Automatic trim tab control system
DCFirst Claim
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1. An automatic trim control mechanism comprising:
- first sensor means for sensing displacement of an associated craft about a first axis;
second sensor means for sensing displacement of the associated craft about a second axis;
means for generating a first set of signals indicative of displacement sensed by the first sensor means;
means for generating a second set of signals indicative of displacement sensed by the second sensor means;
means for generating a first composite signal indicative of an aggregation of a plurality of signals from the first set;
means for generating a second composite signal indicative of an aggregation of a plurality of signals from the second set;
means for comparing the first composite signal to a first preselected level to determine a first correction signal;
means for comparing the second composite signal to a second preselected level to determine a second correction signal;
adjustment means for varying a trim tab attitude in conjunction with at least one correction signal;
timer means for selectively enabling the first and second adjustment means to provide adjustment periods of a preselected duration; and
a means for sensing a status of a velocity of the craft, means for generating a velocity signal indicative of the status, and means for controlling the first and second correction signals in accordance with the velocity signal.
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Abstract
An automatic trim control system designed to be used on power boats equipped with electric or hydraulic actuated trim tabs is disclosed. The unit senses out of trim conditions in two planes (pitch and roll) and transmits control signals to the electro-mechanical control lines to reposition the trim tab attitudes, thereby reestablishing preset trim conditions as required.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. An automatic trim control mechanism comprising:
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first sensor means for sensing displacement of an associated craft about a first axis; second sensor means for sensing displacement of the associated craft about a second axis; means for generating a first set of signals indicative of displacement sensed by the first sensor means; means for generating a second set of signals indicative of displacement sensed by the second sensor means; means for generating a first composite signal indicative of an aggregation of a plurality of signals from the first set; means for generating a second composite signal indicative of an aggregation of a plurality of signals from the second set; means for comparing the first composite signal to a first preselected level to determine a first correction signal; means for comparing the second composite signal to a second preselected level to determine a second correction signal; adjustment means for varying a trim tab attitude in conjunction with at least one correction signal; timer means for selectively enabling the first and second adjustment means to provide adjustment periods of a preselected duration; and a means for sensing a status of a velocity of the craft, means for generating a velocity signal indicative of the status, and means for controlling the first and second correction signals in accordance with the velocity signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An automatic trim tab control mechanism for use with an associated water craft comprising:
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first pendulum sensor means for generating a pitch status signal indicative of displacement of a first axis of the associated water craft from vertical in a generally first plane; second pendulums sensor means for generating a roll status signal indicative of displacement of a second axis of the associated water craft from vertical in a generally second plane; means for generating a velocity signal indicative of velocity of the associated water craft; means for comparing the pitch status signal, the roll status signal, and the velocity signal to preselected characteristics; and means for supplying an intermittent control signal for varying attitudes of associated first and second trim tabs in accordance with the comparison. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of controlling attitudes of trim tabs comprising the steps of:
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(a) generating a first signal indicative of planar displacement of a first axis of an associated water craft from vertical; (b) generating a second signal indicative of planar displacement of a second axis of the water craft from vertical; (c) generating a velocity signal indicative of velocity of the associated water craft; (d) comparing at least one of the first, second, and velocity signals to at least one preselected system characteristic; (e) generating a trim tab control signal as a result of the comparison; and (f) intermittently applying the trim tab control signal to at least one associated positionable trim tab. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification