Doc. No. Technical Documentation Revision
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System Design Concept for Safe Return to Port (SRtP) regulations
Hoppe Valve Remote Control System (VRCS) with bus-controlled valves type HOBUS-V
Ring Supply Unit RSU
Ring Supply Unit RSU
Electro-Hydraulic VRCS (bus-controlled)
HOMIP – Hoppe embedded iPC for system control
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System Design Concept HOBUS-V (VRCS) according SRtP Issue Date 30.07.2021
Doc. No. Technical Documentation Revision
F-05784-00110-DOC 1.9
Table of Content
1 General ............................................................................................................................................... 4
1.1 System design philosophy ............................................................................................................ 4
1.2 Cabinet design and location ......................................................................................................... 5
1.3 Control philosophy ........................................................................................................................ 5
1.4 Redundancy of power feeding for VRCS cabinets ........................................................................ 5
1.5 Valve loop architecture ................................................................................................................. 5
1.6 Ring Supply Units (RSU) .............................................................................................................. 6
1.7 Bus-coupler design ....................................................................................................................... 6
1.8 Actuator design ............................................................................................................................ 6
1.9 Feature summary ......................................................................................................................... 7
2 VRCS system layout ........................................................................................................................... 8
2.1 System layout details ................................................................................................................... 9
3 System operating levels (top to down) ............................................................................................... 11
4 Failure routines for various situations ................................................................................................ 12
4.1 Loop failures ............................................................................................................................... 12
4.2 Valve failures .............................................................................................................................. 14
4.3 Loss of compartment .................................................................................................................. 17
4.4 Loss of VRCS AFT cabinet ......................................................................................................... 18
4.5 Loss of VRCS FWD cabinet ....................................................................................................... 19
4.6 IAMCS interface failure routines depending on casualty levels ................................................... 20
4.7 VRCS failure routines for power supply ...................................................................................... 21
System Design Concept HOBUS-V (VRCS) according SRtP Issue Date 30.07.2021
Doc. No. Technical Documentation Revision
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1 General
Increasing the vessels robustness, fault tolerance and its ability to safely return unsupported back to port –
that are the most important intentions behind the technical concepts for the so called “Safe Return to Port
(SRtP)” regulations.
Generally stated by SOLAS II-1/Reg. 8-1, SOLAS II-2/Reg. 21 and SOLAS II-2/Reg. 22, the primary
objective of the SRtP regulations is to meet the principle that “a ship is its own best lifeboat” and to ensure
that the required systems are designed and arranged under the aspects of adequate redundancy and
segregation. Thus, any fire or flooding casualty will only have very limited effects and the required systems
are capable of being restored and remain operational until a safe port can be reached under the vessels
own power. During the SRtP voyage, all persons onboard shall be accommodated in safe areas where
health and safety services are available.
Therefore, the SRtP regulations defines certain systems as being “essential systems” to be available in
order to ensure propulsion, manoeuvrability and to maintain safety in such areas onboard that are not
affected by a flooding or fire casualty.
The Safe Return to Port (SRtP) regulations require a multi-disciplinary work approach and each
stakeholder shall observe the functional requirements of the various systems which are supposed to remain
operational in a threshold after a casualty.
With the design of our HOPPE bus-controlled valve control system HOBUS-V, we comply with the
requirements of the SRtP regulations under the aspects of system security, system availability and system
recoverability after a casualty.
1.1 System design philosophy
The remotely operated HOPPE bus-controlled valve control system is designed in a ring topology,
exclusively for remote controlled valves. The advantages of a ring topology, where the source signal
circulates in a loop until the intended valve-actuator combination has been detected, are of high reliability
and reduced cabling and installation effort.
This solution is especially useful in the event of a malfunction, due to the fact, that no components from
other systems are integrated in this concept. Hence, a problem with the remote bus-controlled valve control
system does not affect e.g. level monitoring sensors for tanks or draft. In this way, the independence of the
systems is guaranteed in the event of a fault.
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1.2 Cabinet design and location
The remotely operated HOPPE bus-controlled valve control system consists of a minimum of two valve
control cabinets which are located in safe compartments above the waterline. The design relates to the
SOLAS II-2/Reg. 3 definitions for “Main Vertical Zones (MVZ)”, whereas these are “those sections into
which the hull, superstructure, and deckhouses are divided by “A” class divisions, the mean length and width
of which on any deck does not in general exceed 40m”.
