Method and system for steering watercraft

• US 7,140,315 B2
• Filed: 01/31/2005
• Issued: 11/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/29/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Yamaha Marine Kabushiki Kaisha
• Original Assignee: Yamaha Marine Kabushiki Kaisha
• Inventors: Okuyama, Takashi
• Primary Examiner(s): Olson, Lars A.
• Application Number:
  US11/047,098
• Publication Number:
  US 20050170712A1
• Time in Patent Office: 666 Days
• Field of Search: 114/144.E, 114/144.R, 114/144.RE, 440/1, 440/53, 440/84, 440/2, 701/21
• US Class Current: 114/144.00R
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 20/12 Means enabling steering
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 2020/003 Arrangements of two, or more outboard propulsion units
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 25/02 Initiating means for steering , for slowing down, otherwise than by use of propulsive elements, or for dynamic anchoring

Abstract

A method of steering a watercraft propulsion device mounted to a transom plate and having a steering drive unit which allows the watercraft propulsion device to rotationally move about a swivel shaft. The method can include calculating a steering parameter for the steering drive unit in accordance with the degree of operator'"'"'s steering wheel displacement, and operating the steering drive unit based on the calculated control physical quantity, in which the control physical quantity can be selected from a plurality of preset control physical quantities.

Claims

1. A method of steering a watercraft propulsion device mounted to a transom plate of a watercraft, the propulsion device having a steering input device configured for operation by an operator of the watercraft and a steering drive unit configured to allow the watercraft propulsion device to swivel about a swivel shaft, the method comprising the steps of:

detecting a displacement of the steering input device;

detecting which of a plurality of predetermined physical steering parameters for forward operation of the propulsion device has been selected;

calculating a steering control amount for the steering drive unit in accordance with the degree displacement of the steering input device and the selected physical steering parameter; and

operating the steering drive unit based on the calculated steering control amount and the selected physical steering parameter.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the physical steering parameter includes steering torque, a steering angle, angular speed, a tactical diameter and orientation.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the steering drive unit includes an electric motor.

4. The method according to claim 2, wherein the steering drive unit includes an electric motor.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein selecting means is disposed for allowing the operator to select the physical steering parameter.

6. The method according to claim 2, wherein selecting means is disposed for allowing the operator to select the physical steering parameter.

7. The method according to claim 3, wherein selecting means is disposed for allowing the operator to select the physical steering parameter.