Subsubsection Process Control (PRC)
The Process Control cabinet contains control and management modules for the propulsion system. It also contains a 230V AC 1.5 kVA uninterruptible power supply (UPS) which will take over immediately in the event of failure of the normal power supply. The UPS output goes to the CLC section for distribution.
The front panel of the PRC contains a panel mounted supervision computer with touch-screen, which provides local control to monitor system parameters and alarms including:
- Speed setting dial and reply pointer.
- Propeller rpm meter.
- Power meter.
- Emergency stop pushbutton.
- Alarm Acknowledge pushbutton.
Within the PRC, programmable logic controllers (PLCs) and circuit boards automatically monitor and control many aspects of the propulsion system including:
- Control the propulsion motor speed, torque, flux and current.
- Connections, via fiber optic cables to the bridge and engine control rooms.
- Ethernet communications with instruments that monitor the system conditions.
- Fault management, safety shutdowns and interlocks.
- Provide the trigger pulses for the IGBTs.
- Automatically start and stop system auxiliaries.