The first valve remote control cabinet is located in the aft main vertical zone of the vessel. The second valve
remote control cabinet is located in the forward main vertical zone of the vessel. If there are more than two
main vertical zones, more valve remote control cabinets are arranged, so that there is a valve remote control
cabinet in each main vertical zone.
1.3 Control philosophy
Each valve remote control cabinet is equipped with a HOMIP (HOPPE embedded iPC for system control).
The HOMIP is a LINUX-based embedded iPC, acting as a controller and interface to the vessels IAMCS. If
the interface to the IAMCS fails, the HOMIP acts as an emergency controller to operate the valves and keep
the remote control valve system operational.
The application software installed on the HOMIP is protected against any manipulation by third parties.
Changes to the software are only possible by qualified personnel. Parameter settings and update routines
are password protected.
Application software as well as system parameter settings are stored in a safe databases. If the system
needs to be restored, the small size of the application software and the parameter files means that they can
also be sent via vessels e-mail.
1.4 Redundancy of power feeding for VRCS cabinets
The HOBUS-V VRCS contains a 3~230Vac power feeding from the Main Switch Board (MSB) and the
Emergency Switch Board (ESB) including switch over from MSB to ESB. The status of which power feeding
is active is shown by LEDs in the front door of each VRCS cabinet.
Note: Two VRCS cabinets via two main vertical zones need synchronous power feeding for both cabinets.
1.5 Valve loop architecture
The HOBUS-V VRCS is designed in a way of a loop architecture. This architecture ensures the system
availability in the event of a fault due to a failure of a bus controller or in the event of a cable damage in the
loop. An interrupted valve loop will be detected by the system and triggers an “open loop” alarm.
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1.6 Ring Supply Units (RSU)
The HOBUS-V VRCS provides operational safety through optimized power and bus management with so
called Ring Supply Units (RSU). The RSU serves as a supply terminal and bus head for the
intelligent valve control. By means of Ring Supply Units (RSU), the valve bus loop will be initialized with
reduced current until it is completely initialized.
1.7 Bus-coupler design
The HOBUS-V VRCS bus coupler offers a function to enable on-site control of the valve-actuator
combination: Status LEDs provide local indication of the valve’s status, and by holding a magnet in front of
these LEDs, the valve can be controlled manually on-site. This local control function is the last operational
stage before using the portable hand pump for local valve control.
The LEDs indicate the following valve status:
Blue: local control via magnet.
Blue (blinking): valve bus loop initialisation.
Yellow: Valve is closed.
Yellow (blinking): Valve is closing.
Green: Valve is open.
Green (blinking): Valve is opening.
Red (blinking): Valve failure.
1.8 Actuator design
The low-maintenance electrohydraulic actuators are characterized by their robust and compact design.
The actuators are available as 90°-rotating actuators or as linear actuators. All actuators offer a mechanical
position indicator on-site as well as connections for a portable hand pump. The compact design allows the
function to be maintained in an event of temporary flooding. The modular actuator design allows swift
replacement of components, if necessary. Wall mounted remote control stations are optionally available.
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1.9 Feature summary
To summarize all features of our HOBUS-V Valve remote Control system (VRCS) once again:
VRCS Cabinets located in safe compartments above the water line.
Redundancy of power supply for VRCS cabinets with power supply from Main Switch Board
(MSB) and Emergency Switch Board (ESB), including LED status
Redundancy of VRCS control containing two HOMIP (HOPPE embedded iPC for system control),
with HOMIP controllers and I/O modules supported by an internal UPS
Loop Architecture ensuring system availability in failure events
Operational safety by optimized power and bus management, including open loop detection
BUS Coupler Design providing local operation possibilities
Actuator design of compact electro-hydraulic bus-controlled actuators, designed with connectors
for manual casualty cases, allowing functional integrity during temporary flooding and swift
replacement
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2 VRCS system layout
E M Station AFT E M Station FWD
VRCS Cabinet VRCS Cabinet
-----------------------Waterline
Modbus RS-485 or Modbus TCP Modbus RS-485 or Modbus TCP
MSB 3~230VAC
ESB 3~230VAC
MSB 3~230VAC
ESB 3~230VAC
Ethernet CAT7 max. 100mtr.
