System for controlling a vessel
First Claim
1. A control system for controlling a waterborne vessel, the waterborne vessel having:
- a) a propulsion unit for propelling the waterborne vessel through the water; and
b) a directional device for determining a direction of travel of the waterborne vessel is propelled;
wherein the control system comprises;
i) a manually operable speed regulator to regulate the propulsion supplied by the propulsion unit;
ii) a manually operable steering unit operable to influence the directional device;
iv) at least one limiter to impede the manual operation of the speed regulator or the steering unit or both the speed regulator and the steering unit; and
v) at least one navigational aid to provide navigation data to an operator of the speed regulator or the steering unit or of both the speed regulator and the steering unit;
and wherein the control system can process the navigation data to identify forbidden areas of travel for the waterborne vessel and actuate one or more of said at least one limiters to impede operation of the speed regulator or of the steering unit or of both the speed regulator and the steering unit that would lead to the waterborne vessel moving toward the forbidden areas.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
System (10) for controlling a vessel, which vessel is provided with: propulsion means (40) for propelling the vessel, directional means for determining the direction in which the vessel is propelled, which system is provided with: speed regulating means (32, 36) for influencing the propulsion supplied by the propulsion means, steering means (30, 34) for influencing the directional means, at least one or more navigational aids (28) which provide those who are operating the speed regulating means and/or the steering means with data relating to the navigation, in which the system is provided with means by which the data (14, 16, 22, 24) coming from the navigational aid (28) is used to determine areas where the vessel must not go, and in which the speed regulating means or the steering means or both are provided with limiters (32, 36) by means of which the operation of the abovementioned means is rendered difficult if such operation would lead to the vessel moving in the direction of the abovementioned areas.
-
Citations
30 Claims
-
1. A control system for controlling a waterborne vessel, the waterborne vessel having:
-
a) a propulsion unit for propelling the waterborne vessel through the water; and
b) a directional device for determining a direction of travel of the waterborne vessel is propelled;
wherein the control system comprises;
i) a manually operable speed regulator to regulate the propulsion supplied by the propulsion unit;
ii) a manually operable steering unit operable to influence the directional device;
iv) at least one limiter to impede the manual operation of the speed regulator or the steering unit or both the speed regulator and the steering unit; and
v) at least one navigational aid to provide navigation data to an operator of the speed regulator or the steering unit or of both the speed regulator and the steering unit;
and wherein the control system can process the navigation data to identify forbidden areas of travel for the waterborne vessel and actuate one or more of said at least one limiters to impede operation of the speed regulator or of the steering unit or of both the speed regulator and the steering unit that would lead to the waterborne vessel moving toward the forbidden areas.- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
-
-
15. A control system for controlling a waterborne vessel, the waterborne vessel having:
-
a) a propulsion unit for propelling the waterborne vessel through the water; and
b) a directional device for determining a direction of travel of the waterborne vessel is propelled;
wherein the control system comprises;
i) a manually operable speed regulator to regulate the propulsion supplied by the propulsion unit;
ii) a manually operable steering unit operable to influence the directional device;
iii) at least one propulsion unit sensor to provide information concerning the state of the propulsion unit; and
iv) at least one limiter to impede the manual operation of the speed regulator or the steering unit or both the speed regulator and the steering unit;
and wherein the control system can process the sensor information to determine undesirable propulsion unit operating conditions and to actuate one or more of said at least one limiters to impede operation of the speed regulator or of the steering unit or of both the speed regulator and the steering unit that would lead to the propulsion unit operating under undesirable operating conditions.- View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
-
-
30. A control system for controlling a waterborne vessel, the waterborne vessel having:
-
a) a propulsion unit for propelling the waterborne vessel through the water; and
b) a directional device for determining a direction of travel of the waterborne vessel is propelled;
wherein the control system comprises;
i) a manually operable speed regulator to regulate the propulsion supplied by the propulsion unit;
ii) a manually operable steering unit operable to influence the directional device;
iv) at least one limiter to impede the manual operation of the speed regulator or the steering unit or both the speed regulator and the steering unit;
v) at least one propulsion unit sensor to provide information concerning the state of the propulsion unit; and
vi) at least one navigational aid to provide navigation data to an operator of the speed regulator or the steering unit or of both the speed regulator and the steering unit;
and wherein the control system can process the navigation data to identify forbidden areas of travel for the waterborne vessel can process the sensor information to determine undesirable propulsion unit operating conditions and can actuate one or more of said at least one limiters to impede operation of the speed regulator or of the steering unit or of both the speed regulator and the steering unit that would lead to the waterborne vessel moving toward the forbidden areas or would lead to the propulsion unit operating under undesirable operating conditions or would lead to both said forbidden area movement and said undesirable operation.
-
Specification