Speed optimizing positioning system for a marine drive unit
US4861292A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 31, 1988 |
| Grant date | Aug 29, 1989 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 31, 2008 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB63H20/10
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A system for optimizing the speed of a boat at a paticular throttle setting utilizes sensed speed changes to vary the boat drive unit position vertically and to vary the drive unit trim position. The measurement of boat speed before and after an incremental change in vertical position or trim is used in conjunction with a selected minimum speed change increment to effect subsequent alternate control strategies. Depending on the relative difference in before and after speeds, the system will automatically continue incremental movement of the drive unit in the same direction, hold the drive unit in its present position, or move the drive unit an incremental amount in the opposite direction to its previous position. The alternate control strategies minimize the effects of initial incremental movement in the wrong direction, eliminate excessive position hunting by the system, and minimize drive unit repositioning which has little or no practical effect on speed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.