CAN BUS
Loop1 Loop2 Loop3 Loop4 Loop5 Loop6
Ship Automation IAMCS
General system layout
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2.1 System layout details
IAMCS = Integrated Alarm Monitoring and Control System
3~230VacMSB
3~230VacESB
3~230VacMSB
3~230VacESB
CAT7 max.100mtr.4×2×0,5 orFibre optic >100mtr.Internal communication
10x2x0,75CAN Bus Communication
4x2x0,75Modbus RS-485+Pot.free contactorCAT7 max. 100mtr.4x2x0,5Modbus TCP+1x2x0,75Pot. Free contact
VRCS Cabinet AFT
VRCS Cabinet FWD
4x2x0,75Modbus RS-485+Pot.free contactorCAT7 max. 100mtr.4x2x0,5Modbus TCP+1x2x0,75Pot. Free contact
Cabinet connections
System Design Concept HOBUS-V (VRCS) according SRtP Issue Date 30.07.2021
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RSU 1 A
RSU 2 A
RSU 7 A
RSU 3 A
RSU 4 A
RSU 5 A
RSU 6 A
RSU 7 B
RSU 6 B
RSU 1 B
RSU 5 B
RSU 4 B
RSU 3 B
RSU 2 B
VRCS Cabinet
AFT
VRCS Cabinet
FWD
Loop 6 Qty. of valves max. 30
Loop 7 Qty. of valves max. 30
Loop 5 Qty. of valves max. 30
Loop 4 Qty. of valves max. 30
Loop 3 Qty. of valves max. 30
Loop 2 Qty. of valves max. 30
Loop 1 Qty. of valves max. 30
Valve connections
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3 System operating levels (top to down)
The HOBUS-V VRCS provides several stages of operating levels in case of casualties.
Level Casualty Description of functionality level
1 IAMCS: Normal operation
Control and monitoring of VRCS via ships Integrated Alarm, Monitoring and Control System (IAMCS).
2 IAMCS: Interface 1 Fail Control and monitoring of VRCS with IAMCS via 2nd HOMIP (Hoppe Monitor Interact Process) still possible.
3 IAMCS: Interface 2 Fail Control and monitoring of VRCS with IAMCS via 1st HOMIP (Hoppe Monitor Interact Process) still possible.
4 IAMCS: Interface 1&2 Fail
Control and monitoring of VRCS via 1st and 2nd HOMIP (Hoppe Monitor Interact Process) still possible.
5 HOMIP 1&2: Fail Local operation of depending actuator via magnet at bus controller possible.
6 Total loss of power or interfaces
Local operation of depending actuator via hand pump (fixed or portable) possible.
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4 Failure routines for various situations
4.1 Loop failures
E M Station AFT E M Station FWD
VRCS Cabinet VRCS Cabinet
-----------------------Waterline
Modbus RS-485 or Modbus TCP Modbus RS-485 or Modbus TCP
MSB 3~230VAC
ESB 3~230VAC
MSB 3~230VAC
ESB 3~230VAC
Ethernet CAT7 max. 100mtr.
CAN BUS
Loop1 Loop2 Loop3 Loop4 Loop5 Loop6
Alarm: Modul RSU open loop .
VRCS: Operational.Situation: Defective cable in VRCS loop.
Check loop for defective cable!
VRCS: Transition from ring operation
to line operation.
Ship Automation IAMCS
One defective cable connection in a loop
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E M Station AFT E M Station FWD
VRCS Cabinet VRCS Cabinet
-----------------------Waterline
Modbus RS-485 or Modbus TCP Modbus RS-485 or Modbus TCP
MSB 3~230VAC
ESB 3~230VAC
MSB 3~230VAC
ESB 3~230VAC
Ethernet CAT7 max. 100mtr.
CAN BUS 120 Ohm
Loop1 Loop2 Loop3 Loop4 Loop5 Loop6
Alarm: Modul RSU open loop & Valve
xxx.xxx BUS fail.
