Patent · US Expired

Configurable marine steering system

US5107424A · kind A · utility

33Cited by
21References
19Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 5, 1990
Grant dateApr 21, 1992
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 5, 2010

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG05D1/0206
  • WIPO fieldControl
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A ship steering system has a multiplicity of selectable steering stations. A continuously rotating helm at each steering station generates digital rudder control signals which cause a predetermined rudder movement for each 360.degree. of helm rotation. Steering stations are selected through a multiplexer controlled at a command steering station. The steering system is operable from the command steering station in a plurality of modes, which includes auto-pilot, helm (full-follow-up), and tiller (non-follow-up). Helm and/or tiller modes of operation are available at steering stations remote from the command steering station. The system provides for an emergency takeover from the helm or autopilot modes by automatically establishing the tiller mode when the tiller stick is moved. When in the autopilot mode an alarm system provides an alert should the course deviate from a selected course tolerance.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.