AUTOMATIC DOCKING SYSTEM
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Accused Products
Abstract
A programmed control uses distance sensor information to activate thrusters to move a vessel sideways up to a set distance away from a dock and maintain that distance automatically with no human intervention. At close distances a single propeller is used guided by a high bandwidth radar sensor.
41 Citations
26 Claims
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1. (canceled)
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2. (canceled)
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3. (canceled)
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4. (canceled)
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5. (canceled)
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6. (canceled)
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7. An automatic docking system for a marine vessel comprising:
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a plurality of port distance sensing transducers, wherein each port distance sensing transducer is disposed to determine the distance between a port hull of a marine vessel and an external structure; a plurality of starboard distance sensing transducers wherein each starboard distance sensing transducer is disposed to determine the distance between a starboard hull of a marine vessel and an external structure; a programmed control unit, wherein the processor control unit further comprises an automatic processor in electronic communication with the port and starboard distance sensing transducers; a plurality of antennas, wherein at least one antenna is connected to each distance sensing transducer and each antenna is in electronic communication with the processor control unit; a plurality of propulsion elements, wherein the propulsion elements are in electronic communication with the processor control until; and a control panel, wherein the control panel in electronic communication with the processor control unit wherein the control panel is utilized by the user during an initiate phase of the programmed functions of the system and wherein the processor control unit functions independent of user input subsequent to the initiation phase. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. An entirely automated aquatic vehicle docking and control system comprising:
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an entirely automated primary propulsion system; an entirely automated secondary propulsion system; an entirely automated Marine Vessel Automated Docking System (“
MVAD”
) processor control unit comprising;a control system disposed to control the primary propulsion and secondary propulsion units; a radar system which provides distance measurement between the vessel and the dock and transfers to MVAD processor control unit to automatically operate the vessel as required, wherein the MVAD processor control unit automatically reduces the rate of closure between the vessel and dock measuring closure, in real time, and where the MVAD processor unit is further disposed to automatically locates the vessel at predetermined distance from dock and automatically parks the vessel at selected location entered by the user in the non-automated phase. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. An automated marine vessel system for docking to an external structure comprising:
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a series of initialization equipment comprising; a control panel comprising an input mechanism disposed for inputting distance settings between the hull and the dock; a set of switching devices; and
,a series of automation control equipment comprising; a programmed automatic electronic control system comprising; a real time automatic processor; at least one sensing system comprising at least two sensing devices for calculating a distance between at least two spaced locations on a side of the aquatic vessel hull and the external structure that the marine vessel is approaching for the purpose of docking the marine vessel adjacent to the external structure. a bow mounted propulsion unit; a stern mounted propulsion unit; wherein the set of switching devices is disposed for activating and deactivating the programmable automatic electronic control for starting the automatic operation of the programmable automatic control to carry out automatic docking operations and for stopping the operation of the programmable automatic control for alternate manual control; and wherein the automatic processor is in communicate with the at least two sensing devices independently and the bow mounted propulsion unit the stern mounted propulsion unit independently. - View Dependent Claims (26)
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Specification