VRCS: Operational, except the
depending valves in the defective
segment of the loop. These valves
are only operational by portable hand
pump.
Situation: Defective cable segment in
VRCS loop.
Check loop for defective cable /
segment!
VRCS: Transition from ring operation
to line operation.
Ship Automation IAMCS
Several defective cables/segment in a loop
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4.2 Valve failures
E M Station AFT E M Station FWD
VRCS Cabinet VRCS Cabinet
-----------------------Waterline
Modbus RS-485 or Modbus TCP Modbus RS-485 or Modbus TCP
MSB 3~230VAC
ESB 3~230VAC
MSB 3~230VAC
ESB 3~230VAC
1x Ethernet CAT7 max. 100mtr.
1x CAN BUS 120 Ohm
Loop1 Loop2 Loop3 Loop4 Loop5 Loop6
Alarm: Modul RSU open loop & Valve
xxx.xxx BUS fail.
VRCS: Operational, except the
depending valve in the loop. This Valve is only operational by portable hand
pump.
Situation: One defective valve BUS
coupler in VRCS loop.
Check BUS coupler of depending valve!
VRCS: Transition from ring operation
to line operation.
Ship Automation IAMCS
One defective valve bus coupler within a loop
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E M Station AFT E M Station FWD
VRCS Cabinet VRCS Cabinet
-----------------------Waterline
Modbus RS-485 or Modbus TCP Modbus RS-485 or Modbus TCP
MSB 3~230VAC
ESB 3~230VAC
MSB 3~230VAC
ESB 3~230VAC
Ethernet CAT7 max. 100mtr.
CAN BUS
Loop1 Loop2 Loop3 Loop4 Loop5 Loop6
Alarm: Modul RSU open loop & Valves
xxx.xxx BUS fail.
VRCS: Operational, except the
depending valves in the loop. These valves are only operational by portable hand
pump.
Situation: Two or more defective
valve BUS coupler in VRCS loop.
Check BUS coupler of depending valve!
VRCS: Transition from ring operation
to line operation.
Ship Automation IAMCS
Several defective valve bus couplers within a loop
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E M Station AFT E M Station FWD
VRCS Cabinet VRCS Cabinet
-----------------------Waterline
Modbus RS-485 or Modbus TCP Modbus RS-485 or Modbus TCP
MSB 3~230VAC
ESB 3~230VAC
MSB 3~230VAC
ESB 3~230VAC
Ethernet CAT7 max. 100mtr.
CAN BUS
Loop1 Loop2 Loop3 Loop4 Loop5 Loop6
Alarm: Modul RSU open loop & Valves
xxx.xxx BUS fail.
VRCS: Operational, except the enclosed
valves within the loop. These valves
are only operational by portable hand
pump.
Situation: Two or more defective
valve BUS coupler in VRCS loop.
Check BUS coupler of depending valve!
VRCS: Transition from ring operation
to line operation.
Ship Automation IAMCS
Defective valve bus couplers at loop termination
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4.3 Loss of compartment
E M Station AFT E M Station FWD
VRCS Cabinet VRCS Cabinet
-----------------------Waterline
Modbus RS-485 or Modbus TCP Modbus RS-485 or Modbus TCP
MSB 3~230VAC
ESB 3~230VAC
MSB 3~230VAC
ESB 3~230VAC
Ethernet CAT7 max. 100mtr.
CAN BUS
Loop1 Loop2 Loop3 Loop4 Loop5 Loop6
Alarm: Modul RSU open loop & Valves
xxx.xxx BUS fail.
VRCS: Operational, except the
depending valves in the loop of the compartments.
Situation: One or more
compartments loss.
Check of loops in the whole compartment!
VRCS: Transition from ring operation
to line operation, cut off of the
depending loop.
Ship Automation IAMCS
Failure due to loss of compartment
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4.4 Loss of VRCS AFT cabinet
E M Station AFT E M Station FWD
VRCS Cabinet VRCS Cabinet
-----------------------Waterline
Modbus RS-485 or Modbus TCP Modbus RS-485 or Modbus TCP
MSB 3~230VAC
ESB 3~230VAC
MSB 3~230VAC
ESB 3~230VAC
Ethernet CAT7 max. 100mtr.
