Steering system for a marine vessel
First Claim
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1. A manual steering system for a marine vessel including:
- one or more steering devices operable to turn a marine vessel;
a manual steering input device that is manually operable by a user, the manual steering input device arranged to command an ahead course for the vessel and to command turns away from an ahead course, the manual steering input device being arranged to generate a desired vessel turn rate signal;
a rate sensor arranged to generate a vessel turn rate signal indicative of a vessel turn rate; and
a control system configured to receive the vessel turn rate signal and the desired vessel turn rate signal and to control the steering device(s) to turn the marine vessel so as to minimise any difference between the vessel turn rate signal and the desired vessel turn rate signal at least when the manual steering input device commands a turn away from an ahead course, wherein the control system is configured to minimise any difference between the vessel turn rate signal and the desired vessel turn rate signal whether the vessel is travelling at high speed or manoeuvring at low speed.
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Abstract
A steering system for a marine vessel includes one or more steering devices operable to turn a marine vessel; a steering input device arranged to generate a desired turn rate signal; a rate sensor arranged to generate a turn rate signal indicative of vessel turn rate; and a control system configured to receive the vessel and desired turn rate signals and to control the steering device(s) to turn the marine vessel so as to minimise any difference between the signals.
55 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A manual steering system for a marine vessel including:
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one or more steering devices operable to turn a marine vessel; a manual steering input device that is manually operable by a user, the manual steering input device arranged to command an ahead course for the vessel and to command turns away from an ahead course, the manual steering input device being arranged to generate a desired vessel turn rate signal; a rate sensor arranged to generate a vessel turn rate signal indicative of a vessel turn rate; and a control system configured to receive the vessel turn rate signal and the desired vessel turn rate signal and to control the steering device(s) to turn the marine vessel so as to minimise any difference between the vessel turn rate signal and the desired vessel turn rate signal at least when the manual steering input device commands a turn away from an ahead course, wherein the control system is configured to minimise any difference between the vessel turn rate signal and the desired vessel turn rate signal whether the vessel is travelling at high speed or manoeuvring at low speed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A propulsion and manual steering system for a marine vessel including:
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one or more waterjet propulsion units; one or more steering devices operable to turn the marine vessel; a manual steering input device that is manually operable by a user and having a position in which the device commands an ahead course for the vessel and which is operable to command turns away from an ahead course, the device being arranged to generate a desired vessel turn rate signal; a rate sensor arranged to generate a vessel turn rate signal indicative of the vessel turn rate; and control system configured to receive the vessel turn rate signal and the desired vessel turn rate signal and to control the steering device(s) to turn the marine vessel so as to minimise any difference between the vessel turn rate signal and the desired vessel turn rate signal at least when the manual steering input device is operated to command a turn away from an ahead course, wherein the control system is configured to minimise any difference between the vessel turn rate signal and the desired vessel turn rate signal whether the vessel is travelling at high speed or manoeuvring at low speed. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A method for steering a marine vessel including the steps of:
- (a) manually operating a manual steering input device of a manual steering system of the marine vessel to generate a desired vessel turn rate signal representing a desired turn rate of the marine vessel, away from an ahead course;
(b) generating a vessel turn rate signal indicative of the turn rate of the marine vessel; and
(c) controlling one or more steering device(s) of the marine vessel to turn the vessel so as to minimise any difference between the vessel turn rate signal and the desired vessel turn rate signal, wherein the method includes minimising any difference between the vessel turn rate signal and the desired vessel turn rate signal both when the vessel is travelling at high speed and manoeuvring at low speed.
- (a) manually operating a manual steering input device of a manual steering system of the marine vessel to generate a desired vessel turn rate signal representing a desired turn rate of the marine vessel, away from an ahead course;
Specification