Hardware Simulation of a Multiphysics Ship Machinery System for Autonomous Machinery Research

Research for autonomous seagoing vessels with a focus on safe navigation and cybersecurity has enabled the reduction of required onboard personnel. Navigation and safety responsibilities historically completed by onboard watch personnel can now be achieved by a land-based crew or by using an autonomous system. However, limited research has been directed toward reducing the personnel required while underway to ensure reliable operation of plant machinery systems. This paper explores the usage of a Multiphysics hardware ship machinery system within a laboratory setting for simulation of real world dynamic shipboard systems. The hardware simulation data aligns with system responses exhibited by real world ship machinery systems. This validation enables the use of the laboratory system data to explore data driven technologies, such as artificial intelligence and non-intrusive load monitoring for machinery system prognostics.