CAN BUS
Loop1 Loop2 Loop3 Loop4 Loop5 Loop6
Alarm: Moduls RSU open loop & VRCS AFT connect fail .
VRCS: Operational, by the VRCS FWD
cabinet.
Situation: VRCS AFT cabinet loss.
Check VRCS AFT cabinet!
VRCS: Transition from ring operation
to line operation.
Ship Automation IAMCS
Failure due to loss of VRCS AFT cabinet
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4.5 Loss of VRCS FWD cabinet
E M Station AFT E M Station FWD
VRCS Cabinet VRCS Cabinet
-----------------------Waterline
Modbus RS-485 or Modbus TCP Modbus RS-485or Modbus TCP
MSB 3~230VAC
ESB 3~230VAC
MSB 3~230VAC
ESB 3~230VAC
Ethernet CAT7 max. 100mtr.
CAN BUS
Loop1 Loop2 Loop3 Loop4 Loop5 Loop6
Alarm: Moduls RSU open loop & VRCS FWD connect fail .
VRCS: Operational, by the VRCS AFT
cabinet.
Situation: VRCS FWD cabinet loss.
Check VRCS FWD cabinet!
VRCS: Transition from ring operation
to line operation.
Ship Automation IAMCS
Failure due to loss of VRCS FWD cabinet
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4.6 IAMCS interface failure routines depending on casualty levels
The HOBUS-V VRCS provides several stages of operating levels in case of casualties.
1. IAMCS: Normal Operation
VRCS: Interface 1: HOMIP 1: Control and Monitoring
VRCS: Interface 2: HOMIP 2: Control and Monitoring
VRCS: Operational by IAMCS
No act ion required
Casualty Level 1
2. IAMCS: Interface 1: Fail
VRCS: Interface 1: HOMIP 1: Alarm IAMCS connect fail
VRCS: Interface 2: HOMIP 2: Control and Monitoring
VRCS: Operational by IAMCS
Check Interface HOMIP 1 to IAMCS
Casualty Level 2
3. IAMCS: Interface 2: Fail
VRCS: Interface 1: HOMIP 1: Control and Monitoring
VRCS: Interface 2: HOMIP 2: Alarm IAMCS connect fail
VRCS: Operational by IAMCS
Check Interface HOMIP 2 to IAMCS
Casualty Level 3
4. IAMCS: Interface 1&2: Fail
VRCS: Interface 1: HOMIP 1: Alarm IAMCS connect fail
VRCS: Interface 2: HOMIP 2: Alarm IAMCS connect fail
VRCS: Operational by HOMIP 1&2
Check Interface HOMIP 1&2 to IAMCS
Casualty Level 4
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5. IAMCS: Interface 1&2: Fail
VRCS: Interface 1: FailHOMIP 1: Out of order
VRCS: Interface 2: Fail HOMIP 2: Out of order
VRCS: Actuator operational by magnet at bus
controller
Check Interface HOMIP 1&2 and
IAMCS
Casualty Level 5
6. IAMCS: Interface 1&2: Loss
Power: Loss
VRCS: Interface 1: LossHOMIP 1: LossTotal power: Loss
VRCS: Interface 2: Loss HOMIP 2: LossTotal power: Loss
VRCS: Actuator operational directly
by handpump
Total system check required!
Casualty Level 6
4.7 VRCS failure routines for power supply
The HOBUS-V VRCS provides MSB and ESB power supply including switch over.
No action required
Alarm: MSB Power Fail
VRCS: Operational
1. MSB & ESB Power supply: OK
2. MSB power supply: Fail
Check MSB power supply
3: ESB power supply: Fail
Alarm: ESB Power Fail
VRCS: OperationalCheck ESB power
supply
VRCS: Switch over to ESB power supply
LED: ESB Power: ON LED: MSB Power: OFF
VRCS: Switch over to MSB power
supply
LED: ESB Power: OFF LED: MSB Power: ON
4. MSB & ESB power supply: Fail
LED: ESB Power: OFF LED: MSB Power: OFF
VRCS: Not Operational
Check MSB & ESB power supply
VRCS: Operational
VRCS Power Supply Failure