction comprises rotating by 180 degrees. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the motor is configured to rotate continuously clockwise or counter-clockwise about the cantilever member. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the LIDAR mount comprises a planar member configured to receive the LIDAR unit. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein a housing comprising the motor is positioned below the second end of the cantilever member. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the second end of the cantilever member is positioned radially beyond a structure configured to mount the camera. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the LIDAR unit is a stationary LIDAR unit and the rotation of the LIDAR unit about the cantilevered member is configured to generate a three dimensional image data from the stationary LIDAR unit. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein rotational data of the motor is tracked and synchronized with image data collected from the LIDAR unit. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the motor is configured to rotate the LIDAR unit in a first direction perpendicular to a second direction corresponding to a spin of beams of the LIDAR unit. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the motor is configured to rotate the LIDAR unit in separate directional cycles to reduce twisting of wires. 
     
     
         15 . A system for generating a three dimensional map of an area proximate a maritime vessel, the system comprising:
 a mast; and   a LIDAR mount coupled to the mast, said LIDAR mount configured to secure a LIDAR unit, said LIDAR mount comprising a motor configured to rotate the LIDAR unit, wherein the motor is configured to rotate the LIDAR unit in a first direction perpendicular to a second direction corresponding to a spin of beams of the LIDAR unit.   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the motor is configured to rotate the LIDAR unit in separate directional cycles to reduce twisting of wires. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the LIDAR unit is a stationary LIDAR unit and the rotation of the LIDAR unit about the cantilevered member is configured to generate a three dimensional image data from the stationary LIDAR unit. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the motor is configured to rotate the LIDAR unit in a first direction perpendicular to a second direction corresponding to a spin of beams of the LIDAR unit. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the LIDAR mount is positioned at a first distance away from the mast, said first distance configured to provide clearance from a structure supporting a camera.