Method of steering aquatic vessels
First Claim
1. A method of steering an aquatic vessel having at least one hull, at least one engine coupleable to rotationally drive first and second mutually spaced separate corresponding propeller assemblies for providing thrusts to propel the vessel through water, wherein directions of said thrusts developed by said propeller assemblies are angularly adjustable relative to the at least one hull, and wherein the vessel further includes a control unit for receiving user commands and for sending corresponding signals for controlling power coupled from said at least one engine to said propeller assemblies, said method comprising the steps of:
- receiving a first thrust command for said first propeller assembly and a second thrust command for said second propeller assembly at the control unit;
determining a difference in power to be coupled from said at least one engine to said first and second propeller assemblies as a function of said first and second thrust commands;
coupling power to said first and second propeller assemblies so that said propeller assemblies develop a difference in thrust which is a function of said difference in power; and
controlling angles of directions of thrusts for said first and second propeller assemblies solely as a function of said difference in power coupled to said first and second propeller assemblies to steer said vessel.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
There is provided a boat (200) including a hull (20), and two engines (30, 50) couplable to rotationally drive mutually spaced separate corresponding propeller assemblies for providing thrusts. Directions of the thrusts are angularly adjustable (α1, α2) relative to the hull (20). A control unit (70) receives first and second user commands (S1, S2) and sends corresponding signals for controlling powers (P1, P2) coupled from the engines (30, 50) to their propeller assemblies. The control unit (70) determines a difference in power (ΔP) to be coupled to the propeller assemblies as a function of the first and second user commands (S1, S2). The control unit (70) controls coupling of power (P1, P2) to the propeller assemblies so that the propeller assemblies develop a difference in thrust which is a function of the difference in power (ΔP). The control unit (70) adjusts angles (α1, α2) of the directions of thrusts as a function of the difference in power (ΔP) to assist the difference in power (ΔP) coupled to the propeller assemblies to enhance maneuverability of the vessel (200).
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method of steering an aquatic vessel having at least one hull, at least one engine coupleable to rotationally drive first and second mutually spaced separate corresponding propeller assemblies for providing thrusts to propel the vessel through water, wherein directions of said thrusts developed by said propeller assemblies are angularly adjustable relative to the at least one hull, and wherein the vessel further includes a control unit for receiving user commands and for sending corresponding signals for controlling power coupled from said at least one engine to said propeller assemblies, said method comprising the steps of:
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receiving a first thrust command for said first propeller assembly and a second thrust command for said second propeller assembly at the control unit; determining a difference in power to be coupled from said at least one engine to said first and second propeller assemblies as a function of said first and second thrust commands; coupling power to said first and second propeller assemblies so that said propeller assemblies develop a difference in thrust which is a function of said difference in power; and controlling angles of directions of thrusts for said first and second propeller assemblies solely as a function of said difference in power coupled to said first and second propeller assemblies to steer said vessel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An aquatic vessel comprising:
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at least one hull, at least one engine couplable to rotationally drive at least first and second mutually spaced separate propeller assemblies for providing thrusts to propel the vessel through water, wherein directions of said thrusts developed by said propeller assemblies are angularly adjustable relative to the at least one hull, a control unit for receiving user commands and for sending corresponding signals for controlling power coupled from said at least one engine to said propeller assemblies, said control unit being configured to receive thrust commands for each of said at least first and second propeller assemblies; said control unit including means for determining a difference in power to be provided to said plurality of propeller assemblies as a function of said thrust commands; said control unit being configured to control coupling of power to said at least first and second propeller assemblies responsive to said thrust commands so that said propeller assemblies develop a difference in thrust which is a function of said difference in power; and said control unit being configured to control angles of directions of thrusts for each of said at least first and second propeller assemblies solely as a function of said difference in power. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification