Electronic steering system
First Claim
1. An apparatus for controlling the heading of a watercraft having a propulsion device, said propulsion device generating a thrust and positioned relative to said watercraft such that said propulsion device pulls said watercraft, the apparatus comprising:
- direction means for directing said thrust;
control means for controlling said direction means;
feedback means for providing a feedback signal to said control means, said feedback signal being indicative of the direction of said thrust;
heading designating means for designating a desired heading, said heading designating means providing a desired heading signal to said control means, said desired heading signal being representative of said heading direction;
said direction means, said control means, said feedback means, and said heading designating means cooperating to maintain said heading of watercraft in said desired heading;
wherein said propulsion device has a variable orientation, said orientation being selectable, said direction of thrust responsive to said orientation, and wherein said direction means effects a change in said orientation in response to said feedback signal; and
wherein said feedback means includes a compass in substantially fixed relationship to said propulsion device, said compass providing said feedback signal in response to said orientation.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A device for controlling the heading of a water craft using a propulsion device which pulls the water craft is disclosed. The device includes a motor with a variable thrust orientation and a controller for controlling the direction of the thrust of the motor. A feedback circuit, including a compass in a substantially fixed relationship to the motor, provides a feedback signal to the controller indicative of the direction of the thrust of the motor. A heading designator provides a desired heading signal to the controller. The controller maintains the heading of the water craft in the desired heading in response to the desired heading signal and the feedback signal by varying the orientation which is of the thrust.
72 Citations
16 Claims
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1. An apparatus for controlling the heading of a watercraft having a propulsion device, said propulsion device generating a thrust and positioned relative to said watercraft such that said propulsion device pulls said watercraft, the apparatus comprising:
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direction means for directing said thrust; control means for controlling said direction means; feedback means for providing a feedback signal to said control means, said feedback signal being indicative of the direction of said thrust; heading designating means for designating a desired heading, said heading designating means providing a desired heading signal to said control means, said desired heading signal being representative of said heading direction; said direction means, said control means, said feedback means, and said heading designating means cooperating to maintain said heading of watercraft in said desired heading; wherein said propulsion device has a variable orientation, said orientation being selectable, said direction of thrust responsive to said orientation, and wherein said direction means effects a change in said orientation in response to said feedback signal; and wherein said feedback means includes a compass in substantially fixed relationship to said propulsion device, said compass providing said feedback signal in response to said orientation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An apparatus for controlling the heading of a watercraft having a propulsion device, said propulsion device generating a thrust for pulling said watercraft, the apparatus comprising:
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a single sensor means for sensing the heading of said thrust; control means for controlling said thrust heading; feedback means for providing a feedback signal to said control means, said feedback signal being indicative of said thrust heading; heading designating means for designating a desired heading, said heading designating means providing a desired heading signal to said control means, said desired heading signal being representative of said heading direction; said control means, in response to said feedback signal, maintaining said heading of watercraft in said desired heading; wherein said propulsion device has a variable orientation, said orientation being selectable, said direction of thrust responsive to said orientation, and wherein said control means effects a change in said orientation in response to said feedback signal; and wherein said feedback means includes a compass in a predetermined relationship with said propulsion device, said compass providing said feedback signal in response to said orientation. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification