×

Small watercraft automatic steering apparatus and method

  • US 5,509,369 A
  • Filed: 10/11/1994
  • Issued: 04/23/1996
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/11/1994
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
Patent Images

1. An automatic steering system for a watercraft, comprising:

  • an electric compass providing current heading data associated with the watercraft;

    a rate taker generating from the current heading data a yaw rate signal;

    a yaw rate control loop storing desired heading data, determining from the desired heading data and the current heading data a heading error, and combining the heading error with the yaw rate signal to generate a steering rate command;

    a steering control loop receiving the steering rate command and causing a pump motor and a pump coupled thereto to rotate at a rotational speed commanded by the steering rate command such that a hydraulic fluid is pumped through a hydraulic cylinder to move a piston rod at a rate proportional to the rotational speed of the pump; and

    a mechanical link connecting the piston rod to a steering actuator such that the steering rate command causes the piston rod to move the steering actuator in a manner that causes the watercraft to hold the desired heading.

View all claims
  • 2 Assignments
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×