Automatic marine signaling system

• US 20070241937A1
• Filed: 03/31/2006
• Published: 10/18/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: KAI Controls LLC
• Original Assignee: David Horst, Jerry Carr
• Inventors: Horst, David, Carr, Jerry
• Granted Patent: US 7,495,581 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/984
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 45/04 the devices being intended to indicate the vessel or parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 45/08 the devices being acoustic

Abstract

A system for controlling a marine vessel'"'"'s existing horn to automatically sound navigational signals as set forth in Coast Guard Navigation Rules, International and Inland for Sound and Light Signals for boats 12 meters 39 feet and larger, Rules 34 through 37. The system provides a user-interface with a selection of predetermined horn/light signals that can be repeated once or continuously via lights and/or sound, with a preview of the selected signal. The system permits a helmsman and other crew members to attend to other duties without constant attention to the vessel'"'"'s horn, and enhances safety and Coast Guard compliance, and in the long term helps to inform and educate the operator through observing the signal patterns, on the water, or in boating courses like Coast Guard Auxiliary, Power Squadron and Community College courses.

Claims

1. A system for automating the horn/light signaling of marine vessels in accordance with Coast Guard Navigation Rules, comprising:

a user-interface for manual selection from among a plurality of regulation cadences each reflecting a vessel condition for which a particular horn signal must be sounded in accordance with said Coast Guard Navigation Rules, said user interface including a plurality of switches for allowing said manual selection;

a processor with memory in communication with said user-interface switches for determining said manual selection and controlling a selected cadence;

a horn driver in communication with said processor for driving a marine vessel horn in accordance with said selected cadence;

a light driver in communication with said processor for driving a marine vessel light in accordance with said selected cadence;

a power controller for regulating power to said horn driver and said light driver.

2. The system for automating the horn/light signaling of marine vessels according to claim 1, wherein said user interface comprises a backlit molded silicon rubber keypad including said switches, said switches being pressure switches each having a proximate indicator light.

3. The system for automating the horn/light signaling of marine vessels according to claim 2, wherein said plurality of pressure switches include,

an ON/OFF switch for applying system power;

a MANUAL switch the default for interrupting the selected cadence and immediately activating the horn/light;

a MODE switch for selecting from among said plurality of cadences;

an OUTPUT switch for selecting between horn signaling via said horn driver, light signaling via said light driver, both, neither, and for allowing an operator to preview a selected cadence at said user interface before implementing said selected cadence;

a SINGLE switch for allowing selection of a single cadence sequence; and

a REPEAT switch for allowing selection of repetitive cadence sequences.

4. The system for automating the horn/light signaling of marine vessels according to claim 2, wherein said MODE switch allows selection of any cadence from among a group comprising:

Power;

Making Way;

Power;

Not Making Way;

NUC,RAM,Sail,Fish,Towing;

Towed &

Manned;

Anchored;

Danger/ Doubt; and

S.O.S.; and

Horn or Light on continuously.

5. The system for automating the horn/light signaling of marine vessels according to claim 1, further comprising a remote 360 degree LED vessel light connected to said light driver.

7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the keypad and display means includes a plurality of keys comprising the keypad and a plurality of LED'"'"'s comprising the display.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said plurality of LED'"'"'s are red 660 nanometer-wavelength LED'"'"'s.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said keypad and display includes an ambient light detector for backlighting said keypad automatically at low light levels.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a weather-proof enclosure.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a 12 Volt receptacle mounted on said enclosure for operating an existing signal light as an automated signaling device.

12. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said processor controls and coordinates the operation of the apparatus using interrupt driven firmware stored in said memory.

13. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said processor automatically and manually controls the generation of signal sequences of presence and absence of sound and light for warning and navigation.

14. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said processor means senses the actuation of any key on said keypad to determine an operating mode of the apparatus.

15. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said power controller means accepts power from the vessel batteries, filters it against electromagnetic interference and permits the application and removal of filtered power to the processor means.

16. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said power controller means can accept a variety of input and output voltages corresponding to the different voltages used in larger vessels.

17. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said keypad and display means comprises a backlit layer of translucent silicon rubber for illuminating laser etched text and graphics.

6. An apparatus for controlling a vessel'"'"'s horn and light comprising:

horn driver means for driving a marine vessel horn;

light driver means for driving a marine vessel light;

an integrated keypad and display means for allowing operator selection and control of a programmed cadence of Coast Guard Rule signals;

processor means with included memory for allowing operator control and implementing said cadence of Coast Guard Rule signals; and

power controller means for powering said horn and light drivers in accordance with a selected cadence of Coast Guard Rule signals.

18. A system for providing high intensity light viewable for 360 degrees comprising:

an aluminum heat sink base;

an aluminum reflector top having at least a 120 degree reflective surface;

an acrylic tube housing;

a current regulating printed circuit board; and

a high intensity Light Emitting Diode.

19. The apparatus of claim 18 using an aluminum heat sink base with fins to increase the surface area and to allow for airflow to dissipate the heat generated by the high intensity LED.

20. The apparatus of claim 19 uses a raised pedestal for the LED to be thermally attached directly to the heat sink base for heat dissipation.