Marine vessels and systems for laterally maneuvering marine vessels
First Claim
1. A system for maneuvering a marine vessel, the vessel having a longitudinal centerline, the system comprising:
- an input device requesting, lateral movement of the marine vessel with respect to the longitudinal centerline;
a plurality of propulsion devices comprising at least a port propulsion device, a starboard propulsion device, each having forward and rear ends, wherein the intermediate propulsion device is disposed on the longitudinal centerline device disposed between the port and starboard propulsion devices, and wherein the intermediate propulsion device is rotatable about a steering axis located on the longitudinal centerline; and
a control circuit that controls orientation of the forward ends of the port and starboard propulsion devices inwardly towards the longitudinal centerline so as to create propulsive thrusts along axes that intersect at a common point along the longitudinal centerline, and upon a request for lateral movement from the input device, operates one of the port and starboard propulsion devices in forward gear, operates the other of the port and starboard propulsion devices in reverse gear, and operates the intermediate propulsion device in reverse gear.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Systems for maneuvering a marine vessel comprise an input device for requesting lateral movement of the marine vessel with respect to the longitudinal axis and a plurality of propulsion devices including at least a port propulsion device, a starboard propulsion device and an intermediate propulsion device disposed between the port and starboard propulsion devices. A control circuit controls orientation of the port and starboard propulsion devices inwardly towards a common point on the marine vessel, and upon a request for lateral movement of from the input device, operates one of the port and starboard propulsion devices in forward gear, operates the other of the port and starboard propulsion devices in reverse gear, and operates the intermediate propulsion device in reverse gear.
63 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system for maneuvering a marine vessel, the vessel having a longitudinal centerline, the system comprising:
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an input device requesting, lateral movement of the marine vessel with respect to the longitudinal centerline; a plurality of propulsion devices comprising at least a port propulsion device, a starboard propulsion device, each having forward and rear ends, wherein the intermediate propulsion device is disposed on the longitudinal centerline device disposed between the port and starboard propulsion devices, and wherein the intermediate propulsion device is rotatable about a steering axis located on the longitudinal centerline; and a control circuit that controls orientation of the forward ends of the port and starboard propulsion devices inwardly towards the longitudinal centerline so as to create propulsive thrusts along axes that intersect at a common point along the longitudinal centerline, and upon a request for lateral movement from the input device, operates one of the port and starboard propulsion devices in forward gear, operates the other of the port and starboard propulsion devices in reverse gear, and operates the intermediate propulsion device in reverse gear. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A marine vessel extending along a longitudinal axis having a longitudinal centerline, the marine vessel comprising:
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an input device for requesting lateral movement of the marine vessel with respect to the longitudinal axis; a plurality of propulsion devices comprising at least a port propulsion device, a starboard propulsion device, each having forward and rear ends, wherein the intermediate propulsion device is disposed on the longitudinal centerline device disposed between the port and starboard propulsion devices, wherein the intermediate and propulsion device is rotatable about a steering axis located on the longitudinal centerline; and a control circuit that controls orientation of the forward ends of the port and starboard propulsion devices inwardly towards the longitudinal centerline so as to create propulsive thrusts along axes that intersect at a common point, controls one of the port and starboard propulsion devices to apply a forward thrust on the marine vessel, controls the other of the port and starboard propulsion devices to apply a reverse thrust on the marine vessel, and, upon a request for lateral movement from the input device, controls the intermediate propulsion device to apply a reverse thrust on the marine vessel. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification