Masthead control system
First Claim
1. A masthead control system for a sailing vessel, comprising:
- a mast including a masthead;
an instrumentation center coupled to the masthead;
at least one masthead device coupled to the instrumentation center; and
a cable coupling the instrumentation center and an interface unit, the interface unit providing power, at least one radio frequency signal, and at least one data or control signal to the at least one masthead device through the instrumentation center.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A masthead control system and method are provided for a sailing vessel to reduce the number of cables running inside the mast to a single coaxial cable carrying power, control and data signals, and VHF radio signals. The coaxial cable connects an antenna directly to a VHF radio communications device such that radio communications are always available in case of emergency. The system comprises an instrumentation center that connects to the masthead; at least one masthead device that connects to the instrumentation center; and a cable, such as a coaxial cable, that connects the instrumentation center to an interface unit located in the hull. The cable carries power, at least one radio frequency signal, and at least one data or control signal between the instrumentation center and the interface unit.
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Citations
34 Claims
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1. A masthead control system for a sailing vessel, comprising:
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a mast including a masthead;
an instrumentation center coupled to the masthead;
at least one masthead device coupled to the instrumentation center; and
a cable coupling the instrumentation center and an interface unit, the interface unit providing power, at least one radio frequency signal, and at least one data or control signal to the at least one masthead device through the instrumentation center. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method for providing communication between a control center of a marine vessel and a plurality of masthead devices, comprising:
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providing at least one radio frequency signal between the control center and a first masthead device; and
providing power, at least one data or control signal between the control center and a second masthead device, the at least one radio frequency signal, power, and the at least one data or control signal being provided over a single cable.
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23. An apparatus for operating masthead devices, comprising:
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means for providing power to at least one masthead device coupled to an instrumentation center through a cable coupling the instrumentation center to an interface unit; and
means for sending and/or receiving at least one radio frequency signal and at least one data or control signal between the instrumentation center and the interface unit.
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24. A control system, comprising:
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an instrumentation center;
at least one device coupled to the instrumentation center; and
a cable coupling the instrumentation center and an interface unit, the cable carrying power, at least one radio frequency signal, and at least one data or control signal between the instrumentation center and the interface unit. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A weather station for a marine vessel, comprising:
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an electronic wind sensor;
a temperature sensor;
a pressure sensor;
a relative humidity sensor; and
a processor coupled to the sensors, the processor calculating weather data and transmitting the weather data to an electronic device. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33)
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34. A masthead control system for a sailing vessel, comprising:
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a mast including a masthead;
an instrumentation center coupled to the masthead;
at least one masthead device coupled to the instrumentation center;
a cable coupling the instrumentation center and an interface unit, the interface unit providing power and at least one data or control signal to the at least one masthead device through the instrumentation center; and
a control center coupled to the interface unit, the control center in communication with the at least one masthead device, wherein the control center includes control circuitry for operating the at least one masthead device.
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Specification